The best capsule coffee machine Coffee Pod Machine

The most elegant pod machine we've seen, this model with brushed-steel features the renowned Sage quality and is easy to use. It preheats after switch-on, and makes an espresso with aroma or a little longer lungo in just 30 minutes.

In contrast to bean-to-cup machines models take the most messed-up aspects of coffee making off your hands, including grinding and dosing grounds.

1. Fast

Pod machines are typically quicker to setup and use than espresso machines, with most capable of making coffee in just 30 seconds or less. The pre-portioned pods that are used in these machines tend to be more costly than freshly roasted coffee beans, and a lot are not recyclable.

The Nespresso CitiZ has one of the fastest pod machines available, thanks to the barcode scanner that scans every compatible pod's code prior to making coffee. This ensures you get consistently high-quality coffee, every time. There is hardly any chance of getting a bad drink. It's also among the slimmest and lightest on the market that doesn't require an additional milk jug or a small footprint making it easy to fit into even the tiniest of kitchens.

However, the CitiZ isn't the best machine for those looking to minimize their environmental impact. The CitiZ does not have an automatic descaling feature. You'll need to manually descale the machine every 300 cups for hard water, and every 1200 cups for soft water. Once the filter cartridge runs out, you'll have to replace it with a new one. This can be costly for certain users.

Tassimo Vivy 2 is a fast machine that can be customized with buttons. It can be used with either ground coffee or ESE pods which are pre-dosed, tampered grounds compressed in between filter paper. This model is B-Corp Certified. It is committed to lessening the negative impact it has on the environment and workforce. Its only slight drawback is that it takes longer to warm up, but once this happens it can brew the cup in about 35 minutes.

Vertuo Creatista is a stylish, sleek machine that can create a variety of drinks in different sizes and styles. This gorgeous, glossy machine, developed in collaboration with Sage, is not only easy to use and quick to start, but also comes with a milk frothing wand and an stainless steel Jug.

2. Removable parts

The user-friendliness is a major draw, and the best models are a breeze to use. The majority of machines utilize the same method to make your cup by heating water in an internal reservoir, then pressured through the chosen capsules and extracted to create rich, hot coffee. Most brands offer different sizes of drinks for different needs. You can also save your own settings to streamline the process.

Keurig's K-Cups and Nestle's Nespresso VertuoLine series are the two biggest brands on the market, however each has a variety of capsules from the most popular roasters and brands. Some pods are made to be used only once before being get thrown away, whereas others are meant to be used for a variety of purposes. You'll need a plan for the pods you've used to avoid them from being thrown away.

The sleek SMEG model we tested comes with a water tank that is removable and easy to fill and the machine automatically pours a fresh capsule once the previous one has been cooled. It can make lungo and espresso drinks and comes with eight different blends to offer the variety. This brewer is ideal for coffee lovers who want to move away from drip coffee to drip.

In our tests we found that the Tassimo My Way 2 was the most enjoyable to use. Its sleek design makes it an attractive addition to your countertop and it can be opened with a gentle tap to reveal a hidden compartment for your empty pods. The machine also has the added benefit of an filtration system for water, which is perfect for hard-water areas.

This machine is easy to use and can make regular coffee (240ml), ristretto, and lungo espresso drinks. The controls are easy to operate, using switches that resemble airplanes, which can be easily pulled back and a lever which retracts to reveal the opening to drop into your pod. It requires a little force to close but our testers, even those who have weak hand and mobility were able to use it comfortably.

3. Size

The best coffee pod machines take all the messy parts of making coffee out of your hands - you simply load in the pod, press a button and prepare to brew. You'll still have to clean the machine from time time but not as often as you would with a bean-to cup or espresso maker. pod capsule coffee machine machines are also smaller than their counterparts that are larger, so they can fit on the counter and be kept out of sight when not in use.

If a coffee pod machine is the right option for you is based on your preferences and what you want to get out of it. All pod machines are simple to operate, however, some offer more customization options. Different pod types, brew sizes options, and milk frothing capabilities should all be considered to determine the best coffee pod machine for you.

Many people think of pod-based machines as the likes of Nespresso and Keurig, but there are some newer competitors on the scene which are worth looking into. Bruvi utilizes a unique system of pods called B-Pods that can only be used in its machines. The pods have an underside barcode that machines scan to automatically adjust brewing settings.

The machine will eliminate all the guesswork and make sure that every drink is perfect every time. It is even able to save custom drinks to a specific button, allowing you to create them at the touch of a button.

Other machines, like Sage's My Way, offer more granular control over your coffee than the majority models, allowing you to select the right size and temperature for each drink. It's more expensive than some models, but it has the polished stainless steel build and top-quality customer service that's synonymous with the brand and is a solid option for those looking to get an extra level of quality from their pod-based coffee maker.

While most people will use pod-based machines to make single-serve drinks, there are some larger models that are able to make longer shots, referred to as lungos, too. Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is a great example, combines retro-fifties style from SMEG and Italian coffee brand Lavazza. It can be a little difficult to use due to its airplane-style toggles and manual lever, but it's quick and extremely enjoyable to use and brews a lungo in just 30 seconds and the discarded pods are deposited into an internal bin with the click of the button.

4. Customization

One of the main reasons the pod coffee maker might not be right for you is its limited customization. If you don't buy an auxiliary milk frother, the only options to add extra flavor or creaminess is to make use of an in-mug hot chocolate or tea option and add milk manually to your coffee pods coffee machine. This shouldn't be a problem for most people, but it could be an issue for those who prefer the convenience of a fully automated experience in the morning.

Bosch's Intellibrew technology makes use of barcode readers to scan each capsule, and automatically pre-wet, infuse, and disperse the right amount of coffee required for that type of pod. It's a simple, hands-off machine that does its job well, but it doesn't have any options for customizing drinks or varying the strength of the brew. Some customers will be irritated by this, but many will find the ease of use and the variety of cup sizes (espressos and lungos, as well as mugs) to be exactly what they're searching for.

This coffee maker is very low maintenance. It only requires you to fill up the water tank, and decaffeinate it every so often. It dispenses short espresso-style shots and tall travel mugs with ease and, as we mentioned the pods coffee machine that are used are ejected into a concealed container that keeps your kitchen clean. It also does an excellent job of delivering full-bodied, crema-topped coffees.

This machine is part of Smeg's 1950s-style collection. It's easy to use via simple buttons, and it can handle both ground coffee and ESE pods. The only issue is that it doesn't come with an indicator to let you know when it's time to descale, and the maximum water level can't be set, which is a minor issue. It is also necessary to buy the capsules of the brand, which can be costly. This is a good pod machine for anyone looking for an attractive and convenient appliance that will serve well at a reasonable price. This model is compatible with a range of capsules from third party manufacturers and is compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo range.