Best Coffee Machines With Pods
The top coffee machines with pods let you make everything from luxurious flat whites to strong espressos with much work. The majority of machines are fully automated by scanning the barcode on a pod to pre-wet, infuse and dispensing the right amount.
The standout feature is Bruvi, which is made of B-Corp Certified treated polypropylene pods that break down in landfill when you're done with them. It's also among the easiest machines to operate.
1. Tassimo My Way 2
The Tassimo My Way 2 is a great machine to own for those who enjoy a range of different drinks. You can make hot chocolate, tea and Costa favourites. The machine is quick to heat up and can make a cup of espresso in just three minutes. It includes a jug to froth milk and different cup sizes. It is user-friendly and has 40 different drinks.
The Intellibrew system automatically adjusts the brewing temperature, time and volume of water according to the unique characteristics of each T DISC. With the "my favorite" memory feature, you can personalise your coffee by saving up to four different profiles that you like in terms of strength, temperature and water volume. It makes use of BRITA MAXTRA+ technology to reduce the amount limescale and chloride that is present in your coffee cup, extending the lifespan of the appliance.
You can select the level of intensity you'd like your drink to have with the simple, sensor-touch controls located on the front panel. The machine will automatically adjust the brewing time, volume and intensity depending on what kind of pod you insert. The machine will also inform you when it's time for descale by using a handy LED indicator.
This coffee machine with pods is easy to use and the price is fair for what you get. It has plenty of features and is an incredibly compact design that can fit on most worktops. It comes with an additional caddy on the side for pod storage and is really quiet to operate. There are a lot of good reviews on Amazon and Currys from people who own this machine.
The main drawback of this machine is the cost of the reusable T-Discs. Some people find them to be expensive but others are willing pay the extra money for a machine that produces a quality cup of coffee and other drinks. You can buy the reused T Discs on the internet, in supermarkets or some coffee shops. You can also recycle them via the TASSIMO PodBack scheme.
2. Bosch Tassimo Vivy 2 TAS 140x
Bosch's Vivy 2 is the best pod coffee maker for those wanting to get the most out of their coffee. It comes with a variety of T-Discs, the small capsules that contain hot drinks, including sweeter options like hot chocolate, lattes, and tea. And it even comes with a milk container to assist you in making foamy cappuccinos. This machine has a quick pre-heating process so you can get your coffee ready to serve quickly.
The Vivy 2 is one of the most user-friendly machines thanks to its easy-to-follow instructions and intuitive interface. You simply insert a T-Disc, and the machine scans it to determine precisely how much water to add, so you don't have to perform any manual adjustments on your own. It's also smaller than the other models we've looked at, which makes it more compact and easy to put on your kitchen counter. The smaller size also means that the water tank is smaller, meaning you'll have refill it every five minutes. And, like other Tassimo models the Vivy 2 doesn't have an internal bin for the T-Discs that are used, so you'll have to empty and recycle them separately after each beverage.
The machine also has an in-tank water filter that lowers calcium levels, helping to safeguard the system from limescale and keep your coffee tasting delicious. pod coffee machines has dual coffee settings, allowing you to make an espresso lungo, or a brief shot of espresso. It also has an "ready" indicator that informs you when it's time to dispense the drink.
This is a high-performance well-designed pod maker that comes with a variety of useful features and a beautiful design. However, the absence of a reusable filter and the fact that the coffee it produces isn't as smooth or full-bodied like the ones produced by other machines on our list make it difficult to rank amongst the best pod coffee makers. It's worth considering if you're looking for an easy-to use and practical pod-based beverage maker.
3. Illy X7.1 Iperespresso
In a market that's dominated by Nespresso's irresistible George Clooney ads, illy is quietly making waves with its own machines. The X7.1 Iperespresso is an elegant espresso machine that's ideal for any home. Its sleek design and modern technology will make a statement.
The X7.1 Iperespresso uses illy's innovative capsule system, which simplifies espresso-making and eliminates the need for grinding beans or measuring portions. The two-stage extraction process creates a full-bodied espresso as well as a rich crema. The machine also comes with an internal thermoblock made of stainless steel and a Pannarello steam wand that can be used to make lattes and cappuccinos.
In contrast to other coffee pod machines, the X7.1 Iperespresso requires you to prepare the pods using a portafilter rather than popping them into a slot that is on top of the machine. This makes the X7.1 Iperespresso a more barista-like appearance and allows you to make drinks with a distinct taste. It's also easier to clean compared to other coffee machines, because there's no drawer where capsules can accumulate and block.
However, while the X7.1 Iperespresso is a great coffee maker but it does have its disadvantages. For one, it's only compatible with illy pods which are expensive. Additionally, its portafilter-style making process can be difficult for some users to get grasp of.
While the X7.1 Iperespresso may be a bit difficult for beginners, it's definitely worth the investment for anyone who wants to make espresso and other delicious coffee drinks at home. With its sophisticated features and sleek design the X7.1 Iperespresso offers an excellent value for the money.
The Y1 has fewer functions than other pod-based machines. The Y1 only has two buttons, one for each size of pod and one which automatically fills your coffee cup with hot water. It also has a smaller water tank, which means it'll need to be filled more frequently than other coffee pod machines. If you can overlook this issue, then the Y1 is a great choice for anyone who is looking for a user-friendly pod-based coffee maker.
4. Nespresso Vertuo
The Nespresso Vertuo line of coffee makers is a top choice that targets cappuccino and espresso drinkers. They make use of Nespresso exclusive pods, which include a blend of espresso and coffee, with an additional layer of rich crema.
The Vertuo machines feature a single-button operation and are able to make espresso shots of a short duration and full cups of coffee at the press of one button. The machine scans the barcodes on each capsule to determine the type of drink it is most suitable for, and then sets a combination of water temperature as well as extraction time and spin speed in line with. The machine can also be used with the Nespresso Aeroccino+ milk frother to make lattes and cappuccinos.
In my testing, I found this machine to be extremely easy to operate and capable of consistently producing delicious and full-bodied coffee. Each of the six brew sizes available--Espresso, Double Espresso, rich Gran Lungo, mug of coffee, or the bigger Alto ---was consistently perfect. We utilized the machine with the Nespresso mobile app to monitor the levels of pods and water which made it easier for us to keep track of refilling and emptying.
Although this machine is easy for the user, it's not as versatile as the Keurig K-Cup lines of machines, and can be frustrating if you're unable to find the exact type of coffee or tea you're looking for in your area. It is also more expensive than Keurig. Although it comes with a starter set of capsules, you're locked into the brand’s expensive Vertuo caps after that.
Another downside is that the machine takes a while to heat up and is quite noisy when it's brewing. You should also be careful not to leave anything near to the container of the capsule because it could puncture the pods. We analyzed the energy consumption and found that it uses 0.007 kWh for an espresso, and then shuts off after 9 minutes.
The model doesn't have a drip tray, so be prepared to place your coffee on an appropriate plate or the mug. The capsules are stored in a removable holder that you can take off and recycle with one of the recycling bags offered by Nespresso.