The best Nespresso machine 2024: top capsule coffee makers
Get an outstanding cup of coffee the easy way
The best Nespresso machine makes it easy for you to get a great cup of coffee, quick. Many traditional coffee makers demand your full attention for the best results, and you'll often have to clean up after, but getting quality coffee out of Nespresso machine is as simple as pressing a button, without you having to deal with a mess when it's done.
You'll find the best Nespresso machines among the best coffee makers and best espresso machines because they're so easy to use and they deliver great-tasting results with a huge variety of flavors to choose from.
We've selected 10 leading models from brands including Krups, De'Longhi and Philips. We've tested them all extensively, rating them on coffee quality, ease of use, cleanup, and price, and we've packed in a variety of options at a range of price points so that you can find the right one for you. Read on to discover the best Nespresso machines available now.
The best Nespresso machine deals on Black Friday
If you're thinking of investing in a new Nespresso machine, or just planning to pick up some coffee pods, Black Friday is the perfect time to do it. All the big retailers will be knocking down prices until the end of November, and I'm already compiling a list of all this year's best Black Friday Nespresso deals so you don't have to go hunting around for them. I'm keeping a particularly keen eye out for offers on the machines in this guide, which have been tested and recommended by our team of expert testers.
I've found some excellent deals on Nespresso machines at all price points, from the premium Creatista series (with auto milk frothing tech) through to the tiny, colorful Vertuo Pop.
Prefer to use fresh coffee beans? I'm also compiling a comprehensive guide to all this year's best Black Friday espresso machine deals, including automatic and manual models from big brands like Smeg and Breville, so go and take a look.
The quick list
Below is our quick guide to the best Nespresso machines around. Use it to narrow down your options, then either hop down to the more in-depth entry, or head straight to a retailer to buy.
Best overall
Best Nespresso machine overall
There's a lot to love about this Nespresso machine. It's very easy to use, quick to reheat, produces thick crema, and inexpensive. It also comes with an integrated bin for 10 used capsules hidden behind the drip tray. In our tests it took less than a minute to brew an espresso from start to finish, and coffee never tasted burnt or butter.
Best budget
Best budget Nespresso machine
This may be a cheap option, but it comes with lots of great features, including an automatic head and capsule ejection, a moveable water tank, a quick heat-up time of 15-20 seconds, and five different cup sizes. It's small too, and we found it exceptionally easy to use, creating a lovely rich crema every time.
Best premium
Best premium Nespresso machine
Premium inside and out, this Nespresso machine is built to last. More importantly, we found it produces rich and smooth espresso with thick crema in one minute. Very easy to use, it allows you to customize the amount of coffee dispensed to suit your favorite cup - a setting that is then stored for future use.
Best for lattes
Best Nespresso machine for lattes
One of the smallest in the Nespresso lineup, this machine lets you brew everything from rich espressos to creamy lattes, thanks to its automatic milk frother. Our results aren't as good as we could achieve with a steam wand, but it's hard to complain when your drink is ready in under a minute.
Beginner-friendly
Best Nespresso machine for beginners
Simple to set up and very easy to use, this statement-making machine is also space-saving. It's great for beginner Nespresso users, and can produce thick crema and larger servings. The smartphone app is a nice addition, but in our tests we found it non-essential; you can happily brew coffee in under a minute without it.
Double spout
Best Nespresso machine with double spout
This machine's double spout means it can fill larger mugs faster, or two espresso cups at once. During our tests it was quick to heat, taking just a few seconds to reach the right temperature, and it senses the type of pod inserted to adjust its brewing settings (L’OR Barista XXL, or L’OR espresso single-shot).
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Best smart
Best smart Nespresso machine
Loaded with features like temperature control, built-in scales, and customizable programs, this comes with app support that lets you remotely toggle settings like pressure, time and water temperature.
Ultra compact
Best compact Nespresso machine
Delivering near-instant servings, this machine consistently creates smooth espressos and americanos while also allowing you five different cup sizes. That's while keeping things compact so you don't need a lot of counter space.
Fastest
Fastest Nespresso machine
Not only is this dedicated capsule coffee maker from Dualit incredibly beginner-friendly and comes with a slim footprint, it'll make tea as well. It doesn't offer big sizes, but if you want something quick, it's the way to go.
Best portable
Best portable Nespresso machine
If you want to stick to your own grind and want it anywhere, any time, this portable Nespresso machine is the way to go. It also delivers gorgeously smooth shots with rich crema. Bear in mind that you do need to operate it manually.
