Nespresso machines are sleek, compact, and smart. They always make us fall in love with how tasteful they are. These are literally the espresso machines that always push forward for better and revolutionary approaches to design, functionality, and espresso taste. The classy espresso machine feeling is brought to you through sliding and foldable drip trays, rotating water tanks, automatic capsule ejection, classic and innovative espresso making technologies, and more. With the best Nespresso machine, all of this is available to you at the touch of a button.
#1 Nespresso Vertuo Evoluo
The ultra-modern Vertuo Evoluo has fancy components that are as compact as they are accessible. With a dome-shaped machine head that rotates to pop the Vertuo capsule and a nicely-textured 54-ounce water tank, this pro-appearance and pro-technology machine is always ready to make coffee! If you like, you can get the Evoluo with a slightly different design, but the machine will always have its style well-conserved.
Keeping the style of the Vertuo intact, but improving its functionality is the machine’s compact drip tray. As you choose from the 5 cup sizes of the Evoluo menu, you also choose and adjust the position of the drip tray. For the largest cup size or a quick emptying, the drip tray can be easily removed.
Enjoy your Alto, pick the Double Espresso, or be adventurous and try the other three coffee drinks on the Evoluo. The full-of-tastes world of espresso and coffee is completely yours with this espresso machine and the Aeroccino3 milk frother. Combine hot milk with your espresso or cool the gran lungo with the flavorfully-frothed foam— the Vertuo Evoluo fulfills all your wishes automatically!
Evoluo’s coffee-making style comes from the centrifusion and barcode technologies that smartly prepare the beverages. Through centrifusion and blend recognition, your rich coffee drink is always brewed under the right temperature, pressure, and it always has the correct volume. All parameters vary, however, depending on the blend inside the capsule! Pick any of the 12 gift capsules included in the box and entrust those fabulous coffees to your Evoluo and the Aeroccino3!
Key features:
- 54-ounce water reservoir
- 5 drinks available
- Centrifusion technology
- Barcode technology
- In a bundle with the Aeroccino3 milk frother
- Heats up in 15 to 20 seconds
Pros
A lot of crema present in the coffee drinks
As a Nespresso VertuoLine machine, it automatically adjusts its brewing parameters according to the blend in the capsule after recognizing it with the barcode technology
Nice choice of drinks with all the coffees that you love available
Quickly heats up and needs no frequent refills
Cons
No low level indicator on the water tank
#2 Nespresso Vertuo
The Breville notes of the Nespresso Vertuo are obvious and very likable. Through the Breville espresso horizon, you get a Nespresso machine that is sophisticated, technologically trendy, and very versatile.
The design outline of the compact Vertuo follows two transparent compartments on each side of the machine, a rounded top, and a stable rectangular base. The espresso wonders happen with the Vertuo reading the capsules’ barcode, to later use a powerful centrifugal force on the coffee and brew it with code-determined parameters.
As a VertuoLine machine, you can expect the Nespresso Vertuo to give you foamy espresso crema and many large drinks. You can vary the size of the drinks in a range of 5 fantastic cup sizes and even introduce some milk to them with the Aeroccino3 milk frother.
Vary them drinks, skillfully program them for volume, and experiment with the hot and cold milk froth available. The Nespresso Vertuo thrives on your imagination as much as you thrive on its automated artistry and easiness of use.
Key features:
- Centrifusion and barcode technology
- 5 different drinks
- Compatible with 2 capsule sizes
- Available for purchase with the Aeroccino3
- Heat up time from 15 to 20 seconds
Pros
5 drinks, from the shortest to the longest, ready in seconds
Breville’s touch on the design of Vertuo is obvious and beautiful
When paired with the Aeroccino3, milk-drinks are available at a simple touch of a button
Automated brewing based on capsule recognition for optimal coffee flavor
Cons
Loud
#3 Nespresso Inissia
Nespresso endorses compactness and handiness, but always in distinct ways throughout its machine range. In the case of the Nespresso Inissia, which is an Original machine, you can see a tribute to the classic Nespresso shapes.
Wider at the bottom, narrower at the top, and with a handle for opening the capsule chamber, the Nespresso Inissia makes one wonder if the espresso that it makes is as unique and outstanding as the machine’s design.
Truly so, it is, and this answer couldn’t be any different with a 19-Bar pump involved in the story. With this pump and the folding drip tray, you have creamy espresso and lungo at the touch of a button and in variable sizes. Of course, adjusting the volume of the coffee wouldn’t have been possible if it wasn’t for the programmability of the espresso and lungo buttons, which is just another big feature on the space-conscious, small Inissia.
This machine heats up fast, taking only 25 seconds before it can brew you coffee. After it heats up, the water in the 24-ounce water reservoir is instantly ready to use; you can use this water until you decide to stop brewing and the Inissia automatically turns off. Keeping true to espresso and saving space on your counter with its small footprint and the one-of-a-kind design— this is how the Inissia wants to spend its time with you.
