Best Nespresso Machine: 7 Picks for Espresso, Big Mugs and Milk Drinks
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The best Nespresso machine for most people who drink mug-size coffee is the Nespresso VertuoPlus, with a 40 oz water tank and five cup sizes. If you mainly drink espresso and want the smallest machine, pick the Nespresso Essenza Mini. For one-touch cappuccinos and lattes on the Vertuo system, choose the Nespresso Vertuo Lattissima. If you want real steamed milk and the most control, the Nespresso Creatista Plus is the premium pick.
The best Nespresso machine depends on one choice you make before anything else: Original or Vertuo. Original machines make espresso and espresso-based milk drinks, while Vertuo machines also brew full mugs of coffee, so the right pick comes down to what you pour into your cup every morning.
This comparison is based on manufacturer specifications, published features and common owner feedback, not on hands-on testing. Machines are grouped by tier instead of price, so check the current price on Amazon.
Best Nespresso Machines Compared
| Machine | System | Tier | Best for | Water tank | Milk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essenza Mini | Original | Budget | Smallest footprint | 20.3 oz | None built in |
| Pixie | Original | Mid-range | Espresso purists | 24 oz | None built in |
| Lattissima One | Original | Mid-range | Milk drinks | 33.8 oz | Built-in single-serve milk jug |
| Vertuo Pop+ | Vertuo | Budget | Compact Vertuo starter | 25.4 oz | None built in |
| VertuoPlus | Vertuo | Mid-range | Big mugs | 40 oz | None built in |
| Vertuo Lattissima | Vertuo | Premium | Built-in frother | 54 oz | Built-in milk carafe, 16.9 oz |
| Creatista Plus | Original | Premium | Premium pick | 50.7 oz | Automatic steam wand |
Nespresso Original vs Vertuo: What Is the Difference?
Nespresso sells two systems, and their capsules are not interchangeable. Decide on the system first, then choose a machine within it.
Original Line
Original machines push hot water through a small capsule with a 19 bar pump, the same basic idea as a traditional espresso machine. They brew two sizes: espresso at 1.35 oz and lungo at about 3.7 oz. The capsules are small, the machines are compact, and compatible capsules from other coffee brands are widely sold for the Original system. Choose Original if you drink straight espresso, or lattes and cappuccinos built on a short shot.
Vertuo Line
Vertuo machines read a barcode on the rim of each capsule, then spin the capsule while brewing, a method Nespresso calls Centrifusion. One button handles every size, from a 1.35 oz espresso and 2.7 oz double espresso to a 5 oz gran lungo, a 7.77 oz coffee and larger mug pods. Every cup comes out with a thick layer of foam on top. Choose Vertuo if you want a regular mug of coffee most days and an espresso now and then.
Neither system makes drip-style coffee by the pot. If you are still weighing pods against other pod brands, read our Nespresso vs Keurig comparison first.
Best Nespresso Original Machines
Smallest: Essenza Mini
Who it is for: Espresso drinkers with very little counter space, such as a studio apartment, dorm, office desk or camper.
- System: Original
- Pump: 19 bar
- Water tank: 20.3 oz
- Cup sizes: espresso (1.35 oz) and lungo (about 3.7 oz)
- Heat-up: about 25 seconds
- Weight: about 5 lb
- Auto-off: after 9 minutes
Standout feature: Size. It is the smallest machine Nespresso makes, yet it uses the same 19 bar pump as the larger Original models.
Honest drawback: The 20.3 oz tank and the used capsule bin, which holds only 5 to 6 capsules, both need frequent attention. The body is plastic, there is no milk frother, and reviewers note that taller mugs do not fit easily on the narrow drip tray.
See the Nespresso Essenza Mini on Amazon.
Best for Espresso Purists: Pixie
Who it is for: People who drink espresso and lungo straight and want a compact machine that feels more solid than the entry model.
- System: Original
- Pump: 19 bar
- Water tank: 24 oz (0.7 L)
- Cup sizes: espresso and lungo, both reprogrammable to your own volume
- Heat-up: 25 seconds
- Width: 11 cm (about 4.4 in)
- Auto-off: after 9 minutes
Standout feature: A fast, simple espresso routine in a body only 11 cm wide, with a folding drip tray that makes room for a taller glass.
Honest drawback: The water tank is still small at 24 oz, there are no settings beyond the two cup volumes, and it has no milk system. You pay a tier more than the Essenza Mini for the same pump and the same two drinks.
See the Nespresso Pixie on Amazon.
Best for Milk Drinks: Lattissima One
Who it is for: One or two people who want a cappuccino or latte at the press of a button without learning to steam milk.
- System: Original
- Pump: 19 bar
- Water tank: 33.8 oz (1 L)
- Milk: built-in single-serve milk jug, about 4 oz
- Heat-up: about 25 seconds
- Width: 6.1 in
Standout feature: Fresh milk frothed straight into the cup. You fill the jug with the milk for one drink, so nothing sits around between uses, and the frothing parts are dishwasher safe.
Honest drawback: The small jug makes one drink at a time, so serving guests is slow. The frother parts need to be taken apart and washed daily, and some owners report that it spits a little milk as it finishes.
See the Nespresso Lattissima One on Amazon.
Best Nespresso Vertuo Machines
Best Compact Vertuo: Vertuo Pop+
Who it is for: First-time Vertuo buyers and small kitchens that still want a full mug of coffee.
