As you've probably guessed by the endless amount of coffee pods that are sold on every grocery website right now, kettle-made coffee is old news. Caffeine lovers are swapping out their coffee jars for small pods of finely ground coffee beans that are pressed with hot water to make the perfect cup for your morning wake-up routine.
With there being so many coffee pods on the market, it can be hard to know which is the best for you. From different pod materials to coffee taste and even the sustainability of the product, there are a variety of factors to take into account. Therefore, we've done the research to determine the best coffee pods available in the UK, so have a read and take your pick from top brands like Nespresso, Nescafé Dolce Gusto, Lavazza, and Tassimo to find your match!
Quick List - Top Coffee Pods
Sendero
Sustainable Coffee With Notes of Tangerine and Chocolate
Nescafé Dolce Gusto
A Popular Gentle Roast From a Worldwide Chain
Blue Goose
Support Grower Communities With Every Cup
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If you're new to the coffee pod community, you might want to figure out exactly what flavours you're after before you head online to stock up on pods. Arabica and Robusta are the two most popular types of coffee bean. Arabica beans are sweet and flavoursome, which is why they are used for over 60% of coffee consumed worldwide whereas Robusta has a stronger, hardier taste.
Different beans are grown all over the world, so it's good to know where your coffee is coming from, whether Ethiopia, Columbia or Brazil. After all, altitude can actually enhance coffee flavour. If the beans are grown in a country that's rich in mountain scenery, it's likely to come through in the taste!
Lastly, you can get either a light roast, medium roast, or dark roast coffee. This depends on how long the bean is roasted and the ways in which the heat affects the bean. Light roasts tend to be higher in caffeine and acidity, while medium roasts have a little more body to them. Darker roasts have sweeter flavours as they're roasted for the longest time, meaning that there's more time for the sugar in the bean to caramelise.
There are many different types of coffees and they can come in many different forms. Most coffee pods make either black coffee or espresso, in regards to size and strength and depending on the brewing method.
An espresso is a small amount of water filtered through strong, finely ground coffee. Black coffee can also be made with an espresso machine, using double the amount of water for a "lungo" serving.
Some pods contain milk or crema ingredients to add a creamier taste to make a latte or flat white. In addition to this, you can also buy decaffeinated pods if you're looking to tone down your caffeine intake.
Interested in other types of Coffee? Check out our guides for the best ground coffees and instant coffees
The phrase "grown organically" is plastered all over the products in supermarkets these days but what exactly does this mean. Well, organically grown produce can be determined by a few different things and, not only does organic coffee usually taste better, but it also feels better buying it as you know for sure that you're supporting good intentions.
Organically grown coffee can mean a variety of things, such as 1) using local environments to restore and maintain local biodiversity, 2) using eco-friendly farming and harvesting methods to reduce air pollution, water pollution, and soil pollution, and 3) adopting traditional farming methods such as crop rotation to maintain weeds and pests in a natural way as opposed to spraying toxic chemicals on the land.
With coffee beans being grown and harvested on such a mass scale, you may want to check that the company that you're buying from is ethical. This can mean a variety of things, such as being involved with the Fairtrade organisation, being certified as a sustainable brand, or responsibly sourcing their coffee beans.
These key factors highlight that the company supports the origin of the coffee beans and helps to provide sufficient working environments and wages for the farmers. Take a look to see if the brand that you're buying from has a good ecological impact, keeping mindful of sustainability and worker's rights.
It's important to consider the environmental journey of the pods after you've finished using them - most coffee pods are recyclable however, some are not and may go straight to your local wasteland. Some pods are made from a blend of plastic and aluminium, which can take up to 500 years to fully decompose.
Luckily, top-selling brands like Nespresso have their own recycling scheme where your used pods are taken to a plant to be smelted and transformed into drinking cans, bike parts and other aluminium products! While you're searching for your coffee pods, keep in mind how much coffee you consume and how you could make your morning habits more sustainable!
If you finish your week with a tub of old coffee pods and you're wanting to dispose of them in the correct, environmentally friendly way, it's good to look for compostable pods. This means that instead of taking them to your local recycling point, you can simply toss them in with your borough's compost bin along with any food waste, and leave them out to be collected.
If you are passionate about the environment and coffee, why not consider purchasing a reusable coffee cup as well!
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Sendero Guatemala Specialty Coffee|100 Capsules | ![]() | Sustainable Coffee With Notes of Tangerine and Chocolate | |
2 | Nescafé Dolce Gusto Starbucks Blonde Espresso Roast|12 Capsules | ![]() | A Popular Gentle Roast From a Worldwide Chain | |
3 | Lavazza A Modo Mio Espresso Qualita Rossa|16 Capsules | ![]() | A Nutty Roast Coffee in a Biodegradable Pod | |
4 | Blue Goose Single Origin Ethiopian Yirgacheffe Coffee|40 Capsules | ![]() | Support Grower Communities With Every Cup | |
5 | Tassimo Costa Caramel Latte |16 Capsules, 8 Servings | ![]() | Caramel Latte for Those Who Prefer Sweet Drinks | |
6 | Kenco Lungo N.08 Intense|100 Capsules | ![]() | A Lungo Blend With an Intense, Bold Aftertaste | |
7 | Nespresso Arpeggio Decaffeinato |50 Capsules | ![]() | Strong Decaf Coffee From Brazil and Costa Rica | |
8 | illy Arabica Selection Iperespresso|21 Capsules | ![]() | Aromatic Coffee With a Hint of Jasmine | |
9 | Tassimo L' Or. XL Classique|16 Capsules | ![]() | 16 Black Coffee Capsules to Start Off Your Day | |
10 | Nescafé Dolce Gusto Flat White |16 Capsules | ![]() | A Delicious Flat White With a Velvety Taste |
Produced exclusively by a small group of passionate coffee lovers based in London, this vibrant coffee is not only organic, but sustainable. Sendero have 6 different coffee options with a variety of bean origins, tasting notes and strengths.
