I have been in the nespresso universe over a decade and in the last year or so started experimenting with compatible brands. As a basis of comparison, I would first like to say that I think nespresso can produce a decent cup of espresso but not particularly great one. I use it in large part because its also really convenient compared to a traditional style espresso maker. Originally, years ago, the original capital investment seemed more tenable for the machine, than a traditional pump type espresso machine. From this perspective, I would say that my experience with compatible brands of coffee pods has been satisfactory: I think one can save a lot of money on coffee pods and get equivalent quality coffee. I don't think I have found 'better' coffee than the nespresso brand of the 4 or so brands I have tried. This Bestpresso Arabica fits that mold. The strength and flavor reminds me of a nespresso Capriccio, which I would also score a 3-3.5 star for flavor. I am impressed with the packaging that I think may help to keep the coffee fresher. Bestpresso have bundled 2 packs of 10 pods in a box; the pods are in a sealed polyethylene pouch. You are greeted with that wonderful aroma of fresh ground coffee when you crack open a bag. Of course, on the down side, to get this great price, you have had to buy 6 boxes at once (120 pods). You had better like it enough, because in general, there are no returns permitted. I would have like to award them 3.5 stars.I note that some people complain that the plastic pods do work in the machines. Well, I would say it's at least a functional espresso and there is a pretty good chance I will buy it again (at this price).A thought about reviewers who have had trouble with plastic pods. I have personally never experienced that problem at home; I did have some issues with our nespresso unit at work with nespresso's own aluminum pods. For a period the machine seemed to frequently fail to puncture the foil face. The pod would crush and become unusable. The problem seemed to go away on its own. That machines little machine made dozens of coffees a day (our office manager reported we were spending more than $1000/month on nespresso pods before the pandemic; that like 5-6 dozen a day). This is to say, that I think the problem of the plastic pods not puncturing easily, is a function of several factors, including the age and condition of the reviewer's machine.Update: I have examined the pods more closely. The pods are a rigid I think polyethylene or Polypropylene resin construction. They have designed the pods specially to collapse in specific way to push the bottom in thus exposing three pin-hole sized entrance points for the pressurized water. They do not rely on the nespresso machine's own pins to penetrate the pods. See attached photos. Quite clever.Full disclosure, to pick the flavor, since this was the first time trying this brand, the color of the pods played as much as role, as did the price, other reviews, and availability!Additional note: I have not experienced pod fit problems on neither my home nor office machines, unlike some other reviewers have complained about. I do not have the Essenza machine however.Update November 2020: They have changed the pod construction to one having a foil bottom (probably easier to puncture). For what its worth, the boxing of pods has changed as well, tho dimensionally about the same size boxes as before.