Dolce Gusto machine comparison

Are you considering buying a Dolce Gusto machine in 2022? You are probably not sure which model to buy. The Nescafé Dolce Gusto brand has been expanding its catalog of capsule coffee makers non-stop since 2006, and although many are not discontinued, you can still buy all of its models.

To give you an idea of how Dolce Gusto has been launching new models on the market, I leave you this list in chronological order:

• Year 2006 – XP2000, XP2002 and XP2006
• Year 2008 – Melody
• Year 2010 – Melody 2 and Circolo
• Year 2011 – Genio and Fontana
• Year 2013 – Piccolo and Mini Me
• Year 2014 – Oblo and Jovia
• Year 2015 – Drop and Stelia
• Year 2016 – Eclipse and Movenza
• Year 2017 – Lumio and Colors
• Year 2018 – Infinissima and Esperta
• Year 2019 – Majesto

Which Dolce Gusto maker is the best?

I am afraid that there is no single answer to the question of which Dolce Gusto coffee maker is the best because this answer will depend on each individual. Among all the models, there are hardly any differences in performance, design, or price.

The main difference between all the Dolce Gusto models will be whether the coffee maker works manually or automatically and its aesthetics. The first characteristic will divide the Dolce Gusto coffee makers into two large groups that can hardly be compared.

Manual Dolce Gusto vs. automatic Dolce Gusto

The main difference between Dolce Gusto makers lies in their work. On the one hand, there are manual models, where the user has to stop the coffee preparation manually. On the other hand, there are automatic ones, where we pre-select how much coffee we want before operating the brewing lever.

What is the difference between a manual and an automatic Dolce Gusto maker?

Until 2011, with the arrival of the Genio and Fontana models, Dolce Gusto makers did not have the Play & Select* system, which allows the user to pre-select the desired amount of coffee before operating the brewing lever.

*This preselection system can be activated by moving a manual selector or touching a touch screen. Depending on the model we buy, we will have one option. In reality, however, the touch screen has no advantage over the manual one.

In the automatic ones, the desired amount of coffee is selected on a scale from 1 to 7 (using a selector or a touch panel). Once the amount of coffee has been selected, the brewing lever is operated, and the machine dispenses the pre-selected volume of coffee without having to look at the cup during the process.

In manual Dolce Gusto, you must stop the coffee preparation by actuating the brewing lever again.

Which Dolce Gusto is more expensive and which is cheaper?

Undoubtedly, Dolce Gusto coffee makers are one of the cheapest capsule coffee makers on the market, a little behind the Tassimo brand. Coupled with their robustness and good artistry, buying a Dolce Gusto is a safe bet.

However, as we saw earlier, the variety of models manufactured by Dolce Gusto is very wide. Do all Dolce Gusto coffee machines cost the same? The answer is No, and several factors explain this:

• On the one hand, we have the differentiation between manual and automatic models, where the latter are more expensive.
• On the other hand, we have the design and extra features included in certain models, which increase their price.
• It also affects the country where you buy it since coffee makers sold outside Europe are usually more expensive.
• Finally, it depends on the promotions of the coffee makers, since during their launches and at times like Christmas, they are usually cheaper.

The most expensive coffee makers in the United States; are the Esprerta 2 and the Majesto, but these are machines for offices or very large families since they can prepare many coffees without interruption.

The cheapest coffee maker is the Piccolo XS, a manual Dolce Gusto with a small footprint and limited features.

Note: Apart from the coffee makers listed above, you can find more second-hand or imported models in stores like Amazon or eBay.

Which Dolce Gusto maker is larger and which is smaller?

When talking about the size of a capsule coffee maker, we have to take into account two aspects; on the one hand, the size of the tank, and on the other hand, the physical dimensions.

Although Dolce Gusto coffee makers are all similar in size, here is a table of their dimensions:

From the table above, we conclude that the largest coffee maker, in terms of tank size, dimensions, and weight, is the Majesto, while the smallest is the Piccolo XS.

Dolce Gusto models comparison

I have a lot of queries related to direct comparisons between the different models of Dolce Gusto coffee makers, so I have decided to summarize my opinion here. If there are any comparisons you would like my point of view, leave me a comment below.

Dolce Gusto Piccolo XS vs Mini me

The Piccolo and Mini Me models are almost identical, with virtually the same dimensions, weight, and water tank size. The only difference is that the Piccolo is a manual coffee maker, and the Mini Me is automatic.

➡️ If the price difference is not too great, always choose the Mini Me.

Dolce Gusto Piccolo XS vs Genio

Comparing the Piccolo and the Genio is similar to the previous one since we are comparing a manual Dolce Gusto with an automatic one. Although in this case, Genio incorporates a tactile beverage volume selection system and can prepare XL beverages.

In terms of aesthetics, the Genio is very similar to the Piccolo, although the new Genio S and Genio S Touch models have a much more modern and stylish aesthetic.

➡️ As for which coffee maker is better, the Genio or the Piccolo, I would go with the Genio. However, the price difference will be very important in the final decision.

Dolce Gusto Infinissima vs Mini Me

The Dolce Gusto Infinissima and the Piccolo are both manual coffee makers, so what we said in the first comparison with the Mini Me holds now.

However, one detail changes everything completely; the Infinissima model is beautiful, resembling a swan. So the Infinissima will be cheaper because it is manual and more stylish.

➡️ In my opinion, the infinissima is better than the Mini Me.

Dolce Gusto Mini Me vs Genio

Now we are comparing two similar coffee maker models since the Mini Me and the Genio are automatic. But the question is: Dolce Gusto Genio or Mini Me? The quick answer; is the Genio.

➡️ The Genio and the Dolce Gusto are very similar, but the Genio is prettier, has a touch selector, and offers the possibility of XL drinks. For all these reasons I think it is better.

Dolce Gusto Genio vs Genio S

This is one of the most similar comparisons we have seen, as the Genio and Genio S are identical coffee makers inside but with a different skin.

In short, if you have to choose one of them, don’t worry about their coffee brewing capabilities as they are the same coffee maker. So, be guided by their cost or the one you like more aesthetically. I’ll go with the Genio S.

Conclusion

As you will have seen throughout this article, Dolce Gusto coffee makers are inexpensive in general, especially compared to other brands.

When choosing a model, you must first decide whether you want a manual or an automatic model. And once you have made that decision, you must evaluate the relationship between aesthetics and price.

But if you ask me, the best manual Dolce Gusto coffee machine is the Infinissima, and the best automatic one is the Genio S.