The Best Pod Coffee Machines
Pod coffee machines let you add a capsule with ground or roasted coffee beans into the machine. Then the coffee pours through for a predetermined time period to create your drink.
Some pod coffee makers have multiple cup sizes as well as a built-in filter and milk that froths. Selecting the right pod coffee maker for you depends on your personal preferences and lifestyle.
1. Keurig K-Select
This machine is a great choice if you are looking for a Keurig coffeemaker that doesn't have all the bells and whistles and features of higher-end models. It's easy to use, has a beautiful design and can be stored into a corner of the kitchen when it's not being used.
One downside to this machine is that it could be a bit noisy, but this isn't a major issue. It is small enough to fit on a small counter. If you're looking for a Keurig with a larger range of sizes or a carafe to drip-brew your coffee, you might think about other alternatives.
The Keurig K-Select single serve coffee maker is a blend of sleek design with more efficient features to help brew your perfect cup every time. Pick from a variety of delicious K-Cups and brew coffee with a universal My-K-Cup filter (sold separately). The Strong Brew feature kicks up the strength and intensity of your coffee which makes it the ideal option for those who love a strong cup.
This brewer is simple to use, with simple buttons. Insert the K-Cup and then select the desired size of brew, and press the brew button. In less than one minute, you can enjoy a cup of fresh coffee. The large water reservoir of 52 ounces lets you brew up to five cups in between refills, simplifying your morning routine.
This machine is easy to clean, and comes with a removable water reservoir and lid that can be easily hand washed. But, you must clean your Keurig before cleaning, and follow the guidelines in the user manual to ensure that your machine is operating at its peak. This warranty covers the brewer and all original accessories, except for normal wear and tear, damages due to abuse or misuse and external causes of failure, such as power outages.
2. Tassimo My Way
If you're a lover of coffee and are looking for a pod maker that can produce more than your typical cup of joe, this is the best choice. It can make a variety of drinks such as tea and hot cocoa. The large 1.3-litre water tank allows for multiple cups to be brewed simultaneously. The machine can be heated within three minutes, and has a built-in milk container that lets you to make latte and cappuccino. It also has a touch-sensitive LCD which lets you adjust the intensity, temperature and quantity of your preferred beverage.
The Tassimo My Way uses the brand's T Discs which include everything you require for your preferred drink. There are more than 70 different varieties to select from, from brands like Kenco and Costa to Costa, Milka and Cadbury's. The machine offers a variety of T discs, including ones for hot and tea chocolate.
The coffee that was produced by this machine was of high quality, but slightly less than other machines we have reviewed. It also heated the milk for the caffe latte in a short time and gave a smooth taste without being too thick. It is important to note that the milk's frothy texture has sugar in it which, though not a major issue it might not be a favorite for everyone.
The Tassimo My Way is easy to keep clean, with the drip tray, removable parts of the brewing unit and the water tank being dishwasher-safe. A Brita filter is included, as well as a cleaning disk. A handy indicator light informs you when it's time to clean and the water reservoir helps keep the 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 maker, designed in collaboration with Sage by Lavazza is among the most attractive machines available. It's built with durable and attractive capsule machine coffee materials, it comes with a neat adjustable steam wand that can be used to make lattes and cappuccinos, and a stainless milk jug made of steel. It can make espresso lungos, double espressos mugs, and altos with an incredibly thick layer of foam.
Similar to most pod machines, you load a pod via an opening on the top of the machine and drop it in place. The machine pierces the capsule, and then closes it so that when you lift the lever, the pod falls into a specially spent pod tray beneath the drip tray.
The machine is not the fastest machine to brew 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 taste and a delicious crema. The machine also alerts you when the water tank or pod bin requires refilling.
This machine is a top seller due to the fact that you can use any Lavazza pod. There are seven pods in total which include ground espresso (Qualita Rossa), decaffeinated (Dek Cremoso) and two organic coffees. Bio). The pod coffee machine is not cheap but if you combine it with pod delivery the cost could be similar to that of an ordinary bean-to-cup machine. The slim design of this machine allows it to fit into even the smallest kitchens. The pods are also compostable in a way that you can place them in your council food bins or garden compost.
4. Nespresso Vertuo Pod Machine
Nespresso machines are among the top pod coffee makers for those looking for a fast, reliable, and consistent drink. They heat quickly and are extremely simple to use. Simply insert a capsule, push a button and you're done. They also create a rich crema that can be added to your drinks for added flavour and thickness. They're not cheap, however, and you have to purchase their official pods.
The Vertuo line uses different technology than OriginalLine machines that work with espresso capsules (and remain in operation). They read each capsule's barcode, automatically adapting the brewing parameters for a perfect cup. They also have a centrifusion device which spins the capsules to make the best flavor and thickest crema.
That said that, the machines aren't as user-friendly as our other choices. For instance the lid opens only when the machine is in its final stages, and it takes about 30 seconds to get hot enough to put in the capsule. They don't include a milk frother as do other pod coffee makers listed on this list, meaning you'll have to shell out an additional PS90 or so to purchase an additional Aeroccino in order to make lattes and cappuccinos.
They also require more frequent maintenance than other models--refilling the water tank, emptying the pod containers, and descaling--but they do come with an app that reminds you of these duties and includes tools such as store locators and capsule recycling. If you pair your machine with an IntelliPort you can control it via voice commands. This is great when you're making coffee at 4am in the dark or are limited in strength.
5. SMEG Barista Pod Machine
This sleek pod machine is the product of a beloved Italian brand, and a renowned manufacturer of kitchen appliances. It has the retro, sleek curves that SMEG are famous for, and can brew the espresso and lungo drinks. It also has a shot setting that is programmable, dual-height drip trays, and a pod bin that can be removed.
This coffee maker makes it simple to whip up an instant cup of single-shot or double-shot espresso in the morning, or to make a lungo during your break at work. Its easy-to-use control panel looks elegant and doesn't hinder its purpose. If you want to spruce your daily coffee even more, it has three different filter baskets that accommodate different types of capsules. You can use loose-ground beans (although a separate grinder is required).
The SMEG Barista Pod Machine doesn't include a milk pitcher, however, it has an inbuilt Pannarello milk frother that can froth soymilk and cow milk quite well. It also comes with a 51mm portafilter, which is smaller than a conventional commercial-style filter. It's also pressurized which is great because it will not give you the old, unfinished grind taste. It comes with a plastic tamper which can also double as a spoon.
The SMEG is the most expensive machine on our list. It's a good investment it if you're looking for something retro or you like making espresso drinks quickly. This is a great option when you're new to coffee making and don't need to go through the burden of measuring, grinding and tamping beans yourself.