Best coffee pod machine for busy lives

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Best coffee pod machine

by Natalie Knowles |
Updated on

If you're limited on space and mornings are a bit hectic, then rather than the usual coffee machines, you'll need the best coffee pod machine to suit your lifestyle. And when the weekend brunch beckons with your besties, make a retro, Italian or futuristic coffee pod machine the centrepiece of your home coffee bar.

Brands like Tassimo and Dolce Gusto plus many other coffee subscription services offer over 50 drink options and are a great option if you're not sure how to use a cafetière. So, if you love Costa Coffee or Cadburys hot chocolate then you're in for a treat. Plus, if you feel like unleashing your inner barista, opt for a coffee machine model that has a milk frother, such as the Nespresso Creatista.

There are so many coffee pod machines on the market it can be overwhelming to decide which model is right for you. They do have some common features, including being convenient, compact and energy efficient. With a coffee pod machine, you have none of the time-consuming preparation required for a filter or bean-to-cup coffee machine. The latest models take up little space, but that also means they have a small water tank with capacity of around 1.2L or less. If you're a small household then anything around 1L will suffice, but shared houses, offices or large families may want to consider bean-to-cup or filter coffee machine options.

Best coffee pod machine at a glance:

Best coffee pod machine for large mug size: Nespresso Vertuo Next Coffee Machine
Best budget coffee pod machine: Tassimo by Bosch, Suny 'Special Edition'
Best coffee pod machine for espresso: Lavazza A Modo Mio Tiny EspressoCoffee Machine
Best energy-saving coffee pod machine: De'longhi Nescafe Dolce Gusto Genio S Plus

In addition to having automatic shut-off when not in use, research by the University of Quebec found that making coffee in a coffee pod machine is more efficient than making traditional filter coffee. The precision with which a pod-based machine can heat the water uses less energy than a kettle. Also, because the coffee is pre-portioned in a single-serve pod means less wastage by being too generous with the serving size. You can even get

For more brew-how, scroll to the FAQs. Otherwise, sit back and enjoy our guide to the best coffee pod machines for every budget, size, and preference. Whether you're a coffee novice or a seasoned barista you can discover your perfect blend at the touch of a button.

Best coffee pod machine

Best coffee pod machine for large mug size

Nespresso Vertuo Next Coffee Machine

Rrp: £150.00

Price: £114.99
Alternative retailers
AO.com£131.00View offer
Wayfair UK£131.16View offer
JD Williams£149.99View offer
Argos£150.00View offer

Description

For lovers of one-touch tech, Nespresso Vertuo Next coffee machines are so easy to use; one button

Pros

  • Large size coffees
  • Slimline
  • Nespresso quality
  • Delicious crema and strong coffee taste
  • Easy to use
  • Recyclable

Cons

  • Expensive pods
  • Wish more capsules were compatible with it

Best budget coffee pod machine

Tassimo by Bosch, Suny 'Special Edition' TAS3102GB

Rrp: £39.99

Price: £34.99

Description

If you’re in the market for a new coffee pod machine but have a stricter budget, the Tassimo by

Pros

  • Wide variety of flavour pods
  • Affordable
  • No fiddly buttons
  • Intelligent brewing
  • Compact

Cons

  • Small water tank
  • Only takes Tassimo pods
  • Noisy

Best for making larger barista-quality coffees

L'OR BARISTA Sublime Coffee Capsule Machine by Philips

Rrp: £109.99

Price: £49.99
Alternative retailers
JD Williams£69.99View offer
AO.com£105.00View offer
Argos£105.00View offer
Wayfair UK£115.93View offer

Description

Made in partnership with Philip, the L’OR Barista Sublime has dual capsule recognition technology,

Pros

  • Can make two drinks at once
  • Dual coffee pod compatibility
  • Compatible with other pod brands
  • Affordable

Cons

  • Menu and pod system can seem complicated
  • Pod bin fills quickly

Best coffee pod machine for espresso

Description

Enjoy delicious espresso and all the [black coffee

Pros

  • Quality Italian espresso
  • Removable drip tray so a mug will fit
  • Compostable pods available

Cons

  • Noisy
  • Only espresso

Best energy-saving coffee pod machine

De'longhi Nescafe Dolce Gusto Genio S Plus

Rrp: £99.99

Price: £77.49
Alternative retailers
Coffee Friend£82.00View offer
Currys£99.99View offer
Argos£100.00View offer

