The ultimate shortcut to achieving quick, convenient coffees, all the best coffee pod machines have a similar basic function: the user loads in a coffee pod, presses a button, and the machine then pumps hot water from an in-built reservoir, through the pod, and into a cup as coffee.
The great merit to these is that the ‘messy bits’ of coffee making are taken off your hands – namely the grinding, dosing and tamping of grounds.
This makes the whole process from start to finish quicker and removes the need for these gadgets to have sophisticated tech, like the burr grinders of bean-to-cup coffee machines or espresso machine accessories like portafilters, which need cleaning after every use.
Our reviews experts tested over 20 coffee pod machines with compatible eco pods as similar in variety and roast strength as possible, to bring you this list of the best currently available.
Read on for the top performers, and for more inspiration, discover our guide to picking the best coffee machine for your budget.
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Best coffee pod machines at a glance
JUMP TO REVIEWS
- Best coffee pod machine overall: Lavazza Jolie Evo, £99
- Best-looking coffee pod machine: Grind Two, £295
- Best value coffee pod machine: Nespresso Vertuo Pop, £99
- Best speciality coffee pod machine: Opal One coffee pod machine, £125
- Best coffee pod machine with milk frother: Nespresso Vertuo Creatista by Sage, £649.95
- Best for pod versatility: Nespresso Vertuo Next, £99
- Best mid-range coffee pod machine: ProCook coffee pod machine, £99
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How we tested coffee pod machines
We began each coffee pod machine test by brewing a standard set of drinks, depending on what the machine is actually capable of – single espresso, double espresso, and lungo (a longer coffee).
Each model that was put through its paces came with compatible pods, but where possible we tried eco-friendly pods, too, to see how the machine fared. Our reviews experts then marked against the following core and contributing criteria:
- Coffee quality: We looked for a dark espresso, richly flavoured with a strong aroma and hazelnut-coloured layer of crema on the top.
- Quality of materials: These machines need to withstand daily use, so those with flimsy, cheap-feel or rickety components were drastically marked down.
- Value for money: Every criteria plays into this. The performance, coffee quality and feel of materials all had to be worth the quantity you fork out for investment.
- Assembly and packaging: This included set-up time and clarity of instructions. Those with an abundance of unnecessary single-use plastic packaging were marked down.
- Ease of use: Coffee pod machines are all about mess-free convenience so every stage of use, from filling the tank to selecting your coffee and emptying the pod bin had to be easy.
Why you can trust Good Food reviews
Every coffee machine we review at Good Food is scored using our trusted matrix format, after which we award it a rating out of 5.
We always test products in the Good Food Test Kitchen, which is designed to replicate the average home kitchen rather than a lab – that means you can trust that, if a gadget performs well in our kitchen, it should in yours, too.
We never share product reviews with manufacturers or retailers before publication, and we don’t accept payment in exchange for positive reviews, either.
Our lead coffee machine reviewer is also qualified with the Specialty Coffee Association, has trained at the London School of Coffee, and worked as a coffee-shop barista for several years before joining the team at Good Food.
Best coffee pod machines to buy in 2026
Lavazza Jolie Evo coffee pod machine
Available from Amazon (£63.99), Lavazza (£99)
Best coffee pod machine overall
Pros:
- Simple to use
- Produces good-quality espresso
- Slimline footprint
Cons:
- Manual stop for espresso
- Some non-recyclable packaging
Star rating: 5/5
Wattage: 1250W
As an upgrade of the Lavazza Jolie (which we also rated 5/5 stars), this is a compact, simple pod machine that handles the basics impressively well. Users won’t notice that many changes from the original design, but small tweaks have been made from a sustainability perspective: the machine is now made from 36 per cent recycled plastic and the auto shut-off is now two minutes rather than nine.
Like the original, this model is also a doddle to master. It has a robust metal handle across the top that pulls down to lock the pod into position. Once in place, simply hit the ‘on’ button and watch your espresso pour.
The Jolie Evo will extract as little or as much coffee as you like (within the confines of how much water you have in the tank), which is good for versatility but less ideal if you want a consistent dose every time.
A pod machine like this one is never going to produce the best-ever coffee – you need fresh coffee beans for that – but we were impressed by the quality that came out. The crema was golden and silky, and the shot itself had a nice balance of bitterness and acidity.
All in all, this is a superb little machine that delivers good quality for the price.
