If you have a busy household and you want your coffee fast and hassle-free, a pod coffee maker is the way to go. Getting your caffeine fix is just a matter of sticking in a capsule and pressing a button, which is something anyone can deal with first thing in the morning.
But which capsule coffee maker is best? We’d suggest that the right place to start isn’t with the machine. Start with the capsules. Once you buy a machine, you’re tied into the brand’s capsules for as long as you own it. Very few pods are cross-compatible. And different brands have different types of pods and flavours of coffee.
For example, Tassimo’s T Discs and Nescafe’s Dolce Gusto capsule range include milk capsules, so you can make lattes and cappuccinos directly from the machine. Nespresso Vertuo capsules are black coffee only, but they’re not just espresso based: you can opt for a big mug of coffee.
And Lavazza A Modo Mio capsules not only make a very good espresso, but they’re industrially compostable too, so you can chuck them out with your food waste, rather than gathering them up for recycling and sending them back.
But there are big differences between machines as well. Some are completely automatic, some give you options for tailoring your coffee, some have inbuilt milk frothers, some are espresso only and a few have smart features as well.
For help choosing the brand of capsules that are right for you, have a look at our buying advice after the chart. Otherwise read on for our recommendations: we’ve reviewed some of the best machines on the market.
1. Nespresso Vertuo Next – Best machine for long black coffees
Pros
- Enjoyable and easy to use machine
- Wide variety of capsules, with long drink options
Cons
- Very few options for tailoring your coffee
- Black coffee only
The pluses and minuses of this machine really amount to the same thing: it is fully automatic. A barcode reader inside analyses the capsule and automatically pre-wets, infuses and dispenses the correct volume. You can stop the flow or add more water but there are generally no settings to fiddle with to tailor coffee, which will frustrate some. For others, the hassle-free, hands-off automation is exactly what they want.
It dispense coffee lengths from espresso to carafe, but it’s all dependent on which pods you use.
The Vertuo Next has smart features as well but these are really focused on ordering and recycling capsules, rather than remote operation or adjusting settings, so they will be of more use to busy people who want to automate their deliveries, or get reminders when they’re running low on capsules.
Read our full Nespresso Vertuo Next review
2. Keurig K-Cafe Smart – Best milk frothing
Pros
- Smarter pod brewing with Brew ID
- Improved pitcher-like water reservoir design
- Excellent foam production
- Range of coffees keeps getting better
Cons
- Predictably poor espresso output
- Disposable pods remain an environmental problem
If you’re in the US, this is one of our top recommendations. The K-Café Smart has a triple-tower profile, consisting of the pitcher-shaped water reservoir, the milk frothing jug, and the coffee brewer itself.
There are one-press settings for espresso and iced coffee and there are a selection of brew volumes: 6oz, 8oz, 10oz, and 12oz. You can also adjust the temperature and brew strength with dedicated buttons for each.
As the name suggests, it has smart features as well. You can save settings for custom brew strengths and temps to avoid having to set them manually each time but as the machine is so straightforward, you might not get as much use from these features as you imagine.
In terms of the coffees available, there’s a great selection. We weren’t wowed by the espresso but thanks to the excellent milk frothing, lattes and cappuccinos are a much better option.
Read our full Keurig K-Cafe Smart review
3. Lavazza A Modo Mio Tiny Eco – Best eco choice
Pros
- Compact
- Easy to use
- Good eco-credentials
- Quick to heat up
Cons
- No automatic stop
- Small water tank
Pod coffee machines are the most convenient type of coffee maker to use but they’re undoubtedly wasteful. If you want the ease of use without the environmental impact, the Lavazza A Modo Mio Tiny Eco is a step in the right direction.
The black model is made from 61% recycled plastic – the other colour options have less recycled material but still over 50% of the build. Plus, the machine uses Lavazza’s A Modo Mio capsules, which are industrially compostable and carbon neutral. You can’t compost them at home but you can add them to your food waste for council collection.
As the name suggests, this is a compact coffee maker, and a good option if space is limited. This does mean that there are a few compromises to be made: the dispensing volume isn’t automatic, the water tank is small at 0.6 litres, and there’s no choice of brewing options. There are also no milk warming or frothing. But it’ll make a very drinkable espresso in around 30 seconds and it couldn’t be easier to use.
If you’re looking for a compact coffee maker for a home office or bedroom, this is definitely one to consider.
