Many of us are lucky enough to have coffee pod machines at home to get our daily caffeine fix. But are they as good as the rich, roasted goodness we get from our favourite coffee vendors? Well, having the best coffee pods and capsules will elevate your coffee machine and your morning routine.
As Brits, we are quite literally obsessed with coffee - consuming around 95 million cups every single day. That’s around four cups per person, per day. Thanks to the likes of George Clooney and Sofia Vergara with their celebrity endorsements, luxury coffee pods and machines have become quite the craze for hard-core coffee lovers, many of whom even have their own coffee bars at home. Which is no surprise when you consider the health benefits of black coffee
Best coffee pods and capsules at a glance:
• Best overall: L'OR Espresso Supremo Intensity 10 - view on Amazon UK
• Best value: NESCAFE Dolce Gusto Cappuccino Coffee Pods, 30 Capsules (45 Servings) - view on Amazon UK
• Best eco-friendly: Lavazza A Modo Mio Eco Caps Coffee Pods - view on Amazon UK
There's no better time to go in search of the best coffee pods and capsules that are still available online. So, fear not, coffee lovers, here are the best coffee pods and capsules that will give even the coffee shops a run for their money – all of which can be safely delivered directly to your door.
Best coffee pods and capsules
Best overall
Credit: Amazon A slightly pricey option for just ten capsules, but treat yourself - plus, they're Nespresso compatible.
This SUPREMO capsule is robust and full of complex hints of dark chocolate and nuts.
Customer review: "The coffee is totally consistent, I’ve been through hundreds of these pods and I’ve never had a bad one (unlike a lot of brands like hotel chocolate). You NEVER get water running round the outside, you NEVER get a slow flow. The crema is always spot on. This is owing to the quality and the thickness of the pod materials as well as the excellent coffee used."
Pros
- Great taste
- Good value for money
- Tastes great every time
- Recyclable
Cons
- Only 10 pods in the box
| Intensity: | 10 |
| Taste: | A Spicy coffee. |
| Size: | 10 capsules - 52 grams of blended coffee |
| Compatibility: | Nespresso & L'OR BARISTA machines. |
Best eco-friendly coffee capsules
Credit: Amazon These little eco-pods come in a selection of flavours and are made in a bio-gradable capsule - meaning you can enjoy them guilt-free. It is a full-bodied coffee with hints of chocolate and dried fruit.
Customer review: "These coffee pods are the best we’ve used. I was very happy with the change to the eco pods, having used this brand for many years I found the ‘sticking’ that others mention happen not because of the pods but because the machine needs a good clean. I’ve used this specific coffee for many years and we always get compliments from guests."
Pros
- Eco-friendly
- Eco caps go into household food waste
- Subscription service available
Cons
- Only fits Lavazza machines
| Intensity: | 10/13 intensity |
| Taste: | Lavazza A Modo Mio Qualità Rossa is a well-balanced and full-bodied coffee with hints of chocolate and dried fruit |
| Size: | 16 pods - 48 grams of blended coffee |
| Compatibility: | Nespresso original machines |
Best value
Credit: AmazonYour cup of coffee shouldn't cost the earth. In today's finical climate value for money is king. This fragrant and flavourful, the Dolce Gusto has been a long-time favourite of coffee connoisseurs. This Italian-style dark roast is made of 100 per cent Arabica blend from South America with whole milk with a touch of sugar.
Customer review: "A great cup of coffee to get you started for the day, it’s very flavourful and velvety smooth, you won’t be disappointed, so give it a try and discover what you’ve been missing."
Pros
- Inexpensive
- A good variety
- Lots of hot drink brands and supermarkets produce compatible pods
Cons
- Not the best quality coffee
| Intensity: | Unknown |
| Taste: | Smooth texture of a Cappuccino |
| Size: | 30 Cappuccino coffee pods |
| Compatibility: | Nescafé Dolce Gusto Coffee Machines |
Best premium coffee capsules
Credit: Nespressowww.nespresso.com
The closest you'll get to barista-style coffee, delivered right to your door. We love this large 150 capsule set. The pods are made of aluminium and recyclable through Podback or returning to Nespresso. Each capsule with create one cup of coffee, so this pack will see you through 150 cups of joe. The Vanilla Custard and Hazelino Muffin flavours are a must.
Our review: "The Vertuo capsules are the crema of the cup for incredible tasting coffee. The Centrifusion™ brewing process makes a deliciously creamy inch-thick crema that I've never seen on any high street coffee shop equivalent. From capsule to cup in about a minute, the coffee is instantly in your hand at a drinkable temperature. You get all the indulgence of sipping up the crema before those rich bubbles of coffee decadence dissipate. Amore!"
Head over to our friends at A Modern Kitchen to read a full review of the Nespresso Vertuo Pop
Pros
- Incredible crema
- Tastes delicious
- Excellent information on provenance and notes
- Mug-sized luxury coffee
- Recyclable
Cons
- Only works with Nespresso Vertuo machines
| Intensity: | Varied |
| Taste: | 10 x Altissio<br>10 x Intenso<br>10 x Odacio<br>10 x Altissio Decaffinato<br>10 x Arondio<br>10 x Double Espresso Scuro<br>30 x Stormio<br>30 x Melozio<br>30 x Fortado |
| Size: | 150 coffee capsule assortment |
| Compatibility: | Nespresso original machines |
Best branded favourite coffee capsules
Credit: AmazonThese best-selling, silky-smooth little pods of joy are available in over 50 different flavours and are great for those who like to switch between tea, coffee or hot chocolate. We love this bundle as it is perfect for trying out pods and capsules if you are new to the world of coffee pods.
