We Tested the Best Nespresso Machines and Found Which Make the Best Cup of Coffee

How We Tested Nespresso Machines

We have tested Nespresso machines multiple times in our testing Lab. For the first test, we developed a standardized testing methodology before selecting which models to evaluate. We purchased and tested 11 Nespresso machines in all; eight of the machines were part of Nespresso's OriginalLine and three were in the VertuoLine. In another test, we used more research and knowledge to gather six machines to test either again or for the first time. Some machines have also been tested in the kitchens of some of our experienced at-home testers. We've also gathered insights from one of our editors who has used a Nespresso machine for years.

We Observed

• What features each machine had: Some Nespresso machines have advanced features like milk frothing, self-cleaning, and the ability to brew different types of drinks. Other models only brew espresso shots and have no additional features. In our testing trials, we used all of the features that a machine offered before making our final assessment.
• The dimensions of each machine: Nespresso makers vary a lot in size, so we measured and weighed every machine that we tested. We also listed the size of the water tank and the number of used capsules each machine could contain before the basket needed to be emptied. We included an array of machines, ranging from the brand's smallest ones to its largest.
• How long it took to brew a drink: We used a stopwatch to measure the heat-up and brew time of every machine. Nespresso lists a general estimate for these figures, but we double-checked to find the exact time that it took to brew a drink. This included espresso shots and milk-based drinks.

We Rated

• Taste: After tasting several drinks from each machine, we rated the flavor on a 1 to 5 scale. Taste is certainly subjective, so we used at least two types of capsules for each device. We evaluated the differences in aroma, body, crema, and temperature as well. All of these details were factored into our final rating. That way we could provide the most accurate depiction of what the espresso tasted like and how it differed from machine to machine.
• Ease of Use: We judged a machine's ease of use on several factors. Was brewing intuitive? Did it require more effort than other machines did? We took into account small touches like capacity markings on the water tank or a highly responsive touchscreen. This category also included how easy it was to set the machine up before our first use.
• Cleanup: Once we finished making drinks, we noted whether the machine and countertop were messy. We checked if the water reservoir and drip tray were easy to clean by hand too. Some Nespresso makers had a self-cleaning function that made the cleanup process easier, which we also considered when rating its overall ease of cleaning.

About Our Testers

• Our Lab team has spent collective decades working in professional kitchens, developing recipes, and testing kitchen gear.
• Cheyenne Elwell is a freelance writer specializing in food and coffee. Her work has appeared in Business Insider, Insider, MSN, and her own coffee blog BakedBrewedBeautiful.com. She tested several of the Nespresso makers on this list in her own kitchen over the course of several works.
• Donna Currie is a freelance food writer who specializes in product reviews and recipes. Her work has appeared on Serious Eats, Fine Cooking, and her own recipe blog, Cookistry.com. She's also the author of "Make Ahead Bread," a cookbook meant to simplify the bread-baking process. Before we purchased the Lattissima Pro to test in our Lab, Donna tested the machine in her own home and gave it an outstanding review.
• Amanda McDonald is an editor at The Spruce Eats and has tested dozens of products including cookware, kitchen scales, cheese knives, cutting boards, and more. Shas has used her CitiZ in her kitchen every morning (multiple times) for around 1.5 years.

Other Options We Tested

• Nespresso Vertuo Next: The Vertuo Next is notable for being made of 54 percent recycled materials, according to Nespresso. It didn't make our list, however, as we found usage a little more confusing than average, along with some coffee sediment at the bottom of our cups.
• Nespresso Creatista Pro: The Creatista Pro is one of the more advanced Nespresso machines, and it offers users a lot of control over their coffee. But we prefer its newer iteration, the Creatista Plus.
• Nespresso Pixie: This is one of the fastest and most compact Nespresso makers. While it's certainly worthwhile, we opted to showcase a similar machine in the Essenza Mini.

What to Look for in a Nespresso Machine

Original or Vertuo

Every Nespresso machine is sorted into one of two categories: Original or Vertuo. Original machines focus on espresso and espresso-based drinks like lattes and cappuccinos, while Vertuo machines can brew espresso as well as larger drinks akin to standard drip coffee.

Deciding which category you prefer is a great place to start to narrow down the options. The company manufactures a greater variety of Original machines, so this category has a wider range of prices, sizes, and features.

On the other hand, Vertuo machines are less expensive on average, but they require separate milk frothers and tend to be bulkier devices. Also, keep in mind that each category uses its own type of capsules that are not compatible with the other kind of machines.

