So, you decided you want a new coffee maker, and you've landed on Nespresso as the ideal brand for you. But what now? There are some major differences you should understand before you even start shopping, and from there, there is a huge range of machines to choose from.
Fortunately for you, I've been testing Nespresso machines for over five years, and while I've admittedly moved onto more manual machines, I was once a very happy Nespresso owner for a number of sleep-deprived student years.
I'll run down the key things you should know before you shop below, but if you want to skip to the best Nespresso machine you can buy, I'll offer two key options. The first is the Nespresso Vertuo Lattissima, which features milk frothing. Due to its Vertuo tech, it can brew a range of drink sizes, but this also locks you into Nespresso-branded pods, which can be more expensive.
Want something a bit simpler? Take a look at the Nespresso CitiZ, which is a high-quality machine that makes great espresso. This is a Nespresso Original model, meaning it brews from a standard pod size (which doesn't have to be Nespresso branded) and can make two drink sizes.
What you need to know before buying a Nespresso machine
Nespresso makes two types of machine: Original and Vertuo. When choosing the right machine for you, it will help to know which type of brewer best suits your lifestyle.
I wrote a complete Nespresso Original vs Vertuo article where I pitted my favorite machine from each option head-to-head. But I'll give you a brief summary of my findings here.
Price: Nespresso Vertuo machines can often be cheaper than the Original line, and you'll also see them on sale during sales events like Black Friday. But if I was feeling cynical, I'd suggest that it's because you're locked into a more expensive ecosystem when you buy Vertuo.
Without getting too deep into the history, Nespresso owns the patent for Vertuo pods, but not for Original line machines, meaning you can buy pods for your Orignal machine from a number of brands, many of which will save you a lot of money over time.
Winner: Nespresso Original
Variety: With an Original machine you can only brew from one pod size, so you're limited to either an espresso or a more watered-down lungo. Whereas Vertuo machines can brew many sizes, all of which come with their own specific pods. These pods have barcodes which will allow your machine to brew the perfect length for that capsule automatically.
Winner: Nespresso Vertuo
Taste: Personally, I prefer the quality of the coffee you get from Original machines. That's because Vertuo machines are brewed using a unique spinning motion that creates a thick layer of faux-crema at the top of your cup. Some people love how this looks, but for me, I want a more authentic brew. If you love traditional espresso, you should maybe consider buying an espresso machine, but the Original line will give you a more conventional shot of coffee.
With that being said, Nespresso does create some very interesting flavors for its Vertuo line. Some of the most popular include Sweet Vanilla, Golden Caramel, and even a pod that's designed specifically to pair with oat milk.
Winner: It depends on your preference!
Quick list
If you want a Nespresso machine that ticks every box, the Nespresso Vertuo Lattissima is our top pick. This neat little machine can make a huge range of drinks, dispenses a variety of steamed milks, and is immensely easy to use. We can't fault it.
The Nespresso CitiZ is an Original-line machine that works with a range of pods, not just own-brand. Construction quality is impressive, espresso was rich and flavorful with an authentic level of crema, and its two drink sizes are ideal for households who enjoy both espresso and longer coffees.
Offering brilliant value for money, we think the Vertuo Plus is great for coffee lovers. It's cheaper than Nespresso's standard Vertuo machine, and comes with large water container for a range of brew sizes.
Marked with the high-end finish you'd expect from a Breville-made machine, this stainless steel Nespresso has automatic milk steaming and brews original line Nespresso capsules.
It's not the most versatile of Nespresso's machines, only offering two drink sizes, but the Pixie is ideal for those who love espresso. It's also one of the brand's most compact options.
The Nespresso Vertuo Creatista features a Breville brand automatic milk steamer which can texturize your milk with the touch of a button. Better yet, it does this into a steel jug, allowing you to pour the milk yourself.
The best Nespresso machines you can buy today
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Best overall
If you want a Nespresso machine that can do it all, the Nespresso Vertuo Lattissima is our top pick. This multi-faceted machine can make a selection of milky drinks and still has all the benefits of Nespresso's clever Vertuo system which automatically brews the ideal drink length for your chosen capsule.
We enjoyed the neat design of this attractive machine, which has a removable milk container that slots easily onto the front unit to make all-in-one cappuccinos or latte macchiatos. You can also make a babyccino, so not everything you make in this machine needs to be espresso-based.
In terms of performance, we were happy with the range of drinks we made in this machine, but the milk-based were the standouts. We also made a delicious long coffee over iced, but noticed that the 57fl oz container could run out fast if you prefer to drink mugs of coffee over espresso.
Read our full Nespresso Vertuo Lattissima review.
