The best rated coffee pod machines from our tests

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. 

They’re a convenient choice 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. 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.

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’ve 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.

“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 to consider apart from the cost of the machine itself and its features 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.

Only CHOICE members can access our detailed testing data. If you’re not yet a member, join CHOICE to get instant access to all our expert, independent reviews, from coffee machines and grinders, to kettles and cots, toasters and TVs, and more. 

Or log in to unlock this article and find out which coffee pod machines deliver the best taste and overall performance.

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Pru Engel

Pru Engel is the Audience and engagement editor at CHOICE. Her job is to ensure as many Australians as possible know about the great work we do at CHOICE.  She works closely with our testers and experts to find the gems of information in our data and research that will resonate with Australian consumers and help them make the best decisions, whether they're purchasing an air fryer, looking for a new mattress or trying to find the cheapest car insurance. She also helps to drive meaningful change for consumers by collaborating with our Campaings team on content covering issues such as product safety and scams.  Prior to CHOICE, Pru worked as an editor at many of Australia's leading food and lifestyle titles.  Pru has a Bachelor of Arts in Communication (Journalism) from the University of Technology, Sydney. Find Pru on LinkedIn.

Pru Engel is the Audience and engagement editor at CHOICE. Her job is to ensure as many Australians as possible know about the great work we do at CHOICE.  She works closely with our testers and experts to find the gems of information in our data and research that will resonate with Australian consumers and help them make the best decisions, whether they're purchasing an air fryer, looking for a new mattress or trying to find the cheapest car insurance. She also helps to drive meaningful change for consumers by collaborating with our Campaings team on content covering issues such as product safety and scams.  Prior to CHOICE, Pru worked as an editor at many of Australia's leading food and lifestyle titles.  Pru has a Bachelor of Arts in Communication (Journalism) from the University of Technology, Sydney. Find Pru on LinkedIn.

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Rebecca Ciaramidaro

Rebecca Ciaramidaro is a Content producer in the Household team at CHOICE. Rebecca writes about a wide range of children's and household products, ranging from cots and strollers to ovens, BBQs, espresso machines and electric blankets. And also grocery items such as nappies, sanitary pads and laundry detergents. Previously at CHOICE, Rebecca worked as a  Test officer in the kitchen lab. Rebecca has a Bachelor of Science (Nutrition and Food) from the University of Western Sydney. Find Rebecca on LinkedIn.

Rebecca Ciaramidaro is a Content producer in the Household team at CHOICE. Rebecca writes about a wide range of children's and household products, ranging from cots and strollers to ovens, BBQs, espresso machines and electric blankets. And also grocery items such as nappies, sanitary pads and laundry detergents. Previously at CHOICE, Rebecca worked as a  Test officer in the kitchen lab. Rebecca has a Bachelor of Science (Nutrition and Food) from the University of Western Sydney. Find Rebecca on LinkedIn.