The Best Nespresso Decaf Capsules (In 2024)

Nespresso machines are perfect for creating cafe-quality espresso-based drinks at home. 

But, is all the caffeine causing you anxiety, nausea, or the jitters? Are there decaf Nespresso capsules that let you enjoy the taste and health benefits of coffee, without the buzz?

In this article, we’ll look at some of the best decaf Nespresso capsules on the market today – from Nespresso, as well as from cheaper third-party capsule producers. 

What is Decaf Coffee and How is it Made?

Decaf (decaffeinated) coffee has most of the caffeine removed.

If you’re sensitive to the effects of caffeine and find that it makes you anxious or prevents you from sleeping, you can still enjoy the taste and health benefits of coffee without the side effects.

All coffee beans naturally contain caffeine, which needs to be removed to create decaf coffee. There are several different ways to remove caffeine from coffee beans, but the most common methods involve steaming the beans and washing them in chemical solvents. There are also natural methods, like the Swiss Water Process, or the supercritical carbon dioxide method, which avoid using chemicals and achieve the same effect.

The result is coffee that tastes very similar and doesn’t give you the jitters, or keep you up all night.

Why Should You Drink Decaf Coffee?

Coffee has several health benefits, but caffeine is less healthy and can cause problems for people.

First, caffeine can cause anxiety. The alertness we associate with caffeinated coffee is a fight or flight state that your body goes into. For some people, this provides a welcome sense of focus – for others, it can be uncomfortable.

Caffeine is also a diuretic, causing your body to lose more water than it takes in, leading to dehydration and all of the health problems that come with it.

If caffeine is causing problems for you but you still love the taste and ritual of coffee, you should switch and drink decaf coffee, instead.

Does Nespresso Make Decaf Coffee Capsules?

Nespresso makes its own line of decaf coffee capsules for its machines.

For the Original line machines, there is the Inspirazione Ristretto Italiano Decaffeinato, the Volluto Decaffeinato, and the Inspirazione Firenze Arpeggio Decaffeinato.

For the Vertuo line machines there are the Melozio Decaffeinato, Altissio Decaffeinato, and Fortado Decaffeinato. 

Tip: All official Nespresso decaf pods have the word “Decaffeinato” in their name!

What About Alternative Decaf Nespresso Capsules?

There are some incredible alternative decaf Nespresso capsules out there, but they are only available for owners of the OriginalLine Nespresso machines. For these machines, you can find a wide range of third-party capsules with great flavors, usually for less than the cost of the official Nespresso capsules.

Jump to: Our favorite alternative brand decaf Nespresso pods below

If your Nespresso machine is one of the Vertuo line machines, it includes bar-scanning security measures that make it impossible to use third-party capsules. If you have a Vertuo line machine, you’re limited to the official Nespresso flavors.

The 9 Best Nespresso Decaf Capsules (Our Favorites in 2022)

Here’s our list of our favorite decaf coffee pods this year. We’ve picked two of the genuine nespresso pods (because nothings better than the real thing, and also offered seven 3rd party alternatives as you can get great tasting coffee at a fraction of the cost of the real deal. Our top 9 are:

1. Arpeggio Decaffeinato
2. Melozio Decaffeinato
3. Gourmesso Duchess Decaf
4. Lavazza Decaffeinato Ricco
5. Starbucks Decaf
6. Bestpresso Decaffeinato
7. Peet’s Coffee Decaffeinato
8. L’Or Decaf
9. Maud’s Honey Decaf

1. Nespresso OriginalLine – Arpeggio Decaffeinato (Best OrignalLine Flavor)

The original Nespresso flavors are incredible, and take the spot for the best capsules overall. They are perfectly made for the machine and have a tremendous depth of flavor for decaf coffee. 

The variety pack includes all the official flavors for the Original line machines, so you can test and decide which one you like best. Each one is distinct, and together they cover a range of intensities and flavor notes.

At $1.16 per capsule, they are not the cheapest capsules, but they are worth it for the variety of great flavors.

If you want to enjoy the best decaf espresso, you can trust Nespresso.

2. Nespresso VertuoLine – Melozio Decaffeinato (Best VertuoLine Flavor)

The Melozio Decaffeinato is one of Nespresso’s most popular flavors, and their number one vertuo decaf pod.

I like to describe this coffee like ‘a big hug’.. weird, i know, but it’s big, sweet and smooth and super comforting – even without any caffeine.

The Melozio is a ‘mug’ capsule which means it makes a 230ml brew.. It has an intensity of 6 so it’s not too overpowering.

3. Gourmesso – Dutchess Decaf (Best Value Decaf)

Gourmesso have just released a new range of capsules, and while the names are a bit weirddd the taste is actually really impressive.

I have always loved gourmesso because, first of all, they are (usually) the cheapest alternative capsule available, and secondly, they sell truly sustainable coffee with each of their capsules being 100% compostable.

This is a relitivly low intensity (4/13) coffee, which is nice becuase, knowing that it’s decaf, we can sip them all day.

Note: Gourmesso are currently doing a promotion where you can get 10% off your order of Nespresso capsules if you follow THIS LINK and use the coupon code “A-94UA1V” at checkout.

