We Tasted 25 Different Nespresso Capsules—Here Are Our Top Picks

While these capsules aren't made by Nespresso, they're fully compatible with OriginalLine machines and deliver a stellar shot of espresso. Our team already loves Illy's Classico Espresso, but we were especially impressed by how seamlessly it translated to the Nespresso format. While this espresso shines on its own, it also pairs beautifully with milk and makes a delicious latte.

All testers liked the acidity of this espresso. "I think this is a solid cup of coffee. It tastes very crowd-pleasing and versatile. It has a muted note that balanced acidity, smokiness, and bitterness really well. The finish is fairly smooth. And it has a medium body. Pairs well with milk for a latte but also okay on its own," said a tester. You won't be able to buy these on the Nespresso website, but we love that you can find them at many grocery stores or online.

One person we surveyed said the capsules from Mexico are their go-to, so we knew we had to try this drip coffee-style capsule. "It's full-bodied, robust, and tastes great black or with milk. It's always my first cup of the day." We agree with the GH+ member's praise, the brew has intense roasted and spicy notes, likely thanks to the addition of Robusta beans—not just Arabica.

Robusta beans tend to produce bolder flavors and a thicker layer of crema—we definitely noticed that in our cup. “The flavors are mild and subtle, but you still get that classic coffee bitterness. It’s a nice balance. It foams up a ton, so there’s crema in every sip. It’s very drinkable. Seems like a dark roast, but it’s not overly smoky or burnt-tasting,” said one tester.

"I like having this one in the afternoon or in espresso martinis," says Kitchen Lab Director Nicole Papantoniou. It's also really great if you love the taste of espresso, but cannot handle the caffeine. Among the five decaf coffees we tasted, this one won us over with its surprisingly full body and delicious notes of caramel—qualities not always easy to find in decaf.

One tester who primarily drinks decaf coffee said this about the capsule, "The aroma made me think of chocolate and toasted almonds, which made me want to take a sip. The flavor had caramel notes, which I really enjoyed. But I liked most that it was very bold and smooth." This tasty capsule is also available in a caffeinated version, if that's your preference.

Nespresso offers a variety of flavored capsules, with many being seasonal, but the Sweet Vanilla is consistently available. We had over 30 GH+ members tell us that the Sweet Vanilla was one of their favorite Nespresso capsules, and all testers agreed; none of them said they wouldn't be interested in buying it.

"I really enjoyed this coffee! It's a classic flavor done right—smooth, without any artificial or bitter notes. I even drank it black (and I usually add a splash of half and half) and loved every sip," said a tester. Decaf lovers won't miss out either; this sweet treat is also available in a decaf version.

Nespresso has collaborated with Blue Bottle Coffee on several capsule varieties, and they recently developed a New Orleans-style capsule (coffee blended with chicory) that's especially great over ice. "My preferred cold brew is New Orleans-style, actually. I do think the chicory gives it a little extra something. But, it's not so prevalent that you'd be distracted from the coffee, if that's a concern," says Clasen Marsanico.

All other testers rated this capsule highly as well, and all mentioned how smooth it tasted. "It's a pretty smooth and flavorful brew; it has a soft, delicate crema on top and pairs really well with milk," said a tester. While another noted, "It tastes complex yet balanced." We were informed that this capsule won't be available forever, so get it while it's still here.