The best Nespresso machine 2024
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The best Nespresso machine overall
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
✅ You don't have much room: The Pixie is one of the most compact Nespresso machines we've tested.
✅ You prefer black coffee: This machine doesn't have a milk frother, so it can't make a latte or cappuccino.
❌ You want a menu of coffee options: The Nespresso Pixie only offers two choices: expresso or lungo.
❌ You want your coffee piping hot: The temperature is about what we'd expect at 154-167F/ 68-75C, but there's no option to adjust it.
The Nespresso Pixie by Krups (sold in the US as the Breville Pixie) is the best Nespresso machine you can buy, particularly if space is at a premium in your kitchen.
On test, our reviewer found that the Pixie was very easy to use, and offered a hassle-free way of making a morning coffee. It took on average 25 - 30 seconds to preheat, and an espresso took just 15 seconds to pour. We were really impressed with the thick crema that the machine consistently produced, too, which resulted in a coffee tasting neither burnt nor overly bitter.
A favorite feature of ours on the Nespresso Pixie is that upon removing the drip tray, it reveals an integrated bin for 10 used capsules. It's easily removed for emptying and cleaning. Additional cleaning is occasionally required to rinse the bin and drip tray, but that's about it, so there's not too much washing-by-hand to do - although it would be useful if you could pop the parts into the dishwasher. As with all coffee makers, a descale will be required to help maintain the machine after every 1000 capsules.
Read more: Nespresso Pixie by Krups review
The best budget Nespresso machine
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
✅ You value choice: There's a huge array of pods available for the Nespresso Vertuo Plus.
✅ You want great quality coffee: The Vertuo Plus uses a spinning technique known as 'Centrifusion' to create rich crema - and it works.
❌ You want to use third-party pods: Vertuo machines use a special barcode and aren't compatible with pods from other companies (or refills).
❌ You want to make milky drinks: Again, there's no milk system here, so you'll need to invest in a separate milk frother or choose a different Nespresso machine.
The Nespresso by Krups Vertuo Plus is a good option for sharing with housemates, or not sharing in the 'home office'. It has an automatic head and capsule ejection, and a moveable water tank, so it has a bit more going on than some of the other Vertuo machines in the range.
What we liked about this pod coffee machine during testing is how convenient, neat, reliable and easy to use it is. The machine is all self-contained and we feel that there are few kitchens, living rooms or offices that you couldn't sneak one of these into. A downside to using this machine is that we felt it was pretty sterile in that we couldn't smell it when coffee was being brewed. If you're eco-conscious then signing up to the Nespresso pod recycling scheme would be a thing to do.
With 5 different cup sizes and a quick heat-up time of around 15 - 20 seconds, we feel that this Nespresso machine is worth a punt (if it meets all your requirements).
Read more: Nespresso Vertuo Plus review
The best premium Nespresso machine
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
✅ You want a Nespresso machine that's built to last: The Grind One Pod machine is solidly made from stainless steel, and comes with a two-year guarantee.
✅ You want to use non-standard size cups: This machine lets you customize the volume of your drinks.
❌ You're on a tight budget: There are lots of cheaper Nespresso machines available, including most of the ones in this guide.
❌ You don't have much space: The Grind One is one of the biggest Nespresso machines we've tested.
Made from stainless steel and backed by a two-year guarantee, the Grind One is a Nespresso machine that (we feel) is built to last. The quality of materials used to make the machine means that it looks good sitting on the countertop, too, although its shiny stainless steel attracts fingerprints like nobody's business.
During testing, we found that the Grind One produced smooth, rich espresso with a thick crema quality. We liked that you can customize the volume of coffee dispensed during the brewing process, which makes it a good choice for those wanting to try their hand at playing barista. The machine itself is very easy to use, since it is a pod machine after all. It takes Grind coffee pods and all other original-style Nespresso capsules.
A thing to note is that it doesn't come with a built-in milk texturizer, although one can be bought separately. It's also a little on the bulky side so if space is tight, we'd recommend the next Nespresso machine on the list: the De'Longhi Lattissima One.
Read more: Grind One pod machine
The best Nespresso machine for making lattes
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
✅ You enjoy lattes and cappuccinos: This is one of the few Nespresso machines in this guide with an automatic milk system.
✅ You want a quiet machine: Despite having a milk steamer, the Lattissima is surprisingly quiet.
