I’ve Tested (Almost) Every Nespresso Machine—Here Are the Ones I Recommend

Like Keurig coffee makers, Nespresso machines brew single servings from pre-portioned coffee capsules. Unlike Keurig, they specialize in brewing espresso—a task that would otherwise require a full setup of equipment, not to mention all of the research and countless hours of practice it takes to pull high-quality shots. It’s a worthwhile obsession for those passionate about it, but not one that everyone has the time or energy to pursue. On the other hand, Nespresso machines may not embody the artisanship of doing it all yourself, but they still produce a sip that many are likely to enjoy, simplified down to the push of a button.

I originally tested six notable Nespresso machines in 2024, and I recently tested another six to cover nearly every design the brand offers. My lineup included both Original and Vertuo machines (the two take different formats of coffee capsules) as well as machines with a range of functionalities, from espresso-only brewers to models with automated steam wands that could whip up lattes, cappuccinos, and macchiatos in a flash. My favorite ones were user-friendly, quick to brew, and simple to clean.

The Tests

• Espresso Test: I brewed three different capsules with each Nespresso machine and tasted them as-is. For Vertuo machines, I included a coffee pod (which brewed a 7.8-ounce cup) in addition to the various espresso sizes (like gran lungos and double espressos). I timed how long each pod took to brew and recorded the flavor notes.
• Latte Test: I made a latte with each machine. For models with a built-in milk system, I used their automated latte function. For those without, I brewed the espresso and combined it with five ounces of whole milk that I prepared using our budget favorite milk frother, the Instant 4-in-1 Milk Frother and Steamer.
• Other Function Test (Winners Only): I used all the functions I had not previously explored with the top-performing models. For machines with automatic milk systems, this meant making flat whites, cappuccinos, latte macchiatos, and plain steamed milk (or whatever they had options for), as well as brewing the remaining cup sizes.
• Cleaning and Usability Tests: I cleaned the Nespresso machines according to their instruction manuals after each use, running the self-cleaning cycles when available. Throughout testing, I paid close attention to how quick and intuitive each model was to operate and if it was adaptable to different cup sizes and brew types.

What We Learned

What's the Difference Between Nespresso and Keurig Machines?

While Nespresso and Keurig machines both rely on pre-filled pods, Keurigs are mainly for coffee drinkers, while Nespressos are, unsurprisingly, designed for espresso drinkers. There’s a lot of crossover, though; Vertuo Nespresso machines can all brew larger coffee-style drinks (using the same process as their espressos, but with more dilution), and some Keurig brewers can brew extra-strength, two-ounce coffee “shots.” Keurig-compatible coffee all comes in relatively standard K-Cups, and the machines often allow the user to change their drink volume and sometimes other brewing factors like flavor strength and temperature. Nespresso uses either Original or Vertuo capsules (depending on the machine), and its brewing options tend to be limited to a few sizes.

There’s a Lot of Vocab to Learn

You’d have to be an expert in espresso terminology to be able to recognize a lot of Nespresso’s wording. Each of the machines’ brew sizes has a special name that correlates (sometimes loosely) to real-world Italian espresso bar meanings. To help clear things up, I’ve gathered some of the key terms and included their Nespresso-specific definitions below.

• Original pods: These are coffee capsules that are compatible with Nespresso’s Original line of brewers (more on this below). They’re all the same size, so various brew types will be more or less diluted depending on the amount of water used.
• Vertuo pods: Compatible with Vertuo-line machines, these coffee capsules are sized differently depending on which drink they’re designed to brew. They have a barcode underneath their rim that the machine reads to automatically brew according to its specifications. 
• Espresso: For Nespresso machines, espressos are 1.35-ounce shots that are brewed using either Original or Vertuo machines.
• Double espresso: This size isn’t available in Original machines, but you can use the appropriate pod to brew a 2.7-ounce double shot in Vertuo models.
• Ristretto: Meaning “restricted,” this style is brewed from a standard Original pod with only 0.85 ounces of water, so it's a shorter and more concentrated version of an espresso shot.
• Lungo: Meaning “long,” a lungo shot is brewed using an Original pod and 3.75 ounces of water. It’s a diluted espresso that could be thought of as halfway to an Americano.
• Gran lungo: This is a Vertuo-only size that brews five ounces of water into a small Americano-style drink. 
• Coffee, aka mug: While its name might seem to differentiate it from the espresso styles I’ve talked about so far, it's still more of a 7.7-ounce Americano since Vertuo machines brew every pod using the same centrifugal methods as the espressos. That said, I still used Nespresso’s terminology throughout this review for clarity.
• Alto, aka XL: Meaning “high,” an alto is a 12-ounce version of the coffee-style brew that a few Vertuo machines can make.
• Carafe: An 18-ounce, multi-serving brew that select Vertuos brew.

