Best Coffee Machine Pods

Pod coffee machines alleviate the stress of getting your morning caffeine fix. Unlike a traditional machine, they dispense pre-packed pods of espresso or ground best coffee machine with grinder to make the process faster.

To find the top pod coffee machine, choose one that offers the most options to adjust the size of the drink and temperatures. Also, ensure that the machine is able to accommodate reusable pods.

1. Nespresso Vertuo

Nespresso is a market leader in pod-brewing and a favorite of espresso drinkers. The capsules and machines of the company are highly evaluated in terms of quality and sustainability. The capsules are constructed of 80 percent recyclable materials and can be composted. They also contain less plastic than traditional coffee bags, and have a an economized carbon footprint. Nespresso also collaborates with organizations that are green-certified to encourage fair labor practices and responsible farming practices.

The Nespresso Vertuo line includes several machines that make delicious and rich cups of coffee or espresso with a perfect crema. The VertuoPlus X and VertuoPlus Deluxe models offer advanced features like automatic heating of milk and customizable drinks settings. They are easy to use and have a sleek, modern design that will look great in your kitchen.

Both the X and the Deluxe models come with a huge water reservoir as well as a slim machine body. Centrifusion, a brand new extraction technology, uses up to 7,500 revolutions per minute for brewing the espresso or coffee. This technique helps create a consistent and smooth crema that has 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 offer an array of flavors and intensities. They also offer limited-edition products. The company's machines are also very easy to use, and the Vertuoline has fewer steps than the first Nespresso line which only produces espresso.

The Vertuoline also offers two different sizes of capsules - the smaller espresso size and the gran lungo size for those who prefer shorter drinks. The larger mug and alto capsules are suitable for hearty, mug-sized drinks that require a more intensely roasted 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 a top-quality best dolce gusto machine constructed of durable and attractive materials. It's a bit more expensive than the other models we tried, but it provides an excellent, reliable performance. It also has an attractive design that will be a perfect fit for any kitchen.

The X7.1 utilizes a patent-pending system that scans the barcode on every capsule to determine their identity. It then pre-wets and infuses the correct amount of water in a controlled manner. This is an enormous benefit for those who prefer hassle-free automation. However, it may frustrate those who love to alter settings and select their own brew strength and size. 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 also for its other features. It is one of only a handful of coffee makers we tested to have an adjustable height tray that can be used to adjust the size and shape the coffee cup. It also comes with a stainless-steel milk jug for making lattes and cappuccinos. The X7.1 is also equipped with an energy-saving sleep mode as well as pod holders that can be detached to simplify cleaning.

It is compatible with most Keurig K-Cups and Nespresso capsules and Bruvi's own B-Pods. These pods differ from K-Cups or other popular pods in that they contain ground coffee, instead of a teabag, and have more caffeine than regular espresso. The Bruvi is also compatible and can be programmed to brew on a schedule. It has steam wand that can be used to make cappuccinos and lattes fluffy.

3. Grind One

If you're not a big fan of the plastic-y Nespresso pods or you're looking for something less so bulky, the Stockholm-designed Grind One may be the ideal choice for you. Two members of the Real Homes team have been testing it in their kitchens, and both really love it. It's a sleek stainless-steel geometric machine that looks elegant and is very easy to use. Simply place a pod into the inlet, select either the short express or lungo and press a button. The flashing light will inform you when it's done, and then the coffee starts coming out. There is no milk carafe or steam wand, however you can add hot or cold milk to your coffee as you please.

This machine is designed to work with Grind's own compostable, recyclable and reusable pods. So not only are you reducing your coffee waste (which could take hundreds of years to break down) but the pods themselves don't contain plastic and are also organic. They cost around 50p each, and you can throw them in your garden compost or food waste bin when they are empty.

The Grind One is PS275, and you can add an additional milk frother for an additional PS325. It's more expensive than many of Nespresso-branded pods but it's a stylish well-designed, well-constructed, and versatile machine. It's also the smallest of the bunch, so it doesn't require enough countertop space, and it has a raised drip tray that latches onto the sides of the waste bin to allow height adjustment.

4. Grind 2

This pod maker is ideal for those who like having a quick cup of coffee. It can brew either an espresso shot in a short time or a longer shot, with three different extraction settings and temperatures. Its ability to make a fantastic espresso impressed our best home coffee machine enthusiast. Its temperature and crema (which should be a dark chestnut color that lasts until the final sip and is a cosy shade of brown) were perfect. Its sleek design, as well its strong and attractive materials, helped it stand out among the competition.

Our coffee aficionado also tested the Grind One for its ease of use. The robust switch has a satisfying feel and allows you to programme your preferred short or long shot, and a clear display. You can also choose to automatically dispense hot water in your coffee, which helps the ground settle and improves your drink's flavour. A milk frother that is useful is also included, which makes this pod coffee maker an ideal all-rounder.

They also eliminate the messy elements of espresso-making, such as grinding or dosing and tamping of the ground beans. It also reduces the amount of things that need to be cleaned and recycled. This makes them an ideal choice for those with limited kitchen space. If you're looking to expand your options, you can use a separate milk frother to make cappuccinos and lattes. Alternatively, you could opt for an manual coffee maker, such as the Aeropress that combines the benefits of a low carbon footprint and a richer taste than the machine. It's more work, which means it's not for all.

5. Lavazza Idola

This model is not as expensive as the Lavazza Voicy pod machine, but it's perfect for those who like espresso, ristretto, or caffe longo. It's also one of the quietest machines which means you can enjoy your morning cuppa while the kids are still asleep.

You can program the size of your cup according to your preference and there's the option of the temperature to increase to push your brew to a higher temperature at the touch of one button. You can also keep up with the maintenance schedule by receiving notifications when the capsule bin is empty or when the water tank requires to be topped off.

The machine doesn't do any frost, but you can make cappuccinos as well as flat whites by using an additional milk container. There are plenty of positive reviews from buyers on Amazon and at John Lewis. They praise the quiet operation as well as the various options offered by the machine, such as different lengths of brews, as well as an adequate capacity for used capsules.

While there's not a huge number of reviews from customers there is a general consensus that this is an excellent best value coffee machine pod coffee maker for those who prefer an easy set-up. It's a little more pricey than the Nespresso Vertuo Pop, but it comes with great tasting Lavazza pods and is one of the quietest machines available. If you want to make various coffees, we suggest that you check out one of our top alternatives. For more information, read our full Lavazza Idola review.