Are Dolce Gusto coffee machines any good?

Nescafé Dolce Gusto coffee machines use capsules to make a variety of coffees at the press of a button. Find out if they make a good brew and last too.

Like Nespresso, Nescafé teams up with coffee machine manufacturers Krups and Delonghi to make its Dolce Gusto machines. Krups and DeLonghi versions are usually slightly different, and our ratings reveal which ones are best. 

Just want to know which makes the best coffee? Head straight to our in-depth Dolce Gusto coffee machine reviews based on years of our experts independently lab testing coffee machines. 

Our verdict on Dolce Gusto coffee machines

We've brought together years' worth of test data for Dolce Gusto coffee machines from our lab and our unique brand ratings, based on feedback from Dolce Gusto owners, to bring you a comprehensive guide to the brand. 

In the table below you will find:

• Which? test data - how well Dolce Gusto machines do in our coffee machine tests.
• Brand reliability rating - we survey members about their Dolce Gusto machines, asking how and when they broke, and use this to create a rating for this brand's reliability.
• Value for money rating - whether Dolce Gusto owners feel that they got value for money.
• Customer score – we base this score on how satisfied our members were with their coffee machine and how likely they are to recommend it to a friend.
• Our verdict - what we think of this brand's machines overall.

Only logged-in Which? members can unlock the information in the table below. If you're not already a member, you can join Which? to get instant access.

• See how Dolce Gusto machines compare to Nespresso and Tassimo in our guide to the best coffee machine brands. 
• See all our Dolce Gusto coffee machine reviews to find the best.

Choosing the best Dolce Gusto coffee machine

Dolce Gusto machines use pods to create a wide range of drinks from a standard espresso to a caramel latte macchiato. You can also make tea, hot chocolate and iced coffees. They use milk pods to make milky drinks like lattes and cappuccinos, rather than fresh milk.

There's an increasing range of compatible pods available. Aldi, Lidl, Asda and Sainsburys all have cheaper own-brand versions, which can help to cut ongoing costs.

Nescafé Dolce Gusto pods can be recycled, though it isn't a simple process. Not all supermarket compatible pods are recyclable, so it’s worth checking this before you buy. For more information on recycling, read our full guide to Dolce Gusto pods.

Prices and choosing a model

You can find Dolce Gusto machines on sale for less than £50, but at full price they can cost up to £200. 

There's a range of weird and wonderful designs to choose from, such as the Dolce Gusto Drop, along with some more basic-looking machines such as the Dolce Gusto Oblo. Some Dolce Gusto machines are made by both Krups and Delonghi, so if you're keen on a model it is worth checking both brands to see which is cheaper.

While all machines use the same basic capsule system, we have seen some differences in the quality of drinks they make. See our top picks below or head to our coffee machine reviews to see how they compare to other capsule coffee machines.

Nescafe Dolce Gusto coffee machines: top picks