The Best Pod Coffee Machines
Pod coffee machines allow you to put a capsule that contains ground or roast coffee beans into the. The coffee is poured through the machine for a predetermined amount of time.
Certain pod coffee machines come with different sizes of cups and frothing milk capabilities. The ideal pod maker for you will depend on your lifestyle and your personal preferences.
1. Keurig K-Select
If you're looking for a simple Keurig coffee maker without the bells and whistles that come with higher-end models, this one is a good option. It's simple to use, has a stunning design and can be tucked into a corner of the kitchen when not being used.
One disadvantage of this machine is that it may be noisy, but it isn't an issue. It's also small enough to be able to fit on a small counter. If you're looking for a Keurig with a greater variety of sizes or a carafe to drip-brew your coffee, you may want to consider other alternatives.
The Keurig K-Select single serve coffee maker comes with a elegant design and intuitive features to help you make your perfect cup every time. Choose from a wide selection of delicious K-Cup pods, or brew your own ground coffee with My-K-Cup's universal, coffee filter that is reusable (sold separately). The Strong Brew feature kicks up the intensity and strength of your coffee which makes it the ideal choice for those who love a strong cup.
The brewer is simple to operate using buttons. Just insert a K-Cup pod, select the desired brew size, and then press the brew button. In less than a minute, you'll be enjoying a cup of fresh coffee. The large 52-ounce reservoir allows you to make up to five cups in between refills, simplifying your morning routine.
The Keurig is easy to clean. The water reservoir and lid can be removed and washed by hand. But, you must descale your Keurig before cleaning, and follow the instructions in the user guide to ensure that your machine is operating at its peak. This warranty covers all original accessories and the brewer, excluding for normal wear, abuse or misuse, and external causes like power outages.
2. Tassimo My Way
If you're a coffee enthusiast and are in search of a pod maker that can produce more than just your daily cup of coffee it's the ideal choice. It's designed to make wide range of drinks like hot chocolate and tea. It comes with a huge 1.3 litre water tank that can make multiple cups at once. The machine can be heated in just three seconds, and it has a built-in milk container that lets you to make latte or a cappuccino. It also has a touch-sensitive screen that allows you adjust the temperature, intensity, and the volume of your beverage.
The Tassimo My Way uses the brand's T Discs which include everything you need for your desired drink. There are more than 70 varieties, including Kenco, Costa, Milka and Cadbury's. The machine comes with a selection of T discs, including those for tea and hot chocolate.
We found the coffee it produced to be of a excellent quality, though slightly less than the other pod machines we have reviewed in this round-up. It also produced a creamy mouthfeel, and steam-cooked milk to make caffe lattes quickly. It is important to know that the milk that is frothy contains sugar which, though not a major problem however, might not be for everyone's taste.
Tassimo My Way's removable parts including the drip tray, and the water tank are all dishwasher-safe. There's a Brita filter that is included as well as a cleaning disc that can be used as well. A handy indicator light lets you know when it's time to descale, and the water reservoir helps keep limescale to an absolute minimum. The machine is certified Energy Star, which helps reduce its electricity consumption by up to 15%..
3. Lavazza Lungo Pod Machine
This Nespresso compatible pod coffee machine, designed in collaboration with Sage by Lavazza is one of the most beautiful machines on the market. The machine is constructed of sturdy and attractive materials. It has a sleek steam wand that can be adjusted to make cappuccinos or lattes, and a stainless steel milk jug. Pop in a pod, select your cup size and the machine will whir into action - making espresso, lungo, double espresso gran lungo, alto drinks and mugs with a thick layer of silky froth.
Like most pod machines, you load the pod through a hatch on the top and drop it in place. The machine pierces the capsule and then closes it so that when you lift the lever, the used pod falls into a dedicated empty pod tray underneath the drip tray.
The machine is not the fastest machine to brew espresso. It takes 30 seconds for a single shot and 90 seconds for the lungo. But the results are always impressive with a rich, smooth flavor and great crema. coffee machines with pods will also alert you when it is time to refill the water tank or pod bin.
One of the main selling points for this machine is the ability to use it with any Lavazza brand pod - there are seven in all, including espresso ground (Qualita Rossa, Intenso, Passionale and Delizioso) and two decaffeinated (Dek Cremoso) and two organic coffees (!Tierra! Bio). The pod coffee machine is not cheap but if you combine it with pod delivery the cost could be similar to the cost of an ordinary bean-to-cup machine. The slim design of this machine makes it possible to fit into the smallest kitchens. The pods are industrially compostable, so you can put them in your council food bins or garden compost.
4. Nespresso Vertuo Pod Machine
Nespresso machines are among the top pod coffee makers for those who are looking for an efficient, reliable, and consistent drink. They heat up quickly and are extremely simple to use--just insert a capsule, press a button and you're done. They also produce a rich crema that you can add to your drinks for extra flavour and thickness. They're not cheap however you must purchase their official pods.
The Vertuo line is a different machine than the OriginalLine machines, which utilize espresso capsules. The Vertuo line is able to read the barcode on each capsule, and then automatically adjusts the brewing parameters to produce the perfect cup. They also have a centrifusion system that spins the capsule to get the best flavors and the thickest crema.
However, the machines aren't as intuitive as some of our other picks. The lid only opens when the machine is in its final stages and it takes around 30 seconds for the capsule to heat up. The machine doesn't come with the milk frother like some of the other pod machines in this list. So you'll have spend an extra PS90 to buy an additional Aeroccino to make cappuccinos and lattes.
They also require more regular maintenance than other models--refilling the water tank, emptying the pod containers, and decaling. However, they do come with an app that reminds you of these chores and includes tools such as store locators and capsule recycling. If you connect your machine to an IntelliPort you can control it with voice commands. This is a great feature if you are 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 renowned kitchen appliances company. It has all of the sleek, retro curves that SMEG is famous for, along with the ability to brew espresso and lungo drinks effortlessly. It also has an adjustable shot setting that can be programmed and dual-height drip tray, and a removable pod bin.
This coffee maker makes it simple to make an instant cup of single-shot or double-shot espresso in the morning, or to make a lungo during your break at work. Its easy-to-use control panel makes it look sleek and doesn't detract from its functionality. If you're looking to dress your daily coffee even more, it has three filter baskets that can accommodate different types of capsules. You can also make use of loose ground beans (although you'll need to own an additional grinder).
The SMEG Barista Pod Machine does not include a milk pitcher. It does however have a Pannarello built-in milk frother that can froth cow and soymilk efficiently. It also comes with a portafilter that measures 51mm, which is smaller than the standard commercial style filter. It's pressurized, which means you won't have the stale, lingering taste. It also comes with a tool that can also be used as scoop.
The SMEG is the most expensive machine on our list. It's a good investment it if you're retro or you love making espresso drinks quickly. This is a great choice if you are new to the art of making coffee and don't want to deal with the difficulty of measuring, grinding, and tamping the beans yourself.