Best Nespresso capsules, by community rating
58 capsules rated from published opinion, best first. Cafecito de Puerto Rico leads at 4.8 out of 5.
Each score is the mean of opinions read in full from public sources, counted once per author. A capsule appears only once at least five independent authors have been read, so a capsule missing from this list is one we have not gathered enough evidence about — not one that scored badly. Every excerpt links to where it was published.
58 capsules ranked

Cafecito de Puerto Rico
Cafecito de Puerto Rico for Vertuo is a bold double espresso that stays present in an iced latte and with milk. Drinkers describe it as rich, strong and not bitter, with a character that suits people who want a pronounced coffee.
Source (opens in a new tab)I love a strong coffee and this was exactly what I look for!
Source (opens in a new tab)You haven’t lived until you’ve tried a Cafecito de Puerto Rico. Just my opinion, of course. If you have the Original Line machine, disregard.

Toccanto
Toccanto is widely enjoyed as a light, smooth espresso with noticeable berry or wine-like notes. It is especially popular with milk, ice or sweet additions, and many people call it a favourite. Some drinkers find it too mild, with the coffee or fruit character fading in milk, or do not find it fruity enough.
Source (opens in a new tab)When they took away toccanto I contacted them asking them not to take it away on their social media since it was one of my 2 favourites lol.
Source (opens in a new tab)I just tried a Toccanto and had to come back to let you know it’s delicious! One of my favourites so far I think.

Double Espresso Chiaro Decaffeinato
Double Espresso Chiaro Decaffeinato is a rich decaf with a dark-but-not-burnt character. The cup can feel chocolatey and toasted, with malt-like depth, and it works well as a regular afternoon or evening coffee, including with frothed oat milk.
Source (opens in a new tab)I personally like decaf Chiaro better than the Fortado.
Source (opens in a new tab)We love it - decaf in the evening. The taste is dark but not burnt. It’s rich, chocolatey and toasted like malt notes.

Ginseng Delight
Ginseng Delight is a smooth, light and sweet coffee with caramel-like notes that works black, with milk or sugar, and over ice. The ginseng note can be subtle, and the light profile may not suit dark-roast drinkers.
Source (opens in a new tab)Yes! I love it as a latte with milk and a dash of brown sugar!
Source (opens in a new tab)The good news is that Ginseng Delight is coming to the US at some point. I really liked it.

Costa Rica
Costa Rica is widely liked as a smooth, clean and slightly sweet Gran Lungo. Many people call it a favourite and enjoy it black, over ice or with milk.
Source (opens in a new tab)Costa Rica for me too! It’s the only lungo that I like.
Source (opens in a new tab)I like the Stormio and Costa Rica on the vertuo line. Can you recommend something similar on the original line?

Intenso
Intenso is the strongest of the large Vertuo coffees and is often enjoyed black. Its pronounced profile suits people who prefer a bold cup.
Source (opens in a new tab)I drink intenso everyday. Creature of habit i guess.
Source (opens in a new tab)Intenso and Stormio are my husband's fave.

NOLA Style Blend
NOLA Style Blend is very strongly liked for its distinctive coffee-shop and New Orleans-style character. People often mention smoky or chicory-like notes and enjoy it over ice, with milk, sugar or syrup, while some find it bitter or cannot taste the chicory and some people did not like it at all.
Source (opens in a new tab)LOVE it with sweetened condensed milk over ice, topped off with regular milk.
Source (opens in a new tab)it's now my favorite too!! Like, by far my favorite.

Ristretto Intenso
Ristretto Intenso is a strong, short Vertuo coffee with a concentrated, expressive profile. It is often chosen as the closest Vertuo-style option to an Italian espresso, while its smooth character also works in hot lattes and with oat milk. The intensity is better suited to a small serving or a milk drink than to a…
Source (opens in a new tab)I have the vertuo plus! One of my favorite pods also when it wants to come through 🤣
Source (opens in a new tab)I agree. I keep five on hand: Altissio, Il Caffe, Ristretto Intenso, Bianco Piccolo, and Voltesso. I throw Diavolitto in there sometimes. I pretty much rotate them every day.

Il Caffè
Il Caffè is widely praised as a strong, roasted espresso with lasting crema and a good fit for milk drinks. It is a single espresso rather than a double, so a longer coffee may require two capsules or a different capsule.
Source (opens in a new tab)Scuro is also one of my favorites, especially for lattes! I haven’t tried Puerto Rico yet, but I also really love Il Caffe (and might even prefer it to Scuro, but unfortunately it’s only available…
Source (opens in a new tab)Intenso and half-caffeinato are the most delicious to me at any rate!

Bianco Piccolo
Bianco Piccolo is mostly praised as a smooth, nutty espresso for iced lattes and milk drinks; many use two capsules for more power. Others find it acidic or not strong enough, and comparisons with Bianco Leggero are not one-to-one.
Source (opens in a new tab)I like the bianco piccolo pod for iced latte (I brew two for much power)
Source (opens in a new tab)One pod Bianco Piccolo brewed over ice in a shaker with half an ounce of Amaretto and half an ounce of Chambord.