Drink Options

It’s easy to associate Nespresso with the drink it does best: espresso. But customers are far from limited when it comes to drink options. Many devices can make lattes, cappuccinos, latte macchiato, and more. Every Nespresso machine offers drinks in different sizes too, which is an important consideration depending on how you like your coffee. OriginalLine machines have a minimum of two drink sizes, ristretto and lungo. Some have more than that. VertuoLine machines are well-known for making a range of drink sizes from espresso to larger cups.

Nespresso also has an extensive recipe list for specialty drinks that can be found on the company website; it includes sweet treats like a Peppermint White Chocolate Latte and even alcoholic beverages like a Nespresso Negroni. So consider the amount of drink variety you want in your brewing device and buy accordingly.

Frothing

Related to the previous topic of drink options, a machine with a milk frother opens up a whole world of coffee beverages. Some Nespresso makers, particularly pricier ones, have built-in frothers that can come in the form of a manual frothing wand or an automatic frothing system. The brand also offers a popular bundle deal where customers can purchase a separate milk frother, the Aeroccino, along with a brewing device. Milk frothing capabilities may be a must-have for lovers of lattes and cappuccinos.

Heat-Up Time

Like all brewing devices, Nespresso machines need time to heat up the water before they can make coffee and espresso. Fortunately, their heat-up time is significantly faster than that of real espresso machines, electric drip coffee makers, and many pod-based competitors, including Keurig. Nespresso devices require anywhere from three to 30 seconds to heat up. The majority fall in the middle of that range, averaging around 20 seconds.

Price

The starting price for a Nespresso machine is a little higher than that of most other coffee makers, including Keurigs. Nespresso capsules are also more expensive than other coffee pods and are certainly more expensive per serving than whole beans or ground coffee.

These drawbacks should be taken into account before purchasing a machine. On the positive side, however, the brand does have an extremely wide range of prices once you get past the high starting point. Customers can also save money on capsules by buying in bulk, as they stay fresh for months and even up to years.

Types of Nespresso Machines

Creatista

The Creatista series, which includes the Creatista Pro and Creatista Plus, offers perhaps the highest quality of any Nespresso maker. Both devices in this line have rapid heat-up times, touchscreen displays, and a powerful steaming wand that lets users add café-worthy foam and milk texture to their drinks.

Such quality comes at a cost, however, as these are the most expensive Nespresso machines available—a true luxury option for the die-hard coffee lover.

Essenza

Nespresso manufactures two different Essenza models: the Essenza Mini and Essenza Plus. Not only are they sold at an affordable price, but they are also the two slimmest machines the company makes, helping to save space in the kitchen. The downside is that they lack the drink variety of larger, pricier models. But for a delicious, no-fuss shot of espresso, Essenza is a wonderful option.

Lattissima

A member of the OriginalLine family, Nespresso’s Lattissima machines offer high-end coffee with one-touch convenience. There are three devices in this category: the Lattissima Pro, the Gran Lattissima, and the Lattissima One.

They vary slightly in price, size, and number of drink options, but are broadly quite similar. You can recognize the Lattissima line by its front-attached milk reservoir and frothing wand, which makes lattes and cappuccinos automatically, no hands-on effort required. 

Vertuo

The Vertuo Coffee and Espresso Maker was the first item in Nespresso’s VertuoLine. Benefits include its reasonable price, fast heat-up time, and signature ability to make both espresso and drip-style coffee. It's naturally a great place to start for those specifically interested in a VertuoLine machine, rather than an OriginalLine one.

Maintenance

Like most pod coffee makers, Nespresso machines are super easy to use. Preparing coffee is as simple as letting the machine heat up, inserting a capsule, and selecting the desired drink. That’s it.

Machines can even be calibrated to brew espresso shots at a specific size and strength. To do this, hold down the brew button for at least three seconds and, after the shot begins pouring, release the button when you have reached the preferred amount and the machine will remember it later on.

This is also an effective way to reset a Nespresso machine if you notice drinks becoming too strong or too diluted over time.

Once you’re finished drinking your coffee or espresso, clean-up is just as easy. There are no coffee filters to throw away and no mess of stray grounds everywhere. After daily use, you may want to wipe the spout with a damp cloth and empty and rinse the drip tray. Some owners run a shot of fresh water through the machine before or after use in order to clean out the system.

Nespresso machines do need to be descaled (the removal of internal mineral buildup) like all other electric coffee makers. The brand recommends descaling every three months. There are slight differences from machine to machine, but the basic way to descale a Nespresso maker is this: Fill the water reservoir with a descaling solution, let it run through the machine, and then repeat the process with fresh water. Nespresso sells a reasonably priced descaling solution on its website, though an at-home combination of vinegar and water works, too.

