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Author:
Melissa Collins
Nothing tastes better than that first cup of coffee in the morning, but getting it ready can be a hassle. That’s why coffee pods have become so popular, albeit quite expensive if you don’t know what you’re looking for.
Luckily, we’ve found some of the best alternative Nespresso coffee pods so you can get that morning cup of coffee more quickly and without breaking the bank. Let’s get started!
When it comes to finding the perfect coffee pods, it never hurts to look at the original. These Nespresso pods come in a variety pack, so you get a mix of medium and dark roasts to choose your favorite.
You’re going to get a total of 50 espresso pods, which will get you 50 cups of coffee in five different popular blends. Even better, the aluminum capsules are fully recyclable and fit into any of your favorite Nespresso pods.
If you’re looking for a large pack of coffee pods, you’re not going to go wrong here. You’ll get 120 pods that are six different flavors of your favorite espresso’s. All compatible with the original Nespresso coffee maker, they are 100% natural and completely unique.
In fact, they’re also made with coffee that is over 50% Rainforest Alliance certified. Everything also comes with a 60-day guarantee that says you’re going to love it.
These may look elegant, but they’re also our best value. You’ll get 50 capsules that are a variety pack of four of the top blends from L’OR. They’re made with aluminum, so they’re fully recyclable, which means you can feel even better about your impact on the environment.
You also have the option to choose only mild or intense flavors. With these capsules, you’re getting 100% UTZ certified arabica beans that are grown with sustainable methods.
You’re going to get 100 capsules of 9 different flavors of premium coffee with this bundle. What’s even better is that all of the coffee is Fair Trade and organic, so you know you’re getting something high quality.
You’re also getting a capsule that you can easily use with your Nespresso machine, and that has been rated one of the best several times over. Made with plastic, you can easily recycle these capsules with your regular recycling.
For those who are a fan of medium roast coffee, this might be just the right variety pack for you. You’ll get 30 pods that are each of 3 different varieties to give you a balanced flavor. You can also choose the barista mix to get a slightly different flavor variety.
Here you’re getting a perfectly sized coffee pod for a single cup of your favorite blend. You’ll also have no problem using it with your Nespresso coffee machine.
Any fan of Starbucks is going to want to try out the top 5 blends from their shops. With this set, you’re going to get a mix of blonde to dark roasts though you can also choose between a mild variety pack and an intense one.
You get 50 pods that you can use to brew coffee in any of your favorite sizes. Each pod will give you just the right balance of flavor for your preferred style.
If you’re a fan of dark roast, you’re going to love this blend. It’s 60 capsules of a dark roast espresso that provide a velvety texture and flavor. You’ll also get notes of both wood and cocoa to give it just the right balance.
There are six different packs of 10 capsules in the package, and all you need for this Italian blend coffee is your original Nespresso machine.
Choose between 40 different pods from 4 different blend varieties with this pack. You’ll have four different dark blends to choose from that are really going to give you those deep flavors.
You’ll also have aluminum capsules that are fully recyclable and designed to provide an even better foam. Plus, you’re going to have 100% Arabica coffee, so you know you’re getting the best possible quality. All you need is your machine to get brewing.
You can actually choose between several different blends when it comes to this company, but here you’re going to have a dark roast that has a great balance of bitter and sweet. In fact, this roast also has some fruity notes and a concentrated flavor.
The capsules are made with quality plastic, and there are no preservatives in the coffee itself, so it tastes purer. Not only that, but you’ll get a satisfaction guarantee.
You can choose between several different flavors with this brand of coffee, but here you’re going to get a high quality, Italian blend. In fact, this coffee is made 100% in Italy, so you’re getting an authentic cup every time.
With 100 pods, you’re definitely going to have enough to keep you going. Not to mention the lungo size is going to give you plenty of intensity with every cup you brew.
This 100% Fair Trade and organic coffee is going to be the perfect blend for anyone who loves a nice dark roast with plenty of flavor. In fact, you’re going to have a frothy crema on the top, and you’ll still get some of the flavor of the beans through the flavor of the roast.
