Confused by All of the Nespresso Capsule Options? A Barista Recommends Her Favorites (2024)

For many of us, that first sip of coffee each morning is something special. Whether you take it strong and black or prefer a foamy cappuccino, it’s never been easier to achieve a great brew right at home.

Thanks to the convenience (and compactness!) of Nespresso machines, it’s possible to enjoy quality single-serve coffee beverages at home without a bulky, expensive espresso machine taking up half of your counter space.

What’s the difference between Original and Vertuo capsules?

Let’s just quickly clarify the difference between these terms. First, Nespresso calls their pods "capsules." Original capsules fit Nespresso Original machines, while Vertuo capsules fit the Vertuo line of Nespresso machines and also vary in size. Both Original and Vertuo capsules and pods are available in a wide variety of flavors and intensities.Here's how to know which type of machine you have.

Below, we’ve selected our favorite Nespresso capsules, regardless of your type of machine.

Our Original Nespresso Pod Picks

• Best Overall Capsules: Nespresso Ispirazione Ristretto Italiano at Amazon
• Best for Lattes: Nespresso Ispirazione Palermo Kazaar at Amazon
• Best for Double Espresso: Nespresso Ispirazione Firenze Arpeggio at Amazon
• Best Decaf Capsules: Starbucks by Nespresso Decaf at Amazon
• Best Variety Pack: Nespresso Morning Lungo Blends Variety Pack at Amazon

Our Vertuo Nespresso Pod Picks

• Best Overall Capsules: Nespresso Vertuo Altissio at Amazon
• Best for Lattes: Nespresso Vertuo Diavolitto at Amazon
• Best for Double Espresso Capsules: Nespresso Vertuo Double Espresso Chiaro at Amazon
• Best Decaf Capsules: Nespresso Vertuo Melozio Decaffeinato at Amazon
• Best Variety Pack: Nespresso Vertuo Discovery Sampler at Amazon

This Nespresso capsule is popular among coffee enthusiasts for a reason — it’s an ultra-versatile roast.

“For a strong, bold shot of coffee that stands up to milk, the Ristretto Italiano is your best bet,” says Sasha Pavlovich, a barista and the founder of CoffeeHow. “The roast works well as a latte but is also delicious on its own.”

Ristretto Italiano Original capsules are meant to be pulled either as — you guessed it — a ristretto or espresso shot. These capsules are a great place to start if you’re experimenting with flavor profiles or for keeping on hand as a crowd-pleaser while entertaining. (They also make a killer espresso martini!)

Cup size: 0.85 to 1.35 ounces | Roast: Medium to dark | Intensity rating: 10

Dark roast coffee drinkers will surely appreciate the Palermo Kazaar Nespresso capsules, which yield a pleasant bitterness and a rich, roasted flavor. This blend is technically meant to be enjoyed in either ristretto or espresso form, but it’s robust enough to stand up to milk — which is why it’s our top pick for use in lattes.

The delicate aromas and roasty flavors come through nicely, meaning you’ll still be able to tell you’re drinking an espresso beverage, not just a mug of hot milk.

Cup size: 0.85 to 1.35 ounces | Roast: Dark | Intensity rating: 12

So, in fairness, only Nespresso’s Vertuo line includes capsules that are meant for brewing a double espresso. But the Firenze Arpeggio capsules are rich, creamy, and intense — perfect on its own as a ristretto or espresso, but also wonderfully suited to lungos (or even Americanos) since the brew is bold enough to maintain flavor and character when diluted with hot water.

This is a dark roast for sure, with elegant notes of cocoa and just a touch of fruit. Nespresso aficionados will have a sleeve of Arpeggio capsules on hand at all times.

Cup size: 0.85 to 1.35 ounces | Roast: Dark | Intensity rating: 9

Starbucks by Nespresso offers a comprehensive lineup of decaf blends for Nespresso Originals machines, including blonde roast, breakfast blend, Pike Place roast, and more. These capsules stay true to the flavors and aromas of the classic Starbucks blends — but without the caffeine.

Of course, if you’re not a fan of Starbucks this one may not be your first choice, in which case we can also happily recommend the Nespresso Arpeggio Decaffeinato.

Cup size: 0.85 to 3.7 ounces | Roast: Light to dark | Intensity rating: 6 to 11

A lungo is just about the perfect size. There’s more to sip than with an espresso, but it’s not quite a regular cup of coffee. And the choice of Nespresso lungo capsules are some of our favorites — all right here in this convenient variety pack. The pack includes the Tokyo Vivalto, Vienna Linizio, Stockholm Fortissio, and Cape Town lungo capsules — each with nicely balanced, nuanced flavors and aromas inspired by their namesake destinations.

If we had to pick just one thing from this list today, it’d be this variety pack.

Cup size: 3.7 ounces | Roast: Medium to dark | Intensity rating: 6 to 10

The Vertuo Altissio is rich and full-bodied, with softer notes to balance the flavors. It’s a pleasure to drink and does well as either an espresso or a double espresso. The bold, roasted flavors also stand up nicely to milk, so the Altissio is equally great for lattes or cappuccinos (or one of those aforementioned espresso martinis).

All in all, this is a versatile, crowd-pleasing Nespresso Vertuo pod that we’re more than happy to buy in bulk.

Cup size: 1.35 to 2.7 ounces | Roast: Medium to dark | Intensity rating: 9

Following suit with our pick for Nespresso originals for lattes, we’ve also chosen a rich, intense pod for lattes from your Vertuo machine. The Diavolitto is a stand-out brew with a creamy texture and woody, leathery notes that are a dream paired with milk (especially oat milk, actually).

The intensity rating of 11 might be a bit much for sipping this one as an espresso if you’re used to a lighter roast, but dark-roast aficionados will appreciate the Diavolitto’s smooth nuance.

