The Best Coffee Pod Machine

This sleek, brushed-steel machine provides the Sage trademark quality and ease of use. It warms up after switching on, and brews an aroma-packed espresso or slightly longer lungo in 30 seconds.

In contrast to bean-to-cup machines models take the messiest aspects of coffee making off your hands, such as grinding and dosing grounds.

1. Speedy

Pod machines are typically quicker to install and use than espresso machines, with most capable of making a cup of coffee in only 30 seconds or less. But they do come at some cost in that the pre-portioned coffee pods used in these models 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 them).

The Nespresso CitiZ is one of the fastest pod machines that is available, thanks to its in-built barcode reader that scans the code of each compatible pod prior to making it. This makes it easy to make consistent high-quality, high-end coffee every time, and there is virtually no chance of the drink turning out badly wrong. The machine is among the slimmest and lightest available. It doesn't require an additional milk container, and its compact footprint makes it easy to fit into the smallest kitchens.

However the CitiZ isn't the most efficient machine for those who want to cut down on their environmental impact. The CitiZ does not have an automatic descaling feature. You will need to manually descale the machine every 300 cups for hard water and every 1200 cups for soft water. When the filter cartridge wears out, you'll need replace it with a new one. This could be expensive for some users.

Tassimo Vivy 2 is a fast machine that can be customized with buttons. It can be used with either ground coffee or ESE pods which are pre-dosed and tampered grounds compressed between filter paper. This model is B-Corp Certified. It is committed to decreasing the negative impact it has on the environment and its employees. The only downside is the time it takes to heat up. Once it's done it, it can make one cup in about 35 minutes.

Vertuo Creatista is a stylish sleek machine that can create a variety of drinks with different sizes and styles. This sleek machine, designed in collaboration with Sage is not just simple to use, but it also comes with an ice cream wand a stainless steel jug, and milk frother.

2. Removable parts

The ease of use is a major draw, and the best models are simple to use. The majority of machines utilize the same basic process to make your coffee: water is heated in an internal reservoir, then pressured through your chosen capsules and extracted to form rich, hot java. Many brands offer a variety of sizes for drinks to meet different needs, and you can save custom settings for a variety of models to speed up the process even further.

Keurig's K-Cups and Nestle's Nespresso VertuoLine series are the two biggest players in the market, but each offers a wide selection of capsules from the most popular roasters and brands. Some pods are designed to be used just once and then be thrown away, while others are meant for multiple uses. You'll need a strategy for your old pods to prevent them from being thrown away.

The sleek SMEG model we tested comes with a removable water tank that's easy to fill and the machine automatically dispenses a fresh capsule once the previous one has been chilled. It can be used to brew espresso and lungo drinks, and comes with eight different blends to offer the variety. This brewer is ideal for coffee lovers who want to make the switch from drip coffee.

In our tests, the Tassimo My Way 2 was the most enjoyable to use. Its sleek design looks great on your counter and can be opened in a matter of seconds to reveal the compartment that holds empty pods. The machine also has the added benefit of an filtration system for water, which is great for hard-water areas.

The machine can brew a standard cup of coffee (240ml) and also serves as lungo and ristretto espresso-style drinks and is surprisingly fast. Its user-friendly controls are easy to navigate with the help of airplane-style toggles and a lever that retracts with little effort to reveal the space where you drop in the pod. It does take a little force to close but our testers, even those who have weak hand and mobility were able to use it comfortably.

3. Size

The top coffee pod makers remove all the messes of coffee making out of your hands - you simply put in a pod, hit an icon and make coffee. You'll still need to clean your machine every now and then, but not as often as a bean-to-cup or espresso maker. The pod machines are smaller than their larger equivalents and can be stacked on the counter when not being used.

The ideal coffee maker for you will be determined by your preferences and the goals you'd like to achieve. All pod machines are easy to use, however some have more options for customization than others. Different pod types, brew sizes options, and milk frothing capabilities must be taken into consideration to find the ideal coffee pod machine for you.

Many people think of pod-based machines as the likes of Nespresso and Keurig, but there are some newer competitors on the scene that are worth a look. Bruvi has a custom-designed system of pods known as B-Pods that can only be used in its machines. The pods have a barcode on the underside that the machine scans to automatically adjust the brewing settings.

This method eliminates all the guesswork of making a cup and ensures each drink is made perfectly every time. It is even able to save custom drinks to a separate button so you can create them at the pod coffee makers touch of a button.

Other machines, such as Sage's My Way offer a more precise level of control over your coffee that allows you to select a specific temperature and size for each cup. It's more expensive than other models, however it has the polished stainless steel construction and superior customer service that is a hallmark of the Sage's My Way brand. This is a good option for those who want something more from their pod-based espresso maker.

Certain models are larger and can make lungos. Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg, a great example, combines retro-fifties style from SMEG and Italian coffee brand Lavazza. It can be a little intimidating to use thanks to its airplane-style toggles as well as the manual lever, but it's incredibly easy and incredibly satisfying to operate the lungo is made in only 30 seconds, and the pods that are used are put into an internal bin with the click of the button.

4. Customization

One big reason why pod coffee makers might not be the right choice for you is its lack of flexibility to customize. Unless you purchase an additional milk frother, the only methods to add flavor or creaminess are to use an in-mug hot chocolate or tea option and add milk manually to your coffee. This shouldn't be a problem for many people, but could be a problem for those who like an entirely automated experience in the morning.

Bosch's Intellibrew makes use of a barcode scanner to scan each capsule. It then automatically pre-wets, infuses and dispenses the correct amount of coffee for the specific kind of pod. It's an easy-to-use and hands-off machine that does an excellent job, but isn't able to customize drinks or altering the strength of brew. This may be a problem for some buyers but for others the hassle-free automation and range of cup lengths (espresso lungo, espresso and mug) will provide precisely what they require.

Apart from filling the tank with water and decaffeinating it occasionally This coffee maker does not require much maintenance. It can make short espresso-style shots and tall travel mugs with ease. As mentioned, the used pods are ejected into a hidden container that keeps your kitchen tidy. It also excels in delivering full-bodied coffees that have tops that are topped with crema.

It's a gorgeous machine and part of Smeg's fifties style range. It's user-friendly with a simple panel of buttons and can be used with both ground coffee and ESE pods. Its only flaw is the lack of an indicator that lets you know when you should descale, and the inability to set the maximum level of water. You'll also have to purchase the brand's own capsules which can be expensive. However, this is a good pod coffee maker for anyone looking for a beautiful and functional appliance that will serve them well for an affordable price. This model can be used with a variety of third-party capsules and also works with the Nespresso Vertuo range.