Read our full Lavazza A Modo Mio Tiny Eco review
4. Bosch Tassimo Finesse – Best value machine
Pros
- Short heating-up time
- Small countertop footprint
- No splashing
Cons
- Manual loading and discard
- Small 0.7l tank
- Functional design
This pod coffee machine is one of the most compact and easiest to use. Pop in a pod and it reads the barcode and dispenses the correct amount of water automatically. However, its flavour boost function means you can press a button and get a stronger, more intense drink. This gives it an edge over fully automated machines and makes a nice compromise between hands-off and customised coffee.
It has a 0.7 litre tank and a pretty functional design, but buy it in the cream or lupine blue colourway and it has a lot more personality.
Tassimo T-Discs are like Dolce Gusto capsules, in that you can make milky coffee drinks, hot chocolate, tea and specialist coffee drinks thanks to the two pod system (one for coffee, one for milk). This means you’re not limited to black coffee, nor do you have to fuss around with milk frothing. There are coffees from L’Or, Kenco and Costa, and hot chocolate from Cadbury and Milka.
This is a handy little machine but don’t buy it at full price: snap one up on sale.
Read our full Bosch Tassimo Finesse review
5. Lavazza Deséa – Best all-rounder
Pros
- Four coffee length options
- Milk frothing and heating
Cons
- Control panel more complicated than rival machines
The Desea is an attractive, shiny machine with a large chrome lever you use to open the capsule container slot. It comes in three colour options: black, brown and cream. It’s the most comprehensive pod espresso maker that Lavazza offers. You can select from espresso, long espresso, long coffee and free pour – but it also heats and froths milk with an inbuilt beater and milk wand.
This extra functionality means that it’s a bit more complicated to get to grips with than most pod machines but on the other hand, you can make cappuccinos, lattes and more with it, which is unusual among pod machines. It’s quiet in use as well.
It’s not available in the US, but the closest equivalent is Lavazza’s Classy Plus machine.
Read our full Lavazza Deséa review
6. The Morning Coffee Machine – Best independent capsule machine
Pros
- Cup detection
- Can save personal settings
- Pre-programmed recipes
- App and manual control
Cons
- Doesn’t froth milk
- Expensive
If you want the ability to tailor your coffee but not the mess of an espresso machine, this could be for you. The Morning Machine is independently made and offers far more brewing options than rivals from the big brands. Rather than just the standard ristretto, espresso and lungo options, it has a flagship Bloom & Brew setting that pre-wets for a stronger cup, as well as higher temperatures, varying bar pressures (up to 20), and recipes that get the best out of capsules by reproducing drip and filter-style drinks.
It’s a lovely machine as well: pared-back and almost severe in its minimalism, with a high quality build and matching features, including an OLED screen and a scale beneath the cup stand for weighing out coffee. It has smart features as well, with a focus on finessing the coffee output to your taste.
It’s not flawless, however: navigating the menus can be less than intuitive and we found the automatic cup detection to be a bit spotty during testing. Since we tested it, the price has gone up steeply and although we liked it a lot, it’s now harder to recommend.
Read our full The Morning Coffee Machine review
7. Nescafe Dolce Gusto Genio S Plus – Best Dolce Gusto machine
Pros
- Temperature, volume and strength customisation
- Easy-to-read display
- Automatic dispensing setting
Cons
- Water tank at the back isn’t easy to reach
- Dolce Gusto capsules aren’t for everyone
If you’re a fan of sweet, milky or flavoured coffees and hot chocolate, the Dolce Gusto range is the quickest and easiest way to make them. Unusually, Dolce Gusto pods offer mixed drinks. If you buy a box of cappuccino capsules, for example, half of the pods will be milk and half coffee. This means that there’s no need for a separate milk frother.
Of the Dolce Gusto coffee makers, the Genio S Plus is one of the best. It’s compact (27.1 x 27.2 x 11cm), easy to use and best of all, it has more customisation options than any other machine in the range.
You can adjust the water temperature, add an espresso boost, and choose from seven volume options. But you can also opt for the automatic settings, in which case making coffee is as straightforward as can be.
It’s not available in the US, but you can buy the Dolce Gusto Genio 2 , which has a similar design and the same feature set.
