10 best Nescafè Dolce Gusto coffee machines in 2026 (19+ compared)

The main Nescafé Dolce Gusto coffee machine series are as follows:

• Piccolo XS: Piccolo XS models are compact capsule machines with 0.8 L tanks, widths around 136–140 mm, and prices around £30-£40. They suit short drink routines where simple controls and low counter space matter more than a large menu.
• Mini Me: Mini Me models use 0.8 L tanks and bodies about 160–161 mm wide and 240–241 mm deep. They generally cost around £40-£80 and are a practical middle option for compact capsule brewing with automatic shutdown and adjustable cup clearance.
• Infinissima: Infinissima models increase capacity to 1.2 L and use a taller body about 155 mm wide and 285 mm deep. They cost around £50-£80 and suit users who want fewer refills, provided the extra height fits beneath the cabinet.
• Genio S family: Genio S, Genio S Plus, and Genio S Touch models use 0.8 L tanks and are about 110–121 mm wide. They cost around £60-£90; the Touch version adds a touchscreen, while selected models publish 30–50 specialty drinks, so the exact suffix matters.
• Melody: The Krups Melody 2 is a larger capsule machine with a 1.4 L tank, a body about 200 mm wide and 305 mm deep, and a price around £100. It suits a higher-capacity station but takes more room than the Piccolo XS, Mini Me, Infinissima, and Genio families.

Nescafé Dolce Gusto coffee machines generally cost about £30-£100. Piccolo XS models sit around £30-£40, Mini Me and Infinissima models around £40-£80, Genio S family models around £60-£90, and the Krups Melody 2 around £100. The price spread mainly buys a different body size, water capacity, control layout, or drink menu rather than a different capsule workflow.

Most models already provide a 15-bar nominal pump, automatic shutdown, a removable tank, and adjustable cup clearance, while descaling programmes and cleaning alerts vary by exact version. Pay more for a larger 1.2–1.4 L tank or a Genio S Touch interface only when those features fit your routine, and budget separately for compatible capsules, recycling or waste handling, and a separate milk frother if you want fresh milk drinks.

Before buying a Nescafé Dolce Gusto coffee machine, consider the following factors:

• Capsule ecosystem: Confirm that the machine uses the Dolce Gusto capsule format and that the drinks you want are readily available where you shop. Capsules from other systems are not automatically compatible, so the pod supply should be checked before choosing a low-priced appliance.
• Drink menu and volume: Compare the exact drink programmes and adjustable water-volume controls rather than relying on the number of capsule recipes available. Genio models publish roughly 30–50 specialty drinks on selected versions, while a longer menu still depends on buying the matching capsules.
• Water capacity: A 0.8 L tank suits compact or occasional use, 1.2 L reduces refills in Infinissima models, and the 1.4 L Krups Melody 2 is useful for a busier station. Larger tanks add weight and need more clearance, so check usable access as well as the headline capacity.
• Size and access: Measure width, depth, height, and the space above the machine before buying. The range spans about 110–200 mm in width, 240–305 mm in depth, and 272–372 mm in height; allow room to fill the tank, insert capsules, remove the drip tray, and lift the lever.
• Heating and pump: The machines reviewed specify a 15-bar nominal pump, but this figure alone does not describe the drink quality or brewing pressure at the capsule. Check the published heating time, which is around 30–40 seconds where available, and whether the machine can prepare your preferred cup size without a long pause.
• Cleaning and waste: Prefer accessible tanks, drip trays, and capsule holders, and check whether the exact model has a descaling programme or cleaning alert. Used pods still need regular emptying and a suitable recycling or disposal route, while mineral scale can affect flow even when capsule residue is contained.
• Controls and milk: Verify whether the model has simple manual volume control or a Genio S Touch touchscreen, and do not assume a capsule machine includes a milk frother. If you want cappuccino or latte drinks, check the capsule recipe and budget for a separate frother because the machines reviewed do not include built-in automatic milk hardware.