This blend is at the lower end of dark roast, which makes it great for those who prefer mild to medium options as well. Not only that, but the company has been named one of the best available.
If you really want to try out new things, you should take a closer look at these capsules. You’ll get 60 pods of gourmet espresso in 6 different flavors, which gives you plenty of freedom to try out each of them.
These dark coffee blends are going to provide you with plenty of intensity and, even better, they come with a satisfaction guarantee. You’ll also have premium level coffee that comes in fully recyclable packages.
There are actually several different types of Nespresso capsules. These range from espresso to Pure Origine, Lungo, and Decaffeinato. In general, these are based on various flavors of coffee and the different sizes of coffee that are made.
Espresso is the standard style of coffee, and they come in six different types. They have different blends for the coffee itself and might be mild, medium, or dark roasts.
Pure Origine is a coffee that has a single place of origin. So, they have all of the other characteristics of espresso, namely that they come in different roasts and types, but they only have one origin location for the coffee itself.
Lungo means that the coffee has more water to it. They’re considered ‘longer,’ and you would add twice as much water to these as you would to an espresso.
Finally, decaffeinato is a particular type of coffee with three different varieties to them. They’re only available through Nespresso and are a type of proprietary blend.
There are actually a number of different types of coffee capsules that are compatible with Nespresso, but there are some that don’t as well. It’s important to note that Nespresso pierces their pods in a specific way, which means that some capsules are not able to be pierced by the thin needle.
Some brands that seem to work well are Pressogno, Café Royal, and La Caffe Mocha. Keeping in mind that the newer version of the Nespresso coffee machine has the thinner needles, it’s essential to be aware when it comes to hard plastic pods. The thin needle may not be able to pierce them.
This was the case for brands such as Jacobs Momente and Caffe Vergnano. While others may find different pods and capsules that seem to work, these did not seem acceptable for the newer version of the Nespresso machine. Keep in mind that if you have an older model, you may still be able to use a wider variety of alternative capsules.
If you’re like a lot of people, you may be considering swapping out your Nespresso machine or trading up to a newer model. But just how much better is the newer model? Or is it any better at all? Well, we’re going to take a look at two of the most popular models, the Original and the Vertuo, to decide which one will provide you with the best possible options.
The Nespresso Original is able to make two different sizes of drinks with a single size pod. It has a removable water tank that’s easy to refill, and you can see just how much water is in the tank at any given time. You’ll also get 19 bars of pressure to get a more balanced and flavorful cup of coffee.
The Nespresso Vertuo is a slightly newer version that offers you several different size pods to make different sizes of espresso. The alternative options of pods that you may have used before do not work with the Vertuo. You can only use Vertuo branded pods. Still, you will be able to get larger or more elaborate machines that are designed to make different types of specialty drinks.
Overall, you’re going to have a lot of the same choices if you’re looking to make basic coffee or espresso. The price point is very similar, and you can make different sizes of coffee with either one. If you want to make specialty brews, you’ll do better with the Vertuo. However, if you’re planning to use third-party pods, you may want to opt for the Original instead
If you’re going to use Nespresso-compatible capsules, make sure first that they’re actually compatible with your machine. Newer machines are harder to find compatible pods for. Older models may have more options as the needles were able to pierce even plastic pods. You can find out more from the manufacturer of the individual pods.
Make sure that you’re putting the pods in just right as well. If you don’t line them up exactly, the needle may not come into contact with the thinner area of the pod, and it may not be able to open it up properly. That means you need to pay careful attention to how you install it and whether the lid of the machine closes.
If the cover doesn’t close, try to install the pod again and press down firmly. Make sure you’re not pushing down too hard as you could break the needle or the pod itself. That would just cause a bigger mess for you.
Finally, make sure to clear out the pod bin to make sure that new pods can be easily loaded in.
There are a number of different ways that you can use alternative pods for your Nespresso machine. You just have to take a look at what’s out there and see which machine will allow you to use some of your favorites or at least a few additional options.
