The Best Pod Coffee Machines
With pod coffee machines, you simply put a sealed capsule with roasted or ground 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 frothing milk capabilities. Selecting the right pod coffee machine for you is based on your personal preferences and your lifestyle.
1. Keurig K-Select
This machine is an excellent option if you're seeking an Keurig coffeemaker that doesn't have all the bells, whistles and features of higher-end models. It's easy to use, has a great design and is able to be tucked away in the corner of your kitchen when not being used.
The machine is noisy but that's not a major issue. It's also small enough to fit on a counter that is small. If you're looking for a Keurig with a larger range of sizes or a carafe that can drip-brew your coffee, you may be interested in other alternatives.
The Keurig K-Select single serve coffee maker is a blend of sleek design and more efficient features to help brew your perfect cup every time. Choose from hundreds delicious K-Cups or brew coffee using a My-K-Cup universal coffee filter (sold separate). Strong Brew increases the intensity and the strength of your coffee, making it a great choice for coffee enthusiasts who like strong coffee.
The brewer has simple controls using buttons. Insert the K-Cup and select your preferred size of brew and press to brew. In less than one minute, you'll have freshly brewed coffee. The large reservoir of 52 ounces lets you to brew five cups before refilling, making it easier to manage your morning routine.
This machine is easy to clean, with a removable water reservoir and lid that can be easily hand washed. To ensure that your Keurig is operating at its best, you must always clean it by descaler. Follow the guidelines in the user's manual. The warranty covers the brewer as well as all accessories that came with it, except for normal wear and tear, damages due to abuse or misuse, and any external causes of failure like power outages.
2. Tassimo My Way
If you're a lover of coffee and are in search of a pod maker that can make more than your typical cup of joe, this is the best choice. It's designed to make diverse range of drinks, including hot chocolate and tea, and has a large 1.3 millilitre water tank that can brew multiple cups at a time. The machine can be heated up in just three minutes, and comes with a built-in milk container that can be used to make latte and cappuccino. It also features an LCD that can be touched to let you to adjust the intensity, temperature, and the volume of your beverage.
Tassimo My Way uses T Discs, which are a set of ingredients that can be used to make your drink. There are over 70 different kinds which include Kenco, Costa, Milka and Cadbury's. The machine offers a variety of T discs, which include ones for hot and tea chocolate.
The coffee made by this machine was of high quality, although slightly lower than the other machines we have reviewed. It also steamed the milk to make a caffe latte fairly quickly and produced a creamy mouthfeel, but not too thick. It is important to note that the frothy T Disc milk has sugar in it that, while not a major issue, may not be for everyone's taste.
Tassimo My Way's removable parts such as the drip tray and the water tank are dishwasher-safe. A Brita filter is included, as well as cleaning disk. A helpful indicator light lets you know when it's time to descale and a reservoir of water keeps the limescale at the minimum. The machine is classified as Energy Star, which helps reduce its electricity consumption by up to 15%..
3. Lavazza Lungo Pod Machine
This Nespresso pod coffee machine created in collaboration with Sage by Lavazza is one of the most attractive machines on the market. The machine is constructed of durable and attractive materials. It has a neat 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 goes into action brewing espresso lungo, double espresso gran lungo, mug and alto drinks with a thick layer of silky frosting.
Similar to most pod machines, you load a pod through an opening at the top of the machine and drop it into place. The machine punctures the capsule then seals it. When you press the lever, the pod will fall into a specially spent pod tray beneath the drip tray.
It's not the fastest 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 rich, smooth flavor and a great crema. The machine will also notify you when the water tank or pod bin requires refilling.
The main selling point of this machine is that it can use it with any Lavazza-branded pod Seven pods are available in total including espresso ground (Qualita Rossa, Intenso, Passionale and Delizioso) and two decaffeinated (Dek Cremoso) and two organic coffees (!Tierra! Bio). It's not cheap, but with a subscription plan that combines this pod coffee maker with pod delivery, it can work out for a comparable price to a regular bean-to-cup machine. The machine's slim design allows it to be fitted neatly into the smallest kitchens. Furthermore, the pods themselves are compostable so you can pop them into your council's food waste bins or your own garden compost.
4. Nespresso Vertuo Pod Machine
Nespresso machines are the top pods coffee makers for those who are looking for a reliable, speedy and consistently brewed cup. They heat up quickly and are extremely simple to use--just put a capsule in, push a button, and you're done. They also create a rich crema that you can add to your drinks for added thickness and flavor. The official pods are not inexpensive and you'll have to buy them.
The Vertuo line utilizes a different technology than OriginalLine machines that use espresso capsules (and remain in operation). They scan each capsule's barcode, automatically adapting the brewing parameters for the perfect cup. They also feature a centrifusion mechanism that spins the capsule in order to extract the best flavors and the thickest crema.
The machines aren't as intuitive as our other choices. The lid only opens when the machine is ready, and it takes about 30 seconds for the capsule to heat up. The machine doesn't come with a milk frother, like some of the other pod machines on this list. You'll have spend an extra PS90 to buy a separate Aeroccino to make cappuccinos and lattes.
These machines also require more maintenance than other models, such as refilling the water tank and emptying the pod containers used for descaling - but they come with an app that reminds you to do these tasks, and provides tools such as store locators and capsule recyclers. And if you connect your machine to an IntelliPort it is possible to use voice commands to control it which is a nice feature for those who make coffee in the dark at 4am or have limited hand strength.
5. SMEG Barista Pod Machine
This sleek pod machine is the result of a lovechild between the adored Italian brand, and a well-known company that manufactures kitchen appliances. It sports the retro, sleek curves that SMEG are famous for, and can make the espresso and lungo drinks. It also has an adjustable shot setting that can be programmed and dual-height drip tray, and a pod bin that can be removed.
This coffee maker makes it easy to make an instant cup of single-shot or double-shot espresso in the morning, or for a lungo during breaks at work. The simple control panel keeps it looking elegant and doesn't hinder its purpose. If you're looking to spice your daily coffee even more, it comes with three filter baskets that can allow for different capsule types. You can also use ground beans that are loose (although you'll need an additional grinder).
The SMEG Barista Pod Machine does not include a milk pitcher. However, it does have a Pannarello built-in milk frother that is able to froth soymilk and cow milk very efficiently. It also comes with a 51mm portafilter which is smaller than the typical commercial filter. coffee machine and pods 's also pressurized which is great because it means you won't get the stale, lingering grind taste. It also comes with a tool which can also be used as scoop.
The SMEG is the most expensive machine we've reviewed. It's a good investment it if your style is retro or you love making espresso drinks quickly. It's also a great choice if you're new to the world of making coffee and don't want to have to endure the hassles of measuring, grinding and tamping your own beans.