Hugo Dunbabin

How to Choose the Best Coffee Pod Machine

If you like the idea of a quick, mess-free coffee fix in the morning, a pod-based machine is a good option. How do you pick the right one?

This machine is retro in style and sports the SMEG Lavazza logo on its front. It is more expensive and will take up a lot of space on your counter. However, it's an excellent pod coffee maker that has an incredibly solid feel.

1. Nespresso Compatible

If you're a Nespresso lover, you'll need to select the best home coffee machine coffee pod machine compatible with the brand's capsules. It's also possible to choose models that work with other types of capsules, such as organic and Fairtrade choices or specialty flavoured pods. These are often available for a similar price to the original ones, and some even include a built-in milk frother so you can make the perfect cappuccino or latte.

Bruvi's entry into the pod machine market in 2022 was met with excitement. This vibrantly-coloured device promised three things: a better tasting cup of coffee than other pod machines, a vast selection of drinks, and pods you could throw in the bin without worrying about the environmental impact.

It delivers on three counts. This compact pod coffee maker is affordable and makes an intense, rich espresso every time. It's among the quietest machines on the market. You can make a cup of Joe even before your alarm goes off.

The Bruvi comes in two sizes and can be adjusted according to the type of beverage that you're making. If you're brewing a latte or cappuccino it comes with three textures and temperature settings for the milk, so you can make your froth. It can also make hot chocolate, which coffee pod machine is best is perfect for kids or adults who just need to warm up and wind down.

A programmable sleep function is another plus. It will switch to standby mode after an hour without using. It's also easy to clean and requires very little water. If you want to keep your electricity costs low, consider using a machine that has an open capsule holder that is removable for easier emptying.

You can also include a milk frother in your coffee pod machine (unless one is already included in the model you purchase). Other things you might want to consider include an reusable filter that can be used with capsules that can be reused as well as a water kettle or thermometer to ensure precise temperature control and a travel cup.

2. Easy to Clean

A coffee pod machine is a convenient way to start your morning with a hot cup of coffee. In just a few seconds, you can have freshly brewed coffee. Simply put a pod in and turn it on. These machines are also very easy to clean, and the majority of them don't require regular maintenance -- just filling up the tank with water and descaling every six months or so.

Keurig's K-Cups offer the largest selection of choices available, including national brands and supermarket favorites such as Folgers, Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, and Dunkin' Donuts. There are also alternatives to coffee, such as hot cocoa and tea, available in K-Cup forms from various brands. You don't have to make use of Keurig K-Cups for a great cup. You can also make it with disposable filter capsules that are made of plastic or paper and hold ground coffee, pre-loaded drippods, or loose grounds of coffee.

However, many of these pod-based machines aren't known for producing an intense, rich and robust brew that holds up to the most discerning palate. During our tests, we discovered that a few pod coffee makers produced sloppy or bitter cups of coffee. Some were difficult to use, taking up valuable counter space and running loudly.

There are high-end coffee makers that offer the convenience and consistency of single-serve machines without the wasteful packaging and disappointing taste. Some come with a built-in milk frother for frothing and pouring your cappuccino or latte while others sell a separate frother you can plug into the machine to create a deliciously foamy top to your drinks.

These modern pod machines not just make a great cup of coffee but also address the growing concern about environmental impact associated with single-serve pods made from plastic. Keurig and Nespresso made their aluminum pods recyclable, by replacing them with polypropylene. The latter provides free capsule recycling bags that are drop off at any store or UPS store. Bruvi, a newly launched competitor, uses pods that can only be used with its own brewers and are designed to break down quickly in landfills, leaving no microplastics.

3. Fast Brewing

A pod coffee machine is a lifesaver for those who don't wish to grind beans or boil the kettle. These reliable machines let you brew coffee, tea or espresso in a matter of minutes with no cleaning up. While these machines generate more waste for the best bean to cup coffee machines environment than their drip counterparts however, they're significantly less laborious than making whole beans in a French press or pour-over.

A company based in LA named Bruvi released its BV-01 pod machine at the end of 2022. It promised to make superior single serve coffee that tastes better and offer a wider variety of drinks than the vast number of pod-based machines and provide reusable capsules which could be thrown out without breaking down into tiny microplastics. Although the Bruvi brewer is more than Keurig or Nespresso however, it is a great device in all aspects that feels like a dawning of a new era in pod coffee.

One of the most important aspects to think about when purchasing the coffee pod maker is serving size. Some models can produce single-serve cups in a variety of sizes, ranging from huge travel mugs to 2 ounce espresso shots. Some machines can make whole pots of coffee. Some models even come with milk frothers to make a creamy cappuccino, latte or latte.

Another factor to take into consideration is the design of a pod coffee maker. The color, the finish and location of the machine, as well as the size and position of the reservoir for water will affect how it looks on your counter. Some brands also offer a variety of colored pods, allowing you to alter your drink to match the season or your mood.

Pod coffee makers tend to be compact and take up less space than single-serve or drip brewers. While a smaller footprint might be desirable, it is crucial that your device can brew multiple cups between refills. Most pod coffee makers should have a tank of water that is at 40 ounces or more for the average household.

4. Variety of drinks

Pod machines are surprisingly flexible and, based on the brand you select they can make a variety of drinks. Some brands, such as the popular Keurig system and Sage's Nespresso collaboration, can brew four different sizes of drinks, whereas others offer just one or two. Certain machines can also brew tea, hot cocoa and cold drinks.

Certain pod coffee machines have built-in milk frothers that can make cappuccinos, lattes and other frothy drinks. Some require a separate milk jug or a conjoined one for this function. The best value coffee machine pod coffee makers that milk froth offer precise control and user-friendliness, and also an elegant design that can fit into any kitchen.

The Grind One makes a great model. It's minimalist design is a significant step away from the curvature that is that are found on other pod coffee machines. It's also smaller than most Keurigs, making it ideal for small kitchens and dorms. The water tank is easy to access and can hold up to 40 ounces. The machine automatically deposits capsules that are used into a container that is attached to the machine. Apart from maintaining the reservoir and decaling it every six months, minimal maintenance is required.

The machine is more expensive than some other models we've reviewed but offers a premium experience. The drip tray can be adjusted to ensure that it can fit tall travel mugs, or shorter espresso cups. It is able to make five different drinks thanks to a bespoke barcode scanner that scans each compatible pod and then automatically adjusts its settings to produce the perfect cup.

This is the best-looking machine we've ever tested. It also makes an excellent tasting brew, especially for an automatic. We didn't give it the top spot due to the fact that it's not able to milk froth. Its only option is to use dried skimmed milk capsules, which aren't as delicious as freshly squeezed milk. If it had a built-in milk frother then we'd be inclined to consider this pod machine to be the top spot.