Best Coffee Machines With Pods

The best coffee machines that use pods let you create everything from strong espressos to luxurious flat whites with little effort. The majority of machines are fully automated by scanning the barcode on a pod to pre-wet, infuse, and give the right amount.

A real standout is the Bruvi, which uses B-Corp Certified treated polypropylene pods that be disposed of in the landfill once you're done with them. It's also one of the easiest machines to use.

1. Tassimo My Way 2

Tassimo My Way 2 makes a wide range of drinks. It allows you to create a variety of Costa favourites and hot chocolate from Cadbury's and tea. The machine is quick to heat up and make a cup of coffee in only three minutes. It comes with a jug that can foam milk and a variety of cup sizes. It is easy to use and gives an extensive selection of 40 different drinks.

The INTELLIBREW system detects the individual characteristics of each T DISC and automatically adjusts the brewing duration, temperature and water volume accordingly. You can even personalise your drink with the 'my favourites' memory function by saving up to four different profiles of your preferred coffee strength temperature, volume and strength. It makes use of BRITA MAXTRA+ technology to reduce the amount of limescale and chloride in your coffee cup, extending the lifespan of the appliance.

You can choose the level of intensity you'd like to drink using the simple, sensor-touch controls on the front panel. The machine will automatically adjust the brew time, volume, and intensity depending on what kind of pod you choose to insert. It also lets you know when it is time to scale the machine with a simple indicator light.

Coffee makers with pods say that it is really easy to use and is a reasonable price for the features you get. It comes with a lot of features and comes with an incredibly compact design that can fit on most worktops. It has an additional caddy on the side for pod storage and is really quiet to operate. There are numerous positive reviews from owners of this machine on Amazon and Currys.

The cost of reusable T Discs is the main disadvantage of this machine. Some people find them to be expensive but others are willing to pay the extra cost for the machine that makes an excellent cup of coffee and other drinks. You can purchase the reusable T Discs online, in supermarkets or some coffee shops. You can also recycle the TASSIMO the PodBack program.

2. Bosch Tassimo Vivy 2 TAS 140x

The Bosch Vivy 2 is a great pod coffee machine (great post to read) for those who want to get the most from your beverage. It has a large selection of T-Discs (the small capsules that hold hot drinks) to select from, including sweeter options such as hot chocolate, tea and lattes. It also comes with a milk container to make creamy cappuccinos. The machine also has a fast pre-heating process, which means you can have your coffee on the table quickly.

The Vivy 2 has an intuitive interface with easy-to-follow directions. The machine can scan the T-Disc and decide the amount of water you'll need to add. You don't even have to adjust it manually. It's also smaller than some of the other units we've seen, which makes it easier to store on your counter. The smaller size also means that the water tank is smaller, meaning you'll have to refill it every five minutes. And, like other Tassimo models, the Vivy 2 doesn't have an internal bin to store the T-Discs that are used, so you'll have to empty and recycle them in a separate manner after each drink.

This machine has a clever water filter in the tank that reduces calcium levels, thereby protecting your system from limescale. It also keeps your coffee tasting excellent. The Vivy 2 has dual coffee settings, allowing you to make an espresso lungo or a quick shot of espresso. It also comes with an excellent "ready" indicator on the lid that informs you when it's ready to serve your beverage.

This is a high-performance, well-designed pod coffee maker that has a number of useful features and an attractive design. However, the lack of a reusable filter and the fact that the coffee it makes isn't as smooth or rich like the ones produced by some of the other machines we've listed means that it doesn't 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 creates waves in a market that is dominated by Nespresso and its irresistible George Clooney advertisements. The X7.1 Iperespresso espresso machine is elegant and perfect for any home. Its sleek design and sophisticated technology will make an impact.

The X7.1 Iperespresso is equipped with Illy's revolutionary capsules system. This makes espresso making easier and eliminates the necessity to grind beans or measure portions. The two-stage extraction method creates a full-bodied espresso as well as a rich crema. The machine also features an internal thermoblock made of stainless steel and an Pannarello steam wand to make lattes and cappuccinos.

In contrast to other coffee machines unlike other coffee machines, the X7.1 Iperespresso will require you to prepare the pods coffee machine using the portafilter rather than putting them into the machine slot. This gives the X7.1 Iperespresso a more barista-like feel and helps you create drinks with a distinct taste. It's also much less difficult to clean compared to other coffee pod pod-making machines since there's no drawer where capsules could collect and clog.

The X7.1 Iperespresso has its flaws, however. It's compatible only with illy pods, which are costly. In addition, the portafilter style drinking process is a bit difficult for users to get hang of.

The X7.1 Iperespresso may be a bit of a challenge for beginners but it's worth the money for anyone looking to brew delicious espresso and other coffee drinks at home. With its modern features and sleek design the X7.1 Iperespresso offers an excellent value for the money.

While the Y1 is cheaper than other pod-based coffee machines, it's not as full of features. The Y1 is limited to two buttons: one for each pod size 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 refilled more often than other coffee pod machines. If you're not bothered by this minor flaw the Y1 is a great option for anyone seeking a simple and user-friendly pod-based machine.

4. Nespresso Vertuo

The Nespresso Vertuo line of coffee makers is a top choice that targets cappuccino and espresso drinkers. Nespresso's exclusive pods, which contain a mix of espresso and coffee with an extra layer of rich crema on top.

Vertuo machines have one button that lets them make espresso shots and coffee cups with the press of only a couple of buttons. The machine reads the barcode on each capsule to determine what drink it's most suitable to, and then determines the water temperature as well as extraction time and the speed of spin accordingly. The machine can be used in conjunction with Nespresso Aeroccino+ milk frother to make lattes as well as cappuccinos.

During my testing I found the machine very easy to use and capable of producing consistently rich and delicious coffee. Each of the six sizes of brews--Espresso Double Espresso, smooth Gran Lungo, indulgent Mug of Coffee, or the larger Alto--came out perfect every time. We used the Nespresso app on our mobile device to track the water and pod and bean coffee machine levels. This made it simple to keep track of refilling or emptying.

This machine is easy to use however, it's not as flexible as Keurig K-Cup machines. It can be frustrating if you are unable to find the exact coffee or tea you're looking for. It's also pricier than Keurig, and although it comes with a starter pack of capsules to help you get started, you're locked into the brand's expensive Vertuo capsules after that.

Another issue is that the machine takes time to heat up and is fairly noisy during brewing. Be sure to keep everything away from to the container for your capsules in case it punctures the pods. We tracked energy usage and found the machine to consume 0.007 kWh to brew an espresso, and then it shuts off automatically after 9 minutes.

The model is not equipped with a drip holder, so you'll need to put your cup onto an mug or plate. The capsules are stored in a holder that can be removed that you can take out and recycle using one of the Nespresso recycling bags.