If you are looking for a new coffee pod system, Dolce Gusto is one of the best options.
Dolce Gusto is a series of coffee capsule machines made by Nestle. The machines use one-time coffee pods that you can easily find online or at many local supermarkets.
Nestle sells several models of Dolce Gusto machines under the Nescafe brand including Eclipse, Jovia and infinissima with most of them manufactured by Krups and Delonghi.
The Dolce Gusto range includes a wide variety of coffee capsule machines from compact budget models to high-tech models like the De’Longhi Eclipse Touch.
You can also choose between manual and auto models depending on the level of control you want.
Automatic models are significantly more expensive but on the upside, they take all the guesswork out of making the perfect cuppa.
All the coffee machines can make 30-40 varieties of hot and cold drinks. To ensure the best quality coffee, 15-bar pump pressure is standard for all models.
Dolce Gusto Machines
Here are some of the most popular Dolce Gusto coffee machines.
- Movenza: Movenza is one of the more expensive Dolce Gusto models. It features a touch control panel, an automatic closing head, an XL function for making larger coffees and a descaling alert. Ideal for those who are looking for a high-end Dolce Gusto coffee pod machine.
- Eclipse: This is one of the most popular Dolce Gusto models. It easy to use, can make a wide variety of coffees and its affordable. It also comes with touch technology, an XL cup function and a descaling alert. Ideal for those looking for a cheaper Dolce Gusto coffee pod machine.
- Drop: Drop has a stylish design that blends perfectly in a modern kitchen. It features a touch interface, XL cup function and an automatic closing head. Drop Dolce Gusto machines come in various colours including red, silver and white. Price-wise, it’s in the mid-range. We recommend it for those who are looking for a stylish automatic Dolce Gusto pod machine that’s not too expensive.
- Mini-Me: The Mini-Me range offers a compact design that’s ideal for smaller kitchens, dorm rooms and anyone else looking for a personal Dolce Gusto coffee machine. It features an easy-to-use automatic mechanism. Just select how much coffee you want and the machine dispenses the right amount.
- Colors: Feel like your current coffee machine is too boring? Try the Dolce Gusto Colors coffee pod machine. It comes with three interchangeable back panels coloured red, blue and green, allowing you to customize how your coffee machine looks at any time. The coffee machine itself is automatic with an XL cup function, automatic flow stop and an easy-to-use wheel for selecting coffee quantity.
- Lumio: The Lumio Dolce Gusto coffee pod machine is perfect for those who want a minimalist style. The transparent water tank gives it a more toned down look compared to other Dolce Gusto machines. It available in three colours: red, black or white. It has an automatic water flow stop mechanism, an XL cup function and a descaling alert.
- Genio II: This is another good option for those looking for a budget compact Dolce Gusto coffee pod machine. You can make up to 30 different hot and cold drinks with the automatic mechanism delivering just the right amount of water.
- Inifinissima: The Inifinissima range has two unique features. One is the design. The slim infinity symbol design has a modern minimalist look to it. The second is the manual control. An integrated lever lets you decide exactly how much coffee to dispense. Inifinissima is available in several styles including red, white, black, black and white, black and charcoal and red and black.
- Jovia: This is another good manual option with a lever that lets you control coffee strength and quantity. You can get it in white, black or red.
- Oblo: If you are looking for a manual Dolce Gusto machine with a bit more style, we recommend Oblo. It’s available in red, white and black.
- Piccolo: Yet another excellent manual options for those who want more control over their coffee. It’s available in red, white or black and features Thermoblock technology, a hot and cold lever and an adjustable drip tray.
Dolce Gusto Pods
You can make up to 40 different drinks with Dolce Gusto coffee pods. The capsules range between 27p – 56p per pod and you can get them online or at most major supermarkets.
Though Nestle recommends their own brand of pods, there is an increasing number of non-brand compatible pods available in supermarkets that are usually cheaper.
Dolce Gusto coffee pods contain high quality roasted and ground coffee while milk pods contain whole or non-fat milk powder.
Each pod is single-use. Do not re-use it.
After using it, open the pod fully and discard the coffee in your kitchen trash or compost. Put the plastic pod together with your plastic recyclables.
Alternatively, drop the used pods at one of CollectPlus centres.
Pro tip: We highly recommend you order a pod holder/stand along with your Dolce Gusto. It’ll make it so much easier to organize your pods. Our two favourite pod holders are the 36-pod Dolce Gusto Coffee Pod Holder that also provides a non-slip surface to place your coffee machine and the 24-pod StormBrew Dolce Gusto rotating rack.
