Espresso connoisseurs are often forced to spend a lot of money to enjoy their favorite drink. They either have to buy an overpriced espresso at their local coffee shop, or they have to spend hundreds upon hundreds of dollars on a dedicated espresso machine. Fortunately, those aren’t the only two options that coffee drinkers have available to them. There is also the more budget-friendly option of using a Nespresso machine. And since these machines are also faster and simpler to use than espresso machines, they’re a good option for just about anyone. This is why we’ve decided to review the best Nespresso machines that consumers can enjoy right now.
Quick Summary of the Best Nespresso Machines
- Best Overall: Breville-Nespresso Creatista Plus (Amazon) – Review
- Best Value: Nespresso By De’Longhi Vertuo Plus (Amazon) – Review
- Best Affordable: Breville-Nespresso Essenza Mini-Machine (Amazon) – Review
Best Overall: Breville-Nespresso Creatista Plus
Anyone looking at this Nespresso machine is going to be blown away at first. It’s a beautiful machine with a distinct style and stainless steel construction that makes it look like it should be in a coffee shop and not at home on the counter. Despite its luxurious look, however, the consumer doesn’t have to be a barista to use this machine. That’s because the manufacturer has not only created a beautiful and stylish model, but they have also created one that’s easy to use.
This machine is capable of helping the consumer create authentic lattes at home. It features a user interface that’s easy to use and has a high-resolution display that helps to guide the home coffee drinker through the coffee preparation process. It also guides the user through the necessary maintenance aspects of the machine, so the consumer can always keep it in good working condition.
This machine also features eight different beverage selections including Ristretto, Lungo, and Espressos, Cappuccinos, Latte Macchiatos, Cafe Lattes or Flat White drinks. The consumer can also set milk temperature and texture, and coffee volume.
Another thing we like about this machine is that it had a 1.5-liter water tank that could be easily removed for filling. Other features found on this machine include 19-bars of pressure, an auto-purge steam wand, and automatic cleaning cycle, and an automatic off-mode. It also heats up faster than any other Nespresso machine we’ve seen and can heat up in less than 3-seconds.
It’s also worth mentioning that this machine has 11 different milk temperature settings and 8 different froth texture levels. And because it uses Nespresso capsules, the consumer has a wide variety of different coffee options available to them at all times. It’s no wonder this machine is loved by so many coffee lovers around the world. Although it might be more expensive than other machines, in our opinion, it’s worth it.
Best Value: Nespresso By De’Longhi Vertuo Plus
What originally captured our attention, and ultimately focused our attention on this machine, was the line of VertuoPlus Pods. We noticed that this pod line offered some interesting coffee options, all encapsulated in little aluminum pods that kept the coffee inside them fresh. We wanted to try these pods out, so we knew that we had to review this Nespresso machine. And it’s a good thing that we did because if we had passed this machine over it would’ve been a shame. This is a great machine for making not only espressos but a variety of different coffees.
This automatic machine is capable of helping the consumer craft the perfect cup of coffee. It’s not only a smart single-serve espresso maker, but it’s also a smart coffee maker. It’s capable of brewing different coffee sizes include 1.35-ounce espressos, 2.7-ounce double espressos, 5-ounce Gran Lungos, 7.7-ounce coffees, and 14-ounce Altos. With all of the different capsule options, this allows the consumer to brew just about any coffee. And because each Vertuo Plus Capsule is encoded with precise brewing instructions, the coffee always comes out perfectly every single time.
What’s truly remarkable about this machine, however, is that it allows the consumer to brew authentic and tasty espresso with just the push of a button. The machine reads the capsule, makes the necessary settings and then brews the coffee. When it’s done, the capsule is then automatically ejected. And since this machine only has a 25-second preheat time, that means that the coffee drinker can have hot coffee in a matter of moments and without all of the aggravation that can come with some espresso machines.
This machine is 16.2×12.8×5.6-inches, has a 40-ounce water capacity, and has an empty capsule container that can hold up to 10 capsules before it needs to be emptied. It also delivers 19-bars of pressure for perfect coffee extraction every single time. All of these features make this machine a great value for anyone who loves espresso but doesn’t want to spend a lot of money or time making one.
Best Affordable: Breville-Nespresso Essenza Mini-Machine
What makes this Nespresso machine a great model for consumers is that it’s small and inexpensive. Sure, it doesn’t have as many features as some of the other espresso makers on our list, but that doesn’t mean that it doesn’t have any features at all. This machine has quite a few features worth talking about, and we’re going to take a few moments to talk about some of them. We think that we’ll begin with cup size and work from there.
This product allows the consumer to program one of two different coffee sizes. They can brew a 1.35-ounce espresso or a 5-ounce Lungo. This model also reaches ideal heating temperature in 25-seconds, and after the brewing cycle is over the machine can turn itself off after 9-minutes. This model also features 19-bars of pressure, so it can express the essence of the coffee contained within the coffee capsule. This creates a richer coffee with the body.