❌ You want to have fun with latte art: Fully automatic milk systems are great, but they don't let you get creative.
❌ You want to make lots of coffees in the morning: The Lattissima One has a relatively small water tank, so it'll need refilling quite frequently.
Available in a crisp white or shiny black colorway, the De'Longhi Lattissima One is a compact and easy to clean espresso machine which we think is best suited to kitchens where countertop space is tight.
The machine may well be the smallest in the Nespresso lineup at De'Longhi but it has everything you need on board to create delicious coffee - from thick and creamy espressos to tall and creamy lattes. Our reviewer found that it produced a 'satisfying in strength and smooth to drink' espresso, although we found that the smaller the coffee cup the thicker and tastier the crema.
It is worth noting that Lattissima One does not come with a steam wand for making micro foam, but it does have its own automatic ‘Rapid Cappuccino System’ to dispense milk straight into your cup. This capsule machine won’t allow you to experiment with freshly ground beans and artisan filter flavors, either, which is the case for all of the machines featured in this guide.
Read more: De’Longhi Lattissima One review
The best entry level Nespresso machine
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
✅ You're looking for your first coffee machine: The Vertuo Pop couldn't be easier to use - just insert your pod and press a button.
✅ You're on a budget: This is another super affordable Nespresso machine to consider.
❌ You want to customize your drinks: You can choose different pods, but that's where it ends - the machine itself doesn't give you any options.
❌ You want to make several cups in a row: The Vertuo Pop has one of the smallest water tanks in our tests, so you'll need to keep it topped up.
The Nespresso Vertuo Pop is the latest addition to the brand's lineup of pod coffee machines. It's main USP – which is, perhaps, the most obvious – is that it's available in six gorgeous colors, allowing you to select a model to suit your kitchen decor or to make a statement.
The Nespresso Vertuo Pop is a compact coffee pod coffee maker, measuring 5.3 x 16.7 x 9.8" / 136 x 426 x 250mm and weighing just 7.7lbs / 3.5kg, so it doesn't take up much counter space and can be easily moved if you need to store it out of sight.
This is a really good option for single folks and for Nespresso beginners. Our reviewer found that it's super-easy to set up, and while it does have an accompanying app there's no need to use it. It took just one button touch for the Vertuo Pop to make a lovely coffee with a perfect crema, and we think that the ability to pour into larger mugs is handy for anyone who wants to grab and go on the way to work or school. That said, we found that its compact size makes it a little limited in what it can do: you can only make one coffee at a time, and the water tank is only big enough to make two mugs of coffee, one after the other. If you want more and don't mind paying for the privilege, see the Grind One at #3 in this guide.
Read more: Nespresso Vertuo Pop review
The best Nespresso machine with double spout
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
✅ You want to make two coffees at once: The double spout handles the job with ease.
✅ You want your coffee fast: The L'OR Barista Supreme delivered a fresh cup of coffee in less time than it would take to boil an electric kettle.
❌ You enjoy a morning cappuccino: If you want milk, take a look at the Nespresso Lattissima One instead.
❌ You want a helping hand with maintenance: The machine will tell you when it needs descaling, but the manual doesn't explain exactly how to do it.
The Philips L'OR Barista Sublime (available in the US as the L'OR Barista Coffee & Espresso System) is one of the latest Nespresso machines to be launched. Its USP is that it is double spouted, meaning that it can make two drinks at the same time. It also accepts the new and exclusive L’OR Barista XXL capsules, which contain double the amount of coffee than the smaller capsules
Our reviewer found that this pod coffee machine was easy to use and produced delicious results. The machine does come with a selection box of nine capsule samples which is plenty to get going - although we would have preferred some more decaf options - and each one did not disappoint. The most useful out of the three settings we found was Lungo because it suited our 350ml mugs the best.
There are a couple of things that the Philips L'OR Barista Sublime is missing for us. The first is that there is no integrated milk frother with this model of L'OR coffee machine. And the second point to make is that you would struggle to make more than two cups or mugs of coffee quickly and on demand; for bigger quantities try the Grind One at #3 in this roundup.
Read more: Philips L’OR Barista Sublime review
The best Nespresso machine with app support
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
✅ You want café quality coffee: The Morning Machine is a step above most Nespresso machines, making great coffee using a pod.
✅ You take your coffee black: This is yet another Nespresso machine without a milk system. You can buy one separately, but it's pricey.
