Approximately a third of families own a single-cup coffee maker, and Nespresso and Keurig are the two most admired types. Both make coffee utilizing pods, yet there are significant contrasts among the two. You need to be prudent in your selection, as the pods cannot be swapped out, and whatever you decide on you’ll have to live with.
We’ll make it known right away what our favorite is: Craft Coffee Spot favors Nespresso over other coffee makers because it creates a stronger and more delectable brew. It’s also better for the environment. Nevertheless, Keurig offers drinks of greater volumes, as well as more cost-effective capsules, making the continuous expenditure for single-cup coffee machines essential.
I will provide a detailed assessment of the differences between Keurig and Nespresso after trying out the Keurig K-Select and the Nespresso Vertuo Plus. I will give you information about the flavour of coffee, the available drinks, disposal and recycling, and additional factors so that you can make an informed decision regarding the ideal coffee producer for you.
Nespresso Overview
Nestle, the same corporation responsible for Kit Kat bars, produces Nespresso machines. Their coffee machines are divided into two lines:
- OriginalLine — Only makes espresso drinks. Uses OriginalLine pods and works using a pressure-based system, like a traditional espresso machine.
- VertuoLine — Brews espresso and larger coffee drinks. Uses Vertuo pods which have a barcode printed on the edge. The machine scans the barcode and automatically adjusts the brewing parameters.
A few Nespresso machines are equipped with a milk frother, but the majority of them do not. You may want to consider buying a Nespresso Aeroccino milk frother as a separate addition.
Every Nespresso maker has a pod storage area, a programmed power-off element, a speedy warm-up time period (around 20 seconds), plus a detachable water supply and drain tray.
Many Nespresso machines are manufactured by Breville and DeLonghi. This technology that has been legally protected is implemented in these gadgets, however there are slight variants in their structure depending on who the maker is. It is of the utmost importance that the quality of your beverage will remain the same regardless of who produces it.
Keurig Overview
Keurig has established a strong presence in the US market for single-serve coffee machines, having produced more than 80 different models in the last 10 years. This is an element of Keurig Dr. Pepper, which is a major distributor of beverages in North America.
Keurig offers K-cups, their own kind of coffee capsules. Rather than just providing one option, Keurig works with multiple companies to make K-pods compatible with its products. There are in excess of 60 types of K-cups and more than 400 kinds of pods available. No matter your individual coffee taste, Keurig can meet your needs.
Nespresso mainly specializes in making espresso, however, Keurig offers a range of drinks for customers including brewed coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and cappuccino. K-Duo has a large water tank of 60 fluid ounces and has the option to produce a regular 12 cup carafe of coffee or single serve pods.
Each Keurig coffee maker has an automatic power down feature, a detachable drip tray, and heats up quickly in less than a minute.
Main Differences Between Nespresso vs Keurig
Coffee Taste
Nespresso and Keurig employ comparable brewing techniques as they both utilize pods. Nevertheless, the construction of the pods and processes used in producing the beverage cause there to be two distinguishable tastes. Nespresso’s process gets more extraction for a full-flavored coffee.
Nespresso has two brewing processes. The OriginalLine uses a traditional pressure-based system. This approach is comparable to brewing espresso with a pump that works with a 19-bar of pressure. Meanwhile, VertuoLine uses centrifugation. In Vertuo devices, the pod rotates at a speed of 7,000 revolutions per minute. Centrifuging allows the coffee grounds to be in contact with hot water for a longer period of time, thus resulting in the creamy foamy substance known as crema, which further enhances the coffee’s smell.
Nespresso has a method for both of its styles of espresso machine wherein it drives the water into the center and all around the perimeter of the capsule, before pressing the coffee out from 20 holes around the outer edge. Little filtering is done which allows the coffee oils to be expressed in the coffee.
In general, the taste of Nespresso is robust, intense, and concentrated, and its machines produce drinks that are more intense than those produced from standard espresso makers used in households.
