It's official: Pod coffee machines have a lot going for them and are a step up from the "hasbeans" that first came to the market. These days, capsule coffee makers can trump traditional appliances on the time it takes to brew a cup and, of course, the clean-up before you need to dash out of the door.
Gone are the days of pod coffee makers relying on plastic-heavy caps to make a drink — local authorities can recycle some, and a few are even biodegradable. But if you're worried about stale grounds in their cases, you'll be pleased to know that manufacturers have come up with ways to lock in the freshness for your espresso or lungo. So if you're sitting on the pod coffee machine fence, our top picks will clear the water and cut through the noise of a saturated market.
Here are the 12 pod coffee machines we rate the most, as tried, tested, and approved by our Real Homes reviewers. From the likes of Nespresso, Illy, Smeg, and Breville, here's what's hot right now for 2023. Out of the 25+ pod machines we've tested, these are the ones we've given no less than 4 stars out of 5.
12 of the best pod coffee machines
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Rated our best pod coffee machine
Dimensions (cm): H25.5 x W10.2 x L40.2
Water tank capacity: 0.85 L
Nespresso pod compatible: Yes
Colours available: 2
Milk frother? No
+ Awarded the Red Dot for product design
+ World's first speciality capsule machine
+ Nespresso capsule compatible
+ Aesthetic design
+ OLED screen and dial
+ Built-in TDS meter
+ 10 default brew modes
- Expensive
- A little complex
If you want a proper full-flavoured cup of coffee, consider this the future of pod machines. Yes, bean-to-cup machines might appear more professional, but this specialist capsule-compatible machine is a little beast. The OLED screen and dial mean business and it has 10 default brew modes to make the ultimate beverage.
Real Homes rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Read our Morning coffee machine review for more.
The best barista-style pod machine
Dimensions (cm): H30.8 x W17.1 x D39.3
Tank capacity: 1.5 L
Nespresso pod compatible: Yes
Colours available: 1
Milk frother? Yes
+ Quick 3-second heat up
+ Choice of 3 black coffee lengths
+ Built-in milk frother and settings
+ Looks fancy
+ Descale alert
- Expensive
This coffee machine by Sage is definitely up there with the best pod coffee machines, though it does come at a rather high price. You can whip up a delicious espresso, and you can also make all your milky coffee shop favourites with espresso as a base. The steam wand simply needs wiping before it auto purges, so keeping on frothing is no hassle. There’s no hard graft to keep this machine in tip-top shape. The necessary parts can be easily removed for cleaning, and there’s an alert that’ll remind you to descale. Be warned, though, as you will pay for the pleasure of using this machine and it does have less expensive rivals. However, if your budget does extend this far, we think you won’t be disappointed as it offers good value in terms of taste and savings versus drinking at your local coffee shop, which is why it's one of our favourite pod coffee machines.
Real Homes rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Read our full Sage Nespresso Creatista Uno SNE500BKS coffee machine review.
Our favourite simple-to-use machine
Dimensions (cm): H28 x W14.5 x D38
Water tank capacity: 1.1 L
Nespresso pod compatible? No
Colours available: 4
Milk frother? No
+ Stylish
+ Quiet
+ Ready to go in 35 seconds
+ Great choice of coffee
+ Limescale alert
- Requires Lavazza A Modo Mio capsules
- No built-in steam wand
If it’s only black coffee you need, then this model will be right up your street. It’ll deliver the length of drink you want and fabulous taste with, of course, all the convenience of doing so in your own kitchen whenever you like, with no grinding and tamping required. It may specialize, but there’s actually plenty of flexibility with this machine, which offers a choice for lovers of espresso-based drinks. Also notable is the aroma of the coffees this machine makes — very enticing — and the authentic crema on the top of its coffees. No compromises on the coffee shop there, either. The used capsule drawer holds 10 pods so you won’t be emptying it all the time. You can easily take off the parts that need cleaning, so that’s no trouble, and there’s a light to remind you to get rid of limescale as well, taking the remembering part off your plate.
Real Homes rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Read our full Lavazza A Modo Mio Idola coffee machine review..
The best eco-friendly pod coffee machine
Dimensions (cm): H25.9 x W18.6 x L33.6
Capacity (liters): 1.2 L
Nespresso pod compatible? Yes
Colours available: 1
Milk frother? No
+ Custom coffee lengths
+ Quick pre-heat
+ Long-lasting and chic style
+ Pod subscriptions with climate-positive delivery
- Expensive for such simple functions
Designed to be "an antidote to the mass-market plastic machines that seem destined for landfill", Grind's machine is stainless steel and has an aeroplane-style lever to lock your pod into place. This is a definite worktop enhancer in our book. It doesn’t take up too much space either. The sturdy design is made to last, and it will pair well with plenty of other kitchen gadgets. We didn't like having to remove the drip tray to pull out the pod bin, and while there are latches to raise and lower the tray which holds your mug, it won't fit very large mugs.
