Best of · 12 products

Best Pod Machines Under $250

The best pod machines under $250, ranked by our review scores. Enough money to expect published specifications, so this list is unforgiving about makers who do not give you any.

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.

Pod Machines Under $250, 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. 2NinjaCFN601 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 →
  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. 5NespressoPixieFrom $1496.2

    How it scored

    Drink Quality5.3
    pump pressure not published
    Capsule System & Choice7.0
    Running Cost Per Cup6.5
    Ease of Use & Speed6.5
    Build Quality & Reliability5.5
    Maintenance & Cleaningweakest link3.8
    carries 8 of the 95.5 points scored
    Machine Value for Money6.4
    Waste & Disposal8.0
    Price from$149
    Score6.2
    Capsule SystemNespresso Original
    Third-party CapsulesYes
    Auto shut-offYes, after 9 minutes of non-use; adjustable to 30 minutes
    Read the Nespresso Pixie review →
  6. 6KeurigK-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 →
  7. 7KeurigK-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 →
  8. 8NespressoEssenza Mini Espresso Machine by BrevilleFrom $179.955.9

    How it scored

    Drink Quality5.3
    pump pressure not published
    Capsule System & Choice7.0
    Running Cost Per Cup6.5
    Ease of Use & Speed6.5
    Build Quality & Reliability4.5
    Maintenance & Cleaningweakest link2.5
    carries 8 of the 95.5 points scored
    Machine Value for Money5.1
    Waste & Disposal8.0
    Price from$179.95
    Score5.9
    Capsule SystemNespresso Original
    Third-party CapsulesYes
    Auto shut-offAuto-off after 9 mins.
    Read the Nespresso Essenza Mini Espresso Machine by Breville review →
  9. 9KeurigK-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 →
  10. 10NespressoVertuo 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 →
  11. 11NespressoVertuo NextFrom $1594.5

    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 & Speed8.5
    Build Quality & Reliability5.5
    Maintenance & Cleaning5.0
    Machine Value for Money4.4
    Waste & Disposal8.0
    Price from$159
    Score4.5
    Capsule SystemNespresso Vertuo
    Third-party CapsulesNo
    Auto shut-offYes, automatic shutoff after inactivity
    Read the Nespresso Vertuo Next review →
  12. 12 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 →
⇄ Compare
01Nespresso Lattissima One
7.7Very good

Nespresso Lattissima One

Milk drinks for one, without a carafe of milk left standing after

Capsules
Nespresso Original
Capsule family
Nespresso Original
Ships to
US
from$129
02Auto 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
03Keurig K-Express Single-Serve
6.2Decent

Keurig K-Express Single-Serve

One person, one mug, the least you can spend to get there

Capsules
K-Cup
Capsule family
K-Cup
Ships to
US
from$69.99
04Nespresso Inissia
6.2Decent

Nespresso Inissia

The smallest, cheapest way onto Nespresso Original capsules

Capsules
Nespresso Original
Capsule family
Nespresso Original
Ships to
US
from$189
05Nespresso Pixie
6.2Decent

Nespresso Pixie

Espresso lovers wanting a compact, fast, no-fuss capsule machine for home or small office

Pressure
19 bar
Capsules
Nespresso Original Line capsules
Capsule family
Nespresso Original
Ships to
US
from$149
06Keurig 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
07Keurig K-Classic
5.9Decent

Keurig K-Classic

A house where everyone drinks something different, on the cheapest pods going

Capsules
K-Cup
Capsule family
K-Cup
Ships to
US
from$99.99
08Nespresso Essenza Mini Espresso Machine by Breville
5.9Decent

Nespresso Essenza Mini Espresso Machine by Breville

Space-conscious coffee drinkers who want a simple, compact Nespresso Original Line machine

Pressure
19 bar
Capsules
Nespresso Original Line capsules
Capsule family
Nespresso Original
Auto shutoff
Auto-off after 9 mins.
from$179.95
09Keurig K-Supreme
5.6Decent

Keurig K-Supreme

Home users wanting fast, convenient single-serve coffee with minimal fuss

Capsules
K-Cup pod
Capsule family
K-Cup
Ships to
US
from$154.99
10Nespresso 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
11Nespresso Vertuo Next
4.5Below average

Nespresso Vertuo Next

Home users wanting fast, no-fuss single-serve coffee in multiple sizes without any brewing skill

Capsules
proprietary Vertuo capsules with centrifusion barcode technology
Capsule family
Nespresso Vertuo
Ships to
US
from$159
12Lavazza Tablì Espresso Machine
4.3Below average

Lavazza Tablì Espresso Machine

Espresso from a pressed coffee tab, with no capsule to recycle and no grounds to handle

Capsules
Tablì
Capsule family
Tablì
from$129.99

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