Last Updated on September 13, 2021 by John Moretti
Of course, some of the cheapest Nespresso pods are available on Amazon. However, which of the cheap Nespresso pods are the best? To that end, I worked on the list of the affordable Nespresso pods you will enjoy.
- Best Variety Pack: Peet’s Espresso Capsules Variety Pack
- Best Value: Lavazza Espresso Coffee Variety Pack
- Best Decaf: Peet’s Coffee Espresso Capsules Decaffeinato Ristretto
- Best Medium Blend: Starbucks House Blend
- Best For Balance: Lavazza Leggero Lungo
- Best For Intensity: Lavazza Ristreto Noble Dark Roast
- Best Exotic Flavor: U Joe Cuba
- Best Organic: Meseta
- Best For Boldness: Illy Extra Bold Roast
- Best For Mellowness: Don Francisco’s Kona Blend
Best Variety Pack: Peet’s Espresso Capsules Variety Pack
- What I like: Very affordable per capsule. Comes with plenty of different variants that will allow you to mix and match depending on what you want for the day.
- What I don’t like: Restricts you to what’s inside the pack.
Peet’s may not be the biggest name in the coffee industry, but the brand has been in the business long enough to know what quality coffee should taste like. So, even though this Peet’s variety pack may be one of the most affordable coffee pods for your Nespresso machine, that doesn’t mean that you should be worrying about the quality of the cup that you get.
The type of coffee you will get from this variety pack from Peet’s is usually on the richer and bolder side, as these are some of their most intense cups. That means that this caters to those who prefer their coffee a bit strong and more complex in terms of flavor. And you will be surprised that, even though these pods are affordable, they aren’t necessarily worse than the other brands.
You will love the rich and strong coffee flavors that you will get from a good cup of Peet’s coffee. And because these pods are on the more intense side of the spectrum, you will surely like the fact that you will start your day with the energy and positive outlook you need to get things done efficiently.
Best Value: Lavazza Espresso Coffee Variety Pack
- What I like: One of the most affordable variety packs in the market. Great variety of intensities so that you can choose to go with a light cup or a more intense cup.
- What I don’t like: The coffee varieties are a bit plain and lack complexity.
Lavazza is also one of the more popular names in the coffee industry, but you will be shocked to see how affordable this Lavazza variety pack is in terms of the price per capsule. You are not even going to pay half a dollar for one good cup of high-quality Lavazza coffee if you choose to go with this variety pack.
While cheap isn’t always the best, that is something that this pack would certainly disprove as the quality of the Lavazza coffee you can get from each pod in this pack is high enough especially considering that you are promised the Italian experience with each cup that you take.
What I really like about this variety pack is that it gives you a little bit of everything so that you can experiment when it comes to the type of coffee taste and intensity that you really like. In addition, the intensity levels range from 4 to 10 so that you can choose how intense you want your early-morning coffee to be.
Best Decaf: Peet’s Coffee Espresso Capsules Decaffeinato Ristretto
- What I like: Tastes real well despite being decaf. Good, cheap, and comes with complex dark flavors.
- What I don’t like: Only for those who like their coffee decaf.
When it comes to decaf coffee, people usually notice that they don’t come with the same kind of complex flavor that caffeinated coffee tends to have. But that’s not something that you will get from Peet’s Coffee Espresso Capsules Decaffeinato Ristretto because of how this comes with an amazing dark taste that won’t make you think that it’s actually decaf.
So, if you are someone who wants to enjoy a good afternoon or late-night cup of coffee, you will love this affordable Nespresso pod from Peet’s because of how it has complex dark flavors that you will only get from an intense cup of coffee. However, the difference here is that it is decaf and won’t keep you awake at night.
In that regard, you can still enjoy your cup if you don’t want the caffeine in your veins. However, if you specifically want to drink coffee for the caffeine, you might want to skip this coffee pod.
Best Medium Blend: Starbucks House Blend
- What I like: Very affordable for a Starbucks pack. Amazingly balanced in its overall flavor profile.
- What I don’t like: Kind of a tweener that doesn’t stand out in terms of any aspect.
