ProCook Coffee Pod Machine review: the easiest pod coffee maker on the planet?

ProCook is arguably best known for its collection of cookware and is often described as an affordable version of Le Creuset. But over the past couple of years, ProCook has been expanded into appliances, and now the brand has launched a full range of coffee machines.

At the start of 2025, ProCook launched four coffee machines, including two bean-to-cup models, an espresso maker and a pod coffee machine. The latter – the ProCook Coffee Pod Machine – is what I’ve been testing for the past few weeks and I have to say – it might be the easiest pod coffee maker I’ve ever used.

So, how does the ProCook Coffee Pod Machine measure up to other best pod coffee machines on the market? Keep reading to find out.

ProCook Coffee Pod Machine review: price and availability

The ProCook Coffee Pod Machine costs £159 and is available to buy at ProCook. It doesn’t include a milk frother, but you can buy ProCook’s coffee pod machine and milk frother bundle for £199.

ProCook Coffee Pod Machine review: unboxing and set-up

The ProCook Coffee Pod Machine comes with the pod coffee machine… and nothing else. That’s all you need really, apart from the pods, of course. To set up the ProCook Coffee Pod Machine, all you have to do is fill up the detachable water tank before placing it towards the back of the machine and plugging in the machine. Simple!

Speaking of pods, the ProCook Coffee Pod Machine is compatible with most aluminium coffee pod brands. There are a few exceptions like built-in pods, pods for professional and Nespresso Vertuo models, but you can use most pods on the market. Personally, I went for the Starbucks House Blend by Nespresso. As ProCook doesn't make pods, you’ll have to buy them separately.

ProCook Coffee Pod Machine review: design and features

The ProCook Coffee Pod Machine has a simple yet sleek design. It’s mainly made from plastic but it also has stainless steel accents. It’s built very simply, with its small detachable water tank and pod compartment at the top. It has three buttons – an on/off button on the side, and single shot and double shot buttons at the front.

When you plug in the ProCook Coffee Pod Machine and turn it on, it heats up quickly and makes no noise while doing so. The single and double shot icons at the front flash blue while pre-heating and then stay in a solid blue colour when it’s ready. After popping in your pod and selecting single or double espresso, the ProCook Coffee Pod Machine starts making the coffee – your coffee mug sits on the silver drip tray and once the drink is made, the pod is dispensed into the collection tray.

Measuring 37cm/14.5in x 25cm/10in x 11cm/4.5in, the ProCook Coffee Pod Machine has a very compact size, and fits nicely in any type of kitchen, especially one that has limited space. What I liked the most about it is it has sticky buttons on the bottom of the machine so it attaches to your counter so it does slip or move around.

All parts of the ProCook Coffee Pod Machine are removable, including the drip and collection trays, support grid and water tank, so it’s easy to clean.

ProCook Coffee Pod Machine review: performance

I’ve been using my bean-to-cup coffee machine for years now, so I was excited to try a different type of coffee maker and found the ProCook Coffee Pod Machine insanely easy to use. Considering its limited amount of buttons, you can’t really go wrong with it, but the ease and speed in which it made coffee was great, and meant I could make a quick coffee before meetings without having to play around with it too much.

What I’ve found with other pod makers is that they take a while to heat up and then make an obscene amount of noise. The ProCook Coffee Pod Machine doesn’t do either of those things. It heats up quickly and it’s not too loud when in action. I mainly used the ProCook Coffee Pod Machine to make double shot espressos which it did well, and then used my milk frother to froth the milk and that worked amazingly well for me.

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The build of the ProCook Coffee Pod Machine is nice and I enjoyed the stainless steel accents. The plastic did feel a little flimsy at times but it definitely felt and looked like a more high quality pod coffee machine compared to others that I’ve used in the past which feel like they could break at any instant!

While I enjoyed using the ProCook Coffee Pod Machine, I do think there are some design flaws that need rectifying. After a few uses, a pod got stuck in the main compartment. It wasn’t a case of the collection tray being too full as I checked, and while it was an easy removal process, it’s something to consider.

I’d also say that the space between where the mug seats and the coffee spout should be longer. I found with some mugs that they just about squeezed into the space but if you like a tall mug, you’ll have trouble getting it on the tray and might have to hold it at an angle underneath to catch the coffee.

ProCook Coffee Pod Machine review: verdict

Overall, the ProCook Coffee Pod Machine has to be the easiest pod coffee machine I’ve ever used. It’s quick, almost soundless and takes up hardly any space in your kitchen. It works with a variety of pod types and makes single or double shot coffees in a matter of minutes.

Some design elements could be worked on, like the mug holder and plastic build, but the ProCook Coffee Pod Machine is definitely one I’d recommend if you’re looking for a good pod coffee maker.

ProCook Coffee Pod Machine review: alternatives to consider

A good alternative to the ProCook Coffee Pod Machine is the Nespresso Vertuo Plus. Instead of having the water tank at the back, the Nespresso Vertuo Plus has it on the side which takes up a bit more room than the ProCook Coffee Pod Machine. But it’s a quality pod coffee machine that works with Nespresso Vertuo capsules rather than normal Nespresso ones, so it’ll mainly depend on what type of pods you like to use with this one.

Another good alternative is the Lavazza A Modo Mio Desea. It has a similar compact design and price tag, and comes in more colours than the ProCook Coffee Pod Machine. It also has a built-in steam wand and milk frother which is different from the ProCook model which sells a milk frother separately.