The Best Nespresso Machines of 2026

If convenience and speed are your coffee priorities, you may be considering a Nespresso machine that can dispense hot coffee within a minute at the touch of a button.

Though some may view the taste as subpar compared to a high-quality drip coffee maker, Nespresso offers a variety of unique perks. The user-friendliness, intuitive design, and high-quality coffee capsules make Nespresso machines—like our favorite Nespresso VertuoPlus by Breville (available at Home Depot for $249.00) —a popular choice.

In our past espresso maker tests, we tried a handful of Nespresso machines. Many of which we found to perform better than their Keurig equivalents. They’re also more easily recyclable, making them a more eco-friendly pod-operated coffee maker.

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Other Nespresso Machines We Tested

How To Choose the Best Nespresso Machine for You

When it comes to choosing the right espresso machine, there are a few factors to consider. Size, coffee variety, and milk frothers (or lack thereof) are all important features.

Nespresso machines come in a variety of sizes. Whether you prefer to skimp on counter space (hello, CitiZ mini), or you hate refilling your water tank (try the roomy Creatista Plus), there's something for everyone. Just be mindful that smaller, space-saving options might have fewer features included.

You should also consider what kind of coffee you typically drink. If you're an espresso drinker, you might opt for one of the machines from Nespresso's Original Line, but if you prefer drip coffee, a Vertuo option might be better suited to your needs (more on that difference later).

Finally, if you're a cappuccino or latte lover, you'll probably want a milk frother as part of the deal—and not all Nespresso machines come with one. The Creatista or De’Longhi Lattissima are great options with built-in milk frothers. Otherwise, you can always get an Aeroccino separately to more appropriately suit your coffee and milk needs.

Nespresso vs. Keurig

Nespresso, while more expensive, is one of the top coffee pod machines you can find. The pods withstand greater pressure and temperature, delivering espresso with crema in a way that K-Cups simply can’t.

In addition to the higher quality, you can recycle the capsules at various collection sites and boutique retail stores, or leave them with your delivery driver if you order your pods directly from Nespresso.

For more information on the differences between these two coffee machines, you can check out our full article on Nespresso vs. Keurig.

Nespresso Vertuo vs. Original Machines—What's the Difference?

There are two main kinds of Nespresso, Original and Vertuo. Original Nespresso machines only offer espresso-style coffee, while Vertuo machines can deliver larger, drip-coffee-style drinks. Vertuo machines are more versatile, but they tend to take up more space and often require a separate milk frother.

Original machines include the Creatista, Essenza, CitiZ, and Latissma series, which use 19 bars of pressure to produce espresso-style coffee with the crema you’re used to. VertuoLine machines use “centrifusion.” Water flows in from the top, mixes using centrifugal force, and flows out through 20 holes in the perimeter, producing heavier crema.

Do Nespresso machines brew real espresso?

Technically speaking, Nespresso does not reach the temperature, pressure, or brew time that marks genuine espresso. That said, it’s remarkably similar, especially considering the price and convenience Nespresso offers, and you can still use it in lattes, cappuccinos, and more.

How to Use a Nespresso Machine

Most Nespressos are easy to use by design—simply place a pod in the machine, close the lid, and press the start button. Some eject the used Nespresso pods into a container, while others require you to remove them yourself. In all cases, you’ll need to keep the water container full.

Many espresso drinks like cappuccinos or lattes involve frothed milk, so you’ll need a milk frother. Some include one, some have one attached, and for others you’ll have to buy your own. Regardless, you simply place the frother in the milk until it feels warm and foamy, then add it to your mug with your coffee.

How to Clean a Nespresso Machine

Aside from routine wiping and rinsing, you should descale your machine once every six months.

Why is descaling important? While we brew coffee, the water we use is not pure and contains minerals, commonly calcium and magnesium.

Over the long term, those minerals can build up, gradually accumulating as limescale. This can affect the brewing temperature and the taste of your coffee, eventually leading to machine malfunction.

How We Test Nespresso Machines

We tested a wide variety of Nespresso coffee and espresso machines that use capsules rather than ground coffee. We evaluated design, ease of use, and most importantly, the quality of the espresso and/or latte it delivered.

Since this is an appliance that is going to live on your countertop, its appearance and the size of its footprint are important to consider. Ultimately, you decide what appeals to your sense of style and how much space you’re willing to dedicate. But we gave high marks to “heavy builds.” The manual’s clarity was also factored in.

Throughout the process, we considered how easy it was to get the machine up and running, fill the tank with water, use the controls, and clean. We also measured how many shots you can expect to brew without refilling the tank.

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