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If you are looking for a new pod coffee machine, you’ve probably heard about Nespresso and Keurig more than any other brand out there. With all the noise, it can be difficult to really know which of these machines are superior.
We’ve put together this comparison guide to help you navigate the various features, benefits, drawbacks, and other information you need to know when comparing the two brands and the machines that they make.
More importantly, Nespresso’s focus is on espresso, while Keurig is best known as a single serve coffee brewer. So, in order for this comparison to be valid, we have picked the most similar models from each brand.
Nespresso & Keurig Head-to-Head Comparison
| Nespresso Inissia | Keurig K-Cafe | |
|---|---|---|
| Product Image |   |   |
| Specialty Beverages | YES | YES |
| Strength Control | 19 bars of pressure | Strength settings control |
| Energy Saver | YES | YES |
| Water Reservoir | 24oz | 60oz |
| Dimensions | 4.7" H x 9" W x 12.6" D | 12.5" H x 15.3" W x 11.7" D |
| Review | Full review | Full review |
| Price | CHECK PRICE | CHECK PRICE |
Nespresso Inissia VS Keurig K-Cafe
We are comparing these two higher-class coffee machines because they make similar types of coffee and they are close in the price range. This analysis will help you to determine which delivers more value and would be better suited to your purposes.
Water Reservoir Tank
If water reservoir tank size is important to you, you’re going to want to go with the Keurig machine. It has a 60 oz tank while the Nespresso machine has just a 24 oz capacity.
Pod Capabilities
Both of these machines have a pod system, but the Nespresso brand calls them “capsules”. Capsules are just like pods, but you should know that they seem to be more expensive than regular K-Cup pods.
Price Comparison
Both of these machines are very close when it comes to price. However, the Nespresso machine has a slight edge. It’s more affordable than the Keurig.
Brewing Speed
While both of these machines carry the benefits of a pod system and therefore are very fast and easy to use, the Nespresso machine heats the water inside to the ideal temperature in only 25 seconds, which is incredibly fast and gives it the edge over the Keurig.
Material
Though both coffee machines are made of the same basic molded plastic and metal components, we must say that the machine by Nespresso looks to be more durable because of its design and simplicity.
Energy Efficiency
Both coffee machines have features to help save you electricity and money. The Keurig machine has an auto-shutoff feature that kicks in 2 hours after your last brew. The Nespresso’s auto shut-off feature kicks in after only 9 minutes.
Having an auto-shutoff after only 9 minutes can be inconvenient for some who have multiple cups in a morning, but it would save quite a bit more electricity than the Keurig machine, which can remain on for 2 hours after your brew.
Country of Manufacture
Neither of these machines is made in the USA. The Nespresso is primarily made in Europe, while the Keurig machines are almost exclusively made in China. Machines made in Europe seem to have better overall durability.
Nespresso Vertuo Evoluo VS Keurig K575
| Nespresso Vertuo | Keurig K575 | |
|---|---|---|
| Product Image |   |   |
| Specialty Beverages | YES | NO |
| Strength Control | 7000 rpm Centrifusion technology | Strength settings control |
| Energy Saver | YES | YES |
| Water Reservoir | 54oz | 80oz |
| Dimensions | 9" H x 12.2" W x 12.3" D | 13.2" H x 10.5" W x 13.3" D |
| Review | Full review | Full review |
| Price | CHECK PRICE | CHECK PRICE |
These two machines are often compared when it comes to functionality and features by the general coffee drinking population. Here is our in-depth analysis of how these two machines stack up against each other in various areas.
Water Reservoir Tank
The Keurig has a larger capacity reservoir, coming in at 80 oz. The Nespresso Vertuo Evoluo machine has a large reservoir as well, but it’s smaller than the Keurig’s. It can hold 54 oz.
Pod Capabilities
Each of these coffee makers can use a capsule of some sort. For the Keurig, this will come in the form of their K-Cup. For the Nespresso, you will have to use their own brand of coffee cups, referred to as “capsules”.
Price Comparison
These two machines are pretty far apart when it comes to price. The Keurig is about 50% more expensive than the Nespresso machine. If the budget is an important consideration for you, you might want to take a longer look at the Nespresso option.
Brewing Speed
The Nespresso machine is able to preheat the water to the appropriate temperature within only 15-20 seconds of starting up the machine. The Keurig machine isn’t likely far behind it, but they have not published statistics on how quickly the machine can be ready to brew.
Material
It appears as though the Keurig is made almost entirely out of a molded plastic material. The Nespresso has some molded plastic but also includes many metal parts and elements for increased durability.
Energy Efficiency
The Keurig machine has customizable energy-saving features. You can program it to shut off at intervals of your choosing to save energy as you see fit. The Nespresso machine, however, does not appear to have any of this functionality.
Country of Manufacture
As we said before, the Nespresso machine is made in Europe while most Keurig machines are madе in China. This does appear to have a measurable effect on quality and durability, with Keurigs often being less durable.
Nespresso Overview
Nespresso is a company that manufacturers a lot of coffee makers and coffee-related accessories. Though it has become a bit more common of a brand to be found in the home, it is far less popular than the big name coffee companies like Keurig. The reason for this is that Nespresso is a bit more specialized than your average coffee company.
Nespresso is not for everyone—they mainly specialize in high-class and specialty drinks. Their company obviously prioritizes quality over all else, as their machines are also typically better made and the price of them is often proportional to that.
