At A Glance: Our Top 5 Picks for Nespresso Machine
- Nespresso Inissia Espresso Maker
- Nespresso Pixie Espresso Maker EDITOR’S CHOICE
- DeLonghi Essenza Mini Espresso Nespresso Machine
- Nespresso VertuoLine Coffee and Espresso Maker EDITOR’S CHOICE
- DeLonghi VertuoPlus Coffee and Espresso Maker Nespresso Machine
To help you make your choice, here is our guide to choosing the best machine for you. We’ll add some more detailed reviews for the top ten.
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Table of Contents
At A Glance: Our Top 5 Picks for Nespresso Machine
- Nespresso Inissia Espresso Maker
- Nespresso Pixie Espresso Maker EDITOR’S CHOICE
- DeLonghi Essenza Mini Espresso Nespresso Machine
- Nespresso VertuoLine Coffee and Espresso Maker EDITOR’S CHOICE
- DeLonghi VertuoPlus Coffee and Espresso Maker Nespresso Machine
To help you make your choice, here is our guide to choosing the best machine for you. We’ll add some more detailed reviews for the top ten.
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I. Our Top Choices
1. Inissia Espresso Maker
The Inissia is a compact version for coffee lovers who don’t want to wait to have a cup of coffee.
It takes less than a minute for the machine to heat up water to the ideal temperature and prepare a delicious cup of espresso or lungo.
It has a high-pressure pump, which is easy to use and can deliver up to 19 bars of pressure, allowing you to make barista-quality coffee every time.
In addition, the water tank holds enough water to let you make up to 9 cups.
It can accommodate tall cups since the drip tray folds. The device also has an “energy saving” feature and has a class “A” energy efficiency rating.
Pros
- More affordable than other Nespresso models
- Easy to operate with two programmable buttons
- Pre-heating time is just 25 seconds
- Auto power-off closes the inactive machine after nine minutes
- Used capsule container for convenient storing of used pods
Cons
- The design does not guarantee the pod will be in the right position, and some of them are crushed.
2. Pixie Espresso Maker
The Pixie is the ideal choice for apartment dwellers who don’t have a lot of extra space, since it has a small footprint. However, it still has the same great features as larger models, with programmable buttons, allowing you to customize the volume of coffee you make.
It also alerts you when the tank is empty using red backlights. In addition, the used capsule container can store up to 11 used pods. The Pixie’s basic features are the same as those of other entry-level Nespresso models.
You can make Espresso and Lungo using pre-set buttons that you can also customize to produce larger cups. The pump produces 19 bars of pressure so that you can make coffee comparable to those produced by professional baristas.
To save energy, the device automatically shuts off after nine minutes of inactivity. As with all Nespresso models, it comes with a sixteen-pod “welcome kit” so that you can try out some of the most popular individual aromas.
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Pros
- The Pixie is just 4.3 inches wide.
- You can preheat water in just 30 seconds.
- You can easily make espresso and lungo with pre-set buttons without having to choose settings.
Cons
- It has a smaller water reservoir than other Nespresso models.
- The foldable cup tray does not automatically fold up.
3. DeLonghi Essenza Mini Espresso Machine
If you’re looking to recreate coffee shop drinks at home without a hulking machine cluttering up your countertop, the enduringly popular Essenza Mini from industry legend DeLonghi takes some beating. In fact, this is currently the smallest machine on the market if you’re an espresso fiend and you insist on your coffee short and strong.
Available in 3 colorways, you can opt for a black-on-black or a splash of vibrant color with lime green and fire hydrant red accents.
As with all the best single serve machines, top-notch coffee is only the push of a button and 30 seconds away. This is the ideal piece of kit if you have a hectic lifestyle but you’re not prepared to compromise on the quality of the coffee in your cup.
Choose from espresso or lungo and avail yourself of the comprehensive range of Nespresso capsules and use the welcome pack of 16 to see which you prefer.
There’s no standing on ceremony with this pocket rocket. You’ll have steaming coffee within 30 seconds, eco-mode kicking in within 3 minutes to save power and auto shut-off after 9 minutes of idleness. You’ll get speed, safety and economy in one appetizing package.
Perhaps the best thing of all? You’ll get all this at an almost laughably low price and if you act quickly, you’ll get a fairly steep discount and a great bargain just in time for Christmas.
