Best of · 18 products

Best Black Pod Machines

The best black pod machines, ranked by our review scores. Black is the finish that hides coffee itself best - splashes, staining round a drip area, scorch on a hotplate - and hides dust and fingerprints worst. The decision inside it is matte or gloss, and makers rarely say which: matte forgives handling, gloss shows every touch and every water spot. The one thing to check is the material under the colour. Black anodised aluminium and powder-coated steel hold their finish for years; black ABS plastic goes chalky under UV, and a machine that lives on a sunlit counter will show it.

How this list is ordered

Ranked by arithmetic, not opinion. Every score is worked out from the specifications each maker publishes, so you can open the working on any product page. Anything commercial is labelled and sits outside that order, and how we score explains what each criterion measures.

Black Pod Machines, ranked by score

scored on what the maker publishesOpen a row for the score working
  1. 1NespressoLattissima OneFrom $1297.7

    How it scored

    Drink Quality9.3
    pump pressure not published
    Capsule System & Choice8.5
    Running Cost Per Cup6.5
    Ease of Use & Speed8.5
    Build Quality & Reliability6.0
    Maintenance & Cleaningweakest link5.0
    carries 8 of the 95.5 points scored
    Machine Value for Money9.1
    Waste & Disposal8.0
    Price from$129
    Score7.7
    Capsule SystemNespresso Original
    Third-party CapsulesYes
    Auto shut-offYes (2 Minutes)
    Read the Nespresso Lattissima One review →
  2. 2NespressoCitizFrom $349.996.3

    How it scored

    Drink Quality6.7
    pump pressure not published
    Capsule System & Choice7.0
    Running Cost Per Cup6.5
    Ease of Use & Speed7.0
    Build Quality & Reliability5.5
    Maintenance & Cleaning5.0
    Machine Value for Moneyweakest link2.9
    carries 8 of the 95.5 points scored
    Waste & Disposal8.0
    Price from$349.99
    Score6.3
    Capsule SystemNespresso Original
    Third-party CapsulesYes
    Auto shut-offAutomatic power off after 9 minutes; setting can be changed to 30 minutes
    Read the Nespresso Citiz review →
  3. 3KeurigK-Express Single-ServeFrom $69.996.2

    How it scored

    Drink Quality4.7
    pump pressure not published
    Capsule System & Choice10.0
    Running Cost Per Cup5.5
    Ease of Use & Speed6.2
    Build Quality & Reliability4.5
    Maintenance & Cleaning5.0
    Machine Value for Money10.0
    Waste & Disposalweakest link3.0
    carries 10 of the 95.5 points scored
    Price from$69.99
    Score6.2
    Capsule SystemK-Cup
    Third-party CapsulesYes
    Auto shut-offYes (5 Minutes)
    Read the Keurig K-Express Single-Serve review →
  4. 4NespressoInissiaFrom $1896.2

    How it scored

    Drink Quality5.3
    pump pressure not published
    Capsule System & Choice8.5
    Running Cost Per Cup6.5
    Ease of Use & Speed5.5
    Build Quality & Reliabilityweakest link4.5
    carries 12 of the 95.5 points scored
    Maintenance & Cleaning5.0
    Machine Value for Money5.2
    Waste & Disposal8.0
    Price from$189
    Score6.2
    Capsule SystemNespresso Original
    Third-party CapsulesYes
    Auto shut-offYes (9 Minutes)
    Read the Nespresso Inissia review →
  5. 5KeurigK-Mini Single Serve Coffee MakerFrom $716.1

    How it scored

    Drink Quality5.3
    pump pressure not published
    Capsule System & Choice8.5
    Running Cost Per Cup5.5
    Ease of Use & Speed7.0
    Build Quality & Reliability5.0
    Maintenance & Cleaning4.4
    Machine Value for Money10.0
    Waste & Disposalweakest link3.0
    carries 10 of the 95.5 points scored
    Price from$71
    Score6.1
    Capsule SystemK-Cup
    Third-party CapsulesYes
    Auto shut-offYes
    Read the Keurig K-Mini Single Serve Coffee Maker review →
  6. 6KeurigK-ClassicFrom $99.995.9

