Coffee Makers

Finding The Best Coffee Pod Machine, Australia 2023

In recent years those looking for the best coffee pod machine Australia offers have a heap more options. I’ve never made a secret of the fact that I’m not a huge fan of capsule coffee machines but even I have to admit they’ve come a long way.

Nowadays, you’re no longer beholden to the specific coffee pods you can buy for your model of machine. There are tons of refillable pods that let you use any of your favourite coffees! Plus, these types of pods are much more eco friendly. In fact, even if you still want to use single use pods, there are now compostable and biodegradable options!

The problem? There are TONS of coffee pod machines on the market now. So, how do you decide which is the best pod coffee machine Australia has on offer?

Don’t worry – this article will showcase all the options in our pod coffee machine reviews. Then we’ll look at the important features of this type of machine and help you find the best pod machine for your home!

pin image for the best coffee pod machine Australia

“This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase using this link.”

Our Top Pick: Breville Creatista Uno

So, which is the best pod coffee maker? If you want a quick and easy coffee but also want a high-quality machine, the Breville Creatista Uno could be exactly what you’re looking for! This machine has a single touch interface that’s incredibly easy to use and the automatic milk frothing makes the process almost entirely hands-off.

Pod Coffee Machine Comparison Chart

Here’s a quick chart of all the best capsule coffee machine, Australia, reviewed in this article to make it easier to compare pod coffee machines.

ProductImageTank SizePressureRatingPrice
Breville Creatista 1.5 litre
water tank
19 bar4.8/5Check
Price!
Lavazza Desea1.3 litre
water tank
400 ml
milk tank
15 bar4.7/5
Grinders 1.3 litre
water tank
400 ml
milk tank
15 bar4.5/5Check
Price!
Breville Nespresso1.7 litre
water tank
3.5/5Check
Price!
De’Longhi NespressoDe'Longhi Nespresso Citiz Solo Coffee Machine, Black, EN167B1 litre
water tank
19 bar4.7/5Check
Price!
Lavazza Jolie0.6 litre
water tank
4.6/5Check
Price!
Nespresso De’Longhi0.7 litre
water tank
4.2/5Check
Price!
Lavazza A Moda Mio0.6 litre
water tank
4.4/5Check
Price!
Dolce Gusto PiccoloDolce Gusto NDG Piccolo XS White Coffee Machine, White, NCU100WHT2JAN121 ounce
water tanks
15 bar4.2/5Check
Price!
Dolce Gusto Infinissima1.2 litre
water tank
25 bar4.2/5Check
Price!

What is a Pod Coffee Machine?

Image of one of the best pod coffee machines and some coffee pods in a small bowl

Our coffee pod machine reviewed hopefully helped but what exactly is a pod machine? A pod coffee machine is a convenient way to make coffee the way you like it. All you need is a coffee capsule and a mug and you can allow the pod coffee machine to work it’s magic. It’s so convenient you’ll wonder why you didn’t have it sooner. 

These machines goes by other names like espresso pod machine, capsule machine and 

Coffee capsule machines so make sure to keep a lookout for these terms as well while considering your purchase of the best coffee capsule machine, Australia.

If you like a barista style coffee then read our reviews to help you find the best coffee capsule machine on the market.

Take a look at our full article on the best automatic coffee machine on the market!

Why Use the Best Pod Coffee Machines?

If you want a hassle free cup of coffee and are wondering “Are pod coffee machines any good?”, look no further. The best pod machine Australia has gives you a single serve coffee within minutes.

Advantages

  • Quick and convenient
  • Compact and easy to store
  • Can easily try a variety of different coffee types without buying large bags of coffee
  • Easy to use for anyone with limited technical knowledge
  • The price – cheap pod coffee machines are pretty easy to come by.

Disadvantages

  • Not ideal for serving larger groups quickly.
  • Disposable pods create landfill waste but luckily there are now plenty of reusable and refillable pods on the market.

Check out our guide to all the top reusable coffee pods here!

Close up image of one of the best capsule coffee machines

Features of the Best Capsule Coffee Machine Australia

Good capsule coffee machines are compact and convenient to store on your worktop, they run efficiently and quietly and are dishwasher safe. Here are some other things to consider when looking for the best pod coffee maker on the market.

Capsule Compatibility and Price

The best pod coffee machine, 2023, will use either coffee pods (also called coffee capsules) which contain pre ground coffee. These are disposable after a single use but some companies now make biodegradable options.

The coffee is packed in a plastic or aluminium casing and they’re usually compatible with a specific machine and cannot be paired with just any pod machine.