Read our full Nescafe Dolce Gusto Genio S Plus review
8. Lavazza A Modo Mio Voicy – Best smart features
Pros
- Built-in Amazon Alexa speaker
- Industrially compostable coffee capsules
- Impressive espresso
Cons
- No milk tank or frother
- Expensive at full price
- Smart coffee options still limited
On the coffee-making side of things, you insert a pod and then choose an espresso or a long drink (and there are two cup tray positions to match). There is no milk frothing option and A Modo Mio capsules are coffee-only. Simple.
The smart features don’t complicate matters either. You can ask Alexa to make you a coffee (once you’ve added a pod and water IRL, so it doesn’t really save you much time or effort) or jump on the app to track your coffee consumption, check your stock of capsules or order more.
But the real benefit of this hybrid appliance is that it’s a space-saving way to bring a smart speaker into your kitchen, without having to find a dedicated spot for it. This means you can play music, check the weather, set timers and more – all while drinking a very nice espresso.
Read our full Lavazza A Modo Mio Voicy review
9. Nespresso Vertuo Plus – Easiest capsule machine to use
Pros
- Auto dispense
- Auto open and close
- Auto capsule ejection
Cons
- No carafe option
- Not easy to move
- No milk tank
If you’re a Nespresso lover, the Vertuo Plus provides a compact, easy way to get your fix. It’s a slim machine (14 x 32 x 43cm), with a 1.8 litre water tank that pivots out from the back so you can refill it easily. It also means you won’t need as deep a countertop spot for it.
Unlike classic Nespresso capsules, Vertuo pods aren’t just espresso-based. You can opt for a big mug of coffee, although you can’t fill a carafe as you can with the Vertuo Next. But it’s all done automatically, with the machine reading a barcode on the pod and pre-wetting, infusing and dispensing the correct amount of water automatically. This means that customisation is limited.
The machine opens and closes automatically as well, in response to a touch to the chrome lever, which is pleasing to use.
Bear in mind that it doesn’t include a milk frother, although you can buy the pint-sized Aeroccino separately.
Read our full Nespresso Vertuo Plus review
10. Nescafe Dolce Gusto Piccolo XS – Best budget Dolce Gusto machine
Pros
- Tiny footprint
- Budget-friendly
Cons
- No automatic volume dispensing, so you have to guesstimate volumes
- Quite noisy
The Piccolo XS is the smallest, simplest and most budget-friendly Dolce Gusto machine. The price has dropped even further since we reviewed it, making this a good option for students or anyone for whom space and cash is an issue.
The only drawback with the Piccolo XS is that it is so simple that it doesn’t even feature automatic volume dispensing. That means you have to control the volume of water using a lever and can’t wander off while your coffee is brewing.
The nature of the Dolce Gusto system also means that making a cappuccino or latte involves going through the process twice: once with a coffee capsule and once with a milk capsule. But it’s still faster than frothing milk separately.
The Piccolo XS can be used to make both hot and cold drinks. It’s not available in the US, but the Piccolo is.
Read our full Nescafe Dolce Gusto Piccolo XS review
Which coffee pods are right for me?
Once you buy a pod coffee machine, you’re tied to that brand of pods for as long as you own the machine. As capsules from different brands can vary hugely, it’s a good idea to start off by finding the kind of coffee you prefer. Here are some pluses and minuses for each brand.
Lavazza A Modo Mio
Pros :
- High quality espressos
- Industrially compostable pods you can dispose of in food waste or return
- 36 varieties
Cons :
- Fewer options than Nescafe/ Nespresso
- Espresso-based drinks only
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Nespresso Vertuo
Pros :
- Espressos and long drinks
- Over 40 varieties
Cons :
- Black coffee only
- You have to return the capsules to recycle them
Emma Rowley / Foundry
Nescafe Dolce Gusto
Pros :
- Milk capsules for mixed drinks
- Cheaper, compatible capsules widely available
- 45 official varieties
- Hot chocolate, tea and Starbucks coffee also available
Cons :
- Very sugary
- You have to return the capsules to recycle them
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Tassimo T Discs
Pros:
- Over 50 options, including coffee from Jacobs, Costa, L’Or, and Kenco
- Milk-based drinks available
- Hot chocolate options from Cadbury and Milka
- Tassimo tea range and decaffeinated coffee options
- Frequent offers on pods
Cons:
- You need to return them to recycle them
Alex Greenwood / Foundry
Keurig
Pros:
- Wide variety of coffee blends and brands, including big names like Starbucks and Dunkin’
- Other drinks, including teas and ciders available
Cons:
- Espresso is not its strong suit
Independent brands
Independent brands can give you high-quality, fresh options but they can be pricier and less widely available than capsules from big brands.
