The best capsule coffee machine Coffee Pod Machine

This sleek, brushed-steel machine comes with Sage trademark quality and user-friendly. It preheats after switch-on, and makes an espresso with aroma or a slightly longer lungo in just 30 seconds.

Unlike bean-to-cup machines, pod models take the messiest aspects of coffee-making out of your hands, including grinding and dosing grounds.

1. Speedy

Pod machines are typically quicker to set up and use than espresso machines, with most capable of making a cup of coffee in 30 seconds or so. But they come at an expense in that the pre-portioned coffee pods that are used in these machines are generally more expensive than freshly roasted beans and they are not recycled. (though certain companies now offer free recycling bags and prepaid UPS labels for returning them).

The Nespresso CitiZ is one of the most efficient pod machines available that is available due to its built-in barcode reader that scans code of each compatible pod prior to brewing it. This ensures consistently high-quality coffee, every time. There is virtually no possibility of getting a poor beverage. The machine is among the tiniest and lightest available. It doesn't require a separate milk container and its small footprint makes it easy to fit into the smallest kitchens.

The CitiZ isn't the most efficient machine to reduce the environmental impact. It doesn't have an automated descaling function and you'll need to do it yourself every 300 cups if you reside in hard water areas or 1200 cups in soft water zones. When the filter cartridge wears out, you'll need replace it with a new one. This could be expensive for certain users.

The Tassimo Vivy 2 is another speedy machine with customisable buttons and the option to use ground coffee or ESE pods that are pre-dosed, tampered and squeezed between filter paper. This model is B-Corp Certified. It is committed to lessening the negative impact it has on the surroundings and its workforce. The only drawback is the time it takes to heat up. Once it is heated it will brew a cup in around 35 minutes.

If you're after an elegant, stylish machine that can handle a range of different sizes and styles, look no further than the Vertuo Creatista from Nespresso. This sleek machine, created in collaboration with Sage is not just easy to use, but it also comes with an ice cream wand, a stainless steel jug, and a milk frother.

2. Removable parts

The ease of use of pod coffee makers is a major selling point. The best models are easy to operate. Most machines use the same mechanism to brew a cup of coffee that is, heated water is placed in the reservoir, and then pushed through capsules to create rich hot coffee. Most brands offer a range of sizes for drinks to meet various needs. You can save custom settings on many models to speed up the process even further.

Keurig's K-Cups and Nestle's Nespresso VertuoLine series are the two leading players in the market, but each has a variety of capsules from popular roasters and brands. Some pods are made to be used once and get thrown away, whereas others are intended to be used multiple times. You'll need a strategy for the pods you've used to avoid them ending up in landfill.

The SMEG we tested comes with a removable water reservoir that is easy to fill. It also automatically dispensates another capsule after the previous one cools down. It can be used to brew espresso and lungo drinks, and comes with eight different blends for various options. This brewer is ideal for coffee drinkers who wish to make the switch from drip coffee.

In our tests, Coffeee.Uk the Tassimo My Way 2 proved to be the most enjoyable to use. Its sleek design looks great on your counter, and it opens with just a touch to reveal the hidden compartment that holds empty pods. It also comes with the added benefit of an filtration system for water, which is perfect for hard-water areas.

This machine is able to make a standard cup of coffee (240ml) and also serves as lungo and ristretto-style espresso drinks, and is surprisingly quick. The controls are simple to operate, using switches that resemble airplanes, which can be easily pulled back and a lever which retracts to reveal the hole to place into your pod. It requires a little effort to close, but our test subjects, even those with weak hand and mobility were able to use it comfortably.

3. Size

The top coffee pod machines remove all the messes of coffee making out of your hands - you simply put in the pod, press an icon and prepare to brew. It is still necessary to clean the machine from time time however not as often as you would with a bean-to-cup cup or espresso maker. The pod machines are also smaller than their bigger counterparts, so they can fit on the countertop and be kept out of view when not being used.

The ideal coffee maker for you will depend on your preferences and what you wish to achieve. The majority of pod machines are easy to use, however some offer more customisation options than others. Consider the coffee pod variety sizes, brew sizes and milk options for frothing when selecting the best machine.

Many people think of pod-based devices in the likes of Nespresso and Keurig, but there are a few more recent rivals that could be worth considering. One of them is Bruvi which makes use of its own pod system, called B-Pods, which can only be used with its machines. These pods have an underside barcode that machines scan to automatically adjust brewing settings.

The machine will eliminate the guesswork and ensure that every drink is perfect every time. It is able to save your customized drinks to a button so that you can make them by pressing only one button.

Other machines, like Sage's My Way offer a greater degree of control over your coffee and allows you to select a specific size and temperature for each cup. It's more expensive than other models, however it has the polished stainless steel construction and superior customer support synonymous with Sage's My Way. This is a great choice for those looking for something more from their pod-based espresso maker.

Certain models are larger and can brew lungos. Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg, which is a excellent example, blends retro style of the fifties from SMEG and Italian coffee brand Lavazza. It's not easy initially due to the toggles that look like airplanes, but once you get used to it, it is quick and easy to use. A lungo can be prepared in only 30 minutes.

4. Customization

The limited capabilities of a pod coffee machines capsules maker's customization is a major reason it may not be the best option for you. If you don't have an additional milk frother then the only option to add flavor or creaminess is to make use of hot tea or chocolate option in your mug, or to manually add milk into your the coffee. For many people this won't be a problem but it could be a sticking point for those who prefer a fully automated experience in the morning.

Bosch's Intellibrew technology utilizes barcode readers to scan each capsule and automatically pre-wet, infuse and give the correct amount of coffee for that particular type of pod. It's a user-friendly and hands-off machine that does a great job but isn't able to customize drinks or varying brew strength. Some customers might be disappointed by this, however others will appreciate the ease of use and variety of cup sizes (espressos and mugs, lungos and espressos) to be exactly what they're looking for.

Apart from filling the water tank and decaffeinating the reservoir occasionally the coffee maker will not need a lot of maintenance. It is able to serve espresso shots or tall travel mugs effortlessly. As mentioned earlier, the used pods are ejected into a container hidden from view that helps keep your kitchen tidy. It is also excellent at delivering full-bodied espressos with tops that are topped with crema.

This is a stunning machine and is part of Smeg's fifties style range. It's user-friendly with simple buttons and can be used with both ground coffee and ESE pods. It's only downside is the absence of a display that tells you when it's time to descale, as well as the inability to set a maximum water level. You'll also have to purchase the brand's capsules which can be costly. This is a good pod machine for anyone who wants a convenient and attractive appliance that will serve well at a low cost. For those who want some variety, a large selection of third-party capsules is available for this model and it's compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo line.