Real Homes rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Read our full Grind One Pod coffee machine review.
The best pod machine with a built-in frother
Dimensions (cm): H32.4 x W22.1 x D37.08
Water tank capacity: 1.4 L (0.6 L milk tank)
Nespresso pod compatible? Yes
Colours available: 4
Milk frother? Yes
While hardcore coffee drinkers will happily survive with a good espresso maker, some of us prefer to sip java topped up with a splash (or generous glug) of milk. But if you don't want to add cold milk straight from the fridge, or invest in a separate milk frother (for lack of space or budget), the Breville One-Touch CoffeeHouse II is what coffee-flavoured dreams are made of. No need to know how to froth milk, this machine will make the fluffiest-looking lattes and cappuccinos for you. Just add syrup. You can use either pods or ground coffee in this one FYI.
Real Homes rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Read our Breville One-Touch CoffeeHouse II review for more.
The best Nespresso pod coffee machine
Dimensions (cm): H32 x W14 x D38
Tank capacity: 1.1 L
Nespresso pod compatible? Yes
Colours available: 6
Milk frother? No
+ Makes 5 different drink sizes
+ One-button-operation
+ Great crema results
+ Quick heat-up time
+ Affordable
+ Water tank size that can be repositioned
- Small water tank size
- Must use Nepresso Vertuo capsules
Let’s say you like espresso, but you frequently choose longer black coffees. Speaking your language? Then check out this pod coffee machine which is specially made to deliver a larger drink. Using the Vertuo capsules — and this must be in a Vertuo machine — can deliver you up to 414 ml of coffee in one go, and there’s no programming or holding down buttons to get the amount of coffee you like. The machine reads the barcode on the capsule when it’s making your coffee so the process is automatic. Once the machine has read the barcode, it spins the capsule to extract the coffee. Clever, right?
Real Homes rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Read our full Nespresso Vertuo Next coffee machine review.
A big-name pod coffee machine for less than you think
Dimensions (cm): H29 x W36.6 x L15.7
Water tank capacity: 0.9 L
Nespresso pod compatible? No
Colours available: 3
Milk frother? No
+ Attractive retro design
+ Low-consumption mode
+ A+ energy rating
+ Spare parts are affordable
- There can sometimes be some leakage as you get rid of pods
This mid-century modern design comes at an affordable price given the brand name featured on the front. The Rosso capsules that came with this model were highly commended by our tasting panel, too.
Real Homes rating: 4 out of 5 stars
The best 2-in-1 pod coffee machine
Dimensions (cm): H30.3 x W14.9 x D33
Water tank capacity: 1.1 L
Nespresso pod compatible? Yes
Milk frother? Yes
+ Uses pods or ground coffee
- Drips a bit after use
This isn’t one of the cheapest pod coffee machines on our list, but you are getting more for your money and, if being able to brew up either capsules or ground coffee is something you’re going to take advantage of, then it could well be worth the extra spend. ESE stands for easy serving espresso and the big difference between this and other capsule systems is that it’s an open system with lots of companies making the capsules that fit into compatible machines like this one. The fact that you can make espresso or a cappuccino — or whip up some hot milk for a hot chocolate — helped earn this machine a spot on our list of the best. After all, even if you’re a fan of just espresso, it’s good to be able to make visitors their favourite drink.
Real Homes rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Read our full De'Longhi Dedica Style EC685 coffee machine review.
The best pod coffee machine for Italian style
Dimensions (cm): H33 x W20.8 x D33
Water tank capacity: 1.4 L
Nespresso pod compatible?
Colours: 5
Milk frother? No
+ Handsome addition to your kitchen
+ 30-second heat up
+ Easy to use and clean
+ Capsule container holds 14 spent pods
+ Great-tasting coffee
- More than £100
If design credentials are equally as important to you as a tasty espresso, then have a glance at this beauty. It looks the part, operates smoothly, and delivers a drink you’d get from a barista. It's perfect for espresso lovers because the quality Illy pods create a cracking shot or lungo. They’re great coffees, too, delivering in the categories of aroma, crema, and, most importantly, taste. We do think the Illy Iperespresso Y3.3 has a real "less is more" vibe, with an attractive colour lineup, but it's not one for those who want a high-value machine, because other options we reviewed had far more functions for the price point.
Real Homes rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Read our full Illy Y3.3 Iperespresso coffee machine review.
