Best Nespresso Machine Reviews
Brigitt Earley Brigitt Earley, a Good Housekeeping Institute specialist, has tested and evaluated many kitchen appliances. She also writes about other household items and gadgets.
The best Nespresso machines provide a wide range of drinks, are simple to operate and clean, and they heat up quickly. They should be compatible with original Nespresso capsules and include a specially capsule container that is used.
1. The Vertuo Creatista
The Vertuo Creatista, a new model from Nespresso is a product that fills a gap that is important. It's the first and so far only Vertuo machine with an integrated milk frother, and it's a great addition to the line-up.
The machine is a middle-of-the-line Vertuo model that has a premium stainless steel design. It also comes with 2L of water tank and a removable drip tray that lets you use your personal travel mug or carafe. It makes use of Nespresso Centrifusion to brew capsules, and can create a variety of drinks. This includes espresso, lungo, and alto, in addition to cappuccino macchiato, latte, and cappuccino.
It is compatible with the original Nespresso capsules as well as their Vertuo Line equivalents. The machine is able to read the barcode located on the lip of the pod to determine the optimal settings to achieve the best results. This makes it the smartest machine in the line-up.
As with other Nespresso machines, the Creatista is able to heat up quickly in time thanks to its thermoblock system. The only downside is that it takes a little longer to produce an espresso shot than other models in the lineup.
The big draw for most people, however, will be the built-in milk frother. The wand is similar to the manual steam wands you can find on other espresso machines. However, it's completely automated and includes temperature and texture control settings. This feature is ideal for those who love to add milk to coffee. It can make the Creatista more appealing to prospective buyers. The only way to get a milk-based Nespresso was with the Aeroccino or Lattissima models.
2. The CitiZ
This compact, sleek machine by Nespresso is a fantastic addition to any kitchen. It's easy to clean and consumes less energy than other pod-based coffee makers we've tested yet still delivers a great cup of coffee.
In our most recent testing it was found that the CitiZ did well in single-serve and larger brewing modes. It also has a number of interesting features, such as the possibility of connecting via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth (for maintenance alerts and capsule tracking) as well as a water reservoir that can hold up to 32 ounces of water that has been filtered and a modern, sleek design.
The rapid heating system of the machine can heat water to a perfect temperature in just 25 seconds. And the automatic energy-saving feature will shut off the machine after nine minutes of inactivity. If you'd like to add milk to your coffee, you'll need a separate milk frothing attachment.
The CitiZ's labeled and user-friendly button is one of our favorites. You can select from a variety of single-serve drinks, including espresso shots in three sizes and milk-based drinks like cappuccinos or lattes.
The CitiZ may be a little more expensive than the Essenza Mini or other compact OriginalLine models. It does offer a few additional features that some buyers might find worth the cost. For instance it's the very first Nespresso model to make use of 40% recycled plastic. It also allows you to connect to a smartphone application for updates on maintenance and brewing guidelines.
CitiZ's drip tray, capsule container and water reservoir are all easily washable to clean. It also comes with an inbuilt descaling feature. However, the frequency at which you have to run it will depend on your home's water hardness. We recommend using softened or filtered water in order to decrease mineral buildup.
3. The Essenza Mini
The Mini is the smallest Nespresso machine available, a sleek tower of simple lines that is able to fit in the tiniest kitchens. It's the perfect choice for those just beginning to learn about Nespresso or for those who don't have a lot of cash to spend and don't care about additional features (like Bluetooth or a latte-art device) that won't improve their coffee. The Mini isn't big but that doesn't mean that it can't do its job. It can make ristrettos and espressos as well as lungos. It's also the simplest and least expensive Nespresso to clean, maintain, and operate.
The Nespresso Essenza Plus is a slightly larger version of the Mini. It's a smaller model with the same coffee-brewing technology and minimalist design. It also comes with a Nespresso capsule jug and container as well as an adjustable water tank. It's also more expensive, but it may be worth the extra cost when you'll be brewing mostly Americanos or if you'd like to brew larger cups of ristretto or espresso.
The most notable improvement to the Essenza line is the Lattissima series of machines, which offer the convenience of one-touch and a variety of beverage options. The Lattissima Pro and Gran Lattissima all have a milk reservoir on the front, as well as a frothing tool to make lattes or cappuccinos. They're more expensive than the Essenza Mini, but they're worth it if you want the ability to brew full-sized milky drinks at any time without ever having to lift a pod.
4. The Vertuo Plus
If you're looking for a machine that can brew larger cups of coffee and espresso-style shots, this VertuoLine model could be up your alley. It's compatible with the Nespresso original pods, however you can also use cheaper third-party pods. It comes with two programable buttons to choose between alto and regular sizes. Additionally, it comes with the quiet process of centrifusion that draws water through 20 punctures within the top of the capsule's domed lid, which Nespresso says helps produce the highest level of crema in each drink.
This model is among the top Nespresso alternatives for those who need reliable, consistent coffee and espresso at the touch of a button without excessive bells and whistles. It was a great performer in our Single-Serve Coffee Makers test especially in terms of first-cup speed and repeat speed.
It's one of the most affordable choices among Nespresso machines and has a relatively small footprint. The only caveat is that it doesn't have an ample capacity to store used capsules and has smaller water tanks than other models.
If you're looking to make milk-based drinks, such as cappuccinos and lattes, it's worth investing a little extra on an espresso machine with a built-in frother. Both Lattissima and Creatista can be made without much effort, while the Nespresso Inissia was designed to make your life easier with an integrated milk container that holds up to 12 used capsules.
best commercial coffee machine must be descaled at the very least every year. The company claims that it's easy to do and the machine will alert you when it's time to do it. The brand also sells descaling kits for a hands-off approach.
5. The Creatista Pro
If you're a Nespresso lover who is a fan of milk-based coffee and milk-based coffee, the Creatista Pro is a good alternative. Like its sibling Creatista Plus, it offers various drinks and is simple to use. The milk frother is auto and self-cleaning. It also allows you to manually adjust the texture and temperature, if you want. The result is a silky smooth and frothy milk that's ideal for cappuccinos, lattes and flat whites.
This Original Line machine uses Nespresso Vertuo pods that can be used to brew espresso with single shots in three sizes, as well as milk-based drinks such as cappuccinos, macchiatos made of latte and flat whites. It's incredibly simple to use with a large LCD display that is clear and bright, as well as labelled buttons for the different drink types. It also comes with a barista-style steam wand for milk and a jug, which are easier to clean than the standard integrated frothers found on the majority of Nespresso machine.
The Creatista Pro is a bit more expensive than the other models reviewed here but it's a premium machine that's simple to use and looks gorgeous on your counter. It comes with a tamper and capsules that are reusable and a Tamper. This will save you money over the course of time.
For a cheaper alternative, look into the Nespresso CitiZ&Milk. It might not have as many bells, whistles, and features like the Creatista but it has an array of drinks that include cappuccinos, lattes and three sizes of espresso. It also has a simpler interface with a single button that controls the power, rinsing and making. It is also compact and has an adjustable tank that allows you to adapt it to the design of your kitchen.