Nespresso vs Keurig: Which is the Better Coffee Machine?

Nespresso Overview

Nespresso is a brand synonymous with sophistication and quality. It has built its reputation on a philosophy of delivering exceptional coffee experiences at the push of a button.

The focus is on the experience. Nesspresso’s vision is to be recognized as the ultimate coffee experience worldwide (1). That’s a lofty goal!

Their innovative line of coffee machines includes the OriginalLine, perfect for espresso aficionados, and the VertuoLine, catering to a wider range of drink types (read this OriginalLine versus VertuoLine comparison to learn more). Nespresso machines can craft a diverse array of beverages, from robust espressos to comforting lattes.

Pros of Nespresso Machines

• Exceptional pod coffee quality
  
  
• User-friendly
  
  
• Sleek and diverse designs

Cons of Nespresso Machines

• Cost of capsules
  
  
• Limited pod compatibility
  
  
• Lack of specialty coffee and non-coffee options

Keurig Overview

Founded in 1992 in Massachusetts, Keurig is a household name in the world of coffee. Its goal as a company is to “create the ultimate beverage experience” for its drinks (2).

With convenience as a major selling point, Keurig caters to diverse tastes and preferences. Their vast selection of coffee pods goes beyond just coffee, offering tea, hot chocolate, and other beverage options. 

Pros of Keurig Machines

• Unmatched drink variety, including non-coffee drinks
  
  
• User-friendly
  
  
• Good value machines

Cons of Keurig Machines

• Coffee strength
  
  
• Eco-friendliness
  
  
• Coffee machine features

Nespresso vs Keurig: The Main Differences

Alright, let’s get into the nitty-gritty details of what sets these two coffee machine brands apart. In this section, we examine differences in the following:

1. Variety of coffee drinks,
   
   
2. Drink sizes,
   
   
3. Coffee taste,
   
   
4. Ease of use,
   
   
5. Cleaning and maintenance,
   
   
6. Cost differences, and
   
   
7. Environmental impacts

Let's dive into each of these comparison categories and determine which brand is best for each of these!

1. Variety of Coffee and Drinks

When it comes to the variety of coffee and drinks, the distinctions between Nespresso and Keurig are quite apparent.

Nespresso specializes in espresso-based beverages, emphasizing quality over quantity. On the other hand, Keurig boasts a broader selection. Although it does not offer espresso, it offers not only a wide range of coffee flavors but also an array of tea and hot chocolate options.

Verdict - Variety of Coffee and Drinks

The winner is Keurig because of its expansive selection of coffee flavors and non-coffee drink options. Keurig caters to a wider audience with choices that extend beyond just coffee.

2. Coffee Drinks Sizes

Drink sizes in Nespresso machines are primarily dictated by the type of pod used. They offer a range of sizes, from espresso to mug-sized coffees, and even carafe-sized coffees, depending on the Nespresso model.

Nespresso's OriginalLine focuses on delivering espresso-based drinks ranging from 25 mL (0.85 oz) ristrettos to a Gran Lungo with 110 mL (3.7 oz).

The VertuoLine offers more versatility in terms of beverage sizes and types. This ranges from an Espresso with 40 mL (1.35 oz) to a Carafe with a whopping 535 mL (18 oz). 

You better be sharing this with a friend, unless you love being overcaffeinated and bouncing off the walls! 🙃

Keurig, on the other hand, has the same pod sizes across its machines. Drink sizes are dictated by the machine's settings, which will affect the coffee-to-water ratio. It does not offer espresso-sized drinks.

Related Read:

• Keurig Cup Sizes – The Complete Guide For Beginners

Verdict - Coffee Drink Sizes

The winner is Nespresso because of its ability to cater to various preferences. It provides a broader range of drink sizes and coffee types to accommodate every type of coffee drinker.

3. Coffee Taste

When it comes to coffee taste, the brewing methods and flavor profiles of Nespresso and Keurig machines differ significantly. Keurig uses a similar system as drip coffee whereas Nespresso uses high pressure (19 bars) in the OriginalLine machines, or centrifusion in their VertuoLine machines.

Keurig tends to produce milder and somewhat watered-down coffee, according to many (including myself!). It lacks the depth and strength that a true coffee connoisseur would seek.

Nespresso, on the other hand, delivers a stronger and more robust flavor with a higher coffee-to-water ratio. Nespresso's capsules often contain more ground coffee than Keurig's, contributing to that richer taste. This also means the caffeine content of Nespresso pods tends to be higher than Keurig's K-Cups.

Nespresso also tends to source higher-quality coffee than Keurig. It even offers some pods with specialty coffee options with fancy names for those looking to enjoy a quick coffee without sacrificing quality.

Verdict - Coffee Taste

The winner is Nespresso because of its ability to consistently produce a bolder and more intense coffee flavor due to its superior ground coffee and brewing methods. If you appreciate a rich and authentic coffee experience, a Nespresso VertuoLine or OriginalLine is the machine you should purchase!

4. Ease of Use

Both Keurig and Nespresso machines are known for their user-friendly design and ease of operation. Regardless of the brand, you simply pop in a coffee pod and press a button to start brewing. While I don’t recommend kids drink coffee, an 8-year-old could master either of these coffee makers within minutes. 😉

While most of the coffee makers are pretty simple, there are some more advanced models. For example, Keurig’s K-Duo coffee maker features a spot for Keurig pods (K-Cups) and a spot for you to add normal coffee grounds to brew with hot water into a carafe.

