The Best Pod Coffee Machines

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

Some pod coffee makers have various sizes of cups and a built-in filter and milk that froths. 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 of higher-end models, this one is a great choice. It's easy to use, has a great design and can be hidden away in an area of the kitchen when not in use.

One disadvantage of this machine is that it can be noisy, but it isn't an issue. It's also quite small and will fit on tiny counter spaces. If you prefer a Keurig with a larger range of sizes, or a carafe to drip-brew your coffee, you might want to consider other alternatives.

The Keurig K-Select single serve coffee maker is a blend of sleek design and more efficient features to help make the perfect cup every time. Pick from a variety of delicious K-Cup pods, or make your own ground coffee using a My-K-Cup universal coffee filter that is reusable (sold separately). The Strong Brew feature kicks up the intensity and strength of your coffee, making it the best option for those who appreciate a strong cup.

The brewer comes with simple controls with buttons. Simply insert the K-Cup and then select the desired size of brew, and press to brew. In less than one minute, you'll be enjoying a cup of fresh coffee. The large water reservoir of 52 ounces allows you to brew five cups prior to refilling, easing your morning routine.

The Keurig is easy to clean. The reservoir for water and lid can be removed and cleaned by hand. However, you should always remove the scale from your Keurig before cleaning it, and follow the guidelines in the user's guide to ensure that your machine is working at its best. This warranty covers the brewer as well as the original accessories, with the exception of for normal wear and tear, damage caused by abuse or misuse and external causes of failure such as power outages.

2. Tassimo My Way

This is the ideal choice for coffee lovers who want a machine that does more than just make your typical cup. It's designed to make a wide range of drinks like tea and hot chocolate and features a large 1.3 Liter water tank that can brew multiple cups at once. The machine can be heated up in three seconds, and also has a built-in milk container that lets you to make latte and cappuccino. It also features a touch-sensitive screen that allows you adjust the temperature, intensity, and quantity of your drink.

The Tassimo My Way uses the brand's T Discs that contain everything you require for your desired drink. There are more than 70 varieties that include Kenco, Costa, Milka and Cadbury's. The machine also offers a selection of T Discs for tea and hot chocolate as well.

The coffee made by this machine was of high quality, though it was a bit lower than the other machines in our round-up. It also steamed the milk for the caffe latte in a short time and produced a creamy mouthfeel without being overly thick. It is important to know that the milk that is frothy has sugar which, though not a major problem it might not be a favorite for everyone.

Tassimo My Way's removable components including the drip tray, and the water tank are all dishwasher-safe. A Brita filter is included, as well as a cleaning disk. A useful indicator light lets you know when it's time to clean and the water reservoir helps keep limescale to the minimum. The machine is rated Energy Star, which helps reduce the amount of electricity it uses by up to 15%.

3. Lavazza Lungo Pod Machine

This Nespresso-compatible pod coffee maker from Lavazza, made in collaboration with Sage is among the most attractive machines on the market. It's made with tough and attractive materials, comes with an adjustable steam wand for making lattes and cappuccinos as well as a stainless milk jug in steel. The machine can brew espresso double espressos, lungos, gran lungos, mugs and altos with a thick layer froth.

Similar to most pod machines, you load a pod via an opening on the top of the machine and drop it into place. The machine penetrates the capsule, and then closes it so that when you pull the lever, the used pod falls into a dedicated spent pod tray beneath the drip tray.

The machine is not the fastest machine to brew espresso, it takes 30 seconds for a single shot and 90 seconds for the lungo. But the results are always amazing with a smooth, rich flavor and a great crema. The machine also warns you when the water tank or pod bin is in need of refilling.

The main selling point of this machine is the ability to use it with any Lavazza brand pod Seven pods are available in all, including ground roasted espresso (Qualita Rossa, Intenso, Passionale and Delizioso) Two decaffeinated (Dek Cremoso) and two organic coffees (!Tierra! Bio). The pod coffee maker isn't cheap but if you combine it with pod delivery the cost could be similar to an ordinary bean-to-cup machine. The compact design of this machine makes it possible to fit into the tiniest kitchens. The pods are recyclable, so you can place them in food waste bins for your council bins or garden compost.

4. Nespresso Vertuo pod capsule coffee machine Machine

Nespresso machines are some of the best pod coffee makers for those looking for quick steady, reliable, and consistent coffee. They heat quickly and are simple to use. Just insert a capsule and press a button, and you're ready to go. 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 you must buy their official pods.

The Vertuo line is based on a different technology than OriginalLine machines that use espresso capsules (and remain in operation). The Vertuo line scans the barcode on each capsule coffee makers and adjusts the brewing parameters to create an ideal cup. They also have a centrifusion device that spins the capsules to make the best flavor and the most thick crema.

The machines aren't quite as intuitive as our other choices. The lid only opens when the machine is in its final stages and it takes around 30 seconds for the capsule to warm up. The machine doesn't come with an milk frother, like the other pod coffee makers listed on this list, meaning you'll need to spend an additional PS90 or so to buy an additional Aeroccino if you want to make lattes and cappuccinos.

They also require more frequent maintenance than other models - refilling the water tank, emptying used pod containers, and descaling. However, they do come with an app that reminds you of these duties and offers tools like store locators and capsule recycling. If you connect your machine to an IntelliPort it is possible to operate it using voice commands, which is a nice feature for those who make coffee in the dark at 4am or have a weak hand.

5. SMEG Barista Pod Machine

This sleek pod coffee machine is the lovechild of a beloved Italian brand and a renowned kitchen appliances company. It features the sleek, retro curves that SMEG are famous for, and can make both espresso and lungo drinks. It also has an adjustable shot setting that can be programmed as well as dual-height drip trays and a pod bin that can be removed.

This coffee maker makes it simple to whip up one-shot or double-shot espresso in the morning, or for a lungo in the break at work. Its simple control panel looks elegant and doesn't take away from its functionality. If you're looking to dress your morning joe more, it comes with three interchangeable filter baskets that allow for different capsule types. You can use loose-ground beans (although a separate grinder is required).

The SMEG Barista Pod Machine doesn't include a milk pitcher, but it does have a built-in Pannarello milk frother, which froths soymilk and cow milk quite nicely. It also comes with an oversized portafilter of 51mm which is smaller than a conventional commercial-style filter. It's pressurised and this is a plus since it will not give you the old, unfinished grind taste. It also comes with a plastic Tamper that doubles as a scoop.

The SMEG is the most expensive machine we've reviewed. However, it's worth it if your style is retro or you enjoy making espresso drinks fast. It's also a great option for those who are new to the world of coffee pods coffee machine making and don't want to endure the hassle of grinding, measuring, and tamping your own beans.