Ten Best Coffee Machine Pods That Really Make Your Life Better

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Pod coffee machines alleviate the stress of getting your morning coffee fix. Unlike a traditional machine they can dispense pre-packed pods of espresso or ground coffee to accelerate the process.

For the best pod coffee machine, pick one that has the best coffee machine bean-to-cup options for adjusting the size of your drink and temperatures. Also, ensure that the machine is able to accommodate reused pods.

1. Nespresso Vertuo

Nespresso is the top brand in pod brewing, and a favorite among espresso fans. Nespresso's capsules and machines are highly rated for quality and sustainability. Its capsules are made from 80 percent recyclable materials and are fully compostable. They also contain less plastic than traditional coffee bags, and have a less carbon footprint. In addition, Nespresso partners with green-certified organisations to promote responsible farming and fair labour practices.

The Nespresso Vertuo line includes several machines that produce an incredibly delicious and rich cup of coffee or espresso with a perfect crema. VertuoPlus Deluxe and VertuoPlus models come with advanced features, like automatic milk heating and customizable drink settings. They are easy to operate and have modern and sleek designs that will look stunning in your kitchen.

Both the X and Deluxe models come with a huge reservoir of water and a slim machine body. Centrifusion is a revolutionary extraction technique, makes up to 7,500 revolutions per minute to brew the espresso or coffee. This process helps to create a smooth and consistent crema that has a high level of saturation, even in smaller cups.

Nespresso's capsules are more expensive than the third-party compatible pods available in grocery stores and online retailers, but they come with a a nice range of flavors and intensity levels to pick from. The company also releases limited-edition products. The machines are simple to use, and the Vertuoline is less complicated than the original Nespresso which produces only espresso.

The Vertuoline also has two sizes of capsules -- the smaller espresso size and the larger lungo size for those who prefer shorter drinks. The larger mug and alto capsules are suitable for hearty cups that require a more intensely roasted coffee. In contrast to some of the other pod machines we tried and tested, the Nespresso Vertuoline also makes a good cup of drip coffee.

2. Illy X7.1

This pod coffee maker is a elegant, high-end machine constructed with tough and attractive materials. It's a little bit more expensive than the other machines we've tested, however it delivers excellent, reliable performance and is a stylish design.

The X7.1 utilizes a patent-pending system that scans the barcodes on every capsule to determine their identity. It then pre-wets and infuses the appropriate amount of distilled water. This is an enormous benefit for those who prefer hassle-free automation. However, it can be frustrating for those who love to alter settings and pick their personal brew strength or size. The machine can dispense espresso, double espresso, gran lungo, mug and alto drinks with a fine layer of crema.

The X7.1 is not only an outstanding model in terms of its brewing technology but it also has other features. For instance, it is one of the only coffee machines we have tested that offers the ability to adjust the height of the drip tray to optimize the size and shape of the coffee mug. It comes with a stainless steel milk jug that can be used to make lattes or cappuccinos. The X7.1 is also equipped with an energy-saving sleep function and pod holders that are detachable to simplify cleaning.

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 contain ground coffee instead of a teabag and have more caffeine than regular espresso. The Bruvi also comes with app compatibility and can be set to brew remotely and on time. It has an ice wand, which can be used to make lattes and cappuccinos frothy.

3. Grind One

The Grind One, designed in Stockholm could be the best coffee machines for home option for you if you don't like Nespresso capsules that are plastic or want something that's not so heavy. Two members of the Real Homes' team have used it in their kitchens, and they both adore it. It's a sleek stainless-steel geometric machine which looks stunning and is simple to use. Simply insert a pod, choose whether you'd prefer a lungo, or a short express and press the button. The light that flashes indicates whether the coffee is in the process of brewing or is ready. There's no steam wand nor milk carafe. However, you can top your coffee off with hot or cold milk if you'd like.

The great thing about this machine is that it's designed to work with Grind's own recyclable, plastic-free, and home compostable coffee pods. Not only will you cut down on the amount of coffee you waste which can take hundreds of years to degrade, but the pods are also organic and have no plastic. They cost around 50p each and you can throw them in your garden compost or food waste bin after they're empty.

The Grind One is PS275, and you can add the milk frother to it for an additional PS325. It's more expensive than most Nespresso pod machines, but it's a sleek, well-designed, and versatile machine. It's also the most compact of the bunch, which means it doesn't require too much countertop space, and it has a raised drip tray that connects to a series of notches next to the waste bin to allow height adjustment.

4. Grind 2

For those who enjoy a quick and simple cup of coffee, this pod maker takes the hassle out of making espresso. 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 temperature and crema (which should have a chestnut colour that lasts for the last sip and is a cosy shade of brown) were excellent. Its sleek design and tough, attractive materials also made it stand out from the rest.

Our coffee enthusiast also tested the Grind One to see if it was user-friendly. The switch is heavy-duty and is a pleasant touch and allows you to program your preferred short or long shot, and a crisp display. You can also choose to automatically dispensing hot water alongside your coffee, which helps the ground to settle and enhances 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 eliminate the messiness out of making espresso grinding dosing, tamping and grinding the ground beans. This also reduces the number of things that need to be cleaned and recycled. This makes them a great option for those with a limited kitchen space. If you do want to increase your options with a separate milk maker, a separate one allows you to make lattes and cappuccinos as well. You can also go with an manual press like the Aeropress which has a lower carbon footprint and more affluent flavor than a machine. 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 machine but it's perfect for those who love espresso, ristretto, or caffe longo. It's also one of the most quiet machines, meaning you can sip your morning coffee while your children are asleep.

You can program a cup size that is suitable for your taste and decide to increase the temperature to help your beverage go through more quickly by pressing one button. It's simple to stay on top of maintenance with alerts to inform you 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 using an additional milk container. Many buyers have left positive reviews on Amazon and John Lewis. They are pleased with the quiet operation and the flexibility of the machine, such as different lengths of brews, as well as a good capacity for capsules that have been used.

While there's not a huge amount of customer reviews there is a general consensus that this is an excellent value pod coffee maker for those who prefer an easy set-up. It's a bit more expensive than the Nespresso Vertuo Pop, but it comes with great tasting Lavazza pods and is among the quietest machines around. It's not the best choice if you are looking to make more than two types of coffee however, so we'd recommend one of our top choices for what you're looking for. For more information, read our full Lavazza Idola review.