7 best pod coffee machines

If you are familiar with tea bags, you should have a rough idea of what a coffee pod looks like. Like a tea bag, ground coffee is enclosed in a paper filter, and if you brew it in water, you can get a caffeinated drink. However, making coffee by heating water and pouring it through a filter filled with coffee is not necessarily everyone’s cup of tea. Indeed, many people are used to using coffee machines and so the alternative seems to be a tiring process. However, pod machines exist for just this purpose. They look more or less like espresso machines, but they only work with coffee pods.

If you want such a machine, you should know that they are manufactured by several different companies. As a result, you will notice that while the functions are similar, many of the features are different. These include the type of interface each machine uses, the time it takes to brew a cup of coffee, the size of the water tank and the type of pods it can hold. Once you have determined these features, it will be much easier to choose one of the many.

However, before you can select the best pod coffee machines, you need to not only look at the many options available on the manufacturers’ websites, but also compare them with each other. That way, you know which option has which feature and what that means for the overall productivity of the gadget. As we’ve already done, the chart, product reviews and buying guide below make this process much easier.

The 7 best pod coffee machines

1

K-Elite coffee maker

Keurig offers another device that, despite a larger water tank, is lighter than the K-Classic coffee maker. The water tank has a capacity of 75 oz, which should be more than enough to make a few cups of coffee. However, since the machine uses coffee pods, you should be aware that this coffee maker can only brew one cup at a time. The drip tray will allow you to fill cups of about 7.2 inches in size. In addition, the unit allows you to use several sizes of K-cup pods, including 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 ounce packs.

Although the construction is plastic, the device is available in several different finishes. These include silver and gold options. When maintenance is required, the appliance has a self-diagnostic function that allows it to alert you when it is necessary to descale the appliance. This is part of the process of ensuring that the coffee produced by the machine is of the best quality and flavour.

The Keurig K-Elite coffee maker also comes with a host of programmable features, including automatic start and temperature control. Other key features include the iced setting which allows users to make iced coffee and the strong brew option, which should increase the strength and taste of your drink. This model is also one of the few that warns you when you need to descale your coffee maker.

75 oz

less than a minute

13.1 x 9.9 x 16.5 inches

6.6 lbs

Plastic

Cuisinart SS-10 Premium Single Serve Coffee Maker

If you want a machine that is compatible with all k-cup pods, then this is the one for you. The installation on the front right side of the machine includes a total of six buttons in addition to an LCD display. The water tank capacity is 72oz, and as such, when the machine is full, it can be a little heavy. However, as the body is made entirely of plastic, the machine can be extremely light when empty.

You can choose from a range of five sizes of coffee drinks. In addition, a hot water button allows you to enjoy other types of drinks, including tea, hot chocolate and instant coffee. In addition, there is a rinse function to clean the inside of the machine. As for the water tank, you can remove it from the machine, take it to the sink and fill it up before putting it back in its place.

In addition, this appliance meets your personal needs as it is programmable. You can set the automatic switch-off and switch-on as well as the temperature. The charcoal water filter integrated in the tank can be an additional advantage for users.

Water tank

72 oz

Brewing time

3 minutes

Dimensions

11.03 x 9.33 x 12.13 in

Weight

Material

Plastic

De’Longhi ENV135B espresso machine

Most single serve pod coffee machines require you to remove the pods each time you brew a cup. This one makes things more convenient by allowing you to stack up to 17 coffee pods before you have to discard them. As far as heating time is concerned, the machine takes about 15 seconds to start. This is one of the fastest start-up times to date and would therefore be ideal when you are short on time.

Also, when it comes to the controls, this model will allow you to select your coffee type from five available options by pressing one or two buttons.

If you check the dimensions and weight of the machine, you will find that this is one of the largest machines in the range. You can put in about 1.6 litres of water every time you decide to fill the water tank. However, the machine is designed for single-cup servings, which means you can make at least a few cups before you have to bring another jug of water to the coffee station.

Once you have inserted a capsule into the slot, the coffee machine can read the barcode and recognise the blend. This allows the machine to adjust the settings to produce the optimum results required. This makes it easier for the user to make adjustments without having to change the settings.

54 oz.

3 minutes

9 x 12.2 x 12.3 inches

Weight

Plastic

Bosch Tassimo coffee maker TAS3202

This is a rather complicated design for a pod coffee machine. The exterior is sleek and black, but you can also opt for the red version. You will also notice that this particular machine has a 0.8L water tank, although other machines have even larger water tanks. The total weight of the device is 2.4 kg, which in itself is not much and you should not lack surfaces on which to place it.

An interesting aspect of the machine is that you can use multiple pods. If you look at the preparation time, it is the most impressive to date, as it is less than a minute from start to finish. However, this machine does not stop automatically after preparing a cup. In addition, although the machine has several buttons, you only need to touch one to select the desired cup size and wait for the drink to fill up.

This machine is also capable of making a few other drinks such as tea, hot chocolate and iced drinks. All you need to know is how to operate the machine and you are ready to go.

0.8 L

3 minutes

9.8 x 13.3 x 13 in

Plastic

Pod coffee machines generally tend to be smaller and lighter than their espresso counterparts. One of the reasons for this is that the smaller capacity water tanks can only make two cups of coffee at a time. As such, they are easier to place on your kitchen counter or any table you might think to place them on. This particular device holds 14 oz. of water and requires a maximum of three minutes to complete the coffee making process.

On the top of the gadget, a flap opens to reveal a coffee filter in which you can place your pods. The interface also has two buttons, so it shouldn’t be too difficult to understand the controls of the device. One button allows you to use a capsule to brew coffee, while the next allows you to brew ground coffee. The key difference between this machine and other barista-level coffee machines is that the latter are always equipped with a frother, whereas this aspect is almost always absent in a pod machine. This can have an impact on the overall size of the machine.

