Confused about where to start with buying a Nespresso machine? I was too, until I dug in deep and researched like crazy. Let me help you figure out which machine is the best for you with my simplified Nespresso guide.
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Best Nespresso Machines
Best overall: Creatista Plus
Makes great espresso-based drinks at home, like lattes, without the hassle and mess of a large and cumbersome espresso machine. Comes with a built-in milk frother that’s fully automatic. If you want to make Starbucks drinks at home, the Creatista is a great option. Creatista Plus is an Original Nespresso machine that only makes espresso.
RELATED: Nespresso Creatista Plus Setup & Review
Best for making espresso and brewed coffee: VertuoPlus
Priced around $210 for the machine and the Aeroccino, it’s a great price for a reliable machine. The VertuoPlus is a part of the Vertuo line of machines which make brewed coffee and espresso, both from Nespresso Vertuo capsules. Make sure you don’t get the Vertuo Next, which has a lot of leaking issues. The Evoluo is also highly reliable, but not as sleek looking.
RELATED: Nespresso VertuoPlus Setup & Review
Best for small kitchens: CitiZ
A compact, reliable Original espresso machine that’s simple to use. Seeing lots of happy users who have had it for years.
Best for office or desk: Essenza Mini
The smallest Nespresso machine that packs a punch, it’s a popular option for a second machine used at the office or desk. Essenza is an Original machine that only makes espresso.
Best for travel: Essenza Mini
For Nespresso lovers who can’t travel without their machines, the Essenza Mini is perfectly sized (being the smallest) to pack in a carry-on or in a checked bag.
Worst: Vertuo Next
Avoid all the Vertuo Next machines (Vertuo Next Premium, Vertuo Next Deluxe) since there is a water tank leaking issue. Lots of people returning it or contacting Nespresso to replace it.
RELATED: Best Nespresso Original Pods
Quick Nespresso Guide
There are almost 20 Nespresso machine models and they’re all made by either Breville or De’Longhi. Nespresso doesn’t make the machines, just the coffee capsules.
Nespresso makes all their money from the capsules (pods that contain coffee), which around about $1 – $2 each. The Original capsules generally cost less than Vertuo capsules.
Breville and De’Longhi uses Nespresso specifications to build the machines so one isn’t better than the other. The only difference is the design, so go with the look you like more.
There are two kinds of Nespresso machines — the Original and Vertuo. The Original only makes espresso and the Vertuo makes espresso AND brewed coffee. The Vertuo is a more versatile machine but it doesn’t make espresso as good as the Original.
You can only use Original capsules in Original machines and Vertuo capsules in Vertuo machines. The capsules are shaped different so it’s easy to see which goes into which machine. There is some overlap between the flavors but most are made just for Original or just for Vertuo.
If you mostly drink espresso based drinks like lattes and Iced Caramel Macchiatos, go for the Original machine. If you want a machine that replaces a drip coffee maker and can also make espresso, go for a Vertuo machine. A lot of Nespresso addicts have more than 1 machine, getting one of each.
Machines can be bought with or without the Aeroccino milk frother.
The customer support at Nespresso is excellent so if you have any problems, you can always contact them for help.
RELATED: 15 Best Nespresso Vertuo Pods
Nespresso Buying Tips
- My best tip is to buy used or like new Nespresso machines on Amazon Warehouse. They’re returned Nespresso machines that are sold for less.
- The machines go on sale multiple times a year. Look for sales leading up to holidays and events like Mother’s Day and Black Friday at Macy’s, Amazon, Bed Bath and Beyond, and Bloomingdales.
- A lot of people purchase Nespresso machines on Facebook Markeplace but I’ve never personally bought on there so I can’t say how safe that is.
List of Nespresso Models
When you order a machine directly from Nespresso, they’ll send you whatever brand they have in stock, so it may be Breville or it may be De’Longhi.
Original Machines:
Only makes espresso.
- Creatista Plus
- Creatista Pro
- Lattissima One
- Lattissima Touch
- Gran Lattissima
- Lattissima Pro
- CitiZ
- Essenza Mini
- Essenza Plus
- Pixie
- Expert
- Inissia
Vertuo Machines:
Makes espresso and brewed coffee.
Scroll down to see every available model by Breville and De’Longhi.
Creatista (Original Machines)
Creatista models are only made by Breville. There are 2 Creatista machines: Creatista Plus, and Creatista Pro.
The Creatista has a high-end look and feel, lots of espresso drink options, produces great microfoam, and has a built-in steam wand.
- Creatista Plus
Digital display, multiple drink options, stainless steel finish, large water tank, fast heat up time, different milk settings, with the milk jug included. Breville offers a 2-year warranty on this product. - Creatista Pro
Slightly larger than the Creatista Plus, upgrades include touchscreen display, dedicated hot water spout (useful for Americanos or to preheat your cup), and larger water tank. Breville offers 2-year warranty on this product.
NOTE: The Creatista Pro is about $200 more than the Creatista Plus since it can make espresso and froth milk at the same time and the machine has a touchscreen. BUT the ability to make espresso and froth milk at the same time ONLY works outside the US since we don’t have wattage powerful enough for that function to work.
