Be Your Best Barista With One of These Nespresso Machines

"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."

Espresso at coffee shops involves a bit of chemistry. There’s the hiss of steam, the precise measuring and tamping down of grounds, and of course the need to dial in the pressure and temperature to get one perfect shot of inky black lightning.

Sure, it’s fun to go out for a specialty coffee drink, but you can also enjoy the convenience of making one of these concoctions right in your own kitchen with the right machine. Nespresso brought the experience home nearly 40 years ago with its first products built around a simple idea: to bring the espresso experience to your kitchen with pre-measured capsules sealed to keep the ground coffee inside fresh.

The Original line keeps it simple, delivering espresso and cappuccino drinks at the push of a button. Nespresso machines in this lineup pierce a capsule filled with ground coffee and then force hot water through at high pressure to produce a single or double shot of espresso finished off with a smooth layer of crema. For lattes and macchiatos, look for a machine with a milk frother.

The Vertuo line offers espresso and espresso-based drinks, but also larger coffee sizes for those who might want a cup of coffee some mornings as opposed to only espresso. The Vertuo machines use the barcode on a given capsule to determine which drink to make. The capsule is spun very fast and the coffee is extracted by centrifugal force (what Nespresso calls “centrifusion”). As a result, coffee from Vertuo machines can often have a thicker layer of crema than shots pulled from the Original machines.

Each line has its own set of proprietary coffee capsules, important to note if you ever swap a machine. Capsules for the original line don’t work with the Vertuo line and vice versa.

Either way, the genius of a Nespresso machine is that it takes away the guesswork. Coffee is portioned and sealed in a capsule that you place in a machine that expertly extracts a shot at the right temperature. In a few minutes, you can make espresso with a silky layer of crema atop. Some models in the Vertuo line will even pour you an 8- or 12-ounce cup of hot coffee.

If you crave a cappuccino, equal parts espresso, steamed milk, and steamed milk foam (the “little cap” on your drink), there are several Nespresso coffee makers which have built-in frothers and wands for adding the necessary milk. Frothers can also be purchased separately for making hot or cold foam—great for iced lattes.

Nespresso machines span a wide range in cost—from compact machines at $100 to premium designs over $800. That doesn’t include the coffee capsules, which can easily cost $1 apiece.

Best Nespresso Machines

• Best Overall Nespresso Machine: Nespresso VertuoPlus Coffee and Espresso Machine by De'Longhi

• Best Budget Nespresso Machine: Vertuo Pop+

• Best Nespresso Machine for Lattes: Creatista Plus

• Best Nespresso Machine with Frother: Lattissima One

• Best Nespresso Machine for Newbies: Vertuo Next

The Expert

What to Consider in a Nespresso Machine

While dimensions and color scheme matter—Nespresso makes coffee machines ranging from pink to stainless steel—when it comes to fitting an appliance in your kitchen, the single most important decision on your coffee journey is whether you want a machine from the Original or Vertuo line.

Once you determine that, here are some other factors to help guide your decision.

Drink Sizes: Nespresso machines are single-serve. When it comes to sizes, it’s a question of what you’re drinking as well as everyone else in the family. If you need a machine that can still make an 8- or 12-ounce coffee, you should lean toward the Vertuo line because it was designed to account for the correct ratio between coffee grinds and water on larger drinks. Espresso drinkers and latte or cappuccino drinkers may gravitate to a machine from the Original lineup that is best used for single and double shots of espresso.

More Brewtiful Options to Consider: Best Keurig Coffee Machines • Best Coffee Grinders • Cold Brew Coffee Makers • Best Coffee Mug Warmers

Tank Capacity: How often you drink coffee relates to how often you will need to refill the tank. The water tanks on Nespresso machines range from 25 to 60 ounces. Espresso-based drinks will only use an ounce or three at a time; but if you like an 8-ounce cup of coffee, you could be refilling your machine multiple times a week.

Capsule Container Capacity: More expensive machines—see the Creatista Plus—will store 12 used capsules, while the Pop+, more budget friendly, requires you to remove the capsule after each use.

Heat Up Time: How patient are you and how badly do you need caffeine? While the Creatista can be ready to go in 3 seconds, most Nespresso machines will need 20 to 30 seconds before you can make your first cup.

How We Selected Nespresso Machines

I have used Nespresso machines and espresso makers— the latter provides a good point of comparison for the drinks you can make with a Nespresso. I relied on my own experiences as a coffee drinker and product tester to compare the strengths, prices, and performance of different models. I also read through product manuals and combed through online revie

ws to understand why you might want to purchase each model, whether that’s to make iced coffee drinks or espresso at the push of a button.

VertuoPlus

The Nespresso VertuoPlus is a breakfast utility player because it does a little bit of everything—it can make coffee and espresso. It heats up in 20 seconds and then starts cranking out bright cups of espresso or full-bodied 8-ounce pours for your morning cup. It’s got just enough storage—it can fit 10 used capsules and hold 40 ounces of water—to last you the week.

You can even adjust the water reservoir to keep it on the side or behind the coffee maker, whichever fits your space better. It automatically shuts off after 9 minutes, which is long enough to brew a couple cups.

