The Best Pod Coffee Machines
With pod coffee machines, you insert a sealed capsule filled with roasted or ground coffee pods machine into the machine. The coffee is then poured through for a set amount of time to make your beverage.
Some pod coffee machines have different sizes of cups and the ability to froth milk. The ideal pod maker for you will depend on your lifestyle and your personal preferences.
1. Keurig K-Select
This machine is an excellent choice if you are seeking an Keurig coffeemaker that isn’t adorned with all the bells, whistles, and features of the more expensive models. It’s simple to operate and has a beautiful design. When not in use it can be hidden away in the kitchen.
The machine is noisy however it’s not a major issue. It’s also quite small and will fit in small counters. However, if you want a Keurig that has a larger variety of sizes or a carafe that is suitable for traditional drip brewing, you should think about other options.
Keurig K’Select is a single-serve coffee maker that combines a sleek style with more user-friendly features. This lets you make the perfect cup of coffee every time. Choose from hundreds delicious K-Cups or brew coffee using a universal My-K-Cup filter (sold separately). The Strong Brew feature kicks up the strength and intensity of your coffee machines for pods and makes it the perfect choice for those who love a strong cup.
This brewer is simple to use and has simple button controls. Simply put in the K-Cup pod, choose the brew size you’d like to use, and then press brew. In less than one minute, you’ll have freshly brewed coffee. The large water reservoir of 52 ounces lets you brew up to five cups in between refills, simplifying your morning routine.
The machine is simple to clean, thanks to a removable water reservoir and lid which can be easily washed. However, it is recommended to descale your Keurig before cleaning it, and follow the guidelines in the user guide to ensure that your machine is performing optimally. This warranty covers all original accessories and the brewer, except for normal wear misuse, abuse as well as external causes like power outages.
2. Tassimo My Way
If you’re a lover of coffee and are looking for a pod machine that can produce more than your typical cup of coffee, this is the best coffee pod machine option. It can make a variety of drinks, including tea and hot cocoa. The large 1.3-litre water tank lets multiple cups to be brewed at the same time. The machine is warm in only three seconds and can produce an espresso or latte with its built-in milk jug. It also comes with a touch-sensitive screen that allows you to alter the intensity, temperature, and the volume of your beverage.
The Tassimo My Way uses the brand’s T Discs which include everything you need for your favorite drink. There are over 70 different varieties that include Kenco, Costa, Milka, and Cadbury’s. The machine also has a selection of T Discs for tea and hot chocolate as well.
The coffee made by this machine was of high quality, though it was a bit lower than some of the other machines we reviewed. It also heated the milk for the caffe latte in a short time and produced a rich mouthfeel, but not too thick. It is important to know that the milk’s frothy texture contains sugar, which, while not a major problem it might not be for everyone’s taste.
The Tassimo My Way is easy to clean, with the drip tray, removable parts of the brewing unit, and the water tank all being dishwasher-safe. There’s an Brita filter included and a cleaning disc that can be used. A helpful indicator light will let you know when it’s time to descale, and water tanks will help keep limescale at a minimum. The machine is Energy Star rated, which reduces the power consumption of up to 15%..
3. Lavazza Lungo Pod Machine
This Nespresso-compatible pod coffee machine from Lavazza created in collaboration with Sage is among the most attractive machines available. It is constructed of durable and attractive materials. It comes with a stylish steam wand that can be adjusted to make cappuccinos and lattes, as well as a stainless-steel milk jug. The machine will brew espresso lungos, double espressos, gran lungos, mugs and altos, all with a thick layer foam.
Like most pod machines, you load a pod through an opening at the top of the machine, and then drop it into the. The machine punctures the capsule, then closes it. When you pull the lever, the used pod will fall into a dedicated spent pod tray beneath the drip tray.
The machine isn’t the fastest way to make espresso. It takes 30 seconds for a single shot and 90 seconds for the lungo. However, the results are always impressive with a rich, smooth flavor and great crema. The machine will also notify you when the water tank or pod bin needs refilling.
A big selling point for this machine is that you can use it with any Lavazza-branded pod – there are seven in all, including ground roasted espresso (Qualita Rossa, Intenso, Passionale and Delizioso) and two decaffeinated (Dek Cremoso) and two organic coffees (!Tierra! Bio). It’s not cheap, but if you get the subscription deal that bundles this pod and bean coffee machine coffee machine capsule machine with a pod delivery service, it can work out at a similar price to a traditional bean-to-cup machine. The machine’s slim design means it can be fitted neatly into the smallest kitchens. Furthermore, the pods themselves are compostable, so you can put them into your council’s food waste bins or your own garden compost.
4. Nespresso Vertuo Pod Machine
Nespresso machines make some of the best pods coffee makers for those looking for a reliable, speedy and consistent brew. They heat quickly and are incredibly simple to use–just insert a capsule, push the button, and you’re done. They also create a delicious crema that you can add to your drinks for added flavour and thickness. The official pods are not inexpensive and you’ll need purchase them.
The Vertuo line is based on a different technology than OriginalLine machines that use espresso capsules (and still exist). The Vertuo line is able to read the barcode on each capsule and adjusts the brewing parameters to produce the perfect cup. And they include a centrifusion system that spins the capsule in order to extract the best flavors and the most dense crema.
The machines aren’t quite as intuitive as the other options. For instance the lid is only opened when the machine is in its final stages, and it takes about 30 seconds to heat up enough to be able to fit into a capsule. The machine doesn’t come with a milk frother as do other pod coffee makers listed on this list, so you’ll need to spend an additional PS90 or so to purchase an extra Aeroccino if you want to make lattes and cappuccinos.
These machines also require more maintenance than other models – refilling the water tank and emptying the pod containers used for descaling – however, they come with an app that reminds you to perform these tasks, and offers tools such as capsule recyclers and store locators. If you connect your machine with an IntelliPort you can control it using voice commands. This is a great feature for those who make coffee at 4am in the dark or have a limited strength.
5. SMEG Barista Pod Machine
This sleek pod coffee maker is the love child of a well-known Italian brand and a renowned kitchen appliance company. It comes with all the sleek, retro curves that SMEG is famous for, and the ability to make coffee and lungo drinks effortlessly. It also comes with a shot setting that is programmable as well as dual-height drip trays and a removable pod bin.
This coffee maker makes it simple to make an instant cup of single-shot or double-shot espresso in the morning, or to make a lungo in the break at work. The simple control panel is sleek and doesn’t distract from its purpose. It comes with three different baskets for different types of capsules. You can use loose-ground beans (although the use of a separate grinder is required).
The SMEG Barista Pod Machine doesn’t include a milk pitcher however, it does come with an inbuilt Pannarello milk frother, which froths both cow and soymilk quite beautifully. It also comes with the portafilter 51mm that is smaller than a standard commercial-style filter. It’s pressurised and this is a plus since it will not give you the stale, lingering grind taste. It also comes with a Tamper which doubles as scoop.
The SMEG is one of the most expensive pod machines we’ve reviewed but it’s well worth it if you’re a lover of the retro design or like the ability to whip up espresso-based drinks. This is a great option for those who are new to making coffee and do not want to deal with the difficulty of measuring, grinding, and tamping beans yourself.