Best Nespresso Machine Reviews
Brigitt Earley is a Good Housekeeping Institute expert who has tested and evaluated several kitchen appliances. She also writes about other household items and gadgets.
The top Nespresso machines are sleek and durable, quick to heat up, easy to use and clean and provide a variety of drink options. They should be compatible only with the original Nespresso capsules, and come with a special container for capsules that have been used.
1. The Vertuo Creatista
The Vertuo Creatista is a brand new model from Nespresso’s lineup and fills a significant niche. It’s also the very first and only Vertuo machine that has an integrated milk frother.
The machine is the highest quality stainless steel design with a brushed finish and is located in the middle of the Vertuo range. It has a 2L tank of water and a removable drip plate that permits you to use your own travel cup or mug. It makes use of Nespresso Centrifusion to make capsules of brewing, and create a variety drinks. This includes espresso, lungo, and alto, in addition to cappuccino macchiato, latte and cappuccino.
It is compatible with both the original Nespresso capsules as well as their Vertuo Line equivalents. The machine is able to read the barcode on the pod’s lip and understands what settings to use to get the best pod coffee machine results. This makes it the smartest machine in the line-up.
Like other Nespresso machines, the Creatista has a quick heat-up time due to its thermoblock system. The only downside is that it takes longer to produce an espresso shot than other models in the range.
The most appealing feature for the majority of people is the built-in milk frother. The wand resembles the steam wands that are manual on other espresso machines. However, it’s completely automated and comes with temperature and the ability to control the texture. This feature is great for those who want to add milk to coffee. It makes the Creatista more appealing to prospective buyers. The only way to get a milk-based Nespresso was to purchase the Aeroccino or the Lattissima models.
2. The CitiZ
This sleek, compact machine by Nespresso is a great addition to any kitchen. It’s easy to clean and uses less energy than other pod-based machines we’ve tested, but still provides an excellent cup of coffee.
In our most recent testing of the CitiZ, we found that the CitiZ did well in single-serve and larger models for brewing. It also has several cool features, such as the possibility of connecting via WiFi or Bluetooth (for tracking capsules and maintenance alerts) and an water tank that can hold up to 32 ounces and an elegant and modern design.
The quick heating system of the machine can heat water to a perfect temperature in just 25 seconds. The automatic energy-saving function stops the machine after 9 minutes. You’ll need an additional attachment to add milk into your coffee if you wish to do so.
One of the things we love about of the CitiZ is the labeled buttons that are simple to use. You can pick from a variety of single-serve beverages, such as espresso shots in three sizes and milk-based drinks like cappuccinos and lattes.
The CitiZ could be a bit more expensive than the Essenza Mini or other compact OriginalLine models. However, it offers some extra features that some customers might consider worth the cost. It’s also the first Nespresso machine to use 40% recycled material. It also offers the possibility of connecting to a smartphone app that provides maintenance alerts, brewing directions and capsule tracking.
The CitiZ’s water reservoir, drip tray, and capsule container are all easily cleaned and removed for quick cleaning. It also has an integrated descaling mode. The frequency of use will be contingent on the water hardness in your home. We recommend using softened or filtered water to lessen mineral buildup.
3. The Essenza Mini
The Mini is a small Nespresso machine that is able to fit in even the tiniest kitchens. It’s a great option for singles or Nespresso beginners who don’t want to spend much money and who aren’t interested in spending extra money for features that won’t improve their cup of coffee in any way (like Bluetooth technology or a the latte art wand). But just because it’s tiny does not mean that the Mini can’t do its job well. It’s able to brew espressos, ristrettos, and lungos with ease. It’s also the most simple and least expensive Nespresso to maintain, clean, and operate.
If you’re looking for something slightly bigger than the Mini, there’s the Nespresso Essenza Plus. It has a similar minimalist design and offers the same brewing technology however, it’s an all-in-one machine that comes with an adjustable water tank for various brew sizes as well as an Nespresso capsule container and Jug. It’s also a bit more expensive, but it might be worth the extra expense when you’ll be brewing mostly Americanos or if you want to brew larger quantities of ristretto or espresso.
The Lattissima machines are the most recent addition to the Essenza range. They provide one-touch convenience, and a variety of drink options. The Lattissima Pro, the Gran Lattissima and the Lattissima One all have front-attached milk reservoirs as well as a frothing wand to make cappuccinos and lattes. They are also more expensive than Essenza Minis, but worth it if your goal is to be able to make full-sized milky beverages anytime you want them, without having to lift the pod.
4. The Vertuo Plus
If you’re looking for a machine which can brew larger cups of best coffee machine with milk frother and espresso-style shots the VertuoLine model may be right up your alley. It’s compatible with the original pods of the brand (though you can also use cheaper third-party ones) and has two buttons that are programmed to allow you to select between regular or regular as well as gran lungo sizes. Plus, it offers the quiet process of centrifusion that pushes water through 20 punctures within the top of the capsule’s domed lid, which Nespresso says helps produce the highest level of crema in every beverage.
This model is one of the best automatic bean to cup coffee machine Nespresso alternatives for those who want steady, reliable coffee and espresso at the touch of a button, without the bells and whistles. It performed well in our Single-Serve Coffee Makers test especially when it comes to the first-cup speed and repeat speed.
It’s among the most affordable options available among Nespresso machines and has a small footprint. The only caveat is that it doesn’t have a large capacity for storing capsules that are used and has smaller water tanks than other models.
If you’re planning to make milk-based drinks, such as lattes or cappuccinos then you might want to invest a little more on a machine that has built-in milk froth. The Lattissima, Creatista and Nespresso inissia all have been designed to create milk-based drinks with minimum fuss.
One thing to keep in mind is that all Nespresso machines must be descaled once each year. The company says it’s easy to do, and there are warnings on the machine to let you know when it’s time to descale. The company also offers descaling kits to allow a hands-off approach.
5. The Creatista Pro
If you are a Nespresso fan who loves milk-based coffees such as the Creatista Pro may be a suitable choice for you. Like its sibling Creatista Plus, it offers various drinks and is simple to use. The milk frother can be manually adjusted to alter the temperature and texture of the milk. It also has an automatic and self-cleaning. The result is irresistibly smooth and frothy milk that’s ideal for lattes, cappuccinos and flat whites.
The Original Line machine uses Nespresso Vertuo pods which can brew espresso in one shot in three sizes, or milk-based drinks such as cappuccinos, macchiatos made of latte and flat whites. It is simple to use, with large LED displays and buttons labeled for each drink type. It also comes with the barista-style steam wand as well as a jug for milk, which is much easier to clean than traditional integrated frothers that are found on most Nespresso machines.
The Creatista Pro is a bit more expensive than the other models listed here but it’s a premium machine that’s easy to use and looks gorgeous on your countertop. It also comes with a free compactor and capsules that can be reused, which will save you money in the long run.
You could consider the Nespresso CitiZ&Milk for a slightly cheaper version. It may not have as many bells, whistles and features like the Creatista but it has more drinks, including lattes, cappuccinos and three sizes of espresso. It also has a simpler interface with a single button that controls the power on, rinsing, and the brewing. It’s also compact and small and comes with a water tank that can be moved around which allows you to easily adjust it to your kitchen layout.