Edd Kinyua
Are you looking for the best pod espresso machine you can get?
Do you want a hassle free, mess free device that produces delicious espressos at home with just the touch of a button?
Then this guide is right for you.
Let’s face it, not all of us have the time or energy to grind our own beans, tamp them just right, and pull a shot of espresso every morning. That’s where ESE POD espresso machines come in. These machines use pre-packaged espresso pods to make a quick and easy cup of espresso that’s just as delicious as the real thing.
But with so many options out there, how do you choose the best ESE POD espresso machine for your needs? As a fellow coffee enthusiast, I’ve tried my fair share of ESE POD machines and have narrowed down the top contenders. So, whether you’re a busy professional who needs a quick caffeine fix or a home barista looking for a convenient way to make espresso, I’ve got you covered. Let’s dive into the best ESE POD espresso machines on the market!
Table of Contents
What Are ESE Coffee Pods?
Let me make this easier for you, ESE stands for Easy Serving Espresso, and these pods are pre-packaged servings of espresso that are designed to work with ESE POD espresso machines. Think of them like tea bags, but for coffee. The pods are filled with precisely measured amounts of ground coffee, which is compressed into a small, round shape that fits perfectly into the ESE POD machine.
When you insert the pod and turn on the machine, hot water is forced through the pod, extracting the coffee and creating a perfect shot of espresso. ESE pods are a convenient and easy way to make espresso at home or in the office, without the hassle of grinding and tamping your own beans. Plus, they come in a variety of flavors and strengths, so you can find the perfect pod to suit your taste preferences.
Why a Pod Machine is a Great Investment
Pod/Capsule espresso machines are rapidly becoming more popular with coffee lovers who want to enjoy a great tasting espresso, cappuccino or latte at home, without a lot of hassle.
That’s because these types of devices offer what other espresso maker’s do not – convenience.
You see, pod machines operate by using pre-ground, pre-measured packets of coffee, commonly referred to as “pods” or “capsules.” In order to brew a cup, all you have to do is insert a pod into the machine, touch a button and within seconds you’ll be enjoying a delicious drink.
What’s great about these pod espresso makers is that you get to skip the hassle of grinding your own beans and tamping them into a portafilter. This process takes time, can be messy and if the beans are not ground precisely at the same level, it will affect the final taste of the drink.
Also, it takes many home brewers months, if not years to craft a signature stamp on their espressos. Water pressure, temperature and other small nuances vastly affect the final outcome of each drink.
Brewing a great espresso with a semi-automatic machine takes a lot of work and patience!
With a pod machine, you don’t have to worry about any of that. You get a great tasting cup of espresso each and every time you push that button!
But, how do you go about getting the right pod machine? How do you sift through all of the different types in order to find the best one?
Well, that’s why this free guide was created – to help you find the best espresso machine that fits your particular needs.
So, let’s now move onto the reviews below so you can find the espresso maker that’s right for you.
Reviews of the Best Pod Espresso Machine
Our #1 Recommendation | De’Longhi America EN750MB Nespresso Lattissima Pro Machine
I’m always on the lookout for the next best thing when it comes to espresso machines. And let me tell you, the De’Longhi America EN750MB Nespresso Lattissima Pro Machine is a game-changer. This machine is the perfect combination of convenience and quality, with its easy-to-use ESE POD system and impressive milk frothing capabilities.
For a pod machine, it doesn’t get any better than this.
This device is jam packed with so many great features it’s hard to know where to start. In fact, most home baristas consider this the Cadillac of espresso machines that use pod/capsule technology.
What’s great about this machine is that while it’s a De’Longhi brand machine, it uses Nespresso brand pods/capsules.
That means you get the high quality precision of a De’Longhi product along with the best flavored coffee packets. In fact, Nespresso offers 22 different coffee blends. When you take this number into consideration and add in the fact that this devices offers an infinite number of water-to-bean ratios, milk proportions and foam thicknesses, you’ll discover that this machine has endless flavor possibilities.
Another great feature of this machine is that is only takes 25 seconds to brew a cup of espresso. That’s amazingly fast! On top of that, what really makes this machine stand out is the quality of the espresso it produces. The ESE POD system ensures that each shot is perfectly measured and extracted, resulting in a rich, flavorful espresso that rivals any coffee shop.
What also sets this pod espresso machine apart from other competitors is its intuitive touch sensor display, milk froth texture adjustment knob and removable milk container with auto-clean function. And the milk frother is a dream come true, creating perfectly frothed milk with just the touch of a button. Also, the machine features six pre-programmed drink options, including cappuccino, latte macchiato, and espresso, so you can customize your drink to your liking
Other reasons why this De’Longhi America EN750MB is our top pick are:
- Brushed aluminum finish
- Outstanding 19-bar pump pressure for rich, frothy crema
- Takes only 25 seconds to heat up for espresso, plus an additional 15 seconds for milk
- Sensor touch display
- Milk froth texture adjustment knob
- Detachable milk container so you can store unused milk in the refrigerator for future use; also has an auto-clean function
- Choose among 6 pre-programmed drinks (ristretto, espresso, lungo, cappuccino, latte, hot milk and hot water function for tea and hot cocoa)
- Built-in storage for used pods/capsules
- Chrome plated cup support that adjusts for the height of the cup
Overall, I highly recommend the De’Longhi America EN750MB Nespresso Lattissima Pro Machine to any coffee lover looking for a convenient and high-quality way to make espresso at home.