    How it scored

    Drink Quality4.0
    pump pressure not published
    Capsule System & Choice10.0
    Running Cost Per Cup5.5
    Ease of Use & Speed5.5
    Build Quality & Reliability4.5
    Maintenance & Cleaning5.0
    Machine Value for Money8.7
    Waste & Disposalweakest link3.0
    carries 10 of the 95.5 points scored
    Price from$99.99
    Score5.9
    Capsule SystemK-Cup
    Third-party CapsulesYes
    Auto shut-offYes (2-Hour Auto Shutoff)
    Read the Keurig K-Classic review →
  7. 7CuisinartSS-10P1 Single Serve Coffee Maker5.8

    How it scored

    Drink Quality5.3
    pump pressure not published
    Capsule System & Choice8.5
    Running Cost Per Cup5.5
    Ease of Use & Speed6.0
    Build Quality & Reliability5.0
    Maintenance & Cleaning6.9
    Machine Value for Money5.0
    no price published
    Waste & Disposalweakest link3.0
    carries 10 of the 95.5 points scored
    PricePricing N/A
    Score5.8
    Capsule SystemK-Cup
    Third-party CapsulesYes
    Read the Cuisinart SS-10P1 Single Serve Coffee Maker review →
  8. 8Hamilton BeachFlexBrew Trio Coffee Maker5.8

    How it scored

    Drink Quality5.3
    pump pressure not published
    Capsule System & Choice8.5
    Running Cost Per Cup5.5
    Ease of Use & Speed6.0
    Build Quality & Reliability5.0
    Maintenance & Cleaning6.9
    Machine Value for Money5.0
    no price published
    Waste & Disposalweakest link3.0
    carries 10 of the 95.5 points scored
    PricePricing N/A
    Score5.8
    Capsule SystemK-Cup
    Third-party CapsulesYes
    Read the Hamilton Beach FlexBrew Trio Coffee Maker review →
  9. 9KeurigK-Elite Single Serve Coffee Maker5.8

    How it scored

    Drink Quality5.3
    pump pressure not published
    Capsule System & Choice8.5
    Running Cost Per Cup5.5
    Ease of Use & Speed6.0
    Build Quality & Reliability5.0
    Maintenance & Cleaning6.9
    Machine Value for Money5.0
    no price published
    Waste & Disposalweakest link3.0
    carries 10 of the 95.5 points scored
    PricePricing N/A
    Score5.8
    Capsule SystemK-Cup
    Third-party CapsulesYes
    Read the Keurig K-Elite Single Serve Coffee Maker review →
  10. 10FamiworthsSingle Serve Coffee Maker5.7

    How it scored

    Drink Quality5.3
    pump pressure not published
    Capsule System & Choice10.0
    Running Cost Per Cup5.5
    Ease of Use & Speed6.0
    Build Quality & Reliability4.5
    Maintenance & Cleaning3.1
    Machine Value for Money5.0
    no price published
    Waste & Disposalweakest link3.0
    carries 10 of the 95.5 points scored
    PricePricing N/A
    Score5.7
    Capsule SystemK-Cup
    Third-party CapsulesYes
    Read the Famiworths Single Serve Coffee Maker review →
  11. 11NinjaSingle Serve Coffee Maker PB0515.7

    How it scored

    Drink Quality5.3
    pump pressure not published
    Capsule System & Choice8.5
    Running Cost Per Cup5.5
    Ease of Use & Speed5.0
    Build Quality & Reliability5.0
    Maintenance & Cleaning6.9
    Machine Value for Money5.0
    no price published
    Waste & Disposalweakest link3.0
    carries 10 of the 95.5 points scored
    PricePricing N/A
    Score5.7
    Capsule SystemK-Cup
    Third-party CapsulesYes
    Read the Ninja Single Serve Coffee Maker PB051 review →
  12. 12KeurigK-SupremeFrom $154.995.6

