20 Myths About Pod Coffee Machine: Busted

The Best Pod Coffee Machines

Pod coffee makers allow you to put a capsule that contains ground or roasted coffee beans into the machine. The coffee is then poured into the machine for a set amount of time.

Some pod coffee makers come with multiple cup sizes as well as a built-in filter and milk ability to froth. Selecting the right pod coffee maker for you is dependent on your individual preferences and lifestyle.

1. Keurig K-Select

If you're looking for a basic Keurig coffee maker without the bells and whistles of more expensive models, this machine is a great choice. It's simple to use and has a great design. When not in use it can be placed in a corner of the kitchen.

The machine can be noisy but that's not a major issue. It is small enough to fit on a counter with a small space. If you're looking for a Keurig with a larger range of sizes or a carafe that can drip-brew your coffee, you might be interested in other alternatives.

Keurig K'Select is a single-serve coffee maker that blends a sleek design with more intuitive features. This allows you to brew the perfect cup of coffee every time. Choose from hundreds of delicious K-Cup pods, or make your own ground coffee with a My-K-Cup universal reusable coffee filter (sold separately). The Strong Brew feature kicks up the intensity and strength of your coffee, making it the best choice for those who love a strong cup.

The brewer comes with simple controls with buttons. Just put in the K-Cup pod, choose the brew size you'd like to use and press to brew. In less than a minute, you'll have a fresh-tasting cup of coffee waiting for you to enjoy. The large 52-ounce water reservoir allows you to make up to five cups between refills, simplifying your morning routine.

The Keurig is simple to clean, and comes with the ability to remove the reservoir of water and lid that can be easily washed. However, it is recommended to remove the scale from your Keurig before cleaning it, and follow the instructions in the user's manual to ensure that your machine is performing optimally. This warranty covers all accessories and the brewer, with the exception of for normal wear or abuse as well as external causes like power outages.

2. Tassimo My Way

If you're a coffee enthusiast and are in search of a pod maker that can produce more than just your daily cup of coffee it's the ideal choice. It's designed to make diverse range of drinks, including hot chocolate and tea, and comes with a huge 1.3 millilitre water tank that allows you to brew multiple cups at a time. The machine can be heated up in only three seconds, and can create the perfect cappuccino or latte using the built-in milk jug. It also features an LCD that can be touched to let you to adjust the intensity, temperature and quantity of your drink.

Tassimo My Way uses T Discs that are a set of ingredients that you can use to make your drink. There are more than 70 different varieties to select from, from brands such as Kenco and Costa to Costa, Milka and Cadbury's. The machine has a range of T discs, including ones for hot and tea chocolate.

The coffee made by this machine was of high quality, but slightly less than the other machines we have reviewed. It also produced a creamy mouthfeel, and steam-cooked milk for a caffe lattes in a short time. It is important to note that the milk's frothy texture contains sugar that, while not a major problem however, might not be a favorite for everyone.

The Tassimo My Way is easy to keep clean, with the drip tray, removable parts of the brewing unit and the water tank being dishwasher-safe. A Brita filter is included, as is an ice-cleaning disk. A helpful indicator light lets you know when it's time to descale, and a water reservoir keeps the limescale to the minimum. The machine is Energy Star rated, which reduces its electricity consumption up to 15%.

3. Lavazza Lungo Pod Machine

The Nespresso-compatible pod espresso machine from Lavazza, made in collaboration with Sage, is one of the most beautiful machines available. It is constructed of sturdy and attractive materials. It has a sleek steam wand that can be adjusted to make cappuccinos and lattes, and a stainless steel milk jug. Pop in a pod, select your coffee capsule machine cup size and the machine goes into action - brewing espresso lungo, double espresso, gran lungo, alto and mug drinks with a thick layer of silky frosting.

Like most pod machines, you load a pod using a hatch at the top of the machine and drop it into place. The machine then pierces the capsule, and then closes it so that when you lift the lever, the used pod falls into a specially spent pod tray that is located beneath the drip tray.

It's not the fastest machine to make coffee it takes 30 seconds to make a shot of espresso and about 90 seconds for a lungo however, the results are always impressive, with excellent crema and a rich, smooth taste. The machine will also inform you when it is time to refill the water tank or pod bin.

The main selling point of this machine is that it can use it with any Lavazza-branded pod There are seven in all, including espresso ground (Qualita Rossa, Intenso, Passionale and Delizioso), two decaffeinated (Dek Cremoso) and two organic coffees (!Tierra! Bio). The pod coffee machine isn't cheap but if you combine it with a pod delivery subscription the cost could be similar to the cost of a regular bean-to cup machine. The compact design of this machine makes it possible to fit into even the tiniest kitchens. The pods are also industrially compostable, so you can dispose of them in your council food bins or garden compost.

4. Nespresso Vertuo Pod Machine

Nespresso machines are among the best pods coffee makers for those who are looking for a reliable, fast and steady brew. They heat quickly and are simple to use. Simply place a capsule in and press a button, and you're good to go. They also produce a rich crema that you can add to your drinks for added flavour and thickness. The official pods are not cheap and you will have to purchase them.

The Vertuo line is based on an entirely different method of technology from OriginalLine machines that work with espresso capsules (and are still in existence). The Vertuo line scans the barcode on each capsule, and then automatically adjusts the brewing parameters in order to make a perfect cup. They also have a centrifusion device that spins the capsules in order to extract the most flavor and the most thick crema.

The machines aren't as intuitive as our other choices. For instance, the lid only opens when the machine is ready, and it takes 30 minutes to heat up enough to put in a capsule. They don't include an milk frother, as do other pod coffee makers listed on this list, meaning you'll need an additional PS90 or so to purchase an extra Aeroccino if you want to make lattes and cappuccinos.

They also require more frequent maintenance than other models - refilling the water tank, emptying old pod containers, and descaling--but they have an application that reminds you of these duties and provides tools such as store locators and capsule recycling. And if you connect your machine to an IntelliPort you can control it with voice commands which is a great feature if you're making coffee in the dark at 4am, or have weak hands.

5. SMEG Barista Pod Machine

This sleek pod machine is the product of an adored Italian brand and a renowned manufacturer of kitchen appliances. It has the sleek, retro curves that SMEG are known for, and can brew both lungo and espresso drinks. It also comes with a programmable shot setting as well as dual-height drip trays and a pod bin that can be removed.

This coffee maker makes it simple to make an instant cup of single-shot or double-shot espresso in the morning, or for a lungo in the break at work. Its simple control panel keeps it looking sleek and doesn't interfere with its functionality. If you're looking to dress up your daily joe even more, it comes with three filter baskets that can accommodate different kinds of capsules. You can even make use of loose ground beans (although you'll need to own an additional grinder).

The SMEG Barista Pod Machine does not come with a milk pitcher. However, it has a Pannarello built-in milk frother which can froth cow and soymilk well. It also comes with an oversized portafilter of 51mm which is smaller than a standard commercial-style filter. It's pressurized, which means that you won't get the stale, leftover taste. It also comes with a Tamper that can also be used as scoop.

The SMEG is one of the most expensive pod machines we've reviewed but it's well worth it if your a fan of the retro look or if you like being able to make espresso-based drinks. This is a great choice if you are new to coffee making and don't want to tackle the hassle of grinding, measuring and tamping beans by yourself.