Differences between Dolce Gusto coffee machine

If you are thinking of buying a Dolce Gusto coffee machine in 2022, you are probably not sure which model to buy. And even though the Nescafé Dolce Gusto brand has not launched any new models on the market since 2019, with the Infinissima and Magesto coffee machines, there are still too many models to choose from. This article will help you make the best decision based on your needs.

One thinks that the shop assistants know the differences; however, many barely know the difference between watts and volts, so they can’t explain the difference between a manual and an automatic model. Precisely, this will be one of the main differences along with the volume of the water tank and the age of the model.

Dolce gusto launched in 2006 the models KP2000, KP2002, KP2006, and two years later, the first coffee machine with a name (the Melody). Dolce Gusto has produced 16 additional models (many are no longer manufactured). These are: Piccolo, Genio, Circolo, Fontana, Esperta, Mini-Me, Oblo, Jovia, Drop, Stelia, Eclipse, Movenza, Lumio, Colors, Infinissima and Majesto.

Dolce Gusto coffee machine: Which is the best?

The first thing you should know is that the differences between all Dolce Gusto coffee machines in terms of performance and functionality are very small, almost non-existent. The only significant difference concerning the operation of Dolce Gusto coffee machines is choosing a manual or automatic coffee machine.

The rest of the details on which you will have to decide your purchase are more aesthetic or logistical: price, size, design, colours or capacity of the water tank, for example. But all Dolce Gusto coffee machines work primarily the same way, use identical capsules and produce the same coffee.

If anything, in the most recent models (2016 onwards), we find some advances such as the touch control panel or the automatic opening. But nothing that affects the preparation of coffee.

Differences in operation: Dolce Gusto manual vs automatic

As we have already mentioned, Dolce Gusto coffee machines are mainly divided into two main groups: manual and automatic coffee machines. In the following table, you can see the types of all the models that are still on sale, omitting those that are no longer manufactured or cannot be bought as new:

ModelAutom.Manual
Piccolo XS✔️
Infinissima✔️
Jovia✔️
Lumio✔️
Colors✔️
Genio S✔️
Mini Me✔️

The fundamental difference between a manual and an automatic Dolce Gusto is that you have to stop the coffee preparation at the desired time with a manual Dolce Gusto. With an automatic, on the other hand, the machine stops brewing at the pre-selected amount.

Dolce Gusto automatic coffee machines use a system called Play&Select, in which you select the intensity of your coffee on a scale from 1 to 7 (via a selector or a touch panel). After choosing the desired amount of coffee, you operate the brew lever, and the machine delivers the exact amount of coffee without having to look at the cup during brewing.

If budget is crucial for you, you should ensure that the Dolce Gusto you are looking for is a manual one, as these are much cheaper than the automatic ones.

Which Dolce Gusto coffee machine is bigger?

When we talk about whether a coffee machine is big or small, we must clarify that we can refer to two aspects. On the one hand, there is the size of the water tank, which determines how many coffees can be prepared without refilling, and on the other hand, we have the physical measurements; the size in height, width, depth and weight.

As far as the size of the water tank is concerned, the following table shows the volumes of each of the models:

ModelWater tank Volume
Piccolo XS0.8 litres
Infinissima 1.2 litres
Jovia0.8 litres
Lumio‎1 litre
Colors1 litre
Genio S0.8 litres
Mini Me0.8 litres

In terms of weight and dimensions, we have summarised in this other table the values of each:

ModelDimensionsWeight
Piccolo XS27 x 14 x 28 cm‎2.69 kg
Infinissima 30.5 x 18 x 40 cm3.2 Kg
Jovia17.1 x 32.5 x 22.8 cm2.5 kg
Lumio18 x 22 x 27cm‎2.5 kg
Colors37.1 x 17.6 x 21.5cm‎2.8 kg
Genio S27.6 x 12.1 x 27.3 cm2.53 kg
Mini Me16.1 x 24.1 x 30.5 cm‎3.23 kg

The tables deduce that the coffee machine with the largest tank is the Infinissima, the tallest and heaviest coffee machine, making it the largest Dolce Gusto model.

Which Dolce Gusto coffee machine is smaller?

The tables deduce that the coffee machine with the largest tank is the Infinissima, the tallest and heaviest coffee machine, making it the largest Dolce Gusto model. On the other hand, the Genio S is the lightest and smallest among the coffee machines, with a water tank of 0.8 litres.

What is the cheapest Dolce Gusto coffee machine?

Speaking of brand new models, the cheapest Dolce Gusto coffee machine is the Piccolo XS, both on Amazon and in traditional physical shops. It’s priced under £30, which is a great deal.

In the table above, no coffee machine is more expensive than £100, and most are under £50. However, prices can vary depending on the time of year.

On the other hand, if we look at second hand Dolce Gusto coffee machines, we can find a lot of refurbished coffee machines, with all the guarantees and at incredible prices. Click here to see all the ones available online.

Dolce Gusto coffee machine: Types of capsules

A common question we have often seen among Dolce Gusto coffee machine users is about capsule compatibility. It should be clear that all Dolce Gusto coffee machines use the same capsule system, from the oldest to the most modern models.

Of course, we can choose to buy the official capsules, compatible capsules, or refillable capsules within the same capsule system. Still, all these capsules work in all Dolce Gusto coffee machines.

Differences between Dolce Gusto models

Once you decide whether you want to buy a manual or automatic Dolce Gusto coffee machine, you will have to choose from all available models. We will tell you about the peculiarities of each one and give you our opinion.

Comparison between manual Dolce Gusto coffee machines

If, as we have already said, we opt for a manual Dolce Gusto coffee machine, we will have three models to choose from; Piccolo XS vs Infinissima vs Jovia.

The Piccolo XS and Jovia coffee machines offer similar characteristics in size and design. However, in our opinion, the Piccolo is more modern and looks more beautiful and stylish. Also, as the Piccolo XS is more recent, its price tends to be lower, so we believe that the better choice between these two models is the Piccolo XS.

However, choosing between the Piccolo XS and the Infinissima is less difficult as the Infinissima has a better design, which blends perfectly with modern homes. You will usually pay slightly more for it than for the Piccolo, but this is because you will be buying a larger coffee machine. Here you can see a comparative image of the three:

Jovia vs Piccolo XS vs Infinissima
Jovia vs Piccolo XS vs Infinissima

Comparison between automatic Dolce Gusto coffee machines

Opt for Dolce Gusto automatic coffee machines. You will have to choose between the Lumio, Colors, Genio S and Mini Me models, which can be divided into two groups: the Lumio and Colors, which are older and more expensive, and the Genio S and Mini Me, which are more modern and cheaper.

Between the Lumio and the Colors, the former is much nicer than the Colors, although the great novelty of the Colors was that you could change the casing for different colours. Both with the same dimensions, weight and volume, we would choose the Lumio without a doubt.

Colors vs Lumio
Colors vs Lumio

On the other hand, between the Genio S and the Mini Me, the Genio weighs less than the Mini Me, and we like the coffee selection system better, although it is a little more complex and less intuitive. Both coffee machines are aesthetically similar, but the Genio weighs less, and its coffee selector is more attractive; we’ll go with the Genio S.

Genio S vs Mini Me
Genio S vs Mini Me

Conclusion

After all that we have seen, in our opinion, the coffee machines with the best value for money are the Infinissima, in the manual group, and the Genio S, in the automatic group.

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