If you’re the kind of person who needs your coffee fuss-free and instantly through single-serve machines, you might have come across the brands Nespresso and Keurig. These two are undoubtedly on the top of the most well-known coffee makers list.
Let’s differentiate, shall we?
Nespresso is mainly dedicated to the espresso and its drinks, while Keurig focuses on coffee. From this point alone, a decision can already be made based on your caffeine preference.
But as always, the differences, of course, do not end there. Before purchasing your next coffee maker, let’s go over the different things you should consider.
Single-serve coffee devices
From little sealed pods, single-serve coffee machines brew them into your delicious cup of coffee. In the Nespresso language, these are called capsules. On the other hand, Keurig calls them K-cups.
The best thing about having your coffee in a pod is that your grounds are protected from the deadly coffee killers, light, moisture, and oxygen. What does this mean? This means your coffee stays fresh for a lot longer.
Although Nespresso and Keurig differ in the type of coffee they serve, both brands operate almost similarly.
The pod is placed into its specific slot, and once the machine starts, the pod is poked on each end. The hot water is then pumped through the pod and the coffee grounds under pressure until your fresh coffee flows out straight to your cup. Plain, simple, and extreme!
These machines save you some cash.
If you’re the type to shell out $3 for every cup of Starbucks coffee, brewing your cup with Nespresso or Keurig will let you save over a year.
However, another thing to note is that although buying coffee pods instead of purchasing some Starbucks coffee daily lets you spend less, bulk coffee grounds are still significantly cheaper compared to the capsules.
Selling pods is the main selling point and driving force of these companies. Truth be told that these companies make money mainly by selling their pods rather than their machines.
Quick history
Born in North America, both brands launched their first single-serve coffee machines a couple of years apart. Nespresso has been known in the Europe market since the mid-1980s.
Keurig initially dominated the North American market, winning over 60% compared to Nespresso’s 10%. This is largely due to Keurig’s partnership with household American brands such as Starbucks and Dunkin Donuts. Keurig’s also shares the company with Dr. Pepper soft drinks.
On the other end, Nespresso belongs to the Swiss conglomerate brand Nestlé. Nespresso focuses on espresso and espresso-related beverages due to its European origin.
Keurig once launched Rivo R500, a machine that can serve espresso, but that affair was brief. That model was discontinued; hence, in the current times, Keurig doesn’t do espresso.
The blossoming of the Nespresso and Keurig lines
OriginalLine is Nespresso’s original line of machines focused mainly on espresso. In 2014, the brand released a coffee machine that brews espresso and coffee called the Vertuoline.
It was primarily created for the North Americans because of their preference and need for bigger savings. This helped the company pave its way to what it is today.
In 2015, Keurig released an improved brewing system that only brews Keurig-licensed pods. The reason for this change is because a third-party manufacturer, “bootleg,” created coffee capsules compatible with the older Keurig machines.
In simpler terms, if the machine isn’t able to read the barcode, brewing will not start. If you want not solely to purchase your pods from Keurig, you might have to look for the older models on Amazon.
Which is more versatile?
Nespresso vs. Keurig is often compared to the Apple vs. PC rivalry. Regarding Nespresso, you are only allowed to brew coffees from Nespresso despite the limited selection. If you are an Apple user, you must know the pain of having Apple dictate everything you should use for compatibility. Nespresso carries only four categories for their capsules with about a couple of dozen flavors.
Keurig ties up with other brands who are licensed to come up with K-cups, including Starbucks and Dunkin Donuts. In addition to these, brands that are also licensed are Maxwell House, Celestial Seasonings, McCafe, and more.
This gives Keurig users the luxury of having a vast selection. And another great thing about it? K-cups aren’t limited to just coffee. Pods that make hot cocoa, fruit cider, Campbell’s soup, and tea are also available. If you want more options, Keurig is more likely the way to go.
Keurig isn’t only versatile when it comes to its pods. It currently has 59 machines under its name compared to Nespresso, with only six.
To add to its flexible choices, Keurig also offers more options for the size of the cup. They have K-cups, larger K-mugs, and the K-carafe, making about four K-cups. The machines can brew to fill from six- to thirty-ounce cup sizes.
Conversely, Nespresso’s original line of coffee makers has only two buttons: one for a small espresso and the other for a larger “lungo,” which are 1.4 and 3.7 ounces, respectively. Take note, though, that the settings are adjustable. Moreover, the Vertuoline, a newer mode, can produce an eight-ounce coffee from another pod.