Mexico
Mexico is a large Vertuo coffee for a smooth, easy black cup that works well as an everyday drink. It is gentle rather than strong and can taste weak or watery in a large brew, so it suits people who do not need much intensity.
Source (opens in a new tab)Don’t listen to the people saying Mexico. It tastes like dirt and is a very weak cup of coffee.
Source (opens in a new tab)Coffee - Melozio and Mexico are my go to.

Double Espresso Dolce
Dolce is the mild end of the double-espresso range, with a smooth, light and not especially sweet character despite its name. It works well as an everyday coffee and takes syrups or flavoured milks easily.
Source (opens in a new tab)Double espresso dolce is my favorite! I make a sugar cookie syrup to go along with it and it is delicious.
Source (opens in a new tab)best - maple pecan or double espresso dolce worst - juicy watermelon over ice 🤮

Fortado
Fortado is a dark, smoky gran lungo with real body that holds up in a large milky cup. The smokiness can read as bitter or rubbery, and the default volume may feel thin; it suits people who enjoy a pronounced profile.
Source (opens in a new tab)Fortado is fantastic. I also really enjoy Stormio and Intenso.
Source (opens in a new tab)Absolutely hate Vertuo Fortado. It tasted like drinking liquid rubber-bands.

El Salvador
People often describe it as smooth, balanced and easy to drink black or in a large cup; some call it a favourite or a regular coffee. Some people find it weaker than expected or simply do not enjoy it.
Source (opens in a new tab)I love El Salvador, I find it to be a very balanced light-medium coffee.
Source (opens in a new tab)inzio 10/10 peru espresso 10/10 double espresso dolce 11/10 el salvador 12/10 odacio (espresso) 8/10 maple pecan 4/10 orafio 7/10

Half Caffeinato
Half Caffeinato is a mild, smooth Vertuo mug with a familiar, balanced coffee profile. It works well with milk, sugar or ice, but some cups come across as thin or watery and lack depth for people who prefer darker, richer coffee.
Source (opens in a new tab)My top faves are: Maple Pecan, Hazelnut, Bianco Doppio, Half Caffeinato, & Pumpkin spice cake♥️
Source (opens in a new tab)It’s thin and more like Cafe Joyuex or Odaccio in taste. But somehow not as much character as either.

Stormio
A dark, smoky Vertuo mug coffee that people name alongside Intenso and Odacio whenever the question is which pod makes the best large black cup.
Source (opens in a new tab)I also like the Melozio but my hubby likes the Stormio lol
Source (opens in a new tab)This is obviously aimed squarely at dark roast fans ... If you normally like dark roasts, you should enjoy this one.

Vivida
Vivida is strongly liked but not universal. Its sweet, cereal and fruity notes make it an easy everyday or morning coffee for some, while others find the cereal profile boring, the flavour strange or the stimulation too strong.
Source (opens in a new tab)The vivida is good but it wires me up too much.
Source (opens in a new tab)Melozio, Starbucks Veranda (at Target), and Vivida (my new fave).

Arondio
Arondio is widely liked as a smooth, mid-intensity Gran Lungo that works for a shorter coffee, often with milk or cream. Many call it a favorite or go-to, but some find it too weak, lacking sweetness with milk, or simply dislike it.
Source (opens in a new tab)dislike Odacio, Diavolitto, Altisso and Arondio
Source (opens in a new tab)Arondio is one that doesn’t get a ton of recognition but is soooooo smooth. ... it’s a top fave of mine.

Ethiopia
Ethiopia-7017 has a light, floral or sweet character that suits people seeking a less heavy coffee. The gran-lungo format works for morning drinking and milk recipes, while the Vertuo version can taste more roasted and less impressive than the Original Line version.
Source (opens in a new tab)I am loving the Ethiopia that just came back in stock and the new Oatley double shot! I’m excited for the white chocolate strawberry that is coming out!
Source (opens in a new tab)espresso vertuo machine for a little more than a year. We tried multiple pods but decided that our favourite is ethiopia and have been consistently buying that. However, for a few weeks now ethiopia…

Samra Togetherness Blend
Samra Togetherness Blend is a creamy, easy-to-like Vertuo double espresso with a subtle spice and chicory character. The spice and chicory stay restrained rather than taking over, and the capsule works especially well over ice with milk, vanilla-caramel syrup and a little honey; its flavour may be too quiet for…
Source (opens in a new tab)This is probably my favorite pod since I switched to Nespresso, it made the best iced latte I've had so far. What did y'all think of it?
Source (opens in a new tab)Samra origins togetherness blend is my favorite. You should try it next time
Excerpts are quoted from public sources and belong to their authors. Follow the source link for full context.