Nespresso is arguably the most well-known capsule machine brand. Their latest product line, Vertuo, uses a unique spinning mechanism to brew coffee, promising a richer and more flavorful cup. However, the Vertuo line has faced manufacturing issues, particularly with models excluding the Plus variant, which have been reported to malfunction.
The machines come with a hefty price tag, ranging from 2000 to 3000 NOK when bought new. However, on the second-hand market or during sales, you can find them for as low as 500 to 1000 NOK.
One of the main drawbacks of Nespresso is the cost of their Vertuo capsules, which are significantly more expensive than competitors, priced at around 8-10 NOK per capsule. The old capsules produced by Nespresso sadly do not fit the new lineup.
I have some personal experience with Dolce Gusto, as my girlfriend owns one of their machines and i have been pleasantly suprised with the result. Dolce Gusto machines are generally more affordable when purchased brand new, but their second-hand and discounted prices are comparable to Nespresso.
The cheapest Dolce Gusto model starts at around 500 NOK, but I wouldn’t recommend it due to its small size and the inconvenience of having to manually stop the machine to get your desired amount of coffee.
One of the biggest advantages of Dolce Gusto is the cost of their pods, which are much more budget-friendly at 2-5 NOK per capsule.
Brewing two cups of coffee each day with Dolce Gusto would cost approximately 1825 NOK annually, based on an average capsule cost of 2.5 NOK. In contrast, using Nespresso Vertuo capsules at 9 NOK each would amount to 6570 NOK per year.
When it comes to taste, I find myself leaning slightly towards Nespresso, especially for their Espresso. However, the significant price difference between the two brands made me reconsider. After weighing the pros and cons, I ultimately decided to go with the Dolce Gusto Genio S.
In the end, the choice between Nespresso and Dolce Gusto comes down to balancing cost, convenience, and personal taste preferences. For me, Dolce Gusto offered the best value without compromising much on quality.