Good coffee at a low price: The best coffee capsules 2025 in the test do not come from popular brands. Third-party providers of capsules for systems such as Nespresso are convincing.
Many of us can’t start the day without a fresh cup of coffee. Thanks to their convenience, coffee machines with capsule systems have become increasingly popular in recent years – they offer perfect coffee at the push of a button. But will the best coffee capsules in 2025 also come from the most popular brands? This is what current test reports say.
Coffee has become significantly more expensive in recent years, which is felt by many connoisseurs and heavy drinkers. Higher production and transport costs are reflected in the price. Nevertheless, the same applies as to the best chocolate in 2025: enjoyment does not always have to be expensive. With cheap alternatives or own brands, you can enjoy good coffee inexpensively without sacrificing quality.
The best coffee capsules 2025 – cheap third-party providers are convincing
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Stiftung Warentest tested numerous coffee capsules from different brands and capsule systems in its 9/2025 issue. When evaluating the product, the experts placed particular emphasis on whether cheap private labels as an alternative in branded capsule systems were convincing in terms of taste. You can find the complete test report from Stiftung Warentest here for a fee.
A total of 17 coffee capsule products were examined in the test, including two so-called coffee balls. What’s reassuring is that you can’t go wrong too much because all variants passed the test. Coffee capsules for the Nespresso system – which is the most common with a 34 percent market share – were particularly convincing.
The top spot for the best coffee capsules goes to the “Gut & Günstig Lungo” capsules from Edeka’s house brand for the Nespresso system. With the taste rating of “very good (1.5)”, Edeka capsules are on a par with the original from Nespresso or other variants from well-known brands such as Starbucks, Lavazza and Nescafé. The capsules from “Gut & Günstig” offer great taste at a low price at 19 cents per capsule.
- Gut & Günstig Lungo, Edeka, system: Nespresso, price per capsule: 19 cents, grade: “good (1.7)”
- World Explorations Vienna Lungo, Nespresso, system: Nespresso, price per capsule: 51 cents, grade: “good (1.9)”
- Earlybird Coffee (organic), Lungo, system: Nespresso, price per capsule: 30 cents, grade: “good (2.0)”
Which coffee capsules are there?
Due to their great popularity, there are now a variety of coffee capsules on the market that differ in taste, strength and compatibility. Well-known brands such as Nespresso, Dolce Gusto and Tassimo each offer their own systems. The selection ranges from classic espresso capsules to flavored varieties and decaffeinated versions.
In addition to branded capsules, there are also numerous compatible alternatives from third-party providers. These are often cheaper and available in organic or fair trade quality. There are also environmentally friendly, refillable capsules made of stainless steel or plastic that reduce waste and fulfill individual coffee needs. Just like capsule systems, the best air fryer in the kitchen impresses with its convenient preparation.
Are coffee capsules worse for the environment than alternatives?
Coffee capsule systems are often criticized because of their high waste production. The capsules are usually made of aluminum or plastic and are often difficult to recycle. Compared to classic filter coffee machines, significantly more packaging waste is generated, which worsens the environmental footprint of the capsule systems. If you want to avoid waste and feel fresh in the morning without coffee, you can try the best melatonin sprays for falling asleep in the Öko-Test.
Alternatives such as filter coffee or French press perform better ecologically than coffee capsules because they require less packaging and usually leave behind compostable coffee grounds. However, if you value comfort, you have to weigh it up: Modern suppliers now also offer recyclable or biodegradable capsules. (ek)
