Coffee manufacturers who at the same time create brewing machines are beginning to flood the market with their devices. However, we should remember that there are still plenty of brands that deal only with coffee makers, like for example Keurig. Some others try to cooperate and introduce the best bits into the industry, like Senseo.

Here is a list of the differences between Dolce Gusto and Nespresso:

• The construction and the design are completely different, though the parts are manufactured by the same subcontractors; 
• The capsules are completely different in terms of sizes, intensities, flavors, and blends;
• The capsules are exclusive for each brand, as a result, we cannot use them changeably;
• The price range also differs – Dolce Gusto is a bit less expensive;
• As you can guess from its name, Nespresso focuses more on providing a variety of classic coffee drinks, whereas Dolce Gusto is more universal.
• Capsules made by Dolce Gusto are also cheaper;
• There is a bigger variety in the case of Nespresso pods.

However, despite that, the manufacturers who specialize in creating coffee capsule systems and the machines themselves are still a gigantic power on the market. That is why most of the renowned companies decide on introducing original capsules, pods, and packages of ground coffee for their machines. This is how Nespresso and Dolce Gusto operate.

In this article, we will compare both brands in terms of their machines as well as coffee and flavors they offer. Before we do that, it is important to know the history of the brands as well as the price range of options they have got to offer.

Dolce Gusto versus Nespresso – what can we say about those two brands?

As you can guess, both of them are extremely successful and for a long time they have been competing with each other in almost every area there is. It means that when one manufacturer started the production of coffee makers, the other did the same. When one brand started flavored coffee series pods, the other did as well. It also concerns different strengths and, obviously, different aromas and ingredients. 

Interestingly, we should bear in mind that both companies are part of the Nestle group, a gigantic tycoon that not only owns Dolce Gusto and Nespresso, but it also provides us with coffee we use in these machines.

In terms of the beginnings, Nespresso was firstly introduced to the Swiss market more than 30 years ago. As you can see, their history is quite long when compared to other brands, especially American ones that were founded just 20 years ago or today’s competitor that appeared barely 14 years ago.

The company started once Eric Favre, who was an employee of Nestle, noticed that customers interested in drinking a coffee cup are much more attracted to beverages that undergo additional processes to obtain much better flavor and produce better foam that stays on the espresso cup for a longer time. After a year, the company patented the system and as a result, they decided to develop machines that will ease the process and provide everyone with great coffee in no time.

Unfortunately, the development process was quite time consuming and only in the mid-80s the authors were ready to release the product. However, in 1990 the company signed a lot of lucrative contracts that made it possible to widen the customer base and make the Nespresso machines available not only for professional baristas and offices but also for traditional clients.

As far as the history of Dolce Gusto is concerned, it is strictly connected with Nestle company and the CEOs idea to expand the accessibility of a coffee shop-at-home.

The tycoon launched Nescafe Dolce Gusto in Switzerland, Germany, and the UK in 2006. As a result of the experience of Nestle thanks to Nespresso, they managed to quickly popularize their products and make it to the top in terms of efficiency and reliability of coffee making machines.

An important thing to note is that at the very beginning the manufacturer was able to prepare several products that differed in terms of price and their capabilities.

More importantly, they differed in terms of water tank capacities and the speed of brewing the coffee. Nonetheless, their foundations were the same – they all had standard pressure of 14 bar and their method of operation also stayed the same. 

Check also:Can you put milk in a Keurig?

So, what makes Dolce Gusto and Nespresso different?

A lot of people think that Dolce Gusto and Nespresso are similar, or even the same because they are both owned by the same gigantic tycoon industry. It is not true, since these two don’t share any parts and any systems whatsoever.

To make things even more distinctive, Dolce Gusto and Nespresso apply different capsules and different systems to detect whether we apply the original or alternative pods.

Let’s keep in mind that the most important difference in terms of these two companies is the taste and the intensity of coffee capsules as well as pods that they have got to offer. Since they both use branded coffee pods, it is impossible to use them changeably because they have different sizes.

Another important distinction between these two is the price. In most cases, Dolce Gusto coffee machines are budget-friendly. Due to that, we don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars on a particular model because they are cost-efficient. Please bear in mind that they are also a real bargain, especially if we find discontinued models that are at the same time discounted.

Make no mistake – they also differ in terms of capsule prices. As a result, we can decide whether we want to purchase a less expensive option that will at the same time cost less in the future or pick a more premium-feel product.

The last but certainly not the least feature that makes these two companies differ is the access to coffee flavors and blends. Unfortunately, Dolce Gusto has got a limited amount of coffee pods we can choose from. Still, the interesting thing is that they give us access to some of the premium varieties, which is a positive side.

In terms of similarities – can we name some? 

It is not all about discrepancies between Dolce Gusto and Nespresso, because we can still name a few similarities between these two manufacturers. First of all, we should remember the fact that these are two very robust and highly efficient machines. If we choose a top product, we can hope for a coffee drink in less than a minute.

We should remember about brewing settings that are also dependent on the type of model you choose. The cheaper devices are not going to surprise us with numerous options and settings to alter the strength and the flavor of the coffee.

Check also:Hamilton Beach 49980Z or Hamilton Beach 49980A Review: Which One to Choose? 

Still, we can be sure that both producers spent a lot of their time on mastering the brewing technology to guarantee the highest precision and the possibility to acquire the ideal taste of any type of coffee we decide on getting. 

In terms of parameters, they are in many aspects very similar. They both guarantee a decent-sized water tank, they both provide us with a foam (though it is delivered with the use of different methods), and obviously, they share similar dimensions.

Of course, we should keep in mind that similarities are visible only in the case of products that are at a close or the same price range. If, for example, we take into account the top product from one end, and a budget solution from the second, then we will see huge discrepancies.

To sum up, here is the list of all similarities between these two:

• Both offer high-quality coffee drinks;
• There are control settings that let us adjust the flavor of the coffee as well as its strength;
• We can expect to receive a foam, though it is delivered with the use of different manners;
• Products from similar price range also share close parameters;
• The similarities in dimensions.

Who should choose a Nespresso coffee machine, and who should look for a Dolce Gusto brewer?

Probably one of the most important questions you all are looking for answers to is the one stated above. As you can guess, there is a huge difference in the type of coffee both manufacturers can offer. Despite having a variety of flavors, they both specialize in different beverages.

As the name may suggest, Nespresso machines are primarily manufactured for people who love espresso coffees. It means that we receive here a strong, one could even say the intense taste of the drink that can be multiplied if we decide to.

Dolce Gusto doesn’t give us such a strong coffee, but it allows us to introduce a bit of variety to our choice. For example, most of the Dolce Gusto machines can give us cold beverages, flavored capsules, and foam based on milk and not, as in the case of Nespresso, based on the coffee extract itself. 

Check also:What is Trader Joe’s organic decaffeinated coffee?

Summary and conclusion

• Dolce Gusto is a great option for everyone who is just looking for a great piece of the device with a large variety of coffee flavors. The possibility to prepare many different beverages, including hot chocolate or even tea, is just icing at the top.
• Nespresso is, on the other hand, a more expensive option that will most likely meet all the expectations of coffee connoisseurs. They give us stronger coffee with authentic flavor. As a result, the more demanding users will find Nespresso much more interesting, whereas amateurs who just love a good cup of coffee or some other hot (or even cold) beverage will find Dolce Gusto more impressive.