The Best Coffee Pod Machines On The Market Today

Have you ever found yourself walking through the grocery store aisle and looking at the coffee pod machines with a sense of longing? You want one, but don’t really know why.

Coffee pods are convenient, but they can also be expensive. If you’re going to buy an espresso machine that uses them, it should have some other perks as well – right?

As soon as this style hit the market, however, it was soon flooded, and there are more single cup coffee makers than ever before. Thankfully, we’ve reviewed the top picks to find the best pod machine to match both your lifestyle and your budget.

In my opinion, the Nespresso Vertuo is the best machine in this range, but keep on reading for five different pod machines that will give your taste buds what they’re craving!

How Do Coffee Pod Machines Work

These coffee machines are so simple to use!

Unlike the typical espresso machine, the pod coffee maker is simpler to operate as the coffee beans are already grounded and measured to make the perfect cup of espresso. thus, skipping on the task of grinding and tamping the beans.

The finely-grounded beans are then packed inside hermetically-sealed airtight pods, capsules, or pouches, which will then be inserted into the proper slot of the espresso machine.

The reservoir is filled with water, which is then heated to the proper temperature to make the espresso.

In most coffee pod machines, the entire process takes just a couple of minutes from the insertion of the pods into the filter to the full brewing of the espresso ready for enjoyment.

On some of the best makes you can get coffee in under 15 seconds! Add in the ease of cleaning the pod espresso machine and coffee lovers have every reason to purchase it.

1. Nespresso Vertuo Plus Deluxe Coffee and Espresso Maker

Rated at 4.7 stars on Amazon from over 7000 reviews, the Nespresso Vertuo offers a strong retro design, with an extraordinarily efficient and user-friendly performance.

It combines both freshly brewed coffee and espresso-making into one, easy-to-use and beautiful one cup coffee maker.

Bolstered by its patented Centrifusion technology, the Evoluo sets out to create something beautiful in every cup. Utilizing a unique barcode technology, each pod is brewed differently with just the touch of a button.

It’s also incredibly fast and can heat up in as little as 15-20 seconds for convenient, yet delicious coffee and espresso. After 9 minutes of non-use, the machine automatically turns off, conserving energy. With a 54 oz. water tank and 5 cup positions, it’s just as good at making a few cups as it is at making a one.

On top of that, there’s a built-in Aeroccino to get a continuous selection of milk based espresso beverages. The flow of coffee is dependent upon your coffee selection, and up to eleven used pods gather inside the capsule compartment for disposal at your leisure.

We actually own a Nespresso and my wife loves it. For her, she wants something that’s quick and simple to use and I have to admit it does make a decent coffee.

She isn’t getting a full authentic espresso-making experience like on a Barista Express but the fact that Nespresso has the best selection of blends means she can still have fun changing things up a little.

This is probably the best pod coffee maker, it doesn’t just function as a stunning feature in any home, but it also brews up de-stressing, cafe style espresso beverages easily and quickly.

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2. Keurig K60/K65 Signature Brewers

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With over 900 five star reviews on Amazon we regard the Keurig K60/65 special edition as one of the best single serve coffee makers under $200.

Keurig coffee makers have single-handedly (or single “cuppedly” as the case may be) changed the way people drink coffee today.

Everywhere you look you’ll find their K-cups in favorite coffee flavors as well as hot cocoa varieties, apple cider, hot tea, and iced tea flavors.

When you buy a Keurig device, you’re purchasing so much more than a mere coffee maker.

The real claim to fame for the Keurig brand is the fact that it is simple to use and even easier to clean up after using. For those who have favorite beans or coffee flavors there are also filters available that can be used in place of the k-cups.

In other words, Keurig has pretty much every coffee drinker covered.

The Keurig Special Edition K60/65 coffee maker is definitely one of the best single serve coffee makers on the market. It offers a large 60 oz reservoir for storing extra water. Those who stumble to the coffee pot in the morning and find it difficult enough to press the start button can truly appreciate the large reservoir (one less thing to deal with in the morning). 

It also comes with a removable drip tray that is very easy to clean.

It takes just 15 seconds to heat water between serves on this single serve coffee maker! It has a stylish blue, backlit display with 3 options for brew size. It also comes with an adjustable temperature control and a digital clock.

3. Keurig K575 Coffee Pod Machine

It probably wont be a surprise to many that we include another of Keurigs flagship models in our list of coffee pod machines.

At a price just under $200, the Keurig K575 hits the sweet spot as a coffee capsule machine for the home.

It’s not over-priced, but it’s also not lacking in features, which makes it well worth the cost, as confirmed by its rating as the #1 Best Seller among single serve brewers on Amazon.

With a large, 80 oz. water reservoir, it can brew up to 10 cups or as few as one.

