Best Nespresso Reusable Pods: Reviews and Buyer’s Guide

Reviewed by Urban Bean Coffee Team

on August 6, 2021

14

Products Considered

148

Hours of Research

13

Experts Interviewed

26

Customers Consulted

Nespresso reusable pods help reduce the cost of brewing coffee.

Normal Nespresso pods, even compatible pods from third-party manufacturers, are more expensive than using ground coffee. The solution? Choose reusable capsules that you can use with your ground coffee.

Finding the best Nespresso reusable pods is difficult because you have to make sure you buy high-quality ones. A good reusable capsule can be used at least 30 to 40 times, but a low-quality capsule is likely to fail after just a few brewing cycles. There have even been cases where low-quality reusable pods exploded during brewing.

We studied pods' specs and reviews, and we also used the pods to brew coffee for our team every day for a month.

Each product on our list will last a long time, help you enjoy your favorite beans, and keep your coffee costs down.


BEST FOR ORIGINAL LINE

Seal Pod

 SEAL POD Refillable Nespresso Pods

These refillable pods are designed to provide quality service over an extended period, possibly even over a lifetime.

Key Features

Cheaper than using Nespresso pods

Easy to use 

• The company presents a large selection of different pods sets


BEST FOR VERTUO LINE

Capmesso

Capmesso Reusable Pods

Best reusable pods for Vertuoline GCA1 and Delonghi ENV135, but not for OriginalLine coffee makers.

Key Features

Available in two sizes - 2.5 oz and 8 oz
• Made from food-grade stainless steel
 You can use this pod up to 10,000 times


Best Nespresso Reusable Pods 

1. SEAL POD - Best Nespresso Reusable Pods for Original Line

Editor's Rating

9.5


/ 10

SEAL POD Reusable Nespresso Capsules

SEAL POD Refillable Espresso Pods are stainless steel pods with foil seals that allow pressure to build up in the capsule during brewing, resulting in a great crema just like when using Nespresso disposable capsules.

Stainless steel SEAL PODs stand out because instead of using a flip-top or screw-on top, these capsules use a sticker. This is convenient because you won't have any problems loading and preparing the pod. Also, you will not have problems with the disposal of used stickers or with quick cleaning.

With the purchase of eco-friendly SEAL POD reusable Nespresso capsules, you have the opportunity to help our planet and reduce your footprint with every cup, which makes a huge difference.

The downside is that they are smaller than typical pods, which means that your coffee will be smaller too. The difference is not significant, but it is something to consider.

2. CAPMESSO - Best Nespresso Reusable Pods for VertuoLine

Editor's Rating

9.2


/ 10

CAPMESSO Coffee Capsule

The CAPMESSO reusable capsule is compatible with the Vertuoline GCA1 and the Delonghi ENV135, but not with OriginalLine coffee makers.

These best Nespresso capsules are made from food-grade stainless steel, which is super strong and rust-resistant. The silicone O-ring minimizes the chance of leaks while brewing coffee.

The coffee filter is very precise and produces the perfect drink every time. With this system, you can brew a perfect 2.5-ounce cup of espresso in about a minute. If you prefer a large cup of coffee, the company also sells an 8 oz VertuoLine capsule.

We would like to point out that you can use this pod up to 10,000 times. For best results, we recommend that you only use fine and medium espresso grinds. You also get a spoon and cleaning brush in the box with your purchase.

3. CAPMESSO - Best Budget Choice for Original Line

Editor's Rating

8.7


/ 10

CAPMESSO Coffee Capsules for Original Line

Above, we reviewed the CAPMESSO capsules compatible with VertuoLine. Now let's take a look at CAPMESSO's Original capsules.

These BPA-free plastic refillable pods use foil tops that stick to the cups. After filling the best budget Nespresso reusable pods with your preferred coffee, you can simply put the foil on the capsule and then insert the capsule into the coffee machine. This makes cleaning up easy, but it also means you'll need to restock your disposable tops from time to time.

These capsules create a great crema!

Because these reusable Nespresso pods are made of plastic and are so light, they may not stand up to endless use. Sure, they will last longer than typical Nespresso capsules, but you should expect them to only last for about a month of continuous use.

This is not ideal if you're looking for an endlessly reusable option, but it's a great choice if you're looking for an intermediate option.

4. RECAPS - Best Stainless Steel Pods for Original Line

Editor's Rating

8.3


/ 10

RECAPS Stainless Steel Capsules

These stainless steel RECAPS refillable pods offer great savings. You can reuse them many times, so you don't need to spend money on original pods.

Then you can use any type of coffee you want. Plus, you don't need a lot of coffee, as very little is required with each refill.

RECAPS stainless steel capsules have with silicone rings to avoid leaks. They also come with a tamper. You will appreciate the easy-to-remove aluminum cover as it helps you work faster. You'll enjoy quality coffee in every drink.

