Best Coffee Pod Machines in the UK

Review & Comparison, Last Update October 29, 2024
Want to be able to make your morning cup of Joe almost in a flash and enjoy consistently good taste each time? If so, a coffee pod ...Read more
PROS

A foldable drip tray allows placing thermal mugs and latte glasses up to 14cm tall that is a great option for those who like high-volume coffee shots. In a folded down position, it can function as an espresso stand.

CONS

The unit operation is rather noisy.

OUR VERDICT

Fitted with the Aeroccino 3 milk frother, the Nespresso Citiz and Milk coffee machine will perfectly cover the needs of both espresso lovers and fans of milk-based coffee drinks. It will quickly whip up creamy froth for a delicious latte or simply warm up milk for chocolate-flavoured cocoa.  

detailed parameters
Type

Pump-driven 

Power

1710 watts

Brewing Options

Espresso and Lungo buttons, Programmable volume

Temperature Control

Automatic

Convenience

1 L removable water reservoir, Removable used capsule container (up to 9 capsules), Detachable drip tray, Foldable stand for small cups, Auto-power off, 16 Nespresso Grands Crus capsules included

Dimensions

21.8 x 37.2 x 27.7 cm

4 kg

Warranty

1 year

PROS

A special memory function allows storing up to 4 profiles with individually programmed settings to make your ideal coffee brewed to your taste at a single touch of a button.

CONS

It will take pretty much countertop space.

OUR VERDICT

What makes the Bosch My Way coffee machine stand out from the crowd is excellent personalisation functions. As the name suggests, you can make your coffee drink your way by adjusting the drink volume, strength, and temperature. Just select your favourite type of coffee out of 40 options available and enjoy it brewed to perfection every day.

detailed parameters
Type

Pump-driven

Power

1500 watts

Brewing Options

Programmable strength and volume, Up to 4 'profiles’ can be stored in the machine’s memory

Temperature Control

Adjustable: 2 temperature modes

Convenience

INTELLIBREW technology, 1.3 L removable water reservoir, Detachable drip tray (height-adjustable), Auto-power off

Dimensions

21 x 34.5 x 29 cm

2.6 kg

Warranty

1 year

PROS

Thanks to high power, the heating element heats up to the necessary temperature in about 20-25 seconds. Hence, you'll get your coffee drink brewed to perfection exceptionally fast.

CONS

The water reservoir is on the smaller side. 

OUR VERDICT

The Nespresso Essenza is very compact and modern. It's a good option for small families and kitchens where free space is an issue. However, the machine retains all the features of the brand’s top-tier models to create dense and unctuous crema. 

detailed parameters
Type

Pump-driven

Power

1310 watts 

Brewing Options

Espresso and Lungo buttons, Programmable volume

Temperature Control

Automatic

Convenience

0.6 L removable water reservoir, Removable used capsule container (up to 6 capsules), Detachable drip tray, Auto-power off, 16 Nespresso Grands Crus capsules included

Dimensions

11 x 20.5 x 32.5 cm

2.3 kg

Warranty

1 year

PROS

This model is a cinch to clean and descale, with no skill and not much effort from your side. All detachable parts can be easily washed under the running water or in a dishwasher.

CONS

It takes a little tug to detach the water tank. 

OUR VERDICT

Offered at a fairly affordable price, the Tassimo Happy from Bosch is one of those models that will fit any budget. The reputed manufacturer ensures high quality while the brand-specific smart brewing technology automatically adjusts machine settings to brew excellent coffee drinks time and again. 

detailed parameters
Type

Pump-driven

Power

1300 watts

Brewing Options

Programmable volume

Temperature Control

Automatic

Convenience

INTELLIBREW technology, 0.75 L removable water reservoir, Detachable drip tray (height-adjustable), Auto-power off

Dimensions

23 x 36 x 30.5 cm

~1.3 kg

Warranty

1 year

PROS

The machine will automatically switch off in 5 minutes of no-use, thus, saving energy. Meanwhile, a manual hot and cold switch allows making not only hot but also various cool coffee beverages. 