Some Nespresso single-serve coffee machines also feature milk reservoirs and steam wands, letting you get extra fancy when you brew espresso!

Verdict - Ease of Use

This is a tie because both brands excel in providing a hassle-free coffee brewing experience. It truly depends on the specific model you choose within each brand. Some are very simple, while others have more complex features.

5. Cleaning and Maintenance

Nespresso and Keurig single-serve coffee makers need to be cleaned every now and then. Most of the components can be popped off quite quickly (like removable drip trays) and can be washed in the upper rack of your dishwasher… or by hand if you don’t have a dishwasher, like me.

Both brands make descaling solution kits to be used every 6-12 months (3) (4). This helps remove lime scale buildup that can negatively impact your machine and make your coffee taste bad.

However, descaling Keurig coffee makers can be quite time-consuming. The process can last about 45 minutes for most Keurig models and up to 75 minutes for the K-Café (5). In contrast, Nespresso machines typically require 20 to 25 minutes to descale, including higher-end models with milk frothing systems (6) (7)

Higher-end machines from Nespresso, such as the Creatista and Lattissima models, come with features like steam wands and milk frothers. This is also the case with one of Keurig's higher-end models: the Keurig K-Café. It’s important to take extra care of these components, as they require more regular and intricate cleaning procedures.

Verdict - Cleaning and Maintenance

While both machine types are easy to clean, the winner is Nepresso because its machines require significantly less time to descale. It should be noted though that cleaning and maintenance times depend on the type of model, especially for models with milk steaming systems.

6. The Costs

Generally speaking, Keurig coffee machines and capsules tend to be more affordable. The prices range from about $75 for the K-Mini Single Serve Coffee Maker to about $230 for the K-Supreme Plus SMART. Their most expensive coffee maker for personal use is the K-Café SMART Single Serve Coffee Maker for about $250.

If you don’t need lots of bells and whistles, you will be able to find a basic coffee maker from Keurig that uses K-Cups for under $120. The K-Mini is the slimmest unit that Keurig offers, accepts any kind of K-Cup, and quickly makes 6-12 oz beverages. 

Now let’s chat about Nespresso.

The cheapest model from this company is the Vertuo Pop+. This coffee maker starts at $129. You can brew up to five different cup sizes on this bad boy, all while saving precious countertop space. Plus, it comes in 8 different colors.

The most expensive machine from Nespresso is the Creatista Pro at $849, approaching the cost of a good quality true espresso machine! This beauty is made of a stainless steel finish with a large screen and comes with an integrated milk wand for barista-style coffee that rivals your local coffee shop. If you like fancy lattes, care about creating perfectly frothed milk, and have money to blow, this machine is the perfect match.

Now that we covered machine costs, let’s compare the cost of Nespresso and Keurig coffee pods. This is an important aspect as their cost quickly adds up over time.

*  The yearly cost assumes 1 coffee pod per day at the average pod price for 365 days.

Verdict - The Costs

The winner is Keurig due to having more budget-friendly options for coffee consumers who don’t want to break the bank for their daily caffeine fix. This is true for both their machines and their coffee capsules.

7. Environmental Impacts

In terms of environmental impacts, Nespresso capsules are generally easier to recycle. That’s because they are primarily made of aluminum, which is one of the easiest materials to recycle (8). Further, some of their machines are made of recycled materials; for example, the Vertuo Next is made of 54 percent recycled materials (9).

Nespresso also is introducing paper-based capsules for the OriginalLine models, designed to be composted in your garden (10).

Keurig pods are recyclable as well but often require removing the filter and rinsing, which can lead to a less convenient recycling process.

Since the end of 2020, 100% of Keurig’s K-Cups created have been made from recyclable plastic, specifically polypropylene (11). However, this plastic type is not as easy to recycle as aluminum and many recyclers still don't accept it (12). Other coffee companies also manufacture biodegradable coffee pods that are compatible with the Keurig system.

Verdict - Environmental Impacts

The winner is Nespresso for its more eco-friendly pod materials and biodegradable options directly available for purchase from the company.

The Verdict: Keurig vs Nespresso, Which Is Better?

The table below summarizes our Keurig versus Nespresso comparison. It shows the winners for each of the categories.

Our winner is Nespresso! It's better than Keurig in most categories. Further, Nespresso is better where it matters most. If you are serious about your coffee’s quality and the machine’s ability to create different-sized drinks, buying a Nespresso machine is a no-brainer.

Keurig is the cheaper option and can still produce a decent cup of coffee. We recommend picking up a Keurig coffee maker if you want to save money, and if you drink other beverages like tea, fruity drinks, or hot chocolate as much as you drink coffee. If that’s the case, then you will benefit from having a machine that can make a variety of different drinks.

Related Reads:

• Nespresso Breville vs Delonghi Machines: Which Is the Best?
• Is Nespresso Worth It? Find Out from this Ultimate Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Bottom Line

In the ultimate showdown between Nespresso vs Keurig, coffee lovers now have a clear winner.

While both brands offer their unique strengths, we recommend a Nespresso machine for those who prioritize a top-tier coffee experience. With a focus on quality, variety in drink sizes, and robust flavors, Nespresso stands out.

On the other hand, picking up a Keurig machine is the more budget-friendly choice, particularly if you enjoy a wide range of beverages beyond coffee.

Ultimately, the decision between Nespresso vs Keurig depends on your taste preferences, budget, beverage variety requirements, and how closely you want to brew coffee like your favorite coffee shop.

Happy brewing!