Vertuo Vs Original Nespresso Machines

The Nespresso lineup includes more than a dozen designs, many with their own premium, deluxe, or special editions. These can vary depending on which Nespresso partners they are licensed to. All of the espresso makers I tested were distributed by either Breville or De’Longhi, not by Nespresso itself, and some designs are licensed to multiple manufacturers. Luckily, it’s easy to simplify all of those choices down to Nespresso’s two product lines: Original and Vertuo.

Nespresso’s Original models can only brew single espressos or lungo shots, though some models can also dispense ristrettos. Each size gets its own button on Original machines, so you can select the option you want each time. Like Keurig’s K-Cups, Original coffee capsules are all a standard size, and compatible options can be found from other coffee brands or white-labeled in grocery stores. What impressed me most about all the Original machines I tested was their speed: They could power on, heat up, and brew in under a minute. 

While the Original machines brewed by inserting pressurized water into their pods to extract the coffee (comparable to traditional espresso brewing), the Vertuo models worked by spinning their capsules at high speeds to push water through the grinds inside using centrifugal force. In testing, they took a little longer than Original machines—about a minute-and-a-half to two minutes per cup—but they could brew larger gran lungos and coffees as well as single and double espresso shots. Some models in the Vertuo line, including the Vertuo Next, can also make extra-large altos and carafes. Nespresso’s proprietary Vertuo capsules are detectable by the machine, meaning all you have to do is push the button, and it will brew the pod accordingly.

I didn’t notice a significant enough difference in the quality of capsules made with either the Vertuo or the Original machines to recommend one over the other, and models I tested within those categories brewed identically to one another. In other words, an Original espresso pod will taste more or less identical whether it's brewed in the unassuming Pixie or the souped-up Gran Lattissima, and the same goes for Vertuo pods and machines.

Nespresso’s Convenience Comes at Several Costs

Nespresso machines are fast, consistent, and extremely easy to operate. But they also have some major drawbacks, too. Coffee expert Ashley Rodriguez covered a few of these, along with a brief overview of Nespresso’s history (and its ethically questionable parent company, Nestlé), when she first considered the pros and cons of these automatic espresso makers.

Perhaps the least distasteful drawback of Nespresso is the coffee itself. The grinds in the Nespresso pods tend to be roasted quite darkly, which contributes a lot of bitterness. I tried nearly 20 different pods (we have a full review that includes some of them) and strongly preferred ones that were lighter, less acidic, and overall less intense. They were less astringent and more noticeably nuanced with notes of cocoa, caramel, and toasted cereal grains. The Vertuo pods I tasted trended bolder and darker, while the Original pods seemed a tad lighter and smoother. The former was better for mixing into lattes, but the latter was more drinkable straight-up. Honestly, neither are likely to impress espresso aficionados, but that’s not really who Nespresso machines are for, anyway.

The capsules can be pricey in the long run. The Nespresso-branded ones I tried cost about $0.90 to $1.25 each for single-serving Original and Vertuo pods, respectively. Comparatively, a bag of freshly roasted, whole-bean espresso blend from one of my local roasters would break down to about $0.56 per single espresso shot. The comparison isn’t perfect since shot sizing varies between manual and Nespresso espresso brewers (and Vertuos use several types of pods), but I’d recommend considering the ongoing costs if the price is a deciding factor for you. It’s also worth noting here that Vertuo capsules are patented by Nespresso, so budget-friendly options are more limited for them than Original pods.

Nespresso Pods Aren’t Curbside Recyclable

In addition to their price, single-use coffee pods have an environmental cost, too. Nespresso pods are technically recyclable, but can’t be processed in curbside recycling systems (unless you live in New York City) because they’re made from a hard-to-separate combination of aluminum and plastic. They have to be dropped off at one of Nespresso’s collection sites or mailed back in special envelopes (which are free to order and return). According to Nespresso, 90% of their customers are near a recycling point, but only 35% of their pods were recycled globally in 2024.

