Best Coffee Machine Pods
Pod coffee machines make it easy to get your caffeine fix in the morning. In contrast to traditional machines they can dispense pre-packed pods of espresso or ground coffee to accelerate the process.
Select a pod coffee maker that lets you adjust the temperature and cup size. Make sure the machine is compatible with reused pods.
1. Nespresso Vertuo
Nespresso is a market leader in pod-brewing, and a favourite of coffee lovers. Nespresso's capsules and machines are highly rated for quality and sustainability. The capsules are constructed of 80 percent recyclable material and are compostable. They also have less plastic than traditional coffee bags, and have a a lower carbon footprint. Nespresso also has a partnership with green-certified organizations to encourage fair work practices and sustainable farming practices.
The Nespresso Vertuo range includes several machines that produce a thick, delicious cup of coffee or espresso with a good crema. VertuoPlus Deluxe and VertuoPlus models come with advanced features, including automatic milk heating and customizable drink settings. They are simple to use and feature a sleek design that looks great on your kitchen counter.
Both the X and the Deluxe models come with a huge water reservoir and a slender machine body. Centrifusion is a revolutionary extraction technique, makes up to 7,500 revolutions per minute to brew the espresso or coffee. This process creates a consistent, smooth crema that is saturated to a high degree even in smaller cups.
Nespresso's capsules may be a little more expensive than the third-party compatible pods that are sold in grocery stores and online retailers, but they come with a a nice range of flavors and intensity levels to choose from. The company also offers limited-edition products. The machines are simple to use and the Vertuoline is less complicated than Nespresso's original Nespresso, which only produces espresso.
Vertuoline offers two sizes of capsules that are smaller espresso sizes and the larger lungo size - to suit those who prefer drinks with a shorter length. The larger mug and alto capsules are great for hearty, mug-sized drinks that require a more intensely roasted cup of coffee. In contrast to some of the other pod machines we tried and tested, the Nespresso Vertuoline also makes a excellent drip coffee.
2. Best filter coffee machine X7.1
This pod coffee machine is a high-spec machine that's constructed from durable and attractive materials. It is a little more expensive than the other machines we have tested, but it delivers excellent, reliable performance with an attractive design that can fit in with any kitchen.
The X7.1 features a revolutionary patent-pending system that reads the unique barcode on each capsule to identify it. It then pre-wets it, infuses it and then dispensing the correct amount of water in a controlled manner. This is a great plus point for those who desire a hassle-free automated, hands-free. However, it could be a problem for those who prefer to alter settings and pick their personal brew strength or size. The machine can dispense espresso drinks double espresso drinks gran longo, mug, and alto drinks, all topped with a layer of silky crema.
In addition to its brewing technology in addition to its brewing technology, the X7.1 comes with a variety of other characteristics that make it stand out. For instance, it's one of the few coffee machines we have tested that offers the ability to adjust the height of the drip tray to adjust the size and shape of the coffee mug. It also includes a stainless steel milk jug to make cappuccinos and lattes. The X7.1 features a sleep mode and a removable holder for pods, making cleaning simpler.
Compatible with All Keurig K-Cups, Nespresso capsules and Bruvi B-Pods. These pods differ from K-Cups or other popular pods due to the fact 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 also has a useful steam wand that can be used to make frothy lattes and cappuccinos.
3. Grind One
If you're not a huge fan of Nespresso pods made of plastic or you're seeking something that's not 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 out in their kitchens and both absolutely love it. It's a sleek stainless steel geometric machine that looks super stylish and is simple to use. You just pop a pod into the inlet, select either a short express or lungo and press a button. The light that flashes will inform you whether it's brewing or completed, and the coffee starts coming out. There's no milk carafe or steam wand, however you can add hot or cold milk to your coffee however you'd like.
The best part about this machine is that it's made to work with Grind's recyclable, plastic-free and compostable coffee pods. Not only will you reduce the amount of coffee you waste which can take hundreds of year to degrade and degrade, but the pods are also organic and contain no plastic. They cost around 50p each, and you can dump them in your food waste bin or garden compost after they're empty.
The Grind One is PS275, and you can buy a bundle with a milk frother to it for an additional PS325. It's more expensive than other Nespresso pod machines, but it is a sleek, well-designed, and versatile machine. It is also the smallest, so it won't take any counter space. It has a raised tray that latches onto a series of notches and the waste bin to adjust the height.
4. Grind 2
This pod machine is ideal for those who love an espresso-like coffee in a snap. It can be used to brew an espresso shot in a short time or a long shot with three different extraction settings and temperatures. Our coffee aficionado was impressed by its capability to make an excellent espresso. Its temperature and crema (which should be a dark chestnut color that lasts for the last sip and is a cosy shade of brown) were excellent. Its sleek design, as its strong and attractive materials, made it stand out among the crowd.
Our coffee expert also tried the Grind One to see if it was user-friendly. The heavy-duty switch is comfortable to use with the option to program your preferred length or short shot, and a clear display. You can also choose to automatically pour hot water in your coffee, which helps the ground settle and enhances the flavor of your beverage. A milk frother that is useful is included, making this pod coffee maker an ideal all-rounder.
They also eliminate the messy elements of espresso-making like grinding, dosing, and tamping of the beans. It also reduces the amount of items that have to be cleaned and recycled. This makes them an ideal choice for those with small kitchen spaces. If you do want to increase your options, a separate milk frother allows you to make cappuccinos and lattes too. Alternatively, you could go with a manual coffee press, like the Aeropress, which combines a low carbon footprint with more flavor than you get from a machine. However, it does require more effort from you and therefore we don't recommend it to everyone.
5. Lavazza Idola
Unlike the more expensive Lavazza Voicy pod coffee maker, this model does not include a milk frother but is ideal for anyone who likes an espresso, ristretto, or caffe lungo. It's also one of the quietest machines available which means you can enjoy your morning coffee while your kids are asleep.
You can program a cup size that suits your mood and decide to increase the temperature to help your brew go through faster with the push of one button. You can also keep up on maintenance by getting alerts when the capsule bin is empty or when the water tank needs to be topped off.
The machine doesn't froth milk, but it can be used to make cappuccinos or flat whites with the use of a separate container. A lot of buyers have left favorable reviews on Amazon and John Lewis. They are pleased with the quiet operation as well as the flexibility of the machine, which includes different lengths of brews, as well as an adequate capacity for used capsules.
Although there isn't a large number of customer reviews however, the general consensus is that this is a fantastic value pod coffee maker for those who like 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 around. It's not the best choice if you want to create more than two types of coffee however, so we'd recommend one of our top-rated options in case that's what you're searching for. For more information, read our full Lavazza Idola review.