Keurig machines use pressure-based systems too. Keurig machines create two openings at the top and bottom of the pod, and then utilize the pressure to extract the coffee.
The main distinction between the two is K-cups are designed with a paper filter inside that eliminates many of the minor particles and the coffee oils. The taste of Keurig coffee is not as rich due to it being weaker, and its texture on the tongue is less intense. People who favor espresso often say that Keurig brewed coffee is weak and mild-tasting, and the Keurig machine is not capable of producing the creamy foam texture like a Nespresso.
Other smaller differences matter too. Nespresso has a higher coffee-to-water ratio and finer ground coffee than Keurig which provides a more intense flavor.
In case you’re familiar with brewing coffee using an antique coffee pot, you would most likely enjoy the taste of the coffee from a Keurig machine. I would suggest that this is an improvement from the classic drip coffee makers.
Keurig has an array of flavors to choose from which includes coffee, hazelnut, vanilla, coconut, chocolate, and numerous other options.
I deemed this rivalry between Nespresso and Keurig to be the most significant, so I put it first on my list. You need to put in effort and invest your resources to acquire the flavors you enjoy. Everyone has their own individual tastes when it comes to coffee, which they use to determine what they want to drink. If you’re trying to decide between Nespresso and Keurig in terms of flavor, take your personal preference into consideration. If coffee isn’t your go-to beverage and you want something different on occasion, Keurig is the ideal choice. Keurig offers a variety of delicious alternatives to coffee and espresso.
If you are an avid consumer of coffee and espresso, Nespresso will most likely be the better option for you given its emphasis on espresso and coffee more than any other kind of beverage. We have done multiple attempts to determine that the flavor of Keurig coffee and espresso is not as strong as that of Nespresso. So Nespresso vs. Keurig taste Nespresso was the winner.
Drink Options and Coffee Sizes
Keurig has a wider range of drink options. You can use Keurig to brew traditional coffee, hot cocoa, tea, lemonade, and flavored beverages. Many Keurig machines offer predetermined amounts of 8 oz and 10 oz, however, there are certain versions, like the K-Select which I tested, which can create drinks of 6 oz, 8 oz, 10 oz, and 12 oz.
However, one drink Keurig can’t make is espresso. The brand tried to break into espresso. The espresso Keurig model and K-cups are no longer being manufactured.
In contrast, Nespresso machines can make coffee, espresso, ristretto, lungo, and cappuccinos (for machines that come with a milk frother). The Nespresso options are available in sizes ranging from 1.35 oz to 7.77 oz. What a shame that Nespresso doesn’t do more than just the typical cup size, not even reaching the 12 oz which I think is the most necessary size to start the day. The Vertuo Next offers a distinctive 16 oz capacity carafe size.
The 14 oz Alto pod used to be available, but has since been taken out of circulation. The reason behind this is unclear to me.
Nespresso does not have tea and hot chocolate options. Keurig machines are equipped with a hot water dispenser which means that tea can be brewed without the use of pods.
Most types of Nespresso and Keurig machines don’t have an attachment for frothing milk. Nespresso offer products, such as the Creatista and Lattissima, which are equipped with integrated foam generators, or you can separately purchase the Aeroccino to make milk-based beverages. The K Cafe by Keurig comes with an internal milk frother included, while other Keurig machines require the use of an external one.
If you’re looking for a cup of coffee that is bigger than your standard cup size, consider buying a Keurig, which can make up to 12 oz of coffee. If you prefer compact sizes and espresso beverages, Nespresso is the place for you.
Variety of Models Available
Keurig has a large selection of machines, yet the majority of them have been discontinued; as of now, only 6 models are developed specifically for businesses and 17 models are available for home use. There is a huge selection available, making it much more probable for you to locate a coffee machine that fulfills your particular requirements. This implies you can select a Keurig machine that meets your budget, ranging from $75 to $500 for a high-end commercial one.
Nespresso has a much more limited selection of product offerings available, which all belong to two distinct groups. However, Nespresso machines can be enhanced with further add-ons, such as a milk frother, allowing you to make beverages like lattes.
