The Best Pod Coffee Machines

With pod coffee machines, you place a sealed capsule with roasted or ground beans into the machine. The coffee is then poured through for a predetermined amount of time to make your beverage.

Certain pod coffee machines come with different sizes of cups and frothing milk capabilities. Choosing the best pod coffee maker for you is dependent on your individual preferences and lifestyle.

1. Keurig K-Select

If you're looking to buy a basic Keurig coffee maker that doesn't have all the bells and whistles that come with more expensive models, this one is a good option. It's simple to use, has a great design and is able to be hidden into an area of the kitchen when not being used.

One downside to this machine is that it could be noisy, but it isn't an issue. It is also fairly small and will fit in small counters. But, if you're looking for a Keurig with a larger range of sizes or a carafe to use for traditional drip brewing, look at other alternatives.

Keurig K'Select is a single-serve coffee maker that combines a sleek design with more intuitive features. This allows you to make the perfect cup of coffee every time. Choose from hundreds delicious K-Cups, or brew your coffee pods machine using a universal My-K-Cup filter (sold separate). The Strong Brew feature kicks up the strength and intensity of your coffee which makes it the ideal choice for those who love a strong cup.

The brewer comes with simple controls that are operated by buttons. Simply put in the K-Cup pod, choose the desired brew size and then press to brew. In less than a minute, you'll have a freshly-brewed cup of coffee waiting for you to enjoy. The large water reservoir of 52 ounces lets you to brew five cups before refilling, easing your morning routine.

This machine is very easy to clean. The water reservoir and lid can be removed and washed by hand. However, you should always remove the scale from your Keurig before cleaning, and follow the directions in the user's manual to ensure that your machine is performing optimally. The warranty covers the brewer and the original accessories, with the exception of for normal wear and tear, damages caused by abuse or misuse, and any external causes of failure such as power outages.

2. Tassimo My Way

If you're a lover of coffee and are looking for a pod machine that can produce more than just your daily cup of joe, this is the best choice. It's designed to make a diverse range of drinks, including tea and hot chocolate and comes with a huge 1.3 millilitre water tank that can make multiple cups at a time. The machine can be heated up in only three seconds and can make an espresso or latte with its milk jug built-in. It also has a touch-sensitive screen that allows you adjust the intensity, temperature and the volume of your beverage.

Tassimo My Way uses T Discs, which are an assortment of ingredients you can use to make your drink. There are over 70 different varieties that include Kenco, Costa, Milka, and Cadbury's. The machine also has a selection of T Discs for hot chocolate and tea as well.

We found the coffee it made to be of high quality, albeit slightly less than that of other pod machines featured in this round-up. It also produced a silky mouthfeel and steaming milk to make caffe lattes in a short time. It is important to note that the milk that is frothy has sugar in it that, while not a major problem it might not be a favorite for everyone.

Tassimo My Way's removable components, the drip tray and the water tank are dishwasher-safe. There's an Brita filter as well as a cleaning disc that can also be used. A useful indicator light lets you know when it's time to clean and a water reservoir keeps the limescale at an absolute minimum. The machine is rated Energy Star, which helps reduce its electricity consumption by up to 15%.

3. Lavazza Lungo Pod Machine

This Nespresso-compatible pod coffee machine from Lavazza created in collaboration with Sage, is one of the best-looking machines available. It is constructed of sturdy and attractive materials. It has a sleek steam wand that can be adjusted to make cappuccinos and lattes, and a stainless-steel milk jug. Put a pod in, select your cup size and the machine whirs into action brewing espresso double espresso, lungo, gran lungo, alto and mug drinks with a thick layer of silky foam.

Like most pod machines, you load a pod using an opening at the top of the machine, and then drop it into the. The machine punctures the capsule and then seals it. When you pull the lever, the used pod will fall into a designated spent pod tray beneath the drip tray.

It's not the fastest way to make espresso, it takes 30 seconds for one shot and 90 seconds for the lungo. But the results are always amazing with a rich, smooth flavor and great crema. The machine will also alert you when it is time to refill the tank of water or the pod and bean coffee machine bin.

One of the main selling points for this machine is that it can use it with any Lavazza brand pod Seven pods are available in total including espresso ground (Qualita Rossa, Intenso, Passionale and Delizioso), two decaffeinated (Dek Cremoso) and two organic coffees (!Tierra! Bio). It's expensive, but with the subscription deal that bundles this pod coffee machine with pod delivery it could come at a similar price to a regular bean-to cup machine. The slim design of this machine makes it possible to fit into the tiniest kitchens. The pods are recyclable, so you can dispose of them in your local food bins or garden compost.

4. Nespresso Vertuo Pod Machine

Nespresso machines are among the best Pod coffee machine pod coffee pod machines makers for those who want an efficient, reliable, and consistent drink. They heat quickly and are easy to use. Just insert a capsule and push a button and you're done. They also create a rich crema that can be added to your drinks for extra thickness and flavor. They're not cheap, though you must buy their official pods coffee machines.

The Vertuo line utilizes a different technology than OriginalLine machines that use espresso capsules (and are still in existence). They scan each capsule's barcode and automatically adjust the brewing parameters to make the perfect cup. And they include a centrifusion system that spins the capsule in order to extract the fullest flavors and thickest crema.

The machines aren't quite as intuitive as our other choices. The lid opens only when the machine is ready, and it takes about 30 seconds for the capsule to heat up. They don't include milk frothers like some of the other pod coffee makers on this list, so you'll have to shell out an additional PS90 or so to buy a separate Aeroccino in order to make lattes and cappuccinos.

They also require more regular maintenance than other models, such as refilling the water tank, emptying old pod containers, and descaling. However, they have 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 use voice commands to control it which is a great touch if you're making coffee in the dark at 4am, or have weak hands.

5. SMEG Barista Pod Machine

This sleek pod machine is the lovechild between the adored Italian brand and a renowned manufacturer of kitchen appliances. It features the sleek, retro curves that SMEG are famous for, and can brew both espresso and lungo drinks. It has a programmable setting for the shot, dual-height dripping trays, and pod bins that are removable.

This coffee maker makes it easy to whip up an instant cup of single-shot or double-shot espresso in the morning, or for a lungo in the break at work. The simple control panel looks elegant and doesn't hinder its functionality. If you want to spruce your morning joe more, it comes with three different filter baskets that accommodate different types of capsules. You can also use loose ground beans (although you'll need to own an additional grinder).

The SMEG Barista Pod Machine does not come with a pitcher for milk. However, it has a Pannarello built-in milk frother that can froth cow and soymilk efficiently. It also comes with an oversized portafilter of 51mm that is smaller than a typical commercial-style filter. It's pressurized, which is nice because it will not give you the stale, lingering grind taste. It comes with a plastic tamper that also doubles as a spoon.

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. This is a great option if you are new to the art of making coffee and do not want to tackle the burden of measuring, grinding, and tamping beans yourself.