Since the machine is made of stainless steel, it should not be so easy to damage. Cleaning the outside of the machine should be fairly easy and indeed the drip tray is removable so you can reach the area underneath. Cleaning the inside is even easier as you just press the two buttons together.

What we liked:

What could be better:

14 oz.

3 minutes

7.3 x 5.4 x 11.6 inches

2.53 lbs.

stainless steel

Hamilton Beach 49981A

To begin with, the manufacturer prefers users to run at least one cycle of pure water through the machine before embarking on making their first cup of coffee. Compared to the previous two models, you can see from the features we highlighted that this one has one of the smallest water tanks. Nevertheless, the 14 oz. capacity will not prevent you from making a full cup. This unit has three detachable parts, and you can put them all in the dishwasher when you need to clean them.

Although you can use a few coffee pods with this unit, you don’t have to. You can choose to use different coffee grinders, which gives you more options to work with. Another advantage of this device is that you can adjust the strength of the drink depending on how strong you want your coffee to be. Once you have everything set up, it takes no more than 90 seconds.

Thanks to the steel construction, you can expect the body to last a little longer than its plastic counterparts. The scoop filter on this unit is marked with two measuring lines, and you should try not to overflow it. If you do, the water may foul your countertop. A final tip if you are using this device is that you should adjust the cup holder so that the dispensing noz.zle is just above the cup. This will prevent spills and messes.

8 oz. cup in less than 90 seconds

8.35 x 6.7 x 8.67

Weight

stainless steel

CHULUX coffee maker

The second is the CHULUX coffee maker, which had to be on our machine review list. At first glance, you will notice that the machine has bright colours on the outside. These pod coffee machines come in a blue, red, black, green and orange body with a plastic construction. While this body is not as strong and durable as a stainless steel body, it is still designed to hold up. In addition, the plastic is heat resistant enough to withstand the brewing process, which involves boiling water. Of course, the construction of the machine also includes some metal components.

You can use the machine with most of the coffee pods you find on the market, and the process should take no more than three minutes. Just like many other single-use pod coffee machines, you get a single cup of coffee each time you use the machine. In addition, after the three-minute brew time, the machine shuts itself off, adding an extra level of safety. It also gives you the freedom to attend to other tasks while you brew your coffee.

Although this is a pod coffee machine, you are not restricted to using pods. You can choose to use ground coffee, and the machine will allow you to do so. Detachable materials include the drip tray, which you can also put in the dishwasher from time to time. You can also use cups up to 5.3 inches high by adjusting the drip tray.

12 oz.

3 minutes

4.3 x 7.5 x 9.8 inches

2.2 lbs

Plastic

Water tank capacity

The water tank is there for convenience only, so your individual needs are important when determining which tank capacity to choose. Most machines of this calibre can make at least one cup of coffee, depending on the size of the cup. Some can even make five cups without needing to be refilled. However, with most of these gadgets, you still have to insert pods or capsules when you want to make your drink. So it’s up to you whether you want to make extra trips. A product like the CHULUX coffee maker can brew a maximum of two cups, while the Cuisinart SS-10 Premium Single-Serve coffee maker can brew more.

Brewing time

Brewing time is also important. When you want to brew several cups of coffee, you have to take into account that these types of tools can only produce one cup at a time. This is probably why they are nicknamed “single serve machines”. Therefore, a short brewing time may be necessary when you are waiting for the machine to serve several cups of the drink. In addition, most of these pod coffee machines brew in less than three minutes. The Keurig K-Elite coffee maker is an example of a short brewing time, as it completes its task in less than a minute.

Power supply

As electrical appliances, these devices must use electricity, but the amount of power they consume varies entirely from model to model. Ideally, most people would choose those that do not consume a lot of power, but there are some disadvantages, such as long brewing times. It is therefore essential to check the power rating of each device, whether it is compatible with your sockets and whether it has a negative impact on other features such as brewing time. Also, remember that the more power a device consumes, the higher your electricity bill will be.

Dimensions

In the list above, each of the appliances mentioned has its dimensions highlighted. You know the size of your kitchen and countertop. You can therefore correctly assess whether the product you are buying will take up space or whether you will have to move things around. People with smaller kitchens should therefore try to choose smaller appliances. In addition, you should not buy equipment that will just sit in your shop. Wait until you have enough space to buy the product.

Price

The budget allowance will have the most influence on the product you buy. If you have €100, you can only buy products that are the same price or lower. Prices range from affordable to expensive. If you take the search seriously, you are likely to find the right coffee maker that you can afford. If not, saving up for a few weeks or months should not be a big problem. After all, you should want the best quality available.

Our verdict

If your budget isn’t too high, you might want to go for the Sboly K-Cup single-use coffee maker. The device is solidly constructed in a stainless steel frame that can take a beating without showing signs of damage. In addition, it has a self-cleaning function that most users will appreciate. However, there are a few drawbacks, such as the fact that it only has a 15oz water tank. Also, while the Sboly K-cup coffee maker is definitely in the affordable price range, it’s not the cheapest coffee maker you can buy.

The De’Longhi ENV135B espresso machine is another option that may appeal to many people. If you want a machine that doesn’t require a lot of effort every time you want to get a drink, you can get this one. It has a 54 oz water tank capacity and will therefore be able to offer you a few cups of coffee. Also, the fact that you can add a coffee capsule before removing the previous 16 capsules can work in your favour.

The Keurig K-Classic coffee maker is also our editor’s choice for a good reason. This appliance has the simplest coffee brewing setup available. All users need to do is familiarize themselves with the button layout, and the next time they make coffee, it will be a breeze. Now you can go to the shop armed with the right information. So choosing a pod coffee machine should be as easy as pie.