Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Business
Ruth Doherty

9 Best pod coffee machines for making your favourite hot drinks at home

Fancy a quick cuppa but don't have much time spare? A pod coffee machine will be your new best friend.

If you've got a Zoom meeting in a couple of minutes' time, you can simply pop a pod containing ground coffee into the machine, press a button that sends hot water through the pod, and your caffeine fix magically appears.

The best coffee pod machines are brilliantly convenient and, while they may not boast the artisan skills associated with espresso machines, they're great for tasty coffee-lovers with a busy lifestyle.

Some may come with milk frothers to create lattes and cappuccinos too, and it's always a good idea to look out for machines that are compatible with compostable capsules to prevent them from going to landfill.

With more of us than ever working from home, now is a brilliant time to invest in a pod coffee machine so you can enjoy barista-style brews without visiting your favourite coffee shop.

We've rounded up the best pod coffee machines below for a delicious coffee fix at the touch of a button.

Best pod coffee machines to buy

1. Tassimo by Bosch Vivy 2 TAS1407GB Pod Coffee Machine

Whether you love a luxurious latte or a reviving shot of espresso, this pod coffee machine has all bases covered, as it's compatible with the whole range of Tassimo T discs.

The 700ml capacity means you don't have to top it up all the time, and it couldn't be easier to use - simply pop in a capsule and press the One Touch button. And we love the cute retro styling and affordable price tag.

Price: £106, AO.com - buy here now

2. Smeg Lavazza 18000450 Pod Coffee Machine

This versatile pod coffee machine is as funky as it is functional. You can choose between different drinks to suit your mood, espresso or lungo, with easy programmable coffee sizes.

The compatible Lavazza Modo Mio capsules are eco-friendly and biodegradable, so you can simply add them to the compost heap guilt-free.

The machine is quick, quiet, tasty and has a descaling programme to ensure everything keeps running smoothly.

Price: £199, AO.com - buy here now

3. Nespresso CitiZ & Milk Coffee Machine by Magimix

Get barista-worthy velvety coffee every day with this pod coffee machine that can make anything from espresso to cappuccino at the touch of a button.

The 19-bar pressure pumps out smooth shots and frothy milk, so you can enjoy the style of coffee that tickles your fancy; there's also a button for frothing your milk so you don't need to do it separately.

There's a 1L water tank, and automatic volume control allows easy one-buttons use based on how large your cup is.

It's the ideal WFH treat, as one customer reflected: "Just what I needed, perfect for those of us who find ourselves working from home and missing our daily coffee shop visit."

Price: £189, Amazon - buy here now

4. Lavazza Jolie 18000402 Pod Coffee Machine

Don't want to spend a fortune but still have a keen eye on style? The Lavazza Jolie pod coffee machine is a great little choice.

It has your morning coffee fix ready in an instant, has a removable tray for easy cleaning, and it's compatible with eco-friendly Lavazza capsules.

One customer enthused: "Great coffee machine. Fast, easy to use and keep clean. Drip tray removable so you can choose your size of cup. Can be used with Lavazza eco pods so better for the environment, too!"

Price: £79, AO.com - buy here now

5. Nespresso Vertuo Plus Coffee Machine by Magimix

If you want a Nespresso pod coffee machine but don't want to spend quite so much, then Vertuo is a great option.

One touch of a button and you can have a range of coffee choices at your disposal. It uses three different capsule sizes and makes a range of four cup sizes, including a large 414ml full-brew Alto, a 230ml coffee, a 150ml Gran Lungo and a 40ml espresso.

One happy customer said: "Love this machine, great addition to my kitchen and the coffee tastes amazing, with lots of cream that the machine generates . I love the design as it works really well with my modern kitchen. The taste of the coffee is fab too, I would say more 'creamy' than previous styles I have tried.

"I like the fact that the machine 'knows' the size capsule you are putting on and will fill your cup more or less depending on it. Also I love all the different varieties offered, that can be paired with milk to make even more amazing coffees!"

Price: £79, John Lewis - buy here now

6. DeLonghi Nescafé Dolce Gusto Jovia Pod Capsule Coffee Machine

Latte? Espresso? Hot chocolate? Enjoy all sorts of silky, sumptuous brews with this great-value pod coffee machine.

Easy-to-use, you simply pop in your pod, press the button and wait for your frothy coffee to appear; from Latte Macchiatos to smooth Americanos, there's over 40 varieties in the Dolce Gusto range.

Price: £61.50, Amazon - buy here now

7. Nespresso Essenza Mini Coffee Machine

Short on space? This super-compact pod coffee machine is just the ticket.

Two programmable options allow for espresso (40ml) or lungo (110ml) coffees, and the 19-bar high-pressure pump extracts delicate flavours for coffee shop quality. And, of course, it looks pretty snazzy too.

"This machine is brilliant in every respect," said one rave review. "It is so compact, takes up very little space and looks classy. It is so easy to operate, is very quiet and speedy and produces an excellent cup of hot coffee. The complimentary box of coffees is an excellent way of tasting numerous varieties. I am delighted with this good-value appliance."

Price: £89, Amazon - buy here now

8. SMEG ECF01CRUK Coffee Machine

If style is as important as substance to you, the Smeg coffee machine is the dream. Compatible with pods as well as ground coffee, it's a versatile investment that serves up timeless, retro charm with your morning brew.

There's a generous 1L tank, a quick heat-up system, a 15-bar pressure and milk frothing wand for that cafe-style experience.

It accepts different-sized cups so you can enjoy everything from smooth espressos to silky lattes. Who's bringing the biscuits?

Price: £319, Currys - buy here now

9. Nespresso EN750.MB Lattissima Pro by De’Longhi

Something of a coffee expert? Or just a serious caffeine addict? This fancy pod coffee machine was made for you.

The milk carafe and frothing system provides delicious cappuccinos and lattes, and there's six pre-set drinks to make it really easy for you to get a quick coffee fix.

All drinks can be personalised and memorised, and the touch screen display makes it really easy to use.

One reviewer said: "I thought I'd try this coffee machine with the built-in milk system. I'm very glad I did, it's transformed my enjoyment of coffee at home.

"Very easy to use with proper text prompts from the display and a menu system to various options and settings, rather than having to press certain button combinations on the more basic machines.

"It also looks great and feels solid. The larger water tank (1.3L)and used capsule storage are also useful improvements."

Price: £330, John Lewis - buy here now

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.