❌ You're watching the pennies: This is one of the most expensive Nespresso machines we've tested.
❌ You won't use the app features: There's no sense in paying for a feature if you're not intending to use it.
We've said a few times how simple Nespresso machines are. But they don't have to be, and The Morning Machine is not your average Nespresso pod machine. It has water volume settings, temperature control, in-built scales and customizable pressure programs, and the makers have teamed up with pod producers all over the world to provide an interesting range of affordable flavors over and above the ones you'll find with Nespresso branding.
The key here is the smartphone app, which gives you complete control over every single detail of your brew from the pressure and time to the temperature, which you can set anywhere from 65ºC to 99ºC (149ºF to 210ºF). Our reviewer was impressed by how the app helped him to discover which coffees he might like to try, and its ability to tweak the brewing process to accommodate his tastes. He also found that The Morning Machine delivered coffee with maximum flavor, although he was disappointed that it doesn't have an option for heating and frothing milk.
Read more: Morning Machine review
The best Nespresso machine for tight spaces
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
✅ You lack counter space: The Nespresso Vertuo Next is one of the smallest coffee machines we've ever tested.
✅ You want to use different sizes of cup: The dispenser height can be raised or lowered to suit your drinking vessel of choice.
❌ You want an integrated milk frother: If you want to make lattes, take a look at the Lattissima instead.
❌ You want to use standard Nespresso pods: The Vertuo series use their own pods with special barcodes.
The Vertuo Next is the smallest in the Nespresso Vertuo line-up of coffee makers. If space is tight, and you need a near-instant coffee, then this would be a good option to consider.
Our reviewer found that it created consistently smooth espresso and americanos and that it genuinely couldn't be easier to use - all you have to do is place a pod inside, and press a button. There are five different cup sizes to choose from, and the clean-up time is very minimal.
As with a lot (if not all) Nespresso machines featured in this guide, you can only make espressos or americanos with this coffee machine unless you buy a separate milk frother; if you want an all-in-one machine that'll give you a cappuccino, the De'Longhi Lattissima One at #4 in this list is your best option. You are also going to be left with empty capsules which can't go in the household recycling so, if you're eco-conscious, signing up for the Nespresso recycling scheme would be of interest.
Read more: Nespresso Vertuo Next review
The best Nespresso machine for quick servings
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
✅ You want to make both tea and coffee: This machine has a dedicated mode for Nespresso tea pods.
✅ You want to use different cups: You can adjust the volume of coffee dispensed by the machine.
❌ You want to use a full size mug: Unfortunately the dispenser can't move high enough to accommodate this.
❌ You want to make tea often: The machine dispenses just half a cup when using a tea pod.
The Dualit Cafe Plus is the only dedicated capsule coffee maker from this brand. It's compatible with Nespresso original capsules, plus Dualit even makes its own range; we tried out the 50-capsule taster pack.
During our at-home tests, we found that it made coffee with ease - and tea, too. It doesn't come with a milk frother to heat or froth milk, but there is a standalone milk frother to purchase separately. If you want, Dualit also has its own means of enabling you to recycle the used coffee pods at home - the Dualit EcoPress - which can be used by all Nespresso compatible brands.
Overall we think that this Nespresso machine performed well, but the lack of space on the drip tray for a full-size mug proved frustrating, and espressos had a disappointingly thin crema. Therefore, is a good option for making a quick, convenient cup of coffee.
Read more: Dualit Cafe Plus review
The best portable Nespresso machine
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
✅ You want to make coffee on the move: This is the perfect device for brewing up while camping, or on business trips.
✅ You want to use pods or grounds: The Nanopresso can handle both.
❌ You don't have access to hot water: The Nanopresso doesn't have its own boiler.
❌ You don't have time or space to dry and reassemble it: The Nanopresso needs cleaning between uses.
If you want to make a coffee when you're out exploring or would prefer to save some dollar instead of visiting a coffee house, then we can highly recommend the Nanopresso Portable Espresso Maker.
It's a pocket-sized Nespresso machine which will brew an espresso with a few pumps. After a few attempts on test, we achieved a gorgeously smooth, rich crema with every shot. It's so simple to use and, therefore, easy to tweak the settings to suit your taste requirements. You can switch between Nespresso pods and grinds, so it's a versatile little coffee maker too; to use pods, however, you'll need to buy a separate adapter.
You will need to boil water and find a flat spot to pour the coffee into, but this is the most complicated the Nanopresso Portable Espresso Maker will get.
