The 8 Best Nespresso Vertuo Pods (In 2024)

Currently, Nespresso offers 25 different flavors of Vertuo pods. That’s a lot.

In fact – it’s kinda overwhelming!

So we wanted to round up and analyse the differences between each flavor to help you decide which one’s right for YOU.

TLDR; in summary, our favorite capsule is the Vertuo Stormio as it has more has a strong full body and makes a full mug (7.7oz) which means they actually put more ground coffee inside each capsule. It also hits with a generous 165mg of caffeine. Overall delicious coffee and good value for money.

From bold and highly caffeinated to mild and packed with flavor, read on to find a capsule to suit your preference.

Category	Flavor	Notes
Best Overall	Stormio	Dark and intense, woody and earthy notes
Best Bang For Your Buck	Double Espresso Scuro	Smooth, notes of cocoa and vanilla
Highest Caffeine Option	Fortado	Full-bodied blend, notes of cocoa and oak
Best For Lattes And Cappucinos	Bianco Doppio	Mild and sweet
Best For Americanos And Long Blacks	Melozio	Balanced, notes of cereal and nut
Best Decaf Option	Decaffeinato Intenso	Dense and rich, notes of cocoa and fruit
Best Flavor Option	Caramel Cookie	Rich and buttery
Best Variety Pack	Vertuo 60 Capsule Discovery Pack	A selection of popular, tasty pods

Our Expertise 

We’ve gone through several mugs of Nespresso coffee. During this time, we experimented with the most popular pods and the ones shied away from. Some made it to our go-to list because of the undeniably fantastic flavor–whether we consumed them black or creamed. Others were just bitter and we couldn’t get over the acidity and intensity, regardless of the techniques we implemented. 

I also totally get that coffee tastes are personal.

What tastes good to me maybe unpalatable to you. Whether you enjoy sweetened beverages with dreamy foam or enjoy bolder drinks like an Americano, we’ve included various flavor profiles to accommodate your preference. 

How Do Vertuoline Pods Work?

When you insert the Vertuo pod into the machine, the brewer reads the small barcode on the rim of the pod. This helps the machine determine the optimal brewing parameters–water temperature, brewing time, and amount of water to dispense. The machine punctures the capsule’s aluminum seal and spins the pod at high speed using centrifugal force to extract coffee aroma and flavor. As the coffee is extracted, it flows through the pod’s unique design to help mix the coffee and create a rich, crema-topped espresso or coffee.

Cost Per Vertuoline Capsule 

Vertuo pods don’t come cheap. While the convenience and quality of the coffee are undeniable, the cost can add up over time. Vertuoline capsules are priced between $0.80 to $2 per pod, depending on the variety purchased. When comparing the cost of Nespresso Vertuo pods to other types of coffee, consider the price per cup rather than the price per capsule.

For example, a box of 10 pods may cost around $15, but each pod can produce a serving size of about 8 oz. This means the cost per cup can be as low as $1 or less. You can purchase in bulk or take advantage of promotions and discounts offered by Nespresso. With a variety of options to choose from and the ability to create high-quality coffee with minimal effort, they are a worthwhile investment.

The 8 Best Nespresso Vertuo Pods (In 2024)

Here are our take on 8 of the best Nespresso Vertuo pods in 2024.

Best overall (our everyday favorite): Stormio

Rich, dark, and strong, the flavors and aromas of this pod lend themselves to a blend of Nicaraguan and Guatemalan Arabica coffee beans. Stormio has woody and cereal notes with a spicy and chocolatey finish. The pods brew 7.7 oz of coffee, making it the perfect pick-me-up for any time of day. They also have added caffeine extract for those days when you need an extra energy boost.

Best bang for your buck: Double Espresso Scuro 

The best and most reasonably priced coffee that gives you value for money is the Double Espresso Scuro. The smooth and balanced blend comprises Arabica and Robusta beans with notes of cocoa and vanilla. This double espresso costs $1.15 per pod, while a single espresso ranges at around $0.80 per capsule. At an extra $0.35, you get double the amount of espresso! It’s a fantastic way to enjoy a flavorful cup at a reasonable price.

The highest caffeine option: Fortado

Need a caffeine boost? Try the Fortado. This gran lungo boasts a caffeine content of 200mg per cup. It’s a full-bodied blend of woody and earthy Indian Robusta and dark-roasted Colombian Arabica and features notes of cocoa and oak. 

Best for lattes and cappuccinos: Bianco Doppio 

A part of Nespresso’s Barista Creations, Bianco Doppio has a mild and creamy texture, which is awesome for your favorite milk-based drinks. It pairs well with non-dairy milk too. What we love most is it beautifully balances the flavor of milk, and mellows any acidity, while presenting a new level of sweetness.

