Best Nespresso capsules, by community rating

78 capsules rated from published opinion, best first. Orafio leads at 3.5 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.

78 capsules ranked

  1. Orafio

    3.5/5 from 16 opinions

    Vertuo Intensity 6 Price in United States: $1.08

    Summary of what people say: Orafio is appreciated by many for a mid-intensity single espresso with cereal and caramel-like notes, especially in lattes or with milk.

    • Easy to drink as a mid-intensity espresso
    • Works well in lattes, with milk or over ice
    • Some find the cereal and caramel character appealing
  2. Inizio

    3.5/5 from 10 opinions

    Vertuo Intensity 4 Price in United States: $1.35

    Summary of what people say: Inizio is a light, gentle Vertuo Gran Lungo with a clean, familiar coffee profile. It can be pleasant hot and pairs with salted caramel and oat milk, but over ice or as a long black it may taste weak, chemically sharp or overly foamy; a darker drinker may find it lacking depth.

    • Light but recognizable coffee flavour when served hot
    • Works with salted caramel and oat milk
    • Gentle alternative to heavier Gran Lungos
    • I also think inizio and Ethiopia (both are gran lungos) might take them all in a race. Only sucks that they’re 5oz.

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    • I've tried several original flavors and even Vertuo (I really like Inizio) but now I went and they told me that it's being phased out because it's a special edition.

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  3. Cinnamon and Candied Tamarind

    3.4/5 from 57 opinions

    Vertuo Price in United States: not sold here

    Summary of what people say: Cinnamon and Candied Tamarind divides opinion. Some people enjoy its sweet cinnamon profile, especially with milk, sugar or a shorter espresso-style brew. Others find the tamarind note watery, sour or medicinal and prefer it with additions such as milk, sugar or syrup.

    • A sweet cinnamon note comes through for some drinkers
    • Works for some with milk or sweetener
  4. Vanilla Custard Pie

    3.4/5 from 14 opinions

    Vertuo Price in United States: not sold here Discontinued

    Summary of what people say: Vanilla Custard Pie divides opinions sharply. Some people treat it as a favorite or staple and enjoy its dessert-like profile, while others find the vanilla too subtle, sour or burnt and some cannot finish the cup.

    • A favorite or staple for some people
    • Dessert-like character appeals to some drinkers
  5. Cold Brew Style Intense

    3.4/5 from 10 opinions

    Vertuo Price in United States: $1.65

    Summary of what people say: Cold Brew Style Intense is a large Vertuo coffee designed for a smooth iced drink and a generous serving. Its profile can be refreshing, lightly acidic, earthy and caramel-toned with a soft, velvety texture. Some drinkers like the amount it produces, while others find it watery, too mild or too weak to stand up to…

    • Smooth, low-acid iced-coffee style
    • Generous serving that can be shared
    • Earthy and lightly caramel-toned notes
  6. Golden Caramel

    3.3/5 from 18 opinions

    Vertuo Price in United States: $1.40

    Summary of what people say: Golden Caramel is sharply polarizing. Many like its pronounced caramel, subtle sweetness and usefulness in milk or iced drinks, while others find it artificial, spicy, bitter or effectively undrinkable.

    • Pronounced caramel or buttery and biscuity character for some
    • Works in iced drinks and milk recipes
    • Some people call it a favorite
    • I personally was not a big fan of the golden caramel. It has a strong spice in it that I can't quite pinpoint but it reminds me a bit of the gingerbread from the holidays.

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    • I had all these samples of golden caramel and I decided to make a cup today. Omg it’s so good.

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  7. Roasted Hazelnut

    3.3/5 from 15 opinions

    Vertuo Price in United States: $1.40

    Summary of what people say: Roasted Hazelnut has an especially divided reception among flavored Vertuo capsules. The contrast is central to the product profile.

    • Supporters perceive recognizable hazelnut aroma and a rich, non-bitter cup
    • Works for some black, milk-based or iced preparations
    • e, I’ve been enjoying making coffee at home and checking out all the recipes on here. Sadly, I absolutely can’t stand these pods and the flavor. I have an unopened sleeve and about 2-3 extra pods…

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    • I tried the Roasted Hazelnut pods twice now on my Vertuo plus.

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  8. Tropical Coconut Flavour over Ice

    3.3/5 from 12 opinions

    Vertuo Price in United States: $1.60

    Summary of what people say: Tropical Coconut Flavour over Ice is a highly polarizing Vertuo flavored capsule.

    • Light coconut notes can work very well in iced coffee and with cream
    • Some drinkers enjoy it hot despite the intended cold preparation
    • Some drinkers call it a favorite or prefer it to newer coconut versions
    • For me, the Tropical Coconut pod they sold last year is hands down significantly better than the Coconut Vanilla they sold this year. I have 2 pods left of last years version and a f

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    • Just got my Coconut Vanilla Over Ice in yesterday.

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  9. Alto Intenso

    3.3/5 from 9 opinions

    Vertuo Intensity 7 Price in United States: not sold here Discontinued

    Summary of what people say: Alto XL Intenso is a large 14-ounce Vertuo coffee: the extended mug format can deliver a dark, substantial cup and works over ice, but it may become watery or weak and can show burnt, stale or cigarette-like notes.

    • Large 14-ounce mug format
    • Can work well over ice
    • Dark, substantial profile when the cup holds up
    • ffee, as I like intense coffee. Intenso offers that, and brings with it beautiful flavour. The Alto Intenso was too large and watery for my liking. Not sure if it was exactly the same coffee…

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    • that CS let us keep. Funny twist, our favorites are the ones from the other order (Melozio, Alto Intenso, Half Caff, and Odacio) Is there a place I could go to sell the ones that we aren’t going to…

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  10. Maple Pecan

    3.3/5 from 8 opinions

    Vertuo Price in United States: $1.40

    Summary of what people say: Maple Pecan is more reliable as a concentrated or milk-based drink than as a full coffee. Shorter preparations can bring out its sweet maple-and-pecan character, while a large cup may taste weak or watery.

