Which capsule system is the best?

General Information About Capsule Systems

Capsule machines have become increasingly popular in recent years. They offer a quick and convenient way to prepare coffee, with each capsule containing exactly the right amount of coffee for a cup. This system minimizes waste and guarantees a fresh taste every time. However, like any system, capsule machines have their advantages and disadvantages.

Do you want to learn our final verdict directly and find out which capsule system is best for you? Or which coffee capsule system you should get? Then please scroll all the way to the bottom.

beanarella

beanarella combines traditional coffee expertise with modern technology and sustainability. As an innovative brand in the capsule coffee sector, beanarella stands out through high coffee quality and exclusively uses compostable coffee capsules and compostable coffee packaging.

The Connection Between Tradition and Innovation

beanarella is the only provider where you can customize your coffee machine. Additionally, another distinguishing feature is the use of empty capsules for any ground coffee and the use of pads.

Advantages:

  • High-quality coffee: beanarella emphasizes the highest quality standards at every production step. The only provider that can beat Nespresso in taste.
  • Sustainability-oriented: beanarella focuses on fair trade and organically grown coffee to support both the environment and coffee producers.
  • Variety of flavors: With 15 different organic fair-trade capsule varieties, the largest selection in Europe.
  • Ecological capsules and packaging: Both coffee capsules and packaging are 100% compostable.
  • Customizable coffee machines: Whether it's your own photos, graphics, logos or designs. You can design a beanarella Nori coffee machine according to your wishes.
  • Empty capsules and pads usable: As the only provider, you can use both empty capsules for any ground coffee and pads with beanarella coffee machines.
  • Coffee machines are manufactured in Italy and all coffee machines are repaired in Switzerland (even after the 5-year warranty).
  • 5-year guarantee

Disadvantages:

  • Price level: The combination of quality and sustainability can lead to higher prices. While the capsules for organic and fair-trade capsules are inexpensive, there are also cheaper coffee capsules available.
  • Market availability: beanarella is available online and in some organic and fair-trade stores, but not at Migros or Coop.

Cafissimo

Cafissimo belongs to the traditional German company Tchibo. With a range of coffee and tea capsules specifically designed for Cafissimo machines, it enables coffee lovers to prepare everything from classic espresso to full-bodied Caffè Crema and refreshing tea, all with just one machine. The biggest advantage is the availability in Coop stores and the ability to also use tea capsules.

Advantages:

  • Variety: In addition to various coffee varieties, Tchibo also offers a selection of teas for the Cafissimo system.
  • Availability: Tchibo Cafissimo is available at Coop stores.

Disadvantages:

  • Plastic capsules: The capsules are made of multiple plastic parts and therefore cannot really be meaningfully recycled.
  • Coffee machines: The coffee machines are manufactured in China.
  • Coffee taste: The coffee taste also falls rather in the middle range compared to other systems.

Coffee B

Coffee B is the new capsule system from Migros. With Coffee B, in addition to beanarella, there is now a second capsule system with compostable coffee capsules. The advantages of Coffee B lie in the compostability of coffee capsules and availability in every Migros store.

Advantages:

  • Compostable coffee capsules
  • Availability in every Migros store

Disadvantages:

  • Unfortunately, only the coffee capsules are compostable, not the entire packaging. The packaging is coated and is therefore difficult to recycle.
  • Also regarding the sustainability of coffees, the system has unfortunately not been fully thought through. Only a few coffees are from organic farming or fair-trade certified.
  • Average coffee taste
  • No traditional drum roasting. This means that the coffees can impact your stomach more quickly.
  • Coffee machines are manufactured in China.

Delizio

Delizio is the number 2 in the Swiss market after Nespresso. The biggest advantage of Delizio lies in the availability of coffee capsules. Every Migros store carries Delizio capsules.

Advantages:

  • Flavor variety: A wide range of coffee varieties provides variety in your cup.
  • Availability: Delizio capsules are available at Migros.

Disadvantages:

  • Sustainability: Hardly any organic and fair-trade coffees available and capsules are made of plastic.
  • Roasting type: No traditional drum roasting. This means it is possible that the coffees impact your stomach quickly.
  • Coffee machines are manufactured in China.

Dolce Gusto

Dolce Gusto, a Nestlé brand, offers far more than just coffee. With its innovative capsule system, Dolce Gusto brings a variety of hot beverages directly into your home from espresso and latte macchiato to cocoa and tea.

A Festival of Flavors

The advantage of Dolce Gusto clearly lies in the preparation of mixed drinks and less in the coffee itself.

Advantages:

  • Versatility: With a wide range of capsule options, you can prepare coffee, cocoa, tea and even cold drinks.
  • Easy handling: The system is user-friendly and allows quick beverage preparation.

