Nespresso vs keurig: What’s Better? (Pod Machines Battle!)

Nespresso vs Keurig has been in debate for a time now as they are the two dominant players in the Pod-based coffee maker industry and many people are confused about what to buy.

The main difference between Nespresso and Keurig is that Nespresso uses a pressurized brewing system and brews rich and concentrated shots of Espresso while Keurig uses a normal drip brewing system and prepares a full cup of coffee.

In the USA, Keurig is the second most popular brewing system after standard drip coffee makers, with 27 percent of American coffee drinkers using them. And Nespresso is the market leader everywhere except North America, especially in Western European countries.

Overview of Nespresso Machines

Nespresso brand is based in Switzerland, and it is a subsidiary of a well-known giant in the food and kitchen business, “Nestle”. These single-serve machines brew espresso using coffee pods and are very convenient and simple to use.  

Nespresso is debatably not a real espresso, according to many coffee enthusiasts. Certainly, they are right to some extent, but the primary selling point of Nespresso is its convenience, in addition to delivering a drink with a rich and thick layer of crema.

Nespresso has two lines of coffee machines Original line and the Vertuo line. The Original line machines work similarly to traditional espresso machines by generating high-pressure water to brew Espresso drinks only, while the Vertuo line machines use rapid-spinning brewing technology to brew both Espresso and regular coffee.

Nespresso is a reputable brand spreading across more than 80 countries around the World. It is estimated that more than 14 billion Nespresso coffee capsules are sold every year. Huge number, isn’t it?

Nespresso offers a wide variety of machines ranging from entry-level machines such as the Essenza mini and Pixie to advanced models such as the Lattissima and Creatista series. Prices start at around 150 dollars and go up to 600 dollars for advanced models.

Here’s a detailed guide on Nespresso Vertuo Vs Nespresso original line

Overview of Keurig coffee makers

Keurigs are compact, and lightweight single-serve coffee makers and are very simple to use and operate.

Essentially, Keurig works similarly as regular drip coffee makers that are very popular in North America, but they are much more convenient and user-friendly.

Keurig uses k cups for brewing coffee. Unlike Nespresso, many brands produce k cups for Keurig brewing systems, which means a wide selection of pods and a lower cost.

More than 25 million Keurig units are being used in homes and offices across the United States with millions more being added every year. And more than 30 billion k cup coffee pods are used every year.

In the past 30 years, Keurig has launched more than 100 models, with more than 20 currently available on the market. Keurig models range from 100 to 250 dollars, with Keurig mini and Slim being the entry-level models with limited controls and Keurig Supreme and K café being the advanced models with many customization options.

Keurig vs Nespresso | Side-by-side Comparison

Now that you know the basics of Nespresso and Keurig, let’s get into detail about some factors that can help you decide which capsule coffee maker is right for you.

1) Brewing Method

Both Nespresso and Keurig are single-serve pod-based coffee makers but their brewing method isn’t exactly similar.

Keurig works in a similar way as a traditional drip coffee machine.

You insert the pod in the machine, Keurig heats the water, the needles pierce the pod from the top and bottom and hot water passes through it to deliver the smooth cup of coffee. Sweet and simple!

Nespresso has a pressurized brewing technology similar to a typical Espresso machine.

The Original line Nespresso features a 19-bar pump that forces hot pressurized water through the coffee capsules, producing a bold espresso shot with a rich crema.

In Vertuo line Nespresso, the capsule rotates at 7000 RPM to generate a pseudo-pressure to prepare a cup of coffee with a very thick and aerated crema layer.

2) The Taste of Nespresso vs Keurig

Even though the taste is completely subjective, I haven’t come across anyone who picks Keurig over Nespresso for flavor.

A cup of Nespresso coffee is reminiscent of espresso with a rich layer of crema with intense and mouthful flavors.

The best thing about Nespresso is you can make both coffee and Espresso in Nespresso machines while Keurig is only limited to plain coffee drinks.

