Introduction
Thanks to the wonders of modern life, we can now enjoy coffee that comes in single servings in a sealed capsule. What’s next, living on Mars?
But regardless of how modern it may seem, capsule coffee is already a big hit everywhere in the world, proving convenient and delicious no matter what type of coffee lover you are— young and old are loving capsule coffee alike.
With this in mind, let us take a look at some potential options for Nespresso capsules. Don’t get us wrong. We love their coffee! But sometimes one would like options, variety – at least an illusion of choice. Here’s our rundown of some of the best reusable coffee capsules.
Best Nespresso Reusable Capsules
Recaps
Right now, Recaps is one of the more capable alternatives out there. Hailing from China, this company is already well known for its stainless-steel, high-quality capsules.
They have both capsules compatible with regular Nespresso and more elaborate -and slightly more expensive- capsules for VertuoLine machines. By all measures their products are of high quality and are somewhat the standard of what good capsule alternatives should be.
MyCap
An easy to use capsule. It comes in different colors and is as easy as pouring the coffee in, tamping lightly, and placing the filter on top. Then, you screw the MyCap special capsule cap and let the magic happen.
MyCap capsules are made of 100% recyclable materials and, while they are slightly less resistant than other materials like stainless steel, they are better for the environment. And cheaper.
They make capsules for both VertuoLine and Original Line.
Cafilas Stainless Steel Reusable Capsules (Original Line)
In terms of design, Cafilas is way ahead of its competitors. We get it: reusable capsules are all about practicality and being green. But that doesn’t mean you have to make tacky capsules, does it?
Cafilas’ capsules are shiny, stainless steel and come with the company logo engraved on top (two dolphins swimming), making them look incredibly fancy for a reusable coffee capsule.
They also make a lot of coffee-related equipment like brushes for cleaning the capsules, tiny (capsule size) coffee spoons and tampers, and so on.
They provide one of the best cremas in the reusable capsule game.
Blusea Coffee Capsule (VertuoLine)
It fully bets on stainless steel capsules, which are very much compatible with the VertuoLine machines and are able to achieve quite a good flavor.
The thing about stainless steel capsules such as these is that you’ve got to keep them clean. This material is a magnet for smell – coffee oil will stick to the surface and permeate the whole thing with a smell of burnt coffee. Even if you can’t see any stickiness, better to brush them every once in a while with a little bit of soap.
If kept clean, these capsules are some of the best you will own. They make flavorful, fragrant coffee without a lot of effort.
CAPMESSO Reusable Espresso Capsules (Original Line)
Another great option can be found in CAPMESSO, a line focused, of course, in espresso-type coffee. Their stainless steel capsules are of high quality, feature their logo on each capsule’s side, and are available both for the regular line and the VertuoLine.
Featuring top-notch materials and a smooth design, CAPMESSO is a good choice no matter how you look at it. Their capsules come with a coffee scoop as well as a cleaning brush.
Sealpod – Stainless-Steel (Original Line)
Sealpod has for a while been associated with great quality in capsule coffee. Their Original Line capsules -compatible with all sorts of coffee makers- are of the highest quality. Their filter caps are made of aluminum and can be stuck onto the capsules with great ease.
Because of the materials and the overall quality, you’d think this would be a very expensive product: this is not the case. The price makes it all the more attractive to buy the Sealpod capsules, as it is a bargain.
Alchemy Bar Goods – Reusable Nespresso Capsules (Original Line)
The guys at Alchemy call themselves “Alchemy Superior Goods” and, honestly, it’s not an exaggeration. So far on this list, no other product has come close to these capsules, which are a fit of engineering more than just a mere copy of Nespresso capsules.
They feature capsule and lid all in one using a combination of materials (all high quality, too) that makes them so far the most flavor-friendly capsules as well as being extremely durable and stylish. Arguably the best choice.
Nespresso Buyer’s Guide
Decisions, decisions. Choosing one product over the other can be really complicated, and there are few things as frustrating as rushing a decision like this only to find out you chose precisely the wrong product for you.
Don’t sweat; we’re here to help you.
Nespresso Original Line or VertuoLine
The regular, classic, or traditional type of capsule coffee is what Nespresso calls the “Original Line” (capitalized, mind you) – and this is the one that came first, and all other capsule machines work with.
However, in terms of flavor, Original Line capsules do seem to lag behind.
VertuoLine, on the other hand, boasts of enhanced flavor, aroma, and crema. They are made of much better materials and produce a cup of coffee that is the specialty equivalent in the capsule coffee world.
The bad? They can only be brewed with Nespresso machines, as they hold a patent for it.
Are they more time-consuming?
One of the most asked questions is whether these capsules are more time-consuming and, therefore, not worthy of the expense.
Make no mistake: a simple, $10 capsule that is reusable can be used thousands of times, saving you an incalculable amount of money. Not to mention, you’re also protecting the environment by using a single capsule instead of using thousands upon thousands of them.
So yes, they are more time-consuming because you have to fill them up and clean them afterward. It’s something that might take about 3 minutes and 25 seconds in total. It’s nothing!
Ease of Use
Incredibly easy. The capsule format is just so good because there really is no guesswork involved. You just fill them up, put the lid on, and pop them in the coffee maker.
Even cleaning them is barely any trouble at all, and they frequently come with a brush that makes this process even easier.
FAQ
What type of Nespresso coffee should you use?
The whole point of using these types of capsules is that you’re free to use whatever coffee you please.
The best way to take full advantage of this is to use freshly ground coffee, which regular capsules could never offer. This is the epitome of flavor and aroma – all you need is a simple manual grinder (since capsules don’t need a lot of coffee).
Espresso grind is vital, however, if you expect proper extraction. Coarser grind sizes will not go over well.
Conclusion
Refillable capsules are a great way to make better coffee that is also more economical and better for the environment. Without a single shred of doubt, it is worth the investment— which is quite reasonable, at $20 average price per product.
They are also more fun to use and more versatile since you can add any type of coffee you want. Instead of pre-packaged coffee that was ground and roasted god knows how long ago, you can use fresh coffee for your capsules. It’s a better option in all respects!
