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

Once you pod, you just can't stop.
Two cups of coffee on a wooden table with a bowl of breakfast cereal. Someone lifts one of the mugs out of frame.Image: Getty Images

For many of us, a morning coffee at home is a non-negotiable. There was once a time when we had to rely on instant coffee. Thankfully, those days are long behind us. Now, there’s an at-home coffee machine for every skill level and price point. Our favourites have to be coffee pod machines.

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Easy to use and minus the mess of ground granules that other coffee machines can involve, you simply pop in a coffee pod or capsule and press a button for your piping hot, golden liquid to stream out into your cup. Oh, that rich aroma of espresso just as you’re waking up. There’s no better feeling than sitting outside in the morning sunshine with a steaming hot cup of coffee on your coffee table.

Many coffee capsule machines also come with a milk frother but if they don’t, you can easily buy one to go with it. They froth milk almost as well as your local barista. Just add a tasty homemade breaky.

Which coffee pod machine is the best? Well, there’s certainly a myriad to choose from. For many years Nespresso has been a leader in the space, with their slick machines and trendy capsules in every flavour and intensity level you can dream of. Now, there’s a whole range of brands doing coffee capsule machines. We’ve got a round-up of the best on the market now.

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2024’s TOP COFFEE POD MACHINES

  1. De’Longhi Nespresso Citiz & Milk System EN267BAE, $299, Bing Lee (here’s why)
  2. De’Longhi Essenza Mini Capsule Coffee Machine in White EN85WAE, $271, Appliances Online (here’s why)
  3. Nespresso ENV300B Vertuo Lattissima Coffee Machine in Black, $699, David Jones (here’s why)

The best coffee pod machines 2024

01

De’Longhi Nespresso Citiz & Milk System EN267BAE

$299, Bing Lee

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:

02

De’Longhi Essenza Mini Capsule Coffee Machine in White EN85WAE

$271 (usually $309), Appliances Online

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

03

Nespresso ENV300B Vertuo Lattissima Coffee Machine in Black

$699 (usually $779), David Jones

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:

04

Breville Creatista Plus Nespresso Coffee Machine Stainless Steel

$799, Betta

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:

05

Morning Coffee Capsule Machine in White

$669.99, MyDeal

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.

06

Homemaid 3-in-1 Coffee Multi Capsule Pod Machine CM511HM

$189, Myer

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:

07

Bodum Bistro Electric Milk Frother 500W Black 11902-01AUS

$119, Myer

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

08

Breville BEC250BLK Essenza Mini Bundle Nespresso Coffee Machine

$265 (usually $309), Appliances Online

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.
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couple-enjoying-coffee-dining-room
Leigh and Gary enjoy a cup of coffee in their dining area. (Photographer: Mindi Cooke / Styling: Kylie Jackes)

Are pod coffee machines any good?

We can answer this with a resounding ‘yes’. We might even argue they’re superior to other coffee machines as the coffee granules are precisely portioned and contained in neat little pouches so there’s less mess, fuss and cleaning involved. With the huge variety of pods on offer, you can choose whatever flavour you feel like on the day and even go for decaf if you like. The versatility that pod machines offer is unparalleled when it comes to at-home coffees. Plus, with the quality and smoothness of milk frothing today’s machines can do, you’re getting pretty close to a barista-made experience.

Can you use any coffee pods in any coffee machine?

You can’t necessarily use any coffee pods in any coffee machine so be sure to check what the make is compatible with. In saying that, many pods and capsules are designed to mimic the popular Nespresso-style capsules (although even they have a few different types now) so many machines will work with a variety of pod brands. It’s definitely worth double-checking with the brand or supplier first before purchasing a machine if that’s important to you. Be sure your machine does take the type of pod you have before popping it in to avoid any technical mishaps.



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