10 Things We All Hate About Best Coffee Pod Machine The Best Coffee Pod Machine

This sleek, brushed-steel model provides the Sage trademark quality and user-friendly. After turning on, it preheats and makes a scrumptious espresso or slightly longer lungo within 30 seconds.

The pod models are a great alternative to bean-to-cup machines. They take the clumsiest components of making coffee off your hands, including grinding and measuring grounds.

1. Speedy

Pod machines can be installed and used more quickly than espresso machines. The majority of them can make a cup of coffee in 30 seconds. The pre-portioned pods used in these machines are generally more expensive than freshly roasted coffee beans and a majority of them aren't recyclable.

The Nespresso CitiZ is one of the fastest pod machines that you can find due to its in-built barcode reader that scans code of each compatible pod before brewing it. This makes it simple to ensure consistent high-quality, high-end coffee every time, with next-to-no chance of the drink turning out badly wrong. The machine is one of the slimmest and lightest available. It doesn't require an additional milk container, and its small footprint makes it easy to fit into even the tiniest kitchens.

However the CitiZ isn't the ideal machine for those who want to reduce their environmental impact. The CitiZ doesn't have an automatic descaling feature. You'll need to manually descale the machine every 300 cups for hard water, and 1200 cups for soft water. It is also necessary to put the filter cartridge when it runs out and could be expensive for certain users.

Tassimo Vivy 2 is a quick machine with customizable buttons. It can be utilized with ground coffee or ESE pods that are pre-dosed, tampered grounds that are compressed between filter paper. This model is also B-Corp Certified, which means it is committed to lessening its negative impact on the environment as well as its workforce. The only drawback is the time it takes to heat up. Once it does, it can brew one cup in about 35 seconds.

If you're looking for a sleek, stylish machine that can handle a variety of different sizes and styles, you should look no further than the Vertuo Creatista from Nespresso. This sleek machine, designed in collaboration with Sage is not only easy to use, but also comes with an ice cream wand, stainless steel jug and a milk frother.

2. Removable parts

The ease of using a pod coffee maker is a major advantage. The top models are easy to operate. Most machines use the same basic method to make a cup of coffee: water is heated inside a reservoir, then moved through capsules to make rich hot, hot java. The majority of brands offer various drink sizes for different needs. You can also save custom settings to make the process more efficient.

Keurig K-Cups are the biggest player on the market. However, Nestle Nespresso VertuoLine capsules also come with a variety of capsules by popular roasters. Some pods are designed to be used only once before being discarded, while others are meant to be used for a variety of purposes. You'll need a strategy for the pods you've used to avoid them from being thrown away.

The sleek SMEG model we tested features a removable water tank that's easy to fill, and the machine automatically pours new capsules once the previous one has been chilled. It can brew espresso and lungo drinks, and comes with eight different blends that provide plenty of options. This brewer is ideal for coffee lovers who are looking to move away from drip coffee.

In our tests of the Tassimo My Way 2 proved to be the most enjoyable one to use. Its sleek design looks great on your counter, and it can be opened with a single touch to reveal the hidden compartment that stores empty pods. The machine also has the added benefit of a water filtration system, which is great for hard-water areas.

This machine is quick and brews regular coffee (240ml) as well as ristretto and lungo espresso drinks. The controls are easy to use, with switches that resemble airplanes, which can be retracted easily and a lever which retracts to reveal the opening for dropping in the pod. It requires a little force to close, but our test subjects, even those who have limitations in hand strength and mobility, found it comfortable.

3. Size

The best coffee pod machines take all the messy parts of coffee making out of your hands. coffee machines with pods in a pod, hit the button, and then brew. You'll still have to clean the machine from time to time, but not as frequently as you would with a bean-to cup or espresso maker. The pod machines are smaller than their bigger counterparts and can be stored on the counter when not being used.

The right coffee pod machine for you will be determined by your preferences and the goals you'd like to achieve. All pod machines are easy to use, but some have more options for customization than others. The variety of pods, brew size options, and milk frothing features should all be considered to find the ideal coffee pod machine for you.


The most popular pod-based machines are Nespresso, Keurig and similar brands. However, there are some more recent competitors that are worth a look. One of them is Bruvi which has a bespoke pod system called B-Pods that can only be used by its machines. The pods are equipped with an underside barcode that machines scan to automatically adjust the brewing settings.

The machine will eliminate the guesswork out of it and ensure that each drink is perfect every time. It can save your custom drinks on a button so that you can make them by pressing only one button.

Other machines, such as Sage's My Way, offer greater control over your cup of coffee than most models, allowing you to select the right size and temperature for each cup. It's a little more expensive than some models but it offers the polished stainless steel construction and excellent customer service which is synonymous with the brand. It is a great choice for those who want something more from their pod-based coffee maker.

While most people are using the pod-based machine to create single-serve drinks however, there are a few larger models that can brew longer shots, known as lungos, too. The Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is an excellent example of this. It is a combination of the retro style of SMEG with the retro-fifties design of SMEG Italian coffee maker, Lavazza. It's not easy initially due to the airplane-style toggles, but once you get used to it, it is quick and satisfying to use. A lungo can be prepared in 30 minutes.

4. Customization

One of the main reasons pod coffee makers might not be the right choice for you is the limited flexibility to customize. If you don't have an auxiliary milk frother then the only option to add more flavor or creaminess is to use a hot chocolate or tea option in your mug or to manually add milk to your the coffee. For many people this won't be a problem, but it could be a sticking point for those who prefer an automated experience in the morning.

Bosch's Intellibrew uses a barcode scanner to scan each capsule. It then automatically pre-wets and infuses the right amount of coffee for the particular kind of pod. It's a simple and hands-off machine that does a great job but isn't able to customize drinks or varying brew strength. This might be frustrating for some customers but for others the hassle-free automation and variety of cup lengths (espresso lungo, espresso and mug) will provide exactly what they need.

Apart from filling the water tank and decaffeinating the reservoir on occasion, this coffee maker will not require much maintenance. It can dispense short espresso shots and tall travel mugs with ease and, as we mentioned, used pods are ejected to a hidden container that keeps your kitchen clean. It is also great at delivering full-bodied coffees with a crema-topped top.

This machine is part of Smeg's 1950s-style range. It's simple to use with simple buttons, and it can handle both ground coffee and ESE pods. The only drawback is that it lacks an indicator that lets you know when it's time to descale and the maximum water level can't be set, which is a minor inconvenience. You also need to buy the brand's own capsules which can be costly. This is a great pod machine for anyone who wants an easy-to-use and stylish appliance that will serve well at a low cost. For those who want some variety, a broad selection of third-party capsules is available for this model. It's compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo line.