Key features:
- 19-Bar pump
- Folding drip tray
- Programmable espresso and lungo
- 24-ounce water reservoir
- One-touch
Pros
A 19-Bar pump makes espresso the traditional and trusted way
Adjust the volume of your coffee with ease anytime
Folding drip tray unfolds for short cups and folds when a longer cup is placed next to the machine
No complicated control panels, just two buttons for your two programmable drinks
Cons
Noisy when operating
#4 Nespresso VertuoPlus
With the VertuoPlus, Nespresso once again surprises us with one more state-of-the art VertuoLine machine ready to have you savoring on silky crema before the coffee meets your mouth. The machine helps you reach all of your coffee goals with 5 beautiful drinks, all in different sizes and all there to charm you with their different flavors.
The perk with this machine is not only the Aeroccino3 milk frother that comes in a bundle with it, but also the large, but surprisingly-compact water tank. With 60-ounces of water to hold and with the ability to rotate from the side to the back of the machine, you can customize not only the drinks, but the entire machine to your kitchen counter. This reservoir is also marked for the minimum amount of water that should be used for a shot, so you’re safe from running out of water.
Nespresso brings you the convenience of the adjustable drip tray through this machine, and it also brings you the accuracy of coffee brewing with the barcode technology. Let the barcode technology adjust the brew parameters to the blend inside the capsule and convert your double espresso, alto coffee, and the rest of the drinks into flavorful lattes and cappuccinos. Intelligent, convenient, and classy— what an espresso machine the VertuoPlus is!
Key features:
- 60-ounce rotating water reservoir
- Adjustable drip tray
- Barcode technology
- Centrifusion technology
- 5 cup sizes
- Auto off
Pros
A mega-reservoir of 60 ounces for optimal convenience and brewing cup after cup
Brewing by blend-defined parameters for the temperature, pressure, extraction, and coffee volume
5 coffees made from the flavors in your favorite Nespresso capsules
Auto off function for the precious energy efficiency
Cons
Expensive
#5 Nespresso Essenza Mini by Breville and De’Longhi
We have to admit that both Breville and De’Longhi did a fantastic job with the Essenza Mini Nespresso machine.
If all the other machines on the list are compact, this machine is even more compact! Its dimensions are 3.3 x 12.9 x 8 for the Breville version and 4.3 x 12.8 x 8.1 for the De’Longhi model. These compact dimensions are followed by the compact design of the removable 20.3-ounce water tank and the removable drip tray— two components capable of making your brewing time easier.
When it comes to easy brewing, the Essenza Mini also lets you adjust your cup size to perfection with two programmable espresso and lungo buttons. With a setting like this and a frother like the Aeroccino3, the Essenza Mini is the perfect choice for well-extracted espresso from a tiny, 19-Bar machine.
Key features:
- A Nespresso Original machine
- Programmable espresso and lungo buttons
- Dimensions: 8.1’’ x 12.8’’ x 4.3’’
- 20.3-ounce water tank
- 30-second heat up time
- Auto off
Pros
‘Original’ means denser crema floating on top of your favorite coffee
Ultra-compact, meaning it’s easy to move around and take somewhere
Gives you the option to adjust the volume of your coffee in seconds
The auto off feature extends the lifespan of your espresso machine and is energy efficient
Cons
Vague blend names on the capsules
#6 Nespresso Lattissima Plus
As a De’Longhi machine, the Lattissima plus has the De’Longhi vibe with its larger dimensions and an interesting spigot. De’Longhi, however, brings something more to you with this Nespresso model than a bit of its design idea.
What you’ll see on the Lattissima Plus is an automatic milk carafe with cappuccino and latte settings that steams and froths milk to pour it directly into your cup! The amazing automatic milk carafe works with different milks, is easy to clean, and can go inside your fridge when you no longer need it. Before it does that, however, the carafe will make your choice of drinks greater, with 3 milk options to add to the 2 coffee drinks prepared by a 19-Bar pump.
Everything on the Lattissima Plus is automatic, from the 4 preset beverages to the auto off function. You can, however, tweak the espresso, lungo, cappuccino, and latte and program them for the volume of the coffee and quantity of the milk if you wish so! Just slide the drip tray, fill the 30-ounce water reservoir, and enjoy the taste of drinks made with fresh milk and quality coffee.
In case you like the design of this espresso machine, but you’d like the machine to have touch buttons and to offer 6 preset beverages, you could check out the Lattissima Touch by De’Longhi on our best espresso machine under $500 list.
Key features:
- Automatic milk carafe
- 19-Bar pump
- 3 milk drinks
- 2 coffee drinks
- Sliding drip tray
- Auto off
Pros
The machine froths the milk automatically and sends it directly into your cup
Espresso quality is guaranteed with the 19-Bar pump
You won’t need to buy a separate milk frother because the Lattissima Plus has an automated milk carafe
As the frother perfectly textures the froth for your drink, the sliding drip tray fits cups of different sizes to meet you in your coffee needs
Cons
Small water tank
#7 Nespresso CitiZ
One of the machines that proved that Nespresso designed their machines to perform smartly and look beautiful is the Nespresso CitiZ. This espresso machine won the Red Dot Design Award for its innovative design and has used its craft as an Original machine to extract strong espressos with a 19-Bar pump.
