Best Coffee Machine Pods
Pod coffee machines can alleviate the stress of getting your morning caffeine fix. Unlike a traditional machine, they dispense pre-packed pods of espresso or ground coffee to accelerate the process.
Select a pod coffee maker that allows you to alter the temperature and cup size. Also, ensure that the machine can handle reusable pods.
1. Nespresso Vertuo
Nespresso is a leader in pod-brewing, and a favourite of espresso lovers. Nespresso's capsules and machines are highly rated for both quality and sustainability. The capsules are made from 80 percent recyclable material and can be composted. They also contain less plastic than traditional coffee bags, and have a a lower carbon footprint. Nespresso also has a partnership with green-certified organizations to ensure fair working conditions and sustainable farming practices.
The Nespresso Vertuo line includes several machines that make delicious and rich cups of coffee or espresso that has a great crema. VertuoPlus Deluxe and VertuoPlus models have advanced features, such as automatic milk heating and customizable drinks settings. These machines are easy-to-use and have a sleek design that looks great on your kitchen counter.
Both the X and the Deluxe models have a large reservoir of water and a slim machine body. Centrifusion is a revolutionary extraction technique, makes up to 7,500 rotations per minute for brewing the coffee or espresso. This creates a smooth, consistent crema that is saturated to a high degree even in smaller cups.
Nespresso capsules are more expensive than third-party compatible pods sold in grocery stores and online retailers. However, they are able to offer an array of flavors and intensities. They also offer limited-edition products. The machines are easy to use, and the Vertuoline is less complicated than the original Nespresso which produces only espresso.
Vertuoline offers two sizes of capsules that are smaller espresso sizes and the larger lungo size for those who prefer shorter drinks. The larger mug capsules and alto capsules are suitable for drinks that require an even more intensely roasted cup of coffee. The Nespresso Vertuoline makes a great cup of drip coffee, unlike some of the other pod machines that we tested.
2. best coffee machine for cappuccino X7.1
This pod coffee machine is a top-quality machine made from tough and attractive materials. It's slightly more expensive than other models that we tested, but it provides excellent, reliable performance and has an attractive design.
The X7.1 utilizes a brand new patent-pending system that reads the custom barcode on each capsule to determine. It is then pre-wets it and infuses the correct amount of distillate water. This is a great benefit for those who desire a hassle-free hands-free automation. It may frustrate users who like to alter settings and choose their own brew size and strength. The machine is able to serve espresso, double espresso, gran lungo, alto and mug drinks, with a smooth layer of crema.
In addition to its coffee brewing technology as well as its brewing technology, the X7.1 features a range of other characteristics that make it stand out. For instance, it's one of the few coffee machines we have tested that offers the ability to adjust the height of the drip tray to adjust the dimensions and shape of the coffee mug. It also comes with a stainless-steel milk jug to make cappuccinos and lattes. The X7.1 is also equipped with an energy-saving sleep mode as well as a detachable pod holder to help with cleaning.
Compatible with All Keurig K-Cups, Nespresso capsules and Bruvi B-Pods. These pods differ from K-Cups and other popular pods because they are made of ground coffee instead of a tea bag, and they contain more caffeine than regular coffee. The Bruvi also comes with app compatibility and can be set to brew at a remote location and on a schedule. It also has a helpful steam wand that can be used to create frosty cappuccinos and lattes.
3. Grind One
The Grind One, designed in Stockholm It could be the perfect choice for those who don't like Nespresso capsules that are plastic or want something that's not so bulky. Two members of the Real Homes team have been testing it in their kitchens, and both absolutely love it. It's a sleek stainless-steel geometric machine that looks elegant and is user-friendly. It's as simple as putting a coffee pod into the inlet, select either a short lungo or express and then press a button. The flashing light will inform you whether it's brewing or completed, and the coffee begins to pour out. There's no milk cup or steam wand, however you can add hot or cold milk to your coffee as you like.
This machine is designed to work with Grind’s own reusable, recyclable and compostable pods. This means you're not only decreasing the amount of coffee you waste (which can take hundreds of years to degrade) but the pods themselves are made of no plastic and are organic. They cost about 50p each and you can dump them in your food waste bin or garden compost after they're empty.
The Grind One is PS275, and you can also add an additional milk frother for an additional PS325. It's more expensive than most Nespresso pod machines, but it is stylish, well-designed and versatile machine. It's also the smallest, so it won't take any counter space. It has a raised tray that locks onto a series of notches, which can be used with the waste bin that can be adjusted to the height.
4. Grind 2
For those who enjoy simple and quick cups of coffee, this pod maker takes the hassle out of making espresso. It can brew either one shot that is short or a longer shot, with three different temperature and extraction settings. Its ability to make a fantastic espresso impressed our coffee enthusiast. Its crema (which should be a warm chestnut colour and last until the last sip) and temperature were perfect. Its sleek style and durable attractive materials also made it stand out from the competition.
Our coffee enthusiast also tried the Grind One for its ease of use. The heavy-duty switch is enjoyable to use, and offers the option of programming your favorite long or short shot. It also comes with an easy-to-read display. You can also choose to automatically dispense hot water in your coffee that helps the ground to settle and enhances your drink's flavour. A milk frother that is useful is included, making this pod coffee maker an ideal all-rounder.
These machines also remove the messy elements of espresso-making including grinding, dosing, and tamping of the beans. This reduces the number of items to be cleaned up and reused and makes them a more suitable option for those with limited kitchen space. If you want to expand your options having a separate milk froth will allow you to make lattes and cappuccinos too. Alternatively, you could go with a manual coffee maker such as the Aeropress, which combines the benefits of a low carbon footprint and more flavor than the machine. However, it requires more effort on your part and we wouldn't recommend it to all.
5. Lavazza Idola
In contrast to the more expensive Lavazza Voicy pod coffee maker, this model does not include a milk maker however it is perfect for those who love espresso, ristretto, or caffe lungo. It's also among the quietest machines available which means you can enjoy your morning cup of coffee while your kids are asleep.
You can set a cup size that fits your needs and select to increase the temperature to make your brew go through faster by pressing the button. It's easy to stay on top of maintenance too with alerts that inform you when the capsule bin requires emptying or when the water tank is empty.
The machine doesn't do any frost, but you can make cappuccinos and flat whites using a separate milk container. Many customers have left glowing reviews on Amazon and John Lewis. They are pleased with the quiet operation as well as the various options offered by the machine, which includes different lengths of brews and the capacity to hold capsules that are used.
While there aren't a huge number of reviews from customers, the general consensus is that this is an excellent value pod coffee machine for those who prefer an easy setup. It's more expensive compared to the Nespresso Vertuo Pop but comes with the best Lavazza pods. It's also one of the most quiet machines available. It's not ideal if need 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.