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Best Alternative Nespresso Coffee Pods
Coffee pods have become a very popular option. Read the best alternative Nespresso coffee pods.
Published November 23, 2021
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Daniel Hedlund
Coffee experts@The Coffee Lab
A hot, fresh cup of coffee in the morning is something that most of us love, but brewing espresso and getting it all ready can be too much of a hassle for people who need to get out of the door in a rush. Because of this, coffee pods have become a very popular option as they allow you to make your perfect cup of coffee in no time at all and with very little mess and clean-up required.
Nespresso is a popular brand from Nestlé with a wide range of great pod coffee machines to choose from. And, there are various different types of capsules ranging from Espresso to Lungo, Pure Origne, and even Decaffeinato. These are generally based on different coffee flavors and the different sizes that are made.
Espresso is the standard style and comes in six different types. They offer various blends of coffee and mild, medium and dark roasts. Pure Origine is a single-origin coffee. It’s got all the characteristics you’d expect from espresso, including different types and roasts, but the coffee itself only has one origin location. Lungo, on the other hand, is considered ‘longer’ – the coffee has around twice as much water to it compared to an espresso. And finally, decaffeinato has no caffeine and there are three different varieties available.
Which Coffee Capsules are Nespresso Compatible?
There are a number of different coffee capsule types that are compatible with Nespresso, and others that are not. You may want to bear in mind that Nespresso pierces their coffee pods a certain way, meaning that some capsules will not be usable with the machine, which has a thin needle. Café Royal, La Caffee Mocha, and Pressogno are some of the brands that tend to work best. Bear in mind that if you have a newer version of the Nespresso coffee machine, this has thinner needles and the older, hard plastic pods might not be compatible since the thin needle may not be able to pierce them. On the other hand, a wider range of alternative capsules are likely to work well with the older models.
Comparing Different Nespresso Machines
The Nespresso Original and Nespresso Vertuo are two of the most popular machine types that work with Nespresso pods and many alternative capsules. Maybe you are thinking about getting a new Nespresso coffee machine or trading in your older model for a new one. However, is the newer model worth investing in?
The Nespresso Original is a popular choice. It can make two different drink sizes using a single size pod, and has a removable water tank that is easy to refill. There are nineteen bars of pressure, ensuring that your cup of coffee is more flavorful and balanced.
On the other hand, the Nespresso Vertuo is a newer version of the machine that offers a range of different Nespresso pod sizes to make different espresso sizes. However, most of the alternative pod options that you may have used successfully with the Nespresso Original are not going to work with this machine, which is only compatible with Nespresso Vertuo compatible pods. However, if you are willing to sacrifice those options, you can use this machine to get larger and more elaborate specialty drinks that aren’t possible with other machines.
If you just want to use your Nespresso machine to make espresso or basic coffee, you’ll have a lot of the same choices. The price point for each machine is quite similar and each makes different coffee sizes. The Vertuo is a better choice for those who want to make specialty coffees, while the Original might be ideal for you if you prefer the idea of using pods from non-Nespresso brands.
How to Use Nespresso and Nespresso-Compatible Capsules
If you want to find third-party capsules for less that are compatible with your Nespresso machine, the first step is to ensure that they are actually compatible with your machine. Finding pods that are going to work with the newer models can be trickier, while older models are likely to have more options, since the needles in these machines will be able to pierce even the plastic pods. You will usually be able to get more information on which coffee machine the pods will work with from the manufacturer.
You should also make sure that you are placing the pods correctly into the machine. If they are not lined up exactly, the needle may miss the thinner area of the pod which could lead to it not being opened correctly when in the machine. Pay attention to where and how it is placed and if the lid of the machine closes easily. If the cover is not closing, you may need to readjust the pod and press down again. Don’t push down too hard or force the cover to close, since this could end up breaking the needle or breaking the pod.
If you’re ready to get started, these are some of the best compatible pod options for Nespresso machines.
Rosso Coffee Capsules
These coffee capsules are a great choice for anybody who wants to try something new. They offer sixty different pods of gourmet espresso with six different flavors to choose from. They are made with dark coffee blends that are very intense, and come in packaging that is completely recyclable. Even better, they come with a 60-day satisfaction guarantee.
Real Coffee Nespresso Compatible Pods
This 100% organic, Fairtrade coffee is an ideal choice for anybody who enjoys a flavorful dark roast. There is a frothy crema on the top and despite the dark roast, you can still taste the flavor of the beans, as the blend is at the lower end of dark roast. It’s a great choice for people who prefer medium or medium-dark coffee roast options too, and the brand has been named one of the best for alternative pods.
Italian Espresso Capsules
This brand offers different flavors of coffee to choose from, but the Italian blend is an ideal choice, with great quality. Made in Italy, you can rely on it to be an authentic cup of Italian espresso every time. The pack comes with one hundred pods, and the lungo size gives you lots of intensity.
Bestpresso Coffee for Nespresso
If you want to get a big pack of compatible coffee pods to use in your Nespresso machine, these are an ideal choice, with 120 pods offering six different popular espresso flavors. They are all compatible with the original Nespresso maker, but bear in mind that they may not always be the best coffee pods for Nespresso Vertuo. They are unique and 100% natural, made in Spain using coffee that is over fifty percent certified by the Rainforest Alliance.
L’OR Espresso Capsules
If you’re looking for Vertuo compatible pods that offer great value, these elegant-looking options from L’OR are an ideal option. You get fifty capsules in a variety pack, offering some of the brand’s top blends. Made with aluminum, they are completely recyclable, which is great for those who care about the impact of their coffee on the environment. There are mild and intense flavors available, all made with blends of sustainably grown, 100% Arabica beans.
Nespresso Capsules VertuoLine
What pods are compatible with Nespresso Vertuo? Since many of the alternative pods aren’t, and it’s hard to find cheap Nespresso Vertuo pods, you may be better going with pods that are specially designed for this machine. The VertuoLine range of pods from Nespresso is an ideal choice, with thirty different pods in three different varieties to offer a balanced flavor. If you want to get a slightly different variety of flavors, there is also the option to choose the barista mix you want. These might not be as cheap as some alternative coffee pods available, but you can rely on them to offer the best sized coffee pod for your machine.
Lavazza Deciso Espresso
If you enjoy dark roast coffee, this blend is going to be a top contender for you. It offers sixty capsules of a delicious dark roast expresso with a velvety flavor and texture, offering notes of cocoa and wood with a great balance. The package includes sixty capsules with six different varieties that all use coffee beans roasted in Italy.
Starbucks by Nespresso Variety Pack
Anybody who enjoys Starbucks coffee is going to want to get their hands on the most popular five blends from Starbucks for their Nespresso machine. The package offers a mix of options from blonde to dark roasts, with a variety pack and an intense pack available depending on what you prefer. It comes with fifty different pods that you can use to brew coffee in any Nespresso coffee machine, in any of your favorite sizes with three different size varieties available.
Whatever Nespresso machine you have, alternative pods can be a cheaper way to get the coffee you want without sacrificing great taste. However, it’s worth considering the fact that some machines work better with the alternative pods than others. You should have no problem finding any pods for the original Nespresso machine, while the Nespresso Vertuo can be trickier.
About the author
Daniel Hedlund
Working with the Era of We initiative and loves knowledge sharing and a really good cup of coffee.
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