Nescafé Dolce Gusto Colors Pod Machine vs Sowden SoftBrew 8-Cup Coffee Maker (2026)

✍️ By the 247Verdict Editorial Team📅 Updated 05 October 2026

Which is better? We compared both on score, owner ratings, pros and cons.

Nescafé Dolce Gusto Colors Pod Machine

8.5/10 Great

4.5★ (9,600 owners)

Dolce Gusto pods, 15 bar, manual milk adjustment, 1.4L, colourful design, under £60.

Full Review

Sowden SoftBrew 8-Cup Coffee Maker

8.8/10 Great

4.5★ (3,800 owners)

Stainless mesh filter, immersion brewing, 8-cup ceramic, George Sowden design, no paper filter. Designer filter coffee.

Full Review

At a Glance

	Nescafé Dolce Gusto Colors Pod Machine	Sowden SoftBrew 8-Cup Coffee Maker
247Verdict Score	8.5/10	8.8/10
Owner Rating	4.5★ (9,600)	4.5★ (3,800)
Verdict	Great	Great

Quick Verdict

Both are strong choices, but the Sowden SoftBrew 8-Cup Coffee Maker edges ahead with a 8.8/10 vs 8.5/10. Stainless mesh filter, immersion brewing, 8-cup ceramic, George Sowden design, no paper filter. Designer filter coffee. That said, the Nescafé Dolce Gusto Colors Pod Machine is worth considering if Dolce Gusto pods, 15 bar, manual milk adjustment, 1.4L, colourful design, under £60. Check the current price on Amazon →

Pros & Cons Side by Side

Nescafé Dolce Gusto Colors Pod Machine

Under £60 — the most affordable capsule coffee machine with 15-bar extraction
Dolce Gusto pods include specialty drinks: lattes, cappuccinos, Americanos and hot chocolate
Manual lever controls milk-to-coffee ratio — more customisation than single-button alternatives
Colourful design in multiple colours is playful and kitchen-friendly
9,600 Amazon reviews at 4.5★ — extensively validated entry pod machine

Manual lever is less convenient than one-touch alternatives — requires monitoring
Dolce Gusto pod quality trails Nespresso Vertuo crema technology
Milk capsules are separate from coffee capsules — two pods per milk drink

Sowden SoftBrew 8-Cup Coffee Maker

Stainless mesh filter eliminates paper filter cost and waste forever
Immersion brewing extracts coffee oils for fuller, richer body than paper-filtered methods
Ceramic vessel is dishwasher safe and aesthetically distinctive on any kitchen surface
George Sowden's award-winning Italian design heritage applied to coffee brewing
Under £60 for a 8-cup coffee maker that never needs consumable filter papers

More sediment in the cup than paper-filtered methods — the fine mesh allows some passage
Requires coarser grind than paper filter methods for optimal results
Ceramic can crack under thermal shock — avoid pouring boiling water directly on cold ceramics

FAQ

Which is better, Nescafé Dolce Gusto or Sowden SoftBrew 8-Cup?

Is the Nescafé Dolce Gusto worth the extra cost?

The Sowden SoftBrew 8-Cup Coffee Maker matches or exceeds it at a potentially lower price point.

Who is the Nescafé Dolce Gusto best suited to?

Dolce Gusto pods, 15 bar, manual milk adjustment, 1.4L, colourful design, under £60.

Who is the Sowden SoftBrew 8-Cup best suited to?

Stainless mesh filter, immersion brewing, 8-cup ceramic, George Sowden design, no paper filter. Designer filter coffee.

What are the main downsides of each?

Nescafé Dolce Gusto Colors Pod Machine: Manual lever is less convenient than one-touch alternatives — requires monitoring; Dolce Gusto pod quality trails Nespresso Vertuo crema technology. Sowden SoftBrew 8-Cup Coffee Maker: More sediment in the cup than paper-filtered methods — the fine mesh allows some passage; Requires coarser grind than paper filter methods for optimal results.

Do owner ratings agree with our verdict?

Largely, yes — Nescafé Dolce Gusto Colors Pod Machine sits at 4.5★ from 9,600 verified Amazon owners, and Sowden SoftBrew 8-Cup Coffee Maker at 4.5★ from 3,800.

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Links below are affiliate links.