Most capsules will only fit very specific machines so make sure to check this before buying a pack. Prices of disposable pods vary depending on brand and flavours and usually buying large multipacks works out cheaper per cup.

Now, there are also some great reusable coffee capsules on the market that let you use, clean and refill the same pods to cut waste. These are a great option if you want to experiment with different coffee brands yourself to find the perfect brew.

Image from above of one of the best coffee capsule machines

Water Tank Size

The size of the refillable water tank is a critical factor you need to consider when buying a pod coffee machine. They vary in size from just 500ml up to nearly 2 litres for a high end machine. If you like your mornings to be quick and efficient, and you have the budget, a bigger water tank capacity is always an advantage. It reduces the frequency of having to refill it.

Milk Frother

If you’re looking for the best pod coffee machine with milk frother, to make those lattes you love, then you have two options. There are those with separate milk frothers where you can steam milk yourself (or some even steam the milk automatically) or some machines create the milk portion with a seperate pod. 

Size

Depending on the model, small pod coffee machines come in different sizes ranging from 13 to 18 inches in height and 5 to 14 inches in width. Consider the area marked out for your brand new coffee machine and ensure the one you choose will fit.

Portable pod coffee machines are easier to move around when it needs to be cleaned or handled.

Other Features of the Best Pod Espresso Machine

  • Energy saving options with auto shut off.
  • A quick heat up time.
  • One touch panels for individual drink selections.
  • Automatic milk frothers.
  • Adjustable drip tray/cup holder for different sized cups.

Pod Coffee Machine Reviews, Australia

Here are our capsule coffee machine reviews – use them to decide which of these best coffee pod machines Australia offers will suit your life and home.

Breville Creatista Uno

Specifications

  • Capacity: 1.5 litre water tank
  • System: 19 bar high performance pump
  • Dimensions (LxWxH): 41.4 x 16.8 x 31 cm

The Breville Creatista Uno is part of the Nespresso range of pod coffee machines, which are very popular all over the world. If you’re looking for the absolute best coffee pod machine for home Australia offers, it’s probably the one for you.

All you have to do is make sure the water tank is full, pull out the little shelf for your mug, lift the lever, put in your espresso capsule, and close the lever. Then press a button for the type of espresso you want. If you want to make it a latte or cappuccino, fill the milk jug up to the appropriate level with milk, put it on the drip tray (there is a temperature sensor for your milk jug on the drip tray!) and press what type of steamed milk you’d like.

The great thing about the steam wand is that it is entirely self guided and self cleaning, meaning you don’t have to sit and manually froth the milk up and down or clean the wand every time you use the machine.

What we like

  • Love the fully automated milk frothing
  • Makes better coffee than 99% of the cafes around mine
  • Looks great and easy to use and clean

What we don’t like

  • Nothing. A lot of reviewers love this product!

>>>Click here to check price on Amazon<<<

Check out all the top Nespresso machines here!

Lavazza Desea

As advertised, works really quietly, coffee is delicious. You can choose from range of different styles, cappuccinos, lattes, espresso, long coffee. Amazing coffee machine! – Gediminas K.

Specifications

  • Capacity: 1.3 litre water tank
  • System: 15 bar pump pressure
  • Milk Tank: 400 ml

This Levazza Desea is really user friendly thanks to the easy one-touch interface. There are 4 different coffee settings and 5 different milk settings, meaning you can create an impressive range of drinks.

It has a 10 capsule waste drawer capacity and adjustable cup shelf which both help to make clean up easy. The integrated milk frother has a beater and a steam wand for effective frothing.

It comes with sound alerts that prompt you when the water tank or the capsule drawer needs to be refilled or emptied and also includes a durable glass mug. A great choice for the best coffee pod machine, 2023.

What we like

  • Love the auto frothing feature just like the above machine
  • Makes strong quality coffee
  • Love that there are choices to suit every taste

What we don’t like

  • None! Great machine and has fantastic reviews!

Grinders Coffee Flinders

Specifications

  • Capacity: 1.3 litre water tank
  • System: 15 bar pump pressure
  • Milk Tank: 400 ml

This Grinders machine can be programmed for 6 different drink settings and is great for espressos as well as milky coffee drinks. It has a pre infusion process that ensures superior extraction you normally wouldn’t get from a pod coffee machine.

One of the great things about this machine is the integrated milk frother that can be stored in the fridge and has an auto clean cycle that finishes the job in 30 seconds.

The machine has an auto descaling alert, 18 capsule capacity waste drawer, adjustable height cup shelf and automatically turns itself off after 10 minutes of no operation.

