7 Mistakes To Avoid When Buying Nespresso Pods

If you've just bought your first Nespresso machine, or maybe you're just looking to learn more about the wonderful world of Nespresso pods, you're at the right place. With over a hundred rotating flavors across Nespresso's website, there's a lot to explore before you decide which Nespresso pods are right for you. Of course, there are a few mistakes that you'll definitely want to avoid making. From missing out on special promotions and discounts to accidentally purchasing the wrong pods for the machine you have at home, we'll cover common mistakes (some of which even seasoned Nespresso fans might make).

Whether you're shopping online or have a Nespresso store near you that you plan on visiting, this list will help you shop like a pro and uncover your new favorite Nespresso flavor. Get your Nespresso machine ready, because once you learn to avoid these mistakes, you'll probably want to place your next Nespresso pod order right away.

There are many different models of Nespresso machines to choose from, but there are only two different Nespresso machine generations. Original is the first generation of machines, while Vertuo encompasses the more recent Nespresso models. Each generation uses a different type of pod, so don't make the mistake of thinking they are interchangeable.

If you have an Original machine, you'll need to stick to shopping in the Original pod section on Nespresso's website. Original pods are usually much more compact than Vertuo pods, and you'll have a different selection of flavors to choose from.

For Vertuo machine users, look to the Vertuo section on Nespresso's website; the pod capsules are shaped wide and large. You'll have more pod sizes to choose from than you would if you were shopping for the Original Nespresso line — and once again, you'll be enjoying flavors that are different from the selection the Original generation offers. The bottom line is to always check the description of the pods you're purchasing, which will include the name of the specific generation written above the name of a specific pod flavor.

Before you head over to Nespresso's website to purchase your pods — which is the most common way to get them — you should see if there's a Nespresso store nearby. In-person stores offer samples of Nespresso pods, so that you can taste test Nespresso pods before you buy a whole box. You can sometimes ask a Nespresso associate to brew you a pod you want to sample before purchase, which can save you from accidentally buying a sleeve of a flavor you don't like. Other stores have specific flavors on rotation that you can sample. 

Another benefit of having a Nespresso store near is its recycling program. This is something you might want to consider before your Nespresso purchase. One of many false facts you shouldn't believe about your Nespresso machine is that its pods aren't recyclable. In fact, the pods are made out of aluminum, not plastic, and they are recyclable — Nespresso will even recycle used pods for you. To make your purchase eco-friendly, you can either ship your used Nespresso pods back to the company for free or drop them off at a Nespresso store nearby.

If you want to ship used pods, you'll need to add a free Nespresso brand recycling bag to your next purchase and visit a UPS store near you to ship the pods. If you have a store near you, however, you can just drop off your pods in whatever way is most convenient. This can potentially save you more time.

The names of Nespresso pods are often somewhat indicative of their flavor profile, and there is also a basic flavor description of each pod on Nespresso's website. If you're shopping in-store, you'll find this same description on the back of the box. A major mistake here, however, would be to stop reading once you've finished this flavor description.

Browse through the website (or look to one side of the box in-person), and you'll find a section of flavor notes displayed. These list the main tasting notes of the coffee. Sometimes, they present more flavor notes than the description touches on; other times, they just give you a better idea of what the main notes of the coffee will be. You can also find the roasting level, body, bitterness, and acidity on separate scales, which can give you more insight into its flavor and intensity.

If you're shopping for pods in-person, it's often a good idea to check the website description before you buy a pack. Sometimes, the website description offers flavor notes that can be more detailed than what's on the box. This can help you get a better sense of what the coffee will taste like; for example, a pod might have mostly fruity notes, but the website could also note more subtle cereal nuances or smokiness.

Despite its name, Nespresso offers a whole lot more than just espresso. The sizes range from espresso to a full two-person carafe, but the brewing ability of your machine is determined by the generation and model. Original machines are more espresso-focused and don't have the same range of sizes, while most Vertuo machines are capable of brewing larger drinks.

Be sure to check the size of the drink each pod brews before you buy it, or else you might be stuck drinking coffee when you actually wanted an espresso shot (or vice versa). This information is always listed on the website for each pod flavor, and you can also find it on the box.

Some pods can brew multiple sizes of coffee, and you'll just need to select the type of drink you want to brew with said pod on your machine. You should check your machine capabilities before you try to order a pod that can be brewed in multiple sizes, however; some machines, like the Vertuo Pop+, don't offer a choice of brewing buttons. This means you may need to reprogram your machine if you want to brew a size that isn't the automatic recommended pod size from Nespresso's website.

Before you order, you should consider what types of coffee you like to drink. All Nespresso pods can technically be served whatever way you like — whether that be hot, over ice, with cream, or sweetened — but many pods will come with recommendations how they taste best.

For example, Ice Leggero is one of few pods on Nespresso's website that is specifically recommended to be served cold, rather than hot. Some Nespresso pods are even designed and recommended to be served with milk to enhance their flavor.

If you're shopping specifically for pods that taste delicious iced, or always take your coffee with milk, you should seek out these Nespresso recommendations. They can be very useful when determining which pods are best suited for you; and they're also good to keep in mind when finding pods you might want to avoid buying.

If you don't have a Nespresso shop nearby, don't forget to add samples of Nespresso pods to your cart when shopping online. Nespresso offers sample packs with every order, though the flavors can vary throughout the year. Generally, you can pick two free pod samples per order.

Also, don't make a mistake and ignore the deals on mixed packs via Nespresso's website. There are often seasonal Nespresso packs available — like the new Festive Coffee Pack – that offer the chance to try a sleeve of all seasonal flavors at a discount. There's also the classic Discovery pack, which has sleeves of popular flavor options available year-round. If you're in the market for a Nespresso machine upgrade, check out Nespresso's bundles before you buy (and don't forget to learn which Nespresso machine is right for you). On Starter Sets page, you can find the option to buy a machine along with several discounted sleeves.

Another option to try new pods while saving money is to look for promotions that offer free items with a certain minimum purchase. This is one way to get free sleeves thrown in with your order. The average cost of a Nespresso Vertuo sleeve is around $15, with Original sleeves averaging $10. Hitting the minimum number of sleeves for a promotion can vary, but one common promotion is buying 8 sleeves and getting 2 free; this would average out to a $120 order for Vertuo, or a $80 order for Original. Wait for these promotions to pop up.

One good rule of thumb for purchasing pods is to always start with the smallest pack or sample possible when you first try a flavor and then go straight to buying in bulk once you find pods you like. Buying in bulk can often net you some sort of freebie or discount, and can also help you save on shipping costs. However, don't make a mistake and go all out on a pod if you're not sure that you love it just yet. Essentially, don't spend money on multiple sleeves until you're sure it's something you'll want to drink regularly.

The more sleeves you buy, the reward offers will be better, though it depends on the promotions on offer. For example, one promotion that frequently crops up offers a range of rewards like free espresso mugs, spoons, glasses, or affogato bowls if you buy a minimum number of sleeves. You can even sometimes get free Nespresso pairing chocolates with certain promotions as well — and don't forget about potential Nespresso mystery gifts, too. These freebies are all fun reasons why buying in bulk is well worth it.

Shipping at Nespresso is free when you spend more than $50 (and sign in with your free Nespresso account). This means you'd only need to buy around four or five sleeves to hit free shipping. Moral of the story: Order as much as possible all at once to save the most money.