Best of · 5 products

Best Grey Pod Machines

The best grey pod machines, ranked by our review scores. The compromise finish, and a sensible one: neutral in a kitchen that is neither white nor black, and better at hiding marks than either of them. Grey also tends to be the colourway a maker keeps longest, which matters more than it sounds - a discontinued colour means a replacement carafe or lid that no longer matches.

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.

Grey Pod Machines, ranked by score

scored on what the maker publishesOpen a row for the score working
  1. 1NinjaCFN601 Espresso & Coffee Barista SystemFrom $1646.3

    How it scored

    Drink Quality7.3
    pump pressure not published
    Capsule System & Choice5.0
    Running Cost Per Cupweakest link4.0
    carries 16 of the 95.5 points scored
    Ease of Use & Speed5.8
    Build Quality & Reliability7.5
    Maintenance & Cleaning8.8
    Machine Value for Money6.0
    Waste & Disposal8.0
    Price from$164
    Score6.3
    Read the Ninja CFN601 Espresso & Coffee Barista System review →
  2. 2KeurigK-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 →
  3. 3NespressoVertuo4.9

    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 →
  4. 4NespressoVertuo Pop+ DeluxeFrom $994.6

    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 & Reliability4.5
    Maintenance & Cleaning5.6
    Machine Value for Money6.8
    Waste & Disposal8.0
    Price from$99
    Score4.6
    Capsule SystemNespresso Vertuo
    Third-party CapsulesNo
    Auto shut-offYes (2 Minutes)
    Read the Nespresso Vertuo Pop+ Deluxe review →
  5. 5NespressoVertuo Up4.5

    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 & Speed7.5
    Build Quality & Reliability5.0
    Maintenance & Cleaning6.9
    Machine Value for Money5.0
    no price published
    Waste & Disposal8.0
    PricePricing N/A
    Score4.5
    Third-party CapsulesNo
    Read the Nespresso Vertuo Up review →
Auto milkNinja CFN601 Espresso & Coffee Barista System
6.3Decent

Ninja CFN601 Espresso & Coffee Barista System

Home users wanting a dual-function espresso capsule and ground-coffee brewer with built-in frothing

Pressure
19 bar
Capsules
Original-style espresso capsules
Material
Plastic
Ships to
US
from$164
Keurig K-Mini Single Serve Coffee Maker
6.1Decent

Keurig K-Mini Single Serve Coffee Maker

The smallest footprint in single serve, for a desk, dorm or caravan

Capsules
Single-use K-Cup pods
Capsule family
K-Cup
Ships to
US
from$71
Nespresso Vertuo
4.9Below average

Nespresso Vertuo

The original Vertuo, with the biggest tank in the range and no frother to store

Capsules
Vertuo
Ships to
US
No price published
Nespresso Vertuo Pop+ Deluxe
4.6Below average

Nespresso Vertuo Pop+ Deluxe

Somebody who wants a mug of coffee rather than an espresso, and does not mind buying Nespresso's pods

Capsules
Vertuo
Capsule family
Nespresso Vertuo
Ships to
US
from$99
Nespresso Vertuo Up
4.5Below average

Nespresso Vertuo Up

The newest Vertuo, and the only one you can set from your phone

Capsules
Vertuo
Ships to
US
No price published

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