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 poured through the machine for a predetermined amount of time.
Some pod coffee makers have multiple cup sizes as well as a built-in filter and milk ability to froth. The best pod coffee maker is based on your personal preferences and your lifestyle.
1. Keurig K-Select
This machine is an excellent choice if you are looking for an Keurig coffee maker that doesn't come 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 easily tucked into a corner in the kitchen.
The machine is noisy however it's not a major problem. It's also small enough to be able to fit on a small counter. If you prefer a Keurig with a larger range of sizes or a carafe that can drip-brew your coffee, you might be interested in other alternatives.
Keurig K-Select is a single serve coffee maker that combines a sleek style with more user-friendly features. This allows you to make the perfect cup of coffee every time. Choose from a wide selection of delicious K-Cup pods, or make your own ground coffee with a My-K-Cup universal reusable coffee filter (sold separately). Strong Brew increases the intensity and strength of your coffee making it a perfect choice for coffee enthusiasts who like strong cups.
The brewer comes with simple controls using buttons. Place the K-Cup and select your preferred size of brew and press the brew button. In less than one minute, you can enjoy a cup of fresh coffee. The large 52-ounce reservoir allows you to brew up to five cups between refills, making it easier to manage your morning routine.
The Keurig is incredibly easy to clean. The reservoir for water and lid can be cleaned and removed by hand. But, you must remove the scale from your Keurig before cleaning, and follow the instructions in the user's guide to ensure that your machine is performing optimally. The warranty covers the brewer as well as all accessories that came with it, except for normal wear and tear, damage due to abuse or misuse or any other external cause of failure such as power outages.
2. Tassimo My Way
This is the ideal choice for coffee lovers looking for a machine that can do more than just make your daily cup. It's designed to make wide variety of drinks including hot chocolate and tea. It has a large 1.3 millilitre water tank that can make multiple cups at once. The machine can be heated within three minutes, and includes a milk container that lets you to make latte or cappuccino. It also has a touch-sensitive display which lets you adjust the intensity, temperature and volume of your chosen beverage.
The Tassimo My Way uses the brand's T Discs that contain everything you need to make your preferred drink. There are more than 70 kinds that include Kenco, Costa, Milka, and Cadbury's. The machine also has the option of T Discs for hot chocolate and tea as well.
The coffee that was produced by this machine was of high quality, but slightly less than some of the other machines we reviewed. It also gave a smooth mouthfeel, and steam-cooked milk for a caffe lattes in a short time. It is important to note that the milk that is frothy has sugar which, though not a major problem, may not be for everyone's taste.
The Tassimo My Way is easy to clean, with the drip tray, the removable parts of the brewing unit as well as the water tank being dishwasher-safe. A Brita filter is included, as well as a cleaning disk. A helpful indicator light will tell you when it's time to descale, and a water tank will keep limescale to the minimum. The machine is Energy Star rated, which reduces the power consumption of up to 15%..
3. Lavazza Lungo Pod Machine
This Nespresso pod coffee machine, designed in collaboration with Sage by Lavazza is among the most appealing machines on the market. It is constructed of sturdy and attractive materials. It comes with a stylish steam wand that can be adjusted to make cappuccinos or lattes, and a stainless-steel milk jug. The machine can brew espresso lungos, double espressos, mugs, gran lungos and altos, all with an incredibly thick layer of froth.
Like most pod machines, you load a pod using a hatch at the top of the machine and drop it in place. The machine punctures the capsule, then seals it. When you lift the lever, the used pod will fall into a specially used Pod tray that is located beneath the drip tray.
It's not the fastest machine to brew it takes 30 seconds to make an espresso shot and 90 seconds for a lungo but the results are consistently impressive, with great crema and a smooth, rich taste. The machine also warns you when the water tank or pod bin is in need of refilling.
This machine is a top seller due to the fact that you can use any Lavazza pod. There are seven pods in total that include ground espresso (Qualita Rossa) and decaffeinated (Dek Cremoso) and two organic coffees. Bio). It's not cheap, but if you get a subscription deal that combines this pod coffee maker with the delivery of pods, it can work out at coffee capsule machine a similar cost to a traditional bean-to-cup machine. The compact design of this machine makes it possible to fit in even the tiniest kitchens. The pods are also recyclable, so you can place them in your local food bins or garden compost.
4. Nespresso Vertuo Pod Machine
Nespresso machines are among the best pod coffee makers for those who are looking for quick steady, reliable, and consistent drink. They are quick to heat up and are super easy to use. Just insert a capsule, press the button, and you're done. They also create a delicious crema that you can add to your drinks for extra flavour and thickness. They're not cheap, though you must purchase their official pods.
The Vertuo line uses an entirely different method of technology from OriginalLine machines that work with espresso capsules (and are still in existence). They read each capsule's barcode, automatically adapting the brewing parameters to make a perfect cup. They also have a centrifusion system that spins the capsule in order to extract the best flavors and the thickest crema.
The machines aren't as intuitive as the other options. The lid only opens when the machine is in its final stages and it takes around 30 seconds for the capsule to warm up. And they don't come with an milk frother, like some of the other pod coffee makers listed on this list, meaning you'll have to shell out an additional PS90 or so to purchase a separate Aeroccino if you want to make lattes and cappuccinos.
They also require more maintenance than other models - refilling the water tank and emptying used pod containers and descaling - however, they come with an app which reminds you to complete these tasks, and offers tools like store locators and capsule recyclers. If you connect your machine with an IntelliPort you can control it using voice commands. This is ideal if you are making coffee at 4am in the dark or have a limited strength.
5. SMEG Barista Pod Machine
The sleek and stylish pod machine is the lovechild between a beloved Italian brand, and a renowned manufacturer of kitchen appliances. It features the modern, sleek curves SMEG are famous for, and can make both espresso and lungo drinks. It also has a programmable shot setting, dual-height drip trays, and a removable pod bin.
This coffee maker lets you make a quick cup or two of lungo or espresso in the morning or during your break at work. The simple control panel makes it look sleek and doesn't detract from its function. If you're looking to spice your morning joe more, it has three filter baskets that can allow for different capsule types. You can use loose-ground beans (although an additional grinder is required).
The SMEG Barista Pod Machine does not come with a pitcher for milk. It does however have a Pannarello built-in milk frother which froths cow and soymilk very nicely. It also comes with an oversized portafilter of 51mm that is smaller than a standard commercial-style filter. It's pressurised, which is nice because it will not give you the old, unfinished grind taste. It comes with a plastic tamper that can also double as spoon.
The SMEG is the most expensive machine we've reviewed. It's a good investment it if you're retro or you like making espresso drinks in a hurry. This is a great option when you're new to coffee making and do not want to deal with the difficulty of grinding, measuring and tamping beans yourself.