Cost to brew one double espresso each day for one month: 3.3p
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Grind Two coffee pod machine
Available from Grind (£295)
Best-looking coffee pod machine
Pros:
- Sleek chrome design
- Quality results
- Fully recyclable packaging
- 20 bars of pressure
Cons:
- Expensive for a pod machine
Star rating: 4.5/5
Wattage: 1400W
Replacing the original Grind One coffee pod machine, Grind’s newest model – appropriately named the Grind Two – benefits from some significant upgrades, including 20 bars of pressure, a flow metre that controls the pour, and pre-infusion technology that results in a better quality, more intensified coffee flavour.
It’s ultra-polished reflective chrome design also looks great on the worktop, and even with such a shiny exterior we were impressed by the lack of fingerprint marks we left behind – a common problem for machines with this kind of finish.
Operating it is much like that of any classic pod machine: simply insert the pods into the hatch, pull the lever towards you, and choose between the two settings (short or long pour). The Grind Two is also compatible with standard Nespresso capsules – note, not the larger Vertuo kind – but Grind does advise using its own coffee pods to guarantee the best results.
For a pod machine it is more expensive than most, but we loved the results we achieved in test and our espressos were dark and rich with thick, hazelnut-coloured crema.
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Nespresso Vertuo Pop coffee pod machine
Available from Nespresso (£99)
Best value coffee pod machine
Pros:
- Rich, dark espresso with thick crema
- Easy to use
- Looks attractive
- Small footprint
- Simple to unload and clean
Cons:
- Manual is excessively large
- A little noisy
- Only uses Nespresso Vertuo pods
- Stiff when lowering the lid
Star rating: 4.5/5
Wattage: 1260W
Available in six colours and designed with a smooth, rounded body, this more affordable machine within Nespresso’s Vertuo range is ideal for those working with a smaller budget. Its footprint is small, too, and the controls are clear and intuitive.
We found the set-up a little time-consuming: the manual is excessively large because it’s designed for all the models within the Vertuo range (rather than being product-specific), so you have to rifle through a lot of instructions that may not be relevant. That said, once we got going, the Vertuo Pop was very easy to use.
We had to be quite firm when lowering the lid to insert the Vertuo capsule, as it was stiff and needed two hands to lock it in. The coffee it produced, however, was excellent, with rich flavours, a creamy, thick crema and no bitterness.
Cost to brew one double espresso each day for one month: 2.5p
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Opal One coffee pod machine
Available from Origin Coffee (£125), Small Batch Coffee Roasters (£144.99)
Best speciality coffee pod machine
Pros:
- Sleek, slimline machine
- Produces quality espresso
- Adjustable brew temperature
- User-friendly features
- Quick to heat up
- Easy to clean
Cons:
- Some of the manual is unclear and poorly written
- Drips a lot after brewing
Star rating: 4.5/5
Wattage: 1260W
Launched as ‘the first machine purposely designed to brew speciality coffee pods’, the Opal One is a modern-looking, slimline piece of kit that’s easy to operate and clean up afterwards.
The manual comes with written instructions and diagrams, most of which were fairly clear though some of the text is a little clunky and hard to follow. Thankfully, we had no issues during set-up and found the controls were intuitive and quick to respond.
There are three espresso options on its push-button interface: short, normal, and lungo, with options to adjust the temperature if you want hotter or cooler drinks. We also loved the handle around the water tank lid, which reduced the risk of spillages as we lifted it out and carried it to and from the sink.
The makers of this machine advise using speciality pods, but we started with generic Nespresso-compatible pods for fairness – and the results were impressive. Our espresso was very hot, and had a thin but glossy, hazelnut-coloured crema. We then tried using Gesha pods from Colonna Coffee and really noticed the difference in quality: thick, silky crema with rich, dark espresso underneath, and a pleasant touch of acidity.
Cost to brew one double espresso each day for one month: 2.2p
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Nespresso Vertuo Creatista by Sage
Available from Amazon (£399), John Lewis & Partners (£649), Nespresso (£649), Sage (£649.95)
Best coffee pod machine with milk frother
Pros:
- Attractive
- Comes with milk-steaming function
- Easy to operate and customise
- Clear instructions, with QR codes linking to videos
- Large water capacity
- Adjustable tray height
Cons:
- Expensive for a coffee pod machine
- Large footprint
- Noisy
- Can only use Nespresso Vertuo pods
Star rating: 4.5/5
Wattage: 1500W
If you’re looking for a high-spec coffee pod machine that goes the extra mile – and you have the budget for it – this glossy gadget ticks a lot of boxes. The Nespresso Creatista, made in collaboration with Sage, caters to a range of coffee options and cup sizes, with an adjustable steam wand for making frothy cappuccinos and silky lattes. A stainless steel milk jug is also included.
There’s a quick-start guide with QR codes that link to videos, all of which are clear and well-explained. In use, it’s a little noisy and screeches for a brief period when the steamer starts up, but works and heats up quickly. It’s also a large machine, so better suited to those with more countertop space.
