Wish to take your coffee to a new height? Here’s what you need to know about the best Nespresso machines to brew delicious espresso at home.
Quick Answer: The best Nespresso machines are the Nespresso Essenza Plus (best overall), Essenza Mini (most compact), Pixie (best value), VertuoPlus (most versatile), and Lattissima (best for lattes).
Many people have coffee makers at home but still prefer to walk to the coffee shop for a shot of rich espresso or cappuccino. Even if you wake up early, you may not want to rack your brains with the intricacies of grinding fresh beans, striking the perfect coffee-to-water ratio, and accurate water temperature for single-serve coffee. This is where a high-end Nespresso coffee machine comes to your rescue, as the quick brewing time and ease of use will help the most dedicated coffee drinker wake up in the morning.
A Nespresso can bring your coffee shop to your kitchen counter, but with so many gadgets and gizmos, you may find it difficult to find a product that reflects what you want. You would not want a machine that breaks down on the second cup or spends more than necessary to get a good cup of espresso.
Let’s cut the confusion and get straight to the point. In this article, I have included all that you need to know to buy the best Nespresso machine for you, including factors to consider, budget, features, and so on.
What To Look For In The Best Nespresso Machine
Nespresso machines can fulfill your dream of brewing barista-style espresso at home or the office, but you need to choose your product wisely. After years of tests and trials, I have come up with a checklist of things to look for when buying the best Nespresso Machine:
Coffee Preferences
This is perhaps the most important point that will determine how happy you are with your purchase. Do you like black coffee or enjoy taking it with milk? If you prefer a certain style of coffee, like a latte, you might want to look for a Nespresso that comes with a steam wand.
Capsules
While all the Nespresso machines accept coffee capsules, it is important to note that not all of them are compatible with every machine. If you like a particular brand or flavor, make sure you check its compatibility with the machine you wish to buy.
Size And Design
While most people talk about the performance of Nespresso machines, let’s not forget that looks matter. Manufacturers offer a lot of color options for customers to pick the one that adds personality and elegance to the kitchen decor. When it comes to size, look for compact designs for the kitchen with limited space.
Ease Of Use
One of the pros of Nespresso machines is you don’t need to purchase a grinder. The coffee is already ground in pre-packaged pods. The best Nespresso coffee makers have easy controls and are designed to brew a great cup of java with just a press of a button.
Cleaning And Maintenance
What good is a Nespresso machine if it is difficult to maintain and takes hours to clean? Look for models that are easy to clean in minutes and require low maintenance. You may consider using a descaler on the weekends to clean thoroughly and increase the lifespan of your Nespresso device.
1. Nespresso Essenza Plus – Best Overall
The Essenza Plus comes with a standard 19 bars of pressure that enables you to brew barista-style coffee right at home and enjoy the finest aromas and delicate flavors bursting from each capsule. The heat-up system is highly efficient, and you can achieve the perfect water temperature in less than 30 seconds.
It boasts a water tank capacity of 33.8 oz. You can brew espresso, lungo Americano, and an extra-large Americano with the push of a button. The machine can also prepare hot water, so you can brew other drinks.
- Pros: Multiple drink sizes, descaling alert, mobile app, high-quality coffee
- Cons: Larger footprint, not silent
Check Nespresso Essenza Plus on Amazon
2. Nespresso Essenza Mini – Most Compact
If you think espresso machines are bulky, complicated, and difficult to use, the Nespresso Essenza Mini will change that opinion for good. It is one of the most compact and sleek Nespresso machines. Most importantly, the design and less counter space do not come at the cost of performance.
Whether you need an espresso or lungo, this device delivers with ease! The Essenza mini offers two programmable cups and creates the most flavorful coffee. This brewer comes with easy-to-customize water levels and an auto shut-off feature.
- Pros: Compact design, warms up in 30 seconds, 20.3-oz water tank, easy to use, rich crema
- Cons: Small capsule size, lacks guide, makes humming noise
Check Nespresso Essenza Mini on Amazon
3. Nespresso Pixie – Best Value
While the compact body and size make it look like a pixie among other espresso machines, don’t be fooled by its looks. It delivers top-notch espresso. The LED display indicates when the machine runs out of water, and the used capsule container can hold up to ten empty capsules.
The Pixie maker lets you enjoy a wide spectrum of flavors and aromas with 16 coffee capsules. Whether you are in the mood for tasty hazelnut or rich vanilla, this Pixie brewer has you covered. You can add an Aeroccino milk frother to your purchase for lattes and flat whites.
- Pros: Fast heat up, auto-shut off, compact design
- Cons: Only works with Nespresso pods, two drink sizes only
Check Nespresso Pixie on Amazon
4. Nespresso VertuoPlus – Most Versatile
The VertuoPlus offers all the benefits and customizing options of a high-end coffeemaker in a single server unit. With a large removable water tank, you can enjoy espresso, double espresso, Gran Lungo, and a standard eight-ounce cup of Joe.
