The 6 Best Coffee Pods of 2024

Pod Type: Varying flavors of Nespresso pods | Disposal: Recyclable

Nespresso machines are in a class of their own when it comes to instant coffee pods. While your options for these types of pods are more limited, they are becoming more prevalent, and all the pods we tested in the Nespresso Variety Pack were delicious. Nespresso pods produce a rich style of coffee that the entry-level machine can make into either an espresso-sized shot or a Lungo (long) shot, which has a milder flavor and more volume. While these pods don't produce real espresso, it's about as close as you'll get without investing in an expensive machine or making a trip to your local coffee shop.

Each option is much smaller in volume than a standard American cup of coffee. Those who prefer a sizable cup that you can nurse all morning long might find the Keurig a more suitable choice. The Nespresso pods produce a concentrated espresso-style coffee with a smooth texture, complete with a rich crema on top of the brew. Every pod we tested had an evident and enjoyable brightness level that carried into a subtle and pleasant citrusy finish. With an inviting aroma and more nuanced flavors, the Nespresso pods were by far our favorite coffee pods.

Pod Type: Medium Roast K-pod | Disposal: Non-Recyclable

Known for its line of health supplements and popular with the Keto crowd, Bulletproof offers high-quality single-origin coffee in pod form. To make it “bulletproof,” a popular meal supplement, and the brand's namesake, you would need to add butter or other ingredients. If that doesn't appeal to you, don't worry; these pods are simply unadulterated coffee. With wafting aromas of sweetened vanilla, this coffee had the most enticing smell of all the pods we tasted, offering earthy flavors of cedar and dark chocolate.

The medium-bodied Bulletproof coffee pods boast a smooth finish with no lingering bitterness. The moderate acidity and the grippy mouth feel created a well-balanced cup suitable for any time of day. Unlike the bagged version, we found the Bulletproof pods to have a slightly artificial aftertaste, likely from being stored in the plastic pods. Still, it's a great choice for those looking for K-Cup pods.

Pod Type: Medium/Dark Roast | Disposal: Non-Recyclable

The Solimo Dark Roast pods are Amazon's in-house brand that rivals the mild taste and experience of The Original Donut Shop's pods but are sold at a significantly lower price point. The Solimo pods give off nutty aromas faintly reminiscent of caramelized sugar, with dark flavors (but not overly so). We found notes of baker's chocolate that ended with a slight sweetness akin to dried figs. Overall, the cups we brewed had low acidity, a medium body, and tasted well-balanced. This pod makes an easy-drinking cup that is generally a crowd-pleaser for groups with varied tastes.

For those who like their coffee as dark as can be, this Solimo pod might miss the mark. To us, it tasted and felt more like a medium roast that was trending into dark roast territory, making it an ideal choice for savvy consumers seeking a medium to dark roast pod.

Pod Type: Medium Roast K-pod | Disposal: Non-Recyclable

By the numbers, the Donut Shop Medium Roast is one of the most popular selling pods on the market. After our initial testing, it became clear why. These pods offer broad appeal at a reasonable price. Upon first brewing a cup of this coffee, you're greeted by pleasant but faint aromas of pipe tobacco. As a medium roast coffee, the flavor profiles trend darker and offer notes of toasted rye and baker's chocolate. The acidity levels in this pod are relatively low but complement the savory flavors well. These pods have a medium body that ends with a clean aftertaste, leaving no lingering bitterness and ultimately delivering a well-balanced cup of coffee.

Flavors are not too overwhelmingly dark, nor do they stray too far in the other direction with over-the-top brightness. The middle-of-the-road flavor profile could be a detractor for those looking for a specific flavor profile on a different side of the spectrum. It achieves the perfect middle ground and is a satisfying crowd-pleaser for various tastes. If you're looking for decaf (gasp!), this brand also makes the best cup of decaf we tested with The Original Donut Shop Decaf K-Cup.

