How to Choose the Best Coffee Pod Machine

A pod machine is a fantastic option if you want to have a quick, messy morning cup of coffee. How do you pick the best one?

With a nod to retro design, this appliance sports the SMEG and Lavazza branding across its front. It needs a large space on your countertop and is more expensive than other models. But, it's a top-performing pod coffee maker that has the solid feel.

1. Nespresso Compatible

If you're a Nespresso fan, you'll need to choose the best coffee pod machine compatible with the brand's capsules. You may want to choose a model which can also use other capsules, including organic and Fairtrade or special flavoured pods. These are often available for a similar price to the original ones, and some even include an inbuilt milk frother, which allows you to make the perfect cappuccino or latte.

Bruvi's entry into the pod machine market in 2022 was greeted with excitement. The brightly-colored device promised variety of drinks and a more satisfying cup of coffee than any other pod machine, and pods can be thrown away without worrying about the environment.

It is a winner on three counts. The compact pod coffee machine is affordable and produces a rich, robust espresso every time. It's also among the quietest models on the market which means you can prepare a cup of Joe before your alarm starts.

The Bruvi is available in two sizes and can be adjusted to the type of beverage that you are making. It has three settings to control the temperature and texture of the milk when making either a cappuccino, or Latte. It can even make hot chocolate, which is great for adults and kids who just want to warm up and wind down.

A sleep feature that is programmable is another plus. It switches to standby mode after a period of time without use. It is also easy to clean, and uses only a tiny amount of water. Think about a machine with the option of a capsule holder that is removable to make emptying it easier.

There are several additional accessories that you could add to your coffee pod, including a milk frother (unless it's part of the model you purchase). Other things you might want to consider include a reusable filter for use with capsules that can be reused and a water kettle, or thermometer for precise temperature control and a travel cup.

2. Easy to Clean

A coffee pod machine is an easy method to start your day with a hot cup of coffee. Simply load a pod and switch on and in only a couple of minutes you'll have a freshly brewed beverage. These machines are easy to clean and don't require regular maintenance. They just require a water tank refill and a descaling every six months.

Keurig's K-Cups offer the largest selection of choices available including national brands and supermarket favorites like Folgers, Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, and Dunkin' Donuts. Even non-coffee drinks such as tea and hot chocolate are available in K Cup form from different brands. It's not necessary to make use of Keurig K-Cups for a great cup. You can also make it using filters that are reusable and made of paper or plastic and can hold ground coffee, pre-loaded drippods or loose grounds of coffee.

But many of these pod-based machines aren't known for delivering an intense, rich cup that holds up to the taste of discerning consumers. In our tests, we found that some of the pod coffee makers produced watery or excessively bitter cups of coffee. Some were difficult to use and took up a lot of counter space and running loudly.

There are several high-quality pod coffee makers that give the ease of operation and consistency of a single-serve machine without the sour taste and flimsy packaging. Some come with a built-in milk frother to froth and pour your latte or cappuccino, while others sell separate frothers that which you can connect to the machine to create an amazing foamy top to your drinks.

In addition to producing a great brew, these newer pod coffee machines have taken steps to address the growing concerns about the environmental impact that come with using single-serve pods made of plastic. Both Keurig and Nespresso have made their aluminum pods recyclable by replacing them with polypropylene and the latter is now offering free capsule-recycling bags that can be picked up at any of its boutiques or UPS stores. A competitor that was recently launched, Bruvi, uses its own pods that can be used in its own brewer and are designed to break down in landfills quickly and without leaving microplastics behind.

3. Fast Brewing

A pod coffee machine is a lifesaver for those who don't wish to grind beans or boil kettles. These nifty devices let you brew the perfect cup of coffee, espresso or tea in a matter of minutes, with no cleanup. And while these machines do create more waste in the environment than drip machines, they're still significantly less fussy than brewing a batch of whole beans in a French press or pour-over.

A company based in LA known as Bruvi released its BV-01 pod machine towards the end of 2022. It promised to make more flavorful single serve coffee and offer a wider variety of drinks than the vast number of other pod-based machines, and also provide recyclable capsules that could be removed without breaking down into tiny microplastics. While the Bruvi brewer is more costly than Keurig and Nespresso models, it's an excellent all-around device that smacks of the dawn of a new era for pod coffee.

One of the biggest things to consider when purchasing the coffee pod maker is the serving size. Certain models can serve single-serve cups in a broad variety of sizes, from large travel mugs all the way to 2-ounce espresso shots. Some machines can brew whole pots of coffee. Some even have milk frothers that can be added to create the creamy cappuccino, latte or Latte.

Another aspect to be considered is the design of a pod-based coffee machine. The color and the finish of the machine and the placement and size of the water reservoir and pod compartment will affect the appearance of your machine on your counter. Certain brands have different colored pods so that you can alter your drink according to season or mood.

Pod coffee makers are typically small and take up less space than drip or single-serve brewers. Although a small footprint may be desirable, it is crucial that your device is able to make multiple cups in between refills. For the average household the water tank that can hold at least 40 ounces ought to suffice for most pod coffee makers.

4. Variety of Drinks

The pod machines are extremely versatile and, depending on the brand you select, can make all manner of drinks. Certain brands, like Keurig's popular Keurig systems as well as Sage's Nespresso collab, can make up to four different sizes of drink, while others offer just two or one option. Certain machines also make hot chocolate, and cold drinks.

Some pod coffee machines have built-in milk frothers that can make lattes, cappuccinos and other drinks that are frothy. Others, however, need a separate or conjoined milk jug to accomplish this. The best cappuccino machine uk milk-frothing coffee machines are easy to use and provide precise control. They also feature a sleek design which fits into any kitchen.

The Grind One makes a great model. It's a sleek design that's a far cry from the curves that you see on other pod coffee makers. It is smaller than most Keurig models making it a great choice for kitchens with small spaces or dorm rooms. The water tank is simple to access and can hold up to 40 grams. The machine will automatically place used capsules in a container attached to the machine. Apart from maintaining the reservoir and descaling it every six months, very little maintenance is required.

The machine is more expensive than other models we've reviewed, however, it offers a superior experience. The stainless steel finish brushed is modern and sleek, while the drip tray can be adjusted to accommodate short espresso cups or tall travel mugs. It can be used to make up to five different drinks with the help of an RFID system that scans every compatible pod to automatically adjust its settings.

This is the most attractive coffee pod machine we've tested and offers a superb-tasting brew, particularly for an automatic. We didn't award this machine the top spot since it has limited milk-frothing abilities. The only option is to use dried, skimmed milk capsules which aren't as delicious as freshly squeezed milk. If it included a built-in milk froth then we'd be inclined to award this pod machine the top spot.