By: The Caffeinated Gear Team
Which premium coffee pod system deserves a spot on your kitchen counter? Our comprehensive comparison reveals the surprising connection between these coffee giants and helps you choose the perfect match for your daily brew.
After extensively testing and comparing popular coffee pod systems like Dolce’ Gusto, Tassimo and Senseo, we knew it was time to put the Lavazza coffee pod machine through its paces against Nespresso.
These two premium systems share more than just sleek designs and similar operating principles – they actually spring from the same inventive mind.
In 1976, Swiss engineer Eric Favre created something revolutionary: the patented Nespresso system.
Fresh into his role at Nestlé, Favre’s invention would transform how millions make their morning coffee.
By 1991, he’d refined his vision further, developing an aluminium-free system that various brands now use under licence, including the Lavazza A Modo Mio capsule machines.
This shared heritage makes our comparison particularly fascinating – we’re examining two systems born from the same innovative spirit.
Want to discover the fascinating journey that brought these machines to life? Read on. If you're keen to jump straight to our detailed comparison, feel free to scroll down.
Picture this: a brilliant young engineer, whose father taught him the vital lesson that true innovation must meet real needs.
Within his first year at Nestlé’s packaging department, this engineer would patent an invention that would revolutionise home coffee brewing. A decade later, he’d become president of Nespresso, Nestlé’s groundbreaking subsidiary.
Caffe Sant Eustachio in Rome. Photo Credit: houseofswitzerland.org
The story begins with a challenge from Eric Favre’s Italian wife about “bland Swiss coffee.”
Determined to create “the ultimate Espresso,” the couple embarked on a journey across Italy. Their quest led them to Rome’s Café Sant’Eustachio, where a skilled barista named Mr. Eugenio was crafting what many considered the city’s finest espresso.
The Barista whose technique inspired a coffee revolution.
Using a traditional pump Espresso machine, Mr. Eugenio employed an unusual technique – repeatedly pumping the lever before pulling the shot. This method, now known as “The Fellini Manoeuvre,” caught Favre’s attention.
The name “Fellini” comes from a similar technique spotted in one of Federico Fellini’s films. Interestingly, no one knows if that scene featured a genuine barista or an actor – though Fellini was known for casting real professionals rather than actors.
Nespresso prototype 1975. Photo Credit: houseofswitzerland.org
Favre’s investigation revealed something crucial: oxygen was key to superior espresso. The pumping action introduced more air into the extraction, enhancing the coffee’s flavour profile.
But success wasn’t immediate. Nestlé, flourishing with Nescafé instant coffee, initially rejected the idea. Their CEO worried it might compete with their instant coffee empire.
Eight years later, while working as a food scientist at Nestlé’s Japanese Nescafe factory, Favre found his opportunity. The Japanese CEO approved a market test, leading to Nespresso’s creation as a Nestlé subsidiary, with Jean-Paul Gaillard as CEO.
Despite initial resistance from Nestlé’s management, Favre and Gaillard’s persistence paid off. By 1995, Nespresso turned profitable, beginning its journey to becoming the coffee giant we know today.
In 1991, Favre left to pursue his next innovation: the Monodor system. This refined design eliminated aluminium usage – which Favre considered an “unthinkable loss of energy.”
His new capsule created its own filter through pressure-induced collapse. Water injection causes the coffee grounds to swell, deforming the capsule bottom against spikes that allow coffee flow.
This ingenious system now powers various brands’ machines, with Lavazza leading the UK market.
Now, let’s examine how these systems compare today:
From around £60, click here for the lowest priced Nespresso machines on Amazon UK.
From around £40, click here for current offers.
Genuine Nespresso Capsules 33p – 41p each, compatibles from around 20p each.
Genuine Lavazza capsules From 27p each, compatible capsules from around 17p.
Genuine Nespresso – 26 options at the time of writing, lots of Nespresso compatible pods available, including speciality compatible capsules.
Genuine Lavazza – 15 options at the time of writing. An increasing range of competitively priced compatible pods available.
Genuine Nespresso 14 machines at the time of writing.
Genuine Lavazza 9 machines at the time of writing.
Genuine Nespresso capsules available only from Nespresso online or Nespresso stores. Wide and increasing range of compatibles available both offline and online.
Lavazza coffee pods available both online and offline, directly from lavazza.co.uk and from various other websites including Amazon. Many supermarkets including Sainsbury and Tesco also stock Lavazza pods, and there are a number of websites offering compatible pods.