It’s also highly customizable. Strength control settings allow you to brew a bolder cup of coffee and its five different temperature settings and hot water on demand mean you can have it as steamy as you like.

The extra-large touchscreen also makes controls easy to use and programming a breeze. We regard the Keurig K575 as the best single serve coffee maker under $150.

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4. Senseo 7810 Gourmet Coffee Machine

When it comes to the Senseo brand of single serve coffee brewing systems. The Senseo 7810 Gourmet coffee pod machine is well-liked by consumers.

It offers a one-touch brewing system, a removable water reservoir, and two pod filters for holding the pre-measured Senseo pods.

The adjustable water spout can accommodate multiple cup sizes, and a programmable and interactive LCD screen assists you in brewing your perfect cup of coffee each and every time.

Removable parts are dishwasher safe and the machine offers a small countertop footprint for easy storage and/or display. The sleek modern design is unobtrusive in most kitchens and the machine is well-suited for heavy-duty coffee drinking families.

The Senseo coffee maker does create a sensational tasting coffee, complete with a good crema, using pods. It only takes 90 seconds or so to heat the water to temperature. When it’s ready to go, push a button and your coffee is poured for you.

We all lead busy lifestyles and the last thing we want is to be chained to the kitchen trying to clean all the bits and pieces of a complex device such as a coffee maker.

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5. Illy Y5 Iperespresso Single Cup Coffee Maker

If you’re on the hunt for the best single serve coffee maker, you know there are many that strive to be great but just miss the mark.

This machine is not cheap, but if it’s the top quality you’re after, look no further than the Francis Francis Y5 Iperespresso from Illy’.

The Italian coffee giant is known for its innovation and the Y5 is all the proof you need. With a sophisticated, modern design, the Y5 not only looks good, but it performs well, too.

With the ability to make amazing cups of both coffee and espresso, the Iperespresso machine is adaptable and perfect for any kitchen.

Though the inclusion of a 30 oz. water tank may be deceiving, it’s actually a small, compact pod machine that fits on any countertop. And with its components each accessible from the front, it leaves you all the room you could ever need.

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6. Nespresso Lattissima by DeLonghi

The Nespresso Lattissima espresso machine is manufactured by the well-respected player in the industry, DeLonghi.

Such is its simplicity of operation that the Lattisima can be used to manufacture several types of coffee beverages at just the simple touch of the button.

With espresso as the base beverage, coffee lovers can enjoy the flavors of cappuccinos and lattes with this single coffee maker alone – just slide the milk tank into place and enjoy these equally delicious coffee beverages.

Also, the Nespresso Lattissima allows for customized amounts of frothed/steamed milk to suit individual preferences. After using the milk container, remove it from the machine and then store the leftovers in the refrigerator for later use. Or push the clean button to automatically clean the container.

This coffee pod machine can also be cleaned easily since the used capsules are automatically ejected immediately after the brewing cycle is completed.

The Lattissima is also well-loved for its capability to prepare cups of espresso one after the other because of the double boiler system. Again, just place the capsule into the filter, push the button and the machine will do the rest of the work.

Basically, water soaks the ground coffee beans while the 19-bar high-pressure pump extracts the aromas, flavors and body of the beans to create delicious espresso within a couple of minutes.

Other features of the Lattissima coffee pod machine include an adjustable cup tray, removable drip tray and removable water tank with a capacity of 40 ounces for those days when you can never have too many espressos… Read Full Nespresso Lattissima espresso machine Review

7. Cuisinart SS-10 Single Cup Coffee Maker

Cuisinart is a name that homeowners have trusted for decades, so of course, their best coffee pod machine would make it onto our list.

Before diving into the specs, the first thing you’ll notice about the Cuisinart SS-10 it’s sleek, modern design. With brushed stainless steel, and illuminated buttons and controls, it’s a single cup coffee maker that complements any countertop.

But, looks aren’t everything. The large, 72 oz. water reservoir means it requires fewer refills than smaller capacity machines and features 5 brew sizes. Whatever size you choose, it’s done quick and brews in less than a minute with no heat-up time.

Furthermore, the charcoal water filter located inside the machine makes for the best tasting coffee possible, every time.

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8. Gaggia 14101 Classic – Can Use Grounds and Pods!

Coffee lovers also love it that the Gaggia Classic Espresso Machine can be used in both the traditional way where the coffee beans are grounded before tamping and brewing as well as the modern way using the pods.

An espresso machine with commercial capabilities, the Gaggia 14101 Classic has all the hallmarks of a high-quality product and features highly on our list of the best home espresso machines.

Its housing is made from stainless steel while its portafilters are of brass, which means greater durability and functionality while also attesting to its elegant style.

Other commercial-grade features include the powerful 17 1/2-bar pump complemented by the high-voltage boiler to make espresso quickly; a three-way solenoid valve to provide immediate pressure release; and a frothing wand for crema, among others.

