The best ESE coffee pods on Amazon UK in 2026
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ESE stands for Easy Serving Espresso, the open-standard paper-wrapped pod used in barista-style espresso machines. Unlike Nespresso, Dolce Gusto, or Tassimo, no single company owns ESE. The 44mm paper pod is a public standard, which means dozens of UK and Italian roasters make them, and prices stay relatively competitive. The cheapest acceptable espresso pod across any UK pod system in 2026 is on ESE, and it tops our overall cheapest coffee pods UK ranking at 14p per shot.
| # | Product | Machine | Pack | Price | Cost per cup | Strength | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
 Caffè Borbone Nero ESE 150-pack |
ESE 14g | 150 ESE pods | £21.03 | 14p per espresso | 9 | Check |
| 2 |
 Illy Classico ESE |
ESE 14g | 18 ESE pods | £7.00 | 38.9p per espresso | 6 | Check |
| 3 |
 Pellini Top ESE 108-pack |
ESE 14g | 108 ESE pods | £43.90 | 40.6p per espresso | 7 | Check |
| 4 |
 Lucaffé Blucaffé ESE 150-pack |
ESE 14g | 150 ESE pods | £99.99 | 66.7p per espresso | 7 | Check |
Prices last checked: 28/05/2026
The catch is that ESE pods need a specific kind of machine. Some semi-automatic espresso machines have a removable basket that fits ESE pods alongside the standard portafilter for ground coffee. Others don’t support ESE at all. Check your machine’s manual before buying any of these. The Sage Bambino, Gaggia Classic, and most Italian semi-auto brands support ESE; the Smeg ECF01, Krups XP344, and several mid-range Delonghi models support them; cheaper espresso machines often don’t.
Prices come from Amazon UK and refresh fortnightly. The ESE market on Amazon is more brand-fragmented than the Nespresso ecosystem, so prices move around more.
1. Caffè Borbone Nero ESE, 150-pack: 14p per shot
The cheapest acceptable espresso pod across any UK pod system on Amazon UK in 2026. £21.03 for a 150-pod bulk pack works out to 14p per shot. Subscribe and Save drops it to about 13.3p.
Borbone is a Naples-based roaster with a strong UK following among traditional Italian-espresso drinkers. The Nero blend is roughly 70% Arabica, 30% Robusta, with the heavier body and bitter finish that characterises southern Italian espresso. Excellent in milk drinks because the Robusta content cuts through frothed milk cleanly.
Caffè Borbone Nero ESE 150-pack
Fits: ESE 14g Strength 9/10
Pros
- Cheapest acceptable espresso pod across any UK system on Amazon
- Heavy traditional Naples-style espresso
- Home-compostable paper pod, excellent in milk drinks
Cons
- Bitter, divisive profile
- Robusta-heavy blend not for everyone
- 150-pack is a 5-month commitment for daily drinkers
2. Illy Classico ESE, 18-pack: 38.9p per shot
Illy is the Italian coffee brand most non-Italian drinkers recognise immediately. £7 for an 18-pod sleeve on Amazon UK, 38.9p per shot. Subscribe and Save drops it to about 37p.
The Classico blend has been broadly the same recipe since 1933, a 100% Arabica blend sourced from nine countries and roasted in Trieste. The smaller 18-pod sleeve format is useful for occasional drinkers who don’t want to commit to a bulk pack.
Illy Classico ESE
Fits: ESE 14g Strength 6/10
Pros
- Consistent recipe since 1933
- Refined balanced 100% Arabica blend
- Brand recognition globally
- Smaller 18-pod sleeve avoids bulk commitment
Cons
- 38.9p per shot, brand-premium tier
- Less body for milk drinks than Robusta blends
- Much more expensive per pod than Borbone Nero
3. Pellini Top ESE, 108-pack: 40.6p per shot
Pellini is a Verona-based roaster that’s been making coffee since 1922. The Top range is their bestseller in Italy, sold on Amazon UK as a 108-pod bulk pack at £43.90, or 40.6p per shot.
