I regularly prefer to brew coffee from freshly ground beans as it provides a richer, more robust flavour and allows greater control over the brewing process. However, I understand the appeal of pod and capsule coffee machines for their initial affordability, ease of use, and convenience.
So, I tasked my team to find the best pod coffee machines in Australia. After fact-checking the details, I selected and purchased one for testing, intending to use it as a backup to my coffee machine on my busier days. Here's a comprehensive overview of everything we learned.
My Top Picks
In a hurry? Here are our top three coffee capsule machines in Australia:
Breville Creatista Plus
Best nespresso pod machine with 1.5 litres water tank capacity, an impressive 3-second warm-up time, 7 coffee recipes, 3 programmable cup sizes, and an LCD display.
DeLonghi Lattissima One
Best pod coffee machine with an integrated milk frother and 3 milk recipes, 1 litre water tank capacity, 18 seconds warm-up time, and a 19-bar pump pressure.
HomeMaid Pod Machine
Best multi-capsule pod machine with 0.7-litre water tank capacity and 19-bar pressure pump, compatible with coffee grounds, nespresso, and caffitaly pods.
Read our in-depth analysis of each pod coffee machine below for a comprehensive overview of what you're getting for your investment.
Top 6 Pod and Capsule Coffee Machines for Aussies: In-Depth Comparisons
We analysed each product's brewing capabilities, user-friendliness, and overall customer satisfaction to shortlist our handpicked models. We considered the variety and quality of coffee pods compatible with each machine and the convenience of maintenance and cleaning processes.
1. Breville Nespresso Creatista Plus
Best Nespresso Pod Machine
The Breville Nespresso Creatista Plus is an expensive pod machine that is worth every penny. The device, which looks more like a typical barista coffee maker, is equipped to deliver three programmable cup sizes (25, 40, and 110 ml), eight texture levels, and an 11-setting adjustable temperature. And unlike many other pod coffee machines, it features a fully automatic steam wand that lets you create perfectly textured milk for your lattes.
Breville's Nespresso Creatista Plus comes with an LCD at the top of the machine, a start/cancel button, and a select knob that controls the display. You'll find seven coffee recipes on the display, including Ristretto, Espresso, Lungo, Caffe Latte, Cappuccino, and Latte Macchiato. But more impressive is its 3-second warm-up time, like the Breville Bambino Plus home coffee machine.
For convenience, the removable water tank on the Nespresso Creatista has a capacity of 1.5 litres, which is enough for most users. It weighs only 5.2 kg, features a 19-bar pump pressure, and is compact enough for small kitchen spaces. Breville packs all the necessary accessories with the Nespresso Creatista Plus, including a stainless steel milk jug and a 2-year warranty.
Pros
- LCD display
- Full stainless-steel construction
- Option to program cup size
- Includes automatic steam wand
- 2 years warranty
Cons
- Does not offer cold frothing options
- Compatible with only Nespresso pods
2. DeLonghi Nespresso Lattissima One
Best Coffee Pod Machine With Milk Frother
The DeLonghi Lattissima One is my second favourite pod coffee machine in Australia. Its shadow black finish and controls are the finest I came across when evaluating options for this list. There's also a white finish if you prefer that instead. The pod coffee machine has a 19-bar pump pressure, weighs 4.2 kg, and has a water capacity of 1 litre, 0.5 L less than Breville's Creatista Plus.
DeLonghi's Nespresso includes many user-friendly features. It has an automated milk system that lets you froth your milk at the touch of a single button, with three milk recipes to choose from espresso macchiato, cappuccino, and latte macchiato. The capsule coffee machine also has a built-in optical sensor that recognises the quantity of milk in the jug and adjusts to it.
For controls, the pod coffee machine has three buttons on top of it. It has a decent warm-up time of 18 seconds with an auto power-off function that turns it off 9 minutes from the last usage to save energy; this timing is adjustable. You also get a sample pack of coffee capsules, a user manual, a water hardness test stick, and a 2-year warranty on purchase.
Pros
- Integrated milk frother
- Built-in optical sensor
- Perfect size for countertops
- 2 years warranty
Cons
- Plastic build
- Only compatible with Nespresso pods
3. Nespresso Essenza Mini Solo
Best Value Pod Coffee Machine
The Mini Solo pod coffee machine makes tasty beverages using special capsules or pods. It has a 19-bar pressure system and is excellent for making Espresso and Lungo. You also choose between two cups: a small Espresso (40ml) or a larger Lungo (110ml). And if you want more customisations, you can program the recipes to make your coffee just how you like it.
