Best Nespresso Machine Reviews
Brigitt Earley is a Good Housekeeping Institute expert who has evaluated and tested a variety of kitchen appliances. She also writes about household appliances and products.
The top Nespresso machines provide a wide range of drinks, are easy to operate and clean, and they get hot quickly. They should be compatible only with the original Nespresso capsules and come with an exclusive container for capsules that have been used.
1. The Vertuo Creatista
The Vertuo Creatista is a brand new model from Nespresso it fills a need that is crucial. It's also the very first and only Vertuo machine to come with an integrated milk frother.
The machine is an elegant stainless steel brushed design that sits in the middle of the Vertuo lineup. It also comes with 2L of water tank and a drip tray that is removable and lets you use your personal carafe or travel mug. It makes use of Nespresso Centrifusion to make capsules of brewing, and create a variety of drinks. This includes espresso, lungo and alto and also cappuccino latte and macchiato.
It is compatible with both the original Nespresso capsules as well as their Vertuo Line equivalents. The machine is able to read the barcode that is located on the pod lip to determine the best settings for optimal results. This makes it one of the smartest machines in the line-up.
As with other Nespresso machines that are available, the Creatista has a quick heat-up time thanks to its thermoblock system. The only drawback is that it takes longer to make a Espresso shot than the other models.
The big draw for most people is the built-in milk frother. The wand resembles the manual steam wands you can find on other espresso machines. It's however completely automatic and has temperature and texture control settings. This feature is perfect for those who love adding milk to their coffee. It will make the Creatista more appealing to buyers. The only way to get a milk-based Nespresso was through the Aeroccino or Lattissima models.
2. The CitiZ
This compact, sleek machine from Nespresso is a great addition to any kitchen. It's easy to clean and uses less energy than other pod-based machines we've tried, but still provides the best cup of coffee.
In our latest tests it was found that the CitiZ performed very well in both single-serve mode as well as the larger brewing mode. It also has several cool features, such as the capability to connect via WiFi or Bluetooth (for tracking capsules and maintenance alerts), the capacity of the water tank to hold up to 32 ounces and an elegant and modern design.
The heating system that is rapid of the machine can heat water to a perfect temperature in 25 seconds. The automatic energy saving feature will shut off the machine after nine minutes of idle. You'll need a separate attachment to add milk to your coffee if you want to do this.
The CitiZ's labeled, easy-to-use button is one of our favorites. You can select from a range of single-serve beverages, such as espresso shots in three sizes as well as milk-based drinks such as cappuccinos and lattes.
The CitiZ is a bit more expensive than the Essenza Mini and other compact OriginalLine models, but it has some extra features that could make it worth the cost for some customers. It's also the first Nespresso machine to use 40% recycled materials. It also offers the option of connecting to a smartphone app for maintenance alerts, brewing directions, and capsule tracking.
CitiZ's drip tray, capsule container and water reservoir are all easily washable for cleaning. It comes with a descaling function that is built-in. However, the frequency you have to run it will depend on your home's water hardness. We recommend using softened or filtered water to lessen mineral buildup.
3. The Essenza Mini
The Mini is the tiniest Nespresso machine out there and is a sleek tower with clean lines that fits in the tiniest of kitchens. It's a great choice for singles or Nespresso beginners who don't want to spend lots of money and aren't interested in paying extra for features that won't improve the quality of their coffee in any way (like Bluetooth technology or a the latte art wand). The Mini is small however that doesn't mean that it can't do its job. It can make espressos and ristrettos, as well as lungos. It's also the easiest and least expensive Nespresso machine to maintain, clean and operate.
The Nespresso Essenza Plus is a slightly larger version of the Mini. It has a similar minimalist design and features the same brewing technology, but it's more of an all-in-one machine that comes with an adjustable water tank that can be used for varying brew sizes and the Nespresso capsule container and Jug. It's also more expensive, but it could be worth it if are planning to make lots of Americanos, or if you want to make large quantities of espresso or ristretto.
The biggest improvement to the Essenza line is the Lattissima series of machines that offer one-touch convenience and a variety of drink options. The Lattissima Pro, the Gran Lattissima, and the Lattissima One all have front-attached milk reservoirs, as well as a frothing wand to make lattes and cappuccinos. They're priced higher than the Essenza Mini, but they're worth it if the ability to make full-sized milky drinks on the go without ever having to lift a pod.
4. The Vertuo Plus
If you're looking for a machine that can make larger cups of espresso-style shots the VertuoLine model may be right for you. It's compatible with the original pods from Nespresso (though you can also utilize cheaper third-party pods) and features two buttons that are programmed to let you choose between alto standard, regular, and Gran lungo sizes. It also has a quiet centrifusion process that draws water through 20 punctures within the capsule's domed top which Nespresso claims will produce an extraordinary amount of crema in each drink.
This model is a great option for those looking for an efficient, reliable espresso and coffee at the push of the button. It does not have too many bells and whistles. It performed well in our Single-Serve Coffee Makers laboratory tests, particularly in terms of first-cup speed and repeat speed.
It's one of the more affordable options among Nespresso machines and has a fairly compact footprint. The only issue is that it doesn't have a large capacity for storing used capsules and has a smaller water tank than other models.
If best coffee machine uk planning to make milk-based drinks, such as cappuccinos and lattes, it's worth spending an extra amount of money into one with a built-in frother. Both the Lattissima and Creatista can make it without much effort, while the Nespresso Inissia is designed to make your life easier with a milk container that can hold up to 12 used capsules.
A key thing to remember is that all Nespresso machines must be descaled at least once every year. The company claims it's easy to do and the machine will notify you when it's required. You can also purchase descaling kits from the manufacturer to have a more relaxed approach.
5. The Creatista Pro
If you are a Nespresso fan who loves milk-based coffees, the Creatista Pro may be a suitable choice for you. Like its sibling the Creatista Plus, it offers a variety of drink options and is easy to use. The milk frother can be adjusted manually to alter the temperature and texture of milk. It is also automatic and self-cleaning. The result is irresistibly smooth and frothy milk that's perfect for lattes, cappuccinos and flat whites.
This Original Line machine uses Nespresso Vertuo Pods. It can make espresso in three sizes, as well as milk-based drinks such as cappuccinos and macchiatos made of latte. It's incredibly simple to use with a large LED display, with clear lighting and labelled buttons for the different drink types. It also comes with the barista-style steam wand as well as a milk jug that is less difficult to clean than standard integrated frothers found on most Nespresso machines.
The Creatista Pro is a bit more expensive than the other models mentioned here but it's a premium machine that's simple to use and looks beautiful on your counter. It also comes with a free compactor and capsules that can be reused, which can save you money in the long run.
You could consider the Nespresso CitiZ&Milk for a slightly cheaper version. It may not come with as many bells, whistles, and features as the Creatista but it offers a wider range of drinks such as cappuccinos, lattes and three sizes of espresso. It has a more user-friendly interface, featuring a single top button for powering on and washing. It's also small and compact, and it has a moveable water tank that allows you to easily adapt it to your kitchen's layout.