Lattissima (Original Machines)
Lattissima machines are only made by De’Longhi. There are 4 Lattissima machines and they all have one-touch operation from start to finish.
- Lattissima One
For the latte lover, a convenient and compact machine with a one-touch, single-serve milk component. Three simple buttons: Espresso, Lungo, and Milk. The machine will automatically pour and blend the frothed milk directly into your coffee drink. Comes with a single-serve milk container that is built-in. Some users complain that the milk is not hot enough and that the milk frother doesn’t always work as well as they would like. - Lattissima Touch
Upgrades from the Lattissima One include streamlined design, more automated drink options, and more milk setting options. - Gran Lattissima
Upgrades from Lattissima Touch include an even larger milk container (though the machine will only dispense what it needs for any drink), and even more preset drinks. - Lattissima Pro
Upgrades include touch screen, aluminum construction, increased capsule container capacity.
NOTE: The reason I don’t love the Lattissima line of machines is that the milk frothing part of the machine is hard to clean.
CitiZ (Original Machine)
CitiZ machines are made by Breville and De’Longhi. There’s only one kind of CitiZ. They function exactly the same so go with the design you like best.
- CitiZ
The CitiZ is a tried and true espresso machine with a sleek and compact design. This is a reliable and simple-to-use machine that has many happy users over many years. This machine only makes espresso drinks.
Essenza (Original Machines)
Essenza machines are made by Breville and De’Longhi. There are two machines in the Essenza line, the Essenza Mini and Essenza Plus.
- Essenza Mini
This is the smallest Nespresso machine and it can make espresso and lungo drinks. It’s a popular choice for an office or a desk and is often purchased as a secondary machine. - Essenza Plus
Upgrades include additional serving size options, bluetooth/wifi connectivity, and dedicated hot water spout.
Pixie (Original Machine)
Pixie machines are made by Breville and De’Longhi. There is just one machine in the Pixie line.
- Pixie
Compact and easy espresso machine. The Pixie machine is made in Switzerland and is a popular and designer-friendly choice.
Expert (Original Machine)
Expert machines are made by Breville and De’Longhi. There is just one machine in the Expert line.
- Expert
Sophisticated machine with lots of settings to choose from (e.g., 3 temperatures, 4 cup sizes) and includes an Americano option. The unique design of the machine is a draw for many buyers. Wifi/Bluetooth connectivity.
NOTE: Not available on the Nespresso website anymore, but it’s still sold on other sites like Amazon. I can’t recommend this machine since this machine gets more complaints than others.
Inissia (Original Machine)
Inissia machines are made by Breville and De’Longhi. There is just one machine in the Inissia line.
- Inissia
A very compact machine that’s easy to operate. It is lightweight (a draw for some, but others complain of its somewhat cheap/plastic feel). Offered in many colors. Made of recycled plastic.
Vertuo (Vertuo Machine)
Vertuo machines are made by Breville and De’Longhi. There are multiple machines in the Vertuo line.
Vertuo machines make both espresso and brewed coffee. The drawback is that it doesn’t make espresso as good as the Original machines.
- Vertuo
This is the original Vertuo machine by Nespresso. It offers multiple cup sizes and it’s perfect for coffee drinkers who also want the option of making espresso drinks. Some people report that the drinks are not hot enough.
Evoluo (Vertuo Machine)
Evoluo is made only by De’Longhi. There is just one machine in the Evoluo line.
- Evoluo
This was the second Vertuo line machine released by Nespresso. Brews 5 cup sizes. Evoluo is generally reported to be a reliable machine with no complaints about the temperature of the coffee.
Vertuo Plus (Vertuo Machines)
Vertuo Plus machines are made by Breville and De’Longhi. There are two machines in the Vertuo Plus line.
- VertuoPlus
Automatic head and capsule ejection (motorized) and a moveable water tank. People report that coffee is hotter than both the Vertuo and Evoluo. - VertuoPlus Deluxe
Upgrades include a sleeker design and larger water tank.
Vertuo Next (Vertuo Machines)
Vertuo Next machines are made by Breville and De’Longhi. There are three machines in the Vertuo Next line.
- Vertuo Next
The Vertuo Next is the most recent release in the Vertuo line of machines by Nespresso. It features an upgraded slim design. Exclusively offers an 18 oz. pour-over coffee option. It has a plastic body and pourer with wifi/bluetooth capability. It is considered an eco-friendly choice because it is made of 54% recycled plastic. - Vertuo Next Premium
Upgrades include some metal accents, but the pourer is made out of plastic. - Vertuo Next Deluxe
Upgrade to stainless steel pourer.
NOTE: There have been complaints about the crema quality of the espresso compared to the VertuoPlus model. Get the VertuoPlus instead of Vertuo Next.
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- Easy Home Coffee Setup
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- Best Electric Coffee Grinders for First-Time Buyers
- Most Popular Coffee Drinks and How They’re Different
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