It’s a machine that’s only 3.3×12.9×8-inches in size and only weighs approximately 5-pounds. It features a 20.29-ounce water tank and its used capsule storage holds approximately 5 capsules before it needs to be emptied. And it has a power cord that’s approximately 39-inches long, so the consumer can plug it in easily no matter where they place it.
And finally, this machine comes with not only an instruction booklet that will help the consumer get the machine up and running, but it also comes with 16 capsules. All of this makes this a compact, budget-friendly model that we feel a lot of people are going to enjoy using.
A Guide To Nespresso Machines
Anyone who is searching for the best Nespresso machine to buy will want to read this guide. That’s because we’ve taken everything that we’ve learned from reviewing Nespresso machines and have poured it into this guide. Now everyone who wants to purchase one of these machines can do it with confidence. In this guide, we’re going to cover the benefits of these machines and what to think about when buying one.Â
[wc_fa icon=”cutlery” margin_left=”” margin_right=”10″ class=””][/wc_fa]The Benefits Of A Nespresso Machine
One of the first questions we’re asked about when people are trying to decide between espresso and Nespresso machines are the differences between the two machines. And that’s pretty easy to outline by simply listing all of the benefits offered by Nespresso machines. Nespresso machines offer a lower cost and a simplicity of use that regular espresso machines can’t offer. They’re easy to set up, easy to use, and when everything is said and done, they’re easy to clean. They might not give the home barista complete control of the brewing process, but that’s because they’re designed to be simple and not to allow for a lot of customization.
Another question we’re frequently asked is whether the consumer should buy a K-cup or a Nespresso machine. And the answer to that question is that it all depends. They both offer convenience and ease-of-use, but we feel Nespresso machines do a better job of crafting espressos than K-cups. We also feel that Nespresso machines are the more environmentally-friendly choice because their aluminum capsules are easy to recycle. Of course, K-cups are usually better for regular cups of coffee and are cheaper, so it’s up to the consumer to decide which model is right for them.Â
[wc_fa icon=”cutlery” margin_left=”” margin_right=”10″ class=””][/wc_fa]What To Consider When Buying A Nespresso Machine
Now, let’s get down to the nitty-gritty of this article. We want to discuss some of the things that consumers might want to consider before they settle on their next Nespresso machine. Let’s start this section of the guide by discussing the different capsule options consumers have available to them.
[wc_fa icon=”spoon” margin_left=”” margin_right=”10″ class=””][/wc_fa]Original Or Vertuo Capsules?
The first thing the consumer is going to want to consider is whether they want to use a machine that uses original capsules or Vertuo capsules. The original capsules are standardized, so that when the pressure of the machine ruptures the foil layer of the capsule, then it delivers a perfect shot of espresso. This allows all of the capsules to produce the same quality shot of espresso every single time. However, it also means that there are very few variations possible from one capsule to the next. Vertuo Pods, on the other hand, do allow the machine to create different coffee drinks. That’s because they have a bar code that reads the pod and then creates the perfect coffee drink.Â
[wc_fa icon=”spoon” margin_left=”” margin_right=”10″ class=””][/wc_fa]What Cup Sizes Are Needed?
The next thing that the home barista is going to want to think about is what size cups of espresso or coffee they want to brew. Some machines are pretty basic and can only brew espresso shots (approximately 1.35 to 1.7-ounces of coffee) or lungs (5-ounces of coffee). Other machines have a wider variety of cup sizes, so the consumer has more options available to them. Neither model is superior to another model, it just depends on what the consumer needs and how much they’re willing to spend.Â
[wc_fa icon=”spoon” margin_left=”” margin_right=”10″ class=””][/wc_fa]Is A Milk Frother Needed?
Another thing that consumers are going to want to think about is whether they need a milk frother or not. Many basic Nespresso machines don’t have milk frothers, so they’re not capable of making the same kind of creamy coffee that models that are equipped with a milk frother are capable of delivering. However, the addition of a milk frother raises the price of the Nespresso machine dramatically, so most consumers are going to have to decide between creamy coffee or a lower price.Â
[wc_fa icon=”spoon” margin_left=”” margin_right=”10″ class=””][/wc_fa]What Brewing Options Are Needed?
It’s also important for the coffee drinker to think about what brewing options they may need on their machine. Some machines are basic and only deliver coffee and/or espresso options, while others have a wider selection of options available. Options that can include Cappuccinos, Latte Macchiatos, Flat Whites, and Cafe Lattes. Of course, the brewing options that are needed are largely determined by what the consumer likes to drink.Â
[wc_fa icon=”spoon” margin_left=”” margin_right=”10″ class=””][/wc_fa]Other Features To Think About
No comprehensive guide on the best Nespresso machines would be complete without going over some of the other features that can be found on them. Although not all consumers are going to want (or even need) all of the following features, the consumer should at least give them some thought before they decide on a model.Â
- 19-Bars Of Pressure
- Automatic Shut Down
- Automatic Cleaning
- Integrated LED Controls
- Fast Heat-Up Time
- Adjustable Milk Temperatures (On Frother Equipped Models)