CONS

Replaceable pods might seem a bit expensive. 

OUR VERDICT

If you are a true coffee addict and can't imagine your day without a caffeine boost, this coffee pod machine from Delonghi is for you. You can have your favourite cup of Joe hot or cold, whatever the weather outside. Applying advanced coffee extraction technology, the Delonghi will consistently brew flavour-packed coffee drinks with a thick creamy froth on the top.

detailed parameters
Type

Pump-driven 

Power

1500 watts 

Brewing Options

One-touch button

Temperature Control

Hot and cold manual switch

Convenience

0.8 L removable water reservoir, Detachable drip tray (height-adjustable), Auto-power off

Dimensions

17.1 x 22.8 x 32.5 cm

2.5 kg

Warranty

1 year

Coffee Pod Technology at Its Best

For a coffee lover, nothing can compare to a steaming cup of freshly brewed espresso in the morning. Yet, making the one at home is not an easy task since coffee brewing is a kind of art and it will take you a lot of practice before you’ll get closer to the barista skill. Surely, to avoid that hassle, you can get your espresso in a coffee shop or you can add the Nespresso Citiz capsule coffee machine to your home kitchen.

When it comes to pod coffee brewers, Nespresso machines are indisputable leaders since they provide the ultimate brewing convenience and extraction precision. And the Citiz is one of the best models in the Nespresso range. This single-serve coffee machine is a fully automated model that will do all the work for you. You just need to press a control button and wait a bit. Once you turn the machine on, it will heat up in about 25 seconds and you are good to go. A 19-bar pump produces powerful pressure to quickly force hot water through the capsule and get it infused with the maximum coffee goodness. Two pre-programmed volumes will eliminate any guesswork and you’ll have your espresso or coffee lungo brewed to perfection.

Speaking of the unit design, it is thought out to the last detail. The pod container is conveniently placed on the top of the machine with two control buttons on the sides. An ample water reservoir installed on the back has a 1 L volume that will suffice to make from 5 to 8 cups of coffee, depending on the selected drink size. Instead of a height-adjustable drip tray you’ll find in many other similar machines, the Nespresso Citiz features 2 drip trays. One of them is built into the machine and is meant for holding larger mugs and glasses up to 14 cm tall. Another one is a folding tray that hosts a smaller espresso cup.

Expanded Functionality

Like other models in the range, the Nespresso Citiz is compatible with all Nespresso pods. Packed in one-of-the-kind recyclable aluminium capsules, ground coffee retains its authentic flavour and taste fullness. Available in a variety of 25 unique aroma profiles, Nespresso pods something to offer to any coffee fan and will cater to any taste. And to give you an opportunity to try the most popular blends and find your favourite Nespresso flavour, the machine comes complete with a set of 16 pods.

Yet, a feature that sets the Nespresso Citiz far apart from the rivals and makes it really shine is the built-in Aeroccino 3 milk frother that extends the coffee machine functionality. It will easily whip up milk to a steady creamy froth to toss off a whole variety of milk-based coffee drinks and it can simply heat a 240ml cup of milk to make some instant cocoa, add to your tea or whatever.

To cut a long story short, with the Nespresso Citiz and Milk, you’ll get an all-in-one system for making espresso and creamy coffee drinks that will perfectly suit both for home and for office use.

Additional Info

User Manual     Manufacturer

Last updated price £219.00
Stock In stock
ASIN B01IHRLMAE

Brew It Your Way

While top-rated coffee pod machines often offer pre-programmed drink volumes, sometimes, it’s just not enough to achieve the coffee taste you seek. This is where the Tassimo My Way coffee machine from Bosch will come into play that is distinguished by more personalisation options and has more drink varieties than any other machine of this type.

Right off the bat, drink customisation is where this machine really excels. In contrast to two pre-set volume options normally found in popular pod brewers, the Tassimo My Way will let you adjust not only the size of your drink but also its strength and temperature. Thus, as the model name suggests, you’ll be able to brew your coffee your way and enjoy a plethora of coffee flavours just like with a professional-grade coffee maker.

