Buying guide for best nespresso vertuoline capsules
If you’re someone who likes delicious, high-quality coffee and the convenience of a capsule-based maker, the Nespresso VertuoLine is for you. With one on your counter, you can enjoy fabulous coffee and espresso quickly and easily every morning without having to stop at the coffee shop on your way to work.
The Nespresso VertuoLine machines are different from OriginalLine Nespresso models because they don’t just brew espresso. You can make both espresso and regular coffee in a VertuoLine, and there’s more diversity when it comes to capsules and serving sizes too. You can pick from a variety of espresso and coffee blends and capsule sizes for the most versatility of any Nespresso machine.
Buying guide for Which Nespresso Vertuo Pods are best?
If you have a Nespresso Vertuo machine, you might be looking for the right coffee capsules to fit it. Nespresso Vertuo pods are what you need for your coffee maker. But the huge range of options can be overwhelming, especially if you're new to Nespresso Vertuo machines or pod coffee in general.
Nespresso Vertuo pods come in a range of sizes, from 1.35-ounce single espressos to 7.8-ounce long coffees, as well as a variety of roast intensities and flavor profiles. So, whether you want to brew intense, chocolatey espressos or long coffees with light, fruity notes, there's a Nespresso Vertuo capsule for you.
We interviewed Kelsey Waddell from Roasty Coffee and Alex Mastin, the CEO and founder of Home Grounds, to get their take on what makes Nespresso pods stand out and which one is the best. For espresso lovers, Waddell highly recommends the Nespresso VertuoLine Altissio Espresso Capsules. They're intense yet balanced with a roast on the darker side of medium; you can drink it straight or top it up with water or steamed milk for a longer drink.
Our top picks
Best Nespresso Vertuo pods
Product details
Number of Pods: 50 | Included Flavors: Altissio | Cup Size: 1.35 ounces
A great all-rounder and a top choice of the experts we spoke to, this medium-roast coffee has been given an intensity of 9 on Nespresso's intensity scale of 1 to 11. This means it's bold and robust but not the most intense coffee out there. It has roasty, cereal-like notes with a richness you don't find in lighter roasts.
It makes single espresso-size brews of 1.35 ounces, and you get 50 pods in a pack, which should keep you going for a while. The blend of Arabica and Robusta beans gives it a smooth, balanced finish.
If you like coffee that's well-roasted but not extremely intense, Nespresso's Altissio pods are a great choice. It's a bit of a crowd-pleaser, so it's also a decent place to start if you're not sure what you like.
Best Nespresso Vertuo pod coffee variety pack
Product details
Number of Pods: 30 | Included Flavors: Odacio, Stomio, Melozio | Cup Size: 7.8 ounces
We like that this variety pack contains three types of medium-roast and dark-roast coffee, making it a great choice for those who want to try a range of new coffees or who regularly like to mix it up. First, there’s Melozio, a medium-roast coffee with notes of cereal and a smooth finish. Odacio is a rich, dark roast with woody notes. And finally, Stormio is a bold, dark roast with fruity notes.
Each one makes 7.8-ounce coffee-size brews. This is a good choice for people who like to drink tall coffees, whether black or with cream. You get 30 pods in a pack with 10 of each flavor.
If you want to try a range of coffees, this is a great place to start. It's also a good pick for households where some people like medium roasts and others like dark roasts.
Best light roast espresso Nespresso Vertuo capsules
Product details
Number of Pods: 50 | Included Flavors: Voltesso | Cup Size: 1.35 ounces
While many espressos are medium or dark roasts, this one is a bit different, as it's a light roast. It has an intensity of 4 on Nespresso's scale, so it's light but not the lightest. It has a sweetness to it with notes of biscuits, so if you like light coffees with sour, fruity notes, it might not be the best choice. However, if you want something mellow and easy-drinking, it's a super choice.
This is a single espresso-size pod, so you get around 1.35 ounces from each brew. It comes in a pack of 50 capsules.
This sweet, light coffee is designed for espresso drinkers who don't like overly bold coffee; it’s also ideal for people who want to branch out into espresso but prefer to start with a mellow choice.
Best Nespresso Vertuo pods with fruity notes
Product details
Number of Pods: 30 | Included Flavors: Solelio | Cup Size: 7.8 ounces
With an intensity of 2, this coffee falls at almost the lightest end of the spectrum. This allows you to taste more of the natural coffee flavor rather than the roast of the coffee. It has fruity notes with a pleasant sourness that brings complexity to the table.
