When it comes to deciding which are the best Dolce Gusto pods – where do you start? One of the big appeals of owning a Dolce Gusto pod coffee machine is the huge range of pods that are available to you – all making different drinks and all at different price points.
So how do you decide which ones are best for you? You come to us!
We have compiled this list of the best Dolce Gusto pods to help you make the best buying decision for your pod coffee machine. We are sure that you are going to find your next favourite pod on this list. Let’s get straight into it.
Starbucks Variety Pack
First up we have a bit of everything from arguably the most famous coffee brand in the world, Starbucks. The name carries with it a certain amount of expectation – fortunately, these pods more than live up to it.
While the pack is described as ‘Variety’, it is probably more accurate to describe it as an ‘Espresso Variety’ as each of these three types of pod make espresso pods. The three are:
Blonde Roast: A bold, yet mellow, Latin American coffee with vibrant, sweet notes.
Single-Origin Columbian: A medium roast Columbian coffee with a round body and juicy taste, finished off with hints of nut.
Espresso Roast: A delightful blend of Latin American and Asian coffees with rich, caramel sweetness.
If you tend to make espressos at home, this is a great option – giving you some great choices. You know what you’re going to get with Starbucks coffee, and as well as drinking them alone these espressos make a great base for americanos and milky coffees. Try the Blonde Roast in a Vanilla Latte – delicious!
These are priced at the higher end of the scale, but for that you get consistent and reliable quality from a huge name in the industry.
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back to menu ↑Nescafé Dolce Gusto Americano
Next up we have an offering from the creators of the Dolce Gusto and another one of the biggest names in the coffee industry Nescafé. It stands to reason that these guys know how to make a decent pod for a Dolce Gusto machine, right?
Right. Full disclosure – I am a big fan of Americanos generally, so I was perhaps predisposed to favour these pods, but from the very first sip I was won over.
It’s the intensity of this drink that you will really notice. With a 7/11 intensity rating, it is the darkest roast in the Nescafé range; “Not for the feeble hearted” as they put it. Well, that’s exactly how I like my coffee.
There is a caramel taste to it as well, just to give it that pleasing balance, but the main thing is the strength. This is a coffee that you drink and then feel like you can take on the world! Perfect for those bleary-eyed mornings where you just don’t want to get going. These pods will sort you out.
If you like to really feel your coffee when you drink it, then I would wholeheartedly recommend these Nescafé Dolce Gusto Americano pods.
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back to menu ↑Nescafé Dolce Gusto Chococino
The same but very different now, as we look at another pack of pods from Nescafé – but a drink from the opposite end of the spectrum.
If the Americano pods that we featured above are perfect for the coffee purist, then these Chococino pods are for the coffee drinker that wants an alternative hot drink to coffee. 
Something sweet.
There is a certain intensity to these pods, similar to the Americano ones, but in a much more indulgent way. They are intensely smooth, sweet and indulgent. On top of the rich, chocolatey taste you’ll find little hints of vanilla, all finished off with a beautiful chocolate froth which lightly rests at the top of the drink. Light, sweet and delicious.
These are great pods for you to have in, whether you drink hot chocolate or not. You’re bound to have a guest round that fancies one at some point, and they will be blown away by how delightful these are. A real wow factor.
They are also one of the cheapest pods on our list, so there is nothing to stop you stocking up on them, just in case.
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back to menu ↑Italian Coffee Tasting Bundle
Another product at the lower end of the price spectrum now, with this selection from ‘Italian Coffee’. I’ll level with you, I had never heard of this brand before, which often gives me cause for concern. The name in itself is pretty vague, so I didn’t hold up hope for it.
I was pleasantly surprised, however. This bundle provides you with four different types of pod, all offering something a bit different:
Vigoroso: A really strong, intense espresso with an intensity rating of 9. These were great first thing in the morning when I needed an extra boost.
Ristretto: Another really strong coffee, made from 100% robusta beans. This is dark and strong with an intensity rating of 10.
Cremoso: As the name suggests, this is a much creamier pod. Still intense (rating of 8), but with a much lighter texture to it. A nice one to sip when on a sunny morning,
Arabica: A blend of Arabica beans creates a very pleasing aroma. The lightest of the lot (intensity rating of 7) – a very smooth coffee.
If you are looking for a budget option that offers you variety, then this bundle should definitely be on your shortlist – ignore those doubts in your mind about the brand and take the plunge!
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back to menu ↑Costa Coffee Americano
Another major player in the coffee industry now – Costa. Present on seemingly every high street in the country, Costa coffee shops remain incredibly popular in the UK, so it stands to reason that their pods will receive similar standing.
These Americano pods do not disappoint. Using their signature Mocha Italia blend, topped with hot water from your machine, the result is a fantastically smooth coffee. There are subtle notes of nuts and caramel but the overwhelming sense you’ll get here is just how smooth it is.
It is the perfect drink to have on a busy morning when you get a few moments to yourself – take a seat, have a sip and let the tension melt away.
It is one of the more expensive pods on our list today, but that is often the case with the well-known brands – you pay a premium to buying from a big brand. That shouldn’t put you off though, as these are well worth the money if you are fond of an Americano.
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back to menu ↑Nescafé Dolce Gusto Café Au Lait
The first milky coffee to make our list now as we take a look at another box of pods from Nescafé. One of the main selling points of the Dolce Gusto machines is that you can make a huge range of milky drinks at the touch of a button, without having to worry about frothing or steaming milk, so you would hope the 
creators of those machines would be able to produce a drink that utilises that function.
And you wouldn’t be disappointed with these pods. The balance between the coffee and the milk is spot on, and the result is that you get a deliciously creamy, smooth and delicate drink. It’s the perfect kind of drink to take your time over, perhaps in the afternoon when you have got on top of everything and can afford a few minutes to yourself. As these are decaf, you won’t need to worry about drinking one too late and not being able to sleep!
These are priced in the middle of what you should expect from a Dolce Gust pods, so there is nothing to put you off on that front. If you are partial to a Café Au Lait, then you will do well to find a better one than this.
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back to menu ↑CaffeLuxe Café Au Lait
It is our job, however, to try to find you a better one, and that is exactly what we are attempting to do here with the CaffeLuxe Café Au Lait pods. We want to provide you with as many options as possible.
So here we have a truly indulgent milky coffee – velvety smooth and luxuriously creamy. There is a silky foam crowning your drink which sets the tone. From there you taste the perfect balance of the Columbian coffee and the milk – enough coffee to awaken your taste buds mixed with enough milk to help it glide through your mouth.
It’s a great coffee to serve after dinner – a beautifully smooth finish to a dinner party that will surely impress your guests. It is one of the more expensive options that we have covered today, but we think it is genuinely worth the price. If these pods fit within you budget, give them a go – you won’t be sorry.
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We hope you have enjoyed this list of our favourite Dolce Gusto pods, and that it has helped you to discover your next favourite coffee. Thank you for reading.
