Best Coffee Machine Pods
Pod coffee machines take the pain out of getting your morning coffee fix. Unlike a traditional machine they offer pre-packed pods of ground coffee or espresso to accelerate the process.
Choose a pod coffee machine that allows you to alter the temperature and size of your drink. Make sure the machine is compatible with reusable pods.
1. Nespresso Vertuo
Nespresso is a market leader in pod-brewing and is a favorite of coffee lovers. Nespresso's capsules and machines are highly rated for both quality and sustainability. The capsules are made from 80 percent recyclable material and are compostable. They also contain less plastic than traditional coffee bags, and have a an economized carbon footprint. In addition, Nespresso partners with green-certified organizations to promote responsible farming practices and fair labour practices.
The Nespresso Vertuo range includes several machines that produce a thick tasty cup of espresso or coffee with a good crema. The VertuoPlus X and VertuoPlus Deluxe models feature advanced features, such as automatic heating of milk and customizable drinks settings. These machines are simple to operate and have modern, sleek design that will look great in your kitchen.
Both the X and Deluxe models come with a huge water reservoir as well as a slim machine body. They are equipped with a revolutionary new extraction technology called Centrifusion that utilizes up to 7,000 revolutions per minute to make coffee or espresso. This method helps create a consistent and smooth crema with a high level of saturation even in smaller cups.
Nespresso capsules are more expensive than compatible pods from third parties available in supermarkets and online retailers. However, they provide an array of flavors and intensities. The company also offers limited-edition products. The company's machines are also extremely user-friendly and the Vertuoline requires fewer steps than the initial Nespresso line that produces only espresso.
Vertuoline offers two sizes of capsules - the smaller espresso and the larger lungo size - for those who prefer shorter drinks. The larger mug capsules and alto capsules are suitable for mug-sized drinks requiring a more robustly roasted cup of coffee. In contrast to some of the other pod machines that we have tested this one, the Nespresso Vertuoline also makes a good cup of drip coffee.
2. Illy X7.1
This pod coffee maker is elegant, high-end machine constructed with tough and appealing materials. It's a little bit more expensive than other machines we've tested, however it provides excellent, reliable performance and is a stylish design.
The X7.1 utilizes a brand new patent-pending system that reads the unique barcode on each capsule to determine. It then pre-wettes, infuses and dispenses the correct amount of water in a controlled manner. This is a huge plus for those who like a simple automation. It may frustrate users who prefer to adjust settings and choose their own brew's size or strength. The machine can serve espresso, double espresso, gran lungo alto and mug drinks, with a fine layer of crema.
The X7.1 isn't just an absolute standout in its brewing technology but it also has other features. For instance, it is one of the few coffee machines we've tested that has the ability to adjust the height of the drip tray to adjust the size and shape of the coffee mug. It comes with a stainless steel milk jug to make lattes or cappuccinos. The X7.1 also includes an energy-saving sleep mode as well as a detachable pod holder to make cleaning easier.
Compatible with All Keurig K-Cups, Nespresso capsules and Bruvi 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 is also compatible and can be programmed to brew at a remote location or according to a timetable. It comes with an ice wand, which can be used to make cappuccinos or lattes frothy.
3. Grind One
The Grind One, designed in Stockholm, may be the perfect choice for you if you don't enjoy Nespresso capsules that are plastic or prefer something less so bulky. Two members of Real Homes' team have used it in their kitchens, and both are awestruck by it. It's a sleek stainless-steel geometric machine, which looks stunning and is easy to use. You just pop a pod into the inlet, choose either an express or lungo and press the button. The flashing light will inform you whether it's brewing or completed, and the coffee begins to pour out. There's no steam wand nor milk carafe. However, you can top your coffee with hot or cold milk as you like.
The great thing about this machine is that it's made to work with Grind's own recyclable, plastic-free, and home compostable coffee pods. Not only will you cut down on your coffee waste, which can take hundreds of year to degrade, but the pods are also organic and contain no plastic. They cost about 50p each, and you can dump them into your garden compost or in your food waste bin after they're empty.
The Grind One is PS275, and you can also add a bundle with a milk frother for an additional PS325. It's more expensive than many of Nespresso-branded pod machines but it's a stylish well-designed, well-constructed, and versatile machine. best coffee machines 's also the smallest of the bunch so it doesn't require enough countertop space, and it comes with an elevated drip tray that is secured to a series of notches alongside the waste bin for height adjustment.
4. Grind 2
This pod maker is ideal for those who like an espresso-like coffee in a snap. It can brew a short or long shot, with three different settings for temperature and extraction. Its ability to make a fantastic espresso was awe-inspiring to our coffee lover. Its crema (which should be a cozy chestnut color that lasts until the last sip) and temperature were spot on. Its elegant design, as well as its tough and attractive materials, helped it stand out from the crowd.
Our coffee enthusiast also tested the Grind One to see if it was user-friendly. The heavy-duty switch is satisfying to use, and offers the option of programming your favorite short or long shot. It also comes with an easy-to-read LCD. You can choose to automatically pour hot water with your coffee, which helps the ground settle and improves your drink's flavour. A milk frother is also included, which makes this pod coffee maker an excellent all-rounder.
Another benefit of these machines is that they remove the messiness out of making espresso grinding and dosing the beans. It also reduces the amount of items that have to be cleaned and reused. This makes them a good choice for those with small kitchen spaces. If you want to expand your options, you can use a separate milk frother to make cappuccinos and lattes. Alternately, you can opt for an manual coffee maker, like the Aeropress, which combines a low carbon footprint with a richer taste than machines can provide. However, it will require more effort on your part, so we wouldn't recommend it to all.
5. Lavazza Idola
This model isn't as expensive as the Lavazza Voicy pod machine, however, it's a great choice for those who love espresso coffee, ristretto, or caffe longo. It's also one of the most silent machines, which means you can drink your morning cup while the kids are still sleeping.
You can programme a cup size to suit your mood and there's an option to add the temperature to increase to push your brew through at the press of an button. You can also keep track on maintenance by getting alerts when the capsule bin is empty or when the water tank needs to be topped up.
The machine is not able to make frothy milk, but it can be used to make cappuccinos or flat whites using an additional container. Many customers have left glowing reviews on Amazon and John Lewis. They praise the machine's versatility, quiet operation, and different lengths of brews.
There aren't many reviews from customers, but the general consensus is that it's an excellent pod coffee machine if you like a simple set-up. It's a little more pricey than the Nespresso Vertuo Pop, but it comes with great tasting Lavazza pods and is among the quietest machines on the market. If you want to make a variety of coffees, we recommend you look into one of our top choices. For more information, read our full Lavazza Idola review.