A capsule or pod machine like Nespresso might seem like an expensive investment at first. But if you’re a fan of espresso, it’s also the easiest way to get quality coffee at home without the learning curve involved in using a regular espresso machine.
So should you spend your hard-earned money on a Nespresso? Let’s look at what makes the machine unique and the actual costs of owning one.
What makes Nespresso special?
While many pod machines offer a variety of options, including lattes and cappuccinos, Nespresso is all about espresso-based coffee. If you have your own milk frother, you could make your latte-style drinks. The Nespresso pods, however, don’t offer pre-mixed or flavoured options such as caramel macchiatos or chocolate drinks, only black coffee. When you buy this particular machine, you’re limiting yourself to basically three types of coffee: ristretto, espresso and lungo.
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That said, if espresso is your thing, the Nespresso comes with a wide variety of coffees you can try. Otherwise, a Tassimo or a Nescafé Dolce Gusto might be a better fit. These offer up to 30 different drink options and are significantly cheaper than espresso-only machines.
How much will Nespresso cost you?
Nespresso machines cost more than the average espresso machine. According to the official website, prices start at £139 for the Pixie basic model and go all the way up to £649 for the Creatista Pro model.
Some models come with an Aeroccino, a milk frother that works with both cold and hot milk and allows you to prepare lattes and cappuccinos. This adds a significant amount to the price to the machine. For example, the Pixie with Aeroccino retails for £189.99. The Aeroccino4 Milk Frother can also be bought separately for £60.
The pods start at 35p each or £41 for the Our Favourites 100 Capsule Coffee Assortment set, which comes with eight different coffees.
How does it compare to coffee shop visits?
Buying a Nespresso machine and pod set can be quite a significant upfront investment. If you don’t mind making espresso the old fashioned way, a basic espresso machine would probably cost you less. Of course, that’s slower and doesn’t give you the perfect cup of coffee every time.
On the other hand, if you’re an espresso fan, a Nespresso will still cost you less than visiting your nearby Starbucks several times per week. Let’s do the maths and see.
At 35p to 42p a pod, you could be spending £1.26 per day if you drink three cups per day. That would also mean the 100-pod set would last you just over a month, for a monthly coffee cost of £40 or more. While that might sound like a lot, it’s still cheaper than buying your coffee on the way to work.
An Espresso (Doppio) at Starbucks sells for £1.90. That’s £57 a month for just one cup of coffee a day versus £10.50 a month for one brewed at home with the Nespresso.
Over the course of a year, you’ll save £354 with Nespresso, which would pay for the machine itself and leave you with plenty of extra money.
Plus, if you’re trying to save money on groceries, this is an easy way to cut costs.
