Best Coffee Machines With Pods
The best coffee machines that make use of pods let you create everything from strong espressos to elegant flat whites that require little effort. Most machines are fully automated scanning the barcode of a pod to pre-wet the pod, infuse it and dispense exactly the appropriate amount.
A real standout is the Bruvi, which makes use of B-Corp Certified treated polypropylene pods that will degrade in landfills when you're done with them. It's also among the easiest machines to use.
1. Tassimo My Way 2
Tassimo My Way 2 makes an array of drinks. It can make hot tea, chocolate and Costa favorite drinks. The machine is quickly heated and can make an espresso cup in just three seconds. It also includes a jug for foaming milk and comes with different sizes of cups. It is simple to use and provides an extensive selection of 40 different drinks.
The Intellibrew system automatically adjusts the brewing temperature, time and water volume to the unique characteristics of each T DISC. You can even personalise your drink with the 'my favorites' memory function, saving up to four different profiles of your preferred coffee strength as well as temperature and volume. It also uses BRITA MAXTRA+ water filtration technology to reduce the amount of limescale and chlorine in your coffee, helping to prolong the longevity of the appliance.
The front panel is simple controls that make use of sensors to adjust the level of your drink. The machine will automatically adjust the brewing time, volume, and intensity based on the type of pod you insert. The machine will also notify you when it's time for descale with a handy LED indicator.
Users of this coffee machine with pods have said that it is a breeze to use and offers an affordable price for what you get. It comes with a lot of features and is an extremely compact design that will fit on most worktops. It comes with an additional caddy on the side for pod storage and is really quiet to operate. There are many positive reviews from users of this machine on Amazon and Currys.
The biggest drawback of this machine is the cost of the reusable T-Discs. Some users find the machines costly however, others are willing to spend a bit more for a machine that makes a top-quality cup of coffee or other drinks. You can buy the reusable T Discs on the internet, in stores or in some coffee shops. You can also recycle them using the TASSIMO The PodBack program.
2. Bosch Tassimo Vivy 2 TAS 140x
Bosch's Vivy 2 is the best pod coffee maker for those who want to get the most of their drink. It comes with a variety of T-Discs, the small capsules with hot drinks, as well as sweeter options like hot chocolate, lattes, and tea. It even comes with an ice cube to make frothy capspuccinos. It also has a fast pre-heating time, so you can have your coffee on the table quickly.
The Vivy 2 has an intuitive interface with easy-to-follow directions. The machine scans the T-Disc and determine how much water you require to add. You don't even have to adjust it manually. It's also smaller than many of the other units we've seen, which makes it more convenient to put on your counter. The smaller size also means that the water tank is smaller, which means you'll have refill it every five minutes. Like other Tassimo models the Vivy 2 doesn't have an internal container for the used T-Discs, so you'll need to empty and recycle them separately after each brew.
The machine also has an in-tank water filter that lowers calcium levels, helping to keep the system free of limescale and keep your coffee tasting delicious. The Vivy 2 has dual coffee settings, allowing you to make a lungo or a short shot of espresso. It also has a "ready" indicator that informs you when it's time to pour the drink.
This is a top-quality well-designed pod maker that has a number of useful features and a beautiful design. However, the lack of a reusable filter and the fact that the coffee it makes isn't as smooth or rich as that produced by some of the other machines we've listed mean that it doesn't quite rank amongst the best pod coffee makers. If you're looking for a simple and user-friendly pod-based beverage machine, it's worth considering.
3. Illy X7.1 Iperespresso
illy quietly makes waves in a market that is dominated by Nespresso and its irresistible George Clooney advertisements. The X7.1 Iperespresso is an elegant espresso machine that's ideal for any home. It has advanced technology and a sleek design that is sure to make a statement in your kitchen.
The X7.1 Iperespresso uses illy's innovative capsule system, which makes espresso-making and eliminates the requirement for grinding beans or measuring portions. The two-stage extraction method creates full-bodied espresso that has rich crema. The machine also comes with an internal thermoblock made of stainless steel and a Pannarello steam wand for making lattes and cappuccinos.
Unlike other coffee pod machines, the X7.1 Iperespresso requires you to prepare the pods in the portafilter instead of putting them into a slot on top of the machine. This makes the X7.1 Iperespresso a more barista-like feel and helps you create drinks with a more authentic taste. It's also much less difficult to clean than other coffee pods because you don't have a drawer where the capsules collect and block.
The X7.1 Iperespresso does not come without its flaws, however. For one, it's only compatible with illy pods, which are expensive. Additionally, its portafilter-style drinking process is a bit difficult for users to get knack of.
The X7.1 Iperespresso can be a bit of a challenge for newbies, but it's worth the money for anyone who wants to make delicious espresso and other coffee drinks at home. With its sophisticated features and sleek design the X7.1 Iperespresso offers an excellent value for your money.
The Y1 is less functional than other pod-based machines. The Y1 only has two buttons, one for each size of pod and a button that fills your cup automatically with hot water. It also has smaller water tanks which means it'll need to be filled more frequently than other pods. If you're able to overlook the issue the Y1 is a good option for those looking for a simple, pod-based coffee machine.
4. Nespresso Vertuo
The Nespresso Vertuo line of coffee makers is a premium option that targets espresso and cappuccino drinkers. They make use of Nespresso's own pods, which contain a mix of espresso and coffee with an additional layer of rich crema on top.
The Vertuo machines have a single button operation, and can make short espresso shots and full cups of coffee at the press of one button. The machine scans each capsule's barcode in order to determine the best drink for it, and then sets the temperature of the water, extraction times and spin speeds in accordance with. The machine can also be used in conjunction with the Nespresso Aeroccino milk coffee pods machine frother to make lattes and cappuccinos.
During testing the machine, I found it to be incredibly easy to operate and was capable of consistently producing delicious and full-bodied coffee. Each of the six brew sizes--Espresso or Double Espresso as well as the rich Gran Lungo, mug of coffee, or the larger Alto ---was consistently perfect. We used the Nespresso app on our mobile devices to track the water and pod levels. This made it simple to keep track of refilling or emptying.
It's easy to use however, it's not as flexible as the Keurig K-Cup machines. It can be frustrating when you can't locate the exact coffee or tea you're looking for. It is also more expensive than Keurig. While it comes with a basic set of capsules, you are bound to Keurig's costly Vertuo caps after that.
Another issue is that the machine takes time to warm up and can be fairly noisy during brewing. Also, be cautious not to place anything near the capsule container since it could puncture pods if they're placed too close. We monitored energy consumption and found the machine to use 0.007 kWh to make an espresso, and then it shuts off after 9 minutes.
The model is not equipped with an holder for drips, so you will need to place your cup onto a plate or mug. The capsules that are used fall into a holder with a removable lid that you can empty and recycle into one of the Nespresso recycling bags.