What we like

  • Its integrated milk frother is really great
  • It is so versatile and easy to use
  • Pods are easy to find and make really good coffee 

What we don’t like

  • One reviewer said that there are no available spare parts for this machine

Breville Nespresso Vertuo Plus

Specifications

  • Capacity: 1.7 litre
  • System: CENTRIFUSION™ technology.
  • Dimension (LxWxH): 39.6 x 38.4 x 27.8 cm

This is a sleek and compact coffee machine is ideal for any kitchen bench and takes up very little space. The open and close mechanism of the machine can be handled electronically. 

All you have to do is raise the silver lever and insert the coffee pod where it spins up to 7000 times to extract all the flavour out of the pod and make the perfect blend. It does not offer any milk options as part of the machine so it has to be added externally. 

It comes with a moveable water tank that can be flexibly placed for convenience with a capsule lever that closes automatically. 

What we like

  • Offers 5 different cup sizes 
  • Has a unique barcode reading technology to calibrate unique brews
  • Offers a subscription that comes with the machine
  • Comes in black and white options

What we don’t like

  • It only takes new style capsules that are only available from Nespresso

>>>Click here to check price on Amazon<<<

De’Longhi Nespresso Citiz Solo

Our coffee machine goes non-stop all day and can’t fault it. Easy to use. This is our 2nd Nespresso machine in 10 yrs. In fact, our whole family have one. – Shelly G.

Specifications

  • Capacity: 1 litre water tank
  • System: 19 bar pump system
  • Dimensions (LxWxH): 37.2 x 11.3 x 27.7 cm

A compact machine in black that does not take up much space and is ideal for small offices and kitchens. 

It has adjustable, sliding cup support that allows for two different cup sizes. It has a thermoblock system that allows you to get your desired cup of coffee within minutes as it heats the machine within 25 seconds. 

It has an auto cut off that turns the machine off after 9 minutes of inactivity. This auto setting can be changed and increased up to 30 minutes.  

What we like

  • Removable parts for easy cleaning
  • Fast and efficient and makes a tasty cuppa 
  • The set up for different size cups is excellent

What we don’t like

  • Nothing. A lot of users love this machine!

>>>Click here to check price on Amazon<<<

Lavazza Jolie Plus

Specifications

  • Capacity: 0.6 L water tank
  • System: 19 bar pump system
  • Dimensions (LxWxH): 33 x 12.4 x 21 cm

A compact coffee machine that is known to be quieter than most machines. The water tank is housed behind the machine and it can be slid into tiny workspaces. 

It gives you a cup of coffee within 35 seconds and is ideal when time is of the essence. It is light to carry and can be moved around effortlessly. If you are someone who is not too fussed about various coffee options then this two-variants coffee machine is the one to go for. 

The capsule drawer holds five pods before it has to be refilled. All removable parts are dishwasher safe.  

What we like

  • Compact and has a metallic finish and 3 color variations
  • Lavazza pods taste so good
  • It is quick & easy to use

What we don’t like

  • Some reviewers experienced leaking

Nespresso De’Longhi Inissia

So popular in our household I’m considering buying a second one so that I don’t have to wait for everyone else! Super easy to use, makes a pretty decent coffee. – Fiona

Specifications

  • Capacity: 0.7 litre water tank
  • System: 19 bar pump system
  • Dimension (LxWxH): 32 x 12 x 23 cm

This entry level coffee machine comes with two drink variants with an option to program the brew sizes. It is a tiny, compact machine.

It has a foldable drip tray to allow for larger cups to be accommodated.The machine does not have an on-off button and will be ready to use as soon as it is plugged into a socket. It does have an auto cut off though.   

The used coffee capsules have to be manually removed to be discarded. The drip tray can be removed conveniently to be put in the dishwasher.

What we like

  • Simple, quick, easy cleanup 
  • Compact and easy to transport. You can take it anywhere
  • Makes hot coffee not just warm and at an affordable price

What we don’t like

  • Nothing!

>>>Click here to check price on Amazon<<<

Lavazza A Moda Mio

Expensive coffee vis a vis conventional ground coffee from a home espresso machine, but so quick and easy. Good taste. – Colin

Specifications

  • Capacity: 0.75 litre water tank
  • Weight: 3.5 kg
  • Dimensions (LxWxH): 18.7 x 31 x 32.1 cm

Makes high quality coffee and is very economical and easy to use. 

Its inbuilt milk steamer allows you to opt for a macchiato or a cappuccino. But it takes a while compared to boiling a kettle of milk due to the narrow opening of the spout. It is operated by a simple turn of a dial.

Easy to clean as the whole removable unit comes out as one and avoids any drips when taken to the sink. 

