The best Nespresso machine makes it easy for you to get a great cup of coffee as fast as possible. 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, with virtually no mess.
Once you've filled the water tank and inserted a pod, the machine will pierce the capsule and force hot water through it at high pressure, much like a conventional espresso machine. The used capsule will be dropped into a waste container once your coffee is ready. Nespresso offers several ways to recycle your capsules, including pre-paid bags, collection bins, and collection points in Nespresso boutiques.
The latest addition to this guide is the Ninja Prestige DualBrew System, which is a two-in-one Nespresso machine and drip coffee brewer. It's quick, convenient, cleverly designed, and received a full five stars in my review.
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 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 was consistently delicious.
Best budget Nespresso machine
Simple to set up and very easy to use, this super-affordable Nespresso machine is also space-saving. It's great for beginners, 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.
Best Nespresso machine for drip coffee
The Ninja Prestige DualBrew system doesn't just turn Nespresso Original capsules into delicious espresso, it's also a fully-featured drip coffee machine complete with timer and cold-brew function. There's even a fold-out milk frother to turn your Nespresso shots into cappuccinos and 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 system. Unlike other machines in this roundup, it uses steam rather than just a whisk, which means it can make proper long-lasting microfoam..
Best small 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.
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.
Meet the expert
Cat has been a tech journalist for over 10 years and is an SCA-certified barista, so you can trust her to recommend the very best Nespresso machine to get your day off to a great start. Whatever your budget, she'll help you find the perfect Nespresso machine for your kitchen.
The best Nespresso machine
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The best Nespresso machine overall
✅ 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
Attribute | Notes | Score |
|---|---|---|
Value | A good value, basic Nespresso machine, but it’s only available in the UK. | 4/5 |
Design | Compact design that’s sturdy and intuitive to use. | 5/5 |
Performance | Very intuitive to use and produces consistent results every time. | 4.5/5 |
The best budget Nespresso machine
✅ 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.
This is the smallest and cheapest Nespresso Vertuo machine you can buy, and it's a particularly good choice for small kitchens. Despite its compact proportions, it can still brew drinks in four sizes, and is a great way to sample Nespresso's premium pods.
Our reviewer found that it's super-easy to set up, and although 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 the ability to pour into larger mugs is handy for anyone who wants to grab and go on the way to work or school. When you want to brew a bigger drink, just unhook the drip tray and you're good to go.
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.
It's also worth noting that there's no milk frother, so if you want to turn your espressos into cappuccinos or lattes, consider picking up a Nespresso Aeroccino as well.
Read more: Nespresso Vertuo Pop review
Attribute | Notes | Score |
|---|---|---|
Value | The cheapest Nespresso machine you can buy today, and it gets the job done quickly and easily. | 5/5 |
Design | Super compact, easy to use, and available in a wide array of colors. The water tank is small, though, and there's no integrated milk frother. | 4.5/5 |
Performance | Super-easy to set up and use. It makes a lovely coffee with a thick crema. 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. | 4.5/5 |
The best Nespresso machine for drip coffee
✅ You need a boost in the mornings: Whether you use Nespresso capsules or the drip brewer's timer, this a fast and easy way to get coffee into your system first thing.
✅ You want variety: Not only does this machine make drip coffee and espresso, it even has a built-in milk frother.
❌ You're on a tight budget: This is one of the most expensive Nespresso machines we've tested (though you're getting a lot for your money).
❌ You don't have much space The DualBrew System is quite tall, and you may struggle to fill the drip machine's basket if you have to keep it under a cabinet.
The ingenious Ninja Prestige DualBrew System (known as the Ninja Espresso & Coffee Barista System in the US) uses Nespresso Original capsules to brew tasty espresso, and has a drip coffee brewer (complete with cold brew mode) that uses fresh grounds to prepare a whole pitcher or a single cup of filter coffee.
I particularly enjoyed using the DualBrew System first thing in the morning, before I'm fully awake. Preparing an espresso-based drink is as simple as dropping a Nespresso Original capsule into the slot on the right-hand side, pressing 'Brew Now' and waiting one minute, while the digital timer means you can prepare the drip brewer before bed, and wake to a steaming pitcher of filter coffee.
It's the little features that really make the DualBrew System special. I particularly liked the adjustable height drip tray, which lets you dispense Nespresso pods into any cup, the fold-out platform that means you can place a travel cup under the drip brewer (ideal for taking coffee to work), and the table on the side of the machine showing how long to whisk your milk to prepare different drinks.
The only downside is that, unlike the Latissima One (below), the DualBrew's whisk doesn't heat your milk, so you can't create the rich foam you'd get from a steam wand. Otherwise, it's a joy to use and easy to recommend.
Read our full Ninja Prestige DualBrew System review
Attribute | Notes | Score |
|---|---|---|
Value | A reasonable price for a drip coffee maker, and even better when there's also a Nespresso machine attached. | 5/5 |
Design | Large, but thoughtfully designed and easy to maintain. The only weak point is the milk frother, which is nice to have but not amazing. | 4.5/5 |
Performance | Makes brewing great coffee as close to effortless as possible, whether you're entertaining guests or just trying to jump-start your morning. | 5/5 |
The best Nespresso machine for lattes
✅ 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
Attribute | Notes | Score |
|---|---|---|
Value | Mid-priced for a Nespresso machine, but often steeply discounted for Black Friday and Amazon Prime Day. | 4/5 |
Design | Smaller than the average pod machine but sensibly set out and easy to use | 4/5 |
Performance | Surprisingly fast, and produces impressive results from its coffee pods | 4/5 |
The best small Nespresso machine
✅ 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
Attribute | Notes | Score |
|---|---|---|
Value | Another Nespresso machine towards the budget end of the market, the Vertuo Next is widely available and often discounted for Black Friday. | 5/5 |
Design | Very similar to the Vertuo Pop, but taller to accommodate larger cups, with a larger pod bin and water tank. | 4.5/5 |
Performance | Easy one-touch use and virtually mess-free. Quiet, with no splashing as the coffee pours. | 5/5 |
The best portable Nespresso machine
✅ 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: Wacaco Nanopresso review
Attribute | Notes | Score |
|---|---|---|
Value | One of the cheapest ways to brew coffee with Nespresso Classic capsules, but you'll need to buy a converter to do so. | 4/5 |
Design | Made from plastic, but feels solid and robust, and fits easily in the hand. | 4.5/5 |
Performance | Brews coffee just as well as a countertop machine, but you'll need to add hot water yourself, and you'll need to clean and reassemble it after use. | 3.5/5 |
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.
What are the different types of Nespresso capsules?
There are two different types of Nespresso capsules: Original and Vertuo. Nespresso Original capsules (which are shaped like top hats) are similar to traditional espresso servings, and there's a wide range of capsules available from third-party coffee brands in addition to Nespresso's own range. Nespresso Vertuo capsules (which are dome-shaped) can brew coffee in larger sizes, and are only made by Nespresso.
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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