Key specs – Pod type: Nespresso Vertuo pods; Drink sizes: Five (Espresso, Double Espresso, Gran Lungo, Mug, Alto); Bar pressure: N/A (uses centrifugal force); Water tank capacity: 1. Available in three matte colourways, SMEG’S new BCC02 is altogether more contemporary-looking than the cheaper ECF01BL above. It pours big mugs of quality pod coffee exceptionally well, producing tasty drinks that you can enjoy with or without milk.

It arrives assembled so all you need to do is plug it in, set the time by holding down the H and M buttons (this is so you can use the timer functions) and fill the water tank. The controls take a bit of getting used to, but this is an intelligent appliance that takes all the confusion out of coffeemaking.This isn’t anywhere near as authentic as milk frothed with a steam wand or carafe but it is a lot quicker and in most cases, much cheaper too. The only downside to this machine is that it does take a little longer to pour coffee than most of its rivals, even if you’re using the customisable buttons. It’s controlled via three simple buttons on the front of the machine, but they’re customisable, so you can adjust brew temperature and water hardness. Pull the lever on the left down for a 10kg tamp and it will examine whether there is enough coffee inside the portafilter. You then fill the milk jug and stick it under the wand – there’s a sensor so you know you have it in the right place.

The makers of this machine advise using speciality pods, but we started with generic Nespresso-compatible pods for fairness – and the results were impressive. There’s no messing around with programming drink sizes either – though you can do this if you want to customise your machine. Our tester found the water tank’s capsule lever stiff to operate, but liked how quiet it was in use – a real pro for the families of early birds! As part of our design tests, we also look at the capsule bin, if there is one, and the water tank, to consider whether these offer a reasonable capacity compared to the size of the machine.There’s clever tech under the bonnet that automates the correct pressure, time and temperature of water every time, so you get consistently delicious espresso without too much effort. Though more complex to use than most beginner-friendly machines, its quick start guide is accessibly clear and concise, making set-up a breeze, and the instructions are reassuringly thorough. Yes, I would like to receive regular personalized communications about L'OR including its products, offers, and surveys. If you’re set on a Nespresso machine and want the lowdown on some of the tastiest pods, our best Nespresso capsules page will help you choose the perfect blends.

This Nespresso-friendly pod coffee machine earned rave reviews from our experts for its quick, reliable, and accurate espresso making. We also liked the small footprint of this machine – for a bean-to-cup machine it didn’t take up too much space on our kitchen counter. The drawback of this machine is that not many brands have adopted vertuo pods yet, so you can’t get quite as wide a range of pods from brands as you can the standard Nespresso. Hearst UK is the trading name of the National Magazine Company Ltd, 30 Panton Street, Leicester Square, London, SW1Y 4AJ. For the full roster of our tried-and-tested coffee recommendations, visit our guides to the best espresso machines, best coffee pod machines, best bean-to-cup coffee machines, best iced coffee makers and accessories, and best milk frothers.Some of the priciest machines have built-in milk carafes which allow them to deliver creamy lattes and cappuccinos at the touch of the button, while others have steam wands which allow you to manually steam your own milk to create your own. Another great brewer from Nespresso, the affordable Vertuo Pop is their most compact design yet, at just 25cm tall. I started by running through a couple of water cycles before inserting coffee beans into the swing-out container.