Last Updated on September 13, 2021 by John Moretti
Dolce Gusto is one of the most popular brands of coffee pods in the entire industry and, alongside Nespresso, is one of Neste’s main coffee pod brands. However, the one thing that you need to know about Dolce Gusto is that it tends to have cheaper coffee pods. Still, it’s worth knowing which ones are the cheapest as you can go to the Dolce Gusto website or to Amazon to check out the cheapest Dolce Gusto pods. That said, I have prepared the list of the best cheap Dolce Gusto pods that you can find today.
- Best Overall: Dolce Gusto Espresso
- Best For Iced Coffee: Dolce Gusto Flat White
- Best For That Sweet Tooth: Starbucks Caramel Macchiato
- Best For Intensity: Dolce Gusto Espresso Intenso
- Best Dark Roast: Dolce Gusto Americano Mexico
- Best For Balance: Dolce Gusto Colombia Sierra Nevada Lungo
- Best For Americano: Dolce Gusto Caffe Lungo
- Best Decaf: Dolce Gusto Café Au Lait Decaf
- Best For Chocolate Lovers: Dolce Gusto Chococino
- Best Hot Chocolate: Nesquik
Best Overall: Dolce Gusto Espresso
- What I like: Amazing flavor yet somewhat mild and versatile. Great as an espresso but can also be good for any kind of cup of coffee.
- What I don’t like: Lacks intensity.
When it comes to coffee, nothing can beat a nice cup of espresso that is freshly brewed and is oozing with all of those amazing flavors and aromas. This is why we believe that this Dolce Gusto espresso is the best Dolce Gusto coffee pod you can get at a good price.
Even though it might not be the most expensive espresso, the amazing versatility and flavor that his coffee pod comes with allow it to stand out on its own and give you that flavorful espresso experience you want early in the morning and late in the afternoon. A simple shot is all you need to complete your day because of how balanced and smooth it is.
As light as this espresso is, it works well for any coffee, especially if you want to mix it with a bit of milk and sugar for the creaminess and sweetness that goes well with any Dolce Gusto pod. It might not be the most intense, but it surely is the best Dolce Gusto pod in its mild, flavorful, and smooth taste.
Best For Iced Coffee: Dolce Gusto Flat White
- What I like: Very smooth and creamy. Works well over ice for that creamy iced coffee.
- What I don’t like: Not for those who like milky and sweet coffee.
If you are more into the creamy and milky type of coffee, then Dolce Gusto Flat White is surely for you. This is a great coffee for those who prefer their coffee to be creamy and sweet because this coffee comes with the right kind of milkiness and smoothness for that amazing sweet and velvety feeling that you want in your mouth.
Of course, because of how creamy and sweet this pod is, there is no mistaking the fact that it is amazing when poured over ice to give you that Instagram-able iced coffee that will surely get you a lot of reactions on social media. But if you want to enjoy your coffee in peace, then there is no denying that this should give you a good afternoon coffee break you will surely love.
Then again, you should take note that this Dolce Gusto pod lacks a bit on the intensity side of things. That means that you shouldn’t expect it to keep you awake for extended periods of time unless you are sensitive to caffeine.
Best For That Sweet Tooth: Starbucks Caramel Macchiato
- What I like: Gives you that popular Starbucks experience. Tastes almost as good as the real Starbucks Caramel Macchiato.
- What I don’t like: Not for those who prefer their coffee to be less on the sweet side.
Starbucks doesn’t have to be expensive, especially if you have a Dolce Gusto machine at home. Now, with the Starbucks Caramel Macchiato pod for Dolce Gusto, you can enjoy one of the most popular drinks in the coffee shop’s arsenal just by simply using a pod.
Of course, there is no denying that the flavors will instantly stand out with a good caramel macchiato sweetness and creaminess. Everyone who loves one of Starbucks’ most popular drinks will love the fact that this pod comes with the same sweet and creamy flavor that has made it a go-to drink for plenty of people around the world.
That said, if you do have a sweet tooth and you prefer to enjoy your coffee sweet and velvety, you may want to go for Starbucks Caramel Macchiato in its Dolce Gusto pod form instead of buying an expensive drink from a Starbucks store.
Best For Intensity: Dolce Gusto Espresso Intenso
- What I like: A more intense espresso that works well for your morning jolt. Bolder espresso.
- What I don’t like: Still lacks the right intensity for those who really want a darker and more intense coffee.