What we like

  • It ejects used capsules automatically
  • It is compact, quiet, and very easy to use
  • Comes in 3 different and pleasing colors

What we don’t like

  • None. Love this affordable machine!

>>>Click here to check price on Amazon<<<

Dolce Gusto Piccolo

Specifications

  • Capacity: 21 ounce water tank
  • System: 15 bar pressure
  • Dimensions (LxWxH): 26.6 x 13.6 x 27.6 cm

This machine has a very unique and sleek design and is an affordable option that’s considered to be the best pod cappuccino machine by many people the world over. 

The on and off option has to be manually selected via a lever at the top of the machine. This lever also helps to determine the brew type. 

It allows you to shift between hot and cold drinks almost instantly and comes at a great price. If you’re looking for the best cheap coffee pod machine, it’s well worth considering.

What we like

  • Doesn’t take up much space on bench
  • Great range of coffee to suit everyone
  • Easy and quick coffee maker

What we don’t like

  • Some reviewer experienced leaking

>>>Click here to check price on Amazon<<<

Dolce Gusto Infinissima

This machine is definitely the BEST coffee capsule machine we have purchased! It is manual but that is not a problem. – Kel

Specifications

  • Capacity: 1.2 litre water tank
  • System: 15 bar pump pressure
  • Dimensions (LxWxH): 30.5 x 18 x 40 cm

This easy to use coffee machine has a striking design and makes a great cup of coffee. Comes with pictorial guidelines that are easy to follow.

It gives you options for an indulgent cup of coffee as you can make anything from an espresso to a mocha latte. It offers 40 different coffee pod flavors. Since it is manually operated you have to figure out the amount of milk and coffee needed yourself which can get a bit tricky. 

This coffee machine necessitates the use of two pods – one for milk and one for coffee. If you’re looking for the best value coffee pod machine, it’s well worth considering.

What we like

  • Easy to clean and has a drip tray for all cup sizes
  • Compact machine and simple to use 
  • Has a good range of coffee choices 

What we don’t like

  • Some reviews said coffee doesn’t drip properly
Close up image of espresso on one of the best coffee pod machines Australia

FAQs

How to use a pod coffee machine

If you’re wondering how to use pod coffee machines then all you need to know is that it’s very simple. Just pop in the coffee capsule or pod with the seal intact, fill the water reservoir, choose your cup size and press the appropriate setting on the machine.

If you like milk in your coffee some machines have a separate milk frother that you can set to start, when your coffee is brewing. Depending on the kind of machine you have, you might have to add the milk to the coffee or a spout will directly feed it into your cup.

How to clean pod coffee machines

Most machines can be cleaned quickly and easily. The surface can be wiped down with a soft cloth. Some machines have removable drip trays and compartments that can be rinsed out and cleaned. A lot of them are also dishwasher safe. You can also get cleaning capsules to run a cycle to clean out the internal mechanisms of the machine from time to time. 

How much will the best coffee capsule machine Australia cost?

Prices vary wildly depending on how manual you want the process to be. You could pay well under $100 for a very simple machine or up to a few hundred dollars for a high end machine.

Recap of Our Favourites

ProductImageTank SizePressureRatingPrice
Breville Creatista 1.5 litre
water tank
19 bar4.8/5Check
Price!
Lavazza Desea1.3 litre
water tank
400 ml
milk tank
15 bar4.7/5
Grinders 1.3 litre
water tank
400 ml
milk tank
15 bar4.5/5Check
Price!
Breville Nespresso1.7 litre
water tank
3.5/5Check
Price!
De’Longhi NespressoDe'Longhi Nespresso Citiz Solo Coffee Machine, Black, EN167B1 litre
water tank
19 bar4.7/5Check
Price!
Lavazza Jolie0.6 litre
water tank
4.6/5Check
Price!
Nespresso De’Longhi0.7 litre
water tank
4.2/5Check
Price!
Lavazza A Moda Mio0.6 litre
water tank
4.4/5Check
Price!
Dolce Gusto PiccoloDolce Gusto NDG Piccolo XS White Coffee Machine, White, NCU100WHT2JAN121 ounce
water tanks
15 bar4.2/5Check
Price!
Dolce Gusto Infinissima1.2 litre
water tank
25 bar4.2/5Check
Price!

Need gift inspiration for coffee lovers? Take a look at our full article on the best gifts for coffee lovers.

Check out our reviews on the best filter coffee machine and coffee makers page next!

Sophie is a barista and coffee enthusiast who has owned and ran a coffee truck in her remote community since 2017. She wants to cut the jargon and make brewing coffee enjoyable for everyone.