Now in a bundle with the Aeroccino3 milk frother and with 14 Nespresso capsules included in the box, the CitiZ is an automated, two-button coffee recipe source. Program the two espresso and lungo buttons for coffee of your desired size, or let things be preset and add a bit of ice in your cup to enhance the taste.
The CitiZ takes 25 seconds to heat up before it can get you to your espresso or lungo, and you can use this time wisely to froth your milk hot or cold. If you love the exceptional Nespresso Original-style coffee, you will love this espresso machine.
Key features:
- 19-Bar pump
- 25-second heat up time
- Programmable espresso and lungo buttons
- Auto off
- Foldable cup support
Pros
Follow your personal coffee volume standards and program the espresso and lungo buttons accordingly
Nice pump pressure for the best espresso extraction
If you want a larger dose of coffee, simply fold the drip tray and put your glass next to the machine
Auto off for energy preservation and for your machine’s safety
Cons
A bit loud when operating
#8 Breville Creatista +
The Breville Creatista + is that love at first sight that everybody is talking about. This luxurious machine model and its creative looks are Breville’s way of changing the Nespresso machine game when it comes to design. Our favorite stainless steel version is not what keeps the love for this machine lasting, however; it is, in fact, the many features and settings that the Creatista + has which make it the love of someone’s life!
The Breville Creatista + offers you 8 drinks that are available to you through the machine’s TFT LCD display. All of the coffees that you find flavorful have to pass through a 19-Bar pump to reach your cup, and with the foldable cup support, you can travel through sizes as you can travel through coffee flavors. Truly, the Breville Creatista + is an island full of treasure when it comes to remarkable features.
On this island, you’ll also find an automatic milk frother— a steam wand that lets you vary the milk temperature on 11 levels and the texture on 8. This goes hand in hand with the possibility to adjust the volume of your coffee and translates into exceptional flat whites, lattes, macchiatos, and 5 other drinks.
Adding to the greatness of features of the Breville Creatista + is also its 60-ounce water tank and the machine’s auto purge and auto clean programs. All automatic, all to your advantage— this is the espresso machine that will show you that there is a limitless number of delicious coffee drinks.
Key features:
- TFT LCD display
- 8 drinks available
- Adjustable coffee volume, milk temperature, and milk texture
- 3-second heat up
- 19-Bar pump
- 60-ounce water reservoir
- Auto purge and auto clean
Pros
Made of stainless steel for durability and nicely styled by Breville
Allows you to customize your drinks in every way possible
It’s incredible how fast it heats up
Packed with features that help its maintenance and guarantee the quality of your drink
Cons
There is a learning curve
FAQ about Nespresso machines
Do Nespresso machines work with Keurig K-Cups?
No, they don’t work with Keurig K-Cups. The Original Nespresso machines work with Nespresso and third-party capsules and the VertuoLine machines work only with Nespresso Grand Crus.
Does the centrifusion technology effectively turn coffee into espresso?
Yes, it does. Paired with the barcode technology, the centrifugal technology will prepare coffee from different blends by using different brewing parameters (different temperature, volume, and pressure). This will result in more crema.
Things to consider when buying a Nespresso Machine
Types of drinks — Since cup size is not really an issue with Nespresso machines because of their programmable drinks, what you should mind when getting a machine is the drinks available. Some machines make espresso and lungo, while other machines make ristretto, flat white, latte, cappuccino, macchiato, and more.
19-Bar pump or centrifusion — Original machines use 19-Bar pumps to pressurize the coffee in the capsule and turn it into espresso. VertuoLine machines, on the other hand, use a centrifugal technology to rotate the coffee in the capsule 7000 times per minute. The coffee results into a rich, creamy drink at the end of an Original machine brew cycle and it has a lot of frothy crema after a VertuoLine machine has finished making it.
Tank size — There are Nespresso machines that come with some really small tanks and some that come with larger ones. How much coffee will you be brewing in a day? Think about that to pick a Nespresso machine with a tank right for you.
Design — Do you want the water tank on your machine to rotate or do you want it put on the side? Do you want a smaller machine or a larger one? Should the drip tray slide or fold? Consider the space on your kitchen counter and your personal coffee and design preferences before you pick the best machine for you.
Which Nespresso machine should you buy?
The Nespresso Vertuo Evoluo had to take the first place on this list because of its variability in cup sizes, the barcode technology, the precious design, and the reasonable price that it comes at in spite of being so sophisticated. This is the best Nespresso machine, trusted by so many, and loved for a long time now. Of course, the beauty of the other machines is also a fact, so we’ll leave you choose the best one yourself.