In testing, our espresso had a very strong, rich flavour and thick, bubbly crema. The milk frother can also be programmed to produce specific microfoam textures depending on which drink you’re making, and it produced consistent, creamy results each time.
It’s noticeably more expensive than other coffee pod machines on the market, but if you’re looking for that polished stainless-steel build that’s synonymous with Sage’s coffee machines (normally in a much higher price bracket), this is a great value option.
Cost to brew one double espresso each day for one month: 2.5p
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Nespresso Vertuo Next coffee pod machine
Available from Nespresso (£149)
Best machine for pod versatility
Pros:
- Reliable crema every time, no matter the drink size.
- Made from 54% recycled plastic
- Versatile range of Nespresso pods available
Cons:
- Quite loud
- Takes Nespresso Vertuo pods only
Star rating: 4.5/5
Wattage: 1260W
This coffee pod has a single button, but can make five different drinks. How? Because each has a bespoke barcode on the underside that the machine scans to know which drink to brew.
Pop a pod into this machine, manually adjust the drip tray to accommodate your chosen cup and the machine whirrs into life, brewing espresso, double espresso, gran lungo, mug, and alto drinks, each with a thick layer of silky froth. It’s the right hazelnut colour for a crema and although a tad foamy, is a reliable addition for crema lovers.
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ProCook coffee pod machine
Available from ProCook (£99)
Best mid-range coffee pod machine
Pros:
- Attractive design
- Slimline
- Fully recyclable packaging
- Compatible with standard-sized coffee pods
- Easy to use
Cons:
- A tad overpriced versus other models for what it offers
- Lever is stiff
Star rating: 4/5
Wattage: 960-1145W
Typically known for its pans and knife sets, B-Corp cookware brand ProCook launched its first series of coffee machines in January 2025.
As well as two higher-spec bean-to-cup models and a budget-friendly espresso machine, for beginner baristas there’s this sleek-looking pod machine – which benefits from a no-frills display and a slimline footprint.
There are just two buttons on the front (one for a single espresso shot, the other for a double) and an on/off switch towards the back, plus a shiny stainless-steel lever on the top. In test we found it remarkably easy to use, though pushing the lever down took some effort – we managed it with one hand, but the motion wasn’t exactly smooth.
Despite being the cheapest of ProCook’s coffee machines, this model is also one of the most expensive options on this list and if versatility is important to you, we’re not sure it delivers the best value for money versus its competitors.
It does, however, pour a good shot of espresso, and we loved its sleek, minimalist look. You can also buy this machine as part of a bundle with ProCook’s milk frother.
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Other coffee pod machines tried and tested
How to choose the best coffee pod machine
Features to look out for:
- Dual coffee settings: Although coffee pods tend to be a single shot (Nespresso’s dome pods being the big exception here), coffee pod machines should give you the option to pull a longer shot called a Lungo.
- Easily removable pod bin: for emptying used pods and easily cleaning the container.
- Programmable shots: For setting your machine to pull a certain amount of water through each pod.
- Dual-height drip trays: To accommodate both espresso cups and standard cups or mugs without letting espresso splash out.
- Automatic sleep setting: To save power between espressos.
Are coffee pods bad for the environment?
Coffee pod machines do come with the heavy caveat of environmental impact. There are many types of coffee pods sold in UK shops and online, including Nespresso, Dolce Gusto, T-Discs (Tassimo), Iperespresso (Illy), Lavazza, and Dualit NX ESE (easy serve espresso) pods.
Whereas other coffee-making options simply produce used grinds as waste, the casings of coffee pods often contain both plastic and aluminium; recyclable alone but an environmental nightmare when mixed together.
Figures compiled by Halo Coffee a few years ago revealed that for every 39,000 capsules produced around the world every minute, 29,000 end up in landfill – that said, research by University of Quebec in 2023 found that the carbon footprint of coffee pods is actually lower than that of making traditional filtered coffee.
ESE (easy serve espresso) pods are a compostable alternative, consisting of dosed and tampered ground coffee sealed between filter paper. Many third-party brands are working to make compostable alternatives more widely available and for a cheaper rate.
Some coffee pods can also be recycled at home or via recycling centres (check this with the brand and your local council first) and nationwide organisations like Podback also collect and recycle selected aluminium and plastic coffee pods in the UK.
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All costs-to-run calculations were done against the variable tariff at the time of testing, which is amended by Ofgem regularly – read more on the current energy price guarantee rates.
This guide was last updated in January 2025. If you have any questions, suggestions for future reviews, or spot anything that has changed in price or availability, please get in touch at goodfoodwebsite@immediate.co.uk.