Genuine Nespresso – The advertised warm up time with most machines is 25 seconds, as low as 3 seconds with the Creatista plus.
Genuine Lavazza – The advertised warm up times differ across the range from 25 seconds with the Jolie
These specifications tell only part of the story. An important note about capsule content: Lavazza pods contain 7.5g of coffee, while Nespresso uses 5g in Espresso pods and 6g in Lungo pods. This means more coffee per cup with Lavazza.
Environmental considerations: Lavazza’s aluminium-free capsules offer environmental benefits. However, many Nespresso-compatible pods now come in recyclable or biodegradable formats, including those from the Ethical Coffee Company, founded by former Nespresso CEO Jean-Paul Gaillard.
We’re comparing two capsule-based espresso systems here, rather than measuring them against traditional espresso machines.
For authentic espresso, you’ll need to invest in proper equipment – a quality espresso machine (£200+), a matching grinder, and fresh, expertly roasted beans.
A quick note about coffee cups – we’ve noticed many coffee enthusiasts asking about the best vessels for different drinks. Using the right cup makes a significant difference to your coffee experience.
The world of espresso can be quite complex, requiring dedication to master. It’s not simply about pressing buttons—there’s genuine skill involved in crafting the perfect shot.
Meanwhile, pod machines present a wonderfully straightforward alternative. With prices starting around £50-£60, these machines require no additional equipment and minimal setup time. They’re practically ready to brew within moments of unboxing, and maintenance couldn’t be simpler. What truly impresses us is how remarkably close these machines come to traditional espresso quality.
In our testing lab, we regularly use a Nespresso machine alongside our La Pavoni Europiccola and trustworthy Gaggia Classic. While evaluating various machines (see our detailed reviews of the Sage Barista Express, Gaggia Brera, and ACS Minima), we’ve gained valuable insights into pod machine performance.
Our recent testing revealed fascinating results when comparing Lavazza to Nespresso. Initially, the taste differences seemed minimal compared to our usual Nespresso backup machine. However, direct side-by-side comparisons using genuine Nespresso capsules unveiled subtle distinctions.
While both brands use different coffee beans in their capsules, resulting in unique flavour profiles, the overall quality level remains remarkably similar. The key differences we discovered relate to strength and temperature.
Lavazza consistently produces stronger coffee—a logical outcome given their larger capsule capacity. The numbers tell the story: Lavazza pods contain 7.5 grams of coffee, compared to Nespresso’s 5g for espresso and 6g for lungo pods. This 50% increase in coffee content for espresso (25% for lungo) makes a noticeable difference in cup strength.
Regarding temperature, our tests used a Magimix Citiz Nespresso machine (see our comprehensive best Nespresso machines guide) and a Lavazza a Modo Mio Jolie with Milk frother. Despite the Lavazza being an entry-level model, it consistently delivered hotter coffee than its Nespresso counterpart.
In summary, while taste differences primarily stem from the pods themselves—with Nespresso offering a broader range when including compatible options—Lavazza stands out with stronger coffee and higher brewing temperatures.
Our comparison focuses on universal aspects rather than machine-specific features, given we’re testing a mid-range Nespresso against an entry-level Lavazza (£75 for the Minu with milk frother versus £200 for the Citiz with milk).
Through our testing, Nespresso machines generally demonstrate faster performance. They heat up more quickly and complete the brewing process sooner, with notably faster flow rates. However, we’re talking about mere seconds—20-30 seconds faster to heat and marginally quicker brewing. For most coffee lovers, this minimal time difference likely won’t impact their daily routine.
Currently, Nespresso holds a clear advantage in capsule variety. While third-party manufacturers are beginning to produce Lavazza-compatible pods, we haven’t yet seen artisanal roasters enter this space. However, if you’re someone who finds their perfect coffee and sticks to it, Lavazza’s more focused range might suit you perfectly.
Environmental considerations reveal interesting contrasts. Lavazza’s plastic-based pods (versus Nespresso’s aluminium) present both advantages and challenges. While proper disposal—composting coffee grounds and recycling pods—minimises environmental impact, many users simply bin their used pods.
As noted by Piotr Barczak from the European Environmental Bureau in an interview with the BBC, the core issue isn’t about recycling but reducing waste altogether. The emerging fully biodegradable pods might offer the most sustainable solution, particularly given that many used pods still end up in landfills regardless of recyclability.
The environmental equation extends beyond pods to include manufacturing energy, distribution, machine lifespan, and end-of-life disposal.
Caffeinatedgear.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.co.uk.
© 2025 Caffeinated Gear.