With their sleek design and self-operating milk wand, pod coffee machines are a simple way to get your caffeine fix. Less costly and bulky than bean to cup coffee machine best-to-cup machines and require less space on your worktop too.
They’re also simple to use and require no maintenance. All you have to do is insert a compatible pod and hit the button.
1. Nespresso Vertuo
Nespresso machines are now a popular choice for people who drink coffee looking for a convenient pod brewing machine. They are easy to use and they are quick to heat up and they produce rich, flavorful cups. The Vertuo series of machines offers an array of sizes and flavors and styles, so you’ll be able to find the perfect one for your personal taste. This comparison will help you pick the right machine for your kitchen, whether you’re looking at an Nespresso original or a Vertuo model.
Vertuo machines offer a greater range of flavors than Original machines However, their primary difference is their advanced brewing techniques. The Vertuo pods come with an identifier that the machine uses to determine the optimal drinking parameters. The clever feature helps ensure that each cup is as delicious and full as it can be, without overdoing the caffeine.
This smart technology also helps eliminate any mess associated with traditional coffee making. While process of brewing, the machine turns the capsule to evenly distribute water across the grounds. This results in a thick and rich crema that allows for the extraction of the most flavor from the pod.
This type of brewing allows you to make both cold and hot drinks. While this may appear to be something minor, it can be important for those who drink iced or hot coffee on a regular basis. This can make a big difference when you’re facing a sweltering summer day.
In addition to its advanced brewing technology as well as its smart brewing technology, the Vertuo Plus offers a stylish and compact design that will fit perfectly on your countertop. The 37-ounce container for water can be large enough to brew multiple drinks before needing to be refilled, and the used capsule container can hold up to 10 capsules before it needs to be emptied. The machine comes with a smartphone app that reminds you to refill the water tank and empty the capsule or run a descaling procedure.
Although the Vertuo Plus is more expensive than some of its competitors, it is still an excellent choice for those seeking a reliable pod coffee maker. Its stylish looks and easy-to-use are among the top reasons, as is the impressive array of accessories included. Plus, it’s environmentally friendly with 54% recycled plastic and 100 100% recyclable packaging.
2. De’Longhi Grind
The De’Longhi Grind is a superautomatic coffee machine, meaning it does all the work for you. It grinds and measures beans automatically (you don’t have to buy a separate grinder) and then brews the best coffee machine for cappuccino you choose, and steams milk. It’s also simple to use by pressing a button to select your drink and another button to set the machine to make a specific type of coffee at a specific time.
The machine is capable of making three-ounce espresso-style drinks and an eight-, 12-, 16 20or 24 ounce carafe of drip-style coffee. The machine is available in black or stainless steel with a starting price of $400. You can pay $500 for a larger model that can make two additional drinks and has the option of a thermos carafe.
The Grind does not have an adjustable heater for water, which means it can’t be used to make Iced Coffee. It does have a large water reservoir that can hold 1.5 gallons at one time.
It comes with a removable filter and burr, which are dishwasher safe top rack. Cleaning is simple. It has a window that shows how much water remains, so you can plan ahead when you want to replenish it. It has an automatic tamping feature that allows you to not have to manually apply pressure.
This coffee grinder comes with a two-year warranty and is Energy Star Certified. It’s a bit noisier than other coffee makers, but it’s not so loud that you can’t talk while it’s working.
The De’Longhi KG79 grinder has six grind settings. This is more than enough to satisfy the needs of a majority of coffee drinkers. Many users have complained that the grinder isn’t producing a smooth enough grind for espresso-styled coffee. It may not be ideal for you when you’re a coffee lover. It’s also a risk of overgrinding the grounds of the coffee, which can cause them to be uneven and reduce the flavor. It’s still an excellent choice for people who are wanting to learn more about espresso making.
3. Bruvi
This best latte machine combines pod-brewing convenience with environmental awareness in a sleek design. It utilizes its own proprietary “B-Pods” which are more sustainable than K-Cups, organically breaking down in the trash in time, without leaving microplastics behind. Bruvi’s water is separate from the coffee brewing process, so there’s no need to worry about coffee flavor contaminating your water.
Each Bruvi bundle contains a variety of B-Pods ranging from premium craft to espresso. All are sourced sustainably, and all are certified fair trade. The pods are 40 percent more coffee-filled than a K-Cup and the Bruvi brews them with 20 streams of hot water to ensure more consistent extraction. The machine reads each pod’s optical signature and automatically optimizes brewing settings based on the kind of beverage you’re making.
The touchscreen display on the Bruvi is among the most intelligent I’ve seen on the coffee maker. It’s fun to experiment with the different options and get the perfect cup of espresso. When the pod is detected, the display changes to reflect the brewing options available — for example when you’re using a Mulholland coffee pod, the machine suggest that you choose a hotter brew with stronger intensity.
If you’re looking to spend a bit on a cold or iced beverage, you can make it with the Bruvi. If you prefer tea, the machine is equipped to make those as well. The Bruvi is priced higher than other pod-based machines and the selection of pods for coffee is restricted. However, for consumers who are concerned about the quality and production of their coffee this is an excellent choice.
Danielle is a fervent coffee snob who isn’t without her morning cup of joe. She is a fan of strong black coffee that isn’t laced with cream or sugar and will spend between two and three dollars per week on special drinks at local coffee shops. She is always looking to try new brews and has been part of the CoffeeGeek family since 2022. She’s a big advocate of single-serve coffee machines and believes that they are a great alternative to costly, time-consuming batch making.
4. Opal
If you love milk or want to broaden the drinks you are able to make beyond espressos and black Americanos then opt for the coffee maker that has built-in frother. This model is from Lavazza, or Dualit. It can be used to make cappuccinos, lattes or even flat whites if you add a bit of milk. If you decide to buy an unbranded pod coffee maker we suggest one with a stainless steel water tank which will eliminate the taste of plastic in your drink.
This neatly-packaged machine does exactly what is stated on the tin, making extremely aromatic espresso and coffee from capsules that are pre-ground, dosed and pressed to create a perfect cup of Joe every time. It comes with a small water tank that can be placed either behind or to the side of the machine depending on the space available. It also has the biggest used capsule bin of any pod coffee maker – it can hold 13 pods.
It also makes it easy to make a flat white using its steam arm, which creates an incredibly foamed drink in just a few seconds. The machine can be used with capsules from a variety of brands and you can browse the wide-ranging Morning Marketplace on the official website of the manufacturer to find out whether they’re compatible with the new brewer.
This pod coffee machine may not be as fast as other top-rated models but it does produce a sturdy, flat white or cappuccino that has a solid crema. It’s a bit more plasticky however it will fit the majority of kitchen styles and won’t appear out of place next to a sleek Tassimo or Nespresso machine. It’s a great option for families with small children as it can be set up to serve two cups at a time (as long that the second cup isn’t made with any flavoured syrup). It’s also more quiet than other pod machines, and is perfect for those who live in shared housing. It works with the brand’s own ESE (easy-serve coffee) pods which are plastic free and fully compostable.