Description

Enjoy your favourite high street coffee brands with this small, powerful and easy-to-use De'longhi

Pros

  • Compact design
  • Adjustable drink size

Cons

  • Smaller capacity
  • Can't fit a latte glass under the spout

Best high-end coffee pod machine

Nespresso Creatista Plus by Sage
Price: £329.95 (was £499.95)

www.sageappliances.com

Description

If you love lattes or cappuccinos, then this coffee pod machine will be your most valuable product

Pros

  • Easy one-touch programmes
  • Quick heat-up
  • Dense milk froth

Cons

  • Milk wand needs additional cleaning to prevent clogging

Best coffee pod machine for easy lattes

Description

Savour authentic, silky cappuccino or latte macchiato, made directly in your cup or glass.

Pros

  • Compatible with both regular coffee cups and taller latte glasses
  • Compact size
  • Quick heat-up time

Cons

  • Capacity could be bigger

Best luxury coffee pod machine

Description

Make Grind One the centre-piece of your home coffee bar and impress your guests at your next

Pros

  • Stylish stainless steel design that's built to last
  • Compostable pods

Cons

  • Small coffee portion

Best Nespresso Original coffee pod machine

Description

For an elegant morning coffee routine, the Citiz is a chic and convenient machine. It packs the

Pros

  • Easy to clean
  • Great tasting coffee
  • Brilliant milk frother

Cons

  • Small coffee serving

FAQs

How much does a coffee pod machine cost?

Coffee pod machines range from £50 to £300. However, you can be limited to a certain brand of pod/capsule – and often, buying exclusive pods from a brand can add up.

Nespresso coffee pods range from 45p to 75p per pod. In comparison, L'OR capsules can be bought in bulk and on subscription from Amazon for around 24p per pod. Factor in pod compatibility too. Many coffee pod machines accept the standard 44mm ESE (Easy Serve Espresso) pods. But be aware that Nespresso Vertuo machines only take Vertuo capsules. Similarly, Tassimo machines only take their branded T Discs.

Check the product specification before buying so you know what coffee pods are compatible.

What are the pros and cons of coffee pod machines?

A small machine doesn't have to necessarily mean small coffee. Yes, there are coffee makers like Lavazza A Modo Mio Tiny that are specifically designed to make espresso. But, there's the Nespresso Vertuo Next, with a footprint of just 14cm that can brew a hearty mug-size coffee. But it's worth noting that, unlike a filter coffee machine, you only get single-serve coffees from pod machines. Here's a summary of the pros and cons of coffee pod machines in general:

Pros

• Quick and easy to use
• Compact, takes up little space
• Large variety of coffee flavours
• Affordable price for a machine
• One-touch operation
• Convenient

Cons

• Expensive to buy coffee pods/capsules
• Limited to machine brand pods/capsules
• Some pods are recyclable but not all
• Weaker coffee than bean or filter

Is it coffee pods or capsules?

Pods and capsules are used interchangeably to describe single-use shots of coffee that get slotted into coffee machines.

What type of coffee pod is best for the environment?

Coffee pods being single-serve can result in a lot of coffee pod waste, with 29,000 pods going to the landfill every minute (Retail Times).

If you're environmentally conscious, opt for a compostable coffee pod that's made from plant-based materials. Corn starch and paper pulp will break down as organic food waste. Nespresso compostable pods are coming to France and Switzerland in 2023 and compostable pods from Grind are available in the UK. Because they don't have the oxygen barrier that aluminium and plastic pods have, how long you can store biodegradable pods is up for question. It is, in effect, like storing your ground coffee in a paper bag.

An aluminium pod is vacuum-sealed, so the coffee stays fresh for months. In addition, aluminium pods are recyclable, with a lifespan of 80-100 years. In most cases, you have to remove the used coffee grounds and arrange the recycling using Podback.

Some brands still use plastic pods, however, all the major brands have made a point of using recycled plastic. This can be recycled through schemes like TerraCycle.

Finally, there is the reusable coffee pod such as Bluecup Reusable Capsules. This is made from stainless steel, plastic or aluminium. It requires the effort of spooning ground coffee into the pod and sealing it with foil. It's worth the extra minute or two because it works out a lot cheaper, as well as being green.

Natalie Knowles is a Homes & Garden Product Writer for Yours, specialising in home appliances. When she's not testing sparkling water makers, she flexes her creative flair as an artist.

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