Nespresso machines are typically best suited for those who want to make café-style drinks at home and not suffer a significant loss in quality. Many less expensive brands claim to be able to do this, but Nespresso seems to be by far the most successful with replicating these higher-end beverages.
Keurig Overview
Keurigs are one of the most popular coffee machines out there. They have taken the world by storm with their very versatile line of products. Since they are designed for the more average type of person, they’re much more reasonably priced.
Whether you are looking for an everyday machine to give you your morning coffee or the latest and greatest in caffeine technology, Keurig has a machine for you. This is why their products are so widespread and commonly owned.
Keurig products are a good option for you if you are looking for a versatile coffee machine to cater to your needs. One of the drawbacks of a Keurig or any pod-based machine is that the cost of operation is back-loaded, meaning you will have to invest in their pods to use their machines.
However, recently, their machines have been more accommodating to people using their own cups and coffee so as to not restrict them. This has boosted the reputation and popularity of Keurig quite a bit.
Nespresso and Keurig Notable Differences
Now that you know what each of these brands is all about and what their strengths are, it’s important to understand the key differences. Doing this will help you to determine which brand of machine is best for you.
The main difference to understand with these machines is that one is good for people who want coffee house style specialty beverages on a consistent basis without any degradation in quality and the other provides a dependable delivery system for your daily caffeine.
The Nespresso machine is good for those who value a little luxury in their life and are willing to pay for it. They’re going to deliver a high level of quality, but you’re also going to pay more for it than a Keurig. The Keurig is designed to be the middle-class family’s everyday coffee machine. It often shines in versatility, durability, and consistency.
What to Consider When Buying a Coffee Machine
When you are starting the search for your next coffee machine, there are a few factors that you should consider if you are going to find one that fits your needs well. It’s crucial to take these into consideration as you shop, as it will be the way that you can determine whether a coffee machine is providing good value or not.
Cost Per Purchase
This is going to be at the front of almost anyone’s mind when they are purchasing a coffee maker. Cost is a huge factor. People want to have good coffee, but you should think about what you’re willing to invest to get it before you commit to buying one.
Cost Per Serving
Though most people like to pay more attention to the upfront cost of a coffee machine, what you should actually be paying attention to is the long-term costs of a machine. Pods for machines are going to cost you much more in the long term than the upfront cost of the machine. Before you purchase a coffee machine that utilizes pods, you should check and make sure that it’s within your price range to frequently purchase pods for whichever machine you decide on.
A great way to save money when using a Keurig or similar machine is to use reusable pods that you can fill with your own coffee. This way, you get all the convenience of a pod system without the vast cost of buying pods from the brand name.
Performance
When you consider the performance of a coffee machine, there are two main factors that you need to look at. The first is the brewing time. Brewing time refers to the amount of time that is necessary to produce your coffee. For many people, time is very valuable in the morning. If you really need a machine that is going to brew fast and waste no time, be sure to read brew speed information about your machine before you commit to it.
The second part of the performance consideration is brew quality. Not everyone needs a quick shot of caffeine—sometimes they want a quality beverage as well. If you are fed up with lower-quality brews and want something very high quality that will be pleasurable to drink, you should look at what features your coffee maker offers to contribute to the quality of your brew.
Quality
Quality has been a concern for a long time, and justifiably so. The coffee machines today represent a significant investment. We are long detached from the days of a $10 coffee maker that fits your needs. Since coffee machines now are a larger investment, you don’t want them to be breaking on you all the time. That’s a good way to spend a lot of money quickly.
When you are considering quality, the main things that you should be looking at are what the machine is made of and where it is made. Generally, people like to stay away from products made in China. The truth is that you can find some great products that are made in China, but you do need to be more selective as it’s more difficult to get quality stuff from there.
The second thing to look at is what it’s made of. Most times, molded plastic is fine. However, if you are looking for something very durable, you should try to get a machine that has a lot of metal built-in. This will help it to last longer and be more durable in the face of frequent use.
Environmental Impact
As K-Cups and other pods have risen in popularity due to convenience, so have the concerns of the potential impact that this might have on the environment. Pods and other one-time use plastics are generally frowned upon because they contribute to the amount of plastic that gets thrown away and interferes with creatures around the world.
Both Nespresso machines and Keurigs use pods, but there are other options. The development of reusable pods have come into play. These pods can be used over and over. In addition to being more friendly to the environment and putting less plastic into our world,
Final Recap
Though most people have a preference one way or the other, the truth is that Nespresso and Keurigs each have their own benefits. Nespresso machines are typically best for those who want premium blends and taste and are willing to pay extra to have it. Keurigs, on the other hand, are a little bit more flexible. They are more affordable and cater to a wider range of needs. Whichever machine you select, you should consult our guide to finding the best coffee machine and consider all the factors that we outlined. Good luck!
Anthony is a professional barista in the city of Chicago. He has written for many online publications on various topics related to coffee.
Can Nespresso pods be used in Keurig?
No, they cannot. Keurig pods have a unique design and the Keurig coffee makers will only accept that specific design to work. Your Nespresso pods will not work in the Keurig coffee maker.
Can I use my own coffee with Nespresso?
Yes, if you purchase reusable pods that are Nespresso compatible. Nespresso don’t currently offer a Nespresso brand reusable pod for you to use your own coffee grounds with, instead they have an expensive line of single-use coffee pods to select from.