Equipped with a 1500-watt thermoblock, the unit will heat up almost in an instant and the pump delivers enough pressure to create aromatic and flavour-infused coffee drinks. And the patented INTELLIBREW technology will ensure consistently good brewing results. By reading the barcode on the branded T-discs, the technology will accordingly adjust the system settings to brew a perfect cup of Joe each time. More than that, the ability to experiment with volume, intensity, and temperature will let you brew the same T-disc type into multiple different drinks. Here, it is also worth mentioning that Tassimo offers by far the largest range of flavours from reputed coffee brands such as Costa and Kenco. Overall, you’ll be able to make as many as 40 different drinks including both black and milky coffee beverages.

Smart Convenience

Along with impressive functionality, the Tassimo My Way also stands out for exceptional convenience of use and even has some smart features. Despite a whole variety of adjustable settings, all controls are intuitive and placed on the small panel next to a pod container. The cap platform with a removable drip tray is pretty wide and can be mounted at different heights to accommodate all cup and glass sizes. The water tank installed at the back of the machine has a handle for quick and easy reservoir removal and filling. Besides, with 1.3 L capacity, it will save you the need to refill it too often. You can pour the water up to the mark and forget about it for the rest of the day.

One more benefit that adds points to this coffee machine and can’t be overlooked is a special memory function. Being able to store up to 4 profiles with individually programmed settings, this feature is a real find for a family of coffee lovers. It will let all family members make their ideal coffee at the touch of a button.

To resume, the Bosch Tassimo My Way is a coffee pod machine that can make much more than a good espresso. Feature-rich and packed with smart technologies, it will let you make a whole variety of quality coffee drinks just the way you want.

Additional Info

User Manual     Manufacturer

Last updated price £87.99
Stock In stock
ASIN B074KCS17L

For the Smallest Kitchens

Looking for an espresso machine that could easily fit even in the smallest urban kitchens? Meet the Essenza Mini Coffee maker, the most compact machine in the Nespresso lineup. It features a new curvy design with rounded-edges to have even a smaller footprint than before. To understand how compact it is, just consider the fact that it takes up about half the space of a standard toaster. And being just 2.3 kg, it’s effortlessly portable.

This mini coffee maker neatly hides the water reservoir in the back, but the drip tray and capsule chamber are in the front as usual. And although this machine is the smallest in the Nespresso range, it retains all the great features of bigger machines and, more importantly, the taste. Espresso and lungo produced by this machine are always delicately creamy and evenly pulled. The 19 bar high-pressure pump ensures barista-style results, extracting all the rich flavours and premium aromas of the coffee capsules to deliver you dense and unctuous crema.

Naturally, since this portable coffee machine is smaller than other models, you may have a real hassle if you’ve got many guests coming. With only a 0.6-litre water reservoir, the Essenza can make just two or three lungos before it needs a refill. But considering the fast heating time, you won't need to wait that long to serve all your guests.

Simple Operation

The design is not only compact but very intuitive and easy to use. There are only two buttons for drink options. Hence, all you have to do is choose the programmed espresso or lungo. The machine will take care of the rest. There will be no need to tamper coffee grounds and then knock out coffee pucks. Simply load a capsule in the slot and press a button.

With a pod-based Nespresso small machine, you won't need to clean up any coffee powder afterwards. The used capsules will go into the capsule container which, by the way, can store up to 6 of them.

All the parts including a water tank, drip tray, and drip grid are removable for washing. And the surface can be cleaned with a damp cloth. The casing is made of high-quality plastic and is offered in bright designs.

Being exceptionally compact and modern, it's the number one option for small families and small kitchens. The reduction in size doesn't have any effect on coffee quality or taste. This mini coffee machine really retains all the features of the brand’s top-tier models.

