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Anyone have an Nespresso? Is it worth it?

Babyblue033

Brilliant_Rock
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I've only tried it when I'm traveling for work but it was super convenient and tasted great. Now that I'm home so much and coffee is life, I'm looking for a better option. But is Nespresso worth all the hype? Other alternatives that are also convenient and really good coffee and espresso?
 
I have a Nespresso and love it! My hubby and I use it when one of us wants a coffee, but it doesn't make sense to brew a whole pot. Originally, it was the price that turned me off, but I actually got a great deal on a preowned one that came with a ton of unopened pods. No regrets!
 
I was just wondering this the other day
I see you can get other brands of pods too now days
we have a big old Italian machine and a huge and heavy grinder that has to be an earthquake hazard ! That we got from my BIL
I have no idea how any of it works - its Gary's dept
My sister's husband has a rather lucrative hobby of importing old and vintage/antique machines from around the Pacific and refurbishing them
 
It was and still is a life saver during my local lockdown and then now during WFH. Am now also discovering alternative nespresso pod sellers with interesting flavors to try (since am still WFH and go through a few pods a day). I wouldn’t say that Nespresso makes the best coffee but against the alternatives, it’s super convenient, low maintenance, and drinkable.
 
My husband has one and loves it.
 
I've got one, had it for years. Absolutely love it! Highly recommend. Saves me buying coffee and there are a wide variety of pods to choose from plus free delivery over 100 pods.
 
I've had mine for years now and it was cheap to buy ( around 100€). The pods are kind of expensive. Coffee will taste consistently great.
Several of my friends have fancy bar type machines and grind fresh and even compared to that the coffee is decent.

We don't drink much coffee ( about one cup a day between two adults, sometimes none for weeks) and the machine is for the convenience of being able to make great tasting coffee for us or guests at short notice. Ground coffee often went stale at my place and I found myself without if guests wanted coffee after dinner.


Environmentally speaking it's horrible though. One generates a huge pile of those capsules. Especially if one drinks big quantities consistently. I feel awful when I drop that bag at the dedicated recycling spot.
 
I had one but the environmental cost/hassle isn't worth it unless you want a different kind of coffee every day. I now have a delonghi bean to cup machine and much much prefer it. It is actually easier to use than nespresso as well, since you don't have to put the pods in; I literally turn it on and press 1 button. With nespresso you are limited to what they produce, or what competitors produce. With beans I can use bags of really obscure roasts from tiny one man operations. Plus it just tastes better. The downside is size and man, is it loud.
 
We have one but I haven’t used it much lately, mostly due to environmental concerns. The milk frother that came with it is great, though! I’ve been using biodegradable coffee bags since, which make a nice cup.
 
I love mine for espresso-based drinks (I usually make lattes). I always joke that if I couldn't buy another one, it's something I'd take with me if the house was on fire!

They are actually environmentally friendly if you use the Nespresso recycling program which is free. They give you the bags, you fill them up with the pods (with grounds still inside) and once filled, you drop them off at UPS as prepaid. Super easy. Or you can drop the filled bags at a Nespresso store too. There's way less waste with Nespresso than going to a coffee place that uses disposable cups and lids, and less waste than any system that uses plastic pods. And they will deliver the coffee too if you don't have a Nespresso store that is convenient.
 
I had one when there were 2 of us.

It was expensive for me as I needed 2 pods of the strongest coffee for just one cup in the morning.

It was consigned to the garage as it was taking up space on the worktop, eventually binned as it would not when I tried to give it away.

I switched to instant coffee for years and have a large French press / cafetiere in case I have visitors.

Last year, I bought a couple of small cafetieres just for one cup, one for the house and one for my campervan / RV, using 2.5 scoops of strong ground coffee to brew one cup for breakfast in the morning, and am very happy with the result.

DK :))
 
If you are a coffee lover, then get a Gaggia or a Jura superautomatic espresso machine. I have an entry level Gaggia at my cabin and a mid level Jura at home. I think they are the best things I own next to my jewelry! A cup of coffee is less than a dime so the cost of the machine is worth it over the lifetime. And the coffee can't be beat! I rarely go out for coffee because mine at home is better.
 
I splurged on a Breville espresso machine. So worth it. Also more environmentally friendly since it's not pod-based. We grind beans twice a week. I'd say it takes 30 seconds longer than a Nespreaso.
 
I've only tried it when I'm traveling for work but it was super convenient and tasted great. Now that I'm home so much and coffee is life, I'm looking for a better option. But is Nespresso worth all the hype? Other alternatives that are also convenient and really good coffee and espresso?

Drinking my Nespresso coffee as I read this... We got our first Nespresso about 8 years ago. It was perfect for us, because I don’t like to drink more than one cup at a sitting, but I do like drinking it all throughout the day, so with most other methods you either have waste as extra the coffee in the pot sits and gets cold and sour in between, or you have prep and cleanup for each single cup, which I didn’t want with a baby in arms at the time. I knew I didn’t want a Keurig because I’ve so rarely had decent coffee from one, and I prefer the flexibility of espresso anyway (Americano, breve, etc.). After I used the Nespresso at a friend’s house, I was hooked.