For recommendations across all types of coffee machines, from espresso makers to bean-to-cup machines, have a look at our round-up of the best coffee machines we’ve tested.
Author: Emma Rowley, Deputy Editor, Tech Advisor
Tech Advisor’s Deputy Editor, Emma has been a journalist and copywriter for over 20 years and has been testing and writing about home tech and appliances for seven years. She tries out every appliance she writes about at home, and aims to recommend time- and energy-saving products that will last.
Recent stories by Emma Rowley:
- These are the best cooling fans of 2026
- Roborock’s stair climbing robot vac concept has legs (literally)
- I switched to air fryer cooking for everything and I won’t go back
At a glance
Expert’s Rating
Pros
- Enjoyable and easy to use machine
- Wide variety of capsules, with long drink options
Cons
- Very few options for tailoring your coffee
Our Verdict
If you like capsule coffee, the Vertuo Next is one of the best machines you can buy. It’s attractive, enjoyable to use and makes coffee in around 40 seconds. Get it if you want one-button brewing, especially if you prefer a big mug of coffee. But if you like to tinker with settings, this machine is not for you.
Best Prices Today: Nespresso Vertuo Next
There’s no bigger name in the capsule coffee market than Nespresso. The brand has two types of machine: the classic Nespresso machines, and its newer Vertuo line.
The beverages from the original machines are espresso-based: ristrettos, espressos and lungos. But the Vertuo line was launched in 2014 to offer more range, especially to the North American market, where coffee is traditionally enjoyed in big mugs.
Depending on which pods you buy, the Vertuo line can offer either European-style espresso drinks or longer black coffees – even up to carafe size – making it a more versatile option for many households.
No Vertuo machines have an inbuilt a milk frother and there are no milk-based pods, as in the Nescafe Dolce Gusto line. This is a black coffee-only machine, although Nespresso also makes the Aeroccino , a pint-sized milk heater and frother, which you can find out more about in our review of the Vertuo Plus machine .
Design and features
- One litre water tank
- Can hold ten used capsules
- Lever operation
One of the best things about brewing espresso at home is the pleasure to be had making it. Espresso machines are enjoyably tactile, and the ritual of measuring and tamping is part of the fun.
Nespresso has cleverly recreated these pleasures in the design of the Vertuo Next, which is a joy to use. Release the big, chrome-effect lever on top and the capsule compartment springs open. If there’s a capsule inside, it’s catapulted back and away into the spent capsule reservoir.
Emma Rowley / Foundry
It’s a good looking machine as well – from the front, at least – with a curved, glossy brewing head that comes in a choice of colours including grey, white, red, brown, blue and black. The colour options available depend on your region and whether your machine is a Vertuo Next, a Vertuo Next Premium or a Vertuo Next Deluxe, which has a chrome brewing head.
Emma Rowley / Foundry
They haven’t wasted any time on adorning the sides of the machine though: it’s just featureless, black, matt plastic. It’s narrow at 14.2cm wide, and at only 31.4cm high, you should have plenty of clearance from overhead cabinets. But at 42.9cm, it’s a long appliance that will need a fairly deep counter space to occupy.
It has a clear, cylindrical water tank, with a one litre capacity. Like many machines of this kind, it’s situated at the back. And although you can remove it to fill it from a tap if that’s easier than reaching over the machine with a jug, it’s still not an ideal design, being difficult to get to.
If this is a particular bugbear for you, it’s worth nothing that the Vertuo Plus machine has a water tank that swivels out from the back for easier access.
There are three height options for the drip tray, so you can accommodate anything from an espresso cup to a mug without splashing, and it’s easy to swap drip tray positions.
The used capsules fall into a reservoir which you can access from the side. It can hold ten capsules, which is pretty generous given the machine’s size.
Emma Rowley / Foundry
The controls are very simple: there’s one button, which also acts as an indicator light.
Performance
- Automatic dispense
- 30-second heating time
- One-button operation
Insert the capsule and press the button on top to begin brewing. It takes around 30 seconds to heat up and the coffee symbol on the button will blink.
Once the coffee has started dispensing, you can press it a second time to stop the flow early. Or you can press a second time once it’s finished dispensing, to add more water.
And that’s it. There are no dials to twist or keys to press to alter the strength of the coffee.
