12 of the best pod coffee makers — highly-rated capsule-compatible machines

Pod coffee makers have a lot going for them and are a step up from the "has-beans" 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 these machines 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 capsule coffee machine fence, our top picks will clear the water and cut through the noise of a saturated market.

Here are 12 of the best coffee makers, 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.

The quick list

Pod coffee maker reviews

The best pod coffee maker

Six words: Welcome to the future of coffee. If you're into AI and getting your hands on the latest tech, there's no doubt you'll want to add this to your kitchen countertop (and keep it there!)

OK, so the tank capacity is a li'l on the small(er) side, but if you're just making a cup of coffee for you and your boo — you're cool. You won't need any hi-tech spaceship-looking caps fo for this as it takes your run-of-the-mill Nespresso OriginalLine pods. But this isn't your cookie-cutter pop 'n' go machine. Nope, it has a whopping ten default brew modes to tweak your Joe just how you'd like, and a built-in TDS meter so you can keep an eye on the mineral content (ideal for city-dwellers who shouldn't have to put up with icky hard water masking the true flavor of your beverage).

With an award-winning design, "firsts" in specialist coffee-making abilities, and a sleek OLED screen — it doesn't come cheap. So, we're afraid to say, if you're looking to economize on your spending habits, it's going to take a few hundred cups to make it "worth" its cost per use.

Real Homes rating: 5 stars out of 5 in our Drink Morning coffee maker review.

The best Nespresso pod coffee maker

Let’s say you like espresso, but you frequently choose longer black coffees. Speaking your language? Then check out this pod coffee maker 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 it's read the barcode, it spins the capsule to extract the coffee. Clever, right? The lock and unlock mechanism takes effort to open, make sure you go in with a little bit of elbow grease to ensure you're able to get your coffee fix.

Real Homes rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars in our Nespresso Vertuo Next coffee machine review

FYI, this pod coffee maker doesn't come with the Aeroccino3 milk frother (but do look out for offers on bundles, especially during promotional periods and over the holidays).

The best pod coffee maker with a milk frother

If you're mesmerized by your local Barista's abilities to draw leaves and flowers from frothed milk — you're in luck. With the Nespresso Breville Creastista Plus. With a little YouTube tutorial and this machine, you'll be a pro. This coffee machine by Breville is up there with the best pod coffee makers, 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 favorites 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.

Even if you've snoozed your alarm more times than you'd like to tell, you can still have your coffee and drink it too. With a rapid 3-second warm-up, this pod coffee maker is RTG before you wipe the sleep out of your eyes. For bougie babes who like their milk foamed a particular way, there are three texture and temperature settings for a flat white, cappuccino, and a latte macchiato. And for those more interested in the machine's mechanics — it's got a whole 19 bars of pressure (just as we'd expect). The pull-out cup support is really cute too.

Unlike the biscotti that accompanies your latte — using this machine isn't hard. But don't forget to stock up on some small tea towels to give the milk frother a wipe-down after use. Brownie points if you clip it to an apron for easy access. Just so you know, if you avoid the monthly(ish) cleaning maintenance on this machine, it'll stop brewing until you pay it some attention. So don't be lazy, bb.

Real Homes rating: 5 out of 5 stars in our Sage Nespresso Creatista Uno SNE500BKS coffee machine review.

*Breville is known as Sage in the UK (where we tested this pod coffee maker)

The best pod coffee maker by Lavazza

Mama (A Modo mio Idola) Mia! Isn't she beautiful? As well as being super stylish, this is one of the quietest pod coffee makers, so it won't make a peep if you're trying to get your fix while your partner is still sleeping in. If espresso and black Americanos are on the menu in your household, this is the machine for you. This versatile machine can make three sizes of coffee, all with no fuss and minimal mess. And if you coo over the coffee "head", just know this device prides itself on delivering a darn good crema.

If white drinks are why you're in the queue at the coffee shop — this baby isn't for you. I mean, you could invest in a separate milk frother, or pour it straight from the fridge, but straight-up sips are this machine's strength.

Real Homes rating: 5 out of 5 stars in our Lavazza A Modo Mio Idola review.

The best pod maker for eco-friendliness

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 airplane-style lever to lock your pod into place. The coffeehouse brand also produces its own line of Nespresso-compatible pods which claim to be free of plastics and fully compostable. What's more, the delivery is carbon-positive, and the coffee itself is organic and ethically sourced.

If you want to "get the London look," 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 that holds your mug, it won't fit very large mugs. 

Real Homes rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars in our Grind One Pod coffee maker review.

The best pod coffee maker for milky drinks

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-flavored 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. Heck, you could even add cocoa powder to your mug for a fancy mocha or hot chocolate in the winter. More of a green tea gal? Add some ceremonial-grade matcha powder to your cup, get the frother going, and Konichiwa — you've got the it-girls to drink in an instant. You can use either pods or ground coffee in this one FYI. So to misquote Dua Lipa, "one touch is all it takes" to make your favorite drink in a flash.

Real Homes rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars in our Breville One-Touch CoffeeHouse II review.

The best Smeg pod coffee maker

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. Proving two can play that game, this retro pod coffee maker isn't messing when it comes to style with its chromed metal finish. If you're not quite ready to commit to a bean-to-cup coffee machine or single-serve that uses ground coffee, Lavazza does the work for you. Our taste testers said that this machine produced some of the most flavorsome capsule coffee they tried on the day.

The Lavazza capsules are quite uniquely shaped, so don't try and wedge a Nespresso OriginalLine or Vertuo cap in there to use up the glut you might have from an old machine — you might end up breaking your new toy! This machine is quite intuitive and lets you know when the bin is full (so there's no excuse to "forget" to empty it).

Real Homes rating: 4 stars out of 5 in our Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg coffee machine review.