Additional Info

User Manual     Manufacturer

Last updated price £169.99
Stock In stock
ASIN B06WWRTNYC

Affordable Branded Quality

Capsule coffee machines are basically way less expensive than professional-grade coffee brewers. Yet, some extremely popular top-liners can also compare to barista-style espresso machines in price tags. However, if you want to start saving on coffee shop espresso shots without the hassle of fiddling with ground coffee at home, a coffee pod machine is a worthy alternative. And with the Tassimo Happy by Bosch, you won’t even have to make a big investment. At the price below 50 pounds, you’ll get a functional small coffee machine to quickly make freshly brewed short and long coffee drinks at home. See for yourself.

Packing 1300 watts of power, this model doesn’t track much behind top-liners. And though the pressure it delivers is only 3.3. bars, which is much lower than that of professional machines, it in no way impacts the quality of the drink being brewed. That is thanks to the branded INTELLIBREW technology the Bosch coffee pod machines come fitted with. Compatible with a whole range of Tassimo coffee capsules, it ensures you’ll get your beverage brewed to perfection each time, with no trial and error. The machine will read a unique barcode on each capsule and automatically adjust the brewing time and temperature as well as the amount of water depending on the specific beverage type. And you’ll have as many as 40 options to choose from, varying in strength, length, and taste profile. Overall, it’s a kind of premium intelligence built into a budget-friendly model.

Simple Yet Well-thought Design

With the smart functionality it offers, the Bosch Tassimo Happy boasts very simple design. With a single push button conveniently placed on the panel below the pod holder, the unit control is self-explanatory. You just need to press the button and in about a minute, you can enjoy your hot coffee drink with a thick crema on the top. It’s notable that by pressing the control button in the process of brewing, you can either reduce or increase the amount of water poured into your cup. In about 90 seconds after use, the machine will switch into an energy-saving standby mode.

The cup stand with a drip tray is height adjustable and can be placed at one of three heights to hold a tiny espresso cup, a wider cappuccino mug or a taller latte glass for no-spill and no-splash pouring. Meanwhile, a light signal on the control button will let you know when the water level in a water tank is too low or when it’s time to descale.

Fairly easy cleaning is yet another feature you will like about this little coffee machine. A wide water reservoir is a breeze to clean by hand while all removable parts are dishwasher safe. To rinse through the whole system, it’s enough to simply run it with clean water from time to time. When descaling is needed, you can use a special descaling disc that will help maintain flawless machine operation.

All in all, the Tassimo Happy from Bosch is a simple and functional small coffee machine that will fit any budget and find its place in any kitchen, whatever the size.

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price £36.99
Stock In stock
ASIN B07GSD8Z79

A Coffee Making Wizard

All coffee drinkers are different. For some people, one or two cups per day are enough and others might need three cups and more to quench their coffee thirst. Besides, some drinkers prefer only piping hot coffee shots while others like both hot and cold coffee drinks. Whatever is your taste and preference, a coffee pod machine from Delonghi will get you covered.

First off, this model is reasonably priced, so, even if you are rather an occasional coffee drinker, you don’t have to pay a fortune to have it in your kitchen and be able to enjoy barista-style coffee each time you need a caffeine boost. Once you try a cup of Joe brewed by this Delonghi Jovia machine, you’ll make sure you’ve made the right choice and true coffee addicts will always crave for more. There are two things that stand behind this amazingly delicious coffee. It’s an advanced coffee extraction technology and top-quality coffee pods.

The unit will heat up to perfect brewing temperature in less than 40 seconds and a green indicator will light up to let you know it is ready to brew. The Delonghi comes packed with a pump that delivers professional-grade 15-bar pressure to ensure even water distribution through the capsule and extract maximum flavour. There is no volume control, and you are the one to decide on your drink size. The longer you press the manual switch on the top, the more water will run through the pod into your cup. It might seem a bit frustrating at first, yet, with some practice and a handy free Delonghi Gusto Timer app, you’ll quickly grasp the basics of creating perfect coffee drinks. More than that, the same switch is meant to select the water temperature. Notably, this model allows brewing not only hot but also cold coffee beverages to get refreshed in the summer heat.

