The Best Pod Coffee Machines

With pod coffee machines, you put a sealed capsule with roasted or ground coffee into the machine. The coffee is then poured into the machine for a specified amount of time.

Some pod coffee machines have different sizes of cups and frothing milk capabilities. The ideal pod machine for you will depend on your lifestyle and your personal preferences.

1. Keurig K-Select

If you're looking for a simple Keurig coffee maker that doesn't have all the bells and whistles that come with higher-end models, this machine is a good choice. It's easy to use and has a stunning look. When not in use, it can be easily tucked into a corner in the kitchen.

One downside to this machine is that it could be a bit noisy, but this isn't an issue. It is also fairly small and will fit on small counters. However, if you want a Keurig with a larger variety of sizes or a carafe to use for traditional drip brewing, you should look at other alternatives.

The Keurig K-Select single serve coffee maker comes with a sleek design and more efficient features to help make your perfect cup every time. Select from a wide selection of K-Cups, or brew your coffee using a My-K-Cup universal coffee filter (sold separate). Strong Brew increases the intensity and strength of your coffee making it a great option for those who prefer strong cups.

The brewer is simple to operate with buttons. Insert the K-Cup, select your desired brew size and press brew. In less than a minute you'll have a fresh-tasting cup of coffee ready for you to enjoy. The large water reservoir of 52 ounces lets you to make five cups before refilling, making it easier to manage your morning routine.

The Keurig is easy to clean. The reservoir for water and lid can be removed and washed by hand. But, you must clean your Keurig before cleaning, and follow the guidelines in the user manual to ensure that your machine is working at its best. This warranty covers all original accessories and the brewer, excluding for normal wear or abuse as well as external causes like power outages.

2. Tassimo My Way

If you're a coffee lover and are in search of a pod maker that can produce more than your typical cup of coffee This is the best choice. It's designed to make wide range of drinks like hot chocolate and tea. It has a large 1.3 millilitre water tank that can make multiple cups at once. The machine can be warmed up in three minutes, and includes a milk container that lets you to make latte or a cappuccino. It also has a touch-sensitive display that allows you to set the temperature, intensity and volume of your chosen drink.

Tassimo My Way uses T Discs which are a set of ingredients that you can use to make your drink. There are more than 70 varieties to choose from, ranging from brands such as Kenco and Costa to Costa, Milka and Cadbury's. The machine also provides T discs for hot chocolate and tea as well.

The coffee that was produced by this machine was of high quality, although slightly lower than other machines in our round-up. It also steamed the milk for an espresso fairly quickly and gave a smooth mouthfeel, but not too thick. It is important to know that the milk that is frothy contains sugar that, while not a major problem it might not be for everyone's taste.

Tassimo Myway's removable parts such as the drip tray and the water tank are dishwasher-safe. There's a Brita filter as well as a cleaning disc that can be used as well. A handy indicator light informs you when it's time to clean and the water reservoir helps keep limescale to a minimum. The machine is rated Energy Star, which helps reduce its electricity consumption by up to 15%.

3. Lavazza Lungo Pod Machine

This Nespresso-compatible pod coffee maker from Lavazza which was developed in collaboration with Sage is among the most beautiful machines available. The machine is constructed of tough and attractive materials. It has a neat steam wand that can be adjusted to make cappuccinos and lattes, and a stainless steel milk jug. Pop in a pod and choose the cup size and the machine goes into action brewing espresso lungo, double espresso, gran lungo, mug and alto drinks with a thick layer of silky froth.

Similar to most pod machines, you load a pod using a hatch at the top of the machine, and then drop it in place. The machine punctures the capsule and then closes it. When you pull the lever the used pod will fall into a specially spent pod tray beneath the drip tray.

The machine is not the fastest to brew espresso, it takes 30 seconds for a single shot and 90 seconds for the lungo. But the results are always amazing with a rich, smooth flavor and a great crema. The machine will also notify you when it is time to refill the water tank or pod bin.

A big selling point for this machine is that it can use it with any Lavazza brand pod Seven pods are available in all, including ground roasted espresso (Qualita Rossa, Intenso, Passionale and Delizioso), two decaffeinated (Dek Cremoso) and two organic coffees (!Tierra! Bio). The pod coffee machine isn't cheap but if you combine it with pod delivery services it can cost similar to that of a regular bean-to cup machine. This machine's slimline design allows it to be easily incorporated into even the smallest kitchens. Furthermore, the pods themselves are compostable, which means you can place them into your council's food waste bins, or even your own garden compost.

4. Nespresso Vertuo Pod Machine

Nespresso machines are the top pods coffee makers for those looking for a reliable, quick and consistent brew. They heat up fast and are easy to use. Simply place a capsule in and push a button and you're ready to go. They also create a rich crema that can be added to your drinks for added flavour and thickness. The official pods aren't inexpensive and you'll have purchase them.

The Vertuo line is a different machine than the OriginalLine machines, which still make use of espresso capsules. The Vertuo line is able to read the barcode on each capsule and adjusts the brewing parameters to create a perfect cup. They also have a centrifusion machine that spins the capsules to extract the most flavor and the most thick crema.

However they're not as intuitive as our other picks. The lid opens only when the machine is ready, and it takes about 30 seconds for the capsule to heat up. They don't include a milk frother like the other pod coffee makers listed on this list, so you'll have to shell out an additional PS90 or so to buy a separate Aeroccino for those who want to make lattes and cappuccinos.

They also require more frequent maintenance than other models--refilling the water tank, emptying used pod containers, and descaling--but they do come with an application that reminds you of these duties and includes tools such as store locators and capsule recycling. And if you connect your machine to an IntelliPort you can use voice commands to control it which is a nice touch if you're making coffee in the dark at 4am or have limited hand strength.

5. SMEG Barista Pod Machine

This sleek pod coffee machine is the product of a cherished Italian brand and a renowned kitchen appliance company. It features all the retro, sleek curves that SMEG is famous for, along with the ability to brew lungo and espresso drinks with ease. It has a programmable setting for the shot, dual-height drip trays, and pod bins that are removable.

This coffee maker makes it simple to make one-shot or double-shot espresso in the morning, or to make a lungo during your break at work. Its easy-to-use control panel makes it appear elegant and doesn't take away from the functionality. It comes with three baskets that can be swapped for different capsule types. You can use loose-ground beans (although a separate grinder is required).

The SMEG Barista Pod Machine doesn't have a milk pitcher, however, it has an inbuilt Pannarello milk frother, which froths both soymilk and cowmilk well. It also has a portafilter of 51mm which is smaller than the typical commercial filter. It's pressurized, which means that it won't give off the stale, leftover taste. It comes with a plastic tamper that also doubles as a spoon.

The SMEG is one of the most expensive pod machines we've reviewed however it's pod making machines certainly worth it if you're a lover of the retro look or if you like being able to quickly whip up espresso-based drinks. It's also a great option when you're just beginning to learn about the world of making coffee and don't want to endure the hassles of measuring, grinding and the process of tamping your own beans.