Best Original line
They don't make them like the Nespresso CitiZ any more. This luxe original-line machine brews two sizes by default — 1.35 oz espresso and 3.7 oz lungo — which are great for mixing it up between short, espresso-based drinks and longer coffees. The small machine features an impressively large used pod container, so you won't find yourself emptying it too often. It also has two cup holder levels that will prevent splashing, no matter which drink size you choose. It's also got a quality metallic finish that feels premium compared to many plastic alternatives.
Unlike Vertuo machines, you won't get tailor-made pods for different drink lengths with this Original line model, so the longer drinks you brew in the CitiZ will be extracted from the same pod size as your shorter espressos, making them a bit weaker. That aside, I was still very impressed with the rich and complex flavor of the coffee I made in this machine. It also brewed with an authentic layer of crema and an aromatic finish, pretty comparable to a real espresso machine.
The downside? The CitiZ is quite expensive for what you get. It makes sense, because Nespresso would sooner have you invest in its latest Vertuo line and lock you into buying Nespresso-exclusive capsules. By contrast, you can shop Original-line pods from any number of roasters or budget stores. So the up-front cost is higher, but this could be offset by a lower ongoing pod price.
Read our full Nespresso CitiZ review.
Best value
The Nespresso VertuoPlus was released as a step above the original Vertuo, but these days it not only offers a lower price tag but still brings out the best in easy to brew pod coffee. While the only extra features are a movable water reservoir and automatically opening and closing lid, you're getting a much better value Nespresso machine here. With capacity reaching all the way up to 14oz brews, you're sorted whether you're after a quick espresso shot or a full travel mug.
Not only that, but Nespresso's centrifusion brewing technology also makes for creamy, well-balanced coffee and the automatic pod detection means your Nespresso coffee maker always knows the perfect settings for your drink of choice.
That means you're getting a strong set of additional features, excellent coffee quality, and flexibility in storing your Nespresso - all for an affordable price. It should be noted that while there is no built-in milk frother, you can often buy this machine as a bundle with a separate Nespresso milk frother included.
Read our full Nespresso Vertuo Plus review.
Best premium
Created in collaboration with Breville, the Nespresso Creatista Plus is one of the best-looking Nespresso machines on the market. It has a smart control panel that allows you to choose your preferred drink, and an automatic milk steaming wand that recreates some of that classic espresso machine charm with the ability to pour your own milk, as opposed to watching a milk steaming attachment pour it for you.
This is an expensive option, but you won't get the Vertuo capsule system included so you'll be stuck with original Nespresso pods that work best for espresso-based drinks when you opt for this machine.
We were particularly pleased with the quality microfoam that was created by the Breville steaming attachment, which is a noisy feature hitting 86 decibels when we tested it, but offers an impressive 11 temperature options. If you love a premium look and a milky coffee, this is a brilliant choice.
Read our full Nespresso Creatista Plus review
Best for espresso
As one of Nespresso's original line coffee makers, the Pixie can only produce (0.84 and 1.35 oz) drinks. However, you can top up your espresso with hot water or run a few cycles through your capsule if you want to make a longer drink. We found that this comes out a little weak when we tested the machine, but where it excelled was its premium-feel, compact design.
The Nespresso Pixie features a largely metal construction, which makes it feels a lot higher quality than many capsule machines. Our reviewer described it as "robust" when testing, and enjoyed the metal lever that's used to open and close the capsule container. That there is only one Nespresso machine, the Essenza Mini, that's smaller than the Pixie, so this compact option is ideal for small spaces.
Another enjoyable feature is the ease of use with this machine. It has only two buttons, one for a shot of espresso and one for a lungo, and we found that it pre-heated in only 30 seconds, meaning you can have a cup of espresso in under a minute with its 20-second brew time. If you did want a milk frother to sit alongside the Pixie, you can buy it with Nespresso's Aeroccino in a bundle.
Read our full Nespresso Pixie review
Best for milky drinks
I find hard to recommend a Nespresso machine that costs over $600, but it can't be denied that if you want the best of the best and price isn't an option, Nespresso made the Nespresso Vertuo Creatista for you. It's got the classic Vertuo brewing system and can make drinks in 6 sizes, including 5, 8, 12, and 18 oz coffees, as well as single and double shots.
What really stands out is, first, the high-tech look and feel of the design. Who doesn't love a Breville-style stainless steel coffee maker? Not everyone will this the Vertuo Creatista is a looker, but I'm quite keen on the build which straddles retro and hyper-modern style.
