The Best Coffee Pod Machine

This sleek, brushed-steel machine provides the Sage brand's distinctive quality and ease of operation. After turning on, it heats up and makes a delicious espresso or slightly longer lungo in about 30 seconds.

The pod models are an excellent alternative to bean-to-cup machines. They take the clumsiest aspects of making coffee off your hands, including grinding and measuring grounds.

1. Fast

Pod machines are typically quicker to setup and use than espresso machines, with most capable of making coffee in 30 seconds or less. But they do come at some cost in that the pre-portioned coffee pods that are used in these machines are generally more expensive than freshly roasted beans, and many are also not recyclable (though some companies are now offering free recycling bags and pre-paid UPS labels to return the pods).

The Nespresso CitiZ has one of the fastest pod machines on the market due to the barcode scanner which scans each compatible pod's code prior to brewing. This ensures consistently high-quality coffee, every time. There is almost no chance of getting a bad beverage. The machine is among the slimmest and lightest on the market. It doesn't require an additional milk container and its compact size makes it easy to fit into even the smallest kitchens.

However, the CitiZ isn't the best capsule coffee machine machine for those looking to cut down on their environmental impact. It doesn't have an automated descaling function and you'll need to descale it yourself once every 300 cups if you reside in hard water, or 1200 cups in soft water zones. You'll also have to put with a new cartridge after this expires and can be expensive for some users.

The Tassimo Vivy 2 is another fast machine that has buttons that can be customized and the option to use ground coffee or ESE pods, which are pre-dosed and tampered with grounds compressed between filter paper. This model is B-Corp Certified. It is committed to decreasing the negative impact it has on its environment and workforce. The only drawback is the time it takes to heat up. Once it's done, it can brew one cup in just 35 seconds.

If you're looking for an elegant, sleek machine that can handle a variety of different drink sizes and styles, you should look no further than the Vertuo Creatista from Nespresso. This sleek beauty, created in collaboration with Sage and Sage, is not just easy to use and quick to start, but also comes with an ice cream frothing wand as well as an stainless steel jug.

2. Removable parts

The user-friendliness is a big selling point and the best models are a breeze to use. The majority of machines use the same basic mechanism to brew your cup the water is heated in an internal reservoir, and then pushed through your chosen capsules and extracted to form rich hot java. Most brands offer a range of sizes for drinks to meet different needs, and you can save custom settings for a variety of models to speed up the process further.

Keurig K-Cups are among the largest brands available on the market. However, Nestle Nespresso VertuoLine capsules also offer a large selection of capsules from popular roasters. Some pods can be used once before they are discarded however, others can be used multiple times. You'll need a plan for your old pods to prevent them ending up in landfill.

The sleek SMEG model we tested comes with an ejectable water tank that's easy to fill, and the machine will automatically pour a fresh capsule once the previous one has been cooled. It brews lungo and espresso drinks, and comes with eight different blends that provide plenty of options. This brewer is a great choice for coffee lovers who are looking to move away from drip coffee.

In our tests we found that the Tassimo My Way 2 was the most enjoyable to use. Its sleek design is beautiful on your counter, and it opens with just a touch to reveal the hidden compartment that holds your empty pods. It has a water filter system that is perfect for areas with hard water.

This machine is able to make the standard cup of coffee (240ml) as well as lungo and ristretto-style espresso drinks and is extremely fast. The controls are easy to use, with airplane-style toggles that can be easily pulled back and a lever which retracts to reveal the opening to drop into the pod and bean coffee machine. It requires some effort to close, but the majority of our test subjects even those with limitations in hand strength and mobility, found it comfortable.

3. Size

The best coffee pod machines take all the messy parts of making coffee out of your hands. You simply load in one of the pods, press the button, and then prepare to brew. It is still necessary to clean the machine from time time, but not as frequently as you would with a bean-to-cup cup or espresso maker. The pod machines are smaller than their bigger counterparts, and can be stored on the counter when not being used.

Whether a coffee capsules machines pod machine is the right choice for you depends on your preferences and what you're hoping to get from it. All pod machines are simple to use, however certain models offer more customization options than others. Be aware of the different coffee pods sizes, brew sizes and milk options for frothing when picking the right machine.

Many people think of pod-based devices in the likes of Nespresso and Keurig However, there are a few newer rivals which are worth looking into. One of them is Bruvi which makes use of its own pod system, called B-Pods that can only be used in conjunction with its machines. The pods are identified by a barcode which is scanned by the machine to adjust the brewing settings automatically.

This approach means the machine takes all the guesswork out of brewing a cup and ensures each drink comes out perfectly every time. It is even able to save custom drinks to a separate button to allow you to create them at the push of a single button.

Other machines, such as Sage's My Way offer a greater degree of control over your coffee, allowing you to choose the ideal size and temperature for each cup. It's more expensive than other models, but it comes with a polished stainless-steel construction and the excellent customer service that is a hallmark of the Sage's My Way brand. This is a good choice for those looking for a bit more out of their espresso maker that is based on pods.

Some larger models can also create lungos. Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg, which is a perfect example, blends retro fifties styling from SMEG and Italian coffee brand Lavazza. It's a little intimidating initially due to the airplane-style toggles but once you get used to it, it is quick and satisfying to use. A lungo can be prepared in just 30 seconds.

4. Customization

The lack of customisation is a major reason it may not be the best capsule coffee machine choice for you. Unless you purchase an additional milk frother, the only methods to add flavor or creaminess is to use an in-mug hot chocolate or tea option and add milk to your coffee manually. This won't be an issue for many people, but it could be a problem for those who prefer the convenience of a fully automated experience in the morning.

Bosch's Intellibrew makes use of barcode scanners to scan each capsule. It then automatically pre-wets and infuses, then dispensing the right amount of coffee to the particular type of pod. It's a simple, hands-off machine that does its job well, but it doesn't have any options for making drinks that are customized or altering the strength of brew. This might be frustrating for some customers however for others, the easy automation and variety of cup lengths (espresso lungo, espresso and mug) it gives exactly what they need.

This coffee maker is low maintenance. It's all you have to do is to fill up the water tank and decaffeinate the reservoir every so often. It can dispense short espresso shots and tall travel mugs with ease and, as previously mentioned the pods that are used are ejected to a hidden container which keeps your kitchen spotless. It also does an excellent job of delivering full-bodied, crema-topped coffees.

This machine is part of Smeg’s 1950s-style range. It is easy to use with a simple control panel and can be used with ground coffee or ESE pods. The only drawback is that it doesn't come with an indicator to let you know when it's time to descale, and the maximum water level cannot be set which is a minor issue. You'll also need to buy the capsules of the brand, which can be costly. This is a great pod machine for anyone who wants an attractive and convenient appliance that can be used at a reasonable price. This model can be used with a variety of third-party capsules and also is compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo range.