You see, the Vertuo Next reads the barcode on the capsule and pre-wets, infuses and dispenses the correct volume of water for each blend, so the entire process is automatic.
However, you can change the way the machine responds to specific capsule types. To do so, put a capsule in the machine and press and hold the button down while it’s dispensing, until you’ve reached your preferred volume. From then on, the machine will use that as the default setting for that type of capsule, unless you return it to its factory settings.
For some people, that’s ideal: press button, get coffee. Couldn’t be simpler. Other people will feel short-changed at not being able to tinker more with settings.
Nespresso Vertuo capsules
- Carafe, mug and espresso sizes available
- Over 40 flavours
- Return to Nespresso for recycling
Because the machine is set up to identify capsules, it’s important that you get the right ones for what you want. Don’t, for example, buy long coffees and imagine you can treat them like espresso. You can add water but you can’t choose to infuse for longer. Each capsule type will not only have a strength and flavour profile but it’ll be associated with a liquid volume. Here are the options:
- Alto (for a carafe or jug of coffee): 14 fl. Oz / 414 ml
- Mug: 7.77 fl. Oz / 230 ml
- Gran lungo: 5.07 fl. / 150 ml
- Double espresso: 2.7 fl. Oz/ 80 ml
- Espresso: 1.35 fl. Oz/ 40 ml
Depending on the machine you buy, you may get an introductory box – like a selection box of coffees – so you can decide which types of capsules you want to buy in the future.
Emma Rowley / Foundry
Don’t forget: you can’t use classic capsules in a Vertuo machine. But there are over 40 varieties of Vertuo capsules available at the moment, from full-bodied espressos to decafs to a limited edition pumpkin spice cake. Capsules cost from around $1.10 to $1.25 in the US or 44p to 82p each i n the UK . You may be able to get deals if you buy in bulk or during sales.
Along with your capsules, you’ll get a recycling bag. When you’ve filled it – it can hold up to 100 capsules – you can drop the bag off at a Nespresso store in the US or the UK. In the UK, you can also opt to have it collected .
Smart features
The Vertuo Next is a connected machine, although you can use all of its functions without downloading the Nespresso app and pairing your machine.
But if you do, you’ll find that the smart functionality has a focus on re-ordering capsules, finding nearby Nespresso shops (or “boutiques” as they prefer) and your nearest recycling points. In other words, it’s all about keeping you connected to Nespresso. But that’s pretty useful as you’re already tied to the brand for the life of the machine via its capsules.
You can also access maintenance and settings information for your machine – although machine information is somewhat tucked away – but you can’t make a coffee remotely, via the app.
Price and availability
Prices for the Vertuo Next can vary a lot, depending on where you buy. There are also three models available: the Vertuo Next, the Vertuo Next Premium and the Vertuo Next Deluxe. The differences between the Next and the Next Premium are subtle, but the Deluxe is recognisably different, thanks to its chrome brewing head.
Some machines may also be bundled with pods – or even an Aeroccino milk frother. So, when you’re buying, make sure you check what you’re getting. Depending on what you want, it may be more cost-effective to opt for a bundle.
In the US, the Vertuo Next is available from Nespresso for $169, the Vertuo Next Premium for $179 and the Vertuo Next Deluxe for $199. You may get a better deal elsewhere but you can browse all available colour options on the Nespresso site, so it’s worth a visit.
If you’re in the UK, you can currently get a bundle deal on a machine, Aeroccino and £75 off coffee pods: the Vertuo Next bundle is £149, the Vertuo Next Premium is £179 and the Vertuo Next Deluxe is £199. All are available in the full range of colours.
Verdict
If you like the ease and convenience of a pod coffee machine, the Vertuo Next is one of the best around. It’s attractive, pleasurable and simple to use and there’s a huge variety of capsule blends and flavours to choose from. If you like adjusting your coffee settings, however, this machine isn’t for you.
Best Prices Today: Nespresso Vertuo Next
Author: Emma Rowley, Deputy Editor, Tech Advisor
Tech Advisor’s Deputy Editor, Emma has been a journalist and copywriter for over 20 years and has been testing and writing about home tech and appliances for seven years. She tries out every appliance she writes about at home, and aims to recommend time- and energy-saving products that will last.
Recent stories by Emma Rowley:
- These are the best cooling fans of 2026
- Roborock’s stair climbing robot vac concept has legs (literally)
- I switched to air fryer cooking for everything and I won’t go back
