The Nescafe Doce Gusto range of coffee machines is very popular. There is a wide range of these machines, to suit different budgets, tastes and needs. In this post we have outlined the Nescafe Dolce Gusto range of coffee machines to help you decide which one is best for you.
Nescafe Dolce Gusto Coffee
The common question with Nescafe Dolce Gusto coffee machines, is “can you use other pods with it?”. The simple answer is no. These machines have specific coffee pods, so if you buy one of these machines, you have to buy the correct pods.
However, the coffee is pretty good, and with 15 different varieties, there will be something for the most fussy coffee drinker.
The Nescafe Espresso Pods give you a strong and bold tasting coffee. This is thanks to the amount of water and pressure the machines use to make it.
If you prefer a larger coffee, you should choose the black coffee pods. These create a more traditional “tall” cup of coffee, as it uses twice as much water. If you like some cow juice in your coffee, you will enjoy the Latte and Cappuccino coffee pods. These have whole milk in them, along with a tiny amount of sugar. There are also some coffees flavoured with caramel and vanilla to put a slight twist on the flavour of a regular latte.
The coffee is said to be made from the finest cocoa beans and layered with frothy milk.
There are even a few different pods with varieties of hot chocolate. Some of the Nescafe Dolce Gusto coffee machines have a cold setting. This allows you to make cold frappé coffees for hot days.
Cost of Capsules
The cost of the capsules depends on where you buy them from. But, it is important to know how much you are going to be spending on capsules, as ultimately these are what you are going to be spending the most money on.
You can buy 48 capsules for about £9 from Amazon. This depends on the type of coffee you want to buy though.
Recycling
It is important to know if the Nescafe Dolce Gusto coffee capsules can be recycled. It is good news, they can be recycled! According to the website, the coffee pods are made of polyethylene, which is often used in the food industry.
This stuff can be reused for production of plastic bags and other plastic items. All you have to do is to empty the pods from coffee after use. Therefore, you just need to put them in your normal recycling bin. You can even use the left over coffee granules on your compost heap.
Nescafe Dolce Gusto Coffee Machines
We are going to assume that you are happy with the different varieties of coffee and you know that they taste great. Now we are going to break down the different Nescafe Dolce Gusto coffee machines. This should help you decide which one you want to buy for your home or work place.
Nescafe Dolce Gusto - Jovia
The Nescafe Dolce Gusto Jovia is one of the best selling coffee machines in the world. It makes tasty coffee very quickly and is super easy to use. All you need to do, is put a pod in to the machine and press the button. A few seconds later you have your coffee.
We really like the look of the Jovia. It is neat and sleek and kind of “egg looking”. Reports from long term users of this coffee machine absolutely love it and rate it very highly.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Convenient
- Great value for money
Cons
- Doesn’t stop itself automatically
- Red cable doesn’t go with most kitchens
Key Features
- Dimensions (WxDxH cm): 171x325x228mm
- Weight (Kg): 2.5Kg
- Rated voltage/Frequency (V~Hz): 220/240~50/60
- Input power (W): 1500W
- Choose your favourite colour: Red
- Water container capacity (l): 0.8L
Verdict
As with all coffee machines, the Jovia is designed to provide convenience. Fill it with water, put in a capsule, press the button and you get coffee. It is that simple to use. It is also very easy to clean.
The Jovia is a great option for those that want a coffee making quickly, while at work or in the morning when time is tight. If you like to mix it up a bit and drink different types of coffee, the Jovia is great for this too. The only real thing we don’t like, is that you have to manually switch it off.
The Jovia is a stylish looking coffee machine, other than the red power cable. You may think that it is a little noisy at first, but this is characteristic of smaller coffee machines. But, at this price, you will get a great coffee machine.
Nescafe Dolce Gusto - Oblo
Positioned slightly more expensive than the Jovia, the Nescafe Dolce Gusto Oblo, is still reasonably priced. It isn’t the most feature rich coffee machine, but it looks great and is very easy to use.
The shape and size of this coffee machine makes it easier to store on your kitchen worktop. It fits neatly under kitchen cupboards. It also comes in three different colours, so you can choose what will go best with your kitchen. However, it does have that pesky red cable, that may not be to everyone’s taste. But, it does make it easy to find if you have a rats nest of cables.
When it comes to using the Oblo, you use a lever to determine how much water you run though each capsule. There is a guide on the box that the capsules come in, but it takes some practice to get it right.
To make yourself a coffee (or whatever drink you fancy), you pull out the capsule holder, put one in and push it back in before pushing the clip down. This motion perforates the capsule, so the hot water can pass through it.
Once the capsule is in the machine, select hot or cold with the lever on top. Then the machine will make your drink. You need to stop the machine when your cup is full, by moving the lever back to centre.
