The best Dolce Gusto®-compatible pods (UK guide)

Dolce Gusto® machines are built for variety — coffee, milky drinks, tea and hot chocolate — so the best compatible pods are the ones that give you that whole range without paying original-brand prices. Here's how to choose.

1. Decide what you actually drink

If you mostly drink black coffee, look for espresso and lungo pods and match the intensity to your taste. If you love milky drinks, you'll want cappuccino and milk pods (Dolce Gusto® makes these as a coffee pod plus a milk pod, so no frothing needed). Torrié's Dolce Gusto®-compatible range covers all of it, in packs of 16.

2. Match the intensity to your taste

Intensity is about body and roast depth, not caffeine. A higher number means a bolder, darker cup. Not sure what you like? Our guide to what coffee intensity actually means breaks it down.

3. Check the coffee is freshly roasted

Cheap compatible pods are often stale or low-grade. The best are roasted properly from beans selected at origin — Torrié roasts in Portugal, a country that lives for coffee, which is why the flavour holds up against the big brands at a much lower price.

4. Don't forget tea and hot chocolate

One of the joys of Dolce Gusto® is variety for the whole household. Torrié does Dolce Gusto®-compatible tea pods too, so coffee and tea drinkers can order together.

5. Buy in a way that saves money

A subscription is almost always cheaper than buying pack by pack, and you never run out. Build a Dolce Gusto® box — mix any flavours — and save up to 30% with free UK delivery, skip or cancel anytime.

Torrié is an independent brand and is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, NESCAFÉ® Dolce Gusto®. Wondering whether Nespresso® or Dolce Gusto® suits you better? See our Nespresso vs Dolce Gusto guide.