This is a coffee-size pod, which means it brews 7.8 ounces. Of course, the coffee is weaker than espresso-style pods, so you can't use it in specialty drinks, but it's great if you usually drink filter coffee or Americanos. We like that it comes in a pack of 30, so it's neither too small nor too large.
All in all, this is a solid Nespresso Vertuo pod for fans of light-roast coffee, who are sure to love its fruity notes and velvety finish.
Best Nespresso Vertuo mixed-size variety pack
Product details
Number of Pods: 70 | Included Flavors: Odacio, Stormio, Diavolitto, Altissio, Scuro | Cup Size: 1.35 ounces, 2.7 ounces, 7.8 ounces
We love the variety you get in this pack. It contains five coffee blends that cover a range of roast styles, intensities and cup sizes. All of the coffees included in this pack are dark roasts except Altissio, which has a medium roast. However, with an intensity of 9, Altissio is on the darker and more intense end of the medium-roast spectrum.
Odacio and Stormio are coffee-size pods, brewing cups of 7.8 ounces. Then you have Diavolitto and Altissio, which make 1.35-ounce single espressos and Scuro, which makes 2.7-ounce double espressos.
If you're a fan of intense, dark-roast coffee, this is the variety pack for you. We appreciate the range of cup sizes to cover all the bases.
Best dark roast Nespresso Vertuo pods
Product details
Number of Pods: 50 | Included Flavors: Diavolitto | Cup Size: 1.35 ounces
Those searching for a classic dark-roast espresso will love Diavolitto. It has an intensity of 11, which makes it an excellent choice if you like a rich, robust brew. It has a heavily roasted flavor with notes of oak and leather. However, it manages to remain smooth and creamy without notable harshness.
Like other single-espresso Nespresso Vertuo capsules, each one brews roughly 1.35 ounces. It's a good starting point for making specialty drinks — or you can simply sip it as an espresso. Each pack contains 50 pods.
We like the robust intensity of this dark-roast Nespresso pod. Despite its bold flavors, we appreciate that it's surprisingly well-balanced with a creamy texture.
Expert tips on choosing the best Nespresso Vertuo Pods
Which Nespresso Vertuo pods are the best and what are the benefits of choosing Nespresso over other brands? Kelsey Waddell from Roasty Coffee and Alex Mastin, the CEO and founder of Home Grounds, shared their thoughts.
Expert picks
Waddell has two favorite Nespresso Vertuo pods. She recommends the Altissio pod for espresso fans. "This dark-roast espresso boasts a full-bodied and creamy texture, perfect for enjoying straight or as an indulgent affogato," she says.
For those looking for a longer coffee, Waddell says, "The Solelio pod offers a light roast option with a low intensity of 2.” She likes that it's crafted from Kenyan and Colombian Arabica beans and delivers a “well-balanced, smooth and gently fruity flavor with subtle notes of red fruits."
Flavor and intensity
Some people like intense dark-roast coffee. Others prefer brighter light-roast coffee. Nespresso does both. "Nespresso's Vertuo selections offer a wide range of intensities, rated from 1 to 11, which reflects the coffee's strength and flavor profile," says Waddell. So, if you enjoy coffee with acidic, fruity notes, you'll probably want something on the lower end of that scale. If you like richer roasts with nutty, chocolatey notes, look for a pod on the higher end of the intensity spectrum.
Waddell believes the flavor and quality of Nespresso Vertuo pods makes Nespresso a “huge standout from Keurig." A big difference lies in the amount of coffee in the pods. "With K-Cups, the same amount is present in each pod, and you can alter the amount of water used in order to make a stronger or weaker cup," she explains. "However, Nespresso has specifically created pods for espresso size and coffee-mug size, all in different flavors and intensities." This means you're less likely to be left with a watery brew.
Sustainability
If you're worried about the environmental impact of a pod coffee machine, Nespresso might be a good choice. According to Mastin, "One real advantage to using Nespresso pods over Keurig pods is that recycling them is much more convenient." Nespresso has a range of easy recycling options for its capsules. Mastin notes that they can be taken to a specific collection point, dropped off in a store or even placed in a free recycling bag that you give to your mail carrier. Mastin goes on to say, "While Keurig pods can be recycled in theory, the components have to be separated in order to do this. Realistically, many of us don’t have the time or energy to do this, and it can lead to a lot of waste."
