Best Coffee Machine Pods

Pod coffee machines can take the pain out of getting your morning coffee fix. They are faster than traditional machines because they utilize pre-packaged pods to give espresso or ground coffee.

If you are looking for the best coffee machine with milk frother pod coffee machine, pick one that offers the most options to adjust the size of the drink and temperatures. Make sure the machine is compatible with refillable pods.

1. Nespresso Vertuo

Nespresso is the leader in pod brewing and a favourite among coffee enthusiasts. The capsules and machines made by the company are highly evaluated in terms of quality and sustainability. Its capsules are made from 80 percent recyclable materials and are compostable. They contain less plastic and have a smaller carbon footprint than traditional coffee bags. In addition, Nespresso partners with green-certified organizations to promote responsible farming and fair labour practices.

The Nespresso Vertuo range includes several machines which produce a rich tasty cup of espresso or coffee with a perfect crema. VertuoPlus Deluxe and VertuoPlus models have advanced features, including automatic milk heating as well as customizable drink settings. They are simple to use and feature a sleek style that will look great on your kitchen counter.

Both the X model as well as the Deluxe model feature a large reservoir as well as a slim body. Centrifusion, a brand new extraction technique, makes up to 7,500 rotations per minute for brewing the coffee or espresso. This process creates a consistent, smooth crema that is highly saturated even in smaller cups.

Nespresso's capsules are a bit more expensive than third-party compatible pods that are sold in supermarkets and many online retailers, but they come with a a nice range of flavors and intensities to choose from. The company also offers limited-edition products. The machines are easy to operate and the Vertuoline is simpler than Nespresso's original Nespresso which produces only espresso.

Vertuoline offers two sizes of capsules that are smaller espresso sizes and the gran lungo size for those who prefer shorter drinks. The larger mug and alto capsules are suitable for hearty cups that require more intensely roasted coffee. The Nespresso Vertuoline makes a great cup of drip coffee, which is different from some other pod machines we tried.

2. Illy X7.1

This pod coffee maker is a elegant, high-end machine constructed with durable and appealing materials. It's a bit more expensive than the other machines we tested but it offers high-quality, reliable performance and an attractive design that will fit in with any kitchen.

The X7.1 utilizes a patent-pending system that scans the barcode on each capsule to identify them. It is then pre-wets it and infuses the correct amount of distillate water. This is a huge plus for those who want to enjoy hassle-free automation. However, it may frustrate those who prefer to alter settings and select their personal brew strength or size. The machine can serve espresso double espresso, gran lungo, mug and alto drinks with a silky layer of crema.

In addition to its coffee brewing technology, 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 have evaluated that comes with an adjustable drip tray that can be adjusted to height to optimize the dimensions and shape of the coffee mug. It comes with a stainless-steel milk jug for making cappuccinos or lattes. The X7.1 includes an energy-saving sleeping mode as well as a detachable holder for pods that makes cleaning easy.

It is compatible with most Keurig K-Cups and Nespresso capsules as well as Bruvi's own B-Pods. These pods are different from K-Cups and other popular pods as they are made up of ground coffee instead of a tea bag and they have more caffeine than regular coffee. The Bruvi also has app compatibility and can be set up to brew at a remote location and on a time. It comes with an ice wand, which can be used to make lattes and cappuccinos frothy.

3. Grind One

The Grind One, designed in Stockholm It could be the perfect choice for you if you don't like the plasticy Nespresso capsules or prefer something that's not quite as bulky. Two members of the Real Homes team have been testing it out in their kitchens and really love it. It's a sleek stainless-steel geometric machine that looks elegant and is simple to use. Simply place a pod into the inlet, choose either an lungo or express and then press the button. The light that flashes indicates whether the coffee is in the process of brewing or ready. There is no milk carafe or steam wand, however you can add cold or hot milk to your coffee as you like.

This machine is designed to work with Grind's own compostable, recyclable and reusable pods. So not only are you cutting down on your coffee waste (which can take hundreds of years to break down) but the pods themselves are made of no plastic and are completely organic. They cost around 50p each and you can throw them in your food waste bin or garden compost once they're empty.

The Grind One costs PS275 and you can purchase it with an option that includes milk frothers for an additional PS325. It's more expensive than many Nespresso pod machines, but it is an elegant, well-designed, and versatile machine. It's also the smallest of the bunch so it doesn't require too much countertop space, and it comes with a raised drip tray that connects to a series of notches next to the waste bin to allow height adjustment.

4. Grind 2

This pod machine is perfect for those who enjoy a quick cup of coffee. It can brew a quick or long shot, with three different settings for temperature and extraction. Our coffee aficionado was impressed by its ability to make an excellent espresso. Its crema (which should be a cosy chestnut color and last until the final sip) and temperature were perfect. Its sleek design, as its durable and attractive materials, made it stand out among the competition.

Our coffee expert also tried the Grind One to see if it was simple to use. The robust switch is a pleasant touch with the option to programme your preferred length or short shot, and a crisp display. You can even choose whether to automatically dispense a shot of hot water when you drink your espresso, which helps the grounds settle and improves the taste of your drink. This pod coffee maker comes with a helpful milk frother which makes it an excellent all-rounder.

Another advantage of these machines is that they remove the messy parts out of espresso making, namely grinding, dosing and tamping the beans. This decreases the amount of items to be cleaned up and recycled which makes them a better option for those with limited kitchen space. If you're looking to broaden your options you can use a separate milk frother in order to make cappuccinos and lattes. Alternatively, you could choose a manual coffee maker like the Aeropress, which combines the best bean to cup coffee machine benefits of a low carbon footprint and a richer taste than machines can provide. It's more work, which means it's not for all.

5. Lavazza Idola

This model isn't as expensive as the Lavazza Voicy pod, but it's perfect for those who like espresso or ristretto or caffe longo. It's also one of the most quiet machines, meaning you can sip your morning coffee while your kids are still sleeping.

You can set a cup size that fits your needs and choose to boost the temperature to make your brew go through faster with the push of one button. It's easy to keep up with maintenance, too with alerts that inform you when the best bean to cup coffee machine 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 and flat whites with a separate container. A lot of buyers have left favorable reviews on Amazon and John Lewis. They laud the quiet operation as well as the flexible choices offered by the machine, including different lengths of brews, as well as the capacity to hold used capsules.

While there aren't a huge number of customer reviews there is a general consensus that this is a great value pod coffee maker for those who want an easy set-up. It's a little more pricey than the Nespresso Vertuo Pop, but it comes with delicious tasting Lavazza pods and is one of the quietest machines available. It's not the best choice if you need to create more than two types of coffee though, 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.