The amount of mineral buildup is affected by the kind of water you use. Hard water contains a high amount of dissolved minerals, namely calcium and magnesium, so it leads to faster mineral buildup. Soft or filtered water, on the other hand, is easier on your machine and cuts down on the frequency with which you need to descale. Nespresso’s user manuals generally contain a free water hardness testing strip.

Accessories

The coffee world is teeming with tools, gadgets, and appliances that can improve everything from taste to user experience. And one starting accessory to pair with your Nespresso machine is a pod holder system.

They keep your favorite coffee pods all in one place, instead of strewn about the counter, and can also provide an eye-catching aesthetic in the kitchen. Drawer holders are the most common storage system for Nespresso capsules. The majority are affordable and designed to go underneath your Nespresso machine, saving even more space.

The second most common type is a storage rack, whether it’s free-standing or wall-mounted. Many storage systems can hold both Original and Vertuo capsules, but make sure to check ahead of time. Those looking to save a little money and cut down on waste could also look into reusable capsules, which are typically made from stainless steel.

Depending on the type of Nespresso machine you own, a milk frother is another accessory worth consideration. Adding one will let you turn already-delicious espresso into lattes, cappuccinos, and more right from home.

Nespresso frequently offers bundle deals that include an Aeroccino frother with the purchase of a brewing device. But for those interested in buying a frother on their own, there are three kinds to know: manual, handheld, and electric.

Manual and handheld frothers are smaller, cheaper, and slightly less powerful. Electric frothers, on the other hand, can lead to café-quality drinks but are more expensive. Some of our favorite frothers are made by Bodum, Breville, and AeroLatte.

FAQs

Do Nespresso machines brew real espresso?

Technically, no. There are certain standards concerning temperature, pressure, brew time, and more that are used to define espresso. Nespresso slightly differs from these standards, which prevents it from being categorized as true espresso.

Experts generally consider the taste and consistency of genuine espresso to be of higher quality than what Nespresso produces as well. But, in a general sense, the two drinks are very similar, and Nespresso is an excellent espresso alternative. Both are small shots of coffee topped with crema and made with rapid, pressurized water. 

Can I use K-Cups in a Nespresso machine?

No, K-Cups cannot be used in a Nespresso machine. Likewise, Nespresso capsules cannot be used in a Keurig brewing device. Trying to use a K-Cup in a Nespresso maker could damage the machine because the pods are different in size and shape from Nespresso capsules.

How long do Nespresso machines last?

Nespresso machines last between 5 to 10 years on average. This is just a general range, however. Not a figure set in stone. A machine that's regularly cleaned and descaled will naturally have a longer lifespan than one that's neglected. Should you need it, Nespresso has a one-year warranty on all of its machines.

What kinds of drinks can you make with a Nespresso machine?

In addition to brewing coffee, iced coffee, and espresso-based drinks with any of Nespresso's numerous capsule options, you can use a Nespresso machine to create some truly original creations. Nespresso has several recipes on its website for favorites like a tiramisu cappuccino and pumpkin spice latte, but the sky's really the limit. You can use your Nespresso machine for coffee-infused cocktails or, one of our personal favorites, an affogato (see video below).

Can Nespresso capsules be recycled?

Yes! Nespresso capsules are made from recyclable aluminum, and the leftover coffee grounds inside the pods can even be composted. To make the process easier, Nespresso offers free capsule-recycling bags that can be dropped off (also for free) at any UPS location or Nespresso boutique.

The bags hold up to 200 OriginalLine capsules or 100 VertuoLine capsules. There are two stipulations, however: The recycling bags can only be ordered from Nespresso’s website, not other retail sites like Amazon, Wayfair, etc., and customers must purchase a separate item, whether it be capsules or a Nespresso machine, to receive the bags.

We spoke with Alex Payne, the manager of North American Public Relations for the non-profit recycling company TerraCycle, to learn more. He told us, "Waste-conscious consumers should be encouraged to brew coffee by the pot, but if they already have a coffee pod machine in their home, they can try reusable coffee pods that can be filled with their favorite ground coffee."

Why Trust The Spruce Eats?

This piece was written by Derek Rose, the coffee and tea expert for The Spruce Eats. He researches a variety of coffee products, from measuring scoops to commercial espresso machines, and interviews field experts for their insight. Derek received an MFA in Creative Writing from Columbia University and a BA in Communications from Marist College. He began writing for The Spruce Eats in 2019.

Sources

• Alex Payne, manager of North American Public Relations at Terracycle, was also interviewed for this piece. Founded in 2001, TerraCycle is a U.S. organization that focuses on recycling hard-to-recycle waste.