If there was something that Dolce Gusto pods lacked, it could usually be found in the intensity department. Even though Espresso Intenso isn’t really the most intense coffee pod out there, it stands as one of the most intense Dolce Gusto coffee pods you can find on the market.
Espresso Intenso is similar to the original Dolce Gusto Espresso except for the fact that it comes with a taste profile that is bolder and a bit darker. It isn’t the darkest roast, but it certainly has more hints of chocolate and woodsy flavors behind its taste. This makes it a bold espresso that should work well on its own or as a cup of cappuccino.
This should be a good cup of coffee for those who want to keep their coffee intense. It isn’t as intense as some of the other brands out there, but it still is one of the most intense pods coming from Dolce Gusto. This makes it a good choice if you want to wake yourself up in the morning.
Best Dark Roast: Dolce Gusto Americano Mexico
- What I like: One of the boldest and darkest dolce gusto roasts out there. Perfect for americano.
- What I don’t like: Still lacks the intensity of some of the other brands.
Not quite the cheapest Dolce Gusto pod out there but it is still pretty much affordable the Americano Mexico is one of the best dark roasts that you can find in Dolce Gusto’s lineup of coffee pods. This means that it is one of their boldest and most intense flavors.
The thing that will stand out about this pod is that it comes with a bold kick that actually has a nutty flavor behind it since it is hazelnut-flavored. This means that you will get a woodsy and nutty note behind its somewhat dark taste. Of course, add a bit of water, and you will have a good americano that has the complexity you would want from your cup.
If you want to wake yourself up early in the morning, this cup of coffee also works really well because of how it comes with an intensity level of 7, which could work well for simply giving you a good dose of caffeine but still isn’t strong enough to truly give you that amazing jolt of energy.
Best For Balance: Dolce Gusto Colombia Sierra Nevada Lungo
- What I like: Very balanced medium roast that gives you the best of all of the worlds combined.
- What I don’t like: A bit more expensive than most Dolce Gusto pods but still affordable.
If you are willing to splurge a bit, then you might want to try this Dolce Gusto Colombia Sierra Nevada Lungo coffee from Dolce Gusto. It might be a bit more expensive as you would have to spend a dollar for it but make no mistake that this is one of the best dolce gusto coffee pods out there purely because of how balanced it is.
You will instantly love the balanced flavors that come with this medium roast as it marries acidity and fruitiness with a touch of caramel nuttiness coming from its almond flavor. This makes it a good cup of coffee for those who want to drink something balanced and high-quality.
Because of how balanced this pod is, you are basically free to do whatever you want with it as you can drink it as an espresso or mix it with water or milk to make your own americano or latte. Whatever works for you will work with his coffee pod because of its overall balance.
Best For Americano: Dolce Gusto Caffe Lungo
- What I like: Right kind of intensity and flavor for an americano. Balanced flavors go well with its fresh aroma.
- What I don’t like: A bit too bitter
If you prefer your espresso mixed with water, then you can never disregard Dolce Gusto Caffe Lungo from your list of amazing dolce gusto pods that you can try. This is the best Dolce Gusto pod if you are simply after that plain yet very refined americano taste that can help keep you awake while tantalizing your taste buds.
With its medium-dark roast, Dolce Gusto Caffe Lungo has a well-balanced flavor profile that gives you hints of cocoa and caramel but a bit of acidity as well. Its aroma is also something you want to wake up too early in the morning, as something simple as smelling it while it is brewing would be enough to help wake you up.
This cup of coffee might be a bit too bitter for some people but, if you are an americano aficionado, that shouldn’t be a problem for you. Its intensity is also just right for a good cup of Dolce Gusto pod, even though it really isn’t on the more intense side of the scale.
Best Decaf: Dolce Gusto Cafe Au Lait Decaf
- What I like: Best-tasting decaf latte out there. The perfect balance of creaminess, milkiness, and sweetness.
- What I don’t like: Lacks the bitter flavors you might want from a cup of coffee.
If you want a good cup of coffee that gives you the same au lait experience as any other creamy and milky cup out there but without the caffeine, you will love what Dolce Gusto Café Au Lait Decaf has to offer to you.
This cup of coffee gives you a creamy and pretty much sweet cup of coffee that is similar to any latte out there but is actually decaf. So, in that sense, it tastes like a good cup of latte but lacks the caffeine kick that you probably don’t want if you are looking for decaf coffee. So, if you are simply after the coffee taste that a good latte comes with, this should be a good treat for you.
