Donald Chipper

Best Coffee Machine Pods

Pod coffee machines make it easy to get your caffeine fix in the morning. They are faster than traditional machines since they use pre-packaged pods that give espresso or ground coffee.

To find the top pod coffee machine, choose one that has the best commercial coffee machine options to adjust the size of the drink and temperatures. Find out if the machine is compatible with reused pods.

1. Nespresso Vertuo

Nespresso is the top brand in pod brewing and a favourite among coffee lovers. Nespresso's capsules and machines are highly rated for both quality and sustainability. Its capsules are made from 80 percent recyclable materials and are compostable. They also have less plastic than traditional coffee bags and have a less carbon footprint. Nespresso also has a partnership with organizations that are certified green to encourage fair working conditions and sustainable farming.

The Nespresso Vertuo line includes several machines that produce delicious and rich cups of coffee or espresso with a perfect crema. VertuoPlus Deluxe and VertuoPlus models have advanced features, like automatic milk heating and customizable drinks settings. These machines are easy-to-use and feature a sleek style that looks stunning on your kitchen counter.

Both the X and Deluxe models have a large reservoir of water and a slim machine body. They are equipped with a revolutionary new extraction technology known as Centrifusion which uses up to 7,000 revolutions per minute to make espresso or coffee. This process creates a consistent, smooth crema that is saturated to a high degree even in smaller cups.

Nespresso capsules are more expensive than compatible pods from third parties sold in supermarkets and online retailers. However, they provide an array of flavors and intensities. The company frequently releases limited-edition products as well. The company's machines are also very easy to use and the Vertuoline has fewer steps than the first Nespresso line that produces only espresso.

The Vertuoline also offers two different sizes of capsules -- the smaller espresso size and the gran lungo size -- for those who prefer shorter drinks. The larger alto and mug capsules are great for hearty cups that require a more intensely roasted cup of coffee. In contrast to some of the other pod machines that we have tested and tested, the Nespresso Vertuoline also makes a good cup of drip coffee.

2. Illy X7.1

This pod coffee maker is a sleek, high-spec machine made using durable and appealing materials. It's a bit more expensive than other models that we've tested, but it provides excellent, reliable performance and features a beautiful design.

The X7.1 features a revolutionary patent-pending system that reads the unique barcode on each capsule to determine. It is then pre-wets it and infuses the appropriate amount of distilled water. This is an enormous benefit for those who like a simple automation. It may frustrate users who like to alter settings and select their own brew size or strength. The machine is able to serve espresso double espresso, gran lungo alto and mug drinks with a fine layer of crema.

In addition to its brewing technology, the X7.1 features a range of other features that make it stand out. It is one of only a few coffee machines that we tested to offer a height-adjustable tray for adjusting the size and shape of the coffee cup. It also includes a stainless steel milk jug bean to cup coffee machine best make lattes and cappuccinos. The X7.1 is also equipped with an energy-saving sleep function and pod holders that can be detached to make cleaning easier.

It is compatible with most Keurig K-Cups and Nespresso capsules as well as Bruvi's own B-Pods. These pods differ from K-Cups and other popular pods because they are made up of ground coffee instead of a tea bag and they have more caffeine than regular coffee. The Bruvi also has apps compatibility and can be set up to brew at a remote location and on a schedule. It also has a helpful steam wand that can be used to make frosty cappuccinos and lattes.

3. Grind One

The Grind One, designed in Stockholm, may be the perfect choice for you if you don't like the plasticy Nespresso capsules or prefer something less quite as bulky. Two members of the Real Homes' team have tried it in their kitchens, and both are awestruck by it. It's a sleek stainless steel geometric machine, that looks stylish and is easy to use. You just pop a pod into the inlet, select either the short lungo or express and then press a button. The flashing light will tell you whether it's brewing or done, and then the coffee begins to pour out. There's no steam wand nor milk carafe, but you can top your coffee off with hot or cold milk however you'd like.

This machine is designed to work with Grind’s own compostable, recyclable and reusable pods. Not only will you reduce the amount of coffee you waste, which can take hundreds of years to degrade, but the pods are also organic and have no plastic. They cost about 50p each and you could throw them into your food waste bin or garden compost after they're empty.

The Grind One costs PS275 and you can purchase it as a a bundle that includes a milk frother for an extra PS325. It's more expensive than a lot of Nespresso-branded pod machines however it's a sleek, well designed, and versatile machine. It's also the most best compact coffee machine of the bunch, so it doesn't require any counter space, and it comes with an elevated drip tray that is secured to a series of notches alongside the waste bin to allow height adjustment.

4. Grind 2

This pod machine is ideal for those who love an espresso-like coffee in a snap. It can brew a short or long shot, and has three different settings for temperature and extraction. Its ability to create a wonderful espresso impressed our coffee enthusiast. Its crema (which should be a cozy chestnut color and last until the final sip) and temperature were spot on. Its sleek style and durable attractive materials also made it stand out from the rest.

Our coffee aficionado also tested the Grind One for its ease of use. The switch is heavy-duty and has a satisfying feel with the option to program your preferred short or long shot, as well as a clear display. You can set it to automatically pour hot water with your coffee that helps the ground settle and improves your drink's flavour. The pod coffee maker comes with a useful milk frother, making it a great all-rounder.

These machines also remove the messy parts of espresso-making including grinding, dosing, and tamping of the ground beans. This decreases the amount of items that have to be cleaned and disposed of and makes them a more suitable option for those with limited kitchen space. If you're looking to broaden your options you can use an additional milk frother to make cappuccinos and lattes. You can also choose a manual press, such as the Aeropress that has a smaller carbon footprint and more affluent flavor than a machine. However, it does require more effort from you and therefore we don't recommend it for all.

5. Lavazza Idola

This model is not as expensive as the Lavazza Voicy pod, but it's perfect for those who enjoy espresso coffee, ristretto, or caffe longo. It's also among the quietest machines on the market so you can sip your morning coffee while your kids are asleep.

You can program a cup size that is suitable for your taste and decide to increase the temperature to make your brew go through faster by pressing one button. It's easy best bean to cup coffee machine stay on top of maintenance too with alerts that inform you when the capsule bin requires emptying or if the water tank is running low.

The machine doesn't do any frothing, however you can make cappuccinos as well as flat whites by using a separate milk container. There are plenty of positive reviews from customers on Amazon and at John Lewis. They laud the quiet operation as well as the various options offered by the machine, which includes different lengths of brews and a good capacity for used capsules.

There aren't many reviews from customers, however the consensus is that it is an excellent pod coffee machine if you like simple setup. It's more expensive than Nespresso Vertuo Pop but comes with the best coffee machine bean-to-cup Lavazza pods. It's also one of the quietest machines available. It's not ideal if you want to create more than two types of coffee however we'd suggest one of our top-rated options for what you're looking for. For more information, read our full Lavazza Idola review.