6 Best Pod Coffee Makers in 2021: Capsule Machines for Quick Brews

Because we want to help you find the right coffee maker for your habits, we thought we’d start with the basics.

Is a pod coffee maker the right choice for you?

Before we go any further, let’s just make sure that you’re actually in the right place (1).

“Capsule coffee machine manufacturers put the coffee in a sealed aluminum or plastic capsule in advance, then filling it with nitrogen to ensure freshness, so the users can finish the brewing process simply by putting the capsule in the capsule coffee machine.” Industry Today

This means that you get a single-serve experience. If that’s all you’re after, keep reading.

However, if you think that you could also do with large carafes of joe every once in a while, consider dual-use coffee makers that include both a dripper and a single-serve side.

Type of coffee pods: Nespresso capsules, K-Cups, and more

The words ‘pods’, ‘coffee capsules’ and ‘K-Cups’ are often used interchangeably, but they don’t always mean the same thing.

That’s why, to find the best pod coffee maker for your habits and preferences, it’s important to understand which type of coffee pods you should look for first:

• As the name suggests, Nespresso capsules are famous for their focus on espresso and they’re only compatible with this brand’s brewers. Some models (not all of them!) allow you to brew them in larger quantities to mimic drip coffee;
  
  
• K-Cups are Keurig’s proprietary pods, although many coffee makers are now designed to be compatible with them. While they’re traditionally used for drip coffee, you can also find them in different flavors, like cappuccino or caramel.

PRO TIP: if you’re opting for a pod coffee maker that relies on Keurig’s capsules, grab yourself the very best K-Cups for your next brew!

• Other pod coffee makers involve more generic drip-style coffee capsules from other brands. If you choose one of those, make sure you check whether or not they’re compatible with your favorite type.

Think green!

If you love the idea of owning a pod coffee maker but are put off by the impact of their non-recyclable plastic, don’t worry: you have a few options to make up for it!

For example, Nespresso capsules are actually recyclable since they’re made of aluminum (2).

“Nespresso want recycling capsules to be easy so we offer 3 ways to recycle.” Nespresso 

You can either drop them off at their boutiques, at some collection points, or even arrange a complimentary collection service.

Sadly, K-Cups aren’t recyclable but there’s a ground-breaking solution that will allow you to enjoy a guilt-free cup and save money: Keurig’s reusable K-Cup. You simply use it to scoop up your fresh grounds and brew them like you would a pod.

Several Keurig models are now compatible with it, including one of those that we mention in our pod coffee maker reviews.

There are several great Nespresso coffee makers to choose from, but we have a soft spot for their Vertuo line and especially for this staple model.

Relying on Centrifusion (Nespresso’s patented extraction technology), this machine gets its proprietary Vertuo capsules to spin up to 7,000 times per minute to extract more flavors and produce the perfect crema. 

This smart system can also recognize each coffee blend, so it’ll automatically adjust its brewing parameters to make the most of its unique characteristics.

This Nespresso pod coffee maker is also the best choice for those who can’t decide between espresso and drip-style coffee. With 5 drink sizes, you certainly won’t get bored!

Thanks to its pre-heating time ranging between only 15 and 20 seconds, you also won’t need to wait to enjoy your first coffee of the day.

Read more about it in our Nespresso Vertuo review.

Bottom line: A reliable pod coffee maker that brings the world of espresso and drip coffee together.

A popular choice among those who prefer traditional drip-style coffee, the K-Classic is one of the best Keurig models and single-serve coffee makers in general.

It lets you brew in 3 different sizes and it takes less than a minute to heat up and brew the coffee. 

By removing its drip-tray, you can even brew directly into your travel mug to enjoy it on your way to work.

This Keurig model relies on a large 48 oz reservoir, meaning that you could potentially go the entire week without worrying about refilling it.

As you can discover in our Keurig K-Classic review, other handy features for time-poor coffee lovers are the auto-off and automatic descaling.

Bottom line: Whether you want to brew with pods or Keurig’s reusable filter, this capsule machine will save you precious time in the morning.

This Nespresso pod coffee maker focuses on one thing but doing it exceptionally well: brewing espresso. Simple.

Offering you 2 drink sizes (a 1.35 oz espresso or a 5 oz lungo), it also lets you customize them so that you can find the perfect brew for your palate.

Another reason why this pod coffee maker stood out for us is its award-winning design: compact and available in different stylish finishes, this model will undoubtedly catch everyone’s attention (3) . 

“A consistent reduction to essentials in the Inissia results in a high degree of user-friendliness and small dimensions, making it well suited for small kitchens.” Red Dot Design Award

Intrigued? Check out our Nespresso Inissia review.

Bottom line: If you want an Italian-style shot but aren’t ready for a traditional espresso machine, this is your best option.

FAQs

1. What is the best pod coffee maker to buy?

The best pod coffee maker to buy is the Nespresso Vertuo if you’re mainly interested in espresso-style drinks or the Keurig K-Classic for a traditional cup of drip coffee.

2. Are coffee pod machines worth it?

Coffee pod machines are absolutely worth it if you usually drink only one cup of coffee and haven’t got time to use manual drippers. After all, why waste more coffee by brewing an entire carafe if you’re not going to drink it?!

However, keep in mind that coffee pods are more expensive than buying beans or grounds. A cheaper way to use coffee pod machines is to invest in a separate reusable filter and scoop up fresh grounds instead.

3. Does Nespresso make stronger coffee than Keurig?

Nespresso makes coffee that tastes stronger than Keurig’s and is more concentrated, meaning that it has more caffeine per oz. 

However, because K-Cups are used to brew larger cups, they actually contain more coffee and, therefore, more caffeine. 

To give you an idea, a Nespresso capsule contains 5-6 g, whereas a K-Cup has 8-12.

4. Which is better: Nespresso or Keurig?

Nespresso and Keurig aren’t one better than the other because they’re very different pod coffee makers: the former focuses on espresso, the latter on drip coffee. 

If you need help choosing, check our Nespresso vs Keurig comparison.