Expert Reviews: Nespresso’s Top Coffee Machines
Love it or hate it, Nespresso is globally known and recognized as one of the biggest and most trusted brands for all things coffee. For nearly 30 years, it has redefined the industry, developing coffee makers that prioritize simple, speedy, and delicious brews.
With the price of coffee continuing to increase yearly and a global movement towards making more sustainable consumer choices, more and more coffee lovers are choosing to invest in their own coffee makers to lower their spending and reduce their waste impact on Mother Nature.
The Overall Best
The Nespresso VertuoPlus is user-friendly in every sense of the word, with a surprisingly affordable price tag to boot. The large 40-oz water tank makes it possible to caffeinate the entire family first thing in the morning while the clever Vertuo machine technology scans your selected capsule to perfectly brew your drink accordingly. Each capsule has specially encoded information that dictates the size of the drink as well as the number of espresso shots, information you can choose when purchasing the pods themselves.
The only downfall to the VertuoPlus is the lack of an integrated milk frother. While it can be bought as part of a bundle with Nespresso’s signature Aeroccino milk frother, should you prefer to combine milk and coffee during the brewing process, you may find this particular model a little lacking.
Beginner Friendly
If you have ever looked at a coffee machine and felt like you needed a degree to operate it, the classic and popular Nespresso Vertuo is a fantastic beginner-friendly model that is simple to operate and even easier to clean.
It brews four different cup sizes and can store up to 13 large capsules in a used container. After 10 minutes, an automatic ‘off’ mode kicks in, and it implements the same barcode-scanning technology as other Vertuo machines, making it incredibly user-friendly.
Must-Have Milk Frother
For those with generous budgets looking for a semiprofessional setup with the distinctive and iconic Nespresso flavor, the Nespresso Creatista Pro is a sleek and stylish coffee maker with a built-in milk frother that will exceed all your coffee expectations.
For first-time users, the milk frother may present a slight learning curve, but once you have figured out the technique, it is unlikely you will step foot in another coffee shop again. Despite its appearance, the machine makes the user experience as seamless as possible. A touchscreen menu provides eight different drink options alongside plain steamed milk. It also allows you to release only hot water should you prefer a cup of tea instead. It also allows you to customize the volume of the coffee portion and the texture and temperature of the milk.
Value Packed
The Nespresso CitiZ&Milk is a sleek but classic all-in-one model. It is slightly more expensive but is a fantastic selection for those who prefer milk-based drinks like lattes, cappuccinos, and Americanos. The integrated Aeroccino steamer is easy to clean and consistently delivers solid, steamed milk.
A bonus feature of the CitiZ&Milk model that appeals to many coffee lovers is that, unlike the Vertuo machines, it uses Nespresso’s original pods. This gives users the added flexibility of picking their own beverage sizes and the option of purchasing cheaper third-party pods.
Best on a Budget
There is a common belief that a good quality coffee maker will more often than not carry a steep price tag that puts it out of a regular household budget. But the Vertuo Next is a fantastic model that delivers fresh espresso without an expensive price.
With a streamlined design and fantastic functionality, this machine's most challenging learning curve is figuring out the lock-top mechanism to insert a pod. Its slightly more compact design, which can still hold up to 10 used capsules, makes it ideal for smaller kitchens or limited counter space, with advanced technology that allows it to brew multiple-size drinks as well as single and double espresso shots.
Limitless Luxury
Anyone looking for a coffee maker that delivers style and quality, look no further than Vertuo Creatista Plus. This sleek stainless steel machine is surprisingly compact and oozes the high-quality aesthetics of any professional barista machine. However, instead of having to navigate a range of confusing and complicated buttons and dials, a simple push of a button delivers a piping-hot cup of rich, freshly brewed coffee.
Despite the extremely steep price tag and limitations of being able to use only Nespresso’s Vertuo pods, it is incredibly easy to use, perfectly froths both plant-based and dairy milk, and doubles as a stylish kitchen counter accessory.
Value Packed
The Nespresso CitiZ&Milk is a sleek but classic all-in-one model. It is slightly more expensive but is a fantastic selection for those who prefer milk-based drinks like lattes, cappuccinos, and Americanos. The integrated Aeroccino steamer is easy to clean and consistently delivers solid, steamed milk.
A bonus feature of the CitiZ&Milk model that appeals to many coffee lovers is that, unlike the Vertuo machines, it uses Nespresso’s original pods. This gives users the added flexibility of picking their own beverage sizes and the option of purchasing cheaper third-party pods.
Best on a Budget
There is a common belief that a good quality coffee maker will more often than not carry a steep price tag that puts it out of a regular household budget. But the Vertuo Next is a fantastic model that delivers fresh espresso without an expensive price.
With a streamlined design and fantastic functionality, this machine's most challenging learning curve is figuring out the lock-top mechanism to insert a pod. Its slightly more compact design, which can still hold up to 10 used capsules, makes it ideal for smaller kitchens or limited counter space, with advanced technology that allows it to brew multiple-size drinks as well as single and double espresso shots.
Limitless Luxury
Anyone looking for a coffee maker that delivers style and quality, look no further than Vertuo Creatista Plus. This sleek stainless steel machine is surprisingly compact and oozes the high-quality aesthetics of any professional barista machine. However, instead of having to navigate a range of confusing and complicated buttons and dials, a simple push of a button delivers a piping-hot cup of rich, freshly brewed coffee.
Despite the extremely steep price tag and limitations of being able to use only Nespresso’s Vertuo pods, it is incredibly easy to use, perfectly froths both plant-based and dairy milk, and doubles as a stylish kitchen counter accessory.
Small Kitchen Friendly
If you are after a simple espresso machine that perfectly brews single or double shots time and time again, the Nespresso Essenza Mini is the machine for you. This tiny but highly functional machine may lack the capacity to store used capsules or a conveniently large water tank, but it delivers delicious, rich espresso with a simple push of a button.
It is important to note that this particular model does not come with a steaming accessory or milk frother and has limited variety due to its small size. This makes it perfect for transporting while traveling or easy storing when not in use, but it is better suited for those looking for easy-to-brew espresso machines.