Pod Type: Medium Roast K-pod | Disposal: Non-Recyclable

The McCafe Premium Roast Coffee pod is advertised as a medium roast coffee, but we found it one of the lighter-tasting coffees in our testing lineup. As you lift your cup, you're greeted with a subtle but distinctly nutty aroma. The pleasant aroma then segues into a complimentary taste of toasted almonds as you take your first sip.

There is a mild amount of acidity that comes out in the aftertaste. As the flavors depart from your tongue, you are left with a crisp finish and lingering citrus notes. Mild acidity and light body leave you with a well-balanced coffee perfect for your first cup of the day. If you're looking for a darker roast, check out the Solimo Dark Roast.

Pod Type: Dark Roast K-pod | Disposal: Non-Recyclable

Billed as “Latin” style coffee, Cafe Bustelo is a dark roast blend intended to be doctored up with milk and sugar. That said, it is delicious enough all on its own. Although it is one of the darker roasts we sampled, it was one of the few dark roasts that didn't come across as burnt. The roast was dark enough to get even the sleepiest motors running but not at the cost of losing an interesting flavor profile.

The darkness of the roast translated well into deep flavor profiles of caramelized sugar and hazelnut. Certainly not the pods for those looking for a light or mild cup, this rich and well-balanced coffee will be favored by those who prefer their coffee bold or those who want a cup that can stand up to milk and sugar without tasting diluted.

Pod Type: Medium Roast K-pod | Disposal: Non-Recyclable

The decaf version of the Original Donut Shop coffee pod offers a very similar, although not entirely identical, taste profile. A chocolaty aroma gives way to a flavor profile that tastes like baker's chocolate and toasted grains. This decaf pod is tasty enough to serve up as a quick post-dinner brew.

With medium acidity levels, there is a spike in brightness right as the sip finishes, which transitions nicely into a lingering taste of cacao. It was our favorite decaf pod with a smooth body and an outstanding balance of flavor and aroma.

Pod Type: Medium Roast K-pod | Disposal: Non-Recyclable

The Dunkin' Original Blend is reminiscent of the classic cup served at your local Dunkin Donuts cafe. With aromas likened to earthy greens, you transition nicely from the inviting earthy smell to flavors best described as nutmeg and dark chocolate. While not too noticeable, the coffee's subtle brightness departs quickly to an astringent aftertaste that leaves your mouth feeling dry.

This relatively light-tasting blend wasn't our favorite, with a texture not unlike skim milk. However, we think it will appeal to all those East Coast die-hard Dunkin' fans.

Pod Type: Dark Roast K-pod | Disposal: Recyclable

Death Wish Coffee is the only coffee we reviewed that wasn't 100% Arabica coffee. The blend of Arabica and Robusta beans, along with Death Wish's proprietary roasting technique, leads to claims of double the caffeine content of any other coffee pod on the market. The nutty aroma and green pepper and coriander flavors are well-matched by the medium brightness levels and mild acidity. The body is light, bordering on watery, but not unpleasantly so.

Overall the taste was in the middle of the pack; undoubtedly drinkable, but not our favorite.

Pod Type: French Roast K-pod | Disposal: Compostable

Of all the coffee pods we tasted, the SF Bay French Roast was the only compostable one. Granted, it needs to be sent to a high-heat industrial composting facility, but we still think it's a step in the right direction for dealing with pod waste.

Unfortunately, though, drinkability is lacking. With a malty aroma and a flavor that reminded us of burnt molasses, this coffee left an ashy aftertaste that was capped off with a sour finish. Although we didn't enjoy the taste, we found nothing out of place or character, and if you enjoy intensely dark French roasts, this SF Bay option might just be what you're looking for.

Pod Type: Light Roast K-pod | Disposal: Recyclable

Typically when we think of a breakfast blend, we imagine a light-bodied cup of coffee with an enlivening amount of brightness. Unfortunately, we didn't find those profiles in the Green Mountain Breakfast Blend.