Pros
- Looks great
- Easy to clean
- Good price
- Compact
Cons
- Limited water resevoir
- Takes some practice getting the perfect amount of water for each drink
- No internal bin for capsules
- Have to switch it off when cup is full
Key Features
- 15 bar pump pressure
- 800ml water tank
- 1500W; H31.2 x W24.5 x D17.8cm
Verdict
The Nescafe Dolce Gusto Oblo is an easy to use coffee machine. It will suit most coffee drinkers, but if you are serious about your coffee, you may want to go for something higher end.
Nescafe Dolce Gusto - Eclipse Touch
The first thing to note about this coffee machine, is how it looks. It is like a big doughnut that splits to dispenser your drink. However, when you start looking at it properly, you will see that it is packed full of features.
The Eclipse Touch has a the following features:
- Used-pod alert light
- An XL function for longer drinks
- Automatic opening
- Touch controls
- Descaling alerts
- Auto-off function for saving energy
- Mini capsule basket
- Options for more than 40 different hot and cold drinks
You make drinks with the Nescafe Dolce Gusto Eclipse by inserting a capsule, then selecting the amount of water needed via a touch-controlled slider and choosing whether it should be hot or cold.
The Nescafe Dolce Gusto Eclipse has lots of options for drinks. You can get a cuppa pretty quickly too, as it heats up in than 30 seconds. But if you want something a bit more personal or interesting you can combine milk and drink capsules to indulge in more flavours.
Pros
- Looks fantastic
- Touchscreen controls
- Takes different cup sizes
- Has lots of features
Cons
- Quite large
Key Features
- 15 bar pump pressure
- 1-litre water tank
- 1600W
- H33 x W32 x D27cm
Verdict
The Nescafe Dolce Gusto Eclipse Touch is ideal for a busy home or small office. This is because it is versatile and can cater for different tastes. It looks great, has a wow factor and makes great coffee, what is not to like?
Nescafe Dolce Gusto - Melody 3
Another Nescafe coffee machine with a striking style. It is also as versatile as the other higher end coffee machines. It can make, hot chocolate, tea and a range of other drinks.
This curvy coffee machine has chrome details and adds a bit of class to your kitchen. It is available in black, red, ivory and off-white, so you have a few options for your kitchen.
When it comes to making drinks, you choose how much water you need for your drink with a whee. This lights up bars on the front of the machine to indicate your selection. To make sure you select the right amount of water for your drink, you just have to match the bars to the diagram on the capsule box. Alternatively, you can play with the amounts to customise your drinks.
Once this coffee machine has taken a short time to heat up, it allows you to easily make multiple drinks. It is automatic, sp you don’t have to monitor it while it makes your drink. It just dispenses the amount water you have selected.
The Melody 3 has buttons either side of the selection wheel, for choosing hot or cold drinks. TIt will stay in whichever setting you leave it in setting, so you don’t have to select them after each drink made.
The Melody 3 has a large water reservoir, so you can make multiple drinks before you have to fill it up again.
Pros
- Looks great
- Can take different sized cups
- Easy to use
Cons
- Quite large
- Quite basic for the price
Key Features
- 15-bar pump pressure
- 1.3-litre water tank
- H33 x W21 x D29cm
Verdict
The Nescafe Dolce Gusto Melody 3 looks great and will appeal to lots of people. It is also versatile enough to cater for lots of different tastes.
This coffee machine is a no fuss, easy to use machine that will please multiple people day after day.
Nescafe Dolce Gusto - Krups Lumio
The Nescafe Dolce Gusto Krups Lumio has a very minimalist design and doesn’t take up much space. Like many of the other coffee machines in the range, it makes both hot and cold drinks. It also makes various sizes of drinks from a small 35ml ristretto to a nice big XL size. This version is available in red and white.
Although the Krups Lumio has quite a striking design, some people may find it a little frustrating. This is because the base and drip tray supports the dispensing nozzle and the water reservoir. We feel that this design isn’t very practical as the cup is quite precarious as it sits on the drip tray. It is also awkward to fill it up with water. The nozzle itself is a separate clamshell-style capsule holder that’s inserted, and a cover that pulls down to lock it in place.
However, the controls are very straight forward. You choose the amount water you need with a roller, while selecting hot or cold with a switch on the back.
The Krups Lumio heats up very quickly, allowing you to get your coffee on in a few seconds. This is ideal for when you are in a Rush in the morning.
Pros
- Good for different sized cups
- Compact
- Cool design
Cons
- Water reservoir is awkward to fill
Key Features
- 15-bar pump pressure
- One-litre water tank
- 1500W
- 364 x 176 x 204mm
Verdict
The Nescafe Dolce Gusto Krups Lumio is a good coffee machine. However, we feel that the look of it was at the top of the to do list rather than its usability. It looks great, but the small area of where your cup sits is too precarious and it is awkward to fill up with water. The machine is pretty tall, so making an espresso can be a bit messy, as the cup is too far away from the nozzle. Therefore, this machine is suited more to tall drinks.
