Best Coffee Machine Pods

Pod coffee machines make it easy to get your caffeine fix in the morning. In contrast to traditional machines, they dispense pre-packed pods of espresso or ground coffee to make the process faster.

Select a pod coffee maker that allows you to adjust the temperature and size of your drink. Also, make sure that the machine can accommodate the use of reusable pods.

1. Nespresso Vertuo

Nespresso is a market leader in pod-brewing and a favorite of coffee lovers. The capsules and machines of the company are highly rated for quality and sustainability. Its capsules are made from 80 percent recyclable materials and are fully compostable. They also contain less plastic than traditional coffee bags, and have a less carbon footprint. Additionally, Nespresso partners with green-certified organizations to promote responsible farming and fair labour practices.

The Nespresso Vertuo range includes several machines which produce a rich and delicious cup of espresso or coffee with a good crema. The VertuoPlus X and VertuoPlus Deluxe models come with advanced features such as automatic heating of milk as well as customizable drink settings. These machines are easy-to-use and feature a sleek style that looks stunning on your kitchen counter.

Both the X model as well as the Deluxe model have a large reservoir as well as a slim body. Centrifusion is a revolutionary extraction technique, makes up to 7,500 rotations per minute to brew the espresso or coffee. This process helps to create a smooth and consistent crema with a high degree of saturation, even in smaller cups.

Nespresso's capsules may be a little more expensive than the third-party compatible pods available in supermarkets and many online retailers, but they offer many different flavors and intensity levels to pick from. The company regularly releases limited-edition products as well. The company's machines are also very user-friendly and the Vertuoline has fewer steps than the original Nespresso line which only produces espresso.

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 mug-sized drinks requiring an even more intensively roasted coffee. The Nespresso Vertuoline makes a great cup of drip coffee, in contrast to some of the other pod machines that we tried.

2. Illy X7.1

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

The X7.1 utilizes a patent-pending system that reads the barcode on each capsule to identify them. It then pre-wets and infuses the right amount of water automatically. This is a great benefit for those who prefer a simple, hands-off automation. However, it could be a problem for those who love to alter settings and pick their personal brew strength or size. The machine can dispense espresso drinks, double espresso drinks, gran longo, mug, and alto drinks, all with the smooth crema.

In addition to its coffee brewing technology in addition to its brewing technology, the X7.1 has a number of other characteristics that make it stand out. It is among a few coffee machines that we tested to have the ability to adjust the height of the tray in order to alter the size and shape the coffee mug. It also includes a stainless steel milk jug to make lattes and cappuccinos. The X7.1 features a sleep mode as well as a detachable holder for pods, making cleaning easier.

Compatible with Compatible with all Keurig K-Cups, Nespresso capsules, and Bruvi B-Pods. These pods differ from K-Cups or other popular pods due to the fact that they are made up of ground coffee instead of a teabag and have more caffeine than regular espresso. The Bruvi also comes with app compatibility and can be set up to brew on a remote basis and according to a schedule. It also has a steam wand which can be used to make lattes and cappuccinos frothy.

3. Grind One

If you're not a big fan of Nespresso pods made of plastic or you're looking for something that isn't so bulky, the Stockholm-designed Grind One may be the best cheap espresso machine option for you. Two members of the Real Homes' team have tested it in their kitchens, and they both love it. It's a sleek stainless-steel geometric machine that looks chic and is easy to use. It's as simple as putting a coffee pod into the inlet, select either an lungo or express and then press a button. The flashing light will tell you whether it's brewing or done, and then the coffee starts to come out. There's no steam wand nor milk carafe. However, you can top your coffee off with hot or cold milk as you'd like.

The great thing about this machine is that it's made to work with Grind's recyclable, plastic-free and compostable coffee pods. This means that you're not only decreasing the amount of coffee you waste (which can take hundreds of years to break down) but the pods themselves don't contain plastic and are completely organic. They cost around 50p each, and you can throw them in your garden compost or food waste bin once they are empty.

The Grind One is PS275, and you can add the milk frother for an additional PS325. It is more expensive than many Nespresso pod machines, but it's a sleek, well-designed, and versatile machine. It's also the smallest the bunch, which means it doesn't require too much countertop space, and it has an elevated drip tray that is secured to a series of notches next to the waste bin to allow height adjustment.

4. Grind 2

This pod machine is perfect for those who love a quick cup of coffee. It can be used to brew a short shot or a long shot using three different temperature and extraction settings. Its ability to make a great espresso impressed our coffee lovers. Its temperature and crema (which should have a chestnut colour that lasts until the last sip and is a warm shade of brown) were perfect. Its elegant design, as well its durable and attractive materials, made it stand out among the competition.

Our coffee enthusiast also tried the Grind One for its ease of use. The robust switch is a pleasant touch and allows you to program your preferred length or short shot, and a clear display. You can choose to automatically dispense hot water alongside your coffee to help the ground settle and improves the taste of your drink. A milk frother that is useful is also included, making this pod coffee maker an excellent all-rounder.

They also eliminate the sloppy parts of espresso making including grinding, dosing, and tamping of the ground beans. This reduces the number of items that need to be cleaned and reused, making them a better option for those who don't have much kitchen space. If you want to increase your options having a separate milk froth will allow you to make lattes and cappuccinos as well. You can also opt for a manual press such as the Aeropress that has a smaller carbon footprint and a more rich flavor than machines. It's a bit more work, so it's not for everyone.

5. Lavazza Idola

Contrary to the more expensive Lavazza Voicy pod coffee maker, this model doesn't have a milk frother, but is great for those who love espresso, ristretto or caffe lungo. It's also among the most silent machines, which means you can drink your morning coffee while your children are asleep.

You can program the size of your cup according to your mood and there's an option for a temperature boost to nudge your brew through at the press of a button. It's easy to stay on top of maintenance with alerts that notify you when the capsule container needs emptying or the water tank is running low.

The machine isn't capable of frothing, but you can make cappuccinos as well as flat whites with a separate milk container. Many customers have left glowing reviews on Amazon and John Lewis. They laud the quiet operation and the flexible choices offered by the machine, which coffee pod machine is best includes different lengths of brews as well as a good capacity for capsules that are used.

There aren't a lot of customer reviews but the general consensus is that it's a great pod-based coffee maker if you want an easy set-up. It's more expensive compared to the Nespresso Vertuo Pop but comes with the best Lavazza pods. It's also among the quietest machines available. If you want to make a variety of coffees, we suggest you look into one of our top alternatives. For more information, read our full Lavazza Idola review.