Best Nespresso capsules, by community rating

146 capsules rated from published opinion, best first. Caramelito 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.

146 capsules ranked

  1. Caramelito

    3.5/5 from 16 opinions

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

    Summary of what people say: Caramelito is a sweet, milk-friendly Original Line flavored capsule with a strongly split reception. Fans call it a favorite, a best variation or a nutty, sweet and rich drink, and it can work iced or in recipes.

    • Sweet, nutty and rich character works for some in milk or iced drinks
    • Some drinkers rank it among their favorites
    • Can be used in dessert-style drinks and recipes
  2. 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
  3. 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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  4. 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
  5. 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
  6. 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
  7. Sweet Almond & Hibiscus

    3.4/5 from 9 opinions

    Original Price in United States: not sold here

    Summary of what people say: Sweet Almond & Hibiscus has a pronounced floral character, while the almond can be subtle rather than pastry-like. Some enjoy it with milk, syrup or ice; others find the floral aroma perfumed or too strong, so this flavour is particularly divisive.

    • Pronounced floral character
    • Can work with milk, syrup or ice
    • A pleasant choice for fans of flavoured coffee
  8. 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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  9. 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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  10. 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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  11. 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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  12. 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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  13. 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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  14. Milano Intenso

    3.2/5 from 16 opinions

    Original Intensity 8 Price in United States: not sold here Discontinued

    Summary of what people say: Milano Intenso is sharply divided. Supporters describe a fruity, spicy, rye-like and distinctive Original Line espresso, often better as espresso than lungo; detractors find it generic, bitter, meh, or actively dislike it.

    • Fruity, spicy or rye-like notes make it distinctive for some
    • Often preferred as an espresso rather than a lungo
  15. Cinnamon & Candied Tamarind

    3.2/5 from 6 opinions

    Original Price in United States: not sold here Discontinued

    Summary of what people say: Cinnamon & Candied Tamarind is sharply divided. Some drinkers enjoy it as a double espresso with frothed milk and sugar, while others dislike it black or find it bitter, watery or less convincing in a large preparation. It is preparation-sensitive rather than universally appealing.

    • A double-espresso preparation with frothed milk and sugar is described as a success
    • Some drinkers express clear enjoyment or love for the flavour
    • The capsule can appeal to drinkers who enjoy sweet, flavoured coffee
    • Not complaining as I love the flavor, just something I noticed now since I’m on my second sleeve of these.

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    • Oh man, I go to my local boutique to sample every new flavor, and this is the first time I have found a flavor that I absolutely hated! I drank it black like every other coffee I have

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  16. 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
  17. Ciocattino

    3.1/5 from 15 opinions

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

    Summary of what people say: Ciocattino has a light, fudge-like chocolate character that can work black, with milk or in lattes. The chocolate may also seem too plain, hard to taste or less convincing than newer flavoured capsules.

    • Light chocolate or fudge character can work black, with milk or in lattes
    • The less intense chocolate profile appeals to some drinkers
    • I just received my order of 30 sleeves of the Ciocattino...it is the only flavored Nespresso I drink black.

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    • Ciocattino pods (original, not Vertou), so I decided to combine them. Basic double shot latte, made with chocolate milk in the Aeroccino. Tasted amazing, would highly recommend.

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  18. Cioccolatino

    3.1/5 from 15 opinions

    Original Intensity 6 Price in United States: $0.90

    Summary of what people say: Original Line Cioccolatino divides opinion. Supporters like its strong bittersweet chocolate character, especially in iced lattes or milk drinks, while others find it weak, bitter, chemical-tasting or less chocolatey than earlier versions.

    • Bittersweet chocolate can taste natural rather than artificial
    • Works well in iced lattes, lungos and milk drinks
    • Some treat it as a favorite or underrated capsule
  19. 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
  20. 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

Excerpts are quoted from public sources and belong to their authors. Follow the source link for full context.