When you think of Starbucks, you often think of an overpriced cup of coffee from an expensive coffee shop. However, that isn’t the case for this Nespresso pod, which is one of the most affordable pods that the market has to offer.
Starbucks House Blend is the type of coffee that you would think of when you think of Starbucks because it comes with the usual taste that a good cup of Starbucks coffee comes with. So, in a sense, if you want to make your own Starbucks coffee at home, you might want to go with this coffee pod.
The good thing about House Blend is that it is quite balanced in the sense that this medium roast coffee comes with a flavor profile that is down smack at the middle. It isn’t too dark and intense, but it also isn’t quite light. The taste is just simply right, even though this blend doesn’t really stand out when it comes to a single aspect.
Best For Balance: Lavazza Leggero Lungo
- What I like: A very balanced blend that can be sweet and bitter at the same time. Very aromatic with hints of fruitiness.
- What I don’t like: Not quite intense.
Balance has always been something that people want from their cup of coffee. However, that is where Lavazza Leggero Lungo stands out because of how balanced its overall flavor profile is. This medium roast blend tastes really well even though it doesn’t have the intensity you might want from your cup.
You will like this coffee pod because, although it is affordable, it comes with a good flavor profile that blends sweetness and bitterness really well. The aroma is also to die for because of how it has hints of fruitiness with a touch of floral notes. This allows the cup to stand out on its own regardless of whether you mix it with milk or water.
Of course, because of how low its intensity level is, you won’t expect it to give you the energy you may be looking for from a cup of morning Joe. However, the one thing you will love about this cup is that it can be enjoyed during a late afternoon coffee break because it doesn’t have the highest caffeine intensity.
Best For Intensity: Lavazza Ristretto Noble Dark Roast
- What I like: Amazingly intense in terms of its caffeine level. Not quite intense because of how light its bitterness is.
- What I don’t like: Might be a bit too intense for some people.
When it comes to coffee, the one thing that most coffee lovers look for is intensity. What’s a good cup of coffee if it lacks the intensity you need to keep you awake throughout the entire day? In that regard, that is where Lavazza Ristretto Noble Dark Roast comes in, as this is our favorite when it comes to intensity.
However, as intense as this coffee pod may be, the flavors don’t really reflect the intensity. It may come with an intensity level of 11, but this pod actually comes with a light flavor that won’t make it seem like it is actually an intense variety.
As such, if you want a good cup of coffee that wakes you up early in the morning or keeps you awake during those evening grinds, this should be at the top of your list, especially if you are looking for a more affordable coffee pod.
Best Exotic Flavor: U Joe Cuba
- What I like: Exotic flavors that are quite rare and quite delicious. A fresh departure from the usual coffee pod brands.
- What I don’t like: Can be quite intense for a medium roast.
Coffee drinking can be an experience that should be enjoyed in the sense that you may want to explore the different types of coffee variants all over the world. While U Joe is popular in Israel but isn’t really popular in western countries, it still comes with an amazing coffee pod named Cuba.
What makes Cuba stand out is that it comes with exotic flavors that you’re not going to get from any other coffee pods. It gives you hints of chocolate notes with that extra creaminess. However, it isn’t too bitter because its flavor is bright, light, and clean. This comes from its blend of Cuban Arabica beans.
So, if you want to explore and try different exotic flavors that may be out of the norms, this should be a good coffee pod for you to try. It is also a refreshing departure from the usual brands that you see in the market. But, of course, it’s affordable as well.
Best Organic: Meseta
- What I like: Organic and environment-friendly. Sourced responsibly.
- What I don’t like: Might be a bit too light in its flavor.
Meseta isn’t the most well-known brand, but it stands out as one of the best brands in how it prioritizes the environment. The coffee pods that Meseta uses are purely organic and environment-friendly, and that decreases your carbon footprint even though coffee pods aren’t the friendliest products for the environment.
So, in that case, choosing to go with Meseta coffee pods will allow you to feel good in terms of your conscience, knowing that you won’t end up harming the environment. And the best part is that these coffee pods are also responsibly sourced as the farmers are well-compensated for every coffee pod you drink.
