Getting out of bed in the morning is never easy; but it can be made a little easier with help from a steaming cup of coffee. Coffee machines make this process a piece of cake, and one of the most popular brands is Nespresso. Despite the quality of their machines, their pods are notoriously expensive. So, is there a cheaper alternative?
Fortunately, yes. If you’re lucky enough to own a Nespresso coffee machine, then you’ll be pleased to learn that there are much cheaper coffee capsules out there made by third-parties for just a fraction of the price of the real thing.
But how do you know you can trust them? Well, we’ve put them to the test. In this article, we’ll guide you through the very best alternative Nespresso pods on the market right now, and why we think you’ll love them. Read on to our handy Buyer’s Guide to help you pick the perfect alternative Nespresso pods.
7 Best Alternative Nespresso Pods
Bestpresso Coffee for Nespresso Original Machine
Bestpresso has long produced high-quality alternatives to Nespresso pods. Their flavour names are very similar to those of Nespresso, but the price is substantially lower. Bestpresso’s coffee pod line, like Nespresso’s, consists of 12 different blends.
The range includes everything from powerful, strong coffee to light blends, as well as a decaffeinated pod and a number of single origins. They have many different flavor options to choose from including ristretto, intenso, arabica, espresso, decaffeinato, lungo, verona, chocolate, vanilla, caramel, and many more.
In this variety pack, you’ll receive a whole selection of pods for you to try.
Bestpresso’s coffee, which comprises ground coffee, whole beans, and capsule coffee, is of exceptional quality, holding very high standards in every stage of the coffee process, from planting to encapsulating. Furthermore, the orthodox union has recognized all of Bestpresso’s coffee as Kosher.
This company, like Nespresso, has a recycling programme: They make a significant effort to lower their carbon footprint and make their coffee eco-friendly by providing free recycling bags that can carry up to 200 capsules at a time and may be shipped for free.
Pros:
- Great variety – Every pod is different from any other, containing different coffee from different roasteries around the world, in different ratios. There are a wide range of flavors to choose from.
- Environmentally friendly – Bestpresso coffee is Rainforest Alliance certified, which ensures that good forestry, agriculture, and tourist practises are followed when cultivating and harvesting it.
- Extended guarantee – Bestpresso has a 60-day satisfaction guarantee, which allows you to contact the company for a refund if you are dissatisfied with their coffee.
Cons:
- Low intensity – These pods aren’t quite as intense as the coffee you’d experience with a real Nespresso pod.
Peet’s Coffee Espresso Capsules Variety Pack
The decades of experience of Peet’s coffees is undeniably visible in this variety pack. The contents of the Nespresso-compatible capsules are entirely made of Arabica beans. If you prefer your espresso to be rich and robust, this variety pack is for you.
You will receive a sample of five of their most popular high-intensity blends. With 10 Nespresso OriginalLine compatible capsules of each flavour, you’ll have lots of chances to choose your favourite. Peet’s does not yet sell coffee pods that are compatible with the Nespresso Vertuoline.
After using one of Peet’s Coffee capsules, you can leave the coffee inside and place it in one of the complimentary recycling bags they provide: They transport these – which may carry up to 100 capsules – to a special recycling plant where the aluminium is meticulously sorted and repurposed, and the leftover coffee is composted.
Also, Peet’s Coffee has an app for iPhone and Android that allows you to get free beverages, discounts, and special deals.
Pros:
- Good variety – Peet’s offer a large range of pods in lots of different flavors and they can range in intensity, depending on your personal taste.
- Good for the planet – They recycle their materials during the harvesting process and any leftover coffee is composted.
- Full-bodied flavor – We’re big fans of their Nerissimo pods, which is a sweetly-flavored dark roast with an intensity rating of 11.
Cons:
- Differs a lot from Nespresso pods – Some reviewers noticed that these pods don’t taste anything like Nespresso pods, as they were looking for something stronger.
Delicitaly 100 Italian Coffee Pods
This pack of coffee pods from the brand Delicitaly truly tastes just like real, authentic Italian espresso. This is because all of their beans are roasted in a very special Neopolitanian way in order to achieve that desired dark and intense roast with a hint of delicate bitterness to it.
Also, all of their coffee is roasted without any preservatives, added sugar, or preservatives, making it a healthier option than many supermarket brands. Possibly the biggest selling point for this pack is it’s price tag- as it is one of the cheapest options on this list.