The best pod coffee maker by De'Longhi

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 favorite drink. Whether you appreciate artisan ground coffee or pick-up pods for ease, you can have it both ways with this 2-in-1 ESE machine. 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.

This isn’t one of the cheapest pod coffee makers 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. Unfortunately, (according to Amazon reviews), it can be a bit too easy to push a button inadvertently when putting in the filter holder, so just be aware of that if you're not the most delicately-handed!

Real Homes rating: 4 stars out of 5 in our De'Longhi Dedica Style EC685 coffee machine review.

The best value pod coffee maker

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. The Illy Iperespresso Y3.3 is 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 color 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. Be warned, the capsules do come individually wrapped in plastic, so not one for caffeine-loving eco-warriors.

Real Homes rating: 4 out of 5 stars in our Illy Y3.3 Iperespresso coffee machine review.

Best pod coffee maker with adjustable drink size

The drink of the day (and every day) is espresso if you own the Lavazza A Modo Mio Tiny. But good things come in small packages, and if the limited menu is executed well (which it is), then you're laughing. The clue’s in the name with this one. It is a small pod coffee maker, 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, insert 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. 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 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 in our Lavazza Tiny Coffee Machine review.

Best pod coffee maker for cappuccino

Ideal for anyone who likes frothy coffee, the Lavazza Desea A Modo Mio 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 favorite 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.

FYI, 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 in our Lavazza Desea A Modo Mio Pod Coffee Maker review.

Most stylish pod coffee maker

This vibrant pod coffee machine celebrates coffee in technicolor. 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 available, varying in strength, size, and flavor. It's the talk of the town and the kitchen worktop. The team tried the Pierre Hermes macaron-flavored coffee and it was *chef's kiss,* as you'd expect from a French collaboration.

Like the Illy machine, it does look a bit plasticky, which is fine if you've got a kitsch-style kitchen, but you may want to reconsider if your cook space is filled with more high-end classic or contemporary finishes like marble, chrome, and wood as it'll look a little out of place.

Real Homes rating: 4 out of 5 stars in our Nespresso Vertuo Pop review.

What to consider when buying a pod coffee maker

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.

If you like a straight forward espresso or Americano, then your options are wider, but for those who fancy a flavored 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 have worktop space.

FAQs

How we test pod coffee makers

Our 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, and mugs, to get on with the job at 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.

Reviewed four pod coffee makers in this guide

Reviewed four pod coffee makers in this guide

Christina Chrysostomou

Christina has tested five of the 12 pod coffee makers in this guide — and she enjoyed them all for different reasons. She was blown away by the Morning coffee maker'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 color into their kitchen scheme.

Reviewed the Grind One pod coffee machine

Reviewed the Grind One pod coffee machine

Millie Fender

Real Homes' former head of reviews Millie tested the Grind pod coffee maker in her South London kitchen. She thinks it's iconic and just as gorgeous in person as it looks online. She recalls that the shiny stainless steel does mark easily, but it also buffs clean with a microfiber cloth. Your options with this pod machine are limited, but what it does, it does well. 

You can choose to dispense either a short or long shot of coffee — this is adjustable if you want it extra long. However, if you do want to top up a bulky mug you'll struggle to get it under the dispenser. It's also a winner for sustainable credentials, with a made-to-last design that won't find its way into a landfill for a long, long time. The pods are also compostable and the coffee inside is super delicious.

Reviewed the Nespresso Vertuo Next

Reviewed the Nespresso Vertuo Next

Louise Oliphant

Our former ecommerce editor Louise stays caffeinated with the Nespresso Vertuo Next pod coffee maker. Thanks to this machine, she's canceled her coffee subscription and saved lots of money (and effort) in the process. In her East London apartment, her coffee bar setup includes a bottle of Monin syrup (available at Amazon) and an OXO Good Grips glass jar (available on Amazon) filled with cookies.

Reviewed the Breville One-Touch CoffeeHouse II

Reviewed the Breville One-Touch CoffeeHouse II

Nishaa Sharma

Nishaa has the Breville One-Touch CoffeeHouse II in her apartment, and it's been there since she moved in two years ago. She loves how easy it is to use, and it's saved her so much time and money on going out for a cup of coffee or a matcha latte. The only thing she doesn't like is that the milk compartment is an awkward shape to clean, but the price more than makes up for it.

Reviewed three pod coffee makers in this guide

Reviewed three pod coffee makers in this guide

Sarah Warwick

Sarah is one of our contributing editors. She tested the Nespresso Creatista Uno, the Lavazza A Modo Mio Idola, and the De'Longhi Dedica Style EC685.

Reviewed three pod coffee makers in this guide

Reviewed three pod coffee makers in this guide

Camille Dubuis-Welch

Camille Dubuis-Welch is our former deputy editor. She tested the Lavazza A Modo Mio Tiny coffee maker, and the Lavazza Desea A Modo Mio.

Reviewed the Illy Y3.3 Iprespresso coffee maker

Reviewed the Illy Y3.3 Iprespresso coffee maker

Cynthia Lawrence

Cynthia Lawrence is currently the content editor at Tom's Guide. While working as a contributing editor at Real Homes, she tested the Illy Y3.3 Iperespresso coffee maker.

Where to buy a pod coffee maker

Pod coffee makers are one of the most popular beverage makers on the market right now. But if you don't know where to start, I'll help you out!

• Amazon pod coffee makers
• Breville pod coffee makers
• Crate & Barrel pod coffee makers
• Lavazza pod coffee makers
• Lowe's pod coffee makers
• Macy's pod coffee makers
• Nespresso pod coffee makers
• The Home Depot pod coffee makers

Got your eye on one of the best pod coffee makers? Now learn how to clean a coffee machine to keep your caffiene tasting its best.