Best for Americanos and Long Blacks: Melozio

This smooth & balanced coffee blend made from Brazilian Bourbon and Central American Arabicas is a great addition if you’re not always for milked coffee. It has sweet cereal and honey notes, and because it’s lightly roasted, it provides a smooth and sensuous mouthfeel.

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Best decaf (Decaffeinato) option: Decaffeinato Intenso

Decaffeinato Intenso has a caffeine level of about 2mg per cup. It’s made from a blend of Colombian and Brazilian Arabica beans and Asian Robusta to create a balanced coffee. It’s loaded with cocoa and fruity notes for a dense and rich cup of coffee. 

Best Flavored Option: Caramel Cookie

Caramel Cookie is a mildly flavored pod with undertones of coconut, almond, and biscuit. It’s made from medium roasted Brazilian Arabica beans and leaves a lingering sweet and velvety aftertaste.

Best variety pack: Vertuo 60 capsule Discovery Pack 

If you’re looking to get a feel of pods on offer, we definitely recommend you try the Vertuo 60 capsules Discovery pack. It’s a selection of the best-selling pods–Melozio, Caramel Cookie, Intenso, Stormio, and Odacio–making it an excellent way to experiment with a myriad of flavors to narrow down your choices for your next purchase. The capsules all come in a 7.7 oz cup size. 

Tips for choosing Nespresso Vertuo Pods 

As mentioned earlier in the post, taste preferences differ. To help you decipher which pods will play nice with your taste buds, here are a few aspects to keep in mind. 

Roast-type 

Light roasts tend to have a milder flavor with a higher acidity level, while dark roasts are bold and full-bodied with a lower acidity level. Medium roast coffee falls somewhere in between offering a balanced flavor profile.

Intensity 

Nespresso uses a 13-level intensity scale to indicate the strength and boldness of each pod. Capsules with an intensity level of 1-6 are mild, while those with a range of 7-9 are medium. Anything from 10 to 13 is more pronounced with a more robust, intense flavor. 

Flavor notes 

You’ll never get bored (hopefully) with Nespresso’s flavor offerings; each of the pods has distinct flavor notes to enhance your coffee experience. Some are loaded with chocolate caramelly notes while others have dimensional fruity, spicy, and floral notes. When choosing a capsule, consider the flavor profiles that appeal to you and use them as a guideline for your next purchase.

Caffeine levels 

We appreciate a healthy dose of caffeine, but not so much to give you the jitters. Nespresso pods generally have low caffeine content with a range of 2-85 mg of caffeine per cup but the Vertuo range generally site higher at around 75-160mg. If you’re looking for a caffeine boost, opt for those with higher intensity levels; Fortado, Intenso, and Dolce provide up to 200mg of caffeine per cup.

Cup size 

The standard cup size is 7.8 oz but you can also choose between 1.35 oz to 5 oz. Consider your favorite mug or cup size and choose a pod that will provide the right amount of java for your needs.

What About 3rd Party Compatible Vertuo Pods?

There aren’t many third-party pods compatible with Vertuo, mainly because Nespresso owns the patent for the machine. This makes it relatively challenging to get hold of cheap pods. But you can try Starbucks. The pods work exclusively with Nespresso vertuo machines and they’re easily accessible. But in our opinion, the taste and aroma aren’t as good as Nespresso itself. 

What About Reusable Vertuo Pods?

Reusable Vertuo pods are a little more hard to come by. This is because the design is patented, and the functionality is reliant on the barcode etched into the lip of the pod. That means capsule manufactures have to not only get the dimensions right, but also decode the barcode to make sure you get the right cup size.

The Green Pods Vertuo Starter Pack is the best reusable Nespresso VertuoLine pod as it’s highly durable, easy to use, and produces some of the best-tasting coffee. The Green Pods tick all these boxes.

Not convinced? You can see our review of the 7 best reusable Nespresso pods here.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Conclusion

The best Vertuo pods come down to personal preference, but we can’t help but recommend a few that might delight you. Stormio stands out as our favorite because it offers a delicious and balanced flavor profile that’s perfect for any time of day. If you’re looking for the best bang for your buck, Double Espresso Scuro is an excellent choice, offering a rich and bold flavor at an affordable price. 

For a high caffeine kick, Fortado is the perfect choice with its intense and bold taste. Bianco Doppio is an excellent choice for milked beverages like lattes and cappuccinos, while Melozio offers a smooth and mild taste, perfect for unsweetened Americanos and long blacks. 

Despite having a low caffeine content, Decaffeinato Intenso packs a punch in terms of flavor. If you want to add more unique flavors to your pantry, Caramel Cookie is a must-try, offering a sweet and indulgent taste perfect for a special treat.