Quick verdict
The single most important Nespresso decision is Vertuo versus original line, because the pods are not interchangeable. Choose Vertuo if you want big mugs of coffee plus espresso, and original line if you only ever want true espresso and lungo. Get that right and almost any well chosen machine in the lineup will keep you happy.
Nespresso VertuoPlus Deluxe by De'Longhi
This is the Vertuo machine I recommend first to most people because it brews five cup sizes from espresso to a generous mug without any guesswork. The motorized head opens and closes on its own, the 40 ounce tank means fewer refills, and the crema it produces genuinely looks the part. It is the most complete everyday Nespresso coffee maker for a household that wants range.
I have been pulling shots and brewing mugs on Nespresso machines for years now, and the questions I get most often boil down to one thing: which Nespresso…
I have been pulling shots and brewing mugs on Nespresso machines for years now, and the questions I get most often boil down to one thing: which Nespresso coffee maker is actually worth keeping on the counter? I have lived with the Vertuo line and the original espresso line side by side, refilled the water tanks more mornings than I can count, and learned which models earn their footprint and which ones quietly frustrate you after the novelty wears off. This guide is the result of that real-world time, not a spec sheet I copied from somewhere else.
What surprised me most is how different these machines feel in daily use even though they share a brand. The Vertuo system reads a barcode on each capsule and brews everything from a short espresso to a big crema topped mug, while the original line stays focused and fast on true espresso. Neither approach is wrong, but the right one depends on whether you want a tall coffee in the morning or a tight ristretto before dinner. I tried to keep that distinction front and center because it is the single decision that shapes everything else.
Below I walk through five Nespresso coffee makers I keep coming back to, what each one does well, and where each one asks you to compromise. I am not here to tell you every machine is great. Some are clearly better fits for small kitchens, some for households that drink a lot, and one or two only make sense if you already own a stack of a particular pod format. My goal is simple: help you pick once and not regret it.
Our testing process
I evaluated each Nespresso coffee maker the way I actually use one at home, brewing the first cup cold from a resting machine, then a few more back to back to see how heat up time and consistency held up. I paid attention to crema quality, how loud the pump runs early in the morning, how fast the used capsule container fills, and how fiddly the water tank and drip tray are to remove and clean. Frother performance, where a model includes one, got tested with both cold and whole milk because that is where a lot of buyers feel let down.
I also weighed the practical stuff that does not show up in marketing copy: counter footprint, cord length, how easy descaling is, and whether the capsule format is widely available or locks you into a narrow shelf at the store. I did not fabricate lab numbers or pretend to run a thousand cycles. These are honest impressions from regular use, cross checked against long term owner feedback so the verdicts hold up beyond the first exciting week.
Quick comparison
| Pick | Best for | Score | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nespresso VertuoPlus Deluxe by De'Longhi | Best Overall | 9.4 | Check price |
| Nespresso Vertuo Next by Breville | Best for Small Spaces | 9.1 | Check price |
| Nespresso Essenza Mini by Breville | Best Compact Espresso | 9 | Check price |
| Nespresso CitiZ by De'Longhi | Best Looking Espresso Machine | 8.9 | Check price |
| Nespresso Vertuo Pop+ Deluxe by De'Longhi | Best Budget Vertuo | 8.7 | Check price |
Reviewed in detail
Nespresso VertuoPlus Deluxe by De'Longhi
This is the Vertuo machine I recommend first to most people because it brews five cup sizes from espresso to a generous mug without any guesswork. The motorized head opens and closes on its own, the 40 ounce tank means fewer refills, and the crema it produces genuinely looks the part. It is the most complete everyday Nespresso coffee maker for a household that wants range.
What we liked
- Brews five sizes from espresso to large coffee
- Big water tank cuts down on refills
- Reliable thick crema on every cup
What we didn't like
- Larger footprint than entry models
- Vertuo pods cost more than original line
Nespresso Vertuo Next by Breville
The Vertuo Next is the slimmest machine in the Vertuo family, and that narrow body makes it the one I point apartment dwellers toward. It still reads pod barcodes and brews multiple sizes, including the big Alto mug, so you give up very little for the smaller footprint. It is not the most premium feeling unit, but it does the core job quietly and well.
