Best Coffee Machine Pods
Pod coffee machines make it easy to get your caffeine fix in the morning. They are quicker than traditional machines due to the fact that they utilize pre-packaged pods to give espresso or ground coffee.
Select a pod coffee maker that allows you to adjust the temperature and drink size. Find out if the machine is compatible with reusable pods.
1. Nespresso Vertuo
Nespresso is a pioneer in pod-brewing and is a favorite of coffee lovers. The capsules and machines of Nespresso are highly rated in terms of quality and sustainability. The capsules are made of 80 percent recyclable materials and are compostable. They contain less plastic and have a lower carbon footprint than traditional coffee bags. Nespresso also collaborates with green-certified organizations to promote fair labor practices and responsible farming.
The Nespresso Vertuo line includes several machines that make an incredibly delicious and rich cup of coffee or espresso that has a good crema. The VertuoPlus X and VertuoPlus Deluxe models come with advanced features such as automatic heating of milk as well as customizable beverage settings. They are simple to use and have a sleek design that looks stunning on your kitchen counter.
Both the X model and the Deluxe model come with a huge reservoir as well as a slim body. Centrifusion is a revolutionary extraction technique, makes up to 7,500 revolutions per minute to make espresso or coffee. This technique helps create a consistent and smooth crema with a high degree of saturation even in smaller cups.
Nespresso capsules are more expensive than compatible pods from third parties sold in grocery stores and online retailers. However, they provide an array of flavors and intensities. The company also offers limited-edition products. The machines are simple to use, and the Vertuoline is less complicated than the original Nespresso that only makes espresso.
The Vertuoline also has two sizes of capsules -- the smaller espresso size and the larger lungo size for those who prefer shorter drinks. The larger alto and mug capsules are great for hearty and mug-sized drinks that require a 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 tried.
2. Illy X7.1
This pod coffee maker is elegant, high-quality machine built with durable and attractive materials. It's a bit more expensive than the other machines we tried, but it provides excellent, reliable performance with an attractive design that can blend into any kitchen.
The X7.1 utilizes a patent-pending system that reads the barcode on every capsule to determine their identity. It then pre-wets and infuses with the correct amount of distilled water. This is an excellent benefit for those who prefer a simple hands-free automation. It may frustrate users who prefer to tweak settings and select their own brew size and strength. The machine can dispense espresso drinks, double espresso drinks, gran longo, mug, and alto drinks, all topped with layers of creamy crema.
In addition to its technology for brewing, the X7.1 features a range of other characteristics that make it stand out. For instance, it's one of the only coffee machines we've tested that has an adjustable drip tray that can be adjusted to height to optimise the dimensions and shape of the coffee mug. It also comes with a stainless-steel milk jug that can be used to make cappuccinos and lattes. The X7.1 also comes with an energy-saving sleep mode and 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 since they contain ground coffee instead of a tea bag, and they contain more caffeine than regular coffee. The Bruvi is app compatible and can be programmed to brew at a remote location or according to a set schedule. It comes with a steam wand which can be used to make cappuccinos and lattes frosty.
3. Grind One
If you're not a big fan of Nespresso pods made of plastic or are looking for something that isn't 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 are incredibly pleased with it. It's a sleek stainless-steel geometric machine, that looks stylish and is simple to use. Simply place the pod, choose whether you'd prefer a lungo, or a short express and press the button. The light that flashes indicates whether the coffee is in the process of brewing or ready. There's no steam wand nor milk carafe, however you can top your coffee off with hot or cold milk if you'd like.
This machine is designed to work with Grind’s own compostable, recyclable, and recyclable pods. This means you're not only reducing your coffee waste (which can take hundreds of years to break down) but the pods themselves have zero plastic and are organic. They cost around 50p each, and you can throw 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 to it for an additional PS325. It is more expensive than many Nespresso pod machines, but it is stylish, well-designed and versatile machine. It's also the smallest of the bunch, which means it won't take up enough countertop space, and it also has a raised drip tray that is secured to a series of notches alongside the waste bin to allow height adjustment.
4. Grind 2
This pod machine is ideal for those who love an espresso-like coffee in a snap. It can brew a quick or long shot, with three different settings for temperature and extraction. Our coffee enthusiast was enthralled by its capability to make an excellent espresso. Its temperature and crema (which should have a chestnut hue that lasts for the last sip and is a warm shade of brown) were flawless. Its sleek design and sturdy appealing materials also helped it stand out from other brands.
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 preferred long or short shot. It also comes with an easy-to-read LCD. best compact coffee machine can also choose to automatically dispensing hot water with your coffee, which helps the ground settle and improves your drink's flavour. This pod coffee maker comes with a useful milk frother, making it a great all-rounder.
Another advantage of these machines is that they eliminate the messy bits out of making espresso, namely grinding dosing, tamping and grinding the beans. They also reduce the number of things that need to be cleaned and recycled. This makes them a great option for those with a limited kitchen space. If you do want to expand your options, a separate milk frother allows you to make cappuccinos and lattes as well. You can also choose a manual coffee press, such as the Aeropress, which combines an environment-friendly design with an opulent taste that you get from a machine. However, it requires more effort from you and we wouldn't recommend it to everyone.
5. Lavazza Idola

The model isn't as expensive as the Lavazza Voicy pod, but it's ideal for those who love espresso, ristretto, or caffe longo. It is also one of most silent machines, which means you can enjoy your morning cup while the children are still asleep.
You can program a cup size that fits your needs and select to increase the temperature to make the brew to go through faster at the touch of a button. It's easy to keep on top of maintenance too with alerts that notify you when the capsule bin needs emptying or if the water tank is empty.
The machine does not make frothy milk however it can be used to make cappuccinos or flat whites with a separate container. Many customers have left glowing reviews on Amazon and John Lewis. They praise the machine's versatility as well as its quiet operation. different lengths of the brews.
Although there isn't a large amount of customer reviews there is a general consensus that this is a great value pod coffee maker for those who want a simple setup. It's more expensive than the Nespresso Vertuo Pop, but it comes with delicious tasting Lavazza pods and is one of the quietest machines on the market. If you want to make various coffees, we recommend you check out one of our top choices. For more information, read our full Lavazza Idola review.