Dolce Gusto Genio S Review (After 4 Years of Daily Use)

I bought the Dolce Gusto Genio S four years ago for a very simple reason: I didn’t have the space for anything bigger.

My kitchen at the time was tiny—the kind where even a toaster feels like a luxury—so a full espresso machine or a bulky drip brewer wasn’t realistic.

I wanted something compact, clean-looking, and easy to tuck into a corner. The Genio S fit that description perfectly, but what surprised me most was how much variety this tiny machine offered.

Unlike Nespresso, which mostly focuses on espresso, the Genio S covers almost every type of drink you could want. Latte? Yes. Hot chocolate? Absolutely. Tea? Even that.

Back when I bought it, that variety was the biggest selling point for me, and after years of using it, I still think it’s what makes the Genio S stand out.

It’s the kind of machine that works for beginners, small apartments, dorm rooms, or people who want coffee but don’t want to commit to full barista-level gear.

This review goes through everything I’ve learned in the last four years: how well it works, the drink selection, the pods, the coffee quality, and whether I’d still recommend it today.

The Compact Size

The first thing you notice with the Genio S is how small it is.

I’ve owned plenty of coffee makers since then, including Nespresso machines and larger espresso machines, but nothing has ever matched the Genio S in terms of space-saving.

It fits anywhere.

That sounds dramatic, but I really mean it. I’ve had it on a tiny kitchen counter, on a narrow shelf, inside a cabinet, and once temporarily on a side table when my kitchen was being reorganized.

It’s the kind of machine you can live with in any environment: studio apartment, student dorm, office desk, you name it.

And even though it’s small, it doesn’t feel flimsy. The design is slim and modern, and the water tank is easy to remove and refill.

I never had issues with it leaking or shifting around when I pressed buttons. After four years, the plastic has some scratches, but it still looks good overall, which I can’t say for every compact appliance I’ve owned.

Ease of Use: Zero Learning Curve

Another thing I appreciated when I first bought it is that it takes about a minute to learn how to use.

You insert the pod, adjust the bars for the water level, press the button, and it brews. There’s no programming, no fiddling with menus, no complicated setup.

In four years, the only maintenance I had to do was descaling it occasionally, which is standard for any pod machine. The descale light notifies you, and the process is straightforward.

For people who don’t want to invest energy into becoming a full barista, this simplicity is such a plus.

I’ve recommended the Genio S to friends who literally only want to press one button in the morning, and they’ve been happy with it.

The Drinks You Can Make With the Dolce Gusto Genio S

This is where the machine really shines. The Dolce Gusto system isn’t just about espresso: it’s about variety.

That’s the entire reason I picked it over Nespresso in the first place, and after four years, I still think this is its biggest advantage.

Here are the main categories of drinks you can make:

Espresso Drinks

• Espresso
• Lungo
• Ristretto

Note: The espresso isn’t on the level of a Nespresso OriginalLine machine, but it gets the job done, especially if you like flavored espresso pods or you’re mixing it with milk.

Milk-Based Drinks

These drinks usually come in two pods: the coffee pod and the milk pod:

• Latte
• Latte Macchiato
• Cappuccino
• Flat White
• Chai Tea Latte

Two-pod drinks might feel a bit old-school if you’re coming from Nespresso machines that froth fresh milk, but they’re convenient and consistent. You don’t need a frother, and you always know what you’ll get.

Hot Chocolates

• Nesquik hot chocolate
• Chococino
• Chococino caramel

These are especially popular with guests. Kids love them, too.

Teas & Specialty Drinks

• Tea latte
• Iced teas
• Matcha latte

Dolce Gusto actually does a surprisingly good job with tea lattes. They’re sweet, creamy, and cozy. Definitely not something Nespresso can replicate.

I bought the Genio S for the variety and it absolutely delivered.

If you like rotating between different kinds of drinks, or if everyone in your household has different preferences, the Genio S is way more flexible than Nespresso or Keurig.

Check out the 18 best Dolce Gusto recipes for more drink ideas.

Pod Compatibility: So Many Options

If you’re used to the Nespresso system, where you mostly rely on Nespresso pods with a few third-party options, Dolce Gusto will feel completely different.

Dolce Gusto pods exist everywhere.

You can use:

• Dolce Gusto branded pods
• Starbucks pods
• Lidl pods (extremely budget-friendly and surprisingly good)
• Costa Coffee pods
• Nescafé specialty pods
• Third-party brands

This is probably one of the biggest advantages of the Genio S. You’re not locked into a single pricey ecosystem.

Pod Pricing

Dolce Gusto pods are generally cheaper than Nespresso pods, especially third-party options. This makes it a great system for students, families, or anyone wanting variety without spending too much.

