With an estimated two in five businesses now moving towards hybrid-style working, the home office is here to stay. Which makes investing in your set-up worthwhile.
Already swapped the sofa for an ergonomic chair? Invested in a desk lamp that doesn’t make your eyes sting? Then how about another vital workday tool: the humble cup of coffee.
You already know caffeine is nature’s own performance enhancer. A study of Navy Seals found that the optimal dose for mental sharpness and better mood was 200mg (a triple-shot americano). But there’s a middle ground between bland granules and building yourself a full-blown espresso bar.
Pod machines produce single-serve coffee with minimal faff, clean-up and margin for error. Plus, many models come with steamers to help recreate your usual order at home. The Men’s Health Lab team knocked back an eye-opening number of shots to find the machines that live up to the buzz. Make ours a double.
Best coffee machines 2022
• Best space saver: Nespresso Creatista Pro
• Best milk machine: Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg Coffee Machine
• Best value: Opal One Capsule Machine
• Best all-rounder: Nespresso Creatista Plus Coffee Machine BNE800
• Best design: De’Longhi Lattissima One Nespresso Coffee Machine
Space-Saver
82/100
De’Longhi Lattissima One Nespresso Coffee Machine, ($399, harveynorman.com.au)
How It Works: 3.5/5
Ease Of Use: 5/5
Design: 4.5/5
Punching up: Much like an espresso, this machine is small but mighty. Not only does it have a milk frother, but the attachment is dishwasher-safe and helpfully compact. The 14 pods it comes with are tasty as well.
Expert verdict: This machine delivers quality coffee without taking over your entire kitchen. Its espressos were consistent and you can modify some settings, but for stronger milky coffees, you’ll need to brew a separate shot.
The Milk Man
84/100
Nespresso Creatista Plus Coffee Machine BNE800,
($849, harveynorman.com.au)
How It Works: 4/5
Ease Of Use: 4.5/5
Design: 5/5
Get creative: Keen to practise your latte art? Milk this machine’s settings for all they’re worth. With eight texture levels for frothing and 11 temperature options, you can match any coffee shop’s menu. It looks pro, too.
Expert verdict: With the best milk texture in testing, this high-end machine is a smart buy if you’re after more than just a decent espresso. The milk settings can be a little slow, but the result is worth the wait.
Master Barista
88/100
Opal One Capsule Machine,
($199, venezianocoffee.com.au)
How It Works: 4.5/5
Ease Of Use: 5/5
Design: 4/5
Full flavour: Designed with specialty coffee pods in mind, this good-value machine is one for aficionados. You can change the brewing temperature to suit the coffee pods you’re using, and its spout adjusts to accommodate your go-to mug.
Expert verdict: Quick to brew, this machine turned out delicious espresso with solid consistency, bringing out the unique flavours in each pod. It’s simple to use and the sleek, compact design will look good on your kitchen worktop.
Crowd-Pleaser
79/100
Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg Coffee Machine, ($349, designappliances.com.au)
How It Works: 3.5/5
Ease Of Use: 4.5/5
Design: 4.5/5
Full of beans: With its retro look, this Smeg machine is one to leave on display. It brews in roughly 30 seconds, has dishwasher-proof components and an empty water tank alert. The accompanying eco pods are a nice touch, too.
Expert verdict: Designed for Lavazza eco caps, this machine will suit if you enjoy a dark, bitter roast. It proved
easy to use, making espressos of consistent quality, while its long, slim design will make it a stand-out piece in your kitchen.
A Quicker Hit
82/100
Nespresso Creatista Pro
($999, binglee.com.au)
How It Works: 3.5/5
Ease Of Use: 4.5/5
Design: 5/5
Express delivery: In a rush to get your fix? This sleek machine has a three-second heat-up time, and delivers two coffees in under a minute. It also boasts a menu of eight programmed drinks with customisable volumes, milk and temperature settings.
Expert verdict
Although pricey, this pod coffee machine offers control, so you can make your cup just the way you like it. It takes a while to figure out, but your time – and money – will be well invested.
