I'm way too much a coffee snob to consider a pod machine so I can't help you there but if you decide to go with a proper espresso machine I have the Sunbeam Cafe one which for a home machine under 1k makes pretty awesome coffee.

I don't think you will ever get a great coffee from a pod machine because coffee is only as good as the beans you use and pods just can't replicate the flavour and creme of freshly ground beans. To get a great coffee at home you need fresh, good quality beans and a good grinder.