The Best Coffee Pod Machine

The sleekest pod machine we've ever seen, this model with brushed-steel features the renowned Sage quality and ease of use. It preheats after switch-on, and brews an aroma-packed espresso or a slightly longer lungo in about 30 minutes.

In contrast to bean-to-cup machines models take the most messy aspects of coffee making off your hands - including grinding and dosing grounds.

1. Rapid

Pod machines can be installed and used more quickly than espresso machines. They can typically make a cup in 30 seconds. The pre-portioned pods that are used in these machines are generally more expensive than freshly roasted coffee beans and many of them aren't recyclable.

The Nespresso CitiZ is one of the most efficient pod machines on the market, thanks to its in-built barcode reader that scans code of each compatible pod prior to making it. This makes it easy to ensure consistent high-quality, high-end coffee every time, with next-to-no chance of a drink coming out badly wrong. It's also one of the slimmest and lightest on the market, with no need for an additional milk jug or a small footprint making it easy to fit in even the tiniest of kitchens.

However, the CitiZ isn't the most efficient machine for those looking to reduce their environmental impact. The CitiZ isn't equipped with an automatic descaling feature. You'll have to manually descale the machine every 300 cups for hard water and 1200 cups for soft water. You'll also have to put with a new cartridge once this runs out, which could be costly for certain users.

The Tassimo Vivy 2 is another quick machine that comes with a customisable button and the option to use either ground coffee or ESE pods, which are pre-dosed and tampered grounds compressed between filter paper. The model is B-Corp Certified, which means it is committed to decreasing its negative impact on the environment as well as its employees. Its only minor drawback is the time it takes to warm up. Once it's done, it can brew 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, created in collaboration with Sage is not only easy to use, but it also comes with an ice cream wand stainless steel jug and milk frother.

2. Removable parts

The ease of using a pod coffee maker is a major advantage. The best models are simple to use. The majority of machines employ the same mechanism to brew the cup of coffee you want the water is heated inside reservoirs, then pushed through capsules to create rich, hot coffee. The majority of brands offer a variety of sizes for drinks to meet different needs, and you can save your own settings on many models to simplify the process further.

Keurig K-Cups are the biggest player on the market. However, Nestle Nespresso VertuoLine capsules also have a wide selection of capsules by well-known roasters. Some pods are able to be used just once before being thrown away however, others can be used several times. Either way, you'll need to plan out the way you'll dispose of the pods that are no longer being used so they don't end up in landfill.

The sleek SMEG model we tested has a water tank that is removable and easy to fill, and the machine automatically pours a fresh capsule once the previous one has been chilled. It can brew espresso and lungo drinks, and has eight different blends for the variety. This brewer is perfect for those who love coffee and want to switch to drip coffee.

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

The machine can brew a standard cup of coffee (240ml) as well as lungo and ristretto-style espresso drinks, and is surprisingly quick. The controls are easy to use, with the style of airplane toggles that can be easily retracted and a lever which retracts to reveal the hole to place in your coffee maker. It takes a bit of force to close but our testers, even those who have limited mobility and hand strength felt comfortable.

3. Size

The best coffee pod machines remove all the messes of coffee making out of your hands - you simply load in a pod, hit an icon and make coffee. You'll still have to clean the machine from time time but not as often as you would with a coffee maker that is a bean-to cup or espresso maker. Pod machines are also smaller than their counterparts that are larger which means they can be placed on the counter and be stored away from sight when not in use.

If a coffee pod machine is the right choice for you is based on your preferences and what you're looking to get out of it. All pod machines are simple to use, however some offer more customisation options 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 your needs.

The majority of people think of pod-based machines as the likes of Nespresso and Keurig however there are a few newer rivals that could be worth considering. One is Bruvi, which uses an exclusive pod system called B-Pods, which can only be used by its machines. The pods have a barcode on the underside that machines scan to automatically adjust the brewing settings.

The machine will eliminate the guesswork and make sure that every drink is perfect every time. It can even save customised drinks to a separate button to allow you to make them with the press of a button.

Other machines, such as Sage's My Way offer a more granular level of control over your coffee, allowing you to choose a specific temperature and size for each cup. It's more expensive than other models, but it comes with a polished stainless-steel construction and the excellent customer service that is synonymous with Sage's My Way. This is a great option for those wanting to get a bit more out of their pod-based espresso maker.

While most people will use the pod-based machine to create single-serve drinks There are some larger models that are able to brew longer shots, known as lungos, too. The Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is a fantastic example of this. It is a combination of the retro style of SMEG with the retro-fifties design of SMEG Italian coffee maker, Lavazza. It's a little intimidating at first thanks to the airplane-style toggles, but once you've gotten used to it, coffee capsules machines it is easy and enjoyable to use. A lungo can be made in only 30 minutes.

4. Customization

One of the main reasons a pod coffee maker may not be the right choice for you is the limited customization. If you don't have an auxiliary milk frother then the only option to add flavor or creaminess is to use a hot tea or chocolate option in your mug or to manually add milk into your coffee. For many people this won't be a problem but it could be a problem for those who prefer an automated experience in the morning.

Bosch's Intellibrew technology utilizes barcode readers to scan each capsule, and automatically pre-wet, infuse and dispense the correct volume of coffee for that particular type of pod. It's a user-friendly hands-off device that does a great job however it isn't equipped with options for customizing drinks or varying brew strength. This will irritate some buyers but for others, the simple automation and range of cup lengths (espresso lungo, espresso and mug) will provide precisely what they require.

This coffee maker is very low-maintenance. It's all you have to do is to refill the water tank and decaffeinate it every once in a while. It can dispense short espresso-style shots and tall travel mugs easily. As mentioned, the used pods are ejected in a hidden container that helps keep your kitchen tidy. It also excels at delivering full-bodied coffees with crema-topped tops.

This is a stunning machine and is part of Smeg's fifties style range. It's easy to use with a simple control panel and can be used with ground coffee or ESE pods. It's only downside is the absence of an indicator that lets you know when you should descale, and the inability to set the maximum level of water. You will also have to buy the brand's capsules which can be expensive. This is a great pod machine for those who want an attractive and convenient appliance that will serve well at a reasonable price. If you're looking for a little more variety, a broad selection of third-party capsules is available for this model, and it's compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo line.