Because of these features, preparing successive shots of espresso can be done within minutes – just remove the portafilter… Read Full Gaggia Classic Review

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9.Ninja Coffee Bar Brewer CF091

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For many, a single cup coffee maker means compact with limited functionality. For Ninja, it means a machine that makes that one cup of coffee as good as it can be.

They do exactly that with their CF091 Coffee Bar Brewer System. Unlike other single cup coffee makers, the Coffee Bar brings out the barista in everyone who uses it.

With 5 different brew types, a built-in hot and cold frother and 6 different brew sizes, it’s so easy to create a customized cup of coffee just for you.

It’s not just limited to a hot cup of joe, either; the CF091 is also designed to brew fresh and hot over ice for a coffee that never tastes watered down.

10. BUNN MCU Single Serve Coffee Maker

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If you’ve ever checked out the coffee machines in a coffee shop or café, odds are you’ve come across a BUNN maker before.

And just like those coffee shops, you can make café quality coffee in your home with the MCU single cup home coffee brewer from BUNN.

Small and discreet, the MCU is stylish and minimalistic in design but brews a single cup of coffee like its professional-grade counterparts. With a range of 4 to 14 ounces, ready in under a minute, BUNN’s Pulse Brew technology optimizes each K-Cup to extract bold, rich flavours.

But if you’d prefer to brew your own grounds, it can do that, too; even loose tea and tea bags.

11. Keurig B-70 Platinum Brewing System

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The single serve coffee maker has been on the market for some time now, but it was Keurig who arguably put it on the map. Each Keurig coffee maker features a sleek and modern design and this still rings true for the Keurig B-70.

It’s been popular for a long time now which is always a good sign in my book.

This coffee pod machine offers an easy to read LCD display that is backlit in blue. It has a clock and is programmable so that you can follow your nose to the coffee maker in the morning without needing to open your eyes. You can even customize the device to your own preferred brew temperature.

The water reservoir on this device is also backlit in blue so that you know when it’s time to refill and there is on onboard de-scale indicator to let you know when this critical task is necessary.

Keurig have designed their single-cup coffee makers to be very user-friendly. Push a button and the water will heat up in just minutes. When it’s done, a light will let you know when you can push another button to pour your perfect coffee.

Another really great thing about Keurig coffee makers is how easy it is to clean up after making your cup of coffee. The k-cups snap out with the press of a button and can be thrown away without spilling wet coffee grounds everywhere.

The drip cup is removable and can be placed in the dishwasher. De-scaling is occasionally necessary but there are kits available that make this process a snap as well.

Best Coffee Pod Machines Under $100

Hamilton Beach 49981A

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Not every coffee lover is in need of the latest, greatest model. For many, convenience is the name of the game and a fast, reliable single cup coffee maker is all that’s required. For those who want a stripped down, affordable 1 cup coffee maker, Hamilton Beach’s 49981A model is everything they need and more.

Named “Amazon’s Choice” for the best single serve coffee maker, the 49981A features a durable, stainless steel design, built with single cups and travel mugs in mind. Brew your own coffee grounds with its single serve scoop filter and do away with the waste of single-use coffee pods and capsules.

Keurig K55

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Keurig has come a long way since its introduction into the market of single cup coffee makers. With dozens of new and different models, its success has always been about making a convenient, quality cup of coffee, even for those who aren’t coffee savvy. Keurig had those in mind when it created the Keurig K55, their straightforward and classic single cup maker design.

With programmable settings and a 48 ox water reservoir, there’s no limit to when you make your coffee; refills are few and all it takes is the press of a button to brew in minutes. The descaling feature also means that the machine stays clean so your coffee tastes great every time. And with an auto-off mechanism, you can be sure you’re conserving energy, even if you forget to turn off the coffee maker when you’re done brewing.

Black + Decker CM618

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Like the Hamilton Beach 49981A, the CM618 from Black + Decker is designed for on-the-go coffee and single cups at your convenience.

Compact and personal, the CM618 features a space-saving design in stainless steel and black that already includes a travel mug; all you have to do is brew and go. With a permanent grounds filter, there’s no need to buy wasteful pods or even paper filters for a great cup of coffee every day.

Automatic shutoff also means that if you forget to turn off your machine as you’re running out the door, there’s no need to worry about wasting energy.

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The best espresso maker means something different to everyone, but we can all agree that quality beats quantity any day. Whether you’re sipping it on your morning commute or brewing the perfect afternoon cup for you and your guests, the importance of brew quality makes the difference between an enjoyable coffee experience and a lacklustre one, even if it’s just one cup.

To make every drink an amazing one, I recommend you try the Nespresso Vertuo and decide for yourself if it takes the cake as the best coffee pod machine.