It uses Nespresso’s Centrifusion extraction technology to brew a quality cup of coffee by spinning the pod during the brewing process. It can scan the barcodes in Nespresso-brand capsules automatically and brew as per the accurate specifications.
- Pros: Four drink sizes, descaling alarm, BPA-free, automatic shut-off
- Cons: Large footprint, only accepts Nespresso Vertuo pods
Check Nespresso VertuoPlus on Amazon
5. Nespresso Gran Lattissima – Best for Lattes
For a coffee shop experience at home, the Nespresso Gran Lattissima machine is one of the top picks. This brewer whips up coffee and can froth milk without the need to purchase a separate frother.
This espresso maker can brew a standard espresso as well as ristretto and lungo sizes. You can then prepare espresso drinks such as a cappuccino, latte macchiato, and flat white at the touch of a button.
- Pros: Versatile, built-in milk frother, fast heat-up, cleaning alerts
- Cons: Pricey, too bulky for small kitchens
Check Nespresso Gran Lattissima on Amazon
6. Breville Creatista Pro – Best Premium Option
The Creatista Pro is for the experienced home brewer. As this machine comes with a milk frother, you can brew espresso and froth milk simultaneously. Serious coffee connoisseurs will be impressed with the 11 milk temperature settings and eight texture levels.
If you’re not confident in your coffee-making skills, you can follow the instructions on the screen to learn how to brew coffee. Once you’ve perfected a recipe, you can save your customized settings and enjoy it again and again.
- Pros: Quick heat-up, self-cleaning steam wand, recipe instructions
- Cons: Overwhelming for beginners, premium price
Check Breville Creatista Pro on Amazon
7. Breville Creatista Plus – Best Mid-Range
The Creatista Plus is a more affordable alternative to the Pro. It still allows brewing coffee and steaming milk, and you can control milk temperature and texture to whip up the same drinks. It’s for those who love milky drinks but don’t consider themselves coffee snobs.
- Pros: More affordable, lighter, quick heat-up
- Cons: Slower to brew milky drinks, steam wand less stable
Check Breville Creatista Plus on Amazon
8. Nespresso Vertuo Next – Best Budget Vertuo
The Vertuo Next is perfect for those who prefer simple coffee drinks. This compact machine can brew espresso, double espresso, gran lungo, and a full mug of coffee. There is an adjustable cup holder, so you don’t need to worry about overflow.
It operates at the touch of a button, as the machine has a barcode instructing it how to brew your coffee down to the exact temperature and size.
- Pros: Easy to clean, versatile, compact, affordable
- Cons: Loud, only accepts Vertuo pods
Check Nespresso Vertuo Next on Amazon
9. Nespresso CitiZ – Best for Third-Party Pods
The Nespresso CitiZ is ideal for those looking to save money by using third-party pods. Just ensure that they are labeled Nespresso Original compatible before purchasing. This sleek machine fits well in modern kitchens and delivers consistent espresso shots.
- Pros: Works with third-party pods, sleek design, consistent brewing
- Cons: No milk frother included, smaller water tank
Check Nespresso CitiZ on Amazon
10. Nespresso Lattissima Touch – Best All-in-One
The Lattissima Touch combines espresso brewing with automatic milk frothing in one compact unit. With six one-touch recipes including espresso, lungo, cappuccino, latte macchiato, creamy latte, and hot milk, it covers all the basics.
The integrated milk system means no separate frother to clean. Just fill the milk container, press a button, and enjoy cafe-quality drinks at home.
- Pros: Six one-touch recipes, integrated milk system, compact design
- Cons: Milk container needs frequent refilling, higher maintenance
Check Nespresso Lattissima Touch on Amazon
Essential Nespresso Accessories
Enhance your Nespresso experience with these popular accessories:
Aeroccino Milk Frother
If your Nespresso doesn’t include a built-in frother, the Aeroccino is essential for lattes and cappuccinos:
Check Nespresso Aeroccino3 on Amazon
Capsule Storage
Keep your pods organized with a dedicated storage solution:
Check Nespresso Capsule Holder on Amazon
Descaling Solution
Regular descaling keeps your machine running smoothly:
Check Nespresso Descaling Solution on Amazon
Comparison Chart
Here’s a quick comparison of key features:
- Best Overall: Essenza Plus – multiple sizes, app control
- Most Compact: Essenza Mini – smallest footprint
- Best Value: Pixie – great quality at mid-range price
- Most Versatile: VertuoPlus – espresso to full mug
- Best for Lattes: Gran Lattissima – built-in milk frother
- Best Premium: Creatista Pro – barista-level control
- Best Budget Vertuo: Vertuo Next – affordable Centrifusion
- Best for Third-Party Pods: CitiZ – Original line compatible
- Best All-in-One: Lattissima Touch – six one-touch drinks
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