My most asked question as a Kitchen Appliances Editor is: 'Which Nespresso machine is best?' Over the past three decades, the brand has become synonymous with speedy pod coffee. But I can understand why people are confused; there are many machines to choose from.
Over the years, Nespresso has released models in various shapes, sizes, and price points – many of which feature in our guide to the best single-serve coffee makers. A major turning point was the introduction of the Vertuo line, which uses centrifusion technology to brew both espresso and full-sized coffee – unlike the original machines only built for short shots. Our expert panel of caffeine-obsessed editors, ex-baristas, and coffee geeks (myself included) has tested the entire range to find the best Nespresso machine of the bunch.
It was an easy decision in the end. The Nespresso Vertuo Next stands out as the overall winner. Sleek, compact, and consistent, it suits pretty much everybody. It's also frequently discounted during sales events like Amazon Prime Day, making it a smart, stylish buy. I have rounded up the rest into our top picks for latte lovers, small space dwellers, and budget shoppers, too.
The quick list
If you want to find a Nespresso machine fast, here are the headlines. I go into all the details further down.
This really is a one-button-does-all machine. It brews quick and delicious coffee, whilst looking sleek on the countertop. It's the best all-round.
If you love a latte or cappuccino, you need the smart milk frothing function on the Lattissima. I just wish the milk frother could function independently (for hot chocolate and chai).
This is the most of everything: most beautiful, most technical, most professional, but also the most expensive. It's an iconic machine that has even caught David Beckham's eye.
This is a family-sized machine: it has luxury features, generous capacity, and is still reasonably priced.
The Pop may be small, but it is speedy, affordable, and delivers a wide range of delicious coffee. The limiting factor, is, of course, capacity: it has a tiny water tank.
This tiny, no-frills machine from the Original Line makes excellent espresso. It doesn’t support Vertuo pods or extra drink sizes, but it means you can use cheap third-party pods.
The best Nespresso machines in 2025
The best Nespresso machine overall
What we like: You can't go wrong with this machine. The simple, single-serve functions work at the touch of a button. All you do is insert your pod, hit the button, and wait half a minute for a coffee. It's the gold standard of all single-serve machines. On the countertop, it looks sleek and subtle, easy to incorporate into any coffee nook or countertop station. It comes in a good breadth of colors to suit a range of different kitchen styles, and we think it's good value for money.
Who would it suit? Pretty much every kind of coffee drinker. Nespresso makes over thirty different types of Vertuo Pod. That doesn't include limited edition brand collaborations, seasonal coffees like festive gingerbread spice, or summer's watermelon coffee. You can buy these coffees in several different sizes to suit your needs, too. In fact, the pod options are so vast that our experts wondered whether there's almost too much choice.
Small criticisms: A word of warning to latte drinkers: the Vertuo Next cannot steam milk. You can buy a steamer in a bundle with Nespresso's Aeroccino, available at Walmart (or invest in one of the models in our buying guide for the best milk frothers on the market) if you want to add frothy milk to your coffees. That's worth considering if you're on a tight budget.
Read more: Nespresso Vertuo Next review
The best Nespresso machine for lattes
What we like: Slim, sleek, and neatly designed, this is another one of Nespresso's best machines. If you like to switch-up your coffee order according to the time of the day, I think you've just found your greatest kitchen companion. Whilst the Vertuo Latissima can make espressos and Americanos in a matter of seconds, where it really shines is on more complex, milky coffees.
Who would it suit? Anyone who loves milky lattes and cappuccinos. I also tested alternative milks like almond and oat milk and they both worked excellently. The innovative, sleek milk carafe will sit neatly in any refrigerator door and then, when needed, slots into place and delivers silky smooth milk straight into your cup. That's a lot less for you to do, both in terms of prep work and cleaning-up.
Small criticisms: Most other Nespresso machines are available in a bundle with the Aeroccino milk frother, which is a completely separate appliance. This is great if you often make other milky drinks, such as matcha, chai, and hot chocolate. This is where the Latissima falls down, because it only froths milk when a coffee pod is inserted. If, for example, you just wanted to froth some milk for a hot chocolate, you'd still have to use a pod, which seems very wasteful.
Read more: Nespresso Vertuo Lattissima review
The most luxurious Nespresso machine
What we like: The Verto Creatista delivers on style and substance. On the countertop, this is surprisingly compact. It has all the signature, stainless steel aesthetics of a professional barista's machine, but when you would normally need to get technical with dials and pressure gauges, you just push a button. It really is that easy.
Who would it suit: Anybody who is keen on kitchen aesthetics and wants to get creative with their coffee, as there are lots of possibilities. I found that the sensitive steam wand can make silky milk in seconds that is perfect for both lattes and cappuccinos. Not only is that true for the usual dairy milk, but I also tested it on almond and oat milk and it was consistently delicious.
Small criticisms: I adore the Creatista, but there's no escaping the fact that it's expensive. I'm not sure the price tag is proportional to the single-serve experience: you still have to use Nespresso's own Vertuo pods and nobody else's and you can't adjust the settings beyond adding a different pod. There are proper espresso machines like the KitchenAid Espresso machine that are much less expensive. However, it has plenty of celebrity approval (you've likely seen the David Beckham ads) and it has our in-house barista's approval too.
