Coffee pod subscriptions: the pros and cons

At its simplest, a coffee pod subscription is a service whereby you pay a regular fee, usually monthly, and have pods delivered directly to your door. 

There are many coffee pod subscriptions available. Some offer compostable pods, others offer you a chance to try new and unique blends, and most will allow you to tailor them to your needs so you never run out.

One of the biggest pros of a coffee pod subscription is the convenience it offers. With a subscription, you can have a steady supply of coffee pods delivered right to your doorstep, saving you time and hassle.

Many subscriptions offer a variety of flavours and roasts to choose from, allowing you to try new blends each month. If variety is important for you, make sure you check what flavours and roasts are available.

Some subscription services offer a “discovery” subscription, where they choose the blend each month – a great way to try flavours you normally wouldn’t.

One of the main reasons you might choose a coffee pod subscription is the potential cost saving. By subscribing, you can often get a lower price per pod than if you were to purchase them individually at a store or online. Additionally, some subscriptions offer discounts or free shipping for regular customers.

However, it’s important to compare prices and consider the overall cost of the subscription, including any shipping or membership fees, to ensure you’re actually saving money in the long run.

Many subscription services (especially those run by speciality coffee roasters) create high quality pods that are made from freshly roasted beans. This can be especially beneficial if you live in an area where it may be difficult to find speciality coffee or where you don’t have access to a good local coffee shop. 

Lex Thornely, founder of ethical coffee brand Blue Goose Coffee, says that quality blends are the only way to get good-tasting coffee out of a pod machine. 

“You just have to be picky about what machine you use and the types of coffee pods you buy,” he says.  

“The key is quality, so don’t skimp, and pick the highest quality blends you can. I recommend looking for options that are made with high quality, freshly roasted coffee beans and that have a flavour that matches your taste preferences.” 

While subscriptions might save you money if you purchase coffee regularly, they’re not always the bargain they appear. For example, you’ll probably have shipping charges added on. Some subscription services may also tie you into a contract, so beware if you want to break it. 

Think about whether you will really use it. A survey by Compare The Market found that one in two UK households pay for subscription services that they no longer use, wasting almost £170 per year. It’s only going to be a bargain if it’s something you constantly use.  

If you don’t want to cancel but find you have pods left over each month, see if you can alter the frequency of your delivery. Many subscriptions will allow you to make changes, including pausing or skipping some deliveries, which is great if you’re away or need to cut back for a bit.  

While most machines work with the original Nespresso style of pods, which are readily available in most subscriptions, they won’t work with all machines. For example, the Nespresso Vertuo machine pods are flatter and wider than the originals, while Lavazza uses rounder pods.

Before you order, double-check the pods are compatible with your coffee pod machine. 

One factor to consider when deciding whether a coffee pod subscription is worth it is the environmental impact. While some companies offer recyclable or biodegradable pods, many are still made from plastic and end up in landfill sites.

Additionally, the shipping and packaging involved in the subscription service can contribute to carbon emissions. 

It’s something that worries Tim Ridley, founder of United Baristas, a digital service for the coffee industry.  

“Pods are the most carbon-intensive way to make coffee out of all the filter methods,” he says.  

“Tasty beans and a French Press (also known as a cafetière) can make much tastier coffee, and the carbon footprint is significantly lower, but the convenience of pods is great.” 

If reducing your environmental footprint is a priority, choose a subscription service that offers compostable pods, and opt for bigger packs with less frequent deliveries.  

The one downside to subscriptions is that you may run out before your next delivery is due – a nightmare if you want to ensure your caffeine cravings are satisfied.  

Some subscriptions allow you to change the frequency or the number of pods you order, so if you find this is happening regularly you might want to look at varying your order. Alternatively, we recommend keeping a packet of pods in the cupboard for just such an emergency. 

Grind is a London-based coffee chain that also offers a subscription service. It sources its coffee ethically from sustainable farms around the world, roasting the beans daily in London. Your first order comes with a chi-chi pink tin, which you can refill with your pods each week. Grind gets extra green points for producing environmentally friendly compostable pods. 

Price: From £9.95 for 30 pods, working out at £0.33 per pod (free shipping)

Roast options: Nine different blends, including their house blend and two decaf options

Type of pods: Compostable Nespresso original pod style

Frequency: Monthly, but you can skip, pause or cancel any time 

The Odd Coffee Company is all about reusing, so if sustainability is a worry for you, this is a great choice for a coffee pod subscription. Basically, the firm rescues and repackages recyclable pods that didn’t quite make it to the market the first time around. Each pod is then graded by a “Q Grader quality controller” to ensure they’re top quality. 

Price: From £22.39 for 100 pods, which works out at £0.22 per pod 

Roast options: Four different styles of boxes, which will include a mixture of flavours and roasts 

Type of pods: Recyclable Nespresso original pod style 

Frequency: Choose from one to eight weeks and you can skip, pause and cancel any time 

This subscription works differently in that the monthly fee is added to your Nespresso “wallet”, and you can then pick and choose what you want to buy. The firm has a staggering array of roasts, plus it offers perks such as 20% off accessories, 70% off machines and early access to sales. 

Price: From £25 a month 

Roast options: 37 different blends 

Type of pods: Nespresso original pod and Vertuo 

Frequency: Monthly, but you can skip, pause or cancel any time 

Based in Porthleven, Cornwall, Origin Coffee is an independently owned speciality coffee roaster that puts sustainability at the heart of its product. All the capsules are recyclable, and if it’s not something your local council will accept, Origin Coffee will recycle them for you.

Price: From £16.90 for 30 pods, which works out at £0.56 per pod 

Coffee Options: House Espresso, Decaf 

Type of pods: Recyclable Nespresso original pod style 

Subscription Schedule: Every two or four weeks 

The restaurant and coffee brand Caravan is committed to sourcing one-third of its coffee from female coffee producers, and providing a variety of delicious roasts. When you sign up you’ll get a free gift, but while it’s no cheaper to subscribe than to buy a one-off order, you do get the convenience of having it automatically delivered each week or month. 

Price: From £14.25 for 30 pods, which works out at £0.47 per pod 

Coffee Options: Three different types, including decaf 

Type of pods: Recyclable Nespresso original pod style 

Subscription Schedule: You can choose from every one, two, three, four, six or eight weeks