Nespresso Coffee Machines

Nespresso coffee makers are small and compact unlike drip coffee machines. They have a basic black design and vary in price and sophistication. Some include a milk frother for latte art and can be connected to the company's app to manage recipes and receive alerts about descaling.

The simplest machines, like our pick, the Essenza Mini, are simple and inexpensive, but they do not have features that create more complicated drinks. Other machines can also make larger drink sizes, like the gran lungos.

What is a Nespresso machine?

Since 1986, Nespresso has marketed single-serve machines that utilize capsules to create coffee and espresso drinks. The brand has a huge number of loyal fans thanks to the ease, speed and consistency with which their machines make an espresso-like hot drink. These machines are a great alternative to brewing at-home espresso with moka pots or drip coffee maker, both of which require the time and care to clean after each use.

A Nespresso machine uses an air pressure system to extract the flavor of the pod. It then heats up water and makes froths of the milk to make coffee drinks such as lattes and cappuccinos. Nespresso offers a wide selection of coffee and tea blends that can be adapted to different tastes and moods as well as decaffeinated and flavored choices. The machines are stylish and compact, making them easy to use and make the perfect choice for those looking to grab a quick cup of coffee or tea in the afternoon.

The Vertuo line replaced the Nespresso original machines in 2014, which used capsules that were the Original capsules to brew espresso shots. The Essenza Mini is the smallest model in the line. It is compact, with a small water tank, and room for capsules that are used. Its simple operation, with just two buttons--one for espresso and the other for a lungo--makes it simple to master.

All Nespresso machines automatically dispose of used capsules after the brewing. This is in contrast to Keurig machines that require users to manually add water each time. Depending on the size of the reservoir and capsule storage the capsules can hold anywhere from four to 12 used pods, which are disposed of into the built-in receptacle every time you open the machine.

Some of the most popular models are compatible with the mobile app of the brand, which allows you customize recipes and reorder capsules at home. This feature was tested on the sleek stainless steel Vertuo Creatista. It also allows you to make hot coffee and iced tea using a dedicated frother room. The only drawback of the machine we test is that it doesn't support all milk types. You'll need purchase a separate frothing device in order to make drinks with whole, 2% or almond milk.

The Original Line Original Line

The Original line of pod machines includes the stylish Citiz Mini and 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 an increased pressure of 19 bars than some of the Vertuo models, which use pumps of 15 to 18 bars.

The Original machines produce a crema (a thin layer of tiny microbubbles that sits on top of the espresso) which is more dense and more affluent than the foam of the Vertuo line. The crema is more than just froth, though--as the Spruce says, it can account for up to one quarter of espresso's flavor. The Original line comes with more expensive Creatista or Lattissima espresso machines with built-in milk frothers that can make lattes and cappuccinos at the push of the button.

The Lattissima Line

This line of machines is perfect for those who enjoy milky coffee drinks like cappuccinos and lattes and need a machine that can do it all. It comes with three recipes that can be customized and its 4.2 cup milk container can be taken out and washed in the dishwasher. It is also lightweight and easy to store and move in small areas. However, some users say it's not as intuitive to use as other Nespresso models.

The jug of this machine has lines that indicate the kind of beverage you'd like. You can select your beverage while the machine is heating. It also has a sensor that automatically stops steaming when the jug runs out, preventing milk waste.

The Lattissima One is a good value for the money and is available in four colors including black with gray accents, dark gray, porcelain white, and Nespresso portable coffee Maker silky white. The machine is easy to clean and has a minimalistic aesthetic that won't overwhelm smaller spaces. The machine is also moderately priced, with a retail cost of $385/PS279

It has an automatic drip tray, just like the OriginalLine models. This tray catches any loose ground as you pour espresso. This feature is great to prevent spills and overflow, which can ruin the taste of your espresso.

The Pro and Gran Lattissima both have a larger water tank than the Lattissima One, allowing them to hold more water before having to refill. Both models come with an earlier time to heat up (15 seconds for an Espresso and 25 seconds for Lungo) and hot water functions that can be used to make tea or iced espresso.

The only real drawback of the Lattissima line is the difficulty in changing the consistency of the milk foam. The machine is only compatible with skim milk (sorry vegans and those who are lactose intolerant), and the foaming mechanism doesn't work well with almond or vegetable milks. The wand that froths is difficult to clean. This is a common complaint from nespresso portable coffee maker users. Fortunately the Lattissima Pro and Gran Lattissima come with a self-cleaning system that cleans the milky innards after each use of the frothing.

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 strong drink. Each capsule is equipped with a barcode around its outer rim that is read by the machine's software to determine what size beverage it will create. Nespresso's Vertuo pods are extracted using an innovative technology.

Vertuo Line has a variety of drinks, including Ristretto, Espresso, Lungo (mini espresso), Americano, and Cappuccino. The machines also are compatible with the nespresso coffee machine sale Aeroccino milk frother to make frothy cappuccinos and lattes.

Each Vertuo Line coffee machine heats quickly and can be brewed in less than 30 seconds. They use a smaller water tank than the Original Line machines and require less maintenance. There are a myriad of models to choose from that you can choose one that suits your style and budget.

Vertuo Line machines can also brew regular filter coffee, unlike the Original Line machines that only make nespresso machine pop. This is done via an additional spout that is situated at the bottom of machine.

VertuoLine machines come with a revolutionary brewing technique that uses centrifusion to extract gently espresso and coffee. This allows for the production of natural crema, which preserves and enhances the coffee's aroma. The VertuoLine System also features an intelligent recognition feature that adjusts the extraction parameters to match each Grand Cru blend.

Each VertuoLine machine is covered by a manufacturer's warranty and includes the starter pack of 10 free Nespresso capsules. The company also offers an optional subscription service that delivers fresh new Nespresso capsules each month.

The Nespresso VertuoPlus machine is the top overall machine. It is simple to use, heats up quickly and comes in a variety of colors. It can create five different sizes of espresso and coffee including a flat white, ristretto and lungo. It also makes an espresso-latte, and it can be used with the Aeroccino Milk Frother to create lattes or cappuccino.

The only downside to the VertuoPlus is that it takes a little longer to brew than other machines, specifically when making an Americano. Comparing the Bunn Fastbrew to the Nespresso VertuoPlus, which can make an 8-ounce Americano in just 42 seconds, it took 1 minute and 51 seconds. It is possible to speed up the process by choosing an automatic mode.