4 Things Coffee Lovers Complain About The Most With Nespresso Machines

Keurig is America's favorite pod coffee, but Nespresso is gaining ground. The Nestle-owned brand — which positions itself as a luxury product — is already wildly popular abroad. But now, many Americans want more from their pods. Specialty coffee is on the rise. For many coffee fans, a classic Keurig just won't cut it. Is a Nespresso machine worth the price, or is the device a dud? 

Nespresso has a lot going for it. The machines produce stronger, richer coffee than other popular pod brands, closer to coffee shop espresso than the drip coffee you'd get from a Keurig. They're faster and more user-friendly than traditional espresso machines, and some options even include milk frothers for foamy lattes and cappuccinos. 

Still, the machines have their downsides. The brand's Vertuo Next machines are one of the most frequently returned Costco appliances (Keurig makes the list, too) and users have plenty of complaints. If you want a seamless troubleshooting experience, top-quality coffee, or a machine without a steep cost, both financially and environmentally, Nespresso isn't for you. 

A Nespresso machine is cheaper than a daily Starbucks habit, but the pods still add up. Pods are more expensive than beans or ground coffee, and some Nespresso machines only take  "I received a Vertuo Next ... and was excited at first until I realized Nespresso has a monopoly on the pods," wrote one Reddit user . They added that they ended up spending "close to $80" for roughly a month's worth of coffee. One blogger calculated that a Nespresso machine would cost an additional $736 per year over a traditional espresso machine.  

The patent on classic Nespresso pods has expired, so pods from other brands are readily available. But machines from the Vertuo line are limited to the brand's official pods, and Vertuo pods tend to be extra-expensive. Even if you can afford the pods now, remember that you'll be locked into the system, and Nespresso has raised its pod prices over the years, so what's affordable now may not be later. 

If you don't mind a little extra hassle — and upfront expense — a classic espresso machine may be a better investment in the long term. However, a moka pot is the most inexpensive espresso machine alternative of all. The stovetop coffee makers produce small, extra-strong cups that you can use for lattes and other espresso-adjacent drinks. Admittedly, they're trickier and less consistent than Nespresso machines or traditional espresso machines, and they technically don't make true espresso. As for Nespresso? Connoisseurs debate whether the machine's espresso is the real deal. 

Wait, so Nespresso might not make real espresso? It depends who you ask. Vertuo machines don't work like standard espresso machines at all: They use centrifugal force to extract the coffee, though Original Line Nespresso machines use high pressure to extract coffee like traditional espresso machines. But while the Original Line's high-pressure method is similar to a traditional shot, coffee connoisseurs say it's not quite the same. Nespresso pods have less coffee, and users don't have control over the process.

The upshot is that Nespresso shots are weak and bitter compared to traditional espresso. "The taste of Nespresso doesn't compare to espresso at coffee shops ... I still treat myself to lattes from coffee shops a couple times a week," shared one Nespresso user on Reddit.

Nespresso's monopoly on pods poses another problem. Since Vertuo users are limited to Nespresso's official capsules, you may want to look for different options if you enjoy trying a range of specialty coffees. "I travel for work and I love getting different coffee products that are unique to the area," wrote one Vertuo user on Reddit. "I'm kind of disappointed that Nespresso won't be able to handle these selections."

While Original Line users can buy third-party kits to DIY their own pods, many say the process isn't worth the hassle. "The whole point of Nespresso is decent coffee very fast," explained one Redditor. "Making it a slow process defeats the whole purpose."

In 2023, a study made headlines after researchers found that pods had a lower carbon footprint than traditional methods, like drip coffee or a French press. But it also takes a lot of CO2 to grow and ship those beans. Since most traditional methods use more coffee, they have a bigger impact — even when you account for the production of the pods. 

However, some experts argue that the study didn't show the full picture. Carbon emissions are only one aspect: "Oftentimes, researchers ... overlook other kinds of potential impacts on the environment — like the production of pollution," Andrew Gray, who works at the University of California-Riverside as an assistant professor of watershed hydrology, told the Guardian. 

Nespresso's aluminum pods are theoretically recyclable, and the company has a recycling program for old pods. However, many localities won't accept pods with regular recycling, so the onus is on customers. Not everyone participates in the recycling program, either. "I tried to be all green and recycle pods in the office, but the moldy pod smell was rank so I gave up," wrote one Redditor. 

The most eco-friendly brewing method? Once again, moka pots win. The classic stovetop coffee makers use a small amount of coffee and don't produce any extra waste, except for the spent grounds. 

Even though Nespresso machines alert users to problems with color-coded lights, the system isn't always helpful — especially since the same lights can mean different things. On the Vertuo Next, a blinking red light has six different potential meanings, from an empty water tank to an electronic error. There are plenty of things that could go wrong, too. "There are so many variables as to why a Nespresso acts up or stops working," wrote one Facebook user. "Things like type of water, do you dump the pod after each use, type of machine ... and so much more."

Nespresso has an app that can theoretically identify errors for you. The only problem? Pairing the machine can be as tricky as decoding the lights. Some machines only connect to specific wireless frequencies, and Android users often encounter extra problems. To add to the confusion, Nespresso has not one, not two, but three different apps — and users don't always know which one to use.

Some users skip the app entirely. One Reddit user wrote that they thought it would be "cool" but admitted, "I haven't used the app to do anything." Others ditch the machine entirely. "The best fix I found was throwing it in the garbage and buying a cheap drip coffee maker," explained another Redditor. "Now I get coffee every morning with no headaches."