The Vertuo line has separate coffee capsules for 8 oz coffee drinks and you can easily prepare Americano Coffee in Nespresso original line with a few extra steps.

Keurig coffee makers produce mild and mellow cups of coffee with subtle flavors. If you’re seeking strong coffee experiences like Espresso, French press, or Turkish coffee, Keurig is not the ideal choice. However, if you enjoy regular pot coffee, you’ll likely find Keurig to your liking.

The best thing about Keurig is that it isn’t only limited to coffee drinks: you can also find pods for other hot beverages like tea, hot chocolate, etc and there are plenty of flavor options in coffee too, including hazelnut, vanilla, coconut, chocolate, etc.

3) Ease of use

Both Nespresso and Keurig are extremely user-friendly coffee machines.

All you need to do is insert the pod inside the machine and push the button with the desired serving size and your coffee will be ready in minutes.

Nespresso machines take only 20-30 seconds to brew a shot of Espresso while Keurig takes around 60-90 seconds for a full cup of coffee

Some models from Keurig and Nespresso include fully automatic built-in milk frothers for milk-based coffee drinks such as cappuccino and latte. These include Keurig K cafe and Lattissima and Creatista series from Nespresso.

The Nespresso Vertuo line has taken the ease of use to the next level. It automatically detects the type of coffee pod and brews according to it, so you just need to insert the pod into the machine.

Keurig and Nespresso both have straightforward cleaning procedures. Fill the water tank halfway with vinegar or descaling solution and half with water and run one or two brewing cycles. Cleaning Keurig coffee makers is relatively difficult as needles and pod holders get clogged sometimes and are hard to clean.

4) Cost and the Variety in models

Keurig and Nespresso both offer different machines ranging from basic models with limited features up to high-end models with multiple features. In general, Keurig machines are cheaper compared to Nespresso.

The entry-level Keurig models, like the mini and slim, start at around 100 dollars, but these machines are limited in terms of customizable options, for example, you cannot change coffee strength, temperature, or serving size.

Keurig also offers high-end models such as the K-Supreme series with a lot of customizable features, the K-duo plus with both the single serve and carafe options, and the K Café with a built-in milk frother for preparing milk-based coffee drinks. These models cost between $200 and $250.

Nespresso machines are generally more expensive than Keurig. Entry-level machines, like Essenza Mini, Pixie, and Citiz, cost around 150 to 200 dollars and can only brew lungo and espresso drinks. Nespresso Vertuo models also lie in the same price range.

High-end Creatista and Lattissima series with integrated milk frothers are very expensive and range in price from 350 to 600 dollars depending on the model.

5) Cost of Coffee Pods

Keurig Pods cost around 0.5 – 0.8 dollars and they are significantly cheaper compared to Nespresso Coffee pods. The Orginal Nespresso Pods cost in the range of 0.7 – 1.0 dollars while Vertuo line pods are even more expensive costing around 1.0 – 1.4 dollars.

This makes the recurring costs of Nespresso machines, especially the Vertuo line much more expensive compared to Keurig.

An overview of the yearly costs for coffee pods from Nespresso and Keurig is shown below:

6) Type and variety of Coffee pods

Keurig K cups are made of plastic and Nespresso capsules are made of aluminum. Both of these pods are sealed hermetically to ensure the freshness and quality of the coffee grounds inside.

You can not use Keurig Pods in Nespresso (and vice versa) as Keurig and Nespresso coffee pods have significantly different shapes and sizes and are not interchangeable.

The capsules for Nespresso’s original and Vertuo lines are also different and cannot be interchanged.

The Vertuo line capsules are protected by very strict patents and no other coffee brand can manufacture them which means there’s only a limited variety available for Vertuo line pods.

The original line coffee capsules do not have strict patents, so many 3rd party manufacturers such as Illy, Lavazza, and Peets make coffee pods compatible with the Nespresso original line machines, so there is a wide variety of coffee pods available also at a lesser price than the Vertuo line.