Pellini Top is a 90% Arabica, 10% Robusta blend with notes of milk chocolate, toasted hazelnut, and a slight floral edge on the finish. The cup is rounder than Borbone Nero, with less bitterness on the finish, and more aromatic complexity than the budget option.
Pellini Top ESE 108-pack
Fits: ESE 14g Strength 7/10
Pros
- More aromatic than Borbone Nero at a higher price
- Real chocolate and hazelnut notes
- Good in milk drinks
Cons
- 40.6p per shot, much more than Borbone Nero in same system
- 108-pack bulk commitment
4. Lucaffé Blucaffé ESE, 150-pack: 66.7p per shot
Lucaffé’s premium specialty blend in bulk-pack form. £99.99 for 150 ESE pods on Amazon UK, 66.7p per shot. The Blucaffé range positions firmly in the third-wave Italian tier: 100% Arabica, single-estate beans, slow-roast process.
This isn’t bar-style Italian espresso. The flavour profile is brighter, more aromatic, and closer to what specialty-coffee shops describe as “modern Italian” than traditional Naples-style. For drinkers who grew up on traditional Italian, Blucaffé will read as light.
Lucaffé Blucaffé ESE 150-pack
Fits: ESE 14g Strength 7/10
Pros
- 100% Arabica specialty blend
- Third-wave-Italian flavour profile
- Home-compostable paper pod
Cons
- £99.99 upfront cost, the premium tier of UK ESE
- Flavour profile not for traditional Italian espresso drinkers
- Lighter body fades in milk drinks
How we ranked these pods
We rank by cost per shot, calculated from the Amazon UK price divided by the pod count. ESE pods are single-shot only (no two-pod milk drinks), so the maths is more straightforward than for Dolce Gusto or Tassimo.
We don’t take payment from any of these brands. Links go to Amazon UK and we earn a small commission when you buy through them. That commission doesn’t influence rank.
Prices update at least monthly. Last checked appears below the comparison table.
Frequently asked questions
What machines accept ESE pods?
The Sage Bambino, Gaggia Classic Pro, Rancilio Silvia (with the optional ESE adapter), and most Italian semi-automatic espresso machines (Pavoni, ECM, Quick Mill, Profitec). The Smeg ECF01, Krups XP344, and several mid-range Delonghi models like the Dedica also support ESE. Cheap entry-level espresso machines and high-end automatics (Jura, super-automatic Delonghis) generally don’t support ESE pods. Check your machine’s manual or product page for “ESE compatible” or “44mm pod support” before buying.
Are ESE pods environmentally better than Nespresso pods?
Yes, materially. ESE pods are paper-wrapped with no aluminium or plastic shell. They’re compostable in any home compost setup (unlike Grind’s plant-based pods, which need hot composting). The 7g of coffee grounds inside go back into the soil along with the paper. How to recycle coffee pods in other systems is more involved; ESE needs nothing.
Why are some ESE pods so much cheaper than Nespresso compatibles?
Because the ESE pod itself is a much simpler product than an aluminium Nespresso pod. The paper round is cheap to manufacture, there’s no patented barcode or shell shape, and the open standard means roasters can buy pod-filling machinery without licensing fees. The savings get passed through to the consumer. Borbone Nero at 14p per shot is the result.
Can I buy ESE pods at supermarkets?
Sometimes. Tesco, Sainsbury’s, and Waitrose carry ESE pods intermittently, usually their own-brand Italian-roasted ranges at around 20-25p per shot. Amazon is the more reliable stockist for the named brands listed in this guide.
How long do ESE pods stay fresh?
Sealed in their paper wrapper inside the box, ESE pods hold their aroma for 10-12 months from the roast date. Once opened, they start losing freshness after about 3 months. Buy bulk boxes (150-pack Borbone Nero, 108-pack Pellini Top, 150-pack Lucaffé Blucaffé) only if you’ll drink through them inside three months at moderate pace.
Where do you get your prices from?
Every price is the Amazon UK list price on the date below the comparison table. We don’t include Lightning Deals or Subscribe and Save discounts in the headline number. Prices update at least monthly.