I've a dolce gusto machine I got as a present, and the capsules are 4 pounds for 16, which is expensive if you compare to buying ground beans. But consider that if I choose to make two coffees instead of having a Starbucks/local shop on my way to work, it's been worth it. Seems reasonable to me, especially as it's consistent quality and i don't drink enough coffee (maybe one a day at home, probably another in the office using the office machine) to warrant buying a full bag and letting it go stale.