Nespresso Coffee Machines

Unlike drip coffee makers, Nespresso models are small and compact. They are simple in their black design and vary in price and complexity. Some come with a milk frother that can be used to create Latte art and can be linked to an app to manage recipes or receive notifications about descaling.

The most basic machines, such as our choice, the Essenza Mini, are simple and affordable but forgo features that can make more complex drinks. Other machines can make larger drink sizes, like Gran lungos.

What is an Nespresso Machine?

Since 1986, Nespresso sells single-serve machines which use capsules to brew coffee and espresso. The brand has a loyal following because of its ease, speed and consistency in making a hot espresso-like beverage. These machines are an excellent alternative to making at-home espresso using a moka pot or drip coffee maker each of which requires time and careful cleaning after each use.

A Nespresso machine makes use of the pressure system to extract the flavor of the pod. It then heats up water and it froths the milk to create coffee drinks like lattes and cappuccinos. Nespresso offers a variety of coffee and tea blends to suit different tastes and moods, including flavored and decaffeinated choices. Their machines are stylish and compact, as well as easy to use and make them a great option for those who want to grab a quick cup of coffee or tea in the afternoon.

The Vertuo line replaced the original Nespresso machines in 2014, which used the Original capsules to brew espresso shots. The most compact model in the line is the Essenza Mini, which is extremely compact and has a tiny water tank and a space for capsules that are used. Its simple operation, with just two buttons one for espresso and another for a lungo is easy to master.

All Nespresso machines automatically dispose of capsules that are used after making. This is different from Keurig machines, which require you to manually add the water each time. They can store anything from four to twelve pods used up, based on the size of their water reservoirs and capsule storage. They are then thrown away into an internal receptacle time you open the machine.

Some of the more popular models also work with the mobile app of the brand, which allows you to modify recipes and order capsules from home. We tested this feature on the sleek stainless steel Vertuo Creatista, which also lets you make hot chocolate and iced coffee using an ice-making chamber that is specifically designed for frothing. The only drawback to the machine we tried was that it does not support all milk varieties, requiring you to buy an additional frothing tool if you plan to make drinks with whole or 2% almond milk.

The Original Line Original Line

The Original line of pod-only machines comprises the sleek Citiz and the Essenza Mini. Both machines are pierced by the capsule and then pump hot water at a high pressure through it to create an espresso or a lungo. The original machines utilize 19 bar of pressure, which is much higher than the 15-18 bar pumps that are found in the more expensive Vertuo models.

The Original machines produce a crema (a thin layer of tiny microbubbles on the top of the espresso) which is more dense and Nespresso capsules more rich than the foam of the Vertuo line. The crema is not just foam but also. As the Spruce states, it can make up for up to 25% of an espresso's flavor. The Original line also has more expensive Creatista and Lattissima models that have built-in milk frothers to create cappuccinos, lattes, and macchiatos with the touch of the button.

The Lattissima Line

This line is ideal for those who need an appliance that can make cappuccinos, lattes, and other milky coffee drinks. It comes with three different recipes and its 4.2 1 ounce milk container is easily removed and washed in the dishwasher. It's also light, making it easy to transport and store in a tight space. Some customers have complained that it's not as intuitive as other nespresso white machine machines.

The jug in this machine has lines that indicate the type of beverage you want. You can pick your beverage while the machine is heating up. It comes with a sensor that automatically stops the steaming when it runs out of milk.

The Lattissima One offers a great value for money. It's available in four colors: porcelain white, dark gray, Nespresso capsules and silky-white. The machine is easy to clean and has a minimalistic design that doesn't take up too much space in smaller spaces. The machine is also moderately priced, with a suggested retail cost of $385/PS279

Like the OriginalLine models, this one also has an automatic drip tray that captures any loose grounds as you pour your espresso. It's a nice option to minimize mess, and also helps to prevent spills which could affect the taste of your coffee.

The Pro and Gran Lattissima have larger water tanks than the Lattissima One. This allows them to hold more water without having to refill. The two models feature an earlier time to heat up (15 seconds for an Espresso and 25 seconds for a Lungo) and hot water functions that can be used to make iced or tea.

The only real drawback of the Lattissima line is the difficulty in altering the consistency of the foam you make. The machine can only be used with skim milk (sorry vegans and those who are lactose intolerant), and the foaming system does not work well with almond or vegetable milks. The wand that froths is difficult to clean. This is a common complaint from Nespresso users. The Lattissima Pro or Gran Lattissima comes with a self-cleaning feature that scrubs the milky interior of the frother after every use.

The Vertuo Line

A Nespresso Vertuo machine makes a small cup of coffee that's perfect for those who love espresso and prefer a quick, intense drink. Each capsule is equipped with a barcode along its outer rim that is read by the machine's system to determine the amount of coffee it will make. Nespresso's Vertuo capsules are extracted using an exclusive technology.

Vertuo Line has a variety of drinks like Ristretto, Espresso, Lungo (mini espresso), Americano, and Cappuccino. The machines can also be used with the Nespresso Aeroccino Milk Frother to make frothy lattes and cappuccinos.

Each Vertuo Line coffee machine heats quickly and can be brewed in less than 30 seconds. They have a smaller water reservoir than the Original Line and require less maintenance. There are many models to choose from, so you can choose one that fits your style and budget.

Contrary to the Original Line machines, which only make Nespresso capsules The Vertuo Line also brews regular filter-brewed coffee. This is done through the spout, which is that is located at the bottom of the machine.

VertuoLine machines feature a new system of brewing that gently extracts espresso and coffee using the unique centrifusion technology. This allows for the creation of natural crema, which protects and enhances coffee aromas. The VertuoLine System also features an intelligent recognition feature that adapts the extraction parameters to match each Grand Cru blend.

Each VertuoLine machine is backed by a manufacturer's warranty. It also comes with an initial pack of 10 free Nespresso capsules. The company also offers an optional subscription service that provides new Nespresso capsules every month.

While there are many different VertuoLine machines to choose from, the Nespresso VertuoPlus is our pick for best overall machine. It's simple to operate, quick to heat up and comes in a variety of colors. It can make five different sizes of espresso and coffee, including flat white, ristretto, and lungo. It can also make the latte-macchiato and can be used in conjunction with the Aeroccino Milk Frother to make lattes or cappuccino.

The VertuoPlus' only downside is that it takes longer to brew when compared to other machines, particularly when making an Americano. Comparing the Bunn Fastbrew to the nespresso machine price VertuoPlus, which can brew an 8-ounce Americano in 42 seconds, the VertuoPlus took 1 minute, 51 seconds. You can accelerate the process by selecting an automatic mode.