The best coffee machines with pods Coffee Pod Machine

The sleekest pod machine we've ever seen, this brushed-steel model offers the renowned Sage quality and ease of use. It warms up after switching on, and brews an aroma-packed espresso or a little longer lungo in about 30 seconds.

Unlike bean-to-cup machines, pod models take the messiest aspects of coffee-making out of your hands - including grinding and dosing grounds.

1. Speedy

Pod machines can be set up and operated faster than espresso machines. Most of them can make a cup in 30 seconds. But they come at some cost: the pre-portioned coffee pods used in these machines tend to be more expensive than freshly roasted beans. And many are also not recyclable (though some companies now offer free recycling bags and pre-paid UPS labels for returning the pods).

The Nespresso CitiZ has one of the fastest pod machines available due to the barcode scanner that scans every compatible pod and bean coffee machine's code prior to brewing. This ensures consistently top-quality coffee every time. There is virtually no chance of having a bad beverage. It's also among the tiniest and lightest on the market and does not require a separate milk jug and a small footprint making it easy to fit into even the tiniest of kitchens.

However, the CitiZ isn't the best coffee machines with pods machine for those wanting to minimize 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 every 1200 cups for soft water. You'll also have to put the filter cartridge after this expires and could be expensive for certain users.

Tassimo Vivy 2 is a fast machine that can be customized with buttons. It can be used with ground coffee or ESE pods which are pre-dosed, tampered grounds compressed in between filter paper. It is also B-Corp Certified, which means it is committed to reducing its negative impact on the environment as well as its workforce. Its only minor drawback is the time it takes to warm up. Once it is heated it, it can make one cup in just 35 minutes.

Vertuo Creatista is a stylish sleek machine that can create a variety of drinks in 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 an stainless steel jug and milk frother.

2. Removable parts

A pod coffee maker's user-friendliness is a major draw and the top models are easy to operate. Most machines utilize the same basic method to make a cup of coffee the water is heated inside the reservoir, and then it is pushed through capsules to produce rich, hot coffee. Most brands offer a range of drink sizes to suit different requirements, and you can save custom settings for a variety of models to speed up the process further.

Keurig K-Cups are the biggest brands available on the market. However, Nestle Nespresso VertuoLine capsules also offer a large selection of capsules by popular roasters. Some pods can be used once before being thrown away however, others can be used several times. You'll need a strategy for your used pods to avoid them from being thrown away.

The SMEG we tested comes with a removable reservoir of water that is easy to fill. It also automatically dispenses an additional capsule once the previous one cools down. It can brew lungo and espresso drinks and comes with eight different blends for various options. This brewer is ideal for coffee lovers who want to make the switch from drip coffee.

In our tests, the Tassimo My Way 2 proved to be the most enjoyable one to use. Its sleek design is beautiful on your counter, and it can be opened in a matter of seconds to reveal the hidden compartment that houses empty pods. The machine has an integrated water filter which is perfect for areas with hard water.

This machine is able to make a standard cup of coffee (240ml) and also serves as lungo and ristretto-style espresso drinks and is extremely fast. The controls are simple to operate, using airplane-style toggles that can be retracted easily and a lever that retracts to reveal the opening to drop into the pod. It requires a bit of effort to close, but the majority of our test subjects, including those with weak hand strength and mobility, felt comfortable.

3. Size

The best coffee pod machines take all the messy parts of making coffee out of your hands. You simply put in one of the pods, press an icon and prepare to brew. It is still necessary to clean the machine from time to time however not as often as you would with a bean-to-cup cup or espresso maker. The pod machines are smaller than their bigger counterparts, so they can fit on the counter and be kept out of view when not in use.

The right coffee pod machine for you will be determined by your personal preferences and the goals you'd like to achieve. The majority of pod machines are easy to use, however some have more options for customization than others. The variety of pods, brew size options, and milk frothing features should all be considered to help find the perfect coffee pod machine.

The most popular pod-based machines are Nespresso, Keurig and similar brands. However, there are some more recent competitors that are worth a look. Bruvi uses a bespoke system of pods, called B-Pods, which can only be used in its machines. The pods are equipped with an underside barcode that machines scan to adjust the brewing settings automatically.

This means that the machine takes all the guesswork out the process of making a cup, and guarantees that every drink comes out perfectly every time. It can even save customized drinks to a separate button, allowing you to create them at the touch of a button.

Other machines, like Sage's My Way offer a more precise level of control over your coffee and allows you to select a specific temperature and size for each cup. It's more expensive than other models, however it comes with the polished stainless-steel construction and the excellent customer service that is a hallmark of the Sage's My Way brand. This is a great choice for those looking for something more from their espresso maker that is based on pods.

While the majority of people will use the pod-based machine to create single-serve beverages however, there are a few larger models that can make longer shots, referred to as lungos, too. The Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is a fantastic example of this, and it is a combination of the retro style of SMEG with Italian coffee brand, Lavazza. It's not easy at first thanks to the airplane-style toggles, but once you've gotten used to it, it is quick and easy to use. A lungo can be made in only 30 seconds.

4. Customization

A pod coffee maker's limited flexibility is one of the main reasons it might not be the right choice for you. If you don't buy an auxiliary milk frother, the only methods to add extra flavor or creaminess is to make use of a hot chocolate in-mug or tea option and to add milk to your cup manually. 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 disperse the right amount of coffee required for that kind of pod. It's a simple hands-off device that does an excellent job, but isn't able to customize drinks or for varying the strength of brew. Some customers will be irritated by this, however others will appreciate the convenience and variety of cup sizes (espressos, lungos and mugs) to be exactly what they're looking for.

In addition to filling up the water tank and decaffeinating the reservoir occasionally This coffee maker does not need a lot of maintenance. It dispenses short espresso-style shots and tall travel mugs easily and, as previously mentioned, used pods are ejected into a concealed container that keeps your kitchen clean. It also excels at delivering full-bodied espressos with tops that are topped with crema.

This is a beautiful-looking machine and part of Smeg's fifties-style range. It is easy to use with a simple interface and can be used with ground coffee or ESE pods coffee machine. Its only flaw is the lack of a display that tells you when to descale, and the inability to set the maximum level of water. You will also have to buy the capsules of the brand, which can be costly. This is a good pod machine for anyone looking for a convenient and attractive appliance that will serve well at a reasonable price. This model is compatible with a range of third-party capsules and also works with the Nespresso Vertuo range.