Nescafe Dolce Gusto - Drop Touch
With a unique design inspired by a drip of coffee, the Nescafe Dolce Gusto Drop Touch is a cool looking thing. It is quite imposing (in a good way) and it isn’t very subtle, as it is quite big.
It is part of the automatic range and has some great features such as touch screen controls, a descaling alert, so you know when it needs cleaning and a separate bin for used capsules.
The water reservoir is located in the machine’s base, but you can see the water level from a panel on the front. The base also has the drip tray that accommodates different cup sizes, thanks to its adjustability.
When making drinks, you first select the amount of water you need with a simple touch. The amount of water is indicated with the amount of bars illuminated, which you match up to the guide on the capsule box.
You can make drinks very quickly with this machine. The Drop Touch is heats up quickly from switching on. Capsules slot into the holder at the top of the machine. You don’t need to monitor this machine, as it automatically fills up your cup to the amount you specified. This means you can carry on cooking your breakfast without worrying about overflowing.
Pros
- Nice touch controls
- Cool design
- Stable platform for your cup
Cons
- Takes up more worktop space than some other coffee machines
- Small water resvoir
Key Features
- 15-bar pump pressure; 800ml water tank; H31.9 x W25.2 x D25.2cm
- 800ml water tank
- H31.9 x W25.2 x D25.2cm
Verdict
There are smaller coffee machines with larger water reservoirs, but the design of the Drop Touch will win over many coffee lovers.
This coffee machine will be great in any home or small office. This is thanks to its speed and the ever expanding range of drinks. The only thing you have to remember to do, is to fill it up more regularly.
Nescafe Dolce Gusto - Movenza
We are loving the designs of these Nescafe Dolce Gusto coffee machines and the Movenza is another great example. This coffee machine looks like some kind of alien egg, but in a good way. Actually, the design is inspired by a coffee bean. Either way you look at it, it looks cool.The dispensing nozzle, rises automatically from the base revealing the cut platform.
The touch buttons are intuitive, making it easy to use. You tell the machine how much water you need for your drink, by running your finger along the illuminated bars. This means you can leave it brewing your coffee without having to switch it off.
The water reservoir is a good size at 1 litre. This means that you won’t have to fill it up as regularly as other coffee machines. But even when you do, it is very easy to do so. You just pull it out from the back and fill it from the tap before simply slotting it back in.
Pros
- Looks fantastic
- Very easy to use
- Good size water reservoir
- Good value for money
- Easy to clean
Cons
- May not suit a small kitchen
Features
- 1L water tank
- H17.8 x W 18.8 x D38.8cm
Verdict
For a very stylish coffee machine, you can’t really fault the Movenza. It looks cool and performs brilliantly. This machine is more of a design statement that gives you great coffee. Therefore, it is fo those that want a well performing product that adds some style to their kitchen.
Nescafe Dolce Gusto - Piccolo
The Nescafe Dolce Gusto Piccolo is one of the most compact coffee machines on the market. This is great if you want a small and simple coffee machine, that can still make a large variety of drinks.
It looks a little like the Melody 3, but a lot smaller. This coffee machine will easily fit under kitchen cupboards or in a corner.
The Piccolo is a manual machine, this means that you have to monitor it while it is pouring your drink so it doesn’t overflow. The automatic machines require you to select the amount of water before brewing.
It can accommodate three different cup sizes, as you can put the cup platform in to three different heights.
When it comes to making a drink, like the other Nescafe Dolce Gusto coffee machines, it heats up the water quickly. This is handy for when you are in a rush. The small nature of this coffee machine means that the reservoir is also small, but you have to expect that. But, it is a bit awkward to fill up directly from the tap. You may find it easier to use a jug.
The Piccolo is very easy to use. Slot in a capsule, pull down a clip to pierce it, then move the lever to the left or to the right until your cup is filled. This lever, determines whether you make a hot or cold drink.
Pros
- Nice and compact
- Easy to use
- Adjustable cup platform
Cons
- Awkward to fill
- Small reservoir
Key Features
- 15-bar pump pressure
- 600ml water tank
- H28.7 x W15.9 x D22cm
Verdict
If you are looking for a well priced, simple coffee machine that doesn’t take up too much space, the Piccolo is a great option. The only thing you may find frustrating, is the size of the water reservoir. But, it goes with the territory of buying a small machine. However, it would be fine for a small household.
With the Nescafe Dolce Gusto Piccolo, you can make all the drinks in the huge range. Its simplicity and ease of use makes up for the small amount of water it holds.
Which one of these Nescafe Dolce Gusto coffee machines takes your fancy. Ultimately, your decision will be made around the style. These machines all use the same coffee capsules. The more expensive machines will make it taste better, thanks to their brewing process. But, many people will base their decision on budget and style.
Let us know your thoughts and questions in the comments section below.