Of course, drinking this cup should be a good idea in the late afternoon or the early part of the evening if you want to enjoy a good au lait. However, you would still be able to sleep soundly at night even after a few cups of this pod.
Best For Chocolate Lovers: Dolce Gusto Chococino
- What I like: Very prominent chocolate flavor that instantly stands out. Balanced sweetness and bitterness.
- What I don’t like: Not for those who don’t want a really chocolatey coffee.
You are all grown up now, and you still want to enjoy your mom’s cup of hot cocoa. Well, you still can do that with Dolce Gusto’s Chococino pod, which is a good marriage of that hot cocoa flavor you enjoyed as a child but with a good mix of coffee for that adult kick that you want.
The moment you take a sip of this coffee, the chocolatey flavor will instantly stand out. You are not only going to get notes of cocoa, but, instead, you are going to get notes of coffee hidden inside a drink that is predominantly chocolate. As such, this will give you flashbacks of the time you spent drinking hot cocoa during a cold winter evening.
Of course, because it is based on hot cocoa, you are going to love how balanced the sweetness and bitterness that this coffee pod comes with as it blends chocolate, milk, coffee, and sugar really well, not to the point that it will taste like a mocha but to the point where it actually has its own identity.
Best Hot Chocolate: Nesquik
What I like: Quite sweet. Gives you childhood flashbacks. Good for the kids.
What I don’t like: Maybe a bit too sweet for those who are watching their sugar.
Kids can now enjoy their Dolce Gusto with Nesquik, which is the world’s leading flavored milk. This means that those who have kids or are still kids at heart can enjoy the creamy sweetness of this pod without any of that coffee flavor or caffeine that you can get from a Dolce Gusto coffee pod.
Because of this Nesquik pod, the entire family can enjoy your Dolce Gusto machine as you and your young ones can have your own drinks. Of course, you can also enjoy your own cup of Nesquik if you want to bring back your old childhood days.
However, be sure that you don’t overdrink this Dolce Gusto pod, as it is a bit too sweet for most adults to handle. Also, you might want to watch your sugar or weight because this can really be quite heavy on calories. Still, it could be a good treat to end the week.
What To Look For When Buying Cheap Dolce Gusto Pods
Intensities
Intensity is one of the most important things to watch when looking for a good Dolce Gusto pod. That’s because the pod’s intensity level dictates how intense the caffeine is. So, if you want to wake yourself up early in the morning looking for an all-nighter, go for the more intense Dolce Gusto pods. But the thing you need to know is that Dolce Gusto pods aren’t as intense as other brands out there, given the fact that the most intense pods are somewhere between 7 to 9 while others can go up to 12 or 13.
Price
Price is always an issue if you are trying to enjoy your Dolce Gusto coffee without paying a lot for it. The good news is that Dolce Gusto pods are usually on the more affordable side of the price spectrum, as you would hardly have to pay a dollar for a good cup. Still, some amazing Dolce Gusto pods can cost a dollar. But, if you really don’t want to hurt your budget, there are plenty of pods that cost under a dollar.
Flavor
Dolce Gusto pods are popular because they are usually pre-mixed with flavors instead of just giving you a plain espresso. That means that you may want to look at all of the different Dolce Gusto flavors if you want to enjoy different varieties of coffee. Dolce Gusto offers plenty of different flavors such as latte, caramel macchiato, mocha, and cappuccino. But you can still go for a plain old espresso if you prefer your coffee plain or if you want to concoct your own barista mix.
FAQs
Where do you get cheap Dolce Gusto pods?
Dolce Gusto’s own website is the best place to get your own Dolce Gusto pods if you want to go as cheap as possible. However, some pods might not be available on that website because they are not from Dolce Gusto. As such, if you want a different brand that is compatible with Dolce Gusto machines, you can go to Amazon, where the prices are just as affordable.
Are Dolce Gusto and Nespresso the same?
No, Dolce Gusto and Nespresso are not the same. They come from the same parent company, Nestle, but they are not the same in the sense that Dolce Gusto operates directly under Nescafe.
What makes Dolce Gusto different from Nespresso?
The one thing that will stand out when comparing Dolce Gusto and Nespresso is their prices. Dolce Gusto pods are usually on the more affordable side of the spectrum in comparison to Nespresso-branded pods, which can easily go over a dollar. Also, note that Nespresso focuses more on espresso while Dolce Gusto pods are more likely to be coffee mixes that already have their own flavors. And even though Nespresso is often regarded as the brand with the higher quality, Dolce Gusto still offers high-quality coffee pods.
