The Best Pod Coffee Machines
With pod coffee makers, you just insert a sealed capsule filled with ground or roasted beans into the machine. The coffee is poured through the machine for a set amount of time.
Some pod coffee machines have various sizes of cups as well as the ability to froth milk. Selecting the right pod coffee maker depends on your personal preferences and lifestyle.
1. Keurig K-Select
This machine is an excellent option if you're looking for a Keurig coffeemaker that doesn't have all the bells and whistles and features of the more expensive models. It's simple to use, has a stunning design and can be hidden into the corner of your kitchen when not in use.
One downside to this machine is that it can be loud, but it isn't a major issue. It's also small enough to be able to fit on a counter with a small space. If you're looking for a Keurig that has a larger variety of sizes, or a carafe to use for traditional drip brewing, you should look at other alternatives.
Keurig K-Select is a single-serve coffee maker that combines a sleek style with more intuitive features. This lets you make the perfect cup coffee every time. Select from a wide selection of K-Cups and brew coffee with the universal filter for coffee My-K-Cup (sold separate). Strong Brew increases the intensity and strength of your coffee, making it an ideal choice for coffee enthusiasts who like strong coffee.
The brewer comes with simple controls using buttons. Just add a K-Cup pod, choose the brew size you'd like to use and press to brew. In less than a minute you'll have a fresh cup of coffee waiting to drink. The large reservoir of 52 ounces lets you to brew five cups prior to refilling, simplifying your morning routine.
The Keurig is simple to clean, thanks to a removable water reservoir and lid that can be easily hand washed. To ensure that your Keurig is running at its peak, you must always descale it before cleaning. Follow the steps in the user guide. The warranty covers the brewer and all original accessories, 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
If you're a coffee enthusiast and are in search of a pod machine capable of making more than just your daily cup of coffee, this is the best option. It can create a variety of drinks, including tea and hot cocoa. The huge 1.3-litre water tank lets multiple cups to be brewed at the same time. The machine warms up in just three seconds and can make an espresso or latte with its milk jug built-in. It also has a touch-sensitive LCD that lets you set the intensity, temperature and volume of your chosen beverage.
Tassimo My Way uses T Discs that are an assortment of ingredients can be used to create your drink. There are over 70 different varieties that include Kenco, Costa, Milka and Cadbury's. The machine has a range of T Discs, including those for tea and hot chocolate.
The coffee produced by this machine was of excellent quality, but slightly less than other machines in our round-up. It also steamed the milk for an espresso fairly quickly and produced a creamy taste without being too thick. It is important to remember that the frothy T Disc milk has sugar which, though not a major problem however, might not be for everyone's taste.
Tassimo Myway's removable parts including the drip tray, and the water tank are all dishwasher-safe. There's an Brita filter as well as a cleaning disc that can also be used. A helpful indicator light lets you know when it's time to descale and a water reservoir keeps limescale to the minimum. The machine is Energy Star rated, which reduces its electricity consumption up to 15%..
3. Lavazza Lungo Pod Machine
This Nespresso compatible pod coffee machine, designed in collaboration with Sage by Lavazza is among the most beautiful machines available. It's built with durable and attractive materials, has a neat adjustable steam wand for making cappuccinos and lattes and a stainless milk jug made of steel. Place a pod into the machine and select the size of your cup and the machine whirs into action - making espresso, double espresso, lungo, gran lungo, alto and mug drinks with a thick layer of silky foam.
Similar to most pod machines, you load a pod through a hatch at the top of the machine, and then drop it into the. The machine punctures the capsule then seals it. When you pull the lever, the used pod will fall into a dedicated used Pod tray that is located beneath the drip tray.
It's not the fastest to brew espresso. It takes 30 seconds for one shot and 90 seconds for the lungo. However, the results are always amazing with a smooth, rich flavor and great crema. The machine also warns you when the water tank or pod bin requires refilling.
A big selling point for this machine is that you can use it with any Lavazza-branded pod There are seven in total including ground roasted espresso (Qualita Rossa, Intenso, Passionale and Delizioso) Two decaffeinated (Dek Cremoso) and two organic coffees (!Tierra! Bio). It's not cheap, but with a subscription deal that combines this pod coffee maker with pod delivery that can come at a similar cost to a regular bean-to cup machine. This machine's slimline design means it can be easily incorporated into even the smallest kitchens. Furthermore, the pods themselves are compostable so you can pop them into your council's food waste bins or own garden compost.
4. Nespresso Vertuo Pod Machine
Nespresso machines make some of the best pods coffee makers for those looking for a reliable, speedy and steady brew. They are quick to heat up and are simple to use. Simply place a capsule in and push a button and you're ready to go. They also create a delicious crema that you can add to your drinks for added thickness and flavor. The official pods are not inexpensive and you'll have purchase them.
The Vertuo line is based on a different technology than OriginalLine machines that use espresso capsules (and are still in existence). They read each capsule's barcode, automatically adapting the brewing parameters to make the perfect cup. They also have a centrifusion machine which spins the capsules to make the best flavor and the thickest crema.
That said, the machines aren't as intuitive as our other picks. For instance, the lid only opens when the machine is in its final stages, and it takes about 30 minutes to heat up enough to allow it to be put into a capsule. The machine doesn't come with the milk frother like some of the other pod machines listed on this list. So you'll have coffee machine and pods to shell out an additional PS90 to purchase a separate Aeroccino to make cappuccinos and lattes.
They also require more frequent maintenance than other models - refilling the water tank, emptying used pod containers, and decaling. However, they have an application that reminds you of these tasks and offers tools like store locators and capsule recycling. If you connect your device to an IntelliPort you can control it with voice commands. This is a great feature when you're making coffee at 4am in the dark or have limited strength.
5. SMEG Barista Pod Machine
This sleek pod coffee maker is the love child of a well-known Italian brand and a well-known kitchen appliance company. It has all of the retro, sleek curves that SMEG is famous for, and the ability to make coffee and lungo drinks effortlessly. It comes with a programmable setting for the shot, dual-height drip tray, and a pod bins that are removable.
This coffee maker lets you make an instant cup of lungo or espresso in the morning or during breaks at work. Its easy-to-use control panel makes it appear sleek and doesn't distract you 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 does not come with a pitcher for milk. However, it has a Pannarello built-in milk frother which is able to froth soymilk and cow milk very efficiently. It also comes with a 51mm portafilter which is smaller than the standard commercial style filter. It's pressurised, which is nice because it eliminates the old, unfinished grind taste. It also comes with a plastic Tamper which can also be used as a scoop.
The SMEG is among the most expensive pod machines we've reviewed, but it's definitely worth it if your a fan of the retro style or like the ability to quickly whip up espresso-based drinks. This is a great option for those who are new to coffee making and don't need to go through the burden of measuring, grinding, and tamping beans yourself.