If you prefer the taste of Nespresso coffee over K-Cup coffee but don’t have a Nespresso espresso machine, you may be asking yourself whether there are alternative ways you can still enjoy your favourite Nespresso pod coffee.
Fortunately for you, there is, so long as you recognize the differences between Nespresso pods and K-Cups and are willing to make the necessary adjustments.
Will Nespresso pods work in the Keurig machine?
It’s not possible to place Nespresso pods inside a Keurig K-Cup holder and brew coffee. Keurig machines are designed to be compatible with K-Cups, which are different in size and shape compared to Nespresso capsules. K-Cups are relatively large and flat-bottomed, while Nespresso pods are smaller and have a rounded base.
If you try to forcefully brew a Nespresso pod inside a Keurig, you’ll damage the pod and possibly cause issues to the brewer as well. However, there’s a way around this problem. You can cut open Nespresso pods and transfer the coffee grounds into a reusable K-Cup before brewing in a Keurig.
Some coffee lovers prefer Nespresso coffee over K-Cup coffee. Therefore, this is a great solution if you don’t have a Nespresso machine but own a Keurig and would love to enjoy some Nespresso coffee.
What’s more, unlike K-Cups, Nespresso capsules lack an internal filter. Cutting them open to transfer the coffee grounds to your refillable K-Cup is, therefore, a quick and easy process.
What Pods can I use with Keurig?
The best K-Cups for Keurig brewers are Keurig K-Cups from the brand itself. However, other brands also make Keurig K-Cups, and the best ones are detailed below.
Café Bustelo K-Cups
You can put Café Bustelo K-Cups in a Keurig to brew bold, rich, and full-bodied coffee or espresso. These K-Cups boast an espresso blend that’s deep in flavour.
Illy Dark Roast K-Cups
This K-Cup features a dark roast coffee blend for an intense beverage that doesn’t have a bitter aftertaste. What’s more, Illy Dark Roast K-Cups contains coffee sourced from the top 1% of Arabica coffee beans globally, ensuring that you enjoy premium-quality coffee.
Glorybrew Noble Extra Dark Roast K-Cups
Here’s another dark roast K-Cup that brews a strong cup with a smooth flavour. Even better, Glorybrew Noble Extra Dark Roast K-Cups are 100% compostable, making them an eco-friendly option.
San Francisco Bay Espresso Roast K-Cups
These K-Cups are packed with a medium-dark roast coffee blend that delivers a concentrated, full-bodied espresso brew. Also, compared to other similar types of K-Cups, San Francisco Bay Espresso Roast K-Cups are relatively cheaper.
Maxwell House ‘House Blend’ Medium-Roast K-Cups
If you prefer medium-roast coffee for the higher caffeine content, try this K-Cup. Maxwell House ‘House Blend’ Medium-Roast K-Cups also offer great value for money spent, with an 84-count pack selling from as low as $20.99 on Amazon.
Are Nespresso pods the same size as Keurig?
Nespresso capsules and Keurig K-Cups are of different sizes. The brewing sizes of Nespresso pods range from 1.35 ounces to 14 ounces. On the other hand, K-Cup brewing sizes range from 4 ounces to 30 ounces.
What are the differences between Nespresso Pods and Keurig cups?
Apart from size differences, other differences between Nespresso pods and Keurig K-Cups include the shape, the design, and the inclusion of a filter (or lack thereof). Other differences include the container material, variety, quality, and price.
The table below summarizes the differences between Nespresso pods and Keurig K-Cups:
| Nespresso pods | Keurig K-Cups |
| Are smaller | Are larger |
| Dome-shaped, with a rounded base | Cylindrical in shape, with a flat base |
| The top is already perforated | Aluminium foil lid not perforated |
| Don’t have an internal filter | Feature an internal filter |
| Recyclable aluminium container- more eco-friendly | Plastic container- not eco-friendly |
| Only 17 different types of Nespresso pods | There are over 400 different types of K-Cups |
| Produce a better-tasting, high-quality brew | Produce, a weaker brew with less-intense flavours and aroma |
| Cost more per unit | Cost less per unit |
Shape
While Nespresso pods are dome-shaped, Keurig K-Cups are cylindrical. What’s more, K-Cups have a flat bottom while Nespresso pods have rounded bottoms.
Design
Also, K-Cups have an aluminium foil lid and are designed to be perforated by the entry needle of a Keurig brewer to allow hot water into the K-Cup. By contrast, Nespresso pods come already perforated at the top. As such, placing a Nespresso inside a Keurig will ruin the pod, and possibly, the brewer too.
Internal Filter
Keurig K-Cups feature an internal filter that holds the coffee grounds. Comparatively, Nespresso capsules lack an internal filter. Thus, if you place a Nespresso capsule inside a Keurig, the coffee grounds are likely to escape from the pod and clog internal machine components.
Container
Keurig K-Cups have a plastic body, while Nespresso pods have an aluminium body. This makes Nespresso pods the more eco-friendly option, as aluminium can be recycled, while plastic is non-compostable.
Variety
In terms of variety, K-Cups beat Nespresso pods. There are over 400 different K-Cup blends from different brands to choose from. Comparatively, there are only 17 different types of Nespresso coffee pods.
Quality
Nespresso pods make up for their lack of variety in quality and taste. These pods feature specific blends that deliver concentrated shots of espresso for a stronger, better-tasting drink. What’s more, the soft pods allow for better extraction of coffee, resulting in a stronger flavour.
On the other hand, the plastic body of Keurig K-Cups hinders optimal extraction of flavours, resulting in a drink that tastes weaker. K-Cup coffee is also less aromatic than Nespresso coffee for this same reason.
Price/Cost
Since Nespresso pods deliver higher quality brews, they’re priced higher than K-Cups. The average unit price of a single-serve K-Cup is $0.50, while the average unit price of a Nespresso Original Line Pod is $ 0.80. And if you opt for Nespresso VertuoLine pods, you’ll spend even more, as the average unit price is $1.15.
Do K-Cups work in other coffee machines?
K-Cups don’t work in pod coffee machines, as they were originally designed to be only compatible with Keurig coffee machines. Over the years, though, other brands have developed coffee makers that are K-Cup compatible.
The most common ones with positive online reviews include the Hamilton Beach Single-Serve coffee maker, the Mueller Ultima Single-Serve coffee maker, and the Gourmia 3-in-1 coffee maker. There are also coffee makers, such as the Gourmia 3-in-1, that have an adapter, allowing users to brew using either K-Cups inside the K-Cup holder or ground coffee inside the adapter.
References
i. Jonathan Clarke, Nomad Coffee Club: Nespresso vs. Keurig Pods: Which Coffee Pods Are Right for You?