The Criteria: What to Look for in a Nespresso Machine

The right Nespresso machine for you depends on what kind of coffee drinker you are. If you only want to make espresso-based drinks and want the option to buy pods from many different brands, an Original line model would be a great pick. If you want the adaptability of more serving options and the ease of single-button brewing (and you don’t mind having fewer capsule brand choices), a Vertuo coffee and espresso maker is the way to go. Double-check the specific model you plan to buy to make sure it includes all the sizes you’d like to brew, as they vary even for machines within the same line. You can choose a brewer that suits your budget and counter space from there. Be sure to consider any additional features you might want, like a shelf that can fit taller mugs or an automatic milk frothing wand that can make lattes or cappuccinos for you. 

Our Favorite Nespresso Machines

The Best Nespresso Machine

Nespresso Vertuo Plus Coffee and Espresso Maker by De'Longhi

$169

$110 at Amazon $200 at Target

$159

$130 at Walmart

What we liked: The Vertuo Plus was perfect for groggy mornings and quick pick-me-ups because it only required two steps: Insert the pod and push the button. The machine scanned the barcode on the underside of the inserted capsules and automatically brewed them to their ideal size. It had an adjustable drip platform to accommodate taller mugs, and its water tank could be shifted from left to right to fit your counter space. This model can make espressos, double espressos, gran lungos, or full cups of coffee, so you won’t need to have a separate machine for non-espresso brews. This Nespresso machine was also relatively affordable compared to other models in the Vertuo line.

What we didn’t like: The Vertuo Plus’s self-cleaning cycle took longer than other models and ran through almost three cups of water for each rinse. The cycle did not have to be used daily, though, and could be run weekly or whenever the machine needed a thorough cleanse. Once heated, it took about a minute to brew and dispense a single shot of espresso, although this was only slow compared to the 15 seconds it took machines from the Original line.

Key Specs

• Weight: 9.3 pounds
• Dimensions: 5.75 x 16 x 12.5 inches
• Nespresso system compatibility: Vertuo
• Used capsule bucket capacity: 14
• Water tank capacity: 40 fluid ounces
• Stated heat-up time: 25 seconds
• Brewing options: Espresso, double espresso, gran lungo, and coffee
• Other features: Automatic power-off after nine minutes, adjustable cup shelf, adjustable water tank positioning, automated rinse cycle
• Care instructions: Do not use abrasive cleaning agents or put any part of the machine in the dishwasher. To run the automatic cleaning function, place a container that can hold at least 27 fluid ounces under the spout and press the top button three times within two seconds. The procedure will take about five minutes and includes three rinse cycles.
  

Best Nespresso Machine for Espresso Devotees

Breville Nespresso Pixie Espresso Machine

$220 at Amazon

What we liked: If you want a sleek, straightforward Nespresso machine that just brews espresso (and lungo) shots, here’s your pick. Like its other Original peers, the Pixie could dispense an espresso in just 15 seconds and a lungo in 30. It was one of the most compact machines I tested, so it would be a shoo-in for small coffee nooks.

What we didn’t like: Its availability is super spotty at the time of writing—if you don't see it in stock, check back in a few hours or days. The Essenza Mini is a good alternative if it's in stock when you want to buy, or you can try the De'Longhi version of this model (though I didn't test that one, specifically). The Pixie was pricier than the Vertuo Plus at the time of writing, which seems backward for a machine with fewer brewing size options. Even so, it was on par with (or cheaper than) similarly capable Original machines. The Pixie was short, and I couldn’t fit my relatively standard 4-inch-tall coffee cup underneath it without flipping up its drip tray; the tray also wouldn’t stay up without a mug there to hold it in place. When I first filled this model’s water tank up, I couldn’t get it to brew and had to consult online troubleshooting guides to resolve a bubble in the lines, but it was easy to fix (I used a straw to blow into the water intake valve) and didn’t occur again during testing.

Key Specs

• Weight: 5.4 pounds
• Dimensions: 4.5 x 13 x 9.5 inches
• Nespresso system compatibility: Original
• Used capsule bucket capacity: 11
• Water tank capacity: 24 fluid ounces
• Stated heat-up time: 25 seconds 
• Brewing options: Espresso and lungo
• Other features: Two-minute auto shut-off, fold-up cup shelf
• Care instructions: Run a lungo brew (with no capsule inserted) to rinse brewer lines. Wash removable parts by hand using dish soap and warm water.