Keurig’s water reservoirs are bigger than those of Nespresso. Keurig boasts of having the capacity for up to 80 ounces as compared to Nespresso’s 24 to 40.
As if Keurig needs more to win the versatility game, but it is also more programmable than Nespresso. The former has LCDs, programmable clocks, brew strength controls, and temperature. If you’re a control freak when it comes to your coffee like me, then Keurig will be your best friend.
But on a positive note for Nespresso, its Vertuoline offers pods that can brew coffee. So if you have this model, it means you can brew both coffee and espresso, something Keurig machines are unable to do.
Durability
When it comes to durability, Nespresso wins the game. Nespresso is built in Switzerland and not in China. They also utilize thicker plastic and more metal in their designs, making the machines sturdy. On top of that, they also offer a generous two-year warranty compared to Keurig only provides a warranty for twice as short.
Nespresso has licensing partnerships with popular and trusted espresso machine makers such as De’Longhi, Philips, and Breville. This is the very reason why it’s easy to trust and rely on Nespresso’s design and life span.
Cost
Now that we’re talking about the price tag, Keurig has the upper hand in this department. Cheaper models start at around $55, while it’s quite impossible to get a hold of a Nespresso for less than $90. But the regular lines of both brands cost around $300.
Now let’s move to the pods. K-cups are cheaper than Nespresso capsules. K-cups have a price tag of $0.35 to $2.25 per capsule, while the Nespresso capsules range from $0.75 to $1.40.
Take note that with Nespresso, Vertuoline capsules are the more expensive ones compared to the OriginalLine capsules). If you brew daily, the overall savings from using K-cups instead of the Nespresso capsules may range from $75 to $325 per year.
Here’s a quick trick to save a good amount of money. You can put your coffee grounds in reusable pods of either machine and then snap the lid in place before placing them in their respective compartments.
Although this is difficult to do with Nespresso’s Vertuoline, this is a lot doable with the OriginalLine machines. This way, you will save money. But it does not come without a price. If you plan to go this path, you will have to sacrifice convenience, which is why you want a single-serve coffee machine in the first place!
Design
Let’s now touch base with the design. Although preferences and tastes differ, I’d like to give this floor to Nespresso machines. They are sleek, modern, and can easily fit into anyone’s countertop. They are also smaller, and we love some extra space for other things!
Additionally, Nespresso is one smart coffee maker. A feature Keurig does not carry. Certain models, like the Prodigio, can be controlled with the use of your smartphone. It connects via Bluetooth, letting you brew your cup of coffee or pre-schedule a brew even if you’re away.
These are all easily done with the use of the Nespresso app. On top of these features, the app also monitors your capsule supply and gently reminds you when it’s time to replenish.
If you want a bubbly mouthfeel, Nespresso also has a handheld, battery-operated milk frother under Aerolatte. This is extra perfect for your cappuccinos and lattes.
How to clean?
Both brands offer machines that are pretty easy to clean. The exterior can be wiped with a soft cloth while you have to detach the removable compartments and parts so you can wash them in the sink. Descaling is also recommended every three to six months.
Descaling
What is descaling? Descaling is the process of removing mineral deposits that have accumulated in the machine. These machines utilize water, and minerals may be present in them depending on the type of water you use.
Over time, these minerals, especially calcium, may build up and affect the performance of your appliance. Also, these deposits, called limescale, may change the taste of your coffee despite not being toxic or harmful.
Simply apply an acidic solution to your machine to descale. Both companies have descaling solutions available for purchase, but a simple 2:3 ratio mix of acetic acid (vinegar) or citric acid with water will do as well.
Another thoughtful touch of the Nespresso machines is the automatic ejection of the used pods into a built-in compartment. This means you don’t have to fish out the used pods patiently; we love anything that saves time and effort.
Sustainability
One of these machines’ issues is the coffee pod’s sustainability. If you feel strongly about the environment and unnecessary waste, you might have to think twice about using either brand.
The Atlantic released an article in 2015 that popularized this problem. The article stated: “In 2014, enough K-cups were sold that if placed end-to-end, would circle the globe 10.5 times. Almost all of them ended up in landfills. They are not recyclable.”