Upon brewing a cup, we immediately noticed a roasted, bordering on burnt aroma, which on our first sip, led us to a woody flavor profile that had notes of toasted barley. We found the aftertaste to be a bit ashy and the body cup to be watery. The deep flavor profiles, combined with the weak body, made for an unbalanced brew that you might say wasn't our cup of tea — or coffee, for that matter.

Pod Type: Medium Roast K-pod | Disposal: Non-Recyclable

One of the juggernauts of the coffee industry, Starbucks, takes on the coffee pod in an attempt to deliver what the Pikes Place Roast is known for, a medium roast blend with a rich and nutty flavor profile. We found that the pod version fell short. At first brew, we noticed an ashy aroma before we moved on to sample the flavor, where we found an almost overpowering taste of carbon. The cup had a clean finish and tasted balanced but was too burnt-tasting for our liking.

Pod Type: Medium Roast K-pod | Disposal: Non-Recyclable

The Peet's Decaf was our least favorite pod of the group. Producing a loamy aroma with hints of grapefruit, we were expecting an exciting flavor profile. Instead, a bitter and ashy-tasting brew greeted our taste buds. Though the coffee features a touch of brightness, the finish was highly astringent, leaving our tasters' mouths dry and in need of a sip of water. The body and brightness blended well with the citrusy aroma, but it felt out of balance given the deep flavor profiles. Although advertising a “bright and smooth” cup, Peet's Decaf was incredibly burnt tasting with a harsh finish. The only redeeming quality was the slight amount of pleasant brightness it offered before sharply leaving your tongue with an ashy aftertaste.

How We Test Coffee Pods

We independently purchased 13 pods and proceeded to brew and sip our way through them. We could discern their best and worst qualities by sampling them with a critical tongue and nose.

We performed a formal “cupping” on each pod to test the various brands. A coffee cupping serves as a standardized taste test. We began each cupping by brewing a fresh cup of coffee in our machines, followed by an immediate deep inhale to capture the aromas of the brew. The next step in cupping is to taste the coffee with an exaggerated slurp, intending to cover as much surface area of your tongue as possible. Thus, we evaluated each pod based on aroma, flavor, aftertaste, acidity, body, and balance.

Why Trust GearLab

Never one to turn down a cup of joe, our lead tester, Buck Yedor, has been drinking coffee since he was a kid. What started as sneaking the occasional sip from his mom turned into a lifelong obsession with finding the most delicious brew methods. What truly honed his appreciation and discernment for quality coffee was living with the Director of Training for one of the biggest specialty coffee companies in the game. For years, every morning was mainly a coffee cupping and brew lesson until his palette and brew techniques could please even the harshest of critics. Buck has assisted on many review categories for GearLab over the years, spanning products from waffle makers to jump starters.

Analysis and Test Results

If you are in the market for a single-serve coffee maker, pods are a good option, and we can help you select the best one. While tastings always have some subjectivity, the goal is to separate oneself from personal preferences and objectively analyze what each coffee offers. Through our systemized cuppings, we could rate each coffee pod individually.

Aroma

The aromas produced by different coffees are primarily determined by the various chemical compounds found in the green, unroasted beans. How these compounds react to other processing methods, and then ultimately how they are roasted, determines how a cup of coffee will smell when brewed. The time elapsed between when the coffee is roasted, ground, and brewed also plays a significant role in what aromas will be found wafting off a cup of coffee. Another factor we consider is how well the aroma adds to or detracts from the perceived taste.

Coffee pods aren't known for offering the freshest beans, and without this, it's basically downright impossible to match the fullness of a high-quality, top-ranked espresso machine. Since many of the beans comprising these pods were ground months earlier, most have a somewhat muted aroma. That isn't to say all the coffees we tasted didn't have distinct scents, but the smells weren't as vibrant as beans ground fresh from a coffee grinder. In this metric, our highest-scoring coffee pods were the Nespresso pods, which consistently had the most aromatic smells. The next best-performing pods were the Bulletproof and McCafe pods, which had pleasant aromas that made sense for their unique flavor profiles.