Customer review: "One of my daughters bought me a coffee machine for Christmas as I've returned to drinking coffee after a fifteen year break. I only have one a day, and always an Americano. The pods are great but of course, now I have a machine the girls would like to be able to enjoy their favourite brew when they visit. This assortment covers all of their favourites and more besides."
Pros
- Selection pack
- Good value
- Great for hosting guests
Cons
- Plastic pods
| Intensity: | Varied |
| Taste: | Varied |
| Size: | 4 Packs Set = 40 Drinks |
| Compatibility: | TASSIMO coffee machine |
Best affordable coffee capsules
Credit: Illywww.illy.com
illy packs an impressive 18 capsules into a tin, making the capsules an affordable option. This single origin is medium-bodied with a light nutty aroma and hints of sweet caramel.
Customer review: "I love these capsules. We liked them better than actual Nespresso brand capsules. Have more of a boutique coffee house flavour, very smooth."
Pros
- Coffee pod recycling programme
- Sustainable coffee supply chain
- Less bitterness
Cons
- Acquired taste
| Intensity: | Medium |
| Taste: | Intense and full flavoured, with notes of caramel. |
| Size: | 18 capsules |
| Compatibility: | Nespresso Original coffee machines |
Best Nespresso-compatible coffee pods
Credit: Cafepodwww.cafepod.com
Made from aluminium and designed for Nespresso® Original machines, this London-based brand has a large array of different flavours to choose from including Choc 'n' Roll, Daily Grind, Brunch Blend and Oh My Gingerbread. Try this variety pack to discover your favourite.
Our review: "I brewed CafePod's Hey There Hazelnut in a Nespresso Pixie and tried it with milk, as the serving suggestion recommends. Firstly, the coffee aroma when brewing was wonderful and extraction produced a good crema. It's not a sweet coffee but there is a distinct hazelnut taste that develops rather than being an initial hit.
"The addition of milk made it a mellow coffee to enjoy - which was a perfect accompaniment for mulling over a Sunday afternoon jigsaw puzzle. Equally, I enjoyed CafePod's Supercharger Espresso - which is more to my personal taste - served black. It had complex bitter and sweet notes, a smooth texture and a wonderful aroma.
"In summary, CafePod have a tasty and good-looking range of coffee pods that work perfectly in Nespresso Original machines. They gain marks over competitors for great product design and presentation of the provenance, process and flavour profile of their coffees. CafePod has also been proactive about recycling and offers an EcoPress to make cleaning their aluminium pods a bit easier."
Pros
- Great tasting coffee
- Pods are compatible with Nespresso Original machines
- Great branding and information design
- Recyclable aluminium pods
- Decaf options
Cons
- Will not be suitable for all coffee machines
| Intensity: | SUPERCHARGER ESPRESSO | Intensity No. 12 | Espresso<br>RISTRETTO | Intensity No. 10 | Espresso<br>BRUNCH BLEND | Intensity No. 9 | Lungo<br>INTENSE ROAST | Intensity No. 9 | Lungo<br>DAILY GRIND | Intensity No. 8 | Lungo<br>DECAF ESPRESSO | Intensity No. 8 | Espresso<br>DECAF SUPERCHARGER ESPRESSO | Intensity 11 | Espresso |
| Taste: | Varied |
| Size: | 70 pods |
| Compatibility: | Nespresso Compatible Pods |
What type of coffee pod should I choose?
Ultimately the right type of coffee pod depends on your personal preferences and needs as well as, brewing equipment. Here are some factors to consider when making your decision:
Coffee machine compatibility: Ensure that the coffee pod you choose is compatible with your coffee machine. Different coffee machines require specific types of pods or capsules.
Coffee taste and variety: Consider the flavour and variety of coffee you enjoy. We love variety pod packs as it means you will always have something for guests or when you fancy something a little different.
Environmental impact: Take into account the environmental impact of the coffee pod. Some pods are made from recyclable materials, such as aluminium or are biodegradable. Avoid single-use plastic pods if you are concerned about waste.
Brewing size and strength: Check the brewing size and strength options available with the coffee pod. Some pods offer different cup sizes or brewing intensities, where possible we have included this in our specifications.
Coffee pods and capsules FAQs
Do coffee pods fit all machines?
Different brands have different types of coffee pods and coffee capsules that are not compatible with all kinds of coffee machines. Pods are usually used with a particular coffee maker, but it is possible to use them in a regular drip coffee maker as well.
What is the difference between coffee capsules and pods?
The main difference between pods and capsules is that capsules can contain around five grams of coffee while pods contain seven grams. This means that the coffee extracted from pods is more full-bodied. Additionally, pods are more sustainable, can be easily recycled, and have less of a negative environmental impact.
Do all pods work in Nespresso?
It is good to remember that all pods are designed differently. However, the simple answer is yes – most pods will work in your Nespresso machine.
Hannah James is a Senior Home, Parenting and Lifestyle Product writer for Yours, specialising in product testing and reviews. As a mother of three, Hannah loves finding clothes that makes her feel fabulous and products that are great for large families.