K-cups, unfortunately, are made of a combination of the plastic body, aluminum top, and paper filter. Let’s be real: how many people even take the time to separate those and throw them into the designated trash bins? However, Keurig heard the people’s cry and made it a goal to create recyclable pods by 2020.
The Nespresso capsules are always on the other end of the spectrum. They are made of aluminum, so they are recyclable. Nespresso has made an effort to develop means to attain their goal of recycling 100% of all their sold capsules.
They have set up collection centers where Nespresso users can surrender their used capsules. The capsules can also be sealed in pre-paid recycling bags and then dropped off at any UPS outlet in 48 continental states. UPS will deliver these to the recycling facility of the company.
Brew quality
Coffee lovers almost always praise a cup of Nespresso because of its flavor, taste, and soft layer of crema. For a lot of people, they prefer this better than Keurig’s.
It is like comparing fast food restaurant (Keurig) to a high-quality Michelin star nice restaurant (Nespresso).
Even if you haven’t tried brewing from both, just basing on those words pretty much gives you the idea of which one is better. But then again, everyone is different, and so is our individual preference. Some people do not enjoy the intense and rich taste of an espresso. In this case, Keurig may be the better cup of coffee from them.
So.. what’s the verdict? Which is better?
It all boils down to what’s more important: cost or quality?
Nespresso flashes the more expensive price tag, but it brews the better coffee (at least that’s what the majority thinks!), has more durable and sturdy components, and is aesthetically pleasing. If you have extra cash to shell out and have high standards for your coffee choices, Nespresso is the easy choice.
On the other end of the spectrum, if you’re easy to please with basically any cup of coffee, then spending more for something that’s unimportant may be a waste.
Before we culminate this battle of the single-serve machines, let me leave you with my recommendations.
Budget machines
At just 12 centimeters wide, the Nespresso Inissia is a light and compact variant. It can brew at least three cups of coffee. It can also be programmed depending on how much volume you want to brew.
It only takes 25 seconds to warm up and another 25 seconds to brew your coffee. Isn’t that a breeze? An option to upgrade to a bundle pack is available for your consumption, and it comes with an Aeroccino milk frother.
The Keurig K-classic is one of their best-selling models. It is cheaper despite carrying the features of the more expensive variants. Its 6-cup water reservoir can brew from 6, 8, to 10-ounce cups of Joe. The whole process takes about 90 seconds. This model is available in a couple of color options: black and red.
Premium Buys
Making it to our list of best espresso machines under $300, the Nespresso Pixie easily made it to our list of coffee machines to love. It takes about 30 seconds for a warm-up and brew watch with a reservoir with a three-cup capacity.
The receptacle can house up to 10 used capsules. It comes in different colors and can also be upgraded to get a hold of the Aeroccino milk frother. This model brews lungos and espressos with the signature and satisfying crema.
Keurig’s top-of-the-line single-serve machine, Keurig K-Elite, has a huge 75-ounce water tank with five available cup sizes: 4, 6, 8, 10, or 12-ounce. It has a convenient brew strength setting so you can control how strong you want your coffee to be.
It has an automatic option where your coffee will be brewed at the appropriate temperature, but you also have an option to choose a range between 187 and 192F. This machine takes three minutes to brew your cup of coffee.
Small and portable
This model comes in two shapes: the conical variant by Breville and the rectangular version by De’Longhi. Nespresso Essenza Mini is very small, and it utilizes a 2.5-cup reservoir.
To brew you a coffee, this machine takes only 30 seconds to do so. The De’Longhi version may be narrower than your cup, but in terms of performance, it pretty much does the job.
Keurig MINI is so tiny that it is purchased more for travels than brewing cups at home. But if you have a small kitchen, this can sit well on your countertop while saving you space.
That’s a pretty good deal! Because of the size, the downside of this machine is that it has no reservoir. It is filled up each time, and it heats the water on the spot, which is why the process takes longer, about a couple of minutes. This machine may brew coffee in cups of 6, 8, and 10-ounce.
Conclusion
The Nespresso vs. Keurig battle is here because people have different preferences. You do you! It’s your cup of coffee anyway.
FAQs
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Disclosure: No compensation or free products were received in exchange for writing this review.
Editorial Staff
The editorial staff at Crazy Coffee Crave is a team of coffee enthusiasts & Baristas who enjoy the one thing we all think about as soon as we get up in the morning. Trusted by thousands of readers worldwide.
