Best Coffee Machine Pods
Pod coffee machines can alleviate the stress of getting your morning coffee fix. Contrary to conventional machines they offer pre-packed pods of ground coffee or espresso to speed up the process.
To find the top pod coffee machine, select one that provides the most options for adjusting drink sizes and temperatures. Find out if the machine is compatible with reused pods.
1. Nespresso Vertuo
Nespresso is the market leader in pod brewing and a popular choice for espresso fans. The machines and capsules of Nespresso are highly assessed in terms of their quality and sustainability. The capsules are constructed of 80 percent recycled material and can be composted. They also contain less plastic than traditional coffee bags and have a less carbon footprint. In addition, Nespresso partners with green-certified organizations to promote responsible farming practices and fair labour practices.
The Nespresso Vertuo line includes several machines that create delicious and rich cups of espresso or coffee with a great crema. The VertuoPlus X and VertuoPlus Deluxe models offer advanced features like automatic heating of milk as well as customizable drink settings. These machines are simple to operate and have modern, sleek design that will look stunning in your kitchen.
Both the X and the Deluxe models come with a huge reservoir of water and a slim machine body. Centrifusion, a brand new extraction technology, uses up to 7,500 revolutions per minute to brew the coffee or espresso. This produces a consistent, smooth crema that is saturated to a high degree even in smaller cups.
Nespresso's capsules may be a little more expensive than third-party compatible pods available in grocery stores and online retailers, but they come with a a nice range of flavors and intensities to choose from. The company regularly releases limited-edition products as well. The company's machines are also extremely user-friendly and the Vertuoline has fewer steps than the initial Nespresso line, which produces espresso only.
The Vertuoline also has two sizes of capsules -- the smaller espresso size and the gran lungo size -- for those who prefer shorter drinks. The larger mug capsules and alto capsules are suitable for drinks that require the most robustly roasted cup of coffee. Contrary to other pod machines we tested, the Nespresso Vertuoline also makes a good cup of drip coffee.
2. Illy X7.1
This pod coffee maker is a elegant, high-quality machine built using durable and attractive materials. It is a little more expensive than the other models we have tested, but it delivers an excellent, reliable performance. It also has an attractive design that can blend into any kitchen.
The X7.1 is a patented system that reads the barcode on each capsule to determine their identity. It then pre-wets, infuses and dispenses the right amount of water automatically. This is an excellent benefit for those who want hassle-free hands-free automation. However, it could be a problem for those who prefer to alter settings and select their own brew strength or size. The machine can dispense espresso drinks, double espresso drinks, gran longo, mug, and alto drinks, all topped with the smooth crema.
The X7.1 isn't just an outstanding model in terms of its brewing technology, but also for other features. For example, it is one of the few coffee machines we have tested that offers the ability to adjust the height of the drip tray to adjust the dimensions and shape of the coffee mug. It also comes with a stainless-steel milk jug to make lattes and cappuccinos. The X7.1 comes with a low-energy sleeping mode as well as a detachable holder for pods, making cleaning easier.
It is compatible with most Keurig K-Cups and Nespresso capsules and Bruvi's own B-Pods. These pods differ from K-Cups or other popular pods because they contain ground coffee instead of a teabag and contain more caffeine than regular espresso. The Bruvi also has app compatibility and can be set to brew remotely and on schedule. It comes with an ice wand, which can be used to make lattes and cappuccinos frothy.
3. Grind One
If you're not a huge fan of Nespresso pods made of plastic or you're looking for something less so bulky, the Stockholm-designed Grind One may be the best option for you. Two members of the Real Homes team have been trying it out in their kitchens and both are incredibly pleased with it. It's a sleek stainless steel geometric machine that looks elegant and is simple to use. It's as simple as putting a coffee pod into the inlet, select either a short express or lungo and press the button. The flashing light will inform you when it's done, and then the coffee starts to come out. There's no steam wand or milk carafe, however you can top your coffee off with hot or cold milk if you wish.
This machine is designed to work with Grind's own compostable, recyclable, and recyclable pods. This means you're not only decreasing the amount of coffee you waste (which can take hundreds of years to degrade) but the pods themselves have zero plastic and are also organic. They cost around 50p each and you can throw them in your food waste bin or garden compost after they're empty.
The Grind One is PS275, and you can add the milk frother to it for an additional PS325. It is more expensive than most Nespresso pod machines, but it's a sleek, well-designed, and versatile machine. It's also the most compact of the bunch so it doesn't require enough countertop space, and it has an elevated drip tray that is secured to the sides of the waste bin for height adjustment.
4. Grind 2
This pod maker is ideal for those who like having a quick cup of coffee. best coffee machine for cappuccino can make one shot that is short or a long shot using three different temperature and extraction settings. Our coffee lover was impressed by its ability to make an excellent espresso. Its crema (which should be a warm chestnut color and last until the final sip) and temperature were right on. Its sleek design, as its durable and attractive materials, helped it stand out from the competition.
Our coffee aficionado also tested the Grind One for its ease of use. The heavy-duty switch is satisfying to use, and offers the option of programming your preferred long or short shot. It also features an easy-to-read display. You can set it to automatically dispensing hot water alongside your coffee that helps the ground settle and improves the taste of your drink. This pod coffee maker also comes with a useful milk frother which makes it an excellent all-rounder.
These machines also take out the messy parts of espresso-making including grinding dosing, tamping, and dosing of the beans. It also reduces the amount of items that have to be cleaned and reused. This makes them an ideal choice for those with little kitchen space. If you're looking to broaden your options you can use an additional milk frother to make cappuccinos and lattes. Alternatively, you could choose a manual coffee press, such as the Aeropress, which combines the benefits of a low carbon footprint and more flavor than you get from a machine. It does require more work, so it's not suitable for all.
5. Lavazza Idola
Contrary to the more expensive Lavazza Voicy pod coffee maker, this model does not include a milk maker however it is perfect for those who enjoy espresso, ristretto or lungo. It's also among the quietest machines, meaning you can grab your morning cuppa while your kids are asleep.
You can program a cup size that suits your mood and choose to boost the temperature to make the brew to go through faster at the touch of one button. It's easy to keep up with maintenance, too with alerts that inform you when the capsule container needs emptying or the water tank is low.
The machine isn't capable of frothing, but you can make cappuccinos and flat whites by using a separate milk container. There are plenty of positive reviews from buyers on Amazon and at John Lewis. They praise the quiet operation and the flexible choices offered by the machine, including different lengths of brews and an adequate capacity for capsules that have been used.
While there's not a huge amount of customer reviews, the general consensus is that this is a great value pod coffee machine for those who want a simple setup. It's more expensive than the Nespresso Vertuo Pop but comes with the best Lavazza pods. It's also among the quietest machines on the market. If you're looking to make a variety of coffees, we suggest that you check out one of our top choices. For more information, read our full Lavazza Idola review.