A compact pod coffee machine
Dimensions (cm): H31 x W32.1 x D18.7
Water tank capacity: 0.75 L
Nespresso pod compatible? No
Colours: 3
Milk frother? No
+ Compact
+ Easy to use
+ Dishwasher-safe parts
+ You can adjust drink size
+ Affordable
- Espresso only
The clue’s in the name with this one. It is a small pod coffee machine, but don’t let its size fool you. It’ll still deliver you a tasty brew in double-quick time, too. The machine’s ready to go in 25 seconds flat (hurrah). Your job? Just fill the water tank, put in the pod, and click to brew. Done. It sets out to make you a good espresso and it does. We’re big fans of Lavazza’s A Modo Mio capsules in any case. They reliably deliver a coffee that tastes like one you’d get in a coffee shop, and using them in this machine proved no exception to this rule. It looks good on the worktop, which is definitely an important factor when you’re buying an appliance that’s going to be on show all the time. You have to eject capsules manually. It’s not a huge deal, we’re just saying.
Real Homes rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Read our full Lavazza Tiny Coffee Machine review.
Dimensions (cm): H28 x W14.5 x D38
Water tank capacity: 1.1 L
Nespresso pod compatible? No
Colours: 3
Milk frother? Yes
+ Zero effort
+ Stylish design
+ Energy-efficient standby mode
+ Dishwasher-safe parts
- If you want big brews
Ideal for anyone who likes frothy coffee, this could be your next go-to if you (now) work from home more often, or just like coffee on demand (who doesn't?). Our reviewer's favourite feature is the extra hot button. Select it so that it lights up, before selecting your drink of choice if you like your coffee to stay warmer for longer. However, if you use the milk frother, you may lose a bit of froth and heat when you transfer your cappuccino to your own mug from the jug. And if you like big brews, you may want to double up on espresso caps when making large cappuccinos to ensure you get the perfect coffee (and caffeine) to milk ratio.
Real Homes rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Read our full Lavazza Desea A Modo Mio Pod Coffee Machine review.
Our favourite stylish pod coffee machine
Dimensions (cm): H25 x W13.6 x D42.6
Water tank capacity: 0.56 L
Nespresso pod compatible? Yes
Colours: 6
Milk frother? No
+ 1-button operation
+ Automatic capsule ejection
+ Great price
+ Vibrant colours
+ Pairs with your phone
+ Good choice of capsule flavours
- Feels a little plastic
- Not compatible with Nespresso classic capsules
This vibrant pod coffee machine celebrates coffee in technicolour. Available in Aqua, Mango Yellow, Spicy Red, and Pacific Blue (as well as Coconut White and Licorice Black), it's a budget device that over-delivers for the price. You'll never get bored of coffee with the 50 types on offer, varying in strength, size, and flavour. It's the talk of the town and the kitchen worktop.
Real Homes rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Read our Nespresso Vertuo Pop review.
Real Homes review process — how we test pod coffee machines
Pod coffee machines in Future Plc test kitchen
Our Future Plc test kitchen is the perfect place to brew a cup of joe... or seven. It's not the prettiest coffee shop-style spot but it does have plenty of plug sockets, sinks, mugs, and kitchen bins to get on with the job in hand. Together with our testing panel, we spent the day (a little wired) thoroughly reviewing each machine that the brands kindly sent us, creating a variety of different coffee types to suit even the most discerning buyer.
Meet our pod coffee machine reviewers:
Christina has tested five of the 12 pod coffee machines in this buying guide — and enjoyed them all for different reasons. She was blown away by Morning's smart features, liked the mid-century modern feel of the Lavazza X Smeg collab, was impressed by the Lavazza Desea A Modo Mio's milk-frothing abilities, and saw the potential in the Nespresso Pop as a way for readers to introduce colour into their kitchen scheme.
What is the best pod coffee machine?
If you want our number one pod coffee machine, then we highly recommend you buy the Sage Nespresso Creatista Uno SNE500BKS (opens in new tab). It's expensive, but a great all-rounder that accepts Nespresso pods and comes with a steam wand for frothing milk. But if you're a sustainability-conscious consumer, the Grind One pod machine (opens in new tab) is a top pick. It's got a stainless steel build that looks great and is really built to last.
Why buy a pod coffee machine?
Pod coffee machines have a lot in their favour. They are easy to use and easy to clean, and they can deliver a delicious cup of coffee. But what coffee aficionados might not appreciate is that they can also pull off the same fancy tricks as espresso machines, with the ability to froth milk as a feature of some machines.
What should you consider when buying a pod coffee machine?
Before you buy a pod coffee machine, take a look online or in your local supermarket to see how much the various pods retail for. This will give you a rough price per cup — and note that while some brands offer a cheaper machine, the pods can be more expensive.
Also, look at the pod range. If you like a straightforward espresso or Americano, then your options are wider, but for those who fancy a flavoured latte or perhaps the choice for hot chocolates, Tassimo and Dolce Gusto ranges will serve you best. You could alternatively opt for a pod coffee machine with an attached milk frother to expand your drink choices to lattes, cappuccinos and milky coffees. Otherwise, you can get a separate milk frother if you've got worktop space.
Up next: How to clean a coffee machine to keep your caffiene tasting its best