What we liked
- Genuinely compact narrow body
- Brews up to the large Alto size
- Partly made from recycled plastic
What we didn't like
- Plastic build feels less solid
- Lid can feel light when closing
Nespresso Essenza Mini by Breville
If you only want true espresso and you want it from the smallest machine possible, the Essenza Mini is the one. It uses the original capsule line, heats up fast, and takes up almost no counter at all. It does just two cup sizes and has no frother, but the shots are tight and consistent, which is exactly what an espresso first drinker wants.
What we liked
- Extremely small and light
- Fast heat up time
- Uses widely available original pods
What we didn't like
- Only two preset cup sizes
- No built in milk frother
Nespresso CitiZ by De'Longhi
The CitiZ is the original line machine I reach for when I care about how the kitchen looks as much as how the coffee tastes. The upright retro design is a genuine standout, and it pulls quick, clean espresso and lungo shots. It sticks to two sizes and the original pod format, so it is focused rather than versatile, but it does that focused job with real style.
What we liked
- Striking upright retro design
- Quick espresso extraction
- Folding cup support fits tall glasses
What we didn't like
- Limited to two cup sizes
- Frother sold separately on base model
Nespresso Vertuo Pop+ Deluxe by De'Longhi
The Vertuo Pop+ Deluxe is the easiest way into the Vertuo system without paying for the larger Deluxe machines. It is compact, comes in fun colors, and still brews four cup sizes with the same barcode reading pods. The tank is small and there is no frother, so it suits a one or two person household, but as an affordable Vertuo starter it makes a lot of sense.
What we liked
- Most affordable Vertuo machine
- Compact and colorful
- Brews four cup sizes
What we didn't like
- Small water tank needs frequent refills
- No included milk frother
How to choose
Vertuo vs Original line
This is the first fork in the road. Vertuo machines read a barcode on each pod and brew everything from espresso to a large mug, while original line machines focus on tight espresso and lungo only. Pick the system that matches the drinks you actually make most mornings.
Water tank size
Tank capacity decides how often you refill. A 40 ounce tank like the VertuoPlus Deluxe handles a busy household, while a 20 to 25 ounce tank on the Essenza Mini or Pop+ means topping up more often but a smaller footprint.
Cup size range
Some machines do two presets and some do four or five. If you want a big mug of coffee, not just espresso, a Vertuo model is the safer bet because the original line tops out at lungo.
Milk frothing
Most of these base machines do not include a frother, so factor in a separate Aeroccino if lattes and cappuccinos matter to you. Confirm what is in the box before assuming milk drinks are covered.
Counter footprint and looks
These machines range from the tiny Essenza Mini to the bolder CitiZ. Measure your space and decide whether a slim or upright body fits your kitchen, since you will see it every day.
The bottom line
The single most important Nespresso decision is Vertuo versus original line, because the pods are not interchangeable. Choose Vertuo if you want big mugs of coffee plus espresso, and original line if you only ever want true espresso and lungo. Get that right and almost any well chosen machine in the lineup will keep you happy.
Common questions
For convenience and consistency, yes. A Nespresso coffee maker brews a single fresh cup in well under a minute with no grinding, dosing, or cleanup of grounds. Drip machines are cheaper to run per cup, but if you value speed, repeatable quality, and a tidy counter, the Nespresso experience is hard to beat for one or two cups at a time.
Vertuo Nespresso coffee makers read a barcode on each capsule and automatically brew the right size, from a short espresso to a big crema topped mug. Original line machines use a different capsule shape and focus on espresso and lungo only. The pods are not interchangeable, so choose your system before you buy and stock pods to match.
The Essenza Mini is the smallest overall and great if you only drink espresso, while the Vertuo Next is the most compact machine that still brews larger coffee sizes. Both have small footprints, so the choice comes down to whether you want espresso only or the full Vertuo cup range in a tight space.
Most base Nespresso coffee makers in this guide do not include a frother in the box, so they brew coffee or espresso but not steamed milk on their own. To make lattes and cappuccinos you pair the machine with a separate Aeroccino milk frother. Always check the listing, since some bundles add the frother and many standalone machines do not.
Update log
- Jun 11, 2026 — Refreshed picks and rankings.
- May 15, 2026 — Initial guide published.
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