These Delicitaly Pure Italian Food Nespresso Capsules come in a massive 100-unit pack, with each capsule loaded with washed Robusta beans produced in Italy to exact Neapolitan standards, making them excel as the main ingredient in a wide range of espresso drinks
However, this is a powerful and strong product that may not appeal to all consumers who prefer a lighter roast. Furthermore, despite the fact that the container contains 100 units, there is only one flavour available: a dark ristretto.
Pros:
- Great for everyday use – The delicate Robusta beans are perfect for everyday lattes as well as black coffees.
- Huge multipack – This box ships with a huge selection of 100 pods.
- Authentic Italian coffee – This coffee is manufactured in the heart of Italy to Neopolitan standards.
Cons:
- Very intense – This blend may be a little too intense for some coffee lovers.
Real Coffee Mixed Variety Pack Capsules
Real Coffee’s beverages are created from Arabica beans and are 80 percent Fair Trade and organic. Some of the coffee is blended with Robusta to give a richer, more intense flavour. It is a premium brand at an affordable price. Furthermore, all of their beans come from Costa Rica and South America.
The Real Coffee pods are Nespresso compatible so ideal for anyone with Krups, Magimix, Nespresso machines. They also produce a great range of coffee pods which are compatible with Dolce Gusto machines.
These Real Coffee pods also come with an innovative design; each capsule has a foil top and bottom so that the needles of your coffee machine penetrate further into the plastic, allowing more water to circulate and in turn, releases a full-bodied, smooth coffee. The colourful capsules are also made from a recyclable polyethylene.
Pros:
- Environmentally friendly – Real Coffee Pods can be recycled with minimal effort. Simply peel the wrapper, drop the spent coffee into compostable waste, and recycle the empty pod.
- Innovative design – The double foiled lid allows extra needle penetration, ensuring you never waste a drop.
- Affordable – Although these pods are compatible with most Nespresso machines, they’re much cheaper than the real thing.
Cons:
- Poor customer service – Some reviewers noted that customer service was unhelpful and unresponsive to complaints.
L’or Espresso Supremo Capsules
This coffee from L’or provides an amazing blend of dark chocolate, nuts, and wood, along with an absolutely perfect layer of rich crema, designed to delight your taste buds. The Supremo is designed to fit properly with your espresso machine and ensures that you have the best flavour by the time the coffee is made.
This is Because the metal packaging ensures that the flavour is indeed locked in for your convenience, and you receive far more foam with these Nespresso capsules.
This French brewed coffee has a robust flavour that can only be found in France, with a wild blend of nuts, oak, and chocolate that is untamed and unfettered. It’s also one of the cheapest options on this list, making it ideal for those on a tight budget.
Pros:
- Strong flavor – The intensity is great for those who love a full-bodied brew
- Affordable – A very cheap option compared to other pods
Cons:
- These pods are not compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo machines.
Amazon Brand – Solimo Espresso Capsules
Solimo is Amazon’s white label for all things coffee, food, and home. Amazon sells Nespresso coffee capsules in only three basic flavours: Ristretto, Espresso, and Lungo. That is, standard espresso, a slightly shorter espresso, or a slightly longer espresso.
The intensity level of this pack is around 10, making the coffee strong enough to wake you up in the morning but it’s not too strong that it makes your heart race.
All Amazon Solimo capsules are double-foiled to ensure guarenteed freshness, and a perfect blend every time. The beans inside these capsules were grown by UTZ-certified farmers who make use of respectful farming practices, making this an environmentally friendly product.
These pods are also pretty affordable, much cheaper than the real deal Nespresso pods. The flavor is rich and full bodied and they couldn’t be easier to use. You do have to apply a little bit more force when pushing down to puncture once you’ve achieved a level of comfort with that and do it on a regular basis it becomes natural and you make your espresso just like with other pods
Pros:
- Affordable – Much like most other Amazon own-brand products, these pods are very cheap, especially when compared with real Nespresso pods.
- Full flavor – Strong, full-bodied espresso taste
Cons:
- These pods are not compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo machines.
Buyer’s Guide
If you already have a favourite coffee, that’s a great place to start. However, selecting the best Nespresso compatible capsules is not the same as purchasing whole bean coffee.
There are a few special aspects to consider. So, keep that in mind as you go through our buyer’s guide. You’ll know exactly what to look for and what to avoid at all costs.
