Best Nespresso Machines of 2023 – Reviews and Buying Guide

Nothing starts a day better than a velvety espresso. It should be hot, rich and have a perfect crema…

Ideally, it should also be incredibly quick, easy to make and available in my own kitchen.

Like many coffee lovers, I turn to Nespresso for my quick-fix morning espresso.

If you like espresso Italian-style and authentic, then Nespresso, developed by the Swiss but based squarely on Rome’s coffee culture and love and respect for the bean, then Nespresso is the single-serve coffee provider for you.

That’s all very well… but which machine should you choose?

As with all these ‘best of’ articles, the choice is ultimately going to come down to what your needs are. Below, I’ll help you by going into your best options. Something for the budget-conscious, gadget lover, coffee aficionado who wants all the bells and whistles…

Whoever you are, there’s a Nespresso machine out there that will be perfect for you!

Wait, What’s a Nespresso Machine?

In case you’ve been living under a rock, here’s a quick summary of Nespresso and their single-serve pods.

Single-serve coffee pods and the machines that get espresso from them were invented by Nestle, whose coffee arm is Nespresso, in the 1970s.

Fresh ground coffee is sealed in pods to keep it fresh, and single-serve machines pierce these pods at the touch of a button, forcing hot water in at high pressure to brew espresso. Newer machines from Nespresso also spin the pods rapidly, helping extraction.

It might be relatively new technology, but Nespresso machines are not only super easy to use and the best looking single-serve player on the market they also make really good, rich, aromatic espresso with a good crema on top!

Now let’s jump right onto the 8 Best Nespresso Machines of 2021!

Let’s discuss these Top Rated Nespresso Machines of 2021 in detail…

1. Nespresso VertuoLine

The Vertuoline of Nespresso machines was brought in, to lure long-drink lovers into the Nespresso family. This machine makes five sizes of coffee, from single espresso to a large 14oz mug.

The espresso and double espresso are great — they reflect the quality I’ve come to expect from Nespresso. Other drinks are just fine, but a little watery. I personally find it just as easy and convenient to add a little hot water to a double espresso and make a drink to my exact taste. The Vertuoline, though, was built with an American market in mind and in the USA kettles aren’t exactly omnipresent like they tend to be in Europe.

With its range of pod sizes, the Vertuo can be a little annoying to use in the morning (you have to groggily locate the rights size and color, which is harder than it sounds at 7 AM pre-coffee). There are also no third-party pods available, so your coffee works out more expensive.

That being said, the barcode technology of the pods and the Breville-built machine mean that you can never get a coffee wrong. The size is read and brewed automatically, through a one-touch system. You simply may get a coffee you didn’t actually mean to make.

The bottom line with the Vertuo is that it’s a little pricier than an original Nespresso with similar features, and a little more complicated. If making easy long drinks is a feature that would be really useful for you, though, it may totally be worth it. The cup holder is even adjustable, so you can stick your travel mug in there in the morning, fill it with 14oz and get out the door!

PROS

• Also brew long drinks
• Uses Nespresso’s newer centrifusion technology
• Usually bundled with the Aeroccino milk frother
• Compact footprint
• Eco-friendly

CONS

• There are no pods available from third parties

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2. Nespresso Evoluo

Available in five colors, including an eye-catching red, the Evoluo could fit in any stylish kitchen. This is another Vertuoline machine, so the issues with pod choice and price must all be considered.

The Evoluo is small and neat, so great for more compact spaces, yet it’s a powerful coffee machine that makes both espresso and longer drinks. For its medium price point, you’re getting a lot of bang for your buck! If you’re really going to use it daily, the Evoluo is a good choice.

As it’s made with De’longhi, the Evoluo has real coffee chops and real coffee looks! Realistically, when choosing between Nespresso machines looks and size will play a big part in your decision so don’t discount them even if you aren’t one to color-match appliances.

PROS

• Looks good
• Brews five coffee sizes
• One-touch brewing system
• Built to last
• Eco-friendly

CONS

• Only takes Nespresso Vertuoline pods

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3. Nespresso Creatista Plus

The Creatista is a top of the range machine from Nespresso. It uses the usual Nespresso pods and is a super easy option, but the high price tag gets you functions to match.

The v is focused on imitating coffee-shop quality at home. The steam wand can be preset to eight microfoam styles and eleven temperatures, so you can recreate your favorite barista-built drink at home. Of course, this all takes a little bit of experimentation to work out exactly what you want and need for your daily brew or weekend caffeine-based treat!

The pressure is 19-bar, which is professional-grade, and the water reservoir is a huge 1.5 liters. This might not fit in a little galley kitchen, but wherever you do manage to get it in it’s bound to impress!

This is the real statement piece from Nespresso — its features are all interesting and make good coffee, but you should ask yourself if you need them and if you can afford them before you invest!

