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Best pod and capsule coffee machines in Australia

We read hundreds of customer reviews to find the 6 best pod coffee machines you can buy online.

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Susannah Hardy
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The best pod and capsule coffee machines in Australia

How did we pick this list?

Our editorial team chose the products on this list based on actual customer reviews from a range of websites such as Amazon Australia, Product Review, The Good Guys and Harvey Norman. For each category, we carefully selected parameters based on our research and identified the pod coffee machines with the highest review score within those parameters.

Read more detail on our methodology below.

Magimix Nespresso Vertuo Plus M600

Best overall pod coffee machine

Magimix Nespresso Vertuo Plus M600
Image: Supplied/Finder

Not yet rated

Pros

  • Large water tank
  • Can be purchased with milk frother

Cons

  • Standard Nespresso pods not compatible
  • Milk frother sold separately

Why we chose it

We selected the Magimix Nespresso Vertuo Plus as the best overall pod coffee machine because it has a 4.6 out of 5 star rating on Amazon Australia from over 460 online reviews.

The Vertuo is a great all-rounder that offers variety, reliability and of course excellent coffee. The thing to note is that it has a different system to standard Nespresso machines and uses different pods, which are larger in size. This gives you much more versatility than most pod coffee machines as you can vary your cup sizes between espresso 40ml, double espresso 80ml, gran lungo 150ml, coffee 230ml and Alto 414ml.

The machine is simple to operate with on-button brewing. Plus, it has an automatic off mode that kicks in after nine minutes of not using it. It features a large 1.8-litre water tank that can be positioned at the back or side, depending on your bench space. It also has a large used capsule bin that holds up to 13 pods. The milk frother is a separate purchase, however even with that included, it's not too much of an outlay.

Philips L'OR Barista Latte LM8014/60

Best cheap pod coffee machine

Philips L'OR Barista Latte LM8014/60
Image: Supplied/Finder

Not yet rated

Pros

  • Great value for money
  • Choice of single or double shots

Cons

  • Position of nozzle doesn't suit all cup sizes
  • Only black with no choice of colour

Why we chose it

We chose the Philips L'OR Barista Latte LM8014/60 for the best budget pick as it has a 4.7 out of 5 star rating across a number of websites including Product Review, Philips and Appliances Online.

Pod coffee machines range from $100 or less to as high as $800, so this machine sits nicely at the lower end of the scale. As well as being affordable, it's also versatile with the ability to brew two single expressos at the same time, or one double espresso in one cup.

With 19 bars of pressure, it produces good quality coffee and is compatible with most types of pods. It also looks incredibly sleek and stylish, an asset to any kitchen bench. Most importantly, according to many online customers, it offers excellent value for money.

De'Longhi Nespresso Lattissima One

Best mid-range coffee machine

De'Longhi Nespresso Lattissima One
Image: Supplied/Finder

Not yet rated

Pros

  • Sleek stylish look
  • Milk frother attached

Cons

  • Some found it difficult to clean
  • Some found the milk container small in size

Why we chose it

For the best mid-range pod coffee machine, we selected the De'Longhi Nespresso Lattissima One as it scored a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars on Amazon Australia from 775 online reviews.

This machine is well priced, sitting right in the middle of the range and is effective and easy to use. With its Thermoblock heating system, the machine heats up in just 25 seconds. Then you just click on one of the three backlit buttons to choose your type of coffee. Meanwhile, the single-serve automatic milk system froths the perfect amount of milk with no waste.

An auto power-off function turns the machine off after nine minutes of not being used. And this can be altered to 30 minutes or 8 hours. Small and compact, this machine fits neatly in your kitchen, yet is still big enough to house a 1-litre removable tank and a used capsule container, holding up to 8-12 capsules.

This machine is a convenient way to have your cafe-style coffee at home and many customers have made favourable comments on the size of the machine, quality and value for money.

How do Australians rate DeLonghi's Coffee Machines?

