The best coffee pod machines to put some pep in your step

Best for: All-in-one coffee and frother

I personally have this machine and it’s been going strong for more than a decade. It’s been through years in a tiny rental apartment to moving into our first house and having two children. So you know it’s had a workout! We’ve even brought it along on holidays. We’ve used it every day, often multiple times a day and I honestly can’t fault it. I like my coffee HOT and this machine nails it. It’s easy to use, with a quick warm-up time. You just put in the pod and press one of two buttons depending on whether you like a single (40ml) or double shot (110ml). It comes with the milk frother attached which is simple to use. Pour milk in, press the button and it’ll whip it into warm, frothy goodness in seconds to add to your shot of coffee.

Key features:

• 277 height, 218 width, 372 depth (mm).
• Fast heat-up time.
• Suitable for Nespresso or Nespresso-compatible capsules.
• Integrated milk frother for creamy cappuccinos and lattes.
• Available in Black or White.

Also available at:

• $299 from Catch.

Best for: Compact size

This has all of the beauty and performance of a De’Longhi coffee pod machine but on a more compact scale. It comes in at 5cm shorter and almost 5cm less deep than the De’Longhi Nespresso Citiz & Milk System, which is helpful if you want to use less bench space. It comes with a separate milk frother so it can be stored in a cupboard when not in use.

Key features:

• 205 height, 110 width, 325 depth (mm).
• White finish on machine body.
• Comes with a separate milk frother.
• Suitable for Nespresso or Nespresso-compatible pods.
• Available in Black or White.

Also available at:

• $262.65 (usually $309) from Myer

Best for: Hands-free luxury

True to the Nespresso brand, this machine is premium quality and can be expected to hold up to rigorous use. A step up from more basic machines, it has an extensive range of functionalities and you barely need to lift a finger with the self-pouring milk. There are six black coffee sizes (Espresso, Double Espresso, Gran Lungo, Mug/Coffee, Alto and Carafe) and three milk options (Tasty Cappuccino, Latte Macchiato and Extra Hot Foam), so you can tailor your coffee to your exact tastes. Four coffee pod sizes mean even more options for the most elevated at-home coffee experience.

Key features:

• Six black coffee sizes (40ml, 80ml, 150ml, 230ml, 355ml, 535ml).
• Four Nespresso coffee pod sizes.
• Integrated milk frother with three milk options (cappuccino, latte and hot foam).
• Wi-Fi and Bluetooth technology for automatic software updates.

Also available at:

• $649 from De’Longhi

Best for: Classic meets modern

If your heart is set on a more traditional-style coffee machine to use at home, this is a beautiful option. It’s designed in classic stainless steel and has a steam wand that you place into a jug to froth the milk, just as baristas do. Yet it has all the convenience that comes with using coffee pods, rather than ground beans. Consider this your modern version of a cafe-quality at-home coffee machine.

Key features:

• Three programmable cup sizes (25ml, 40ml, 11oml).
• Steam wand for professional-style milk frothing.
• 310 height, 171 width, 408 depth (mm).
• 11 milk temperatures and eight milk texture options.
• Three second heat-up time.

Also available at:

• $949 from Breville

Best for: Next-level barista capabilities

Key features:

This Morning Coffee Capsule Machine comes very highly rated by one of our team members. It’s next-level when it comes to tailoring your coffee to come out exactly how you like it. It lets you control the water temperature and pressure that runs through the capsule for the ultimate flavour profile. It even lets you pre-infuse the pod! Once you’ve found the perfect levels for your morning coffee, you can set it so the machine does that for you every time. You can do the same for other household members too.

• Water temperature control (between 75 to 98 degrees Celsius)
• Algorithm to dictate the pressure and intervals water passes through capsule for perfect coffee.
• Easy-to-use interface.
• 255 height, 102 width, 402 depth (mm)
• Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity with Morning Coffee mobile app.

Best for: Simple efficiency

If you’re after something more affordable that will get the job done, this coffee capsule machine has you covered. It’s compatible with a variety of capsule brands and also has the option to use ground beans. There are two pre-programmed cup sizes which can be chosen with the two buttons on top. It doesn’t come with a milk frother so this will need to be purchased separately.

Key features:

• Multi-capsule compatibility.
• Coffee granule compatibility.
• 250 height, 110 width, 270 depth (mm)
• Manual or automatic stop for coffee pour.

Also available at:

• $159 from Big W

Best for: Frothing milk

It might not be a coffee capsule machine, but it could be a good addition to one if the choice you go with doesn’t come with a frother. Much like many of the ones that do come attached or part of the package, you simply pour the milk in and press the button for it to warm and froth into a silky consistency. It’s easy to rinse out and very portable if you want to take it anywhere with you.

Key features:

• Froths milk to around 70 degrees Celsius.
• Non-stick interior for durability and easy cleaning.
• Froths any type of milk.

Also available at:

• $79.95 (usually $124.95) from MyDeal

Best for: The ultimate combo

This Breville coffee pod machine and Nespresso Aeroccino milk frother is such a great little combo. It hits the sweet spot for looking stylish while also having all the functionality you need in a daily coffee machine. The machine heats up in 25 seconds and offers a choice between Espresso (single shot) or Lungo (double shot). The milk frother gets the consistency smooth and creamy every time and is easy to rinse clean.

Key features:

• 204 height, 84 width, 330 depth (mm)
• Comes with separate Aeroccino Milk Frother.
• Heats up in 25 seconds.
• Energy-saving feature conserves energy when not in use.