At first, these capsules can be confusing to use because they're smaller than normal capsules (in order to prevent damage to the machine's blade plate). Read the instructions before use.

5. Alchemy Bar Goods - Best Reusable Set for Original Line

Editor's Rating

8.9


/ 10

Alchemy Bar Goods Reusable Nespresso Capsules

Alchemy Bar Goods reusable capsules are great when it comes to the brewing process. Not only do they release a wonderful aroma, they ultimately give you one of the best homemade coffees.

You don’t need to worry about clogging, as they are easy and quick to clean. Plus, they help you protect the environment.

To ensure durability and high functionality, we recommend using only perfectly ground beans for best results, and avoiding weak espresso.

These refillable capsules are compatible with a wide range of machines, but their compatibility is limited to machines that use classic capsules.

Because they are made from food-grade stainless steel that is 100% BPA-free and non-toxic, you can use them without worrying about negative health effects.

These refillable pods are designed to provide quality service over an extended period, possibly even over a lifetime.

How to Pick the Best Nespresso Reusable Pods

When choosing Nespresso reusable capsules, we recommend that you pay attention to two things:

Line Compatibility

Nespresso now manufactures two types of coffee pods for their two lines of machines: VertuoLine and OriginalLine. Original pods look like most coffee capsules. They have slightly sloping sides with a slight angle at the top. VertuoLine pods are domed instead. Original pods won't work in VertuoLine machines, and vice versa.

Nespresso VertuoLine machines were originally developed for the American market where people wanted capsules that would fill a larger cup of coffee than the OriginalLine size.

Let's take a look at the benefits of each of the Nespresso lines:

Pros of Nespresso VertuoLine:

  1. You can brew both espresso and regular coffee, so it's a great value for the money.
  2. Espresso is prepared using centrifusion technology, which creates a perfect layer of crema.
  3. It's a good option for beginners. It has just one control button that helps you set up all parameters while using the machine.
  4. You can brew drinks from 0.3 oz to 17 oz and use espresso cups, standard cups, or large travel mugs.

Pros of Nespresso OriginalLine:

  1. The machines are compact and won't take up much space in your kitchen or office.
  2. They brew quickly, which is perfect when you're tired or in a rush in the morning.
  3. Uses pressure-brewing technology for a great coffee with perfect flavor and aroma.
  4. You can use third-party, Nespresso compatible pods. This is cheaper and gives you a wider range of coffees to try.

Material

There are two types of reusable Nespresso pods:

1. Plastic pods:

The cheapest refillable pods are, of course, made of plastic. However, they have serious disadvantages.

Many buyers have found that these Nespresso pods sometimes explode with multiple uses. It is also worth noting that we do not know what plastic these capsules are made of.

2. Metal pods:

There are two types of metal pods:

With sticker closure:

These pods are most similar to the original Nespresso pods.

With screw-on metal closure:

The holes in these pods don't get clogged, but you will need to descale them once in a while.

Best Nespresso Reusable Pods

Advantages of Reusable Nespresso Pods

  1. You don't have to buy expensive name-brand capsules.
  2. You can fill the capsules with your favorite coffees and blends rather than relying on pre-packaged recipes.
  3. You can even fill them with non-coffee drinks like tea.
  4. The packaging is completely sealed and hygienic and allows you to store coffee for a long time while retaining its nutritional and taste properties.
  5. The pods are easy to clean and reuse.

How to Use Nespresso Reusable Pods

Using Nespresso reusable pods is not difficult at all. You need to follow these steps:

  1. Rinse your capsule with plain water, or scrub with the small brush that comes with it.
  2. Fill the capsule with ground coffee (5 - 5.5 grams). It's best to use a scale for this. If you don't have ground coffee, but you have coffee beans, then you need to grind them perfectly, just like for espresso. The grind should not be too fine, as it might clog the capsule holes, and also not too large, as water won't easily pass through it.
  3. After filling the capsule, you need to close or screw on the cap (depending on type).
  4. Use your refillable capsule in the same way as you would use a regular, disposable one.

FAQ

How many times can I reuse a Nespresso reusable pod?

Reusable pods can be used at least 30-40 times (depending on the manufacturer). The more carefully you handle them, the longer they will serve you. Some can even last for 10,000 uses.

Which coffee can I use with Nespresso reusable pods?

You can use any coffee you like. For best results, we recommend using a grind between fine and medium.

How much money can you save by using Nespresso reusable capsules?

The cost of one Nespresso Original capsule is about 70 cents, and the cost of one Nespresso Vertuo capsule ranges from $1 to $1.20. The cost of Nespresso-compatible capsules (which are made by other companies) is around 40 to 60 cents. The average cost of a high-quality reusable capsule is between $15 and $20. Each reusable capsule lasts for a minimum of 30-40 days, as promised by the manufacturer, leading to a cost of about 20 cents per use. But with proper care, you can use your capsule for even longer, so the price will go down even more per use.