Key considerations
Espresso vs. coffee
Perhaps the best thing about the Nespresso VertuoLine is that it can brew coffee in addition to espresso. The capsules are available in both varieties, which means brewing is as easy as placing the capsule in the machine, placing your cup beneath the spout and pressing a few buttons.
Espresso is a type of coffee with an extremely strong flavor that is typically served in small cups. It achieves its strong flavor by using high pressure and speed to push hot water through the ground coffee. When you brew regular coffee, the water is sent through at a slower rate, so the flavor isn’t as strong.
Nespresso VertuoLine capsules make it easy to enjoy espresso and coffee; both capsule types create rich, high-quality coffee drinks. If you prefer a more intense flavor, stick to VertuoLine espresso capsules. For a mellower flavor, opt for the coffee capsules.
Size
Nespresso offers capsules in several sizes, and the size determines how large your cup of espresso or coffee is.
Espresso: Espresso capsules are available in a single serving (1.35 ounces) and a double serving (2.7 ounces). For many people, a single shot of espresso is enough to get going in the morning. If you need a little more help, you may prefer the double-serving capsules.
The brand also offers the Gran Lungo capsule (5 ounces), which is brewed through a similar process but is designed to fill more of the cup. This gives the coffee a more mellow taste, though it’s still fairly intense.
Coffee: When it comes to coffee capsules, the Nespresso VertuoLine offers standard coffee (7.8 ounces) for a single cup and Alto XL (14 ounces) for a larger serving.
Intensity
All of the Nespresso VertuoLine capsules are rated on an intensity scale of 1 to 12. Nespresso uses intensity to describe how much the beans have been roasted; it doesn’t tell you how much caffeine is in a particular capsule. Those that are higher on the scale typically have more body and bitterness than capsules that are lower on the scale.
Features
Flavor
Nespresso VertuoLine capsules are available in a variety of flavors or flavor blends, depending on the beans included. With so much choice, there’s bound to be an option that fits your preferences.
When it comes to espresso, you can choose from the following:
- Diavolitto: Made of Robusta and Brazilian Arabica beans, this has a creamy texture and offers a highly intense flavor with hints of oak wood and leather.
- Altissio: Made of Arabica beans from Costa Rica and South America, this has a full-bodied, creamy texture and contains cereal notes.
- Decaffeinato Intenso: This decaffeinated option is made from Columbian, Brazilian and Asian Robusta beans and offers a dense flavor with cocoa and fruit notes.
- Voltesso: Made with South American Arabica beans, this offers a light, sweet flavor compared to other espresso capsules.
- Scuro: Made from a blend of Central American Robust and Arabica beans, this features a dark, smoky flavor with notes of cocoa and vanilla.
- Chiaro: Made from South and Central American Arabica beans, this has a creamy texture and features an earthy flavor with hints of wood and caramel.
When it comes to the Gran Lungo espresso capsules, you can choose from the following:
- Fortado: Made from Indian Robusta and South and Central American Arabica beans, this has a full-bodied texture and offers an intense flavor with cocoa powder and oak wood notes.
- Arondio: Made with Colombian Arabica and Guatemalan Robusta beans, this offers a mild flavor with cereal notes.
- Aflorazio: Made from East African Arabica beans, this offers a delicate flavor with flower and blueberry notes.
- Decaffeinato Ontuoso: This is a decaffeinated option made with Arabica beans from Brazil and Columbia and features malty cereal notes.
When it comes to coffee capsules, you can choose from the following:
- Mexico: Made from Mexican Arabica and double-washed Robusta beans, this provides an intense spicy flavor with woody notes that taste great in lattes.
- Colombia: Made with fair-trade Arabica beans, this offers a sweet, fruity flavor with some red berry notes.
- Intenso: Made from Guatemalan Robusta and Central and South American Arabica beans, this offers strong toasted notes and brown sugar notes.
- Stormio: Made with Nicaraguan and Guatemalan Arabica beans, this contains spicy, woody and cereal notes.
- Odacio: Made from Arabica beans from Nicaragua and Ethiopia, this has a full-bodied flavor with cereal notes.
- Melozio: Made with Brazilian Bourbon and Central American Arabica beans, this offers a smooth, balanced flavor with biscuit notes.
- Elvazio: Made from South American Arabica beans, this provides a delicate, fruity flavor with cereal and caramel notes.
- Giornio: Made with Ethiopian and Kenyan Arabica beans, this has toasted cereal notes and floral notes.