Drawback: Many Milk Drinks Use Powder Pods

This is the one limitation. The lattes and cappuccinos use milk powder, not fresh milk.

They’re tasty, but if you want a fresher profile, you might end up frothing your own milk separately.

Coffee Quality: Honest Thoughts After Four Years

The coffee quality is better than Keurig, weaker than Nespresso, and perfectly decent for a compact single-serve machine.

Espresso Quality

The espresso has nice crema, good temperature, and a mild flavor.

If you love intense espresso with depth and richness, Nespresso will win every time.

But if you like lighter espresso or you plan to add milk, the Genio S does more than enough.

Milk Drinks Quality

The two-pod system gives:

• creamy texture
• balanced sweetness
• consistent results

They’re cozy and comforting, and they taste like the kind of drinks you’d get in a casual café—not specialty-grade but absolutely enjoyable.

For Hot Chocolate and Tea Lattes

These are delicious. Dolce Gusto excels with flavored drinks.

Hot chocolate is richer than Keurig’s versions, and tea lattes taste like something you’d pick up at Starbucks.

Comparison to Keurig

Since I’ve tested many Keurig machines, I’ll say this bluntly: Dolce Gusto is noticeably better.

Keurig brews feel more like strong drip coffee, while Dolce Gusto drinks taste more like café-style drinks.

If you want to compare systems, check out Keurig machine reviews:

• Keurig K Express Review: Is It the Best Keurig for Small Spaces?
• Keurig K-Express Essentials Review: Compact Powerhouse or Just Basics?
• Keurig Elite Review: The Best Keurig for Your Daily Brew?
• Keurig Mini Review: Compact Coffee Made Easy
• Keurig K Select Review
• Keurig Mini Plus Review

Overall Taste Rating (My Personal Scale)

• Espresso: 7/10
• Milk Drinks: 8/10
• Hot Chocolate: 9/10
• Tea Lattes: 7.5/10
• Iced Drinks: 8/10

It’s not a machine for espresso purists, but it’s amazing for people who want variety and convenience.

Descaling the Genio S: Surprisingly Easy and Takes Just a Few Minutes

One thing I’ve always appreciated about the Dolce Gusto Genio S is how easy it is to descale.

To start descaling, I just turn the dial all the way to the left, and that automatically puts the machine into descaling mode.

Then I pour descaling solution into the water tank, fill the rest of the tank with water, and place a large container underneath.

After that, it’s literally just pressing the brew button. The machine takes over from there.

It runs through the water–solution mixture smoothly, rinses everything internally, and then I run one more tank of clean water afterward just to flush out any leftover taste.

The whole thing takes a few minutes, and it keeps the machine running like new.

Compared to some pod machines I’ve owned, where descaling feels like a long checklist, the Genio S is genuinely one of the easiest systems to maintain.

Durability: How It’s Held Up After Four Years

One of the things that impressed me most is the consistency. Even after four years, my Genio S:

• heats fast
• brews without hesitation
• hasn’t cracked anywhere
• hasn’t had pump issues
• still looks clean and modern

The only issue I’ve had is needing to descale it regularly, which depends on your water hardness. That’s not unique to Dolce Gusto—every pod machine needs descaling.

Who the Dolce Gusto Genio S Is Best For

✔ People with small kitchens

✔ Students in dorms

✔ Beginners who want zero learning curve

✔ Anyone who likes variety of drinks

✔ People on a budget who still want something café-style

✔ Households with mixed preferences

It’s especially great if you want a latte one day, hot chocolate the next, iced tea afterward, or a simple espresso.

Nespresso can’t match this variety, and Keurig can’t match the café-like feel.

Who It’s NOT for

✘ Espresso purists

✘ People who want to froth fresh milk automatically

✘ Anyone looking for very strong, concentrated espresso shots

If you’re picky about espresso flavor, you might prefer Nespresso OriginalLine or a proper espresso machine.

Dolce Gusto Pros

• Extremely compact
• Huge variety of drinks
• Wide pod compatibility
• No-learning-curve
• Descaling is quick and straightforward
• More café-style drinks compared to Keurig machines

Dolce Gusto Cons

• Espresso quality isn’t as strong or rich as Nespresso
• Milk-based drinks use powdered milk pods instead of fresh milk
• Two-pod drinks create a bit more waste
• Not ideal for espresso purists who want deep, concentrated flavor

Final Verdict: Would I Still Buy It Today?

Absolutely.

Even though I now own a Delonghi Eletta Explore, the Genio S still has a place in my home.

It’s my reliable backup for when I just want something quick, cozy, and easy. It’s also the machine I recommend to friends who want variety without spending a fortune.

If your priority is:

• space
• convenience
• lots of drink types
• wide pod availability

…then the Dolce Gusto Genio S is one of the best small pod machines to get.