Scoring the worst in this department was the Starbucks Pike Place pod. The aroma was distinctly ash-smelling, and after inhaling a deep whiff, we were less than compelled to want to sip the brew.

Flavor

The flavor of coffee is based upon how it lights up your different tastebuds. These receptors on your tongue, combined with retronasal olfaction — another way to say how things smell when inside your mouth — determine how your brain perceives flavor. Different brewing methods can bring out different flavors in the blend, and by slurping the coffee and evenly coating the taster's tongue, we get a much more complete picture of what flavors are present in each coffee.

The tasting notes given don't mean you will taste precisely that descriptor, but your brain will perceive a similar experience regarding the seven tastes; bitter, salty, sour, astringent, sweet, pungent, and umami. Our highest scoring coffees for flavor were the Nespresso pods and the Bulletproof pods, where we found dark chocolate and cedar notes. Our least favorite pods were the SF BAY pods, which we can only describe as having an acrid molasses flavor. We also found the Starbucks pod to taste like carbonized wood.

Aftertaste

As it suggests, aftertaste is the lingering taste left in your mouth as you finish your sip. It's at this moment that astringency or acidity is most noticeable. Aftertaste is scored by how well it complements or detracts from the overall experience. The McCafe pod had a crisp and citrusy aftertaste that we found quite enjoyable.

Our least favorite pods all shared one thing in common. The aftertaste was jarring and a departure from the original flavor profiles. The Peet's Decaf had one of the most disjointed flavor profiles and aftertaste.

Acidity

Acidity in coffee accounts for the perceived level of sourness. Enjoyable acidity is often referred to as brightness and comes through as citrus or fruity flavors. Both high and low levels of acidity can be positive or negative attributes. The score depends on how well the acidity levels complement the flavor profile and overall experience.

The Donut Shop Medium Roast has low acidity, which greatly complements the rich flavor profile. The Death Wish pod had a substantial uptick in brightness in the middle of the sip, followed by a bitter and drying finish that confused the tasters.

Body

The body of a cup of coffee refers to the mouthfeel you experience while taking a sip. Examples are a light body that feels like tea or skim milk, while a heavier body can feel like cream or syrupy. Descriptors like round or grippy refer to how the coffee feels as it coats your mouth.

The Bulletproof pods scored well in this metric, with a medium body well complemented by the cup's enjoyable and slightly tannic finish. For those who prefer a heavier-bodied coffee, the Cafe Bustelo had a thick and full mouthfeel that went well with its darker flavor profile. On the opposite end of the spectrum, the Starbucks pod was incredibly watery for how dark its flavors were.

Balance

A well-balanced cup of coffee relies on the aroma, flavor, aftertaste, acidity, and body, all working together to create a harmonious experience. A cup might have enjoyable elements, but if they don't mesh well with the other components, the overall experience will be far less delicious and leave you wondering what the heck is going on in your mouth.

We found the Nespresso pods to brew the most balanced cup, with the Bulletproof pod coming in close behind. The pods with the least balance were the Green Mountain and the Peet's Decaf. Both exhibited a confusing blend of flavors and acidity that made for a cup of coffee that couldn't make up its mind.

Conclusion

If you are a seasoned coffee drinker, but new to the world of pod coffee, we've got you covered. Our review team brewed and tasted different types of coffee pods, ranging from light roasted single-origin offerings to dark roasts. We compared them in a series of side-by-side tastings to determine the flavor profile of each one. We analyzed each cup's aroma, flavor, aftertaste, acidity, body, and balance. Using a systemized tasting protocol, we put aside our preferences and offer tasting notes for each that will help you decide which pods will be the right flavor profile for your tastes.

Whether you're looking for a pour over coffee maker or the drip coffee maker, there are a number of coffee machines that can help you fine-tune your morning routine to fit your preferences. If it's the full barista experience you're seeking, elevate your coffee game with some freshly ground beans from a top coffee grinder.