Read more: Nespresso Vertuo Creatista review.
The best Nespresso machine for large homes
Why we like it: The Vertuo Plus is efficient, consistent, good value (for a Nespresso) and highly practical. For example, the 40 oz water tank makes this capable of quickly caffeinating a whole family (if you have a houseful of older kids or live in a shared home) first thing in the morning. Unlike most machines, this tank isn't fixed: you can move it around the machine, sitting it at the back, right, or left of your Vertuo Plus, depending on your countertop space.
Who would it suit: The VertuoPlus is perfect for busy homes. It's Nespresso's biggest machine and yet it's still quick to use, and there are a variety of pod flavors to choose from. This is the machine that my family use in their home, and keep on the counter all-year round next to a jar of pods for guests and friends to use.
Small criticisms: The only reason we wouldn't suggest buying it is if you don't need the capacity. It's needless countertop real estate, and not the best-looking Nespresso machine. Another limitation of the Vertuo Plus comes from the lack of an integrated milk frother. If you want your single-serve to combine coffee and milk as it brews, you'll find the Vertuo Plus a little lacking. The Vertuo Plus, of course, comes in a bundle with Nespresso's signature Aeroccino milk frother (like this, which is available at Walmart). However, you'll still need to use your Vertuo Plus and Aeroccino separately, which is one more appliance to manage in the morning and you'll need to clear more space on your countertop.
Read more: Nespresso Vertuo Plus review
The most compact Nespresso machine
Why we like it: Our experts loved testing the Pop for so many reasons. Firstly, this is the speediest, cutest and most compact Nespresso you can buy. Second, we loved the colorways. This has the brightest and most diverse offering of all Nespresso's models. You can choose from aqua mint, mango yellow, spicy red, and Pacific blue. If you don't want these bright (but not gaudy) colors in your kitchen, there are tasteful monochrome and metallic offerings, too.
Who would it suit: The Vertuo Pop is small, so it suits small kitchens, dorm rooms, offices, or anywhere, really. It also suits busy people, as it is quick to set up, and even quicker to brew coffee. There are hardly any buttons to press, so it's hard to make anything that isn't the perfect cup of coffee. There's no wonder our busy editor loved it.
Small criticisms: The water tank is small, so if you drink a lot of coffee, you might be making frequent trips to the sink to fill it up. Also, if you use tall glasses for iced lattes or travel mugs, there won't be space in this small machine.
Read more: Nespresso Vertuo Pop review.
The best basic Nespresso Machine
What we like: The Essenza Mini is part of the original Nespresso line, which means it can only make espresso or a diluted lungo. It isn't very versatile, but it is still a cult-favorite for the petite size and affordability. One upside of being on the Original line is that it's compatible with third-party pods, which can be much cheaper than Nespresso’s options. However, there is always the risk that they might get discontinued at some stage, as this is an older technology machine.
Who would it suit: It's great if you are on a tight budget, or you have an urban apartment / small office and still want to create a coffee nook. It also suits people who are die-hard fans of third-party pods from Starbucks, for example.
Small criticisms: In my opinion, it feels much less premium and more plasticky than the Vertuo range. Also, if you want to challenge the Essenza Mini to a longer cup of coffee, say a large Americano, you'll start to feel its limits.
How to choose the best Nespresso machine
Narrowing down the best Nespresso machine for you is easy when you ask yourself about your coffee habits. Here are the ones I would ask myself:
How many people are using the machine? Capacity and the needs of your household can help you to cut a number of these models from your shortlist. If it's just you drinking coffee in the morning, opt for a smaller model. If you know there'll be a five-deep queue for coffee every morning, make sure your machine has a big enough water tank to make all your cups at once.
What's your countertop space like? This will tie into my question about capacity, but it's important to consider aesthetics. Some Nespresso machines come with a range of bright color options, whilst others are only available in more muted, metallic or monochrome tones. Machines like the Vertuo Pop can nestle in amongst cereal boxes, while larger models, like the Vertuo Creatista need more room. If this is going to be the focal point of your coffee nook, it should look beautiful, too.
What kind of coffee do you drink? Some Nespresso machines are more limited in choice than others. All of them are exclusively compatible with Nespresso pods. Some models will only make small shots of coffee. You can't texture milk (unless you buy the Aeroccinoseparately) and you certainly won't be filling a travel mug up. Whereas the Creatista can draw on Nespresso's full range of Vertuo pods, offering you over 30 different blends in five cup sizes.
What's your budget? Nespresso machines are luxury single-serve coffee makers, so they'll never be your budget option (unless you're shopping in the sales). However, there are some that are more of a splurge than others. The Creatista costs between $650 and $750, whereas the Vertuo Next sits around the $200 mark. If you want to texture milk, you'll also need to budget for a milk frother. Nespresso often offers bundles with the Aeroccino, but you might want to buy one from a different brand.
FAQs
What time of year should you buy the best Nespresso machines?
