It might seem silly that someone with a Dolce Gusto coffee maker would want to use Nespresso pods, or someone with a Nespresso coffee maker might consider using Dolce Gusto pods.
Both coffee pod systems belong to the same corporate group (Nestlé) but make pods with totally different flavors. Nespresso specializes in espressos, while Dolce Gusto has a wide range of drinks with milk, chocolate, and even juices.
A coffee pod adapter is ideal for a household where one part of the family can enjoy the most delicious espresso pods on the market (Nespresso). The other part is one of the largest varieties of coffee drinks with milk or chocolates.
Nespresso and Dolce Gusto: are they compatible?
No, Nespresso and Dolce Gusto coffee pods are not compatible with each other. These two coffee machine brands use different pod systems, which means that coffee pods designed for one brand will not work in the other brand’s machine.
Nespresso coffee pods are inserted into an infusion cylinder, where a series of blades puncture the back of the coffee pod while injecting hot pressurized water. As pressure builds up inside the coffee pod, it is automatically punctured on the front side against a perforating disc, allowing the coffee to flow through small holes.
On the other hand, Dolce Gusto coffee pods are placed in a pod holder, where an injection needle pierces the top of the coffee pod and supplies hot pressurized water. As pressure accumulates inside the coffee pod, coffee is released from the bottom into the cup.
Coffee pods from both brands also differ significantly in size, shape, and construction materials. Nespresso coffee pods are more compact and primarily made of aluminum. In contrast, Dolce Gusto coffee pods are larger and predominantly composed of plastic.
What is a Nespresso – Dolce Gusto coffee pod adapter?
Two of the most popular coffee pod machines worldwide are Dolce Gusto and Nespresso, so one of the most sought-after products is the coffee pod adapter between the two brands. I am talking about “a device” that allows us to use the pods from one coffee maker in the other.
Unfortunately, these adapters are relatively modern, although users of Dolce Gusto and Nespresso coffee makers have made homemade attempts to solve this problem for many years (with more or less success).
Nowadays, there are different models of adapters on the market, and in this article, I will explain how they work. After testing them for myself, I will also tell you which is the best.
Nespresso to Dolce Gusto adapter
Adapting a Nespresso coffee pod to work in a Dolce Gusto coffee maker is relatively easy, as the Nespresso pod is smaller than the pod holder of the Dolce Gusto coffee maker. So, the size issue does not impede the creation of a device that houses the Nespresso pod inside the Dolce Gusto coffee maker.
The only complication would be to create an adapter pod holder that, when inserted into the Dolce Gusto coffee maker, could pierce the pod the same way a Nespresso machine would.
➡️ Fortunately, this problem has been solved, and of all the adapters I have tested, I have chosen this one from i Cafilas. Here is how it works:
- Get your Nespresso to Dolce Gusto adapter.
- Open the lid.
- Insert the Nespresso pod.
- Push the coffee coffee pod in. You should feel the blades pierce it.
- Press with your thumbs until the rim of the coffee pod meets the adapter.
- Close the lid of the adapter.
- Insert the adapter into the Dolce Gusto.
- Lower the lid of the pod holder.
- Operate the lever to brew coffee.
- Enjoy your Nespresso coffee prepared with a Dolce Gusto coffee machine.
As you can see in the step-by-step process, it is very simple to use.
Dolce Gusto to Nespresso adapter
Because the size of the Dolce Gusto pods is larger than the hole through which we insert the pods in a Nespresso coffee maker, there is no Dolce Gusto pod adapter for Nespresso coffee makers.
It is impossible to fit a Dolce Gusto pod into a Nespresso coffee maker
For such an adapter to exist, it would have to reduce the size of the Dolce Gusto pod to fit into the Nespresso machine, which is materially impossible.
However, all is not lost because, although there is no adapter for using Dolce Gusto coffee pods in Nespresso coffee machines, there is a way to use the coffee inside a Dolce Gusto coffee pod in a Nespresso coffee machine.
To achieve this, we can use refillable Nespresso pods. These pods can be filled with coffee inside a Dolce Gusto pod, and you will get the same results as using a Dolce Gusto coffee maker.
Step-by-step video on how to use a coffee pod adapter
As you have seen in the demonstration I provided in the video, its operation is very simple.
You need to insert the Nespresso coffee pod into the slot and press it down with your fingers so that the blades at the bottom puncture the coffee pod. Once the coffee pod is securely in place, close the lid and proceed as if it were a regular Dolce Gusto coffee pod.
