If you're in the market for a new coffee machine, there are a lot of reasons why you may be considering a coffee pod or capsule machine over a manual or automatic model.
If you don't want to mess around with grinding coffee beans or steaming your own milk in the morning when you're in need of a caffeine hit, they're a convenient choice. A coffee pod machine will have your cuppa on its way to you in minutes or even seconds, all you have to do is pop in a coffee capsule and push a button. Some machines will also froth the milk for you.
On the whole, coffee pod machines are cheaper to buy than manual or automatic espresso machines and, with many stylish designs available, they also usually take up less space on your kitchen bench.
If you're not after a pod machine and you'd rather control the amount of coffee and the grind, we can also help you find the best cheap manual, semi-automatic or automatic coffee machine to suit your needs.
Pod machines are cheaper to buy than manual or automatic espresso machines and usually take up less space on your kitchen bench
But read on to find out more about how pod and capsule machines perform in our tests, the pros and cons and what you should look for.
If you're a CHOICE member, we'll also reveal the best performers. If you want to get straight to the results, jump ahead to see the machines that come out top in our tests.
How do coffee pod machines perform in CHOICE tests?
CHOICE coffee machine test expert, Adrian Lini, says, "We have tested a huge variety of capsule coffee machines in our labs, from all the big-name brands including Nespresso, DeLonghi, Smeg, Breville, Aldi and more, priced anywhere from $99 up to around $1399.
"When our expert taste testers blind taste the coffee from pod machines, we do find that the coffee from these machines doesn't score as highly on taste when compared to coffee from manual machines," says Adrian. "If you're serious about the depth and intensity of your coffee, a pod machine may leave you disappointed. This is because when you make a coffee in a manual machine as opposed to a pod machine, you have more control over the process.
If you're serious about the depth and intensity of your coffee, a pod machine may leave you disappointed
CHOICE testing expert Adrian Lini
"However, this isn't to say that manual machines are always a better choice than pod or capsule machines. If you can find a machine that suits you and your lifestyle, and makes coffee that you like, then that's the most important thing."
But with such a huge range of brands and models at wildly varying price points, how do you know which coffee pod machine is the best and which one you should choose?
The pros and cons of coffee pod machines
So we know manual and automatic machines give a better tasting coffee in most cases, but not everyone wants complete control in their cup of coffee or to deal with the many steps (grinding, dosing, tamping, extraction time) involved in producing said coffee. Some of us are just looking for convenience and that's fine too, but what should you keep in mind when considering a coffee pod machine?
Pros
- They are easy to use – add a pod or capsule in the machine, press a button and away you go.
- They are easy to clean.
- Usually take up less space on your bench.
- A great option for those with dexterity challenges, where dosing, tamping, etc, might prove challenging.
- Can save you money on daily cafe bought coffees.
- Capsules are available in a range of strengths and flavours.
Cons
- You can't control the way the coffee is made – the price you pay for convenience and ease of use.
- Long-term cost associated with buying capsules.
- Capsules are more expensive than buying coffee beans.
- Some brands are only compatible with specific capsules.
Most coffee pods are plastic rather than aluminium and generally can't be thrown into domestic recycling bins.
What things should you look for in a coffee pod machine?
There's a wealth of information to help you decide on a coffee pod machine in our coffee machine buying guide, but some of the things you should be looking at apart from the cost of the machine itself and its features such as whether it has an inbuilt milk frother or steam wand, are the types of pods you can use and how much they cost.
"I recommend looking closely at the features and exploring a variety of brands before you buy," says Adrian.
"One of the main things to consider are the types of pods the machine uses. Some brands and models are restricted to certain types of pods, and they can get quite expensive, costing over $100 per kilogram."
You may also like to consider a machine that you can use compostable or refillable pods in.
Coffee pod compatibility
The cost of single-use pods is where the price can add up on a coffee pod machine. It's worth doing your research, not only on the prices of the coffee capsules but understanding what pods are compatible with each machine. Once you've decided on a machine, shop around for bulk buys and specials on your pods.
You can spend anywhere from 36 cents to 95 cents per pod which can equate to around $64 to $173/kg. In comparison, coffee beans can cost as little as $12/kg from the supermarket. Even beans from a boutique roastery will still cost you less, costing up to around $60/kg.
While you're spending more on pods, if you compare this to buying your daily coffee from a cafe, the cost savings are still substantial. If you drink one standard coffee per day (using one capsule), you could be adding an average cost of around $182 per year on top of the cost of your machine (based on an average cost per pod of 50c).
But if you're used to buying from a cafe and spending $4 a day for a single-shot espresso, you'll be paying $1040 a year for your daily caffeine fix.
Our detailed espresso machine reviews include information about each machine's performance, ease of use, durability and features – all important factors to also consider when purchasing a coffee pod machine.
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Stock images: Getty, unless otherwise stated.
