Best Coffee Machine Pods
Pod coffee machines make it easy to get your caffeine fix in the morning. They are more efficient than traditional machines due to the fact that they use pre-packaged pods to dispense ground coffee or espresso.
Select a pod coffee maker that allows you to alter the temperature and size of your drink. Check if the machine is compatible with reused pods.
1. Nespresso Vertuo
Nespresso is a leader in pod-brewing and is a favorite of coffee lovers. Nespresso's capsules and machines are highly rated in both quality and sustainability. The capsules are made of 80 percent recyclable materials and are compostable. They also have less plastic than traditional coffee bags and have a an economized carbon footprint. Additionally, Nespresso partners with green-certified organizations to promote sustainable farming and fair labor practices.
The Nespresso Vertuo range includes several machines which produce a rich tasty cup of coffee or espresso with a perfect crema. The VertuoPlus X and VertuoPlus Deluxe models feature advanced features, such as automatic heating of milk and adjustable drink settings. These machines are easy to use and have a sleek, modern design that looks great in your kitchen.
Both the X model as well as the Deluxe model feature a large reservoir as well as a slim body. Centrifusion, a new innovative extraction technique, utilizes up to 7,500 revolutions per minute to brew the espresso or coffee. This technique helps create an even and smooth crema with a high degree of saturation even in smaller cups.
Nespresso capsules are more expensive than third-party compatible pods available in supermarkets and online retailers. However, they provide many flavors and intensities. The company regularly releases limited-edition options as well. The machines of the company are very user-friendly and the Vertuoline requires less steps than the first Nespresso line that 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 for mug-sized drinks requiring a more intensively roasted coffee. The Nespresso Vertuoline makes a great cup of drip coffee, unlike some other pod machines that we tried.
2. link web page X7.1
This pod coffee machine is a high-spec machine that's made from tough and attractive materials. It's a bit more expensive than the other machines we tested but it offers excellent, reliable performance with an attractive design that will blend into any kitchen.
The X7.1 utilizes a brand new patent-pending system that reads the custom barcode on each capsule to identify it. It then pre-wets and infuses the correct amount of water in a controlled manner. This is a major benefit for those who want to enjoy hassle-free automation. However, it could be a problem for those who love to alter settings and choose their own brew strength or size. The machine can serve espresso drinks double espresso drinks, mugs, granlongo, and alto drinks, all covered with layers of creamy crema.
The X7.1 is not only a standout in terms of its brewing technology, but it also has other features. For instance, it's one of the only coffee machines that we have evaluated that comes with an adjustable drip tray that can be adjusted to height to adjust the size and shape of the coffee mug. It comes with a stainless steel milk jug for making lattes or cappuccinos. The X7.1 also includes an energy-saving sleep function and pod holders that can be detached to simplify cleaning.
It's compatible with all Keurig K-Cups and Nespresso capsules and Bruvi's own B-Pods. These pods differ from K-Cups or other popular pods due to the fact that they are made up of ground coffee instead of a teabag, and contain more caffeine than regular espresso. The Bruvi is app 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
The Grind One, designed in Stockholm It could be the perfect choice for you if you don't like Nespresso capsules that are plastic or prefer something less quite as heavy. 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 chic and is easy to use. You just pop a pod into the inlet, choose either the short lungo or express and then press the button. The flashing light will inform you whether it's brewing or completed, and the coffee starts coming out. There's no milk cup or steam wand, but you can add cold or hot milk to your coffee however you'd like.
The beauty of this machine is that it's designed to work with Grind's recyclable, plastic-free and compostable coffee pods. So not only are you reducing your coffee waste (which can take hundreds of years to break down) but the pods themselves have zero plastic and are completely organic. They cost about 50p each and you could chuck them in your food waste bin or garden compost once they're empty.
The Grind One costs PS275 and you can purchase it as a an option that includes milk frothers for an additional PS325. It is more expensive than most Nespresso pod machines, but it's stylish, well-designed and versatile machine. It's also the smallest the bunch so it won't take up enough countertop space, and it comes with a raised drip tray that latches onto a series of notches next to the waste bin for height adjustment.
4. Grind 2
If you're looking for a simple and quick cup of coffee, this machine removes the hassle making espresso. It can brew either one shot that is short or a long shot with three different extraction settings and temperature. Its ability to make a fantastic espresso was awe-inspiring to our coffee lover. Its temperature and crema (which should be a dark chestnut color that lasts until the last sip and is a warm shade of brown) were perfect. Its sleek design, as its strong and attractive materials, made it stand out from the crowd.
Our coffee lover also tried the Grind One to see if it was user-friendly. The robust switch is pleasant to use, and offers the possibility of programming your preferred long or short shot. It also has an easy-to-read LCD. You can even select whether to automatically pour a shot of hot water along with the espresso, which helps the grounds settle and improves the flavor of your beverage. A milk frother is also included, which makes this pod coffee maker a great all-rounder.
These machines also take out the messy parts of espresso-making like grinding or dosing and tamping of the beans. This also reduces the number of items that have to be cleaned and reused. This makes them a good option for those with little kitchen space. If you're looking to expand your options, you can utilize a separate milk frother to make lattes and cappuccinos. Alternatively, you could choose an manual coffee maker, such as the Aeropress, which combines a low carbon footprint with a richer taste than machines can provide. It's a bit more work, which means it's not for all.
5. Lavazza Idola
Unlike the more expensive Lavazza Voicy pod coffee maker, this model does not include a milk frother however it is perfect for those who love espresso, ristretto or lungo. It is also one of quietest machines, so you can enjoy your morning coffee while your children are asleep.
You can set a cup size that fits your needs and choose to boost the temperature to make your beverage go through more quickly by pressing a button. It's simple to stay up with maintenance, too with alerts that inform you when the capsule bin needs emptying or when the water tank is empty.
The machine isn't capable of frost, but you can make cappuccinos and flat whites by using a separate milk container. A lot of buyers have left favorable reviews on Amazon and John Lewis. They praise the quiet operation as well as the flexibility of the machine, which includes different lengths of brews as well as the capacity to hold used capsules.
While there's not a huge number of customer reviews however, the general consensus is that this is a great value pod coffee machine for those who like an easy set-up. It's more expensive than the Nespresso Vertuo Pop, but it comes with great tasting Lavazza pods and is one of the quietest machines available. It's not ideal if you are looking to make more than two types of coffee, however, so we'd recommend one of our top choices if that's what you're looking for. For more information, read our full Lavazza Idola review.