    • Distinct maple and pecan notes can come through
    • Shorter or concentrated preparation can work well as a latte
    • Can taste delicious, great or like a favourite flavour
    • It tastes great. The pecan nuttiness comes through. I am going to really enjoy these while they last!

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    • After seeing the hype for maple pecan and finally having the chance to buy it in the states, I have to say I'm a little underwhelmed by the coffee flavor in the pod.

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  11. Pumpkin Spice Cake

    3.3/5 from 7 opinions

    Vertuo Intensity 5 Price in United States: $1.60

    Summary of what people say: Pumpkin Spice Cake is more dependable for people who like a subtle seasonal profile and are willing to adjust it with milk or sweetener than for those seeking a rich dessert coffee.

    • A distinct pumpkin note can come through
    • The spice can taste subtle rather than overpowering
    • Milk, lightener or sweetener can improve the balance
    • ou notice a difference between the OL and the VL pumpkin spice cake pods? Im liking the OL much better than the Vertuo. I find the Vertuo one tastes a bit artificial compared to the OL

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    • does anyone else find this year’s pumpkin spice Vertuo pods much lighter and almost fruity compared to last year’s, or am I crazy?

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  12. Rich Chocolate

    3.1/5 from 26 opinions

    Vertuo Price in United States: $1.40

    Summary of what people say: People who like it almost always drink it with milk or a chocolate sauce; people who dislike it most often tried it black and hot.

    • Reads as a mild mocha rather than a sweet one
    • Better with milk or a chocolate sauce
    • Also works over ice as a dessert drink
  13. Forest Fruit Flavour

    3.0/5 from 6 opinions

    Vertuo Price in United States: not sold here Discontinued

    Summary of what people say: Forest Fruit Flavour has a strongly split reception. Some Vertuo drinkers enjoy its jammy, berry-led character, especially with milk or sweetening, while others find the fruit flavour medicinal, too subtle, or simply unpleasant. It is best suited to people looking for a distinctly flavoured seasonal coffee rather…

    • Distinctive berry and jam notes
    • Can work black or with milk and sweetness
    • A good fit for drinkers who enjoy unusual seasonal flavours
  14. Gingerbread

    2.8/5 from 31 opinions

    Vertuo Intensity 5 Price in United States: not sold here

    Summary of what people say: Gingerbread divides opinion. Some people enjoy its clear seasonal gingerbread and spice character, while others taste little or no gingerbread at all and describe the cup as bland, bitter or unpleasant. It can work better with milk, sugar or creamer, but it is a risky choice if you expect a strong, dessert-like…

    • A clear gingerbread and spice character for some drinkers
    • Some people enjoy it with milk, sugar or creamer
  15. Whisky Essence

    2.7/5 from 7 opinions

    Vertuo Price in United States: not sold here Discontinued

    Summary of what people say: Whisky Essence divides opinion: some drinkers enjoy its whisky-like character and cacao notes, especially over ice or with cream, while others find the flavour too strong or unpleasant. It suits people who enjoy an intense flavoured coffee or a softer milk-based version.

    • Works well over ice
    • Pairs well with cream or milk
    • It pairs great with brown sugar. I do that with some half n half over ice.

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    • I’ve been drinking it over ice, as the box suggests possibly doing, and it’s been fabulous. I finished my first box today and I believe it to be the best of my past order.

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  16. Chocolate Fudge

    2.6/5 from 26 opinions

    Vertuo Price in United States: not sold here Discontinued

    Summary of what people say: Opinions on Chocolate Fudge are sharply divided. Some people find the chocolate note weak, waxy or almost fermented, while others enjoy it with ice, sweet creamer or cold foam.

    • Some people genuinely enjoy the chocolate flavour
    • Works for some with ice, sweet creamer or cold foam
  17. Hazelino Muffin

    2.4/5 from 88 opinions

    Vertuo Intensity 6 Price in United States: not sold here Discontinued

    Summary of what people say: Hazelino Muffin is a strongly polarising flavoured coffee: some people enjoy its sweet hazelnut character, especially with milk, while many describe an artificial, burnt or unpleasant aftertaste. It is a poor fit for people who dislike flavoured coffee or burnt aftertaste.

    • The sweet hazelnut flavour works for some drinkers
    • Some people enjoy it with milk or chocolate
    • I'm experiencing the same with Hazelino specifically. I thought I was crazy, but I've made it multiple times with all different variables: iced, hot, sweet creamer, not as sweet creamer.... and it…

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    • It’s the only pod I can’t drink. It’s disgusting

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  18. Caramelizio

    2.1/5 from 8 opinions

    Vertuo Intensity 6 Price in United States: not sold here Discontinued

    Summary of what people say: Caramelizio has a strongly negative and formulation-sensitive reception. The coffee is often described as bland, underwhelming or actively unpleasant, although oat milk with extra caramel can make it more appealing and the capsule works acceptably for some drinkers. The older and reformulated versions are described…

    • Can work with oat milk and extra caramel
    • A mild, sweetened drink may suit some preferences
    • I, as well as my friends and others' comments I have read, are extremely disappointed by the change to the Carmelizio pod.

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    • I did think the Intenso, Melozio, and Caramelizio capsules weren’t bad - but I’d still take one of the espresso capsules as a latte or cappuccino over them 9/10 times.

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