Nespresso's Essenza is convenient to use, with a heat-up time of 25 seconds. The machine has an Eco mode that turns on 3 minutes after you finish making coffee and an auto-shutdown feature after 9 minutes of inactivity to save energy. Making coffee is as easy as putting it in a capsule; no mess, no fuss. On the downside, you only get a tank capacity of 0.6 litre.
Available in black and white colour options, the value-for-money coffee capsule machine won't take up much space on your kitchen counter, but it'll definitely stand out with its bold presence.
Pros
- Energy-efficient
- Compact and lightweight
- Powerful 19-bar pump
- Customisable serving size
- 2 years warranty
Cons
- Small water tank
- Operational noise
- Liable to leakages
4. HomeMaid Multi Capsule Pod Machine
Best Capsule Machine for Compatibility
The HomeMaid 3-in-1 pod machine has three adaptors compatible with coffee grounds, Nespresso, and Caffitaly pods. So, you can enjoy various tastes and easily find capsules at your local store.
HomeMaid's pod machine has a 19-bar pressure pump and a 0.7-litre water tank capacity. This is about half the water capacity of Breville's Creatista Plus, making it more compact but less efficient as you're likely to refill frequently.
The 3-in-1 capsule coffee machine is also great at brewing coffee and ensuring quality taste. Its cleaning process is easier as its drip tray and water tank are detachable. For controls, there's no display screen. Instead, you get three buttons on top of the pod machine that allow you to shut down or turn on the device and pull a long or a short cup of coffee.
Pros
- Compact size
- Great compatibility
- 15-minute auto-standby feature
- 12 months warranty
Cons
- No screen display
- Small water tank capacity
5. The OPAL One
Best Pod Machine for Brewing
The OPAL One is an excellent pod coffee machine for brewing specialty coffee pods. It has a built-in silicon brew chamber, which eliminates unwanted dilution and has features for maintaining higher pressure and higher brewing temperature—delivering a fuller-bodied and stronger coffee.
The OPAL One is only compatible with Nespresso-style capsules. And while more compact than the HomeMaid Pod, it offers a generous 0.8-litre water tank. Its three front-facing control buttons make it easy to brew a short or long shot, providing a user-friendly experience.
You can select from three temperature settings—low, medium, and high—tailored to suit your preferred pod or coffee blend. Additionally, the pod coffee machine offers three preset preset outputs: 25 ml, 40 ml, and 110 ml, or a custom setting to match your personal preference.
Pros
- Perfect size for compact kitchen space
- Water tank capacity 800 ml
- Adjustable temperature
- Option to program cup size
Cons
- Only compatible with Nespresso Pods
6. Lucaffe Piccola Piccola
Best Italian Coffee Capsule Machine
If you want an Italian espresso pod coffee machine for your home or office, I recommend the Lucaffe Piccola Piccola. The fast, easy, and convenient pod coffee maker produces consistently good-quality Italian espresso coffee. Piccola Piccola heats up pretty quickly and packs a 1-litre removable water tank and drip tray for easy cleaning and emptying.
With a smaller footprint, Lucaffe's Piccola Piccola takes up only a little space on your counter. Plus, like the HomeMaid Pod Machine, it is compatible with various coffee pods and capsules. It's also the only pod machine here with a glass water tank. Built from stainless steel, the capsule coffee machine weighs 7 kg, making it the heaviest pod coffee machine on my list.
Pros
- Up to 50 espressos/hour
- Suits all ESE coffee pods
- Low power usage
Cons
- Pricey
- Requires diligent cleaning regularly
My Evaluation Process
I evaluated pod coffee machines in Australia using four essential criteria: user-friendliness, compatibility, counter space, and value for money. I'll go over each below:
#1. User Friendliness
The most significant advantage of pod coffee machines over traditional espresso makers is convenience. Thus, it's essential to find pod machines that do not overcomplicate the simple process of brewing with a pod machine. The options in this list are all beginner and user-friendly and feature simple control and easy-to-use mechanisms.
#2. Pods Compatibility
Pods are a running cost for your office or home. Thus, having a pod coffee machine compatible with many pods offers various coffee types and prices. Not all pod coffee machines are multi-compatible with other pod types. Nespresso is the most common for pod coffee types, and you will find many varieties of coffee packaged in this format.
#3. Counter Space
This is one of the major concerns when choosing a pod machine for the home or office. Generally, pod coffee machines have a smaller footprint than their traditional espresso counterparts. So you should not have difficulty finding space for it on your kitchen counter. All the models above are still suitable for smaller kitchens.
#4. Value for Money
No doubt, the amount of features you need in your coffee pod machine depends entirely on your budget. Some pod coffee machines include a steam wand or an automatic milk frother. But these depend on how much you're willing to spend on your pod coffee machine. I added a range of feature-rich and budget-friendly options to help you decide which suits you.