In those 8 years, I have bought 6 machines—the original for us, two for family members, one small one for when we travel and stay in an Airbnb (which also lives in our master bedroom and gets used daily year round), one for our second place, and finally one (this past year) to replace the original one we bought for the kitchen when it finally gave up the ghost. Anyway, you can tell how much we love it! One of my teenagers just made a cup while I was typing this.

We order the pods from Nespresso with free shipping and pre-paid ship them back for recycling. Not every pod makes it into the recycling container for saving, but I don’t stress too much. I read an article last year that said the environmental impact of pod coffee can be even lower than drip coffee in some cases: https://www.wired.co.uk/article/coffee-pods-nespresso-recycling
 
My Nespresso died around 1 year of age and I haven't decided whether to replace it. I like the convenience factor (one press, no clean up) and make full use of the pod recycling.
 
My boss got me the Nespresso mini as a Christmas gift this year. I have used it EVERY SINGLE DAY SINCE. I used to drink coffee from my Keurig. Since getting the espresso I have not used the Keurig once. I much prefer the taste of espresso and will have a latte in the morning and sometimes a cappuccino after dinner.

I buy illy decaf espresso capsules as I have always liked their espresso when I get it in restaurants.

For price, convenience and taste I think it's a great device.
 
I actually have one of these but I'm both intimidated and lazy to use it daily. But reading through everyone's response I'm starting to think I need to give this another try before investing in another one.
Screenshot_20210216-140401_Amazon Shopping.jpg

I've been drinking Korean instant coffee mix that comes in a pouch, super easy since you just need to pour hot water over it, but it's not doing me any favors with weight gain. Ton of cream and sugar in it. So I'm trying to find a better solution without giving up coffee. Temporarily I'm just doing drip coffee but I find it kind of meh so thinking more towards espresso drinks.

Super interesting reading everyone's feedback!
 
I have one at work, and the convenience is great, and accommodates the preferences of various users. However, the environmental impact is an issue, and being limited to the taste of the coffees they offer is a draw back. Maybe I'm just sensitive but I found that many different pods result in an acidic after taste, which I don't like. I found one espresso pod that didn't have it, but it only generates an espresso sized drink so I had to steam milk separately to get a full cup. I would use it if I had no option, but I much prefer the taste of other coffee, such as Peets or Philz for my espresso machine. For instant, small instant packages of Starbucks is super quick and better tasting as well.
 
I love mine for espresso-based drinks (I usually make lattes). I always joke that if I couldn't buy another one, it's something I'd take with me if the house was on fire!

They are actually environmentally friendly if you use the Nespresso recycling program which is free. They give you the bags, you fill them up with the pods (with grounds still inside) and once filled, you drop them off at UPS as prepaid. Super easy. Or you can drop the filled bags at a Nespresso store too. There's way less waste with Nespresso than going to a coffee place that uses disposable cups and lids, and less waste than any system that uses plastic pods. And they will deliver the coffee too if you don't have a Nespresso store that is convenient.

I wonder how this works in far flung foreign markets ?
 
I have one at work, and the convenience is great, and accommodates the preferences of various users. However, the environmental impact is an issue, and being limited to the taste of the coffees they offer is a draw back. Maybe I'm just sensitive but I found that many different pods result in an acidic after taste, which I don't like. I found one espresso pod that didn't have it, but it only generates an espresso sized drink so I had to steam milk separately to get a full cup. I would use it if I had no option, but I much prefer the taste of other coffee, such as Peets or Philz for my espresso machine. For instant, small instant packages of Starbucks is super quick and better tasting as well.
I find this too! I tried so many different types and they were all so acidic.

My in laws have one, and I had one at my office for a while, and I considered one for home after my old pod-style unit died. Honestly, I don't think the coffee is amazing quality. I will 100% own it - I am a coffee snob. Their coffee is not much better than what is available from kurig. The pods are small. A single espresso cup contains much less coffee than a normal single espresso. So if you want that same concentration, you'd need at least 2. They are very expensive. Far, far, far more than even the freshest highest end coffee (along with all the garbage). I once heard pods compared to printer + ink. What ends up costing the most? It's those dang ink refills. This is the same with those pricey pods.

HOWEVER (more snob comments coming) if you like starbucks and that type of coffee, you may like it. Is it top end? No. Is it easy? Heck yes. My french press is certainly more work, but it's a fraction of the price, almost no environmental impact, and superior coffee. So it really depends what you're looking for. The only pro for nespresso is the lazy factor.
And total side note, but I do love the aeronccino or whatever it was called haha. I was given one and re-gifted it to my in-laws when they got their nespresso.
 
