Best Coffee Machine Pods
Pod coffee machines make it simple to get your caffeine fix in the morning. They are faster than traditional machines because they use pre-packaged pods that serve espresso or ground coffee.
Choose a pod-based coffee machine that lets you adjust the temperature and cup size. Also, make sure that the machine can accommodate reusable pods.
1. Nespresso Vertuo
Nespresso is a market leader in pod-brewing and a favorite of coffee lovers. The company's machines and capsules are highly rated for both quality and sustainability. The capsules are made from 80 percent recyclable materials and are compostable. They also contain less plastic than traditional coffee bags and have a a lower carbon footprint. Nespresso also partners with green-certified organizations to ensure fair work practices and sustainable farming.
The Nespresso Vertuo line includes several machines that create an incredibly delicious and rich cup 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 feature a sleek, modern design that will look stunning in your kitchen.
Both the X and the Deluxe models have a large water reservoir and a slender machine body. Centrifusion, a brand new extraction technique, makes up to 7,500 rotations per minute to make espresso or coffee. This process helps to create a consistent and smooth crema that has a high level of saturation even in smaller cups.
Nespresso capsules are more expensive than third-party compatible pods sold in supermarkets and online retailers. However, they are able to offer many flavors and intensities. The company frequently releases limited-edition options as well. The machines are simple to operate and the Vertuoline is less complicated than the original Nespresso which produces only espresso.
Vertuoline offers two sizes of capsules including the smaller espresso size and the gran lungo size for those who prefer drinks with a shorter length. The larger mug capsules as well as alto capsules can be used to make mug-sized drinks that require an even more intensively roasted coffee. Contrary to other pod machines we tested this one, the Nespresso Vertuoline also makes a excellent drip coffee.
2. best coffee machine for cappuccino X7.1
This pod coffee maker is a top-quality machine made from tough and attractive materials. It's a little bit more expensive than other machines that we tested, but it provides excellent, reliable performance and is a stylish design.
The X7.1 is a patented system that scans the barcodes on every capsule to identify them. It is then pre-wets it and infuses the correct amount of distilled water. This is a huge plus point for those who desire a hassle-free automated, hands-free. However, it can be frustrating for those who like to tweak settings and pick their own brew strength or size. The machine is able to serve espresso drinks double espresso drinks, gran longo, mug, and alto drinks, all with layers of creamy crema.
In addition to its coffee brewing technology as well as its brewing technology, the X7.1 has a number of other features that make it stand out. For instance, it is one of the only coffee machines that we have evaluated that comes with the ability to adjust the height of the drip tray to optimize the size and shape of the coffee mug. It also comes with a stainless steel milk jug that can be used to make lattes and cappuccinos. The X7.1 features a sleep mode and a removable holder for pods, making cleaning easy.
Compatible with all Keurig K-Cups, Nespresso capsules, and Bruvi B-Pods. These pods differ from K-Cups and other popular pods as they are made of ground coffee instead of a tea bag, and they have more caffeine than regular coffee. The Bruvi is app compatible and can be programmed to brew at a remote location or on a schedule. It also has a useful steam wand that can be used to create frothy lattes and cappuccinos.
3. Grind One
If you're not a huge fan of the plastic-y Nespresso pods or you're seeking something that's not so bulky, the Stockholm-designed Grind One may be the best option for you. Two members of the Real Homes team have been testing it out in their kitchens and both are incredibly pleased with it. It's a sleek stainless steel geometric machine that looks stylish and is very simple to use. You just pop a pod into the inlet, select either a short express or lungo and press the button. The flashing light will inform you whether it's brewing or completed, and the coffee starts to come out. There's no milk cup or steam wand, but you can add cold or hot milk to your coffee as you like.
The great thing about this machine is that it's designed to work with Grind's reusable, plastic-free and home compostable coffee pods. So not only are you cutting down on your coffee waste (which can take hundreds of years to degrade) but the pods themselves don't contain plastic and are organic. They cost around 50p each and you can dispose of them in your garden compost or in your food waste bin once they are empty.
The Grind One is PS275, and you can add the milk frother for an additional PS325. It's more expensive than a lot of Nespresso-branded pod machines but it's a very sleek, well designed, and versatile machine. It's also the smallest and therefore won't require much counter space. It comes with 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 machine eliminates the hassle of making espresso. It can brew either an espresso shot in a short time or a long shot using three different extraction settings and temperature. Its ability to make a great espresso was awe-inspiring to our coffee lover. Its crema (which should be a cosy chestnut colour and last until the last sip) and temperature were perfect. Its sleek design, as well its durable and attractive materials, made it stand out from the competition.
Our coffee enthusiast also tried the Grind One for its ease of use. The robust switch has a satisfying feel with the option to program your preferred short or long shot, as well as a clear display. You can also choose to automatically dispensing hot water in your coffee to help the ground to settle and enhances the flavor of your beverage. This pod coffee maker also includes a handy milk frother, making it a great all-rounder.
Another benefit of these machines is that they eliminate the messy bits out of making espresso grinding and dosing the beans that have been ground. This reduces the number of items that need to be cleaned and disposed of which makes them a better option for those with limited kitchen space. If you're looking to broaden your options you can use an additional milk frother to make lattes and cappuccinos. Alternately, you can choose an manual coffee maker, such as the Aeropress which offers the benefits of a low carbon footprint and more flavor than the machine. It's more work, which means it's not suitable for all.
5. Lavazza Idola
The model isn't as expensive as the Lavazza Voicy pod machine, but it's perfect for those who love espresso coffee, ristretto, or caffe longo. It's also among the most silent machines, which means you can drink your morning coffee while your children are asleep.
You can program a cup size to suit your preferences and there's also the option of the temperature to increase to push your brew to a higher temperature at the touch of a button. It's easy to stay on top of maintenance with alerts that notify you when the capsule bin requires emptying or the water tank is low.
The machine doesn't froth milk however it can be used to make cappuccinos or flat whites with an additional container. There are plenty of positive reviews from customers on Amazon and at John Lewis. They praise the quiet operation and flexibility of the machine, which includes different lengths of brews as well as a good capacity for used capsules.
There aren't many reviews from customers, but the consensus is that it's a great pod coffee maker if you prefer an easy set-up. It's more expensive than the Nespresso Vertuo Pop but comes with the highest quality Lavazza pods. It's also one of the most quiet machines available. If you're looking to make a variety of coffees, we recommend you check out one of our top alternatives. For more information, read our full Lavazza Idola review.