Flexibility
In terms of flexibility, Keurig cannot be beaten. Keurigs offer many types of machines, but they also provide a large selection of beverages that can be made. Keurigs are not only useful for making coffee, but they can be used to prepare fruit-infused beverages, teas, and hot cocoa as well. Keurig has team-ups with companies like Starbucks, offering a variety of pods for their machines. You can reuse certain Keurig cups by filling them up with freshly ground coffee, giving you unlimited freedom to make whatever kind of coffee you like.
Using a Nespresso appliance and capsules restricts one to using only the limited amount of items available from the company. Although there are now independent companies making capsules that are compatible with the OriginalLine, the VertuoLine only works with capsules made by Nespresso itself.
Keurig is a dream for those who value diversity of choice like:
- Keurigs have so many different machines
- A lot of variety of beverages
- Keurig brews coffee, fruit-based drinks, teas, and hot chocolates
- Keurig brews drip coffee
Cost per Serving
What is the most cost-effective way to brew coffee in the home? Nespresso or Keurig? Let us analyze the price per single serving of Nespresso compared to Keurig.
Nespresso has two different kinds of capsules for their machines: one for their VertuoLine model and another for their OriginalLine model. The average costs for the pods for the two lines are as follows:
- Nespresso Brand OriginalLine: $0.75-$0.85 per capsule
- Nespresso OriginalLine Third-party: $0.30-$0.60 per capsule
- VertuoLine: $0.90-$1.40 per capsule
No outside sources of pods were available for VertuoLine machines until Nespresso and Starbucks combined forces, so now there is the Nespresso Starbucks variety for those machines. Unfortunately, the cost of the alternative VertuoLine pods is the same as those of the Nespresso brand.
VertuoLine devices only allow Nespresso-made capsules to be used due to their built-in scanner technology, which blocks the utilization of capsules from other brands. Result? Less variety to use. Instead of using the pricier official Nespresso capsules, the OriginalLine machines give you the option of using third-party capsules that are cheaper.
Noteworthy: The OriginalLine brewers only produce espresso, ristretto, lungo, and other espresso-based beverages, as opposed to VertuoLine brewers which prepare espresso, double espresso, as well as coffee potions ranging from 3-18 ounces. Using your OriginalLine machine, you can create a yummy Americano with the press of an espresso button.
Those looking to purchase the Keurig brewing system will be glad to know that the pods for it are fairly inexpensive. But not all Keurig pods have the exact cost. Keurig, similar to Nespresso’s selection of pods, offers 5 distinct types of pods, though none of them possess the same price.
Be aware that the Keurig models which took K-Mug, K-Carafe, K-Vue, and K-Rivo pods are no longer being produced, as the company has ended the use of these types of pods. Keurig has released 17 new and up-to-date coffee makers that use standard K-Cup capsules. If you desire coffee brewed from K-Mug, K-Vue, K-Carafe, and K-Rivo pods, you will have to search for a seller on eBay who is offering these outdated Keurig pods. Keurig K-Cup pods are now being used to make K-Cafe lattes and cappuccinos. The K-Duo is the lone outlier; it can make up to 60 oz of drip coffee and it takes the kind of ground coffee that you like. This appliance utilizes a distinct filter basket for the specified purpose.
While Keurig has one main type called K-Cups, they are generally cheaper than Nespresso pods and have an average cost of about:
- K-Cup: $0.35-$0.65 per capsule
The investigation we conducted found that pod coffee systems are a cost-efficient method of consuming coffee from coffeehouses. It’s more cost effective than buying an expensive coffee daily in the cafe; in addition, they save you time!
It’s impossible to tell how much coffee you can save every day! What would the cost difference be for someone who purchased Nespresso or Keurig pods for their coffee instead of buying from coffee shops? On average, people usually spend about $4 at their local shops and stores.
If the typical expenses of Keurigs and Nespresso are compared, you’ll observe that a Keurig is way less costly overall.