Why buy Nespresso alternatives?
Third-party Nespresso-compatible pods provide more variety if you want to venture out from your normal Nespresso coffee, and they can also save you money.
While some early compatible pods performed irregularly or even damaged your Nespresso machine, there are now a plethora of compatible pods available that work well and even produce coffee that rivals Nespresso’s own offerings.
You may have a favourite Nespresso coffee that you cannot live without, but it is worthwhile to try with suitable capsules. There is a wide variety offered, and they can be less expensive and more convenient to purchase, especially if you drink a lot of coffee.
Nespresso-compatible capsules are becoming more readily available – both in supermarkets and online – so you could add these to your weekly shopping list. Many are comparable to Nespresso, but some – particularly supermarket own-brands – are less expensive, and you won’t have to pay for delivery.
Compatibility
To ensure that the espresso cup will work with your coffee maker, double-check the specifications. Otherwise, you risk purchasing a hefty pack of pods that you would never use. Worse, they leak and create a mess inside your Nespresso, prompting a spring cleaning effort each time.
You also don’t have to guess about compatibility. Any pods intended for use with Nespresso are clearly labelled. As a result, avoid those that make no mention of the collaboration.
Compostability
For storage instructions, be sure to consult the manufacturer’s website or packaging. To preserve flavour, coffee should be stored in an airtight container in a cool, dark environment. Because compostable pods are more permeable than plastic or aluminium pods, they may be more prone to flavour loss.
As a result, some biodegradable pod manufacturers advise against purchasing large quantities of pods at once. Some biodegradable pod brands offer subscription services, which can still save you money over one-time purchases and ensure you have a consistent supply.
Storage
When it comes to storing possibilities, capsules are fairly flexible. Most high-quality capsules are designed to be stored in their original cardboard package. You can also use certain storage devices and contraptions instead, although they are more for show than purpose.
The coffee in the capsule is vacuum sealed, preventing it from reacting with anything and perhaps tasting stale or strange. Even so, you don’t want to subject the capsule to overly adverse conditions like heat, wetness, or cold. Keep them at room temperature in a dry, dark place.
Flavor and Intensity
Just like Nespresso pods, other compatible pods aso come in a wide range of flavors and intensities. It’s important to know what kind of flavor you want before you start looking. While Nespresso pods almost always guarantee a strong, full-bodied flavor, not all other pods do.
Nespresso compatible pods that have been made by third-party companies can sometimes taste weaker than you’d expect, even if they claim that the intensity rating is over 10. To avoid disappointment, we recommend reading customer reviews relating to intensity before making a purchase.
Packaging
A capsule containing up to 9 g of coffee contains a little amount of inert gas. It prevents the oxidation of coffee in the capsule due to its limited chemical activity. The packaging’s complete tightness ensures long-term preservation without loss of nutritious benefits.
The duration of this period varies depending on the content of the mix and the packaging material: it might range from 8 months to a year and a half. This feature distinguishes coffee capsules from ground coffee sold in packs, which quickly loses flavour, especially if the pack is already open.
Coffee capsules compatible with Nespresso machines might be made of aluminium, polymer, or a combination of the two. Polymer capsules are made of unique polymers that are perfectly safe for the human body and the natural environment, and they are disposed of in the same manner as household waste. Unfortunately, adopting the best polymers is outrageously costly for companies.
Aluminum capsules, which are made of a thin foil, cause ions of this metal to enter the human body. This happens as a result of the capsule walls being exposed to high temperatures. Despite the findings of scientists who have demonstrated the dangers of aluminium ions to human health, foil is still widely utilised as a packaging material.
A combination of pressed paper, polymers, and aluminium foil is used in the moulding of combined capsules. Their foil-covered lid is opened in the equipment, allowing harmful ions to enter the completed drink. The walls of these capsules are composed of simple polymers. They should not be disposed of in the same way as food waste.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it legal to use compatible/alternative pods?
No. Thankfully, it’s completely legal to use compatible or alternative pods in your Nespresso coffee machine. This is because Nespresso does not have the right to restrict the freedom of consumers by preventing them from buying any other pods apart from their own.
So, you have nothing to worry about. In fact, if your machine is damaged as a result of a compatible pod, it won’t even void your warranty.
How do I use Nespresso compatible pods?
You can use Nespresso compatible capsules just like regular Nespresso capsules. Just insert the capsule into the coffee machine and press the button.