Should You Buy a Coffee Pod Machine?
A coffee pod machine is ideal when you compare how much you spend on a takeaway coffee daily. Of course, the quality might differ from your local coffee store that uses commercial-grade coffee equipment. But there's also the added convenience of brewing in the comfort of your home.
If you can, however, I recommend traditional home coffee machines if you're looking at brewing coffee with quality and taste similar to that of your local coffee shop. These coffee makers allow you to brew consistently good coffee from scratch in the comfort of your home.
You also get to experiment and grow your barista skills if you choose a suitable coffee machine, i.e., with enough controls and customisations to learn to brew coffee to your preferences. I recommend the Breville Bambino Plus for most homes that want a higher-quality home coffee machine.
Choosing a Coffee Pod Machine
Choosing the best pod coffee machine is not about how the machine looks. Of course, they matter, but what's in the cup counts more. Here's how to fish out the best option for yourself.
Tip #1 - Pod Features
Some pod machines are only compatible with a particular brand of pods, which can severely limit your options. Some machines have presets as output; choose a machine preferably with a programmable length. Do you also like to have coffee with milk? Yes? Then, you must consider pod coffee machines with a steam wand or automatic milk frother.
Tip #2 - Pod Machine Size
You may have to decide between a smaller or larger water tank capacity. If you have a 5-cup-a-day habit, choose a machine with a big water tank to keep the supply of coffee without having to refill very frequently. Otherwise, the capacity does not matter much; you would likely want fresh water every day or two.
Tip #3 - Pod Machine Price
From here, consider the price of the pod coffee machine. Most higher-end machines come with additional functionalities that further enhance the quality of your coffee.
How to Clean a Coffee Pod Machine?
Before cleaning your coffee pod machine, always check if any pods are left in the pod tray. Suppose you find any, empty it. After this, put one pocket of the descaler into the water tank and follow the process below:
- Fill the descaler with at least 1 litre of water, depending on the size of your water tank.
- Place a jug or container where you put your coffee mug.
- Operate the empty machine for the diluted solution to flow inside. Do so repeatedly by pressing the long shot or hot water button or by putting the machine into descaling mode. Remember to check your machine’s manual for further information regarding this.
- As you continue with the procedure, you will notice a discolouration in the water. This is due to the residue from the coffee grinds.
- You can now extract the water tank until it's empty.
- Fill up your water tank again with clean water and repeat the extraction process to ensure no descaling powder residue is left in your machine.
- When done, you can now use your pod machine for your next cup of coffee.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions about using pod coffee machines and capsules.
How often should you clean your Coffee Pod Machine?
Cleaning your coffee pod machines every 2-3 months is ideal. But this depends largely on how often you use it. Without cleaning regularly, coffee grounds can leak from your coffee pods down to the front chamber of the machine, causing calcium, bacteria, and moulds to build up due to the constant moisture of the water from the pump and boiler.
How long does a coffee pod machine last?
A coffee pod machine’s lifespan can go from 5-10 years with proper care and maintenance. With the right pod machine, you may not need to spend money on getting a new machine for at least half a decade.
Can you use coffee pods more than once?
No, coffee pods can brew different cup sizes, but you cannot use them more than once. However, if you typically use a small cup of coffee, you might be able to use your coffee pod twice.
Is pod coffee better than instant?
Coffee pods are much fresher when it comes to their taste than instant coffee. Instant coffee goes through a preparation stage before the drying process, which affects the taste of your coffee pods. Use instant coffee if you want to make a quick cup of coffee.
Do coffee pod machines take all pods?
Not all coffee machines accept different kinds of pods. Some coffee pod machines require specific sizes for their pods, while some only accept their brand’s pods. This is why it is best for you to check the machine model and its pod requirement before purchasing.
Do coffee pod machines use a lot of electricity?
Coffee pod machines consume a lot more energy than a normal drip coffee maker. But, the amount of electricity and energy it uses is still significantly less compared to an espresso machine.
Darren Sherwood
No Fuss, No Mess
Pod coffee machines are simple: load in a coffee pod and press a start button to pump hot water from a built-in water reservoir. You need not go through the grinding, dosing, tamping, and brewing process every morning to get your coffee or queue in a coffee shop waiting your turn.
Best of all? There aren’t any filter papers to replace or coffee grounds to make a yucky mess of your sink. So, if you want a hassle-free and tasty cup of coffee daily, these pod machines are a good bet.
On the downside, pods aren't environmentally friendly, and the quality of your coffee is generally superior when using freshly ground beans. So, they aren't high on my recommendation list. For actual coffee makers, read my in-depth guide on the best home coffee machines to learn more.
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