Best coffee pod machines UK 2026: Nespresso, Dolce Gusto, Tassimo, L'OR and Lavazza

The Vertuo Pop is Nespresso's smallest Vertuo machine. It heats up in about 30 seconds, then reads the barcode on each pod and adjusts the brew automatically, so you get the right amount for a ristretto, espresso (40ml), double espresso (80ml), Gran Lungo (150ml), mug (230ml) or large mug (355ml). Vertuo coffee has a thick, foamy crema, the range includes over 30 blends, and the listing says a welcome set of 12 pods is included.

Owners love the taste and how easy it is, and like that it does both espressos and regular-sized coffees. Vertuo pods are only sold by Nespresso (online, in its shops and on Amazon), with no cheaper compatible pods, so the running cost is higher than Nespresso Original, and some owners report units that developed faults. The listing covers several colours, so check the colour you've selected before you buy. It's sold and shipped by Amazon.

The Pixie uses Nespresso's Original pods, the most widely available capsules in the UK: as well as Nespresso's own, supermarkets and coffee brands sell cheaper compatible pods. It has a 19-bar pump, a fast heat-up system, one-touch buttons for espresso and lungo, hammered metal side panels and an automatic switch-off after two minutes.

Owners call it a wonderful machine that makes great coffee from any pod, and like its compact size and surprisingly roomy tank. Original machines make espresso-sized drinks, so if you like a big mug of coffee, the Vertuo Pop is a better fit. It's sold and shipped by Amazon.

The Vertuo Lattissima adds an automatic milk system to the Vertuo range, so you can make a cappuccino or latte macchiato at the touch of a button, or use the extra-hot foam button for your own recipes. It brews five coffee sizes, from espresso to a carafe, and connects by Bluetooth and Wi-Fi for automatic software updates. De'Longhi lists it at 1,500W.

Owners praise the coffee quality and the wide pod choice, and say it's simple to use and clean, though durability feedback is mixed. It's much bigger and costs much more than the Vertuo Pop, so it's best for households that drink milky coffee every day. It's sold and shipped by Amazon.

The Piccolo XS is about as small as a coffee machine gets: 14cm wide, 28cm tall and 27cm deep, with a 0.8-litre tank and a 15-bar pump. You move a manual lever to brew hot or cold drinks and lift it to stop. Dolce Gusto's milky drinks, such as latte and cappuccino, use a separate milk pod, so there's nothing to froth or clean. It switches off after a minute and has an A energy rating.

Owners say it makes great-tasting coffee quickly and is perfect for one person, though several report it breaking down after a few months. Because it's manual, you need to stop it at the right point for each drink. Dolce Gusto pods are sold in most supermarkets. It's sold and shipped by Amazon.

The Genio S Touch is an automatic Dolce Gusto machine with touch controls for hot and cold drinks, so it stops by itself rather than relying on you to stop a manual lever like the Piccolo's. It has a 15-bar pump, a 0.8-litre tank, an adjustable drip tray, an eco mode that switches off after a minute and an A energy rating. It's slim at 11.2cm wide.

Owners rate its performance and say it's an improvement on older models, and like its compact size and looks. Some find the 0.8-litre tank small, and several report leaks. Pods are sold in supermarkets and online, and Dolce Gusto pods can be recycled through Podback. It's sold and shipped by Amazon.

Tassimo is Bosch's pod system, and its big draw is the branded drinks: Costa lattes and cappuccinos, Cadbury and Milka hot chocolate, L'OR and Kenco coffees, and more. The Suny reads the barcode on each T-Disc to brew each drink correctly, needs no heat-up time, cleans itself between drinks and switches off when not in use. Bosch gives a two-year warranty.

Owners say it's easy to set up and use, makes nice coffee and hot chocolate, and is good value, though reliability feedback is mixed. Tassimo espresso isn't as rich as Nespresso's, so it suits milky drinks and hot chocolate more than straight espresso. It's sold and shipped by Amazon.

The L'OR Barista Sublime has two spouts and takes L'OR's double-shot capsules, so it can make two espressos at once or one double espresso in a single cup. It also takes L'OR single-shot capsules and, according to the listing, Nespresso Original-compatible capsules, which gives you lots of pod choice. It has a 19-bar pump and adjustable coffee length, and comes with a tasting box of nine capsules.

Owners say it performs well, makes excellent espresso and is easy to use with one-press buttons; one says it cut their coffee budget by two-thirds. Some report it stopping working. It's sold and shipped by Amazon.

The Jolie Evo is a compact Lavazza machine for A Modo Mio capsules. A backlit stop-and-go button lets you make exactly the amount of coffee you want, the cup rest adjusts for espresso or a longer coffee, and used capsules drop into a drawer that holds about five. It's made from 36% recycled plastic, goes into standby after two minutes and comes in plastic-free packaging.

Owners call it a brilliant little machine that makes great-tasting coffee, with one saying it's miles better than Nespresso. A Modo Mio capsules are sold in some supermarkets and online but are less widely available than Nespresso or Dolce Gusto pods. It's sold and shipped by Amazon.