10 Apps To Help You Manage Your Pod Coffee Machine

The Best Pod Coffee Machines

Pod coffee machines allow you to insert a capsule containing ground or roasted coffee beans into the machine. The coffee then flows through for a specified time period to create your drink.

Some pod coffee machines offer multiple cup sizes and the ability to froth milk. The best pod machine for you will depend on your lifestyle and your personal preferences.

1. Keurig K-Select

This machine is a great choice if you are seeking an Keurig coffeemaker that doesn't have all the bells, whistles, and features of the more expensive models. It is easy to use and has a great look. When not in use it can be placed in a corner of the kitchen.

One downside to this machine is that it could be loud, but it isn't an issue. It's also quite compact and can be tucked away in small counters. If you're looking for a Keurig with a greater variety of sizes, or a carafe to drip-brew your coffee, you may think about other options.

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

The brewer comes with simple controls using buttons. Place a K-Cup and select your preferred brew size and press brew. In less than a minute, you'll have a fresh-tasting cup of coffee waiting to enjoy. The large 52-ounce reservoir allows you to make up to five cups in between refills, easing your morning routine.

The Keurig is simple to clean, with a removable water reservoir and lid that can be easily washed. However, it is recommended to clean your Keurig before cleaning it, and follow the guidelines in the user's manual to ensure that the machine is operating at its peak. This warranty covers the brewer as well as the original accessories, with the exception of for normal wear and tear, damages due to abuse or misuse and external causes of failure such as power outages.

2. Tassimo My Way

This is the best option for coffee lovers who want a machine that can do more than just making your regular cup. It's designed to create a wide variety of drinks including tea and hot chocolate and features a large 1.3 Liter water tank that allows you to brew multiple cups at the same time. The machine can be heated up in just three seconds and can produce the perfect cappuccino or latte using the built-in milk jug. It also comes with an LCD that can be touched to let you adjust the temperature, intensity, and the volume of your 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 varieties to choose from, ranging from brands like Kenco and Costa to Costa, Milka and Cadbury's. The machine also offers T discs for hot chocolate and tea as well.

The coffee that was produced by this machine was of high quality, although slightly lower than the other machines we reviewed. It also produced a silky mouthfeel and steamed milk for a caffe lattes fast. It is important to know that the frothy T Disc milk has sugar that, while not a major issue, may not be for everyone's taste.

The Tassimo My Way is easy to clean, with the drip tray, the removable parts of the brewing unit as well as the water tank all being dishwasher-safe. There's a Brita filter that is included as well as a cleaning disc that can be used as well. A helpful indicator light informs you when it's time to descale and a water reservoir keeps the limescale at an absolute minimum. The machine is certified Energy Star, which helps reduce its electricity consumption by up to 15%.

3. Lavazza Lungo Pod Machine

This Nespresso-compatible pod coffee maker from Lavazza, made in collaboration with Sage is among the most attractive machines on the market. It's built with durable and attractive materials, has an adjustable steam wand for making lattes and cappuccinos as well as a stainless steel milk jug. It can make espresso, lungos, double espressos, mugs, gran lungos and altos with thick layers of frosting.

Like most pod machines, you load the pod using a hatch on the top and then drop it into the appropriate spot. The machine pierces the capsule, and then closes it in such a way that when you lift the lever, the pod falls into a dedicated empty pod tray underneath the drip tray.

It's not the fastest machine to brew in 30 seconds for an espresso shot and about 90 seconds for a lungo however, the results are always impressive, with a great crema and a rich, smooth taste. The machine will also inform you when it's time to refill the tank of water or the pod bin.

A big selling point for this machine is the ability to use it with any Lavazza-branded pod Seven pods are available in all, 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 a subscription plan that combines this pod coffee maker with a pod delivery service that can come at a similar price to a regular bean-to-cup machine. The machine's slim design allows it to be fitted neatly into the smallest kitchens. Furthermore, the pods themselves are industrially compostable, which means you can place them in your council food waste bins, or even your own garden compost.

4. Nespresso Vertuo Pod Machine

Nespresso machines make some of the top pods coffee makers for those looking for a reliable, quick and steady brew. They are quick to heat up and are incredibly simple to use--just insert a capsule, press the button, and you're done. They create an extremely creamy, rich crema that can be added to drinks to give more flavor and thickness. The official pods aren't inexpensive and you'll have purchase them.

The Vertuo line is a different machine than the OriginalLine machines, which use espresso capsules. The Vertuo line reads the barcode on each capsule and adjusts the brewing parameters to create an ideal cup. They also have a centrifusion device which spins the capsules to get the best flavor and the most thick crema.

However, the machines aren't pods coffee machines as intuitive as some of our other choices. For instance the lid is only opened when the machine is ready and it takes about 30 seconds to get hot enough to allow it to be put into a capsule. They don't include a milk frother, like some of the other pod machines on this list. You'll have to spend an extra PS90 to buy an additional Aeroccino to make cappuccinos and lattes.

They also require more regular maintenance than other models - refilling the water tank, emptying the pod containers, and descaling. However, they do come with an app that reminds you of these chores and offers tools like store locators and capsule recycling. If you pair your machine with an IntelliPort it is possible to control it with voice commands, which is a nice touch if you're making coffee in the dark at 4am or have limited hand strength.

5. SMEG Barista Pod Machine

This sleek pod coffee machine is the love child of a well-known Italian brand and a well-known kitchen appliance company. It sports the retro, sleek curves that SMEG are known for, and it can brew both espresso and lungo drinks. It has a programmable setting for the shot, two-height drip tray, and a removable pod bin.

This coffee maker makes it easy to whip up a quick cup of single-shot or double-shot espresso in the morning, or to make a lungo in the break at work. Its simple control panel looks elegant and doesn't take away from its functionality. If you're looking to spice your morning joe more, it comes with three filter baskets that can allow for different capsule types. You can use loose-ground beans (although a separate grinder is required).

The SMEG Barista Pod Machine does not come with a pitcher for milk. It does however have a Pannarello built-in milk frother that is able to froth soymilk and cow milk very efficiently. It also has a portafilter of 51mm which is smaller than the typical commercial filter. It's pressurised, so it won't give off the stale, leftover taste. It comes with a tamper made of plastic that also doubles as spoon.

The SMEG is the most expensive machine we've reviewed. It's a good investment it if your style is retro or you love making espresso drinks fast. This is a great option if you are new to making coffee and do not want to tackle the hassle of measuring, grinding, and tamping beans yourself.