Start Your Morning with the Best Nespresso Coffee Capsules

Nespresso Coffee Capsule Buyer's Guide

Traditionally prepared espresso can be time-consuming and expensive due to the specialized equipment required. Thanks to Nespresso, you can get amazing espresso in an instant, right at home. However, finding the best capsules can prove to be a challenge. That’s why we’re here to help.

With so many different Nespresso coffee capsules available on the market, how do you choose one that you’ll enjoy and is compatible with your specific Nespresso machine? In this buyer's guide, we will closely look at the price, flavor, types, roast level, and more. Hopefully, this guide will be able to help you choose your new favorite Nespresso coffee capsule.

What Should You Consider Before Buying Nespresso Coffee Capsules?

Roast

There are a few types of roasts out there, such as light, medium, or dark, that determine the taste and aromas of the coffee. Finding your preferred roast is an excellent place to start, as most of the Nespresso coffee capsule manufacturers will have this information on their product packaging or description.

VertuoLine or OriginalLine

There are two different types of Nespresso coffee machines: VertuoLine and OriginalLine. The OriginalLine machine only brews espresso, but the VertuoLine can make espresso and regular coffee.

Because of these different functions, the two machines require different capsules. Double-check which machine you own and which machine the capsules are tailored for; most of the time, the manufacturer of these capsules will write down exactly which coffee machine is the most suitable one.

Intensity

You may notice intensity numbers on packages of Nespresso capsules. Nespresso uses a numbered scale from 1 to 13. The lower the number, the lighter the flavor. The higher the number, the bolder the flavor. These numbers take some getting used to, but are a quick way to compare and determine which capsules will suit your palette.

For example, if you usually prefer a strong coffee drink, then anything over 9 is usually a great choice. On the other hand, if you are looking for a lighter, less intense coffee, then choose with a number less than 7.

Quantity

Another important thing to consider before buying Nespresso coffee capsules is the number of capsules in the packaging. Your desired amount will ultimately depend on how much coffee you drink and how much you’d like to stock up on. Nespresso capsule packages can come with anything from 30 to 120 capsules. This can make it hard to determine if you are paying a fair price for the quantity, but check the price per unit to compare.

Taste

Of course, not all Nespresso capsules have the same taste. The taste depends on the brand, intensity, and flavoring, which can vary from product to product. Common popular flavors include chocolate, caramel, or vanilla, but don’t be shy — feel free to experiment and try something new. Most of the products we’ve listed above make each cup of espresso cost less than a dollar, so purchasing a few variety packs could be worth it if that means you find your new favorite flavor. We recommend packs that include a few flavors and/or intensities so you can compare.

How Did We Choose The Best Nespresso Coffee Capsules?

We wanted to provide you with the most accurate and genuine information possible; that is why we've reviewed hundreds of Nespresso coffee capsules. While reviewing, we have put into consideration factors such as customer reviews, brand, and value.

Ingredients

We have picked only the coffee capsules that utilize high-quality ingredients, contain natural sugar, and are free of additives.

Customer Ratings

Customer reviews are an excellent way to see what people think of the coffee capsules and whether they're tasty or not.

Company reliability

Most of the brands have been around for a while and have built a trustworthy reputation. That is why they are careful with their ingredients because they want to give their long-time and new customers the best and most delicious coffee possible.

Value

All the Nespresso coffee capsules on the list provide a great value for the price. We always make sure that the customers get what they pay for.

When making the final list, we've also evaluated the roast, aromas, amounts, colors, and, most importantly, taste, to decide whether it's worthy of a place on the list.

How Much Do Nespresso Coffee Capsules Cost?

The price will really depend on the number of capsules included in the packaging itself. Mainly, one Nespresso coffee capsule will cost you from as little as $0.50 and all the way up to $2.00 or more, and this is really a huge gap. The reason for the discrepancy is because popular manufacturers that have loyal customers who value their products tend to have a higher price; on the other side, new manufacturers are trying to get into the coffee capsule industry and provide a lower price. In this case, price doesn't necessarily correspond with what's truly the best.

What Are The Benefits Of Capsule Coffee?

Great taste

The tightness of the capsules allows the coffee to retain the taste and keep it fresh for a long time. Capsules from one week ago taste the same as capsules from one year ago, meaning you don’t have to pay careful attention to early expiry dates or worry about drastic loss of flavor over time.

Exact dosage

These capsules are designed to be one serving with a certain amount of water. This ensures you don’t waste any coffee, water, or extras and always get a perfect cup of espresso. Plus, they’re much easier to use than making espresso without a Nespresso machine. If you brew coffee manually, you could put too much water or sugar and make it too light or insufficiently saturated. By using coffee capsules, you are avoiding this problem.

Brewing speed

The capsule coffee machine will brew your coffee in just 20 seconds. Compared to standard coffee makers that could take minutes, this saves you some extra time. This is pretty useful in the morning when you're in a hurry to work.

Ease of use

These machines are much easier to use than traditional coffee makers as they require less cleaning and daily setup. Simply place a new one or remove an old capsule — no need to worry about loose grounds.

Conclusion

We really hope that this review has served you well in the search for the perfect Nespresso coffee capsules. These are a great way to get cafe-quality espresso from the comfort of your home at an affordable price. Have some fun looking around and try out new flavors every now and then. We wish you a happy shopping experience!

Nespresso Coffee Capsule FAQ

Q: How Long Do Nespresso Capsules Stay Fresh?

A: Nespresso capsules all have a printed “best by” date on the packages. These can range from a few months to nearly a year. Although they have a “best by” date, these are usually the latest date for optimal flavor. The coffee won’t go bad, so you can continue to use them— they may not taste as good as before, though.

Q: Can I use a Nespresso capsule twice?

A: Nespresso capsules are designed for one single use. Anything more than that will result in a weak brew and minimal flavor. Technically, you can use a capsule twice, but it is not necessarily recommended.

Q: What are the numbers on the Nespresso coffee capsules?

A: The number on the Nespresso coffee capsules refers to the intensity (resulting from the duration & temperature) of the roasting process. The higher the number of the capsule, the stronger the coffee is.

Q: How much coffee is in a Nespresso capsule?

A: This can really vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, but most of the common capsule sizes are 25 ml, 40 ml, and 110 ml. So usually, the smallest capsule size of 40 ml can make an Espresso shot, and the 110 ml will make a Lungo (long) pour.

Q: Which Nespresso capsule has the most caffeine?

A: If you're looking for a Nespresso capsule that has a big caffeine value, then be sure to stick with capsules that have an intensity level over 10 or 11. If you're looking for strong, flavorful coffee, those are your best bet.