Best Coffee Machine Pods

Pod coffee machines make it simple to get your caffeine fix in the morning. They are quicker than traditional machines since they utilize pre-packaged pods to serve espresso or ground coffee.

For the best pod coffee machine, select one that has the best options for adjusting the size of your drink and temperatures. Also, make sure that the machine can handle the use of reusable pods.

1. Nespresso Vertuo

Nespresso is the market leader in pod brewing and a popular choice for espresso lovers. Nespresso's capsules and machines are highly rated in both quality and sustainability. The capsules are constructed of 80 percent recycled material and are compostable. They also contain less plastic than traditional coffee bags and have a less carbon footprint. Nespresso also collaborates with green-certified organizations to ensure fair work practices and sustainable farming.

The Nespresso Vertuo line includes several machines that produce a rich and delicious cup of espresso or coffee with a perfect crema. VertuoPlus Deluxe and VertuoPlus models feature advanced features, like automatic milk heating as well as customizable drink settings. They are simple to use and feature a sleek style that will look great on your kitchen counter.

Both the X and Deluxe models come with a huge water reservoir and a slender machine body. Centrifusion, a new innovative extraction technique, utilizes up to 7,500 revolutions per minute to brew the espresso or coffee. This produces an even, consistent crema that is saturated to a high degree even in smaller cups.

Nespresso capsules are more expensive than third-party compatible pods sold in grocery stores and online retailers. However, they provide an array of flavors and intensities. The company frequently releases limited-edition options as well. The company's machines are also extremely user-friendly, and the Vertuoline requires fewer steps than the first Nespresso line, which produces espresso only.

The Vertuoline also offers two different sizes of capsules -- the smaller espresso size and the gran lungo size for those who prefer smaller drinks. The larger mug capsules as well as alto capsules are suitable for drinks that require an even more intensely roasted cup of coffee. The Nespresso Vertuoline makes a great cup of drip coffee, in contrast to some of the other pod machines that we tried.

2. Illy X7.1

This pod coffee maker is a sleek, high-spec machine made with tough and attractive materials. It's a bit more expensive than other machines we've tested, however it delivers excellent, reliable performance and has an attractive design.

The X7.1 is a patented system that reads the barcode on every capsule to determine their identity. It then pre-wets and infuses with the proper amount of distillate water. This is a great benefit for those who desire a hassle-free automated, hands-free. However, it could be a problem for those who like to tweak settings and pick their own brew strength and size. The machine can dispense espresso drinks double espresso drinks mugs, gran longo and alto drinks, all topped with the smooth crema.

In addition to its brewing technology in addition to its brewing technology, the X7.1 has a number of other features that make it stand out. For example, it is one of the few coffee machines we have tested that offers the ability to adjust the height of the drip tray to optimize the size and shape of the coffee mug. It comes with a stainless-steel milk jug for making lattes or cappuccinos. The X7.1 also comes with an energy-saving sleep mode and pod holders that are detachable to simplify cleaning.

Compatible with All Keurig K-Cups, Nespresso capsules Compatible with all Keurig K-Cups, Nespresso capsules, and Bruvi B-Pods. These pods differ from K-Cups and other popular pods as they contain ground coffee instead of a tea bag, and they have more caffeine than regular coffee. The Bruvi is also app compatible and can be programmed to brew according to a timetable. It has an ice wand, which can be used to make cappuccinos or lattes fluffy.

3. Grind One

The Grind One, designed in Stockholm, may be the perfect choice for those who don't like Nespresso's plastic capsules or prefer something less as bulky. Two members of Real Homes' team have tried it in their kitchens, and they both love it. It's a sleek stainless-steel geometric machine, which looks stunning and is simple to use. You simply insert the pod, choose whether you'd like a lungo or a short express, and press the button. The flashing light will tell you whether it's brewing or done, and then the coffee starts to come out. There's no steam wand or milk carafe, however you can top your coffee with hot or cold milk as you like.

This machine is designed to work with Grind’s own compostable, recyclable and reusable pods. This means that you're not only cutting down on your coffee waste (which could take hundreds of years to break down) but the pods themselves have zero plastic and are organic. They cost about 50p each and you can chuck them in your food waste bin or garden compost once they're empty.

The Grind One is PS275, and you can buy an additional milk frother for an additional PS325. It is more expensive than other Nespresso pod machines, but it's an elegant, well-designed, and versatile machine. It's also the most compact and therefore won't require much counter space. It has a raised tray that latches on to a series notches, which can be used with the waste bin to adjust the height.

4. Grind 2

This pod machine is perfect for those who like an espresso-like coffee in a snap. It can make a short or long shot, and has three different settings for temperature and extraction. Its ability to create a wonderful espresso impressed our coffee enthusiast. Its crema (which should be a warm chestnut colour and last until the last sip) and temperature were spot on. Its elegant design, as well as its tough and attractive materials, made it stand out among the competition.

Our coffee enthusiast also tested the Grind One to see if it was user-friendly. The heavy-duty switch is satisfying to use and comes with the possibility of programming your preferred long or short shot. It also comes with an easy-to-read display. You can set it to automatically dispensing hot water alongside your coffee, which helps the ground settle and improves the taste of your drink. This pod coffee maker includes a handy milk frother, making it a great all-rounder.

Another benefit of these machines is that they remove the messiness out of espresso making, namely grinding and dosing the beans. This decreases the amount of items that have to be cleaned up and reused, making them a better choice for those without much kitchen space. If you're looking to expand your options, you can utilize an additional milk frother to make lattes and cappuccinos. Alternatively, you could choose a manual coffee maker such as the Aeropress, which combines a low carbon footprint with more flavor than machines can provide. However, it does require more effort on your part and therefore we don't recommend it to everyone.

5. Lavazza Idola

This model isn't as expensive as the Lavazza Voicy pod, but it's perfect for those who love espresso or ristretto or caffe longo. It's also among the quietest machines, meaning you can grab your morning cup of coffee while your children are asleep.

You can program the size of your cup according to your preferences and there's also the option of the temperature to increase to push your brew through at the touch of one button. You can also keep track with maintenance by receiving alerts when the capsule bin is empty or when the water tank needs to be filled up.

The machine does not frost milk however it can be used to make cappuccinos and flat whites by using an additional container. Many buyers have left positive reviews on Amazon and John Lewis. They laud the quiet operation and flexibility of the machine, such as different lengths of brews and an adequate capacity for used capsules.

There aren't a lot of customer reviews however the consensus is that it's a great pod coffee machine if you like simple setup. It's a bit more expensive than the Nespresso Vertuo Pop, but it comes with delicious tasting Lavazza pods and is one of the quietest machines on the market. If you want to make various coffees, we suggest you look at one of our top alternatives. For more information, best Coffee machine read our full Lavazza Idola review.