The Best Nespresso Machine for Easy Lattes and More

Nespresso Gran Lattissima Coffee and Espresso Machine

$638 at Amazon View on Williams Sonoma

$649

$441 at Walmart

What we liked: The Gran Lattissima was outrageously fast and easy to use. It brewed Original capsules and could produce straight ristrettos, espressos, and lungos in about 15 seconds. What really set it apart, though, was its detachable milk tank that could be refrigerated between uses and then snapped into the machine for lightning-fast, automatic flat whites, lattes, cappuccinos, and macchiatos. Once loaded with a coffee pod, the machine brewed espresso and then automatically dispensed the frothed milk into the cup with one push of a button. 

Not only was it a cinch to operate, but all of its milk-based drinks were actually good. The microfoam that it produced was fine, soft, and downright marshmallowy, without requiring any effort or expertise on my part. The dispenser spout could also rinse itself after each use, and all of the milk system’s components were top-rack dishwasher-safe.

What we didn’t like: Because this was a machine from the Original line, I had to select which size of espresso I wanted to brew instead of the machine reading the capsule’s code and choosing for me, but this was a minor gripe (and it didn’t apply when making milk-based drinks). Unlike the Creatista Plus, it wasn’t as easy to make volume adjustments with the Gran Lattissima, and I couldn’t customize the froth level or milk temperature. This machine was also very pricey, costing more than some of our favorite standard espresso machines.

Key Specs

• Weight: 11.3 pounds
• Dimensions: 7.75 x 14.5 x 11 inches
• Nespresso system compatibility: Original
• Used capsule bucket capacity: 14
• Water tank capacity: 34 fluid ounces
• Milk container capacity: 16.9 fluid ounces
• Stated heat-up time: 25 seconds
• Brewing options: Ristretto, espresso, lungo, flat white, caffé latte, cappuccino, latte macchiato, hot steamed milk, hot milk foam
• Other features: Built-in milk steaming and frothing system (milk container can be removed and refrigerated between uses), automatic power-off after nine minutes, optional cup pedestal, descale and clean indicator lights.
• Care instructions: All components of the milk frothing system can be cleaned on the upper rack of the dishwasher or washed by hand according to the manufacturer’s instructions. For daily care, place an empty cup under the coffee spout, turn the milk froth knob to “clean” to rinse it with steam and hot water, then select the “lungo” function (without a capsule inside) to rinse the coffee lines.

The Best Nespresso Machine for Customizable Milk-Based Drinks

Breville Nespresso Creatista Plus Espresso Machine

$600

$389 at Amazon View on Crate & Barrel

$600

$390 at Bloomingdales

What we liked: The Creatista Plus has a self-regulating wand that can steam and froth milk in a separate pitcher to the side of the brew spout, similar to some of our favorite Breville espresso machines. This allows the user to pour just the right amount of milk and provides a good opportunity to perfect one’s latte art. It offered the most customization opportunities of the lineup, allowing me to choose between eight milk textures and 11 milk temperatures, plus I could use its selector wheel to refine the volume output for my Original-style ristretto, espresso, and lungo shots. The digital screen was a big help for visualizing the machine’s ample adjustment options, and it had a handy pop-out shelf for short espresso cups.

What we didn’t like: It was a touch less convenient and intuitive than the Gran Lattissima, and its dial-and-button interface felt slow to navigate at times. I was thankful for the customization options because I had to bump up the froth a level or two in order to get the sort of pillowy microfoam I’d expect for a cappuccino (or even a latte); otherwise, the milk for those drinks came out thinner than I preferred. During testing, I wished the steam wand would just start frothing on its own after the coffee finished brewing, rather than needing an extra button push in between. It would automatically purge itself with a jet of steam when I removed the pitcher, though, which took me by surprise the first few times I frothed with it. Oh, and this machine is quite expensive.

Key Specs

• Weight: 11.9 pounds
• Dimensions: 6.25 x 16 x 12 inches
• Nespresso system compatibility: Original
• Used capsule bucket capacity: 12
• Water tank capacity: 50 fluid ounces
• Stated heat-up time: 3 seconds 
• Brewing options: Ristretto, espresso, lungo, flat white, caffé latte, cappuccino, latte macchiato, hot steamed milk, hot milk foam
• Other features: Built-in milk steaming and frothing system, automatic power-off after nine minutes, pop-out cup shelf, and on-screen descale alert
• Care instructions: Empty the drip tray and capsule container every day. Remove and clean the cup support, and wipe the exterior of the machine with a damp cloth. Do not use abrasive solvents, sponges, or cleaners. Rinse the milk pitcher after each use (use mild detergent when required) and use the built-in cleaning functions to rinse milk and brewing lines.

