The Best Pod Coffee Machines

Pod coffee makers allow you to insert a capsule containing ground or roast coffee beans into the machine. The coffee is then poured into the machine for a set amount of time.

Certain pod coffee machines come with different sizes of cups and frothing milk capabilities. The best pod machine for you will depend on your lifestyle and personal preferences.

1. Keurig K-Select

If you're looking to buy a basic Keurig coffee maker that doesn't have all the bells and whistles that come with more expensive models, this machine is a good choice. It is easy to use and has a great design. When not in use, it can be easily tucked into a corner in the kitchen.

The machine can be loud but that's not a major issue. It is small enough to fit on a counter with a small space. If you're looking for a Keurig that has a larger variety of sizes or a carafe that is suitable for traditional drip brewing, look at other alternatives.

The Keurig K-Select single serve coffee maker combines elegant design and intuitive features to help you make the perfect cup every time. Pick from a variety of delicious K-Cups and brew coffee with a universal My-K-Cup filter (sold separate). Strong Brew increases the intensity and the strength of your coffee, making it a great choice for coffee enthusiasts who prefer a strong cup.

The brewer comes with simple controls that are operated by buttons. Place a K-Cup, select your desired size of brew, and press brew. In less than a minute, you'll have a freshly-brewed cup of coffee ready to drink. The large 52-ounce water reservoir allows you to make up to five cups between refills, making it easier to manage your morning routine.

The Keurig is simple to clean, and comes with an easily accessible reservoir for water and a lid which can be easily washed. However, it is recommended to remove the scale from your Keurig before cleaning it, and follow the instructions in the user guide to ensure that your machine is performing optimally. The warranty covers the brewer and the original accessories, with the exception of for normal wear and tear, damage caused by abuse or misuse or any other external cause of failure like power outages.

2. Tassimo My Way

This is the ideal choice for those who love coffee and want a machine that can do more than just make your daily cup. It can make a variety drinks such as tea and hot cocoa. The huge 1.3-litre water tank lets multiple cups to be brewed at once. The machine can be heated in three seconds, and it includes a milk container that allows you to make latte or cappuccino. It also has a touch-sensitive LCD which lets you adjust the temperature, intensity, and volume of your chosen beverage.

The Tassimo My Way uses the brand's T Discs that contain everything you need to make your favorite drink. There are more than 70 varieties to choose from, ranging from brands like Kenco and Costa to Costa, Milka and Cadbury's. The machine also has a selection of T Discs for tea and hot chocolate as well.

We discovered the coffee it produced to be of a excellent quality, though just a little less than other pod machines we have reviewed in this round-up. It also steamed the milk to make a caffe latte fairly quickly and produced a rich taste without being too thick. It is important to know that the milk's frothy texture has sugar in it, which, while not a major problem, may not be a favorite for everyone.

The Tassimo My Way is easy to clean, with the drip tray, the removable components of the brewing unit and the water tank being dishwasher-safe. There's a Brita filter included and a cleaning disc that can be used. A handy indicator light informs you when it's time to descale and a water reservoir keeps limescale to a minimum. The machine is Energy Star rated, which reduces its electricity consumption up to 15%..

3. Lavazza Lungo Pod Machine

The Nespresso-compatible pod espresso machine from Lavazza created in collaboration with Sage is among the most attractive machines available. It's made with tough and attractive materials, comes with a neat adjustable steam wand for making lattes and cappuccinos, and a stainless milk jug made of steel. Place a pod into the machine and select the size of your cup and the machine whirs into action brewing espresso lungo, double espresso gran lungo, alto drinks and mugs with a thick layer of silky frosting.

As with most pod machines you load the pod using a hatch on the top of the machine and then drop it in the appropriate spot. The machine pierces the capsule, and then closes it so that when you press the lever, the pod falls into a specially spent pod tray that is located beneath the drip tray.

It's not the fastest machine for brewing in 30 seconds for a shot of espresso and around 90 seconds for a lungo - however, the results are always impressive, with great crema and a rich, smooth taste. The machine also warns you when the water tank or pod bin is in need of refilling.

One of the main selling points for this machine is the ability to use it with any Lavazza-branded pod - there are seven in total including ground roasted espresso (Qualita Rossa, Intenso, Passionale and Delizioso), two decaffeinated (Dek Cremoso) and two organic coffees (!Tierra! Bio). It's expensive, but with a subscription plan that combines this pod coffee machine with pod delivery it could come at a similar price to a regular bean-to cup machine. The compact design of this machine makes it possible to fit into the smallest kitchens. The pods are also compostable in a way that you can place them in your council food bins or garden compost.

4. Nespresso Vertuo Pod Machine

Nespresso machines are the top pods coffee makers for those who are looking for a reliable, quick and consistently brewed cup. They heat quickly and are simple to use. Simply place a capsule in and push a button and you're ready to go. They create a rich, creamy crema best coffee machines with pods that can be added to drinks for greater flavor and thickness. The official pods aren't inexpensive and you'll have to buy them.

The Vertuo line is a different model from the OriginalLine machines, which still use espresso capsules. The Vertuo line is able to read the barcode on each capsule and adjusts the brewing parameters to create the perfect cup. They also have a centrifusion machine that spins the capsules in order to get the best flavor and the thickest crema.

However they're not as intuitive as our other choices. For instance the lid is only opened when the machine is in its final stages, and it takes around 30 minutes to heat up enough to put in the capsule. It doesn't include milk frothers, as do some of the other pod machines listed on this list. So you'll have to shell out an additional PS90 to buy a separate Aeroccino to make cappuccinos and lattes.

They also require more maintenance than other models - filling the water tank and emptying pod containers that are used and descaling however they have an app that reminds you to perform these tasks, and offers tools such as capsule recyclers and store locators. If you connect your device to an IntelliPort you can control it via voice commands. This is great for those who make coffee at 4am in the dark or have a limited power.

5. SMEG Barista Pod Machine

This sleek pod machine is the lovechild between the adored Italian brand, and a renowned company that makes kitchen appliances. It features the sleek, retro curves that SMEG are known for, and can brew both lungo and espresso drinks. It also has an adjustable shot setting that can be programmed and dual-height drip tray, and a removable pod bin.

This coffee maker lets you make an instant cup of lungo or espresso in the morning or during your break at work. The simple control panel is elegant and doesn't hinder its purpose. If you're looking to spice up your daily joe even more, it comes with three interchangeable filter baskets that accommodate different kinds of capsules. You can also make use of loose ground beans (although you'll need an additional grinder).

The SMEG Barista Pod Machine doesn't include a milk pitcher, however, it does come with an inbuilt Pannarello milk frother that can froth both cow and soymilk quite beautifully. It also has an oversized portafilter of 51mm that is smaller than a conventional commercial-style filter. It's also pressurized, which is nice because it eliminates that stale, leftover grind taste. It also comes with a tool which can also be used as a scoop.

The SMEG is the most expensive machine we've reviewed. However, it's worth it if you're retro or you like making espresso drinks fast. This is a great choice for those who are new to coffee making and don't need to go through the hassle of measuring, grinding, and tamping beans by yourself.