These are the best pod coffee machines for fast-paced mornings
Heighten your hazy senses with these turbocharged brewers…
“Strong coffee, much strong coffee, is what awakens me,” Napoleon Bonaparte once proclaimed. “Coffee gives me warmth, waking, an unusual force and a pain that is not without very great pleasure.”
Indeed, although his many other statements and measures were of a disagreeable, unbecoming flavour, we’re inclined to agree with the coffee-amouring Frenchman on this one. But, times have changed since the pint-size emperor first started slurping from his morning mug, with new waves of caffeine creativity, gizmos and gadgets pervading the world to help provide big boosts to early-morning salarymen and late-night students.
With January revving into gear, we’ll all likely need a little turbocharged bump to get us through the to-achieve list in the coming 12 months – and, even though drip and pour-over options are perceived as the choice of the connoisseurs, simplicity in the form of pod coffee is often the default pick-me-up here at Gentleman’s Journal. After all, why faff over filters when the brain is yet to fully attune to the rhythms of the day? For the finest easy-to-make brews, take a swirl on the below…
Grind One
Taking its style cues from the robust profile of Italian espresso machines, the Grind One stands out from the pack due to its made-to-last, boxy build that's done out in stainless steel. A pared-down, streamlined design and aeroplane-style toggle switches make for a fuss-free experience, meanwhile 19 bars of pressure ensure maximum amount of flavour is churned from each pod. It’s Nespresso-compatible, each machine comes with 30 complimentary compostable pods, and repairs are gratis within the first year.
The Morning Machine
Taking the complexity out of coffee making (a much-needed benefit during misty-minded mornings), The Morning Machine is a tech-centred piece of kit that can be controlled via its app. Consistency is the draw here, as you’ll have the ability to programme the perfect cup by setting your ideal temperature, which comes courtesy of two thermal sensors; water-to-coffee ratio; and brew pressure. A three-year-long labour of love has also gone into curating the app’s ten 'ready-to-brew' recipes that’ll help you explore new roasts.
Smeg x Lavazza Pod Machine
In typical style, Smeg’s offering injects a jolt of bold, retro colour onto your kitchen counter, with a curved profile that’s easy on the eye. Made for Lavazza capsules, its two settings will allow you to choose from espresso and espresso lungo; water is heated up quickly due to a ten-bar pump pressure; and, luckily for the eco-conscious, it goes into standby after seven minutes of inactivity.
Lattissima One Nespresso
If you’re looking to invest in the all-reliable Nespresso brand, but want to prevent creating a hotel-minibar look, we’d advise you circumvent the de rigueur CitiZ option and reach for Lattissima One, a creation so futuristic in appearance that it might be mistaken for a Stanley Kubrick prop. Edge-cutting aesthetics aside, we appreciate the addition of a milk jug at the front, which not only facilitates the preparation of cappuccinos and latte macchiatos, but also offers a stylish add-on without injecting any unnecessary bulk to the overall appearance.
Illy Y3.3 Espresso & Coffee Machine
Angled as a space-saving solution, Illy’s streamlined, compact creation is a pretty reputable pod machine, one whose soft hues have a throwback feel thanks to its creator, the renowned architect Piero Lissoni. Although it may not have all the bells and whistles of higher-end models, a two-step process strips away any complexity: as the company says, “We could offer you every region, roast and blend under the sun. But we’d rather give you the perfect one.”
Now for the rest of your routine – these are the 7 things successful people do every morning…
Become a Gentleman’s Journal Member?
Like the Gentleman’s Journal? Why not join the Clubhouse, a special kind of private club where members receive offers and experiences from hand-picked, premium brands. You will also receive invites to exclusive events, the quarterly print magazine delivered directly to your door and your own membership card.
