10 Best Pod Coffee Machines UK 2023

The Nespresso CitiZ & Milk is the upgraded older sibling of the Essenza Mini. One of the best fully automated machines for barista-style pod coffee at home, the integrated Aeroccino milk frother lets users create the perfect macchiato or cappuccino at the touch of a button.

Best of all, when you purchase this machine from Amazon or John Lewis Nespresso generously include a sample pack of 14 pods to get you started, including their signature roast, decaf and vanilla-flavour roast. And it's compatible with reusable pods. What more could you want?

The Lavazza A Modo Mio Desea is the pod machine for those who love to customise their drinks. It comes with optional heat settings, three different pre-programmed coffee doses and a free dose setting that lets you take control of the strength and temperature of your drink.

In the mood for a latte? This machine has five different milk recipes to choose from! To save on space, there is no separate milk frothing jug. Instead, just swap out the spout with the milk frother head and pour milk to the level indicated on the glass mug that comes included.

The Bosch Tassimo Vivy combines some of the best features of the Suny and the Happy to bring you a fantastic coffee pod machine to complement any space. It offers one button operation, a generous 0.7 litre water tank and automatic cleaning, all inside a streamlined case.

While this one won’t be particularly suited to those who like to customise their drinks, it's nonetheless another good option for those seeking a machine that’s simple to use without any overly complicated features. 

One of the most innovative designs out there, the Nescafé Dolce Gusto Genio S Plus looks less like a coffee machine and more like a work of art. If you’re looking for a pod machine to complement modern home décor, this may be the one for you.

Looks aside, the digital touch screen and discrete pod mechanism make this machine almost deceptively straightforward to use. Surprisingly, it can also hold just under 1 litre of water for minimal refilling with moderate use, and eco-friendly reusable pods can be used. 

The Nespresso Essenza Mini is a great choice for those looking for a small and simple to use coffee pod machine. Almost as easy to operate as a kettle, the Essenza Mini heats water to the optimal temperature each time and automatically ejects pods once the cycle is finished.

Despite the lack of user options, this machine is by no means limited. It’s compatible with the full range of Nespresso pods and gives users the option of two cup sizes for more than enough variation.

Craving an Italian roast, but don’t want the hassle of a traditional espresso machine? The Lavazza A Modo Mio Jolie Plus is our top pick for espresso and espresso-based drinks. This machine is not only quiet and elegant in appearance, but uses just the right water temperature and pressure for an exquisite espresso, every time.

While we wouldn’t recommend this one for other hot beverages such as tea or hot chocolate, it does come with an integrated milk frother for making milky coffees like cappuccino and macchiato. 

One of the downsides of using a coffee pod machine is waiting between cycles for the water tank to heat up. With the Tassimo Happy, there's no delay between each cup – once a cycle has completed, it’s instantly ready to go again. Which is ideal when preparing hot beverages for multiple people!

This machine utilises one-touch operation, so you won’t have to configure different settings to get the perfect drink. However, to adjust for different cup sizes, you will need to move the drip tray platform up and down manually.

The Nespresso Lattissima Touch comes with six pre-programmed one-touch recipes for effortless coffee making. The intuitive user interface means you simply need to press a button to brew up espresso, lungo, cappuccino, latte, macchiato or hot milk in an instant.

If you like your milk a particular way, you can manually regulate the milk frother to vary the texture and taste. Once you’re done, make sure to detach the milk container and store in the fridge to keep it fresh for your next cup. A splurge, but a worthy one for the features!

The Bosch Tassimo Suny is one of the easiest pod coffee machines to use. Simply pop a Tassimo T-disc in the drawer, press your cup against the SmartStart button between the drip tray and the spout, and enjoy instant brewing in seconds!

This machine is not just a breeze to use, but easy to clean, too. With each purchase of the Tassimo Suny, you will receive a service T-disc pod. Just insert it in the same way as you would a drink pod to activate the automatic descaling process, ensuring crisp and clear-tasting drinks.

While prices do vary, you’ll often be able to find a good deal for the Nescafé Dolce Gusto Jovia online. Despite the size, it’s pretty powerful with 15 bar pump pressure, so you’re sure to get the perfect espresso every time.

We'd say it's a good option for small kitchens and those with limited space, particularly as its unusual elongated alien-egg shape means it's able to hold up to 0.8 litres of water without being too deep or wide.