The best pod coffee machines provide a convenient route to your morning (or afternoon) cuppa. More often than not, pod coffee is going to taste better than instant coffee too (yes, we know that's subjective) but ultimately, your home is going to be better off with a pod coffee machine in the kitchen.
But not all pod coffee machines are created equal, and you’ll find the vast range of options will have various features, such as the maximum cup size they can produce, whether they have the inherent ability to froth milk and how big their water tank is.
When you’re shopping for a pod coffee machine, you’ll want to have a checklist of factors to consider that will best meet your needs and which fit within your budget. Do you want to just produce single espresso shots, or would you like to brew double espresso? It’s also wise to investigate the ongoing cost of buying new coffee pods for whatever type of machine you’re considering – as pod types and pod brands vary a lot – not to mention the physical size of the machine and whether it will fit on your countertop.
To help you choose, we’ve assessed the current top options and picked out what we believe to be the best overall pod coffee machine below, along with some alternative picks further down the page.
The best pod coffee machine in Australia
RRP: $349
Release date: November 2020
Why we recommend the Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg
Offering the best overall package of design, great-tasting coffee and affordability, the Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is a worthy addition to any caffeine-lover’s countertop. It may be more simple in its feature set, but this works to its advantage as it means there’s very little in the way of learning required. Just pop a Lavazza pod in, press a button and you’re done.
Expert consensus
The Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is a few years old now, yet it still features on many ‘best’ lists, which should tell you all you need to know. This is a great pod coffee machine that does the basics incredibly well. Many experts not only praise its handsome looks – you’d be surprised how much of a difference having a looker in your kitchen can make – but its ease of use, too.
Top this off with coffee capsules that many consider to be better tasting than those you get from Nespresso, and you have the recipe for a perfect brew every single time.
You do need to make sure you get Lavazza’s A Modo Mio coffee capsules for this machine – the coffee roaster also makes pods that are compatible with original Nespresso machines – and fortunately there is a vast selection to choose from. Better yet, you can usually find a generous selection in most supermarkets, so there’s no need to visit dedicated boutique stores or buy them online. Lavazza Eco capsules are also biodegradable, minimising their harmful effects on the environment.
By default, the Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg brews just two sizes of coffee: short and long, but if you have a particular cup at home you want to fill perfectly, just place it under the nozzle, let the coffee run through while holding the button of the size you want to reprogram and release it when your cup is filled just right. Super simple.
The only real downside to the Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is the lack of any milk frothing capabilities. This is purely an espresso machine. Lavazza has a couple of milk frothers available for separate purchase, or Smeg has its own model too, which is more in keeping with the overall aesthetic.
Sources: T3 (5/5) | Real Homes (4/5)
How much should you pay for the Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg?
The Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg can usually be found on the receiving end of a discount, so not only would we not recommend paying full price, you’re highly unlikely to need to. At retailers such as The Good Guys, we’ve seen it available for around $249 and you’ll occasionally get to take advantage of a price beat discount, which brings its price down even further.
Live price check
You can find the top three prices for the Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg below. Compare more Australian prices for the Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg on Getprice.
Other pod coffee machines to consider
Nespresso Vertuo Plus
RRP: $329
Best Nespresso pod coffee machine
Nespresso is practically synonymous with pod coffee machines and there is a plethora of models to choose from. The pick of the bunch would have to be the Nespresso Vertuo Plus as it offers a highly capable, yet affordable entry into the world of Nespresso. Using the Vertuo pods – which come in sizes from single espresso through to much larger 414ml Gran Lungo – it intelligently knows what size you’ve put in thanks to a barcode system, and so dispenses the right amount of water, heated to the right temperature every single time. It can’t do milk as a standalone machine, but Nespresso’s optional Aeroccino milk frother is available to buy separately for such a task.
- Compare Nespresso Vertuo Plus prices on Getprice
The Morning Machine
RRP: $599
Best pod coffee machine for true coffee lovers
Serving up a level of customisation not normally seen on a pod coffee machine, the Morning Machine is almost unrivalled in its approach to how it delivers your morning cup o' joe. With an extensive list of partnerships with local and international coffee roasters, you’ll have no trouble discovering some truly delicious coffees. It’s a handsome beast too and has a companion app that opens you up to the aforementioned customisation. For some, this may be too much: either they don’t need it or won’t know how to use it, but if you consider yourself both tech savvy and a coffee aficionado, the Morning Machine could be the perfect addition to your morning routine.
- Compare The Morning Machine prices on Getprice
Lavazza A Modo Mio Jolie Plus
RRP: $149
Best budget pod coffee machine
If you want access to Lavazza’s great-tasting range of coffee capsules but want to spend as little as possible for the privilege, the A Modo Mio Jolie Plus perfectly fits the bill. You get options to pour short or long espresso, and you can even override the preset water dosages and get it to pour your desired preference. It’s unbelievably simple to use, takes up very little space on the countertop and comes in a range of colours.
- Compare Lavazza A Modo Mio Jolie Plus prices on Getprice
