Best Nespresso Machine Reviews
Brigitt Earley Brigitt Earley, a Good Housekeeping Institute specialist, has analyzed and tested a variety of kitchen appliances. She also writes about household appliances and products.
The best Nespresso machines are stylish and durable, quick to heat up, easy to use and clean and offer a range of drinks. They should be compatible only with the original Nespresso capsules, and come with an exclusive container for used capsules.
1. The Vertuo Creatista
The Vertuo Creatista is a brand-new model in the Nespresso line-up, and it fills a crucial niche. It's also the first and only Vertuo machine that has an integrated milk frother.
The machine has an elegant stainless steel brushed design that sits in the middle of the Vertuo line of. It also has two litres of water tank as well as a drip tray that is removable and lets you use your personal carafe or travel mug. It utilizes Nespresso Centrifusion to make capsules of brewing, and create a variety of drinks. This includes espresso, lungo and alto, in addition to cappuccino, latte, and macchiato.
It is compatible with both the original Nespresso capsules as well as their Vertuo Line equivalents. The machine can read the barcode located on the pod lip to determine the optimal settings for optimal results. This makes it one of the most intelligent machines in the lineup.
The Creatista, like other Nespresso machines, has a quick heat-up time due to its thermoblock system. The only drawback is that it takes a little longer to make an espresso shot than other models in the line-up.
The built-in milk frother is the main draw for a lot of people. The wand is akin to the manual steam wands found on other espresso machines. It's however completely automated and includes temperature and the ability to control the texture. This feature is great for those who love to add milk to coffee. It makes the Creatista more appealing to buyers. Previously, the only option to purchase a milk-based Nespresso was to purchase the Aeroccino or the Lattissima models.
2. The CitiZ
This sleek and compact machine from Nespresso makes a lovely addition to any kitchen. It's easy to clean and consumes less energy than other pod-based machines we've tested, but still provides an excellent cup of coffee.
In our latest tests it was found that the CitiZ performed very well in both single-serve mode and larger brewing mode. It also boasts several neat features, such as the ability to connect via WiFi or Bluetooth (for maintenance alerts and capsule tracking) and a reservoir for water that holds up to 32 ounces of water filtered, and a sleek, modern design.
The machine's rapid heat-up system will bring water to the perfect temperature in only 25 seconds. The automatic energy-saving function stops the machine after nine minutes. If you'd like to add milk to your coffee, you'll need a separate milk frothing attachment.
One of the things we love about of the CitiZ is its clearly labeled buttons that are simple to use. You can pick from a variety of single-serve drinks. These include espresso shots in three sizes as well as a variety of milk-based drinks like lattes, cappuccinos and flat whites.
The CitiZ is a little more expensive than the Essenza Mini and other compact OriginalLine models, but it has a few extra features that could make it worthwhile for some customers. For instance it's the first Nespresso model to use 40 percent recycled plastic. It also allows you to connect to a smartphone application for maintenance alerts and brewing instructions.
CitiZ's drip tray, capsule container and water reservoir are all easily removable for cleaning. It also has an integrated descaling mode. However, the frequency at which you should run it will depend on the hardness of your water at home. We recommend softened or filtered water in order to decrease mineral buildup.
3. The Essenza Mini
The Mini is the smallest Nespresso machine on the market, a sleek tower of clean lines that fits in the tiniest kitchens. It's perfect for those just starting out with Nespresso or for those who don't have lots of cash to spend and don't care about additional features (like Bluetooth or a latte-art device) which won't enhance their coffee. The Mini is small however that doesn't mean it isn't capable of doing 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's a more compact machine with the same brewing technology and minimalist design. It also comes with a Nespresso capsule jug and container and an adjustable water tank. It's also more expensive, but it may be worth the extra expense when you'll be brewing mostly Americanos or if you'd like to brew larger quantities of ristretto or espresso.
The most significant improvement to the Essenza line is the Lattissima series of machines that offer the convenience of one-touch and a variety of beverage options. The Lattissima Pro, the Gran Lattissima and the Lattissima One all have front-attached milk reservoirs, as well as the ability to froth with a wand for lattes and cappuccinos. These are also more expensive than the Essenza Minis, but is worth it if your aim is to be able to make large-sized milky drinks whenever you want them without lifting a pod.
4. The Vertuo Plus
The VertuoLine machine is a great option if you're looking to make large-sized cups of coffee or espresso-style shots. It's compatible with pods that came with the brand, but it is also possible to use third-party pods. It has two programmable buttons to choose between alto and regular sizes. Plus, it offers the quiet process of centrifusion that pulls water through 20 punctures in the capsule's domed top, which Nespresso says helps produce an extraordinary amount of crema in every beverage.
This model is among the best Nespresso alternatives for those who need consistent, foolproof coffee and espresso at the click of a button without excessive bells and whistles. It was a great performer in our Single-Serve Coffee Makers test particularly when it comes to first-cup speed and repeat speed.
It's one of the more affordable options available among Nespresso machines and has a relatively small footprint. The only issue is that it doesn't have a large capacity to store used capsules and has a smaller water tank than other models.
If you're interested in making milk-based drinks, such as lattes or cappuccinos then you might want to invest some extra money on a machine that has a built-in milk frother. The Lattissima, Creatista and Nespresso inissia are all designed to make milk-based drinks with minimal effort.
All Nespresso machines should be descaled at least once a year. The company claims it is easy to perform and the machine will alert you when it's required. You can also purchase descaling kits from the company to have a more relaxed approach.
5. The Creatista Pro
If you are a Nespresso lover who enjoys milk-based coffees, the Creatista Pro may be a good choice for you. Like its sibling Creatista Plus, it offers a variety of drink options and is easy to use. The milk frother is automatic and self-cleaning, however it can also be used to manually adjust the texture and temperature as desired. The result is a smooth, frothy milk perfect for lattes and cappuccinos.
This Original Line machine uses Nespresso Vertuo pods. It can make espresso in three different sizes or milk-based beverages such as cappuccinos and macchiatos made of latte. It's easy to use, with an enormous LED display and buttons labelled for each drink type. It also comes with a barista-style steam wand and jug for milk, which is less difficult to clean than the standard integrated frothers found on many Nespresso machines.
The Creatista Pro may be a bit more expensive than the other models, but it is an excellent machine. It's easy-to-use and looks beautiful on your counter. It comes with a tamper, capsules that can be reused and a topper. This saves money over the course of time.
For a slightly less-expensive version, consider the Nespresso CitiZ&Milk. best home coffee machine 's not as full of bells and whistles as the Creatista however it offers an array of beverages that include three different sizes of espresso, as well as lattes and cappuccinos. It also has a more user-friendly interface with one top button that controls the power on, rinsing, and the brewing. It's also small and compact, and it has an adjustable water tank that allows you to easily adjust it to your kitchen's layout.