Secondly, milk steaming options are next-level. Featuring Breville's bespoke automatic milk steaming wand, which can brew to three different temperatures and textures, you'll be set to make any milk-based milk drink you could want with this machine.
But it goes without saying that you could get this same milk wand on an actual espresso machine for around the same price, so this one's for the Nespresso fans who'd knowingly choose a single-serve over a classy espresso machine. If that's you, this is a great option.
Read our full Nespresso Vertuo Creatista review
Also tested
How we test the best Nespresso machines
Millie has been reviewing Nespresso machines for five years, so it's a good thing she loves coffee. In fact, she's such an enthusiast that she's even taken a course with the Specialty Coffee Association to qualify as a barista. She brings these skills to all of her coffee reviews, from luxe espresso machines to entry-level pod models, and uses her in-depth knowledge to recommend the right machines to our readers.
Helen has reviewed countless kitchen appliances from coffee makers to air fryers. She's an expert home economist and spent years working at the Good Housekeeping Institute before going freelance. She reviewed a number of the machines in this guide.
We tested each and every coffee maker in this guide to bring you our comprehensive ranking. There are a few models that have very similar names: that's because Nespresso is currently adding Vertuo iterations of its most popular Original lineup to its offering: for example, the most recent Nespresso launch of the Vertuo Creatista is a Vertuo version of Nespresso's original Creatista machine, which features the same steam wand but with a different brewing system. Ranking these machines is tricky, because it depends on your prefered Nespresso system.
When reviewing, we firstly considered the actual taste of the coffee. After all, even the most convenient Nespresso machine would be no good if it didn't provide quality flavors. We also considered user experience though, because single-serve machines are designed to put convenience at the forefront. If a machine felt too prissy, we marked it down. This included the need to refill too often, or empty the capsules too regularly.
Where Nespresso machines came with milk wands or dispensers, we tested them on every setting. A good milk dispenser should create evenly distributed micro-foam that's not too hot and which lasts a good amount of time. And we give bonus points where it brews cool enough to steam plant milks without burning them.
If you're not sure which type of coffee maker to buy, be sure to check out our guide.
How to choose the best Nespresso machine for you
When considering which Nespresso machine would best fit you, it's important to consider the context of how you will be using your device, the space you have available, and the pods you want to use.
How you will use your Nespresso
If you need a coffee machine that can handle larger servings, either for multiple morning drinkers or for guests later on in the day, make sure you've got a fast brew, a large water reservoir, and a large pod storage drawer. You could also check out the best coffee makers for some pod-alternative options.
However, if you just need a few cups in the morning to get you going, you won't need to pay for these features and can easily get by with a much smaller device.
How much space you have
Nespresso machines can get pretty large, even though they're still only using smaller pods. Once you add milk frothers, reservoirs, and pod storage into the equation you can easily start running out of counter space. Measure not only the coffee machine you're intending to buy, but also the accessories and storage needed to make the most of it.
Pod type
Nespresso Vertuo machines use different pods to the Original line of coffee makers. These pods allow for the centrifusion brewing technique that makes Vertuo coffee so creamy and well-balanced, so it's worth checking which pod type your chosen device will take.
Price
Nespresso tends to offer more premium and expensive designs compared to other pod brands on the market. This is because these machines can actually reach a high enough temperature and pressure to produce a quality espresso, complete with a layer of crema. Some of the best Keurig coffee makers come close to offering a comparable performance, and these feature a more reasonable price. However, if you want an espresso similar to what you’d get from an espresso machine, Nespresso is your best bet.
Some Nespresso machines are more wallet-friendly than others, particularly if you opt for a smaller design which doesn’t come with so many features or milk-frothing capabilities. And when you compare the price of our winner, which costs less than $200, to some of the best espresso machines, you will find there’s substantial savings to be had by opting for Nespresso.
FAQs
What's the difference between Nespresso vs Keurig?
If you're searching for the best Nespresso, you've likely also come across the brand's main competitor, Keurig. The two brands offer similar pod coffee machines, but with some key differences that will fit one use case better than another.
The Nespresso range tends to offer a slightly more complex approach to brewing your coffee. Many models make the most of centrifusion brewing techniques which allow for a more well-balanced coffee flavor, and many also use smart capsule recognition to automatically set the correct brew environment for your drink of choice. If you're after a more premium brewing method, it might be worth paying the slightly higher prices for a Nespresso machine.
However, the best Keurig coffee makers can make the most of the K-Cup variety on offer. There are so many brands offering their own K-Cup coffees, from Dunkin' Donuts and Krispy Kreme to Starbucks. If you're looking for extra variety in your brews, or if you want to spend a little less, this is likely the best way to go.
