Pod coffee machines can alleviate the stress of getting your morning caffeine fix. They are quicker than traditional machines due to the fact that they use pre-packaged pods that dispense ground coffee or espresso.
Select a pod coffee maker that lets you adjust the temperature and drink size. Find out if the machine is compatible with reusable pods.
1. Nespresso Vertuo
Nespresso is a pioneer in best pod coffee machines uk-brewing and is a favorite of espresso drinkers. The capsules and machines of the company are highly evaluated in terms of quality and sustainability. The capsules are constructed of 80 percent recycled material and can be composted. They also have less plastic than traditional coffee bags and have less carbon footprint. Additionally, Nespresso partners with green-certified organizations to promote sustainable farming and fair labor practices.
The Nespresso Vertuo range includes several machines that make a rich tasty cup of coffee or espresso with a great crema. The VertuoPlus X and VertuoPlus Deluxe models offer advanced features, such as automatic heating of milk and customizable drinks settings. These machines are easy to use and feature a sleek, modern design that will look great in your kitchen.
Both the X and the Deluxe models have a large reservoir of water and a slim machine body. Centrifusion, a new innovative extraction technique, makes up to 7,500 rotations per minute to brew the coffee or espresso. This produces a consistent, smooth crema that is saturated to a great extent even in smaller cups.
Nespresso's capsules are a bit more expensive than third-party compatible pods that are sold in supermarkets and a variety of online retailers, but they offer many different flavors and intensities to choose from. The company frequently releases limited-edition products as well. The machines are very user-friendly, and the Vertuoline requires fewer steps than the first Nespresso line that produces only espresso.
The Vertuoline also comes with two sizes of capsules - the smaller espresso and gran lungo size for those who prefer smaller drinks. The larger mug capsules as well as alto capsules are suitable for mug-sized drinks requiring the most intensely roasted cup of coffee. The Nespresso Vertuoline makes a great cup of drip coffee, which is different from some other pod machines we tested.
2. Illy X7.1
This pod coffee maker is a elegant, high-end machine constructed using durable and attractive materials. It is a little more expensive than the other models we tried, but it provides an excellent, reliable performance. It also has an attractive design that will be a perfect fit for any kitchen.
The X7.1 utilizes a patent-pending system that scans the barcode on every capsule to determine their identity. It then pre-wets and infuses with the appropriate amount of distillate water. This is an enormous benefit for those who like a simple automation. However, it may frustrate those who love to alter settings and select their own brew strength or size. The machine can serve espresso double espresso, gran lungo alto and mug drinks with a fine layer of crema.
In addition to its coffee brewing technology, the X7.1 comes with a variety of other features that make it stand out. It is one of only a few coffee machines that we tested to offer the ability to adjust the height of the tray in order to alter the size and shape the coffee mug. It also comes with a stainless-steel milk jug to make cappuccinos or lattes. The X7.1 features a sleep mode and a removable holder for pods to make 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 are made up of ground coffee instead of a teabag, and are more caffeine-rich than regular espresso. The Bruvi is also compatible and can be programmed to brew according to a timetable. It also has a helpful steam wand that can be used to create frothy lattes and cappuccinos.
(Image: https://cdn.freshstore.cloud/offer/images/778/16234/cuisinart-grind-and-brew-plus-bean-to-cup-filter-coffee-maker-dgb900bcu-silver-16234.jpg)3. Grind One
If you're not a huge fan of the plastic Nespresso pods or you're looking for something less quite as bulky, then the Stockholm-designed Grind One may be the most suitable option for you. Two members of the Real Homes' team have tested it in their kitchens and they both love it. It's a sleek stainless-steel geometric machine that looks chic and is very simple to use. You just pop a pod into the inlet, select either the short express or lungo and press a button. The flashing light will inform you when it's completed, and the coffee begins to pour out. There's no milk carafe or steam wand, but you can add cold or hot milk to your coffee however you'd like.
The best coffee machine for latte 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 could take years to degrade, but the pods are also organic and contain no plastic. They cost around 50p each and you can throw them into 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 a milk frother for an additional PS325. It's more expensive than many of Nespresso-branded pods however it's a sleek and well-designed versatile machine. It's also the most compact, so it won't take the most counter space. It comes with an elevated tray that snaps onto a series of notches along with the waste bin to adjust the height.
4. Grind 2
This pod machine is ideal for those who love having a quick cup of coffee. It can brew a short or long shot, and has three different settings for temperature and extraction. Its ability to create a wonderful espresso impressed our coffee enthusiast. Its crema (which should be a cosy chestnut color that lasts until the last sip) and temperature were right on. Its sleek design and tough appealing materials also helped it stand out from the rest.
Our coffee enthusiast also tested the Grind One to see if it was simple to use. The switch is heavy-duty and is comfortable to use with the option to programme your preferred short or long shot, and a clear display. You can even choose whether to automatically dispense hot water with your espresso, which will help the grounds settle and improves the flavour of your drink. This pod coffee maker includes a handy milk frother making it a fantastic all-rounder.
These machines also remove the messy parts of espresso-making like grinding or dosing and tamping of the ground beans. This also reduces the number of things that need to be cleaned and reused. This makes them a great choice 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 lattes and cappuccinos. Alternately, you can choose a manual coffee maker like the Aeropress, which coffee machine is best combines the benefits of a low carbon footprint and an opulent taste that the machine. It does require more work, so it's not suitable for all.
5. Lavazza Idola
This model is not as expensive as the Lavazza Voicy pod machine but it's ideal for those who like espresso or ristretto or caffe longo. It's also among the quietest machines, so you can drink your morning cup while the kids are still sleeping.
You can set a size for your cup that suits your mood, and you can also decide to increase the temperature to make the brew to go through faster with the push of the button. It's simple to stay on top of maintenance too with alerts that let you know when the capsule bin requires emptying or if the water tank is empty.
The machine doesn't do any frothing, but you can make cappuccinos and flat whites by using separate milk containers. There are many positive reviews from customers on Amazon and at John Lewis. They praise the machine's flexibility, quiet operation, and different lengths of drinks.
While there's not a huge number of customer reviews there is a general consensus that this is a fantastic value pod coffee machine for those who want an easy setup. It's more expensive than Nespresso Vertuo Pop but comes with the top Lavazza pods. It is also one of the most quiet machines on the market. If you're looking to make various coffees, we recommend you look at one of our top choices. For more information, read our full Lavazza Idola review.