We have a Jura Z8. Like @Gussie said, it Is worth the investment. Great cup of coffee everytime.
 
I have one at work, and the convenience is great, and accommodates the preferences of various users. However, the environmental impact is an issue, and being limited to the taste of the coffees they offer is a draw back. Maybe I'm just sensitive but I found that many different pods result in an acidic after taste, which I don't like. I found one espresso pod that didn't have it, but it only generates an espresso sized drink so I had to steam milk separately to get a full cup. I would use it if I had no option, but I much prefer the taste of other coffee, such as Peets or Philz for my espresso machine. For instant, small instant packages of Starbucks is super quick and better tasting as well.

I will definitely agree about the acidity—I only like two of the pod varieties, for that very reason, but I do enjoy those two enough to make it worthwhile.
 
We drink latte or cappuccino for hot coffee and make cold brew otherwise. We have had a Nespresso for YEARS and use it daily. It's much less expensive than Starbucks and we recycle the pods. Ours is the original pod machine. When this one breaks we want to invest in a "real" espresso machine. We'll figure that out when we get there.
 
I find this too! I tried so many different types and they were all so acidic.

My in laws have one, and I had one at my office for a while, and I considered one for home after my old pod-style unit died. Honestly, I don't think the coffee is amazing quality. I will 100% own it - I am a coffee snob. Their coffee is not much better than what is available from kurig. The pods are small. A single espresso cup contains much less coffee than a normal single espresso. So if you want that same concentration, you'd need at least 2. They are very expensive. Far, far, far more than even the freshest highest end coffee (along with all the garbage). I once heard pods compared to printer + ink. What ends up costing the most? It's those dang ink refills. This is the same with those pricey pods.

HOWEVER (more snob comments coming) if you like starbucks and that type of coffee, you may like it. Is it top end? No. Is it easy? Heck yes. My french press is certainly more work, but it's a fraction of the price, almost no environmental impact, and superior coffee. So it really depends what you're looking for. The only pro for nespresso is the lazy factor.
And total side note, but I do love the aeronccino or whatever it was called haha. I was given one and re-gifted it to my in-laws when they got their nespresso.

Regarding Starbucks ...
Enough said
that's one Amwrican chain, that regardless of some good attempts, just has never done that well here
 
We have a Jura Z8. Like @Gussie said, it Is worth the investment. Great cup of coffee everytime.
I've never heard of them before but now I'm having a serious coffee machine envy!
 
I've been using Nespresso for about 10 years after having one of their machines in my hotel room in Budapest. I came home and bought one right away. Prior to this, I had a large Gaggia machine, which made great coffee when I found beans that I liked, but it was really just for espresso or cappuccino. I didn't use it every day because of this and also, dealing with the grounds. I had a Nespresso machine that used the original capsules but gave that to my daughter and replaced it with the Vertuo line. I use it every day (just one cup in the morning) and some nights for an espresso. I like that they have capsules that give you a variety of sizes of cups of coffee to chose from, and I do like many of their coffees. I've never tried coffee from other vendors that make capsules that fit. I do recycle the pods by sending them back in the prepaid bags which is super easy. I'm happy with my Nespresso and therefore haven't really tried any other kind since I started with them.
 
I actually have one of these but I'm both intimidated and lazy to use it daily. But reading through everyone's response I'm starting to think I need to give this another try before investing in another one.
Screenshot_20210216-140401_Amazon Shopping.jpg

I've been drinking Korean instant coffee mix that comes in a pouch, super easy since you just need to pour hot water over it, but it's not doing me any favors with weight gain. Ton of cream and sugar in it. So I'm trying to find a better solution without giving up coffee. Temporarily I'm just doing drip coffee but I find it kind of meh so thinking more towards espresso drinks.

Super interesting reading everyone's feedback!

❤️❤️❤️love that machine!! I drink one cup of black coffee a day. I know home brew with specialty machines and French presses etc are labor intensive. But if you don’t drink it all day, going through the laborious routine is kinda zen like as the reward is there and appreciated. Ten minutes out of your whole morning at most..,from grinding beans to pouring That yummy cup of Java just for you. That being said, I had to buy a new coffee maker during quarantine and after reading all the reviews of various machines, price analysis and other factors such as size, color and finish and ease of cleaning, the consensus seems to be that the quality of even high end machines has fallen - even well regarded machines are now made cheaply. So I buy good quality beans, grind them and brew a mug in the morning.
 
Love it! My last Nespresso machine lasted 12+ years. I replaced it with another and use it 2-3 times (espresso size) daily. I'm US based and love the free used pod recycling.

I have have to say that I strongly prefer the taste of the Original line versus the Vertuo line.

I think that some of the original flavors-Roma, Firenze, and Ristretto-are the best tasting. Also, Illy now makes Original compatible pods!
 
I have one and it's great - easy to use and convenient. My local Costco has started selling the Starbucks pods in bulk which made buying pods easier.
 
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