People who already own a capsule machine
If you want to keep using your machine for your afternoon break, first check which system it takes. You can then choose a brand, strength or cup size from the compatible options.
Who are these formats for?
People looking for a smooth or decaffeinated cup
If you prefer a lungo or want to limit your caffeine intake in the afternoon, check the cup size, flavour profile and whether it’s labelled decaffeinated or half-caff separately. The options available will depend on the products made for your machine.
People looking to avoid disposable portions
If you’re happy to measure out or fill your own coffee, ground coffee and a compatible reusable capsule are worth considering. For disposable portions, check the material and recycling instructions on the packaging.
What should you check before buying?
When making coffee in the afternoon, first check your equipment, then decide what kind of cup you want. Packaging and the preparation or recycling steps can help you choose between the formats that suit you.
| Criteria | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Compatibility | The exact system listed for your machine and on the pack: Nespresso® Original, A Modo Mio, Dolce Gusto® or the required pod format. | I want to use the machine I already own without buying a format that won’t fit. Around 33% of consumers say compatibility is their top priority. |
| Cup size and caffeine | Whether it’s labelled espresso or lungo, the stated flavour profile and, if needed, whether it’s decaffeinated or half-caff. | For my afternoon break, I want to choose the size of my cup or limit my caffeine intake without relying on the strength rating alone. This is the top priority for around 27% of consumers. |
| Preparation and waste | How long it takes to measure or fill; for disposable portions, check the material and recycling instructions. | I prefer to choose my own ground coffee and don’t mind filling and cleaning a reusable capsule, or I want to know how to recycle a disposable portion. Around 20% of consumers prioritise these considerations. |
| Pack size | The number of capsules or pods, or the amount of ground coffee, based on how much you use. | I don’t drink much coffee in the afternoon and don’t want to buy a pack with portions I won’t use. For around 20% of consumers, the amount they buy is their main consideration. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Assuming “ground coffee” means a universal capsule format
A capsule may contain ground coffee without being compatible with your machine. Nespresso® Original, A Modo Mio and Dolce Gusto® all require different formats.
Check the system name on your machine or in its instructions, then look for the compatibility information on the pack.
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Using the strength rating to judge caffeine content
Strength describes the flavour profile; it doesn’t tell you how much caffeine the coffee contains. So a product described as smooth isn’t necessarily decaffeinated.
If you want to limit your caffeine intake in the afternoon, look specifically for “decaffeinated” or “half-caff” on the product you choose.
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Choosing a box without checking how much is inside
Pack sizes don’t all contain the same number of portions. A large pack may also be less suitable if you often switch between coffees.
Check the number of capsules or pods, or the amount of ground coffee, before choosing a pack.
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Following the same recycling instructions for every portion
How you recycle it depends on the material. In France, ADEME says that aluminium and plastic capsules go in the recycling bin, bag or container for paper and packaging.
Read the recycling instructions for the product you’ve bought. For paper portions, check the guidance for that specific product and the options available near you.
Brands to know by format
These ranges can help you identify the available formats. Always check compatibility for each individual product, rather than relying on the brand name alone.
Carte Noire
The brand offers aluminium capsules compatible with Nespresso® Original, including espresso, lungo, decaffeinated and half-caff options.
- Carte Noire states that the relevant range contains a calibrated 7 g dose for a 40 ml espresso.
- The Nespresso® Original compatibility label doesn’t mean the capsules will work with A Modo Mio, Dolce Gusto® or a machine that takes soft pods.
Lavazza
Lavazza offers A Modo Mio capsules, capsules labelled as compatible with Nespresso® Original and ESE pods.
- These formats make it easier to find an option that works with the machine you already own.
- An A Modo Mio capsule shouldn’t be chosen for a machine that uses a different system.
Malongo
Malongo offers ground coffee for traditional brewing, as well as 1,2,3 Spresso® paper pods for its Expresso Malongo machines.
- Ground coffee and ready-to-use pods offer two distinct ways to make your coffee.
- The stated compatibility of 1,2,3 Spresso® pods applies to Malongo machines designed for this system.
Carrefour Selection / Carrefour Extra
Carrefour stocks capsules containing ground coffee that are labelled as compatible with Nespresso®, including espresso formats.
- One Carrefour Extra product is sold in a box of 50 capsules, so check the pack size of the product you’re interested in.
- Check the exact compatibility information before buying; it doesn’t extend to other systems.
Plantation (Marque Repère E.Leclerc)
E.Leclerc stocks soft pods under this brand, as well as capsules for the Nescafé® Dolce Gusto® system.
- Knowing the difference between a soft pod and a Dolce Gusto® capsule helps you identify the right format for your machine.
- A capsule labelled as compatible with Dolce Gusto® won’t necessarily work with a machine that uses another system.
Joybuy products for your machine
This selection includes capsules for Nespresso® Original, Dolce Gusto® or A Modo Mio machines, as well as ground coffee to prepare with suitable equipment. Choose based on your machine first, then consider the cup size and pack size.
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Carte Noire Nespresso Demi, 30 capsules
For machines that take capsules compatible with Nespresso® Original: check compatibility with your exact model. This product name includes the terms “Demi” and “Decaf”; check the pack to see which one describes the coffee you’re looking for in the afternoon.
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Nescafé Dolce Gusto Decaffeinated Lungo, 16 capsules
For a lungo-style break with a machine that uses the Nescafé® Dolce Gusto® system. Check that your model takes these capsules; the product name states that the pack contains 16.
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Lavazza A Modo Mio Decaf, 36 capsules
A decaffeinated option to consider if your machine uses the Lavazza A Modo Mio system. Check compatibility with your model before choosing this pack of 36 capsules.
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Lavazza A Modo Mio Lungo Dolce, 16 capsules
For anyone with a Lavazza A Modo Mio machine who’s looking for a lungo. The pack contains 16 capsules; if you want to limit your caffeine intake, check the relevant information on the packaging.
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Lavazza Ground Coffee Dolce, 2 × 250 g
This is ground coffee, not capsules ready to pop into a machine. Before choosing these two 250 g packs, check that the grind is suitable for your brewing method or reusable capsule.
Frequently asked questions
Can you put ground coffee in any capsule machine?
No: a capsule machine normally requires the format designed for its system. If you want to use your own ground coffee, check that a reusable capsule is suitable for your exact machine model, and bear in mind that you’ll need to fill and clean it.
How do you choose capsules for a Nespresso® Original machine?
Choose a product that’s explicitly labelled as compatible with Nespresso® Original. Carte Noire and Lavazza state that some of their capsules are compatible, and Carrefour also stocks compatible capsules. Then check the cup size and the product-specific details.
Is a smooth lungo always decaffeinated?
No: a lungo format and a description of the flavour don’t mean the coffee is decaffeinated. If caffeine matters to you when choosing an afternoon coffee, look for “decaffeinated” or “half-caff” on the pack.
Do soft pods work in all machines?
No: compatibility depends on the system your machine takes. Lavazza offers ESE pods, for example, while Malongo’s 1,2,3 Spresso® pods are designed for its Expresso Malongo machines. Check your machine’s instructions before buying.
Where should you dispose of an aluminium or plastic coffee capsule in France?
According to ADEME, aluminium or plastic coffee capsules go in the recycling bin, bag or container for paper and packaging. Also check the product’s recycling information to identify its material and find out what to do with it.