#2 Best Choice | Nespresso CitiZ with Milk Frother
(Note: If you don’t care about having a milk frother, you can get the standard Nespresso CitiZ for $160.)
What I love most about this machine is its compact size. It fits perfectly on my countertop and doesn’t take up too much space. The design is sleek and modern, and the machine is easy to clean.
This is another top contending pod device with its sleek, modern design that would look great in any kitchen.
Packing a 19-bar pump pressure system it delivers some of the richest tasting espresso you can get out of a capsule.
It also contains an removable Aeroccino milk frother to create a multitude of different styles of coffee drinks. When not in use, you can store it in the refrigerator.
The only downside is that the water tank is a bit small, so you’ll have to refill it frequently if you’re making multiple drinks since it holds 1-liter of water. An energy saving mode also shuts the machine off after 9 minutes of inactivity.
So, why did we rank it #2? For three reasons:
- The housing is cheaper quality that our #1 recommendation, however you can choose between black, red or titanium
- The Aeroccino milk frother only heats milk up to about 150 degrees, so mixed drinks are not as piping hot as you may like them to be
- It lacks a touch panel display
However, don’t let that stop you from considering the Nespresso CitiZ with Milk Frother. Some positive features include:
- 19-bar pump pressure for outstanding espresso crema
- 1-liter (34-ounces) removable water reservoir and drip tray for easy cleaning
- Fast preheating time; 25 seconds
- Used pod collector
- Programmable beverage quantity
- Aeroccino milk frother allows brewing of all types of drinks and is removable to store in refrigerator
- Pivoting cup tray accommodates tall recipe glasses
- Energy saving mode activates after 9 minutes of inactivity
#3 Top Pod Espresso Machine | Nespresso Pixie C60 Espresso Maker
You may be wondering, why did another Nespresso product make it to the top 3 list? What’s the difference between this product and the CitiZ?
Well, these two pod espresso machines are actually very similar, but this device doesn’t include a milk frother.
Since I am always on the go, the Nespresso Pixie C60 Espresso Maker has become my go-to machine. This compact and stylish machine is perfect for those who want to enjoy a delicious cup of espresso without taking up too much space in their kitchen.
The ESE POD system is easy to use and produces consistently good espresso every time. And with a heat-up time of just 25 seconds, I can have my caffeine fix in no time. The machine also has a programmable cup size, so I can customize my drink to my liking.
What I love most about this machine is its portability. It’s small enough to take with me on trips, so I can always enjoy a good cup of espresso no matter where I am.
If you see yourself as only enjoying straight espresso capsules with a dab of fresh milk, then this would be the best option for you. However, if you’d like the option to brew cappuccinos, lattes, etc. you’ll want the CitiZ with milk frother.
It’s important to point out that there’s a version of the Pixie C60 that does come with a milk frother, however it’s an external accessory to the machine. And, when you look at the total price, your at around $279. For the money, it’s a better value to get the CitiZ with milk frother.
Other key features that make this espresso machine stand out are:
- 19-bar pressure pump for maximum extraction of flavor
- Fully automatic brewing
- Two buttons allow you to select the shot size (1-ounce pour or 2- to 3-ounce pour)
- Used pods are ejected into an internal receptacle
- Drip tray can flip up to accommodate larger cup sizes
- Heats up in 25 to 30 seconds
- Programmable to brew for a specific duration based on your taste preference
- Comes in three stylish colors/styles: Electric Titan, Chrome, Indigo, Aluminum, Black and Red
I hope this guide was beneficial in helping you find the best pod espresso machine for your home. Each product does deliver amazing quality espresso drinks, but hopefully one device will fit your needs better than the others.
I highly recommend the De’Longhi America EN750MB Nespresso Lattissima Pro Machine for its convenience and quality, the Nespresso CitiZ with Milk Frother for its compact size and reliability, and the Nespresso Pixie C60 Espresso Maker for its portability and ease of use.
Final Verdict
Choosing the best ESE POD espresso machine comes down to personal preference and lifestyle. Whether you’re a busy professional who needs a quick caffeine fix or a home barista looking for a convenient way to make espresso, there’s an ESE POD machine out there that’s perfect for you.
Whichever machine you choose, make sure to experiment with different ESE POD flavors and strengths to find the perfect cup of espresso for you. And remember, making espresso at home should be a fun and enjoyable experience, so don’t be afraid to get creative and try new things. Cheers to a delicious cup of espresso!