97% of surveyed Australians recommend DeLonghi
4.5
Overall rating
4.3
Value for Money
4.4
Ease of Cleaning
4.6
Features and Functions
4.5
Performance
How DeLonghi compares

In the 2021 Finder Retail Awards, we surveyed over 8,000 Australians about their retail purchases to discover which were their favourite brands across 9 product categories.

For Coffee Machines, DeLonghi was ranked 1 for overall rating, 3 for value for money, 1 for ease of cleaning, 1 for features and functions, 2 for performance.

6 brands were rated across these decision criteria.

Breville Nespresso Creatista Plus Coffee Machine

Best premium pod coffee machine

Breville Nespresso Creatista Plus Coffee Machine
Image: Supplied/Finder

Not yet rated

Pros

  • Top quality machine
  • Offers a range of coffee options

Cons

  • Expensive price tag
  • Some find the machine a little noisy

Why we chose it

For the best premium pod coffee machine, we chose the Breville Nespresso Creatista Plus because it has an average rating of 4.6 from over 400 reviews across a number of websites including Myer, The Good Guys, Harvey Norman and Product Review.

This beautifully designed machine has a lot to offer, with its stylish appearance that doesn't even look like a regular pod machine. It is extremely user friendly with a choice of seven different recipes to suit your personal taste.

It heats up in three seconds and with 19 bar pump pressure, the coffee is full of flavour. The bonus of a steam wand means you can froth your milk. And with eight milk textures to choose from and eleven milk temperatures, you have considerable control over your morning cup of coffee.

How do Australians rate Breville's Coffee Machines?

91% of surveyed Australians recommend Breville
4.3
Overall rating
4.1
Value for Money
4.2
Ease of Cleaning
4.3
Features and Functions
4.3
Performance
How Breville compares

In the 2021 Finder Retail Awards, we surveyed over 8,000 Australians about their retail purchases to discover which were their favourite brands across 9 product categories.

For Coffee Machines, Breville was ranked 4 for overall rating, 6 for value for money, 3 for ease of cleaning, 5 for features and functions, 4 for performance.

6 brands were rated across these decision criteria.

Nespresso DeLonghi Inissia Coffee Machine

Best pod coffee machine with a milk frother

Nespresso DeLonghi Inissia Coffee Machine
Image: Supplied/Finder

Not yet rated

Pros

  • Very user friendly
  • Excellent milk frother

Cons

  • Not many coffee options available
  • Small water tank

Why we chose it

For this category, we selected the Nespresso DeLonghi Inissia Coffee Machine as it has an average star rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from almost 550 online reviews across a number of websites including Product Review, The Good Guys, Harvey Norman and Myer.

This coffee machine, as with many of the Nespresso range, is reliable, easy to use and affordable to buy. With its simple design and 25-second heat-up time, making coffee is fast and fuss-free. And with 19 bar pump pressure, every cup is consistently delicious.

However, the highlight of this product is the Aeroccino3 frother, which has to be one of the most effective milk frothers around. You can have beautifully textured froth at the press of a button. And you can choose between hot or cold. It's easy to clean and it always froths milk like your local barista.

For this reason, the machine happens to be my personal favourite. I don't know which part I would be sadder to lose – the coffee machine or the frother. Fortunately they're attached, so there's no chance of losing either.

How do Australians rate DeLonghi's Coffee Machines?

97% of surveyed Australians recommend DeLonghi
4.5
Overall rating
4.3
Value for Money
4.4
Ease of Cleaning
4.6
Features and Functions
4.5
Performance
How DeLonghi compares

In the 2021 Finder Retail Awards, we surveyed over 8,000 Australians about their retail purchases to discover which were their favourite brands across 9 product categories.

For Coffee Machines, DeLonghi was ranked 1 for overall rating, 3 for value for money, 1 for ease of cleaning, 1 for features and functions, 2 for performance.

6 brands were rated across these decision criteria.

Amazon prices last updated on 26 May, 2022 at 12:48 pm
eBay prices last updated on 26 May, 2022 at 07:01 pm

Methodology

10
Brands considered
22
Products compared
5
Best products chosen
  • Our team scoured the Internet for all the different brands of pod coffee machines available in Australia.
  • We read hundreds of online reviews and compared the key features, functionality and popularity of each product.
  • The products on this list are chosen by our editorial team and are not selected based on commercial relationships.