Read more: Nanopresso Portable Espresso Maker review
FAQs about Nespresso machines
How do Nespresso machines work?
Nespresso machines remove all the hassle and mess from the process of making an excellent cup of coffee. They all work on a similar basis: you insert a coffee pod and the machine uses that to brew your coffee, saving you the trouble of having to measure out your coffee. And depending on the model you have, you can specify a cup size so that you can get just the right amount.
However there are two main types of Nespresso machines and they actually work in different ways. Original Nespresso machines make coffee by piercing small holes in the pod and allowing heated water pumped through from the reservoir to drip through it and into your mug. Simple but effective.
Vertuo machines such as the Nespresso by Krups Vertuo Plus at #2 in our list are more sophisticated, however. They use their own larger pods with barcodes that the machine scans in order to adjust the water temperature to suit that particular coffee.
Not only that, instead of simply dripping water through the pod, Vertuo machines use a centrifugal brewing technique that involves pouring a small amount of water into the capsule then spinning it at 7,000rpm so that the coffee infuses more effectively. This results in a richer flavor as well as a thicker crema.
Nearly all Nespresso machines are built to only deliver black coffee, so for the most part if you prefer a macchiato or a cappuccino you'll need a separate device for heating and frothing milk. However there are some notable exceptions; the De'Longhi Lattissima One at #4 on our list, which as an automatic ‘Rapid Cappuccino System’ that'll add textured milk directly to your cup.
One thing all Nespresso machines have in common is that once they've made your coffee, they'll drop the spent pods into a built-in repository that'll need regular emptying. Don't just throw them in the bin; read on to learn how to dispose of them in a more environmentally-friendly way.
How do you recycle Nespresso coffee pods?
There's no denying that there is a fair amount of waste from using a Nespresso coffee pods, but the company are on to this. There are four recycling options which can be achieved by following 3 easy steps.
1. Get your free recycling bag. These can be added to your next order, or picked up from your nearest store
2. Fill your bag with used capsules.
3. Choose one of four recyling options: Podback Collect+, Doorstep pickup, Boutique (store) drop off or Podback kerbside collection.
It's great that there are four recycling options, but what do you have to do?
We found that Collect + means that you have to print a label to stick on the recycling bag and to drop it in to a local store for scanning and shipping. Doorstep pickup (the easiest option by far) can be booked when visiting Nespresso.com to order more coffee capsules. Although this not leave you with much flexibility over where you buy your coffee capsules, you can recycle and replenish all in one places which is a big time saver for us.
Let's not forget that you can also drop off a recycling bag full of used capsules to a Nespresso boutique (store) or, if you're eligible for kerbside collection (we were not), you can recycle the capsules with other coffee brands.
What is the difference between a coffee machine and a Nespresso machine?
The main difference between a coffee machine and a Nespresso machine is that a Nespresso machine only makes an espresso coffee. Coffee machines consume the drip, pour and filter coffee machines, too. All of these make a greater volume of coffee than a Nespresso machine, which are often only single-serve.
How we tested these Nespresso machines
To create this guide we drank a lot of coffee. Each Nespresso coffee maker has been tested in the home of our reviewers for at least a couple of weeks, with coffee being drunk at least once a day from the machine on review.
As well as assessing how well the Nespresso machine makes coffee, we've also looked into how easy the product is to set up and keep clean. From the point of delivery through to cleaning the machine after a few weeks of heavy use, we've covered all the things that you, the customer, will be wanting to know about before buying one.
During testing, we also take into account the overall design of each Nespresso coffee maker - how it looks, how much space it’ll take up on your kitchen counter, whether the water tank is removable for easy refills, and how the machine looks as a whole.
The majority of these Nespresso machines are single-serve so we've considered how easily, and quickly, you can make more than one cup/mug of coffee on demand. You would have seen that a lot of them have removable drip trays or drip trays with an adjustable height so your favorite mugs can be catered for, so we've put this to the test too.
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Michelle Rae Uy is the former Computing Reviews and Buying Guides Editor at TechRadar. She's a Los Angeles-based tech, travel and lifestyle writer covering a wide range of topics, from computing to the latest in green commutes to the best hiking trails. She's an ambivert who enjoys communing with nature and traveling for months at a time just as much as watching movies and playing sim games at home. That also means that she has a lot more avenues to explore in terms of understanding how tech can improve the different aspects of our lives.
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