Best Nespresso capsules, by community rating
98 capsules rated from published opinion, best first. Fortado leads at 4.3 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.
98 capsules ranked

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

Paris Espresso
Paris is broadly well liked as a versatile Original espresso. People call it a favourite, a go-to or a daily coffee and describe it as balanced, smooth or dark enough without excessive bitterness. Some mention citrus, fruit or cereal notes and use it black, with foam or milk, in short lattes, iced drinks or an…
Source (opens in a new tab)Every now and then I also enjoy Paris, Arpeggio or Venezia. Perfectly fine as a black espresso without any need to add anything.
Source (opens in a new tab)Edit to add - my other favorites are Napoli, Roma, and Paris

Stockholm Lungo
The main limitation is extraction and dilution: some find it weak or watery when extended to a large lungo or combined with substantial milk, while a careful shorter extraction can preserve more body and smoothness.
Source (opens in a new tab)is definitely a lower intensity beverage, or iced coffee recipe, not an iced latte. But it was so good! The Stockholm capsule goes well with Irish Cream and isn't completely washed out with ice/ cr
Source (opens in a new tab)Stockholm lungo, with a dash of Silk oat sweet cream creamer is my preferred daily cup.

Indonesia
Indonesia is generally liked for a distinctive, low-acidity profile. People mention tobacco and woody notes and often describe it as rich, smooth or a favourite; several use it with milk, in a flat white or as a lungo. Some people find the profile difficult to enjoy or simply not to their taste.
Source (opens in a new tab)Indonesia is back in stock and is much better IMO
Source (opens in a new tab)I LOVED the tobacco notes in the flavor, even brewed as a Lungo.

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.

Buenos Aires Lungo
Buenos Aires Lungo is generally liked for buttery, toasted or popcorn-like sweetness, especially when extracted shorter or combined with milk and sugar. Some people call it a favorite or fantastic, while some find the full 110 ml brew less pleasant and prefer a shorter extraction.
Source (opens in a new tab)I never drink lungo coffees but I wanted to try something new and it was good enough for me
Source (opens in a new tab)I like it! I have yet to experience that popcorn thing ppl mention

Scuro
Original Line Scuro is strongly favored for milk drinks, cappuccinos and macchiatos, with some people calling it a favorite. Some find it roastier than preferred or weaker than the Vertuo double-espresso version.
Source (opens in a new tab)I’m new to the coffee world but I’ve really enjoyed capsules such as Scuro and Vanilla Eclair as they blend well with milk and syrups (I’m a latte/cappuccino person) but still serve as a good and…
Source (opens in a new tab)For Original Line I live Scuro & Cocoa Truffle together.

Arpeggio Extra
Arpeggio Extra is strongly liked as a dark, full Original Line espresso with cocoa notes and light acidity. It is often treated as a favourite, while the difference from regular Arpeggio can be subtle when the two are tasted side by side.
Source (opens in a new tab)Arpeggio and Arpeggio Extra... that’s my choice.
Source (opens in a new tab)My choices are Napoli, Roma, Ristretto and Arpeggio Extra. I usually go for Ristretto Decaffinato for evening decaf. My all time favourite was Dharkan but that is no more, sadly.

Coconut Flavour over Ice
This Original Line iced coffee is driven by a clear coconut flavour with a light, relatively subtle coffee base. It can show raw-coconut, woody and cereal notes, and works especially well over ice with milk or a sweetener; some cups instead taste bitter and show little coconut.
Source (opens in a new tab)I just bought the limited edition Coconut over ice pods ... I really don't like the taste. ... No coconut taste and a weird bitterness.
Source (opens in a new tab)Love the coconut flavour over ice as a latte!

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.

Nicaragua
Nicaragua is a smooth Original coffee with little acidity and works with milk, in a latte, or as espresso rather than a long lungo. It can also seem watery, bitter or lacking in character, so the cup is not for everyone.
Source (opens in a new tab)My personal best 3 are: Cosi, Ethopia, Nicaragua.
Source (opens in a new tab)Absolutely love the OL Nicaragua. So smooth

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.

Cosi
Cosi is generally described as a mild, light Original capsule with light or fruity flavours. People use it with milk, over ice or for cappuccino, and some choose it as a regular afternoon coffee. Several call it a favourite or their best light roast, while some people find it too mild, bland or lacking character.
Source (opens in a new tab)The Nespresso cosi is a lot better, the flavor is more nuanced and also lingers on the palette much longer which I enjoy
Source (opens in a new tab)My personal best 3 are: Cosi, Ethopia, Nicaragua.

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

Altissio Decaffeinato
Altissio Decaffeinato is a short Vertuo espresso with a cocoa-led profile that many drinkers prefer in creamy drinks, affogato, or as a double-shot base. Its aroma can be smooth and chocolatey, while the black cup may deliver a pronounced bitterness; milk softens it but can also reduce the cocoa finish.
Source (opens in a new tab)That Altissio Decaffeinato is very nice; I choose it when I want a decaf espresso.
Source (opens in a new tab)Yum, I love Altissio decaf but I have been drinking chiaro decaf a lot more now

Melozio Decaffeinato
Melozio Decaffeinato is a full-size Vertuo decaf that many drinkers use in the afternoon or evening. Its smooth, nutty and cereal-like profile can work on its own, with milk, or as the base of a mocha; some people find it too mild or watery, while others simply dislike the flavour.
Source (opens in a new tab)Melozio D is nice for a good sized cup later in the day or evening, although Fortado is my favourite decaf.
Source (opens in a new tab)Not a fan of Melozio Decaffeinato; it does not taste good to me.

Tanzania
Tanzania for Original Line has a fresh, citrusy and sometimes fruity profile. It works black and in iced drinks with caramel and milk, but its acidity may not suit people who prefer a softer cup.
Source (opens in a new tab)Tastes pretty good, definitely has a cereal note but prefer it to my usual double espresso chiaro
Source (opens in a new tab)I found it pleasantly fresh and almost citrusy, perfect in summer
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