- Solelio: Made with Kenyan and Colombian Arabica beans, this has a light, balanced flavor with red fruit notes.
- Decaffeinato: Made from Costa Rican and South American Arabica beans, this decaffeinated option offers a smooth flavor with malted and cereal notes.
- Half Caffeinato: Made with Brazilian and African Arabica beans, this has a light, sweet flavor with caramel, nut and biscuit notes.
- Hazelino: This is made from Brazilian and Central American Arabica beans infused with sweet hazelnut flavor to give it a nutty aroma.
- Caramelizio: Made with Brazilian and Central American Arabica beans, this has a caramelized sugar flavor with hints of vanilla.
- Vanizio: Made from Brazilian and Central American Arabica beans, this has a velvety vanilla flavor with biscuity notes.
- Dolce: Made with a blend of Latin American Arabica beans, this offers a smooth, mellow flavor with caramel and sweet notes of toasted bread.
Bar code
The Nespresso VertuoLine machine uses both espresso and coffee capsules, each of which uses a different brewing procedure. For the most user-friendly operation, each VertuoLine capsule has a magnetic bar code that the machine automatically reads to determine the proper brewing time and temperature.
Caffeine
Not all Nespresso VertuoLine capsules contain the same amount of caffeine. The average cup of coffee has 95 to 100 milligrams of caffeine, but Nespresso VertuoLine coffee capsules contain 150 to 180 milligrams. The average shot of espresso has 55 milligrams of caffeine, while the Nespresso VertuoLine espresso capsules typically have 70 to 150 milligrams.
Nespresso Vertuoline Capsule prices
Nespresso VertuoLine capsules vary in price based on whether they’re espresso or coffee and the number of capsules in the box. Most range from $0.85 to $1.20 per capsule.
Inexpensive: The most affordable Nespresso VertuoLine capsules are those that brew single shots of espresso. You’ll pay between $30 and $35 for boxes of 30 to 40 capsules.
Mid-range: For boxes of 30 to 40 Nespresso VertuoLine capsules that brew double shots of espresso or Gran Lungo, you’ll pay between $35 and $40.
Expensive: The most expensive Nespresso VertuoLine capsules are those that brew coffee. For boxes of 30 to 40, you’ll pay between $35 and $45.
Tips
- Let your Nespresso VertuoLine machine warm up. Give the machine a couple of minutes to heat up before adding a capsule. If the machine is warm, it’s easier to pierce the capsule’s foil.
- Use bottled or filtered water. To get the best flavor from your capsules, use bottled or filtered water in your Nespresso machine.
- Clean your Nespresso machine regularly. This will help you get the best-tasting espresso and coffee from your capsules.
FAQ
Q. What are Nespresso VertuoLine capsules made from?
A. Like all of Nespresso’s capsules, VertuoLine capsules are made from aluminum. That’s because aluminum is better than plastic at maintaining the freshness and aroma of the coffee beans. Aluminum is also recyclable, which makes it a better option for the environment than many other materials.
Q. Do Nespresso VertuoLine capsules contain any preservatives?
A. Nespresso capsules don’t contain preservatives of any kind. The capsules are hermetically sealed, which helps keep the coffee fresh without chemical preservatives. They are labeled with “best by” dates that are typically 8 to 11 months after the production date.
Q. Can I use Nespresso VertuoLine capsules in my OriginalLine machine?
A. The VertuoLine and OriginalLine systems feature different technologies, so you can’t use VertuoLine capsules in an OriginalLine machine or vice versa.
How we analyzed
First, we researched the different types of Nespresso Vertuo capsules to get an idea of what's out there. Then, we looked at specific packs of pods, considering over 20 varieties. We compared them based on factors such as drink size, flavor, intensity and tasting notes to find our favorites. On top of this, we interviewed two experts, Kelsey Waddell from Roasty Coffee and Alex Mastin, the CEO and founder of Home Grounds, to get their insights on Nespresso pods.
Our expertise
Lauren Corona has been writing about food and drink for more than a decade. She's a coffee lover and has used a range of pod coffee machines in her time. She's written dozens of articles about coffee and coffee-related products for BestReviews.
Sources
- Interview with Kelsey Waddell of Roasty Coffee
- Interview with Alex Mastin, founder and CEO of Home Grounds
- Nespresso Vertuo Coffee Capsules: Your Complete Range of Coffee Styles
- Nespresso pod sizes: Here is all you need to know, Caitlyn Webb