Vertuo Pop+

The Vertuo Pop+ is true to its name, a spunky, brightly colored coffee machine that packs a punch. Red or mint accents are two of the eight colors available for the Nespresso machine that is Bluetooth-enabled to connect to the manufacturer’s app.

This small machine works with XL Nespresso capsules, which is great if you want a larger (12-ounce) cup of coffee. With five different size options, the Vertuo Pop+ can make either hot or iced coffee. It heats up slightly slower than other models, at 30 seconds, but its compact size makes it an easy fit for your counter or store inside your pantry.

Creatista Plus

The Creatista Plus produces silky, smooth lattes—the kind of creations begging for a drizzle of caramel or touch of chocolate on top. This is your chance to be a bona fide barista using the built-in frothing wand to make drinks that feel like floats.

A powerhouse, this machine heats up almost immediately, while the sliding drip tray is helpful for accommodating different size cups for either a small sip of espresso or a decadent mug of cappuccino. It also comes in four colors—black, white, stainless steel, and blue—to match just about any room décor.

Lattissima One

The Lattissima One demonstrates how much is possible with a little bit of steamed milk. You can make a flat white (a shot of espresso topped with steamed milk and a thin top layer of creamy foam) or add a touch more froth to your coffee with this streamlined coffee maker that comes in either black or white.

The menu atop the machine lets you choose between two espresso drinks or an espresso macchiato, cappuccino, or latte macchiato (larger ratio of milk to espresso). The Lattissima has helpful LED alerts for cleaning and descaling (removing the minerals that build up from hard water in your machine), along with an auto-rinse feature to make sure your cup doesn’t taste like previous cups if you’re switching between Nespresso capsules.

Vertuo Next

The Vertuo Next is great for the beginner barista, someone who has never used a Nespresso machine. This model stores enough used capsules and features a large enough water tank to get a typical couple through the work week.

When this machine is on sale, it can be even cheaper than the Pop+ and it lets you play around with espresso for lattes or pour a large mug of hot coffee (12 or 18 ounces) to take along on your morning commute. It has a shorter warranty—still 1 year—than more expensive models, but comes in a range of 10 colors to fit your kitchen look.

VertuoPlus Deluxe with Aeroccino

The Nespresso VertuoPlus Deluxe not only makes delicious espresso-based drinks over ice, but this model comes with the Aeroccino frother (it holds 8 ounces) which allows you to add cold foam. No more diluting your drinks. You can also play around with different strengths and sizes for iced coffee.

The machine has a large water reservoir, solid capsule storage, and automatically ejects used capsules. It only works with Nespresso’s VertuoLine capsules so check the offerings there first to be sure you have enough choice if you’re someone that likes to try lots of different roasts.

Minipresso NS

Not a Nespresso-brand machine, the pill-shaped WACACO Minipress NS is a suitable way to bring your favorite coffee with you when traveling or camping. It can also be an inexpensive way to try Nespresso capsules—this model is compatible with many Nespresso Original capsules—before you take the plunge on a more expensive model.

Simply add a capsule and boiling water to the machine before manually extracting the espresso via a built-in piston into the cup that unscrews from the top. You will need a separate heating source to add boiling water to the Minipress NS. You can purchase a protective case or insulated mug separately.

Vertuo and Milk Frother

This was the first of Nespresso’s Vertuo line—and it’s still being sold a decade later because it walks the line between a machine that delivers drip coffee and espresso-based drinks.

It pours single and double shots of espresso topped with rich crema and offers bold, hot coffee in 5- and 8-ounce sizes. This is the bundle with a separate frother (handy for lattes and cappuccinos), but you can also purchase the machine on its own. It heats up in 15 seconds and is simple to clean with a used capsule container that’s easy to access on the right side of the coffee machine.

Nespresso Essenza Mini

The Breville Nespresso Essenza Mini packs its espresso power in an itty-bitty footprint. Under 4 inches wide and less than 5 pounds, this machine still produces full-bodied espresso with a proper layer of crema atop.

The water tank is removable, convenient for filling or cleaning, but it is roughly half the size of other Nespresso models. The drip base also comes off if you need to put a mug underneath instead of a demitasse (the small cups often used for espresso), but there is nothing underneath to catch any errant drips.

Get Set With Your Own Brew HQ. Expert Jonathan Bender Shares Info on Pods, Capsules, and How Long Your Nespresso Machine Will Last.

Can I use K-Cups in a Nespresso machine?

No. This isn’t a one-cup-fits-all situation. K-Cups are different sizes and shapes from Nespresso capsules.

How long should one of these machines last?

Nespresso machines come with a 1- or 2-year warranty depending on the model, but you should get several years of use as long as you regularly clean and descale your machine.

What can I do with my used Nespresso capsules?

Nespresso capsules are disposable but can be recycled. Used capsules may be dropped at collection points, designated partner stores, or placed in a recycling bag and sent back by mail if you’re receiving capsules as part of a subscription service.

You Might Also Like

• The Paris Hilton Housewares Collection Brings ‘That’s Hot’ Energy to Your Kitchen

• 16 Best Noise-Canceling Headphones Perfect for Rocking Out in Quiet Bliss

• Beyoncé Uses This $26 Amazon Product for Her Glossy Blonde Hair