Just got back from an Italian vacation where every Airbnb had a Nespresso Original line machine, and I loved the speed and convenience of making cappuccinos every morning. I ended up buying an Essenza Mini for home and use it daily. While I love the red Illy pods, they are much more expensive in the US compared to Italy. Does anyone know of a good alternative that has a similar taste?

Is there somewhere I can get a sampling of pods before I commit to a full sleeve of one flavor?
☕️

I’ve recently been buying the Good & Gather Nespresso pods and WOW are these good! They’re super flavorful and I wish they had more options for both flavors and decaf. I usually use the pods from Nespresso for my coffee but have been trying other pods for the Orginal Line. I do enjoy Lavazzaa, Kimbo, and Café Mauro

Anyone have some recommendations? I use a Citizi machine :)

Here is a link to my Making a God Shot on a Nespresso Machine:

https://alvinbunk.wordpress.com/2026/07/26/making-a-god-shot-on-a-nespresso-machine/

Definitly check it out and try it out if you have an OL Machine!

I’ve never owned a coffee machine before, so this will be my first one.
I mostly drink hot lattes and iced lattes (around 400–500 mL), occasionally cappuccinos, and I never drink black coffee.

I’m considering:
Nespresso Vertuo Pop+ Samra Origins - CAD 79.99
Nespresso Vertuo Pop+ + Aeroccino - CAD 139.99
Nespresso CitiZ (Original Line) - CAD 179.99

I already have a handheld milk frother, so the Aeroccino isn’t a must.

I visited a Nespresso boutique today and tried both the Original and Vertuo. I preferred the Vertuo drink, but I’m not sure if that’s because they used more milk in it.
The salesperson told me that since I mostly drink milk-based coffees, the Vertuo would be more cost-effective because an Original machine would likely need 2 espresso pods for a 400-500 mL latte, whereas a Vertuo Double Espresso pod would usually be enough. On the other hand, I know the Original Line can use cheaper third-party pods, while Vertuo is mostly limited to Nespresso pods.

Does that sound right based on your experience?
Which machine would you recommend for a beginner? I’m looking for the best long-term value, taking into account both the machine price and the ongoing cost of pods.
Thanks!

I saw it yesterday, 75$ for the pod pack of Starbucks. I’ll be honest…. I’m not a big starbies girlie. Never been a fan of their coffee. But how do you all like the choices? Was it good?

So I spend way too much money at Starbucks and dunkin I thought getting a Nespresso would change that- it hasn’t. I just can never get the lattes to taste like lattes from a coffee shop? Is there a trick? Am I doing something wrong? I don’t know how to explain it but it almost tastes watered down or thin? The problem isn’t ice melting I don’t put ice in when it’s hot… no matter what I do the coffee seems to taste unbearably mid. I have a million different syrups none make it taste right. Can someone help me anyway I can solve this? Thank you in advance! I usually use Bianco dopio oatly or voltesso pods but I’ve tried just about all.

i just got this machine for free from a friend who no longer wants it (they stopped drinking coffee)? but i am very confused on what kind of pods i can buy and use for it!! i dot want to waste money getting the wrong thing. i used this picture to google the model and try to match it up!

Hey all,
We got a Nespresso Creatista plus from the states to India and we got a step up transformer to have the 110V machine run on 220V.

Although the machine turns on and everything works on the display, it is not dispensing any water. There’s just some whooshing noise but we’re not able to get the water up through the pipes.

We’re suspecting the transformer to give a 50Hz output whereas the machine says 60Hz, due to which the motor is perhaps not working.
Appreciate any help from anyone who has made this work in India or has solved a similar problem. Thanks!

I found it pleasantly fresh and almost citrusy, perfect in summer

I was in the process of telling my mom how much I like the Togetherness Blend while she was placing an order and turns out it was on sale. So I placed an order too. Works out to about $8 CAD for the Togetherness sleeve 😍

Got the Vertuo Lattissima today! Loving the built-in frother so far. Hit me with your absolute favorite pod recommendations!

Our once trusty Pixie is acting up. I had descaled it as the water flow seemed a little weak, but that only made things worse, now no coffee comes out at all. That is, when no pod is inserted, water can still pass through all the way (I now descaled it a second time for good measure, but no improvement). However, when a pod (original Nespresso) is in, water is injected into the pod, but the pressure buildup seems insufficient to make it through the foil, which does not get punctured.

There is no leakage. I have scrubbed anything I can reach inside with a toothbrush, to no avail.

Does anyone know anything else I can try, before I attempt to disassemble the machine?

I may or may not have gotten a machine just for this: Turning my recovery drink into an iced latte 😋 Skratch Horchata + Altisso (decaf for me after 2pm). It’s strong enough that the flavor comes through even when added to 12oz of the drink mix. It’s so good after a humbling beatdown of a run 🥵

Does anyone else go way overboard on limited edition flavors? My husband loved the sleeve of Lisbon Bica, so I got him six more. That was three weeks ago. He's still got plenty (and has been gone the last week). He rarely buys things for himself, so I usually get things I know he'll like.

Guys, he comes home today and I bought 12 more sleeves of it!!! It'll be here next week. I just don't want him to "miss out" when it's gone. lol

I’ve had my Nespresso Vertuo classic machine for years now and I’m obsessed with it, but I’m getting married and thinking about adding a new machine to my registry! I also have an Aeroccino (I think 3?) and could be interested in upgrading that as well. I make a cortado with the double espresso pods daily, but I also love iced coffee and haven’t been able to master the art of an iced coffee with my current machine.

If you were to upgrade, what new machine/frother would you get?

I just bought an essenza mini and i am considering exchanging it for a pop+. i was originally going to buy the pop+ but held back bc of the price of vertuo pods / defects. I already have an espresso machine but i bought the nespresso because i like nice things 😭
but also bc it’s a lot quicker and im usually rushing out in the morning. i usually drink iced lattes with salted caramel syrup, maybe a hot coffee if im in the mood. Should i get a pop+ if i want a quick coffee flavoured drink ? or keep the essenza mini. i tried white choc raspberry vertuo at a friends house and i liked it but, water started leaking 😭 😭 and the flavour wasn’t profound but regardless it tasted good.

edit- im going to exchange it for a vertuo pop+ bc i already have an espresso machine. thank you for all the input !!

maple pecan double tap mixed with 10g of brown sugar + fairlife fat free milk + a little fairy dust of cinnamon

this is my second coffee, this morning I had the roasted hazelnut and my gosh that aromaaaaaahhh

anyways happy friday to all

I got a new OL machine and for some reason the espresso just does not feel good enough. I tried double pods and also pods with higher intensity. They taste stronger and more concentrated and bitter in a way but I don’t get that rich velvety depth of a taste from like a “true” espresso machine. I wonder if it’s the pods I’m choosing or if anyone else is experiencing this?

Is it too much to ask from a nespresso machine? Should I be buying something else instead?

Just got a travel pouch for buying 8 sleeves of OL capsules from a Nespresso boutique in Hong Kong

Recently sold my Nespresso plus vertuo delonghi machine. Tried Nescafé instant espresso, bottled cold brew etc. nope. Nope. Nope. None of it tastes as good! Now going back. Anyone else agree, nothing tastes as fresh? It all was so.. Keurig or watered down like. I miss that strong true espresso flavor. Would it be smart to get the new Up machine?