But Meseta doesn’t lack in terms of quality. These beans are quite delicious as they carry the light and smooth coffee taste that some people prefer. There are hints of spices underneath its flavor, but it’s more or less a very light coffee blend that may be a medium roast but is very much smooth.
Best For Boldness: Illy Extra Bold Roast
- What I like: Very bold flavors that will instantly stand out. Perfect intensity level for that early morning coffee.
- What I don’t like: Probably too bold for those who want their coffee light.
Illy Extra Bold Roast doesn’t waste any time when it comes to giving you that amazing boldness. It strikes hard and fast in terms of how bold it is because it comes with a strong, bitter, and intense flavor.
The one thing that would stand out when it comes to this pod from Illy is that it has hints of chocolate and toasted bread. This means that you will certainly enjoy using this coffee pod when preparing a good cup of cappuccino or even a latte. As such, you will be able to enjoy a good morning cup of Joe with this pod.
Of course, another thing you need to understand is that this pod is quite intense in terms of its effects. It isn’t the most intense, but you are going to surely feel its intensity when it wakes your senses up the moment you drink the cup in the morning.
Best For Mellowness: Don Francisco’s Kona Blend
- What I like: 100% recyclable pods. Very light and mellow for your taste buds.
- What I don’t like: Lacks intensity.
Don Francisco’s Kona Blend is just the right kind of coffee for those who prefer their cup light and mellow. This is because of how this coffee doesn’t come with the same kind of bitterness and intensity that you would get from other cups, as this is one of the best in terms of its mellow flavors.
What you will get from this pod is a good combination of Kona coffee blended with Arabica beans to give you that aromatic and floral coffee that is mellow and light. It has a delicate flavor blended with its aromatic notes to give you a relaxing experience that won’t shake your senses.
In that regard, this coffee isn’t quite as intense in terms of its effects, but you are going to like it during a lazy afternoon break when you want to drink a flavorful and aromatic cup of coffee to pass the time.
What To Look For When Buying Cheap Nespresso pods
Intensities
Intensity becomes a good focal point when you are looking for a good yet affordable Nespresso pod. That’s because you don’t have to sacrifice the intensity of a cup of coffee just because it is more affordable than most other pods. In that case, different coffee pods have different intensity levels depending on their roasts. The lower the number is on the intensity level scale, the less intense its caffeine will be, and that is why you might want to check the intensity level when you are looking for a good cup of coffee.
Price
Of course, price becomes an issue when you want to go for the most affordable Nespresso pods. That’s because you don’t want to end up spending a lot of money on a good cup of coffee. You would know that a pod is expensive if it is more than a dollar per pod. In that case, if you want to stay within your budget, it should be better for you to stay under one dollar when you are looking for a good coffee pod.
Roast
The roast level plays a factor in the flavors and intensity you will get from the coffee pod. Lighter roasts tend to be more acidic and lighter in flavor but are not the most intense for their caffeine level. Medium roasts are the most balanced in terms of flavor and intensity. Meanwhile, darker roasts bring out the bitterness and complexity in a good cup of coffee while also intensifying the caffeine concentrations.
FAQs
Where Do You Get Cheap Nespresso Pods?
There are plenty of different places where you can get cheap Nespresso pods. However, the best place to get these pods is Amazon because almost all the different brands are available there. Moreover, there are some instances where Amazon slashes the prices on their coffee pods so that you will be able to save more money in the process. As such, you can get the cheapest Nespresso coffee pods on Amazon.
Are Cheap Nespresso Pods Sustainable?
While most Nespresso pods are made to be sustainable, not all brands follow this general rule. Some brands still use plastic to bring down prices, but other brands use affordable organic materials that make the coffee pods biodegradable. Moreover, some use aluminum, but this can make the coffee pods more expensive even though aluminum is recyclable.
What Is Considered Cheap For A Nespresso Coffee Pod?
Affordability seems to be a subjective topic when it comes to coffee pods. However, the general rule is the 1:1 rule, wherein you don’t have to spend more than a dollar for one cup of Nespresso coffee pod. As such, if you end up spending more than a dollar or even several dollars, it’s like you are buying your cup from a coffee shop. Meanwhile, if you buy coffee pods that cost less than a dollar, you are already choosing a pretty affordable coffee pod.
