Nescafé Dolce Gusto Colors Pod Machine vs Rocket Appartamento Espresso Machine (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

Rocket Appartamento Espresso Machine

9.3/10 Excellent

4.7★ (1,200 owners)

E61 single boiler, Italian handmade, stainless exterior, compact 27cm, HX. Italian artisan espresso.

Full Review

At a Glance

	Nescafé Dolce Gusto Colors Pod Machine	Rocket Appartamento Espresso Machine
247Verdict Score	8.5/10	9.3/10
Owner Rating	4.5★ (9,600)	4.7★ (1,200)
Verdict	Great	Excellent

Quick Verdict

Both are strong choices, but the Rocket Appartamento Espresso Machine edges ahead with a 9.3/10 vs 8.5/10. E61 single boiler, Italian handmade, stainless exterior, compact 27cm, HX. Italian artisan espresso. 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

Rocket Appartamento Espresso Machine

Heat exchanger (HX) boiler enables simultaneous brewing and steaming without dual boiler cost
Italian hand-assembled in Milan — Rocket Espresso workshop craftsmanship since 2004
Compact at 27cm wide — narrowest E61 commercial-spec machine available
Stainless steel exterior ages beautifully — a permanent kitchen statement piece
Lever espresso operation option available — the most tactile espresso extraction experience

HX requires cooling flush before extraction — adds 30 seconds to workflow
£1,800+ for single boiler HX when dual boiler alternatives exist at this price

FAQ

Which is better, Nescafé Dolce Gusto or Rocket Appartamento?

Is the Nescafé Dolce Gusto worth the extra cost?

The Rocket Appartamento Espresso Machine 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 Rocket Appartamento best suited to?

E61 single boiler, Italian handmade, stainless exterior, compact 27cm, HX. Italian artisan espresso.

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. Rocket Appartamento Espresso Machine: HX requires cooling flush before extraction — adds 30 seconds to workflow; £1,800+ for single boiler HX when dual boiler alternatives exist at this price.

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 Rocket Appartamento Espresso Machine at 4.7★ from 1,200.

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