The Delonghi Jovia is designed to work with Gusto Dolce pads from Nescafe. They grind and seal coffee immediately after it was roasted, hence, the quality of ground coffee they pack is beyond any doubt. Though the pods might seem somewhat expensive, the coffee taste you’ll savour is worth every penny you pay. Besides, the range of Nescafe Dolce Gusto pods offers over 40 drinks varying from regular latte to hot chocolate to peach tea.

Brew in Style

Excellent coffee taste aside, the feature that will catch your eye at the very first sight is a stylish unit design. An egg-shaped machine body resting on a sleek oval base looks very futuristic and certainly stands out from the crowd of other similar machines. It will perfectly blend with any contemporary, high-tech, minimalistic, or industrial kitchen interior and will add a modern flair to some more traditional designs.

Thanks to its slim shape, the model is pretty compact and won’t eat up much space on your countertops. At the same time, it hosts an 0.8 L water tank that’s enough to make a few cups of coffee before you’ll need to refill it. And a removable cup stand can handle large and smaller cups and glasses alike. We’d be remiss not to mention that the machine will automatically switch off in 5 minutes of no-use that makes it an energy-wise model.

Summing up, if you want your cup of coffee brewed quick and without a mess, yet, also seek versatility and some manual drink customisation, the Delonghi Jovia coffee pod machine is for you.

Additional Info

User Manual     Manufacturer

Last updated price £54.99
Stock In stock
ASIN B00J5ERXZM

What Is a Coffee Pod Machine?

Coffee is one of the most popular drinks. Millions of people around the globe start their day with a caffeine fix. Some prefer the bitterness and distinct coffee flavour of espresso while others go for the softness and creamy taste of latte or the chocolate flair of macchiato. To get their favourite cup of Joe, some coffee drinkers regularly visit coffee shops while others choose to get a coffee machine. Of course, if you want to save on store-bought coffee and still be able to enjoy high-quality coffee drinks at home, a coffee maker is the way out. And the choice of models suitable for home use is really vast, ranging from automated coffee machines to semi-automated espresso makers to filter coffee machines and capsule-based models. If you are kind of lazy coffee gourmet reluctant to invest in rather expensive automated models and not eager to fiddle with ground coffee and filters or master all the twists and turns of coffee brewing, a capsule or coffee pod machine is your best alternative.

Created to make coffee brewing as fast and hassle-free as possible without compromising the drink taste, coffee pod machines will do all the work for you. Even if you have no experience with this or any other type of coffee makers, capsule models offer full-proof operation and you’ll get the hang of everything from the very first use. The biggest appeal of these machines is that you need neither specific skills nor expertise to brew a really good espresso.

Designed to work with disposable pods, they can brew an excellent cup of coffee in mere seconds and are operated at a press of a button. Normally, these machines are easy to clean and pretty compact in size taking minimum space on your countertop. Compactness and ease of use make these coffee makers suitable for homes and offices and even for caravans and RVs.

What Features to Compare

Though all capsule coffee makers follow pretty much the same operation principle, all models are different and have something of their own to offer. Hence, to pick the machine that will brew coffee drinks you really enjoy, there is a number of key features to consider.

Coffee Pods

Strange though it might seem but the very first thing that will determine the choice of the coffee machine is the type of coffee pods you prefer. Usually, most machines are designed to work with specific pods or capsules and are not compatible with any other pods. In other words, coffee pods are not one-size-fits-all. And they differ not only in size and by cost. Different manufacturers use different coffee beans for their pods and provide various flavour options. Thus, there are Nescafe Dolce Gusto, Nespresso, Tassimo, Keurig, and other pods, all packing coffee from different brands. So, it’s recommended that you first define what pods produce the best coffee drinks for you.

Power

Coming packed in a compact design, most pod machines are not short of power. In coffee machines, this aspect is related to the heating element. Hence, the higher the wattage, the more powerful the heating element is, the more quickly it will heat up the water, and the faster you’ll get your freshly brewed cup of coffee goodness.