Pros
- Incredibly small footprint so perfect for great espresso in cramped kitchens
- Water fully up to temperature in just 30 seconds so no tedious waiting around when you need your coffee fix
- Why choose between long and short coffee when you can get both with the Essenza Mini?
- 19-bar pressure perfect for that classic Italian espresso the easy way
- Get 16 Nespresso capsules thrown in so get going straight out the box
Cons
- A few complaints about lack of sturdiness but you need to be realistic with a smaller machine at this price point
4. VertuoLine Coffee and Espresso Maker with Aeroccino Plus Milk Frother
The VertuoLine range uses Grand Cru capsules whose range includes 4 genuine espressos and 10 fresh brewed coffees, with different pod sizes.
They also make two cup sizes – 1.35-oz for espresso and 8-oz for coffee.
Every machine comes with a “welcome kit” containing 12 capsules of individual aromas.
The VertuoLine uses advanced Centrifusion technology, which blends the ground coffee with hot water at as many as 7,000 rotations per minute to produce flawless crema.
The VertuoLine uses scanning technology to determine the type of Grand Cru to be brewed then automatically adjusts the brewing parameters to fit.
Brewing is performed with a one-touch system that starts by closing the lever and automatically ejects used pods once the beverage is done.
Pre-brewing time is only twenty seconds. In addition, the cup support has 3 settings to support various cup sizes. It also comes with an Aeroccino milk frother to produce cold or hot milk froth.
Pros
- It has one of the shortest heat-up times.
- Centrifusion technology blends coffee more gently.
- Easy to clean and maintain.
- The included Aeroccino Plus froths milk for the type of coffee drink you want
Cons
- It does not produce steaming hot coffee.
- The pods are more expensive than the original line.
5. DeLonghi VertuoPlus Coffee and Espresso Maker
This nifty coffee and espresso maker combined lets you enjoy a choice of 2 longer coffees along with a short, stiff espresso all at the push of a button.
Single serve coffee makers are centered firmly around convenience and user input with this DeLonghi branded Nespresso machine is reduced to an absolute minimum. There’s no messing around tweaking settings, the machine does pretty much all the legwork for you with a perfect golden cup of coffee delivered every time.
Available in a sleek matte black, a minimalist gray or striking red, you’ll get a machine that looks great on any countertop but is not a case of form over function. After all, what’s the point of an attractive coffee machine if it spits out barely drinkable slop?
You’ll be restricted to the Vertuo line of capsule but you’ll get plenty of choice so don’t let this put you off. While you might initially think the pods are pricey, if you compare buying them to a daily trip to Starbucks, it suddenly seems like much better value.
For a quick and easy method of bringing gourmet coffee into your kitchen without any of the fanfare of a more labor-intensive brewing method, the VertuoPlus is well worth popping on your shortlist. If you act quickly, it’s available at a steep discount too so what are you waiting for?
Pros
- Proprietary Centrifusion Extraction system optimized every cup of coffee with no need for user input
- Choose from 8oz or 14oz alto and a dinky 1.35oz espresso to get your coffee just the way you like it fuss-free
- No need to manipulate settings, just let the machine do all the work while you reap the rewards
- One-touch brewing with automatic ejection for the ultimate streamlined experience
- Generous 40oz water reservoir to eliminate the need for constant refilling
Cons
- Limited to Nespresso Vertuo capsules so make sure you’re aware of this before committing to purchase
6. Vertuo Evoluo Coffee and Espresso Machine with Aeroccino by De’Longhi
The Evoluo is a new version of the original VentuoLine, which has the same basic features but several upgrades.
The Evoluo has a removable water tank with a capacity of 54-oz vs. the original 40-oz and the used capsule container holds 17 pods against the original’s thirteen.
The Evoluo also addressed a common complaint that many buyers had about the original VentuoLine, which was that it did not produce hot enough coffee.
The new model now brews at a higher temperature to ensure the satisfaction of those who want their coffee scalding hot.
In addition, the external design of the Evoluo slightly changed, since it no longer has the rounded head of the original VentuoLine machines.
Pros
- The Evoluo now produces coffee at a hotter temperature than the VentuoLine
- The water tank is larger, allowing you to produce more cups at a single session before having to replenish it.
Cons
- Since the device uses the bar code to determine settings, the user has no flexibility to customize their coffee drink.