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Kitchen Appliances
Nescafé Dolce Gusto Genio S Review: The Coffee Machine I Use Every Day
I bought the compact Dolce Gusto Genio S after really wanting one, and a year of daily use later, I still absolutely love it. Here is what makes it so easy to live with — and the one thing worth knowing before you buy.
Researched by Jackie ·
Quick verdict
The Genio S makes pod drinks quickly without taking up much worktop space. Mine heats up in around 20 seconds and dispenses a drink in less than a minute, so it is ideal when I want a coffee without any fuss. It is easy to refill, clean and maintain, and I have only needed to descale it once during the year I have owned it. My only real consideration is the 0.8-litre water tank. If you prefer very long drinks, you may only get around three before it needs topping up. That does not bother me because refilling it is so straightforward, but it is worth knowing.
4.5 / 5
Best for
Quick everyday pod drinks, smaller kitchens and coffee lovers who enjoy plenty of flavour choices.
Small, Fast and Easy to Use
One of the main reasons I use this machine every day is its speed. When I open the front to insert a pod, it starts heating, and it is normally ready in around 20 seconds. The drink itself dispenses very quickly, usually in less than a minute. That makes it easy to fit a coffee into a busy morning or make one whenever I fancy it without turning it into a whole process. The controls are simple, and there is very little cleaning up afterwards.
A Compact Coffee Station
The Genio S is particularly useful if you do not have lots of spare worktop room. It has a very small footprint, and I keep mine on top of my Mind Reader coffee pod drawer. This gives me pod storage underneath the machine and keeps everything together as a neat little coffee station. I also use some cute glass coffee mugs with it. They look lovely with the machine and make my everyday coffee setup feel a little more special.
What I Liked
The biggest strengths for me are the speed, simplicity and compact size. I can make a drink quickly, the machine is easy to keep clean, and it does not dominate the kitchen worktop. My favourite everyday choice is the latte pods, but the variety is a big part of the fun of owning a Dolce Gusto machine. I also enjoy getting a mystery box of pods because it is a fun way to try flavours I might not have picked individually.
Things to Know
The water tank is the only reason I have taken half a point off my score. With the long drinks I enjoy, I normally get around three before it needs more water. Thankfully, topping it up is easy. I can remove the cap and pour in more water without making a big job of it, so the capacity has never been a real problem for me. For anyone who would prefer a machine that accepts more than one capsule system, I have also reviewed the CUSIMAX 2-in-1 Coffee Pod Machine, which works with both Nespresso and Dolce Gusto capsules.
Who Is It Best For?
I think the Genio S is a particularly good fit for someone who wants quick, uncomplicated pod drinks and does not have lots of spare worktop space. It is also ideal if you enjoy changing between lattes, coffees and different flavours without needing a complicated coffee setup.
Watch My Coffee Reviews
See the Genio S in action, plus the accessories and alternative machine I use alongside it.
Nescafé Dolce Gusto Genio S
See the machine in use and take a closer look at its compact design and controls.
CUSIMAX 2-in-1 Coffee Pod Machine
See the alternative machine I reviewed for anyone wanting wider capsule compatibility.
Mind Reader Coffee Pod Drawer
See the storage drawer I use beneath my coffee machine.
Glass Coffee Mugs
Take a closer look at the mugs I use with my pod drinks.
Final verdict
After around a year of daily use, the Nescafé Dolce Gusto De’Longhi Genio S is still one of my favourite small kitchen appliances. It is quick, compact, easy to clean and simple to refill, and it fits neatly into my routine. The water tank may need frequent topping up if you make long drinks, but for me that is a small compromise. I would happily choose it again, and my 4.5/5 score reflects how much I genuinely enjoy using it.