Cup size: 1.35 to 2.7 ounces | Roast: Dark | Intensity rating: 11

Nespresso Vertuo capsules come with the nice perk of being double-espresso ready. The aptly named Double Espresso Chiaro is a great pick for this purpose — and not just because we love Nespresso’s own description that this blend is “dense and wild.”

The Chiaro’s intensity rating is only a 6, but this blend is all about balance. You’ll get woody and earthy notes in a smooth, vibrant brew. The Chiaro capsules are a mainstay in our Vertuo-equipped kitchens.

Cup size: 2.7 ounces | Roast: Medium to dark | Intensity rating: 6

Vertuo Melozio is a classic blend with smooth cereal notes and a discernible, pleasant sweetness. This roast is lovely on its own and pairs nicely with milk, striking that Goldilocks level of just-right intensity for many coffee drinkers. Fortunately, Melozio is also available in decaf, so it’s a great one to keep on hand for those late afternoon “but I’d still like to get to sleep at a reasonable hour” espresso cravings.

Cup size: 1.35 to 2.7 ounces | Roast: Medium | Intensity rating: 6

If you have a Nespresso Vertuo machine and you’re looking for the ultimate variety pack, the Vertuo Discovery Sampler is the way to go. You’ll get 30 Nespresso capsules across 15 different varieties — there’s no getting bored with this sampler!

Serious coffee drinkers may even want to take notes as they brew their way through this pack, lest you find yourself overwhelmed with choice and the flavors all start to blend together.

Cup size: 1.35 to 2.7 ounces | Roast: Light to dark | Intensity rating: 4 to 9

Our Favorite Nespresso Capsules

The Nespresso Ispirazione Ristretto Italiano is our choice for best overall Nespresso capsule thanks to its versatility for standalone sipping or playing nicely with milk. If you have a Vertuo machine, try the Nespresso Vertuo Altissio for the same reasons.

Factors to Consider

Capsule size

The size of the capsule will depend on the model you own. Vertuo capsules are slightly larger than the Original capsules and are only compatible with Vertuo models. Vertuo capsules come in a few different sizes, including their classic espresso (1.35 ounces), coffee (7.77 ounces), or coffee XL (14 ounces). XL Vertuo capsules are designed to brew exclusively with Vertuo Creatista, Lattissima, Next, and Pop machines. Original capsules are compatible with Original machines and do not vary in size.

Roast type

Roast type is most commonly described as either light, medium, or dark, and flavor profiles can vary greatly across and even within these designations. If you’re unsure which type of roast you prefer, purchasing a variety pack of capsules can be an effective — and cost-efficient — way to sample.

Intensity

Intensity refers to a coffee’s body, richness, and aroma. Don’t let a high-intensity rating scare you off — it doesn’t necessarily mean that a coffee will have harsh bitterness; it just might be more complex. Intensity has to do with how the coffee beans were roasted, how much body it has and, yes, how bitter it is. But intensity is also determined by how diluted the coffee is, so a ristretto with an intensity rating of 10 will definitely taste more “intense” than a lungo with a level 10 intensity. Experiment and see what you like!

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know which type of machine I have?

If your Nespresso machine takes small, narrow capsules, you have an Original machine. The Original line was inspired by European-style espresso, offering up to three brewing options — espresso, ristretto, and lungo. While some single-serve machines only offer espresso, other models can also make barista-style drinks, like lattes, cappuccinos, and macchiatos. After testing top models, our pick is the Lattissima One Original.

If the insert calls for pods with a round, wide base, it is likely from the Vertuoline. Vertuo machines were developed for those who prefer coffee drinks over pure espresso. In addition to short and long espresso shots, they can brew full cups of coffee, up to 14 ounces at a time, and come in various sizes. We love the Breville Nespresso Vertuo Creatista for its superb looks, countless size options, and stellar frothing capabilities.

What’s the difference between Nespresso pods and capsules?

Nespresso calls their pods "capsules." They are made of aluminum and are pierced by the machine. Other coffee pods are more similar to teabags, allowing water to flow over the grinds with no piercing required.

Can Nespresso capsules be recycled?

Yes! You can bring your used capsules to one of Nespresso’s 100,000+ global collection points or fill your Nespresso recycling bag and give it to the mail person when they deliver your next order. You can find the nearest recycling center here.

How much caffeine is in one Nespresso pod?

According to Nespresso, most of their espressos contain between 50-100 mg of caffeine per serving. Some of the more robust blends may contain as much as 150 mg. Vertuo coffee capsules contain between 170-200 mg per serving.

Do Nespresso capsules expire?

Nespresso capsules are best used within a year of production, but since they’re hermetically sealed for freshness, as long as they’re kept at a stable temperature, they’ll retain quality for far longer than one year.

What’s the difference between lungo and espresso?

Brewed the same way and using the same amount of grinds, the main difference between these two is the amount of water that passes through the machine when brewing. A single shot of espresso is typically around 1.35 ounces, whereas a lungo is 3.72. Because a lungo has more than double the amount of water, it will taste milder than a single shot of espresso. A lungo also differs from an Americano, where the hot water is added after the coffee has been brewed.

What’s a ristretto?

A ristretto is half the size of an espresso. Think of it as a quick, intense sip!

Our Expertise

This article was written by Summer Rylander, a food and travel journalist who has written about food, beverage, and cooking products for Food & Wine, Allrecipes, Serious Eats, and The Kitchn. Rylander made her selections based on in-depth research, hands-on testing, and conversations with experts. She is an avid coffee drinker and has a Nespresso machine next to her Moccamaster coffee maker. Rylander is legitimately very fond of the Stockholm Fortissio capsule.