Disadvantages:

  • Environment: The plastic capsules are not biodegradable and not compostable either.
  • Coffee taste: If you mainly drink coffee at home, you should get a coffee machine from another provider.
  • Coffee machines are manufactured in China.

ESE Pad System

The ESE pad system is one of the oldest and simplest solutions for espresso preparation. ESE stands for "Easy Serving Espresso" and describes pre-portioned coffee pads. They were developed to provide consistency and convenience for espresso drinkers, regardless of the machine brand.

Uniform Quality with Every Brew

Each ESE pad contains the exact amount of coffee needed to prepare an espresso of the highest quality. The pads themselves are sealed between two layers of filter paper, which allows for uniform extraction. Unfortunately, these pads also contain plastic fibers, which often results in improper disposal.

Advantages:

  • Consistency: The pre-portioned pads ensure consistent quality with every espresso.
  • Universality: ESE pads are compatible with a variety of espresso machines.

Disadvantages:

  • Sustainability: ESE pads are usually individually packaged. Additionally, it is often assumed that the filter paper is compostable, even though plastic fibers are found in the pads. When such pads are composted, it is a disaster, as the plastic fibers remain in the soil for centuries.

Iperespresso

illy's Iperespresso system embodies decades of coffee expertise and promises to deliver the perfect espresso every time. The Iperespresso capsule system by Illy has focused almost exclusively on espresso preparation. If you enjoy drinking exclusively espresso, you can take a closer look at this system.

Advantages:

  • Good espresso quality: Iperespresso clearly shows its strength in espresso preparation.

Disadvantages:

  • Price point: Iperespresso capsules are very expensive.
  • Sustainability: The capsules are made of plastic and no organic or fair-trade coffees are available.
  • Long coffees: For anything other than espresso preparation, Iperespresso is unfortunately not suitable.

Nespresso

Nespresso, a subsidiary of Nestlé, is the most well-known and widely distributed capsule system. With a wide range of machines and a variety of coffee flavors, Nespresso offers a premium coffee experience at home. The advantages of Nespresso lie in the easy handling of coffee machines and the availability of many third-party capsules.

Advantages:

  • Easy handling of coffee machines and quick preparation
  • High taste consistency
  • Large selection of coffee varieties and flavors
  • Many third-party capsules

Disadvantages:

  • Cost per cup very high compared to other capsule systems.
  • Waste production from single-use capsules, even if recyclable, very little is actually recycled.
  • Coffees are not sustainable. No organic or fair-trade coffees.
  • No traditional drum roasting. This means that the coffees can impact your stomach more quickly.
  • Coffee machines are manufactured in China.

Tassimo

As a brand of Jacobs Douwe Egberts, Tassimo represents a fusion of technology and taste that makes it possible to prepare a variety of hot beverages with the push of a button. From classic espresso to creamy cocoa drinks, Tassimo offers a wide selection. Similar to Dolce Gusto, Tassimo's strength lies in the variety of mixed drinks.

Advantages:

  • Beverage selection: From coffee to tea to hot chocolate drinks, Tassimo offers a wide range.
  • Partnerships: Tassimo works with well-known brands like Jacobs, Milka and Twinings to ensure a high-quality beverage selection.

Disadvantages:

  • Environmental impacts: The T-Discs are made of plastic, which can raise concerns about environmental impact.
  • Coffee taste: If you exclusively drink coffee at home, you should get a different coffee machine.
  • Coffee machines are manufactured in China.

Our Conclusion:

Nespresso impresses with its uncomplicated handling, which allows even beginners to quickly prepare coffee. In addition, Nespresso's coffee taste consistency is impressive, and the wide range of flavors and coffee varieties leaves little to be desired. Another plus point is the ability to use capsules from third parties, which further expands the selection.

beanarella, on the other hand, places special emphasis on the highest quality standards at every production step. It is remarkable how this system can even outshine Nespresso in taste. beanarella's commitment to sustainability is evident in its use of fair trade and organically grown coffee, an initiative that supports both the environment and coffee producers. Its range of 15 different organic fair-trade capsule varieties is impressive and is considered the largest selection in Europe. The 100% compostable capsules and packaging are another highlight. Additionally, beanarella coffee machines can be individually customized, whether with your own photos, graphics, logos or designs. Furthermore, the coffee machines are manufactured in Italy and offer the option of using both empty capsules for any ground coffee and pads. A special bonus is traditional drum roasting, which combined with organic coffee ensures that the coffee is low in acid, gentle on the stomach and healthy.

In summary, if you are looking for a machine with easy handling and quick preparation, Nespresso is the right choice for you. However, if you place great value on sustainability, quality and individuality, you should consider beanarella. Both brands offer excellent taste and quality.