Best Coffee Machine Pods
Pod coffee machines make it easy to get your caffeine fix in the morning. They are quicker than traditional machines since they use pre-packaged pods that give espresso or ground coffee.
Choose a pod coffee machine that lets you adjust the temperature and size of your drink. Also, ensure that the machine is able to accommodate reusable pods.
1. Nespresso Vertuo
Nespresso is the market leader in pod brewing and a favorite among espresso enthusiasts. The company's machines and capsules are highly rated for both quality and sustainability. Its capsules are made from 80 percent recyclable materials and are completely compostable. They contain less plastic and have a lower carbon footprint than traditional best cheap coffee machine bags. Additionally, Nespresso partners with green-certified organizations to promote responsible farming practices and fair working conditions.
The Nespresso Vertuo line includes several machines that produce an incredibly delicious and rich cup of coffee or espresso with a good crema. VertuoPlus Deluxe and VertuoPlus models come with advanced features, like automatic milk heating as well as customizable drink settings. These machines are easy-to-use and feature a sleek design that looks stunning on your kitchen counter.
Both the X model and the Deluxe model come with a huge reservoir and a slim machine body. Centrifusion is a revolutionary extraction technology, uses up to 7,500 rotations per minute for brewing the coffee or espresso. This produces 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 offer many flavors and intensities. The company frequently releases limited-edition products as well. The machines are easy to operate and the Vertuoline is simpler than Nespresso's original Nespresso that only makes espresso.
The Vertuoline also has two sizes of capsules - the smaller espresso size and the gran lungo size -- for those who prefer smaller drinks. The larger mug and alto capsules are great for hearty, mug-sized drinks that require a more intensely roasted coffee. The Nespresso Vertuoline makes a great cup of drip coffee, unlike some of the other pod machines we tested.
2. Illy X7.1
This pod coffee maker is a sleek, high-spec machine made with durable and attractive materials. It's a bit more expensive than the other models we tried, but it provides excellent, reliable performance with an attractive design that will blend into any kitchen.
The X7.1 utilizes a patent-pending system that scans the barcode on every capsule to determine their identity. It then pre-wettes and infuses the correct amount of water in a controlled manner. This is a great feature for those who desire a hassle-free hands-free automation. It can be frustrating for those who prefer best bean to cup coffee machine tweak settings and select their own brew size and strength. The machine can serve espresso, double espresso, gran lungo alto and mug drinks with a silky layer of crema.
In addition to its brewing technology in addition to its brewing technology, the X7.1 comes with a variety of other features that make it stand out. It is one of only a few coffee machines that we tested to offer the ability to adjust the height of the tray in order to alter the size and shape of the coffee mug. It also includes a stainless steel milk jug that can be used to make cappuccinos and lattes. The X7.1 is also equipped with an energy-saving sleep mode and pod holders that can be detached to help with cleaning.
It is compatible with most Keurig K-Cups and Nespresso capsules as well as Bruvi's 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 apps compatibility and can be set up to brew remotely and on time. It also has steam wand that can be used to make lattes and cappuccinos frothy.
3. Grind One
If you're not a big fan of the plastic-y Nespresso pods or are looking for something less too bulky, then the Stockholm-designed Grind One may be the ideal choice for you. Two members of Real Homes' team have tried it in their kitchens, and they both adore it. It's a sleek stainless steel geometric machine that looks elegant and is very user-friendly. You just pop a pod into the inlet, select either a short lungo or express, and then press a button. The flashing light will inform you when it's completed, and the coffee starts to come out. There is no milk carafe or steam wand, but you can add cold or hot milk to your coffee however you'd like.
The beauty of this machine is that it's made to work with Grind's recyclable, plastic-free, and home compostable coffee pods. This means you're not only cutting down on your coffee waste (which could take hundreds of years to break down) but the pods themselves don't contain plastic and are also organic. They cost around 50p each and you could throw them in your food waste bin or garden compost after they're empty.
The Grind One is PS275, and you can add a bundle with a milk frother for an additional PS325. It's more expensive than the majority of Nespresso-branded pod machines however it's a sleek, well designed, and versatile machine. It's also the smallest the bunch, which means it won't take up too much 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 love an espresso-like coffee in a snap. It can make one shot that is short or a long shot using three different temperature and extraction settings. Our coffee aficionado was impressed by its ability to make an excellent espresso. Its temperature and crema (which should have a chestnut colour that lasts for the last sip and is a cozy shade of brown) were excellent. Its sleek design, as as its tough and attractive materials, made it stand out among the competition.
Our coffee expert also tried the Grind One to see if it was user-friendly. The robust switch is pleasant to use, and offers the possibility of programming your preferred long or short shot. It also has an easy-to-read display. You can even select whether to automatically pour hot water when you drink your espresso, which coffee machine is the best will help the grounds settle and improves the flavor of your beverage. A useful milk frother is included, making this pod coffee maker an ideal all-rounder.
Another benefit of these machines is that they take the messy bits out of making espresso grinding and dosing the beans. This also reduces the number of things that need to be cleaned and reused. This makes them a good choice for those with small kitchen spaces. If you're looking to expand your options, you can use a separate milk frother to make cappuccinos and lattes. You can also opt for a manual press, such as the Aeropress that has a smaller carbon footprint and a richer flavor than machines. However, it will require more effort on your part 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 love espresso, ristretto, or caffe longo. It's also one of the quietest machines, so you can sip your morning cup while your kids are still sleeping.
You can set a cup size that fits your needs and select to increase the temperature to make the brew to go through faster at the touch of the button. It's easy to keep on top of maintenance with alerts to 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 using a separate milk container. A lot of buyers have left favorable reviews on Amazon and John Lewis. They praise the quiet operation and flexible choices offered by the machine, such as different lengths of brews as well as a good capacity for capsules that have been used.
Although there isn't a large amount of customer reviews however, the general consensus is that this is an excellent value pod coffee maker for those who want a simple setup. It's a little more pricey than the Nespresso Vertuo Pop, but it comes with great tasting Lavazza pods and is one of the quietest machines available. It's not the best tassimo machine choice if you are looking to make more than two kinds of coffee though, so we'd recommend one of our top-rated alternatives in case that's what you're searching for. For more information, read our full Lavazza Idola review.