    How it scored

    Drink Quality5.3
    pump pressure not published
    Capsule System & Choice7.0
    Running Cost Per Cup5.5
    Ease of Use & Speed6.0
    Build Quality & Reliabilityweakest link4.5
    carries 12 of the 95.5 points scored
    Maintenance & Cleaning5.6
    Machine Value for Money5.6
    Waste & Disposal5.0
    Price from$154.99
    Score5.6
    Capsule SystemK-Cup
    Third-party CapsulesYes
    Read the Keurig K-Supreme review →
  13. 13NespressoVertuo4.9

    How it scored

    Drink Quality7.3
    pump pressure not published
    Capsule System & Choiceweakest link0.0
    carries 16 of the 95.5 points scored
    Running Cost Per Cup0.5
    Ease of Use & Speed8.0
    Build Quality & Reliability6.5
    Maintenance & Cleaning8.8
    Machine Value for Money5.0
    no price published
    Waste & Disposal8.0
    PricePricing N/A
    Score4.9
    Third-party CapsulesNo
    Auto shut-offYes
    Read the Nespresso Vertuo review →
  14. 14NespressoVertuo Lattissima4.8

    How it scored

    Drink Quality10.0
    pump pressure not published
    Capsule System & Choiceweakest link0.0
    carries 16 of the 95.5 points scored
    Running Cost Per Cup0.5
    Ease of Use & Speed9.5
    Build Quality & Reliability4.5
    Maintenance & Cleaning3.8
    Machine Value for Money5.0
    no price published
    Waste & Disposal8.0
    PricePricing N/A
    Score4.8
    Third-party CapsulesNo
    Auto shut-offYes
    Read the Nespresso Vertuo Lattissima review →
  15. 15NespressoVertuo Plus Deluxe4.5

    How it scored

    Drink Quality7.3
    pump pressure not published
    Capsule System & Choiceweakest link0.0
    carries 16 of the 95.5 points scored
    Running Cost Per Cup0.5
    Ease of Use & Speed9.0
    Build Quality & Reliability4.5
    Maintenance & Cleaning5.0
    Machine Value for Money5.0
    no price published
    Waste & Disposal8.0
    PricePricing N/A
    Score4.5
    Third-party CapsulesNo
    Auto shut-offYes
    Read the Nespresso Vertuo Plus Deluxe review →
  16. 16BoschTassimo T55 Beverage System4.3

    How it scored

    Drink Quality4.0
    pump pressure not published
    Capsule System & Choiceweakest link1.8
    carries 16 of the 95.5 points scored
    Running Cost Per Cup5.2
    Ease of Use & Speed4.5
    Build Quality & Reliability5.0
    Maintenance & Cleaning5.0
    Machine Value for Money5.0
    no price published
    Waste & Disposal5.0
    PricePricing N/A
    Score4.3
    Capsule SystemTassimo T Disc
    Third-party CapsulesNo
    Read the Bosch Tassimo T55 Beverage System review →
  17. 17 Lavazza Tablì Espresso MachineFrom $129.994.3

    How it scored

    Drink Quality5.3
    pump pressure not published
    Capsule System & Choiceweakest link0.0
    carries 16 of the 95.5 points scored
    Running Cost Per Cup1.5
    Ease of Use & Speed6.2
    Build Quality & Reliability6.0
    Maintenance & Cleaning3.8
    Machine Value for Money5.1
    Waste & Disposal10.0
    Price from$129.99
    Score4.3
    Capsule SystemTablì
    Third-party CapsulesNo
    Auto shut-offYes, after 2 minutes
    Read the Lavazza Tablì Espresso Machine review →
  18. 18LavazzaBlue Classy Mini3.7

    How it scored

    Drink Quality4.7
    pump pressure not published
    Capsule System & Choiceweakest link0.0
    carries 16 of the 95.5 points scored
    Running Cost Per Cup2.5
    Ease of Use & Speed6.5
    Build Quality & Reliability5.0
    Maintenance & Cleaning2.5
    Machine Value for Money5.0
    no price published
    Waste & Disposal5.0
    PricePricing N/A
    Score3.7
    Capsule SystemLavazza Blue
    Third-party CapsulesNo
    Auto shut-offYes, 30 min automatic shut-off
    Read the Lavazza Blue Classy Mini review →
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