"Ask Me Anything": Ten Answers To Your Questions About Pod Coffee Machine

The Best Pod Coffee Machines

With pod coffee machines, you insert a sealed capsule filled with roasted or ground coffee into the machine. The coffee is poured through the machine for a predetermined amount of time.

Some pod coffee machines have various sizes of cups as well as the ability to froth milk. The best pod coffee maker is dependent on your individual preferences and lifestyle.

1. Keurig K-Select

This machine is a great option if you're seeking a Keurig coffee maker that doesn't come with all the bells, whistles, and features of the more expensive models. It's easy to use, has a beautiful design and is able to be tucked into the corner of your kitchen when it's not being used.

One drawback to this machine is that it could be loud, but it isn't a major issue. It's also quite small and will fit in tiny counter spaces. If you're looking for a Keurig with a wider range of sizes, or a carafe to drip-brew your coffee, you may want to consider other options.

Keurig K'Select is a single-serve coffee maker that combines a sleek design with more intuitive features. This allows you to brew the perfect cup of coffee every time. Select from a wide selection of K-Cups and brew coffee with a My-K-Cup universal coffee filter (sold separate). The Strong Brew feature kicks up the intensity and strength of your coffee, making it the best choice for coffee lovers who enjoy a bold cup.

The brewer comes with simple controls that are operated by buttons. Simply insert the K-Cup pod, select the brew size you'd like to use, and then press the brew button. In less than a minute you'll have a freshly-brewed cup of coffee waiting to enjoy. The large reservoir of 52 ounces lets you to make five cups before refilling, making it easier to manage your morning routine.

The machine is simple to clean, with the ability to remove the reservoir of water and lid that can be easily hand washed. However, it is recommended to remove the scale from your Keurig prior to cleaning it, and follow the directions in the user guide to ensure that your machine is performing optimally. This warranty covers all accessories and the brewer, with the exception of for normal wear, abuse or misuse and other external causes like power outages.

2. Tassimo My Way

If you're a coffee machine capsule enthusiast and are in search of a pod maker capable of making more than just your regular cup of joe it's the ideal choice. It's designed to make wide variety of drinks including tea and hot chocolate and features a large 1.3 litre water tank that allows you to brew multiple cups at a time. The machine can be warmed up in just three seconds, and it includes a milk container that allows you to make latte or cappuccino. It also has a touch-sensitive LCD that lets you set the intensity, temperature and volume of your chosen beverage.

Tassimo My Way uses T Discs, which are an assortment of ingredients can be used to create your drink. There are more than 70 flavors to choose from, including brands such as Kenco and Costa to Costa, Milka and Cadbury's. The machine also provides the option of T Discs for hot chocolate and tea as well.

We discovered the coffee it produced to be of a good quality, although slightly less than other pod machines featured in this round-up. It also produced a creamy mouthfeel and steamed milk for a caffe lattes fast. It is important to know that the milk's frothy texture contains sugar, which, while not a major issue however, might not be to everyone's liking.

The Tassimo My Way is easy to keep clean, with the drip tray, the removable components of the brewing unit and the water tank being dishwasher-safe. A Brita filter is included, as is an ice-cleaning disk. A helpful indicator light will tell you when you need to descale. the water tank keeps limescale to the minimum. The machine is rated Energy Star, which helps reduce the amount of electricity it uses by up to 15%.

3. Lavazza Lungo Pod Machine

This Nespresso pod coffee machines with pods machine created in collaboration with Sage by Lavazza is one of the most appealing pod-making machines available. The machine is made of tough and attractive materials. It comes with a stylish steam wand that can be adjusted to make cappuccinos and lattes, and a stainless-steel milk jug. Put a pod in and choose the cup size and the machine goes into action - brewing espresso double espresso, lungo, gran lungo, mug and alto drinks with a thick layer of silky foam.

Similar to most pod machines, you load a pod via an opening on the top of the machine and drop it in place. The machine punctures the capsule, then seals it. When you lift the lever, the pod will fall into a specially used Pod tray that is located beneath the drip tray.

It's not the fastest machine to make coffee it takes 30 seconds to make an espresso shot and around 90 seconds for a lungo but the results are consistently impressive, with great crema and a smooth, rich taste. The machine will also notify you when it's time to refill the tank of water or the pod bin.

The main selling point of this machine is that you can use it with any Lavazza brand pod Seven pods are available in total including ground roasted espresso (Qualita Rossa, Intenso, Passionale and Delizioso) Two decaffeinated (Dek Cremoso) and two organic coffees (!Tierra! Bio). It's not cheap, but if you get the subscription deal that bundles this pod coffee maker with the delivery of pods that can come for a comparable price to a traditional bean-to-cup machine. Its slimline design means it can be fitted neatly into the smallest kitchens, while the pods themselves are industrially compostable, so you can put them into your local food waste bins or own garden compost.

4. Nespresso Vertuo Pod Machine

Nespresso machines make some of the best pods coffee makers for those looking for a reliable, speedy and consistent brew. They heat quickly and are super easy to use. Just insert a capsule, push the button, and you're done. They produce an intense, creamy crema that can be added to drinks for greater flavor and thickness. They're not cheap however, and you have to purchase their official pods.

The Vertuo line utilizes a different technology than OriginalLine machines that work with espresso capsules (and remain in operation). The Vertuo line is able to read the barcode of each capsule and automatically adjusts the brewing parameters to produce an ideal cup. They also have a centrifusion device that spins the capsules in order to extract the most flavor and the most thick crema.

That said that, the machines aren't as intuitive as some of our other picks. The lid opens only when the machine is in its final stages and it takes around 30 seconds for the capsule to warm up. They don't include milk frothers as do other pod coffee makers listed on this list, so you'll need an additional PS90 or so to purchase an extra Aeroccino if you want to make lattes or cappuccinos.

They also require more frequent maintenance than other models - refilling the water tank, emptying used pod containers, and descaling. However, they have an app that reminds you of these chores and includes tools such as store locators and capsule recycling. And if you connect your machine to an IntelliPort you can use voice commands to control it which is a great touch if you're making coffee in the dark at 4am or have a weak hand.

5. SMEG Barista Pod Machine

This sleek pod coffee machine is the lovechild of a beloved Italian brand and a renowned kitchen appliances company. It has all of the sleek, retro curves that SMEG is known for, along with the ability to brew espresso and lungo drinks with ease. It also has a programmable shot setting as well as dual-height drip trays and a removable pod bin.

This coffee maker allows you to make an instant cup of espresso or lungo in the morning or during your break at work. The simple control panel is elegant and doesn't hinder its functionality. If you're looking to spice your daily coffee even more, it comes with three interchangeable filter baskets that accommodate different types of capsules. You can use loose-ground beans (although a separate grinder is required).

The SMEG Barista Pod Machine doesn't have a milk pitcher, however, it does come with a built-in Pannarello milk frother that froths soymilk and cow milk quite nicely. It also has an oversized portafilter of 51mm which is smaller than a conventional commercial-style filter. It's also pressurized which is great because it will not give you that stale, leftover grind taste. It comes with a plastic tamper that can also be used as a spoon.

The SMEG is one of the most expensive pod machines we've reviewed, but it's definitely worth it if you're a fan of the retro style or enjoy being able to whip up espresso-based drinks. This is a great option when you're new to coffee making and don't need to go through the burden of measuring, grinding, and tamping beans yourself.