No, coffee pods vary by brand and machine compatibility. K-Cups, Nespresso, and other systems use different sizes.
Before buying pods, verify they work with your specific machine. Universal pods exist but may not fit all brewers.
5 Most Popular Coffee Pods
Nespresso
Nespresso is a pioneer in the world of pod coffee. Developed by Nestle, Nespresso is the first pod coffee on the market using premium coffee grounds with an intense aroma and a fulfilling flavor.
Nespresso also teams up with Nescafé Dolce Gusto, and both have two different types of pod machines. Even though Nestle’s same mother company develops the two brands, their pods are not interchangeable.
The Nespresso pod has a unique V-Shape reaching 37mm in diameter and 30mm in height. Meanwhile, the Dolce Gusto pods are a lot bigger. They come in a recognizable U-shape reaching 54mm in diameter and 36mm in height. Dolce Gusto coffee is more affordable with a decent quality standard and comes in various drinks rather than just coffee.
You might be interested in our list of alternatives to Nespresso coffee capsules.
Caffitaly
As the name suggests, Caffitaly takes root in Italy and follows the infused-then-brewed process before being extracted by its compatible machine. Caffitaly coffee pods focus less on the intensity of the flavor but more on the source and blend of the beans. Caffitaly capsules come out in a U-shape with 45mm diameter and 25mm high.
K-Fee
K-Fee is another popular pod coffee originating from Switzerland. K-Fee also goes by the name Espresto in South Africa. K-Fee coffee pods have to go with its namesake machine.
In terms of appearance, the K-Fee pods look like Caffitaly pods in some ways, with 45mm diameter and 25mm high. However, they are not interchangeable.
Lavazza
Lavazza is famous for its high-quality Arabica coffee beans sourced from the Peruvian Andes. Lavazza has developed a variety of pods ranging from dark-roasted and light-roasted to a rich Espresso taste.
Lavazza creates three different machines, including Blue, A Modo Mio, and Espresso Point, which are not interchangeable. The Lavazza pods have a tub shape of soft plastic with a lid. They are approximately 47mm in diameter and 27mm high.
Easy Serving Espresso
Finally, we have Easy Serving Espresso, also known as ESE. The ESE pods are approximately 44mm in diameter, containing about seven to fourteen grams of coffee.
ESE coffee pods have some of the best world-renowned espressos developed by the Illy Company in 1998. ESE coffee is the best call for those who want to enjoy a beautiful single-serving cup of espresso at home without the hassle of grinding their beans out of a coffee grinder.
Coffee Pod Compatibility
How often have you been scratching your hair, wondering which pod machine you should buy and if it fits all types of pod coffee?
We all know that different brands have their machines, but it doesn’t mean you have to buy ten different machines for ten different pod coffee packages, does it?
Let’s take Nespresso original pods, for example. These pods are compatible with the Wacaco brand Minipresso. Meanwhile, ESE pods can also go with either Kenwood, DeLonghi, Illy, Breville, and more.
You might also be interested in our coffee pods vs. sachets guide.
The Bottom Line
Here’s the practical takeaway after researching and testing this extensively:
Theory is great, but real-world application is messier. We’ve found that understanding the ‘why’ behind coffee science helps you troubleshoot when things go wrong—and they will. Your water, your beans, your grinder, and even humidity levels create variables that no guide can perfectly account for.
Start with the fundamentals in this article, but don’t be afraid to experiment. Some of our best cups have come from “mistakes” that turned into happy accidents. Coffee brewing rewards curiosity.