Krups Nescafe Dolce Gusto Melody 3 Review

If you want barista-quality coffee without having to grind beans, tamp down coffee or go through any of the traditional hassles of brewing coffee, get one of Dolce Gusto’s excellent pod coffee machines.

These machines are mostly plug and play. Fill the tank, insert the pod, press a button and you have a delicious cup of coffee.

The Melody 3 is one of our favourite Dolce Gusto pod coffee machines.

It’s not automatic like some other Dolce Gusto machines. But that means you get more control over the volume and strength of coffee.

Read on for my full Dolce Gusto Melody 3 review.

Dolce Gusto Melody 3 review

What I like

• Easy to use and clean
• 15 bar pump pressure
• Wide range of beverages
• Large water tank

What I don’t like

• A bit pricey
• Not a fan of the design

What are you buying?

1. Manual coffee pod machine

Coffee pod machines can sometimes feel too…robotic? Most are designed for utter convenience, which often results in complete automation. You insert the pod and coffee comes out.

For most people, that’s great. It takes the guesswork out of brewing the perfect cuppa.

But if you’d like a bit more control over your coffee, the Melody 3 is a great choice.

It still automates a big part of the process. The pods are designed to automatically regulate pressure and brewing time depending on the type of beverage.

But you can control how much water passes through the capsule, and this how strong your coffee is.

The Melody 3 comes with a manual lever. This lets you decide when to stop water flow.

So you can make a stronger espresso by turning off the lever earlier or prepare a less intense espresso for a latte by letting the coffee flow for longer.

2. 15 bar pump pressure

There’s a common misconception that pod coffee machines don’t make good coffee. But modern pod coffee machines have gotten really good.

You are not going to get quite the same coffee as a bean-to-cup machine but the coffee from a pod machine comes close.

Dolce Gusto machines are known for their barista-quality coffee thanks to a standard 15 bar pump pressure across all models, including the manual Melody 3.

15 bars is the same amount of pressure used by most in-house coffee machines at cafes. It ensures the hot water extracts maximum flavour from the ground coffee.

You get a rich – but not bitter – coffee flavour with a beautiful golden crema on top.

3. Large water tank

The Dolce Gusto Melody 3 is a good choice for families and anyone who can’t survive long without a cup of coffee in their hand.

The large 1.3L tank holds enough water to make 3-5 cups of coffee. So you don’t have to refill it as often.

4. Thermoblock heating

One thing you’ll notice when making multiple cups of coffee is that there is no delay between cups. The machine doesn’t pause for long to heat water.

This is thanks to Thermoblock heating where the machine heats water on-demand. Instead of heating up the whole tank, it only heats the amount you need at that particular moment.

Even from a cold start when you add fresh water to the tank, it takes less than a minute for the machine to get ready to dispense coffee.

5. 40 types of hot and cold drinks

One of the best advantages of pod coffee machines is the wide varieties of beverages you can enjoy. Pods come in numerous flavours.

With the Melody 3, you can make up to 40 types of beverages, both hot and cold. There’s a lever you toggle between hot and cold settings.

Beverages include espresso, cappuccino, latte, macchiato, tea and hot chocolate.

6. Adjustable drip tray

The Melody 3 accommodates different cup sizes from small espresso glasses to tall mugs.

To adjust clearance under the nozzle, secure the drip tray on one of the three levels.

How easy is it to use?

Like most pod machines, the Melody 3 is very easy to operate.

It’s not as convenient as automatic models since you have to stand there to monitor coffee flow. But that’s a small sacrifice and on the upside, you get more control over your brew.

Once you’ve done the initial rinsing, fill the water tank and insert your preferred coffee pod. Start coffee flow and stop it when you are ready.

Remember you can easily switch between hot and cold drinks.

Note that for milk coffees, you’ll need to use two pods: one for the milk and the other for the coffee. You start with the milk pod and finish with the coffee pod to get a nice frothy finish at the top.

Clean up is easy.

The machine has a self-rinsing feature that clears coffee from the nozzles. Other than that, you only need to clean the pod holder occasionally and descale the machine every 3-4 months.

What accessories are included?

The Melody 3 doesn’t come with any accessories. But you can get a bundled version that includes a starter pack of various coffee pods.

One accessory we recommend buying is a pod holder to keep your coffee pods organised and easy to access.

You can buy a rack-style holder or one of those coffee pod drawers that also have a surface to hold the coffee machine.

Dolce Gusto Melody 3 key features

Pros

• Easy to use and clean.
• Wide range of beverages.
• Manual control.
• 15 bar pump pressure ensures high quality coffee.
• Large water tank.

Cons

• A bit pricey plus the ongoing costs of buying pods.
• The design is not my piece of cake.

Anything else you should know?

You can get Dolce Gusto pods online at Amazon, various retail websites like Asda and Sainsbury’s or at Dolce Gusto’s official website.

Alternatively, check your local supermarket. Most supermarkets carry Dolce Gusto coffee pods.

Note that you don’t have to buy branded Dolce Gusto pods. You can find compatible non-brand pods, usually at a cheaper price.

Just make sure that they are compatible with Dolce Gusto machines. Look at the label or read the product description to be sure.

Conclusion

Dolce Gusto is one of the best coffee pod systems in the market.

Though the Melody 3 is not the most advanced machine in the Dolce Gusto family, it’s the best for those looking for a high-capacity manual coffee pod machine that makes barista-quality coffee. I hope this Dolce Gusto Melody 3 review has been helpful for you to make your decision.

Where to buy?

• Amazon UK: >> Click here to see today’s price