If you want to snag a saving on one of the best Nespresso machines, it's worth biding your time and shopping during the key sales periods. That is typically Black Friday and Cyber Monday (the last weekend of November) and Amazon Prime Day in July (the exact date changes each year). I've also seen deep discounts on the Vertuo range during Memorial Day and Labor Day, so do keep an eye out on key retailers like Wayfair, Walmart, Amazon, Sur La Table, and the Nespresso website itself.
Do Nespresso make the best single-serve machines?
I've written a buying guide for the best single-serve coffee makers on the market and Nespresso features heavily. Their machines are sleek and stylish, plus the coffee they make tastes really good by single-serve machine standards. However, they do have some quirks. For example, you can only use Nespresso pods in your Nespresso machine, which is frustrating if you want to grind your own coffee freshly, use another brand's flavors, or use reusable capsules. So whilst Nespresso makes some impressive single-serve machines, it's always worth checking out the competition, too.
What's the difference between Nespresso's Vertuo and Original machines?
The Vertuo line introduces a different style of brewing single-serve coffee. Using 'centrifusion' technology, the coffee is spun around, creating a vortex inside the machine. This means that the coffees appear to have a thicker crema, so they look more aesthetically pleasing and they feel smooth when you sip them. Nespresso also offers larger coffee sizes and more of a range of flavors with their Vertuo pods. Although these are more expensive to buy, you can subscribe to their pods to make a more significant saving. It's worth noting that you can't use Vertuo pods in non-Vertuo machines and vice-versa.
Where can I buy Nespresso pods?
Nespresso capsules are widely available: you can find them in stores, such as Walmartand Target, as well as on Amazon , or you can sign yourself, or a loved one, up for a pod subscription at Nespresso).
Do I need a Nespresso milk frother to make lattes and cappuccinos?
If you want to make café-style drinks, then yes, getting a separate milk frother to go with your Nespresso machine is a good idea. Of course, your milk frother doesn't necessarily have to be from the Nespresso brand. We highly rate their Aeroccino, but we have written a comprehensive guide to the best milk frothers across the market. In a pinch, you can steam milk using manual methods, too. We've written a guide to steaming milk at home, here.
How we tested these Nespresso machines
At Homes & Gardens we treat our coffee like it's something really special, because it is. That's why we have a dedicated team who review and research every product before we recommend it to you.
I've headed up the Nespresso tests, because, in another life, I trained as a barista. This might make be a little overqualified for tasting capsule coffee, but we'd rather go over the top than under. Plus, we have high standards for you and we think speedy single-serve coffee should taste as good as if it were made fresh.
Before our team tested any of these Nespresso machines, we did our research. We're always looking at what the brand is doing, making sure we're up to date on their latest, greatest, and most innovative models. We'll look at other single-serve coffee makers too, so we know what the competitors have to offer.
Once we've found a model we want to test, we take it to our test kitchens or our own homes, where we put the Nespressos through a series of standardized tests. If we have made an espresso, Americano, and cappuccino (where possible), we can directly compare between machines. If there are other coffee settings, we make sure to test them, too. Our experts often get a little too enthusiastic and will end up testing double espressos and specialist coffees (such as cold brew and seasonal specials) as well.
When we test espressos, we time how long they take. If you use a single-serve coffee maker, time is of the essence for you, so it's important that it's speedy. We'll also look at the temperature of the espresso (it should be between 190 and 196 degrees Fahrenheit) as well as the quantity and color of the shot too. Once we've done our empirical tests, we do a taste test too, making sure that the flavors have been well-extracted from the capsule. After all, if it doesn't taste delicious, you don't want the machine.
Americanos go through a similar process to the espresso. We look at the temperature (it should be between 194 and 204 degrees), quantity, and color of our cup of coffee. Our experts also give it the all important taste test, making sure the Nespresso's hot water doesn't burn our coffee flavors into a more bitter result.
It's a similar story for cappuccinos. Although, in this instance, we expect the Nespresso to be able to froth milk. If this is the case, it needs to be tested on both dairy and plant-based milks. Nut and oat milks need to be textured at much lower temperatures so that they don't separate or burn. Dairy milk shouldn't burn either, so we always check that it's between 145 and 155 degrees Fahrenheit. We'll look at the density (the less air bubbles the better) and the ratio of milk to coffee. We expect our lattes to have a layer of foam about as thick as a finger, whereas a third of the cup should be coffee when making a cappuccino.
After that, we make sure to test other special features and pod flavors. For example, when Nespresso released cold brew, we were fascinated. The brew time for this popular coffee should be 24 hours, so Nespresso's claim to make it in less than five minutes seemed implausible. However, it did it and the flavors were pretty good – not perfect, but close.
We'll also consider the aesthetics of the Nespresso, because we know you'll keep this on your countertop or in your kitchen coffee station. Alongside that, we think about maintenance and cleaning too. Again, you won't want to use a machine which takes more effort and time to maintain than it does to make a coffee.
In short, we make sure that we can tell you everything you need to know about a Nespresso machine before writing about it, so that you don't have any unwelcome surprises when it arrives at your door.
If you want to know more, you can visit our dedicated page for how we test coffee makers.
