The Best Pod Coffee Machines
With pod coffee makers, you just place a sealed capsule with roasted or ground coffee into the machine. The coffee is poured through the machine for a specified amount of time.
Certain pod coffee machines come with multiple cup sizes and frothing milk capabilities. The ideal pod maker for you will depend on your lifestyle and personal preferences.
1. Keurig K-Select
If you're looking for a simple Keurig coffee maker without the bells and whistles that come with more expensive models, this one is a good choice. It's easy to use, has a great design, and can be easily tucked away in a corner of the kitchen when not in use.
The machine is noisy but that's not a major issue. It is also fairly small and will fit on tiny counter spaces. If you're looking for a Keurig with a larger variety of sizes, or a carafe to use for traditional drip brewing, you should look at other options.
Keurig K-Select is a single-serve coffee maker that combines a sleek design with more user-friendly features. This allows you to make the perfect cup coffee every time. Choose from hundreds delicious K-Cups or brew coffee using a My-K-Cup universal coffee filter (sold separately). Strong Brew increases the intensity and strength of your coffee, making it a great option for those who enjoy strong cups.
This brewer is easy to use, using simple button controls. Insert a K-Cup and then select the desired brew size and press the brew button. In less than a minute, you'll have a fresh cup of coffee waiting to drink. The large 52-ounce water reservoir allows you to make up to five cups between refills, easing your morning routine.
The machine is simple to clean, thanks to the ability to remove the reservoir of water and lid that can be easily hand washed. But, you must remove the scale from your Keurig before cleaning, and follow the guidelines in the user manual to ensure that the machine is working at its best. This warranty covers all original accessories and the brewer, excluding for normal wear misuse, abuse, and external causes like power outages.
2. Tassimo My Way
This is the ideal choice for coffee lovers looking for a machine that can do more than just making your regular cup. It can make a variety drinks such as tea and hot cocoa. The huge 1.3-litre water tank allows for multiple cups to be brewed at the same time. The machine warms up in only three seconds and can make an espresso or latte with the built-in milk jug. It also has a touch-sensitive LCD which lets you adjust the temperature, intensity and quantity of your desired drink.
Tassimo My Way uses T Discs which are a set of ingredients that you can use to make your drink. There are more than 70 varieties which include Kenco, Costa, Milka, and Cadbury's. The machine has a range of T discs, which include ones for hot and tea chocolate.
We discovered the coffee it produced to be of a excellent quality, though just a little less than some of the other pod machines we have reviewed in this round-up. It also heated the milk for an espresso fairly quickly and gave a smooth mouthfeel without being overly thick. It is important to remember that the frothy T Disc milk has sugar in it which, though not a major issue however, might not be for everyone's taste.
The Tassimo My Way is easy to clean, thanks to the drip tray, the removable components of the brewing unit as well as the water tank being dishwasher-safe. There's a Brita filter included and a cleaning disc that can also be used. A useful indicator light will tell you when you need to descale. water tanks will help keep limescale to a 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 maker, designed in collaboration with Sage by Lavazza is one of the most beautiful machines available. It's made with tough and attractive materials, has an adjustable steam wand for making lattes and cappuccinos, and a stainless milk jug made of steel. It can make espresso lungos, double espressos, gran lungos, mugs and altos, all with an incredibly thick layer of foam.
Like most pod machines, you load the pod through an opening on the top and drop it in the right spot. The machine penetrates the capsule and then closes it so that when you press the lever, the pod falls into a specially empty pod tray underneath the drip tray.
It's not the fastest machine to brew espresso. It takes about 30 seconds for one shot and 90 seconds for the lungo. However, the results are always spectacular with a smooth, rich taste and a delicious crema. The machine will also notify you when the water tank or pod bin requires refilling.
This machine is a top selling item because it can be used with any Lavazza pod. There are seven pods in total that include ground espresso (Qualita Rossa) and decaffeinated (Dek Cremoso) and two organic coffees. Bio). The pod coffee machine is not inexpensive, but if you combine it with pod delivery services it can cost similar to that of an ordinary bean-to-cup machine. The compact design of this machine makes it possible to fit into the tiniest kitchens. The pods are industrially compostable, so you can dispose of them in your local food bins or garden compost.
4. Nespresso Vertuo Pod Machine
Nespresso machines are some of the best pod coffee makers for those looking for a fast, reliable, and consistent drink. They heat up quickly and are incredibly simple to use. Just insert a capsule, press the button, and you're done. They create an extremely creamy, rich crema that can be added to drinks to give more flavor and a thicker layer. They're not cheap however they are expensive, and you need to buy their official pods.
The Vertuo line is a different model from the OriginalLine machines, which still utilize espresso capsules. They scan each capsule's barcode and automatically adjust the brewing parameters for a perfect cup. They also have a centrifusion machine that spins the capsules in order to extract the most flavor and thickest crema.
That said they're not as intuitive as our other picks. The lid opens only when the machine is in its final stages and it takes around 30 seconds for the capsule to get hot. The machine doesn't come with a milk frother like the other pod coffee makers listed on this list, so you'll need to spend an additional PS90 or so to purchase a separate Aeroccino in order to make lattes or cappuccinos.
They also require more frequent maintenance than other models, such as refilling the water tank, emptying the pod containers, and descaling--but they do pods coffee machine come with an application that reminds you of these chores and includes tools such as store locators and capsule recycling. If you pair your machine to an IntelliPort you can control it using voice commands. This is a great feature if you are making coffee at 4am in the dark or are limited in power.
5. SMEG Barista Pod Machine
This sleek machine is the product of an adored Italian brand and a well-known company that manufactures kitchen appliances. It has the retro, sleek curves that SMEG are renowned for, and it can brew both espresso and lungo drinks. It has a programmable setting for the shot, two-height drip trays, and removable pod bin.
This coffee maker allows you to make an instant cup of espresso or lungo in the morning or during your break at work. Its easy-to-use control panel keeps it looking elegant and doesn't hinder its function. It comes with three different baskets 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 milk pitcher. However, it does have a Pannarello built-in milk frother that is able to froth soymilk and cow milk very nicely. It also comes with a 51mm portafilter which is smaller than the conventional commercial filter. It's pressurized, which means that you won't have the stale, lingering taste. It comes with a plastic tamper which can also double as spoon.
The SMEG is the most expensive machine on our list. It's a good investment it if you're looking for something retro or you like making espresso drinks fast. It's also a great option if you're new to the world of making coffee and don't want to have to endure the hassle of measuring, grinding, and the process of tamping your own beans.