Quick facts about capsule coffee machines

  • Capsule coffee machines are a low-maintenance option for the home or office that retains an authentic coffee flavour.
  • Pod machines are typically cheaper than manual coffee machines but they don't offer the same level of customisation.
  • Prices vary greatly from about $50 up to $700 or more.

How do capsule coffee machines work?

Capsule coffee machines use capsules or pods of coffee beans wrapped in filter paper. The pods are about the same size and shape as a single-serve UHT milk carton that you might get served in your hotel room or on the plane and are sealed to retain freshness for up to nine months.

You insert these capsules directly into your coffee machine, where they are pierced to allow hot water to mix with the contents, producing an espresso. There are many different capsule flavours to choose from and these machines don't require intensive cleaning after every coffee-making session, which makes them a no-fuss, low-maintenance option.

However, with a capsule coffee machine, while you'll be able to control how diluted you want your shot of coffee, you'll be restricted to pre-set options rather than being able to completely tailor a perfect cup of coffee. You may also find that the intensity of the coffee flavour is not as strong as a professional coffee maker.

If you're a coffee aficionado, check out our list of the best coffee machines.

Types of capsule coffee machines

  • Capsule only. Most capsule coffee machines will only operate on capsules or pods. While this is usually sufficient for the purposes of simple home or office use, serious coffee drinkers wanting to fully customise the individual strength and flavour profiles of every cup of coffee may be better off investing in a more expensive, elaborate coffee machine.
  • Semi-automatic and capsule. If you're willing to spend more on a coffee machine that has both semi-automatic and capsule coffee functionalities, you'll probably enjoy greater consistency in coffee temperature and milk frothing ability, as well as a more satisfying taste and easy maintenance of your machine.

How to compare capsule coffee machines

Before deciding which coffee machine to purchase, consider the following key factors:

Taste

If you can, try to taste a sample from the coffee machine you're interested in to make sure you're satisfied with the crema, aroma, flavours, creaminess and aftertaste. Look for a machine that's compatible with a range of capsules.

Temperature consistency

If the coffee machine is probably going to be heavily used within a short span of time – for example, if the machine is going to be shared in a large office– look for one that has a high temperature consistency score.

Milk frothing quality

Some capsule coffee machines will use a milk frother, milk-based capsule or coffee capsule with milk poured over it. Decide which you prefer and find out what options your selected machine is compatible with.

Ease of use

How easy to operate are the coffee machine's functions? Check if filling the water tank is simple and if the machine easy to clean both inside and outside.

Size

Consider how much kitchen-top space you have. For those with little benchtop space, it would be more practical to pick a compact, miniature, portable or storable model.

Customizability

Some models offer personalised functions such as pre-programmable coffee settings, adjustable water and milk temperatures and steam pump rates. More-advanced models let you choose the style and temperature of the froth.

Heat-up and frothing times

If you'll be sharing the machine with a large number of coffee drinkers, it's important to consider how efficiently and quickly the machine heats and froths milk.

Recyclable

For those who are concerned about the environment, it's important to find a coffee machine that allows you to recycle the coffee pods. Some manufacturers have their own recycling scheme.

Capacity

Consider how large the capacity of the drip tray and water tank are. The larger the capacity, the less time you'll have to spend refilling and maintaining your coffee machine.

Digital display

Is the digital screen easy to read and are the functions easy to control?

Warranty

Look for a coffee machine that has a warranty of at least six months to one year.

Cup-warming plate

If you won't be drinking your coffee immediately, a machine with a cup-warming plate is a nice addition.

What to watch out for

For those who are on a budget, it's worth considering that while capsules are easy to use and convenient, they typically cost more per cup than coffee beans. Also, a single coffee machine brand will usually keep its family of capsules only compatible within its own brand's line of coffee machines.

Before purchasing your chosen coffee machine, make sure to taste test a variety of brands.

Best rated capsule coffee machine brand award breakdown

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