As a barista, I've always been a snob about pod coffee, but illy just changed my mind

Illy thinks about coffee in a way other brands often don’t. And I love it. Their machines range from models smaller than a pint of milk to beautifully retro designs that bring personality to the countertop. Now, they’ve added another standout to the line-up: the illy X3.

If you love the taste of fresh coffee but crave the ease of pods, the illy X3 might just be your perfect match. Designed by architect Luca Trazzi, it blends form and function with minimalist styling, a slim profile, and a sleek metallic finish that looks right at home in both modern and classic kitchens.

Beyond looks, the X3 is built for performance. It uses illy’s new X-CAPS system and Hyperinfusion technology to infuse water under optimal pressure for a full-bodied espresso and lasting crema. I tested the X3 by brewing over fifty coffees, judging them on flavour, consistency, speed, and overall experience. By the end, my cup was overflowing with compliments. I’m confident this is one of the best pod coffee machines on the market right now.

illy X3 Coffee Machine Specifications

Unboxing the illy X3 Coffee Machine

One of the things that I love about illy more than anything is that they don’t overdo the packaging. The illy X3 will arrive at yours in a compact box, designed to house the X3 as efficiently as possible. All the packaging is recyclable and easy to flatten down and you’ll get an instruction manual too, although I don’t think you’ll need it.

There are some stickers holding the drip tray and reservoir in place, so you’ll want to peel these off. Then, there’s a water reservoir at the back, which detaches and is easy to fill. You’ve also got the pod container on top, which is a genius extra that makes coffee that little bit neater and easier.

Who would the illy X3 Coffee Machine suit?

The standout appeal of the illy X3 is undoubtedly its flavour. The clever X-CAPS pods deliver the kind of rich, full-bodied taste I’d expect from a barista-made coffee, but in a compact, convenient pod format that can be neatly stored in the box on top of the machine. I’ll go into more detail later in the review, but the flavour really is exceptional. While you won’t find elaborate options like vanilla cold brew, illy focuses on classic coffee profiles and does them brilliantly.

It’s worth noting that the X3 is best suited to those who prefer their coffee black. There’s no integrated milk frother, though you can purchase illy’s standalone frother separately. It’s actually the one I used at home before upgrading to a machine with a built-in option.

With its slim profile, the illy X3 is ideal for smaller kitchens where space is at a premium. Its sleek metallic finish complements clean, contemporary aesthetics, but the design is versatile enough to suit both modern and more traditional settings.

What is the illy X3 Coffee Machine like to use?

The illy X3 is really simple to brew with. The drip tray has a platform that sits above it to support your espresso cups, so that you don’t get any splashing on the machine. At the front, you’ve got two buttons: one for espresso and one for Americano. These flash while the machine warms up and then they will consistently light up when the machine is ready to work.

Test 1: espresso

The simple espresso is very telling when you’re testing a coffee machine. These intense shots don’t leave anything to hide behind, so the flavours are front-and-centre. I put one of illy’s new shot cups (how beautiful are they?) under the brew head and pressed the button for a shot.

It took fourteen seconds to brew, which is nice and speedy. Over all the espressos that I made, the average time ended up being about twelve seconds. As the machine warmed up, the coffee brewed quicker: each shot tasted great.

The flavours of my espresso were perfect: they were punchy and bold. I could even see a crema on top, which is really unusual for pod coffee, because the crema comes from fresh coffee oils. Pods don’t often preserve these oils well, but illy’s do.

Test 2: Lungo

The next test is making a bigger cup of coffee. My cup fitted nicely underneath and you can see that there’s scope for taller cups and even travel mugs, which is great news. It brewed 110ml in 42 seconds, which is pretty speedy for a machine like this. I would normally expect a coffee machine to take between one minute and one and a half minutes.

What’s even better is that the coffee flavours were incredible. I want to know the secret sauce that goes into illy’s new capsules because I don’t think I could have made a better Lungo with some of my more artisan brewing styles. It was mellow, nutty and a really beautiful cup. After testing the same multiple times, I can confirm that the flavours really are always that good. There’s nothing like a bit of consistency.

Cleaning the illy X3 Coffee Machine

The illy X3 is really low maintenance. The pod bin can easily hold at least five capsules and the way the machine brews won’t give you a lot of coffee splashing or mess. In fact, it’s actually really smooth.

After use, I gave the whole surface a wipe-down because I wanted to keep it shining and I popped the pods into the recycling bin. Aside from rinsing the bin and the drip tray, there’s very little in the way of maintenance.

How does the illy X3 Coffee Machine compare?

I was testing this alongside the Nespresso Vertuo Pop, which is another compact coffee machine. Both sit around a similar price point (the Nespresso is £30 more), but they have quite different offerings. The Vertuo Pop is very style-forward — it has a very cool, colourful look and you’ve got lots of trendy flavoured pods on offer, including cold brew, watermelon, and pistachio vanilla. The illy arguably brews more simple coffee, but flavour wise, I think it has the edge. Whilst it looks more minimalist, the slim shape fits really neatly into small kitchens and it’s cheaper than the Nespresso. I think those are lots of reasons that make it easy to love this.

Alternatively, if you want a machine that’s even smaller, the illy E.S.E. is brilliant. It uses different, compostable pods and still makes a great cup. The machine is really compact, which is why I’ve found myself recommending it most recently to a friend who lives in a canal boat. Yes, it really is that small.

Should you buy the illy X3 Coffee Machine ?

If you want a compact, sleek coffee machine that brews artisanal flavours, the illy X3 is perfect. It’s great value for money and I’ll happily recommend it to even the most snobbish coffee drinkers.

How we test

At woman&home, we have a rigorous testing process for all of our coffee machines. As a former barista, I’ve been put in charge of all of our reviews. I have high standards for the flavours: whether it’s a pod machine or a barista-style espresso machine, I will judge the flavours in the same way, offering context for what the cups of coffee should taste like.

I make espresso and Americano style coffees on repeat, checking for flavour consistency as well as time, temperature, and noise. I’ll also talk about the set up and the clean up, so you know exactly what you’re getting with each machine.

If you’re keen to find out more, you can visit our dedicated page for how we test coffee machines.