The Competition

• Nespresso Vertuo Coffee and Espresso Machine by Breville: This handsome model had the same capabilities and performed similarly to the Vertuo Plus, but it cost much more at the time of writing. I’d recommend checking the prices for both before buying, as they frequently jump around.
• Nespresso Vertuo Plus Deluxe Coffee and Espresso Maker by Breville: As far as I could tell, the deluxe version of the Vertuo Plus was only slightly more sophisticated-looking, but had all the same features. If you like its aesthetic better or if it's on sale when you’re ready to buy, go with this one instead.
• Nespresso Essenza Mini Coffee and Espresso Machine by De'Longhi: The Essenza was comparable to the Pixie. It also couldn’t fit my four-inch mug underneath its spout, and its drip tray had to be removed and set aside rather than flipping up at the hinge. It’s still a fine alternative if it goes on sale or if the Pixie is unavailable.
• Nespresso Vertuo Next Coffee and Espresso Maker by De'Longhi: The Vertuo Next could brew espressos, double espressos, five-, eight-, or 12-ounce coffees, and 18-ounce carafes, but its lid lever was stiff and hard to open and close. It also held about a tablespoon of water in its emptied capsule container between brews, which could encourage bacterial growth over time.
• Nespresso Vertuo Pop+ Coffee and Espresso Maker by Breville: Like the Next model, the Pop+ had a hard-to-open lever and held onto water in the capsule holder. 
• Nespresso Vertuo Lattissima Coffee and Espresso Maker by De'Longhi: The Vertuo Lattissima had a handy milk tank like the Gran Lattissima, but it only had options for making cappuccinos (the light foam of which made them more like lattes) and super foam-dense latte macchiatos. The drink sizing was a little odd, too—a single latte macchiato was only about six ounces (it didn’t even fill my regular coffee cup), but a double macchiato overflowed out of my big 12-ounce mug. 
• Nespresso Inissia Espresso Machine by De'Longhi: Like the Pixie and Essenza Mini, this model was compact and brewed espressos or lungos. It was significantly louder than the rest of the lineup, though.
• Nespresso CitiZ Original Espresso Machine by De'Longhi: This machine had a taller spout and a foldable mini cup shelf, but it was almost $100 more than the Pixie at the time of writing (or would have been, if it hadn’t become unavailable between testing and publication). That felt a tad absurd for a machine that, other than the spout height, had the exact same functionality. It was also quite loud.

FAQs

How do you clean a Nespresso machine?

To keep your Nespresso machine clean, eject any spent capsules, then empty and rinse the used capsule container and drip tray daily. You should also empty, rinse, and refill the tank with fresh water. Some machines (including those with built-in milk systems) have an automatic cleaning function that will flush out the internal lines, while others can be rinsed by running the machine on a brewing cycle without a coffee capsule inserted. Be sure to check your machine’s manual for specific instructions based on your model.

How do you descale a Nespresso machine?

Nespresso recommends using its descaling solution every three months to remove mineral buildup and ensure smooth operation. If you use your espresso maker heavily, it should be descaled after 300 capsules. According to Nespresso, acetic acid-based vinegars or store-bought descalers may damage the internal mechanisms of the machine (the Nespresso descaler uses a form of lactic acid, instead). Some models include a descaling reminder, which can be adjusted for your water hardness and may “lock out” the machine from brewing if it’s not descaled within a certain number of uses. Consult your specific Nespresso machine’s instruction manual for how to operate its descaling mode.

How do you use a Nespresso machine?

Nespresso machines are dead simple to use—just insert the coffee capsule you’d like to brew and press the button. Vertuo models scan the barcode on their pods and automatically adjust the water amount to suit the type of capsule being brewed. Espresso makers from Nespresso’s Original line have separate buttons for each cup size that the machine can make, which vary from model to model.

Which Nespresso machine should you choose?

There are over a dozen Nespresso models to choose from. They all brew consistently, though, so choose the machine you want based on your budget, counter space, and the features you’ll use.

Why We’re the Experts

• Ashlee Redger is a writer for Serious Eats. She’s been testing kitchen equipment since 2022 and has written many reviews for Serious Eats, including one for Keurig coffee makers.
• Ashlee has tested 12 models of Nespresso machines—brewing over six dozen espressos and coffees—to find the models that have the best performance, convenience, practicality, and price.