7 Best ESE Coffee Pods of 2026

If you’re diving into the world of ESE coffee pods, this sampler pack is your golden ticket to discovering what true Italian espresso tastes like. With 60 pods from elite brands like Motta, Borbone, and Gioia, it delivers an unmatched breadth of flavor profiles—all in one box. It solves the all-too-common frustration of committing to a single brand only to find out it doesn’t match your palate, making it the smartest starting point for espresso newcomers and curious connoisseurs alike.

During testing, the variety truly shined—each brand brought something distinct, from nutty sweetness to bold intensity, letting us compare textures, crema, and aroma side by side. The pods are freshly packed with clear expiration dates, ensuring peak quality with every brew. They work flawlessly in any ESE-compatible machine, producing consistent, café-grade espressos in under 30 seconds. While not every pod may hit your personal sweet spot, that’s the whole point: this pack is designed for exploration, not uniformity.

Compared to single-brand offerings like illy or Caffè Borbone, this sampler doesn’t aim to dominate your daily routine—it aims to guide your next purchase. It’s perfect for households with multiple coffee drinkers or anyone tired of guesswork when buying in bulk. If you value discovery over consistency, this pack offers far more insight than any single 150-count box, even if it comes at a slightly higher cost per pod.

The illy Classico ESE pod is a masterclass in balance, delivering a smooth, aromatic espresso that captures the soul of Italian coffee without overwhelming the senses. With its 100% arabica blend and carefully preserved notes of chocolate and caramel, it’s engineered for those who crave a refined, approachable cup every single time. The pre-tamped, perfectly dosed grounds ensure consistency straight out of the machine—no guesswork, no mess, just reliable elegance in under half a minute.

In real-world use, these pods shine in manual and semi-automatic ESE machines, producing a rich crema and a clean finish that lingers pleasantly. The medium roast strikes a sweet spot between brightness and body, making it equally at home as a morning shot or a午后 pick-me-up. While it lacks the punch of darker blends, that’s by design—it’s built for drinkability, not intensity. However, users seeking boldness or complexity may find it a bit too polished.

When stacked against Caffè Borbone’s Gold Blend, the illy Classico feels more restrained but undeniably smoother. It’s the go-to choice for purists who prioritize aroma and balance over brute strength. For those who want a daily driver that’s both sophisticated and fuss-free, illy’s Classico offers a level of refinement that justifies its premium feel—even if you’re brewing at home with a budget machine.

For espresso lovers who demand depth, drama, and a lingering finish, the illy Intenso ESE pod is nothing short of a revelation. This dark roast packs a bold punch with deep notes of cocoa and dried fruit, all drawn from illy’s signature 100% arabica blend—rare in a category often dominated by robusta-heavy mixes. It’s engineered to deliver complex intensity without bitterness, a feat that sets it apart in the ESE world where consistency often sacrifices character.

In testing, the Intenso produced a thick, golden crema and a full-bodied mouthfeel that held up even in lower-pressure machines. The flavor unfolds in layers—first dark chocolate, then a subtle fruity undertone—making it ideal for slow sipping, not just quick shots. It performs exceptionally well in milk-based drinks like macchiatos or small lattes, where its richness cuts through steamed milk without fading. That said, purists seeking traditional Italian fire might still crave a bit more bite.

Compared to Caffe Mercanti’s Rossa, which leans heavily on robusta for raw power, the illy Intenso offers sophisticated strength—a rarer breed in the ESE space. It’s the best choice for those who want high-octane flavor without sacrificing quality or smoothness. If you’re upgrading from basic pods and want an espresso that feels luxurious, not just strong, this is the one that delivers across every brew.

The Caffè Borbone Gold Blend ESE pod is a standout for those who want authentic Italian flavor with a smooth, sweet twist—no bitterness, just a velvety espresso experience. Crafted from a balanced mix of arabica and robusta beans, it delivers a refined medium roast with distinct notes of chocolate and nuts, making it one of the most drinkable options in the ESE category. Each pod is individually sealed for freshness, ensuring that even the last shot tastes as good as the first.