Reviews of the Best Dolce Gusto Machines
From the wide range of Dolce Gusto machines available, we’ve picked 5 that we believe are best for most people.
Read our quick reviews below to find the best one for your needs and budget.
1. Best Manual Dolce Gusto Machine: Krups Nescafe Dolce Gusto Melody 3 Manual Coffee Machine
If you want fine control over the amount and strength of coffee, we recommend the Nescafe Dolce Gusto Melody 3 made by Krups.
It is a manual coffee machine with a lever that lets you stop the water flow when you are ready. By controlling the amount of coffee, you can also control its strength.
If you want a strong espresso for instance, you can dispense less water to make a more concentrated brew.
If you prefer an extra strong macchiato, you can dispense only a little water through the milk pod.
There’s also a control lever for hot and cold beverages.
The Melody 3 exerts 15 bars of pressure on the water passing through the pod. This is the same amount professional coffee machines use.
This ensures you get barista-quality coffee.
The Melody 3 is straightforward to operate even if it’s your first pod coffee machine.
Once you’ve done the initial rinsing (check the manual for instructions), you simply add water to the 1.3L tank, pop the pod into the pod holder, wait for the coffee machine to get ready and then make your coffee.
The Melody 3 uses Thermoblock heating to reduce delays when you are waiting for the water to heat. It takes less than a minute for the machine to be ready and there’s no wait between multiple cups of coffee.
The adjustable drip tray accommodates different cup sizes from an espresso shot glass to a large coffee mug.
Aesthetically, the Melody 3 has a beautiful modern style. We especially love the clear water tank.
You can get the coffee machine in black, red, ivory and off-white.
What I like about it:
- Large capacity water tank.
- Easy to operate and maintain.
- Provides control over coffee quantity and strength.
- Beautiful design.
2. Best Budget Dolce Gusto Machine: Nescafé Dolce Gusto Jovia by De’Longhi
Short on cash? We recommend the Dolce Gusto Jovia made by De’Longhi.
It’s one of the cheapest Dolce Gusto machines but still makes a great brew thanks to the 15-bar pressure pump.
It is a manual coffee machine, meaning you get control over how much coffee you want to dispense. This also means you can control the strength of your coffee.
You can select between hot and cold brews just by flipping a lever.
In terms of coffee quality, there’s really no difference between the Jovia and other high-end Dolce Gustos. You just have to go through some trial and error to brew the perfect cuppa.
It’s compact size also explains the budget price tag. It has a smaller 0.8L water tank and the machine overall is smaller.
On the upside, it takes up very little space on the kitchen counter.
With only two primary controls (hot/cold and the manual lever), the Jovia is very easy to use even for a complete beginner.
It’s also a breeze to maintain.
What I like about it:
- Great price – ideal for those looking for a cheaper Dolce Gusto machine.
- Manual control.
- Can make hot and cold beverages.
- Adjustable drip tray to accommodate different cup sizes.
3. Best Compact Dolce Gusto Machine: NESCAFE Dolce Gusto Oblo Coffee Machine by Krups
The Dolce Gusto Oblo is perfect for small kitchens, dorm rooms, small office kitchens and any space that’s short on space.
Oblo’s compact design takes up very little space. When not in use, you can store it away on a shelf or cabinet.
Despite its size, it still manages to create up to 15 bars of pressure, ensuring you get high quality coffee.
You can control the quantity and strength of your coffee using the manual lever. It does take a few tries to get it right but the manual mechanism is great for those who want more control over their coffee.
The Oblo can make just as many drinks as more expensive models. These include hot and cold beverages.
Aesthetically, the Oblo stands out from other Dolce Gusto models. It has a curvier oblong shape (hence the name) and an overall slim profile.
Because of the machine’s size and design, the water tank has a limited capacity. It holds about 0.8L of water, which is enough for about two mugs of coffee and several shots of espressos.
Oblo is available in red, black and white.
What I like about it:
- Eco mode saves energy by turning off the machine automatically after 5mins of inactivity.
- Thermoblock heating technology eliminates long delays.
- Compact space-saving design.
- Manual control – ideal for those who want control over coffee strength and quantity.
4. Best Automatic Dolce Gusto Machine: Nescafé Dolce Gusto Eclipse Touch by De’Longhi
If you prefer the convenience of an automatic coffee machine, we recommend the Dolce Gusto Eclipse Touch.