4. Lavazza – Decaffeinato Ricco  (Best value for money)

Those who know espresso are familiar with Lavazza – this Italian espresso company has been serving the international market with authentic Italian espresso beans for decades.

Their decaf is one of the best (and cheapest) on the market. Lavazza Decaffeinato Ricco is a decaffeinated version of their dark roast espresso beans, with notes of dried fruit. It is a 6 on the intensity scale.

For only $0.40 per capsule, Lavazza offers an incredible decaf coffee for almost half of what the official capsules cost. It wasn’t difficult to award these capsules the best value for money.

5. Starbucks by Nespresso Decaf Espresso  (Best flavor)

Nespresso partnered with Starbucks for these semi-official capsules, and the results are fantastic.

If you are a Starbucks lover, you’ll be amazed at how easy it is to recreate the perfect Starbucks decaf coffee from home. If you’re not already a fan, these might be the capsules to convert you.

Starbucks coffee is famous for its intensity, and its decaf capsules don’t disappoint. You won’t get the infamous Starbucks caffeine kick from these pods, but the flavor punch is still there. Starbucks decaf espresso rates an 11 on the intensity scale.

The flavor is both intense and subtle, with notes of caramel and molasses. Fans of these capsules love that they have such a strong flavor without any hint of bitterness or acidity.

These are some of the most expensive capsules out there, however. At $1.50, they’re double the cost of the standard Nespresso decaf capsules (which are also very good).

If you need the most intense and flavorful decaf coffee out there and money is no object, Starbucks by Nespresso decaf espresso capsules are the best there is.

6. Bestpresso Espresso Decaffeinato

For a perfectly well-rounded decaf Nespresso capsule, check out Bestpresso. This company provides high-quality third-party Nespresso capsules for a fraction of the cost. 

Their decaf espresso is a good dark roast, with a chocolatey aroma and a creamy texture. It rates as a 5 on the intensity scale.

Bestpresso capsules are not the most intensely flavorful, or the cheapest, but they are a great all-around choice for a decaf coffee that has great flavor without being too intense or acidic. 

At $0.57 per capsule, they are also in the middle of the range when it comes to cost. There are cheaper capsules, but Bestpresso is an affordable option.

Where to buy: These can be purchased directly from the Bestpresso website (here). It’s super user friendly, and you’ll get 15% off your first order so make sure to stock up

7. Peet’s Coffee Decaffeinato Ristretto

Peet’s is a coffee company with quality beans and a dedicated following that has transferred over to Nespresso. Their caffeinated variety packs are popular.

They have fewer options when it comes to decaf, but their decaf ristretto is excellent. It’s a 9 on the intensity scale with a bold, sweet flavor.

At $0.72 per capsule, it’s not the cheapest, but it is affordable.

8. L’Or Espresso Variety Pack

Variety packs are harder to find in decaf, but they are just as great to have. Being able to sample different flavors isn’t a luxury that should be restricted to the caffeinated!

L’or’s decaf espresso variety pack includes 5 different varieties, ranging from an 8 to an 11 on the intensity scale.

At $1.59 per capsule, it is the most expensive on our list. L’or capsules might not have the intense and unique flavor of Starbucks, but they do make a variety of incredible decaf coffee and the variety of excellent espresso varieties on offer here justify a higher price. 

9. Maud’s Decaffeinato Honey Decaf Dark Roast

As a relatively green coffee company, Maud’s produces its capsules using 100% solar energy! They also make an incredible decaf espresso.

Maud’s honey decaf dark roast is a 10 on the intensity scale, and tastes of honey, citrus, and molasses.

It’s a satisfyingly bold coffee and one of the most intense decaf coffee’s we’ve tried.

The little bit of sweetness from the honey offsets the dark roast, which makes it really easy drinking – esprecially for me as someone who doesn’t like coffee too bitter.

These capsules are $0.44 each, when buying in a 100pc pack.

Deal: Maud’s are currently offerings 15% off* all decaf coffee pods when you use the code “MAUDS15P39” at checkout. There’s also a 20% off signup deal which can only be used once. *When spending over $39.

How to Choose a Decaf Nespresso Capsule

If your Nespresso machine happens to be one of the newer, Vertuoline machines, you are unfortunately limited to the official Nespresso capsules. The good news is – they’re all pretty great.

If you are using one of the Original line machines, you have many more options for third-party capsules. However, some of the best (and most expensive) ones are still made by Nespresso.

The best way to find the perfect decaf coffee Nespresso capsule for you is to experiment a little bit, both with the brands you order and the flavors that they offer. Each person is unique, with their own taste preferences. If you keep searching, you might find a surprisingly perfect decaf Nespresso capsule!

Sources:

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxXHwbCu26o
• https://www.britannica.com/story/how-is-coffee-decaffeinated#:~:text=The%20most%2Dcommon%20methods%20of,to%20flush%20away%20the%20caffeine.
• https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/top-evidence-based-health-benefits-of-coffee
• https://www.nespresso.com/es/en/order/capsules/ispirazione-ristretto-italiano-decaffeinato-coffee-capsule