Pump Pressure

The pressure is yet another important feature that determines the quality of the final drink. It’s the pump pressure that ensures the force applied to the water passing through the pod. The higher the pressure, the more coffee flavour will be released when the water is forced through ground beans. The latest coffee pod machines boast 15- to 20-bar pump pressure, which is close to that of professional espresso machines.

Brewing Settings

Adjustable brewing settings are what will let you precisely customise the taste of your drink to your preference and liking. Some models offer automatic temperature control and the choice of short and long coffee drinks while others boast variable brewing temperatures and programmable drink strength and volume.

Tank Capacity

The capacity of the water reservoir in coffee pod machines varies from smaller volumes of 0.5-0.7L to high volumes of 1-1.5L. If you are an occasional drinker and have no more than 2 or 3 cups of coffee a day, a smaller water tank will cover your needs. Meanwhile, a high-capacity tank is a better option for families of coffee lovers.

Conveniences

Pod coffee makers are pretty simple machines that don’t come with numerous frills. Yet, features that add convenience include a height-adjustable cup stand, removable drip tray, and comprehensive controls with smart indicators. On top of that, some more sophisticated models have a milk frother for creating delicious white coffee drinks and even offer Bluetooth functionality to be programmed and controlled remotely via mobile apps.

Did you know?

Coffee Pod Benefits

In the coffee industry, coffee pods are equivalent to tea bags. These are pre-packed coffee portions specifically designed to be used in single-serve coffee machines. And though some people regard them more as a marketing trick with a pure commercial background and many coffee addicts think that coffee pods put the handcraft of espresso brewing and barista artistry at extinction, they still offer a number of benefits that are hard to argue about.

  • Convenience and simplicity. Coffee pods eliminate multiple steps you have to take to brew a really good cup of espresso. They pack the fuss of grinding coffee beans, tamping the needed amount, juggling with water amount and deciding on brewing temperatures into a single aluminium capsule. All of that in its turn will dramatically cut down the time you spend on coffee brewing. besides, coffee pod machines are a snap to clean and maintain.

  • Excellent coffee with no specific barista skills. Despite in espresso machines, some part of the process is automated, there is still a learning curve and it is not fast. With pod machines, no specific skills are needed and there is no guesswork attached. Filled with pre-ground coffee and milk powder, coffee pods allow making a variety of brews with no brewing experience at all.

  • Consistent taste. Whatever you brewing skill, getting a consistent coffee taste with espresso machines is a kind of challenge, unless you brew dozens of shots per day. Meanwhile, with coffee pods, you will get exactly the same taste of the drink in every cup. And it works not only for espresso. Even such speciality drinks as mocha, caramel cappuccino, latte macchiato, and other mixes will come out consistently delicious each time.

  • Coffee will stay fresh for longer. To get the most of coffee goodness, coffee beans need to be roasted and ground right before brewing since when pre-ground, they will lose part of their flavour profile over time. Coming pre-packed in individual airtight pouches, pods preserve the aroma of coffee grounds for much longer. Hence, you will always enjoy the taste of freshly ground and brewed coffee.

The biggest debate around coffee pods is about the capsules that increase the amount of non-recyclable waste. However, today, all coffee pod manufacturers make every effort to produce recyclable, biodegradable, compostable capsules free from plastic elements.

Coffee Pods vs. K-cups

Most coffee enthusiasts consider coffee pods and K-cups as different names of the same thing. Yet, both used for single-serve coffee brewing, pods and k-cups are different. The difference starts with the packaging. Pods are usually packed in a paper filter and resemble pads while K-cups are encased in some kind of cartridge that looks like a plastic cup. The design part aside, pods and K-cups differ in the brewing process. K-cups need a needle to puncture the packaging to let the water run into the filter.

It’s notable that today a coffee pod is a rather generic name used for pretty much all coffee capsules while a K-cup is a trademark to the Keurig Green Mountain brand and it works only with Keurig coffee machines. In practice, coffee pods and K-cups are not interchangeable.

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