The coffee capsules are made from wood bark which makes them biodegradable and will compost in as little as 6 months. They are compatible with Nespresso and most other coffee capsule machines currently on the market too. We think this coffee certainly ticks all the boxes and that's why it's made it to Number 1!
The Blonde edition is Starbuck's lightest roast, with subtle flavours and bold yet mellow aromas. This specially crafted sweet blend makes for a smooth coffee, with rich notes of warm caramel and a punchy espresso edge.
In a single box, you can get 12 capsules which you can then recycle as they are made from one plastic. This coffee is a favourite, loved by the caffeine addicts with a sweet tooth. We'd recommend that you try this one with a splash of milk to really bring out the flavours!
These coffee pods are made especially for the A Modo Mio machines to bring a more eco-friendly product to your shopping list. Made out of biodegradable materials, you can toss your used pods into the compost bin and they'll decompose along with the rest of your food waste.
This is ideal for those who drink lots of coffee and struggle to find the time to recycle properly. For this blend, Lavazza created a nutty roast with light hints of cocoa and fruit. A definite must-try!
With each sip of this coffee, you are supporting the lives and communities of the Blue Goose coffee growers. This company uses the profits from their delicious coffee pods to invest in water supplies and wildlife care in places like Ethiopia, to take care of the places that provide for them.
In one box, you get 10 capsules of roasted granules that are rich in floral and fruity aromas. For the price of £18, you receive 4 boxes, making a total of 40 dreamy coffee pods which are also compatible with the Nespresso machines.
A convenient twist on a trip to your favourite coffee shop - you can now enjoy the luxury of a Costa coffee in the comfort of your own living room! With this box of 8 coffee pods and 8 creamy caramel pods, you can simply pop the pod into your machine and you have the perfect caramel latte.
This blend is simple and mild, which is ideal for someone who prefers lighter roasts as opposed to nutty, darker roasts. And, these pods are made entirely out of a single plastic, so you can recycle them when you're finished!
Kenco is a highly popular coffee brand that's loved all over the UK. So, when they brought out their aluminium pods that are easily recycled, they gained a whole new load of brownie points!
Not only are they recyclable, but with each and every capsule, you can taste the intense arabica roast with a delicate touch of crema. The lungo pod is rich, creamy and it makes for a perfect way to start your day. Plus, you won't have to keep restocking as often with this pack of 100 capsules.
These pods are intensely aromatic and rich in cocoa notes, but don't be fooled by the strong flavours in this coffee - it's completely decaffeinated! If you're one to over-do it on the coffee beans and find yourself constantly on a caffeine high, you may be wanting to take a break from the side effects.
Of course, this doesn't mean that you miss out on the enriched roasts that Nespresso has to offer! We would like to point out that these are the most expensive pods on our list. Coming in at £6.99 for a pack of 10 capsules when you buy the multipack of 50 capsules on Amazon.
With gentle notes of jasmine, the delicate intensity of this coffee will calm the senses and give you time to truly unwind. You could even explore the 9 other unique blends illy has to offer to find your perfect coffee.
Illy prides themselves on their sustainably-grown coffee, meaning that you can get your caffeine fix while putting your money to a high-quality, respectful brand. But be aware, these capsules are only compatible with illy iperespresso machines.
For a rich, aromatic coffee, these pods are perfect - and, they're tailored to supply enough for an extra-large cup! This dark, nutty black coffee is ideal if you prefer stronger, intense blends. While you can add milk for a creamier flavour, this roast is in its prime when served straight from the machine, untouched - lightly sweet and perfectly bitter.
Although the XL size is great value for money, this may be too much coffee for some people who would prefer a smaller cup of coffee. You'll also be glad to hear that you can recycle them, too! The Tassimo recycling program operates through over 130 TerraCycle drop-off locations across the UK.
This creamy coffee is a delicious, velvety take on a standard white coffee. Place a single pod in your Nescafe machine to get a smooth milky drink with a thick crema - a perfect drink if you're not a fan of strong coffee.
However, this product could be considered a little too milky and bland, as the flavour of coffee is very subtle, so perhaps this pod is better with a smaller cup. In Asda, they often have a promotion of 3 boxes for £10, that's a total of 48 capsules!
Written and researched by Annie Speight
No. 1: Sendero|Guatemala Specialty Coffee|100 Capsules
No. 2: Nescafé Dolce Gusto|Starbucks Blonde Espresso Roast|12 Capsules
No. 3: Lavazza|A Modo Mio Espresso Qualita Rossa|16 Capsules
No. 4: Blue Goose|Single Origin Ethiopian Yirgacheffe Coffee|40 Capsules
No. 5: Tassimo|Costa Caramel Latte |16 Capsules, 8 Servings
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