Coffee pod machines are a great way of making fresh tasting coffee without the mess of coffee grains. With this type of machine, you simply buy coffee pods, (think tea bags) and put these into the machine, and then hit a button.
Within a few seconds you will have a cup of high quality coffee.
There are quite a few of these on the market, from different brands, and they come in different models. To help narrow down the huge number of choices, we have placed a table below, with the highest rated and best selling coffee pod machines.
Best Overall Pod Machine -DeLonghi Nescafé Dolce Gusto Jovia Pod Capsule Coffee Machine
94% buyer satisfaction based on 21,000+ online buyer reviews
This model has a 15 bar pump pressure for coffee shop quality
Can make 40 varieties of hold and cold drinks
It automatically shuts off power 5 minutes
The pods available in supermarkets and online
Comes with a 2 year guarantee
Tassimo Bosch Vivy 2 TAS1403GB Coffee Machine
92% buyer satisfaction based on 10,000+ online buyer reviews
This is one of the best selling pod machines on the UK market and available in several colours
It uses Intellibrew technology to make over 70 drinks from 11 well known brands
Easy to use with one touch operation and no heat up time
Has a transparent removable 0.7 litre water tank
Comes with a 2 years manufacturer warranty
Tassimo by Bosch Suny 'Special Edition
92% buyer satisfaction based on 8,000+ online buyer reviews
Overall we like this one the best as it is a great price, super easy to use and you can use a wide variety of pods with this maker
We also like that it cleans itself between drinks to avoid any confusion with different tastes of drinks
It is small so doesn't take up a lot of space on a worktop and also makes it easy to store away
The coffee flavours are great, the pods are widely available and it ticks all the right boxes.
Tassimo Bosch Happy TAS1002GB Coffee Machine
94% buyer satisfaction based on 7,000+ online buyer reviews
Buyers like this as it is simple to use and has no heat up time, great when in a hurry
It is compact so suitable for any kitchen
Can make over 70 drinks from 11 well known brands
Has a transparent and easily removable 0.7 Litre water tank
Comes with a 2 years manufacturer warranty
Best Nescafe Pod Machine - De'Longhi Nescafé Dolce Gusto Mini Me
94% buyer satisfaction based on 5,000+ online buyer reviews
This is one of the highest rated coffee pod machines from the famous Delnghi brand in conjunction with Nescafe
It is compact and comes with six boxes of pods.
It is very easy to use - all you need is the machine, some water and pods
Easy to clean - as all the coffee grounds stay in the pods there is no mess, no fuss
Adjustable drip tray suitable for all cup sizes
Best Large Pod Machine - Tassimo Bosch My Way 2 TAS6502GB Coffee Machine
94% buyer satisfaction based on 3,000+ online buyer reviews
Online buyers like this model as you can set the intensity, size and strength as you like it.
It also has a BRITA MAXTRA+ water filtration technology
It can make over 40 big-brand drinks
It has a 1. 3 litre transparent and easy fill water tank.
Auto-clean occurs between drinks which prevents flavours mixing between cups.
Comes with a 2 year guarantee
Nespresso Essenza Mini Coffee Machine
94% buyer satisfaction based on 3,500+ online buyer reviews
This model is available in a variety of colours
It has automatic and programmable water quantity control, with a fast 25 second heating time
It has a removable container for used capsules (5 to 6)
It also has a 0.6 litre removable water tank
Nespresso's most compact machine
Nescafe Dolce Gusto Oblo Coffee Machine by Krups
92% buyer satisfaction based on 3,000+ online buyer reviews
Made by Krups in conjunction with Nescafe
This is a 15 bar pump pressure for coffee shop quality
Over 30 varieties of hot and cold drinks
Comes with a 2 year guarantee
Pods available in supermarkets and online
Tassimo Bosch Suny TAS3203GB Coffee Machine
90% buyer satisfaction based on 1,500+ online buyer reviews
Has a smart start button for quick drinks preparation
There is virtually no heat up time
Has a 0.8 litre removable and easy fill water tank
Adjustable and removable cup stand
Senseo Quadrante hd7865/60 Coffee Machine
90% buyer satisfaction based on 100+ online buyer reviews
This is a free standing pod coffee machine.
It has a 1.2 litre water tank and can make up to 8 cups
This model has 2 spouts and a reservoir for brewed coffee
Coffee Pod/Capsule Machine Buying Guide
There are various types of coffee machines on sale on the UK market. Pod machines appear to be the most popular. With this type of machine, they use use pre-prepared coffee pods (capsules) for a fast and easy brewing method.
It is important to understand that depending on which machine type you buy, that you will be limited to specific types of capsule and the pods. That is because the pods are made to suit the machine and as such come in different shapes and sizes.
The most popular machines are Nespresso, Tassimo and Nescafe Dolce Gusto as you can see from our list above. Other brands include Senseo, Delonghi and Dualit.
Why Consider Buying a Pod Style Machine?
Price
They are relatively cheaper than a full blown espresso or bean to cup coffee machine. Prices for a coffee pod machine sit anywhere between £25-180 depending on features and style. Espresso or bean to cup machines are anything between £200-1,000
Space Saving
The majority of these machines are compact in nature so they don't take up a lot of room on your counter top. Other coffee machines are much larger, so if space is an issue, then a pod machine is likely to be the best option.
Easy to Use/Clean
No coffee machine is as easy to use as a pod machine. You simply fill the machine with water, switch it on, insert a pod and hit a button. The bigger machines tend to be a great deal more complex to use. Pod machines are also very easy to clean as in most cases you only have to remove the old pod and wipe the tray from time to time.
Drink Variety
Each brand of machine provides a good range of coffee drinks and those are also available for tea and chocolate. As the coffee is sealed inside a pod it is fresh and good quality.
When Not to Buy a Pod Style Machine
Pod prices
Buying pods is not cheap and the cost per sup is much more expensive than using beans or ground coffee
Tied to a Brand
The pod machine that you buy will in almost every case tie you to their pods. That of course limits what drinks may be available, the price point and their availability.
Environment Aware
The majority of pods are made from plastic so there is an impact on the environment by using these.
The fun of making coffee
Many coffee drinkers like to experiment and pod machines take away that process. So although they are simple to use, they take away tasks such as grinding your own beans, testing different types of bean etc.
Coffee Pod Machine Comparison Table
Brand | Machine Price Range | Capsule Prices | Where to buy capsules |
|---|---|---|---|
Nespresso | £90-£400 | 33-40p (brand) & 18-65p compatible pods | Nespresso shops, online and compatible pods in supermarkets |
Nescafe Dolce Gusto | £30-£150 | 26-60p (brand) & 16-32p compatible pods | UK supermarkets |
Tassimo | £40-£150 | 21-63p | UK supermarkets |
Illy Pods | £99-£500 | 38-45p | UK supermarkets |
Lavazza A Modo Mio | £50-£180 | 27-38p | UK supermarkets |
Dualit | £200-£450 | 20-30p | Lakeland, John Lewis & Dualit |