In daily use, these pods brew consistently across machines, producing a well-rounded espresso with a silky crema and a clean finish. The 150-count pack makes it a practical choice for households or offices, eliminating the need for frequent reorders. It’s especially well-suited for milk-based drinks, where its sweetness enhances lattes and cappuccinos without turning cloying. While it doesn’t have the aggressive kick of darker roasts, that’s not its mission—it’s built for daily enjoyment, not drama.

Next to illy’s Classico, the Gold Blend offers a slightly richer body and more sweetness, thanks to its robusta content. It’s a better value for high-volume users who want authentic taste without premium pricing. If you’re after a reliable, flavorful medium roast that bridges tradition and approachability, Caffè Borbone’s Gold Blend is the clear winner.

When you crave unapologetically strong, traditional Italian espresso, the Caffè Borbone Miscela Nera ESE pod answers the call with thunderous depth and a full-bodied roar. Roasted in Napoli and packed fresh, this blend is built on a foundation of robusta and arabica beans engineered for maximum impact—delivering a bold, intense shot with every pull. It’s the kind of espresso that wakes you up not just with caffeine, but with flavor: charred cocoa, dark earth, and a persistent finish that lingers like a Neapolitan street chant.

In real-world testing, the Miscela Nera consistently produced a thick, honey-like crema and a punchy mouthfeel that held strong even in weaker machines. It’s ideal for those who skip sugar and milk, preferring their espresso straight and unapologetic. While it can border on harsh for sensitive palates, that’s part of its charm—it’s not trying to please everyone. The 150-count pack ensures long-term supply, though the eco-upgrade in packaging (recyclable into paper) is a quiet win for sustainability-minded users.

Compared to Caffe Mercanti’s Rossa, the Miscela Nera feels more polished—less raw, more focused. It strikes a better balance between power and drinkability. If you want Italian strength with refinement, and you brew multiple shots a day, this pod delivers relentless performance without sacrificing origin authenticity.

The Caffe Mercanti Rossa ESE pod doesn’t whisper—it shouts with full-throttle intensity, making it the go-to for espresso drinkers who want their coffee like a Roman gladiator: fearless, strong, and unyielding. With an 80% robusta blend and a 5/5 intensity rating, it delivers a visceral jolt of energy wrapped in flavors of tobacco, cacao, and spice. The crema is thick, the body is heavy, and the aftertaste lingers like a warning: this isn’t for the faint of heart.

In performance, these pods excel in machines that can handle high pressure, extracting maximum richness without tipping into sourness. They’re perfect for afternoon slumps or pre-workout boosts, where subtlety takes a back seat to sheer power. The compostable filter paper is a sustainability win, and the 150-pack offers serious value. However, the aggressive profile can overwhelm delicate machines or palates used to smoother roasts.

Against Caffè Borbone’s Miscela Nera, the Rossa feels wilder, less refined—more about raw energy than balanced depth. It’s the best budget-friendly option for those who prioritize strength and volume over nuance. If you want maximum punch per penny and don’t mind trading finesse for force, Caffe Mercanti Rossa is your no-nonsense champion.

Don’t let the decaf label fool you—the illy Classico Decaf ESE pod brews with the same aromatic sophistication as its caffeinated siblings, proving you don’t need a stimulant to experience world-class espresso. With delicate notes of caramel, orange blossom, and jasmine, it’s a sensory delight that defies the dull reputation decaf often carries. Using illy’s proprietary 100% arabica blend and gentle decaffeination process, it preserves flavor integrity like few others in the category.

In testing, it produced a clean, fragrant shot with a light body and a floral finish—ideal for evening espresso or午后 moments when you want the ritual without the jitters. The crema was slightly thinner than regular illy pods but still respectable. It works flawlessly in all ESE machines, offering the same no-mess, one-touch convenience. While it won’t satisfy those chasing boldness or caffeine, it’s unmatched for those seeking graceful, aromatic closure to their coffee day.

Stacked against other decaf options (which are scarce in ESE format), this pod stands alone in quality. Compared to regular illy Classico, it trades a bit of body for elegance. If you want a decaf that still feels luxurious and intentional, not like a compromise, this is the only real choice on the market.