The variety of coffee pods available for Keurig is far greater than what is available for Nespresso, with more than 400 types of pods available from 60 brands. You can make anything from tea to hot chocolate to latte with a variety of pods.

Reusable k cups are also available for Keurig machines so you can save some bucks while using your own coffee grounds.

7) Quality and Reliability

Nespresso coffee makers are better than Keurig in terms of durability and reliability, as they are made with better quality materials and have a more sturdy design.

Note: Nespresso doesn’t manufacture the machines themselves but outsources them to other top brands such as Breville and Delonghi

Keurig coffee makers are also decently made, but owners of Keurig are more likely to experience issues than owners of Nespresso machines.

The fact is that both these brands are known for providing high-quality machines that can last around 3-5 years. If they were not, then they probably wouldn’t be among the industry leaders.

Additionally, both brands offer a 1-year warranty that covers all technical faults.

8) Sustainability and Environmental Impact

Using single-serve coffee pods is certainly not a sustainable way to brew coffee.

“Coffee pods are one of the best examples of unnecessary single-use plastics that are polluting our planet.” – USAToday

The environmental impact of Keurig coffee pods has been widely criticized over the last few years. Fortunately, Keurig is taking action and is committed to making 100% of its packaging recyclable or compostable by 2025. In 2020, Keurig eliminated rigid polystyrene from its primary packaging portfolio.

Still, it is far from being fully sustainable, but you can reduce the impact by using reusable coffee pods and your own grounds. A cost-effective way to brew coffee that is also environmentally friendly.

On the other hand, Nespresso capsules are made of aluminum and can be easily recycled. With more than 120000 recycling stations around the globe, Nespresso strives to make recycling as easy as possible for its customers.

9) Appearance and Design

The design of Nespresso is more modern and exquisite compared and it takes up very small space on the counter. The design of Keurig is also very excellent but it is entirely made of plastic and has a bulky appearance compared to Nespresso.

10) Some Extra Features

Here’s the list of some extra features Nespresso and Keurig offer

Brew Sizes

Keurig coffee makers typically offer three to five brew sizes, with options ranging from 4 to 12 ounces.

The original line Nespresso machines only offer single espressos (1.35 ounces) and Lungos (4.7 ounces), and the advanced models also offer one-touch cappuccino and latte drinks.

Nespresso Vertuo machines offer both coffee and espresso drinks. There are five drink options: single espresso (1.35 ounces), double espresso (2.7 ounces), lungo (4.7 ounces), coffee (7.7 ounces), and alto (14 ounces).

Adjustable parameters

Nespresso machines don’t allow users to play with brewing parameters like coffee strength, brewing time, and water temperature same is the case with entry-level Keurig models.

In advanced Keurig models, like the K Elite and Supreme, you can adjust the strength from mild to robust and the temperature from lukewarm to extra hot.

Brew over ice

Most Keurig models include a feature called “Brew Over Ice” that lets you make iced coffee by adjusting the brewing parameters.

No Nespresso model has this feature. That doesn’t mean you can’t make iced drinks with Nespresso, you can make Freddo Espresso, which I believe has a richer flavor.

Capsule Ejection

Nespresso machines have an automatic capsule ejection system that automatically discards the capsule into the waste capsule container. In addition to saving time, this prevents your hands from getting burned while removing the hot capsules.

Descaling alert

Most Keurig and Nespresso models (but not all!) have an automatic descaling alert that lets you know when it’s time for descaling.

Auto shut-off feature

Both Keurig and Nespresso offer auto shut-off that automatically turns off the machine after a few minutes of inactivity so you don’t need to turn off the machine after every use. This useful feature saves you money and also protects the machine from electric shocks.

Final Thoughts

And that wraps up this epic battle between Nespresso vs Keurig! Now you know clearly whether the Nespresso is better or Keurig when it comes to convenience, cost, quality, and more.

So which single-serve coffee maker reigns supreme in your eyes? Let me know if you’re Team Nespresso or Team Keurig after reading this comparison.

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