It’s the most expensive among our top picks but it guarantees a perfect brew every time. You don’t have to worry about dispensing the right amount of water.
When you pop the coffee pod into the machine, it will automatically recommend the amount of water to dispense. It indicates the amount using a series of green bars on the touch interface.
But you still have some control. By sliding your finger up or down the touch interface, you can increase or decrease the amount of water, thus increasing or decreasing coffee strength.
Then press a button and the machine will dispense just the right amount of coffee. You don’t have to operate a manual lever.
The hot and cold beverage buttons are also touch-sensitive, not the old-school lever you get with cheaper Dolce Gusto machines.
If you love high-tech appliances, the Eclipse Touch will be right at home in your kitchen.
The design is quite unique. It doesn’t resemble a coffee machine at all. Instead, it looks like a large doughnut that splits open automatically when it’s ready to use.
The 1L water tanks slots in perfectly along the side of the doughnut.
The adjustable coffee drip tray fits most coffee cups ranging from small espresso glasses to large Americano mugs.
Overall, a bit of a weird design, an intuitive touch interface and excellent coffee.
What I like about it:
- Beautiful sleek modern design.
- Convenient automatic operation.
- Easy to use touch control panel.
- Adjustable drip tray.
5. Best Value: Nescafe DeLonghi Dolce Gusto Mini Me Automatic Pod Coffee Machine
Looking for an affordable Dolce Gusto machine that looks good and makes great coffee? We recommend the Mini Me.
The personal-sized Dolce Gusto machine falls somewhere between the budget Jovia and the high-end Eclipse Touch.
It’s a great choice if you are looking for a cheaper and smaller alternative to the Eclipse Touch.
It is automatic, a big plus for those of us who don’t want to spend a lot of time figuring out how to brew the perfect cuppa.
It doesn’t have a sleek touch interface like the Eclipse Touch. Instead, you use a slider to select one of 7 levels.
This lets you select how much water to dispense, depending on how strong you want your coffee.
The machine will then dispense just the right amount of water.
The Mini Me is equipped with Thermoblock heating. It heats up the water super quickly and you can easily make multiple cups of coffee without any delays in between.
The water tank is not very big; it has a 0.8L capacity. This is enough for just 2-3 cups of coffee.
So we recommend it mostly for personal use rather than making coffee for the entire family.
It’s compact, making it perfect for small spaces whether it’s the kitchen counter or your work desk.
What I like about it:
- Good value for money.
- Compact space-saving design.
- Convenient automatic operation.
- Easy to use and clean.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do you descale a Dolce Gusto machine?
A: Pod based coffee machines are hands down the most convenient of all coffee makers out there. Not only are they incredibly practical, but they literally create zero messes.
Unfortunately, this doesn’t mean that you’ll never have to clean your Dolce Gusto. With time, evaporating water leaves mineral deposits known as limescale inside the machine.
If left uncleaned, the limescale contaminates your coffee and threatens corrosion of sensitive electrical components. Luckily, descaling your Dolce Gusto machine is an easy process:
- Start by removing any capsules in the machine – empty or otherwise. Next, empty the dispenser and fill it with clean water plus the Dolce Gusto descaling product.
- If you have none, then vinegar or citric acid make great alternatives.
- Let it sit for an hour before activating the outlet and emptying the tank.
- Rinse thoroughly to remove any residue and enjoy a freshly descaled Dolce Gusto coffee machine.
Q: Where can I buy a Nescafe Dolce Gusto machine?
A: Expertly crafted by Nestle, Dolce Gusto is a series of coffee capsule machines that use one-time, flavoured coffee pods. There are several different models under the Dolve Gusto brand including Jovia, Eclipse, and Infinissima.
From the most compact, budget model to the larger, more advanced coffee makers, all the Dolce Gusto models are widely available. You can buy any of your favourite Nestle Dole Gusto coffee machines through Amazon, John Lewis, Currys, Argos, your local Nestle Professional sales rep or any bigger supermarket near you.
Q: Why does my Dolce Gusto coffee machine leak?
A: There are plenty of different reasons why coffee machines could be leaking. When the machine is turned on, the water has to go somewhere.
If there’s any problem with the system, then the water will leak out onto the counter as opposed to following its intended route.
With Dolce Gusto machines, the water is forced through the capsules. So if there’s insufficient seal between the capsule and machine, then the water will definitely leak out.
Similarly, the capsule might have another hole allowing some coffee water to escape. But if the leakage is clean, then there could be a problem with the pump valve or piping that requires repair.