PROS

• This machine does everything!
• Looks like a coffee shop machine
• LCD display
• Eight milk frothing styles and 11 milk temps
• Built-well

CONS

• Expensive
• Some of the espresso machine looks, but not as DIY and customizable

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4. Lattissima Pro

This is one of Nespresso’s top-of-the-range machines. It’s part of the newer VertuoLine, meaning that it makes the full range of five sizes of coffee from single espresso to 14oz mug.

Like the similarly priced Creatista, it also foams milk for flat whites, lattes, cappuccinos, etcetera.

Unlike the Creatista, though, milk is heated from a milk reservoir. This makes it look and feel less like a barista machine, but with an auto system on both the Creatista and the Lattissima, it really doesn’t make much of a difference. Plus, the Thermoblock heating system means that, even from cold, it takes literary seconds to make a milky, coffee-shop style coffee.

This machine is super easy to clean, partially because of its removable milk reservoir. There honestly isn’t much between this and the Creatista, apart from looks and styles of coffee available.

PROS

• Five coffee styles
• Perfect milk every time
• 19-bar pressure
• Easy to clean
• Easy to use

CONS

• Quite a large machine

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5. Nespresso Essenza Mini

This is the smallest Nespresso machine on the market. It’s stylish, slick and perfect for a little bachelor-pad apartment kitchen!

You don’t get all the additional features of the more expensive Nespresso machines — the Essenza only makes a single or double espresso, with a two-button system — but it does what it’s supposed to and it does it well!

Original Nespresso machines tend to be cheaper than Vertuoline, and so are the pods they use. In fact, there are also third-party pods available that are either cheaper still or far more environmentally friendly.

This machine has no milk attachment, as previously mentioned, so it’s for the espresso lovers out there! There are various milk frothers out there, of course, including Nespresso’s own, though the Aeroccino is a little pricey. It is, however, very easy and quick to use.

PROS

• A tiny, neat machine
• 19-bar pressure
• Great value for money
• Super easy to use

CONS

• No milk attachments

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6. Nespresso Inissia

I have to be honest — the Inissia is my Nespresso machine. I love this little guy.

The red version is particularly striking, and I love the big industrial-style handle to insert the coffee pod.

This is another original Nespresso, so you choose from an Espresso and a Lungo, both of which use the same capsule (with third-party options on the market).

The Inissia is small but can brew nine Espressos from a full water tank. Plus, as it doesn’t take up much space it’s never a long trip to refill the reservoir.

In my experience, this is a strong, good-looking and long-lasting machine.

PROS

• Looks great
• Lasts many, many uses
• Great value for money
• Small footprint
• Very easy to use

CONS

• Like many Nespresso machines, the Inissia can be a bit noisy

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7. Nespresso CitiZ

It’s obviously a matter of taste: many, many people think this is the best looking Nespresso machine!

Nespresso CitiZ got a really modern, clean look. That’s something that will fit in a lot of kitchens.

Plus, the CitiZ will literally fit in a lot of kitchens, as it’s a really small machine.

It’s super-automated, meaning it has an auto-clean function and even turns off after a few moments of inaction to make sure you’re keeping eco-friendly.

Like many of Nespresso’s modern machines, the CitiZ boasts 19-bar pressure extraction, just like a professional barista machine. All that, while using 40% less energy than most similar espresso machines!

PROS

• More controls than most Nespresso machines
• Energy efficient
• Top value for money
• Compact footprint
• Beginner-friendly

CONS

• No milk frother

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8. Wacaco Minipresso NS

Wacacos are at the absolute top of their game when it comes to travel espresso systems.

The Minipresso NS is the only one of their three models that are built for capsules, using the same vacuum technology as the other two Wacaco systems the Minipresso NS makes excellent espresso every time from Nespresso compatible pods.

Water reservoirs (Wacaco calls them tanks) of various sizes are available, so you can make single or double espresso shots.

These machines look great, and are incredibly portable weighing just 0.78 grams and exerting 8 bars of pressure — that’s expressive for the size of the system, and equal to some traditional Italian espresso brewing techniques.

PROS

• Very affordable
• The most portable machine you’ll find
• Looks great
• Easy to use

CONS

• Not as powerful as an electric machine

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There are various factors to consider with a Nespresso machine, from add-ons like milk frothers to which of the two systems (original or Vertuo) you need. You can even think about environmental impact. But really, price and looks are most people’s biggest concern.

Remember, this is just a selection of the top-rated Nespresso machines. I tried to show a wide variety — but you might have a favorite that isn’t on the list. As ever, do your homework before you buy and don’t be afraid to get in touch with tips about what’s up and coming!

I stay on top of the coffee news, but also love to hear about stuff I’ve missed.

Enjoy your touch-of-a-button espresso!

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You may also be interested in:

• Best Single Serve Coffee Makers – Reviews and Buying Guide
• Nespresso VertuoLine vs Evoluo: What’s The Key Difference?
• Nespresso Inissia Vs Pixie Vs CitiZ – Which One Is BEST?
• Nespresso VertuoLine vs Original: Which One Is Best?
• Nespresso vs Keurig: Which One Should You Choose?