- System: Vertuo
- Water tank: 25.4 oz
- Cup sizes: five, from 1.35 oz espresso up to a 12 oz mug
- Heat-up: 30 seconds
- Dimensions: 14 x 8.6 x 10.4 in
Standout feature: The lowest tier way into Vertuo, in a compact body that comes in a wide range of colors.
Honest drawback: The 25.4 oz tank covers only about two large mugs before a refill. Reviewers also note that some taller mugs do not fit, that the coffee could be hotter and that the spout can drip after brewing.
See the Nespresso Vertuo Pop+ on Amazon.
Best Vertuo for Big Mugs: VertuoPlus
Who it is for: Households that mostly drink mug-size coffee and do not want to refill the water tank every morning.
- System: Vertuo
- Water tank: 40 oz, on an arm that swings to the side or back to fit your counter
- Cup sizes: five, including 7.77 oz coffee and the larger Alto mug pods
- Heat-up: 20 to 30 seconds
- Brew head: opens and closes automatically with a light push on the lever
- Used capsule container: 10 capsules
- Width: 5.6 in
Standout feature: The balance of a narrow 5.6 inch body with a 40 oz tank and a 10-capsule bin, which suits two or three coffee drinkers.
Honest drawback: There is no Bluetooth or app connection and no milk frother in the base package. It also takes up about 13 inches of counter depth, so check the space behind it.
See the Nespresso VertuoPlus on Amazon.
Best With a Built-In Frother: Vertuo Lattissima
Who it is for: Vertuo fans who want lattes and cappuccinos from one machine with no separate frother on the counter.
- System: Vertuo
- Water tank: 54 oz
- Milk: built-in carafe, 16.9 oz, with one-touch cappuccino and latte macchiato
- Heat-up: 30 seconds
- Dimensions: 16.0 x 7.5 x 12.4 in
- Weight: 14.2 lb
- Used capsule container: 10 capsules
Standout feature: It is the Vertuo machine that brews mug-size coffee and froths milk into the same cup, with an automatic rinse of the milk system after each milk drink.
Honest drawback: It is the heaviest and widest capsule machine in this guide. One detailed review found that it brews a little cooler than other Vertuo models and is on the noisy side, and the milk carafe has no clear measurement markings.
See the Nespresso Vertuo Lattissima on Amazon.
Best Premium Nespresso Machine
Premium Pick: Creatista Plus
Who it is for: Latte and flat white drinkers who want real steamed milk and cafe-style texture with capsule convenience.
- System: Original, made by Breville
- Pump: 19 bar
- Heat-up: 3 seconds
- Water tank: 50.7 oz
- Milk: automatic steam wand with 8 texture levels and 11 temperature settings
- Drinks: ristretto, espresso, lungo, flat white, cafe latte, cappuccino, latte macchiato and milk foam
- Includes a stainless steel milk jug
- Dimensions: 6.7 x 15.4 x 12 in
Standout feature: The automatic steam wand. It textures milk in the jug to the foam level and temperature you choose, then purges itself, and the foam is fine enough to pour latte art.
Honest drawback: It sits in the top tier, with no cold frothing and no hot water outlet for an americano. Because it is an Original machine, it cannot brew a full mug of coffee.
See the Nespresso Creatista Plus on Amazon.
Which Nespresso Machine Should You Buy?
- You have almost no counter space: Essenza Mini.
- You drink espresso straight: Pixie.
- You want a one-touch cappuccino for one or two people: Lattissima One.
- You want mug-size coffee at the lowest tier: Vertuo Pop+.
- You fill big mugs every morning: VertuoPlus.
- You want coffee and milk drinks from one Vertuo machine: Vertuo Lattissima.
- You want steamed milk and latte art: Creatista Plus.
- You want to grind fresh beans instead of using capsules: see our best super automatic espresso machines.
Already leaning toward a machine without a milk system? A separate electric milk frother adds lattes to any of them, and our guide to the best milk frothers for home baristas covers the options.
Marcus’s Pro Tips
- Pick the system before the machine. Write down your three most common drinks. If two of them are mugs of coffee, go Vertuo. If two are espresso or small milk drinks, go Original.
- Run a short rinse first. Brew one cycle without a capsule into your cup before the first coffee of the day. It warms the cup and clears the spout.
- Measure depth, not just width. Several of these machines are narrow but 13 to 16 inches deep, and the tank sits at the back.
- Descale on schedule. Keep a Nespresso descaling solution on hand and follow the alert or the manual for your model.
- Empty the capsule bin daily. The small bins on compact machines fill quickly, and damp used capsules should not sit for days.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best Nespresso machine to buy?
For mug-size coffee, the VertuoPlus is the best all-round choice thanks to its 40 oz tank and five cup sizes. For espresso in the smallest footprint, buy the Essenza Mini. For milk drinks, choose the Vertuo Lattissima or the Creatista Plus.
Is Nespresso Original or Vertuo better?
Neither is better for everyone. Original is the better system for espresso, lungo and espresso-based milk drinks, and it has the wider choice of compatible capsules. Vertuo is better if you want a full mug of coffee as well as espresso from the same machine.
Can you use Original capsules in a Vertuo machine?
No. The two capsule shapes are different, and each system only accepts its own capsules. Check which line your machine belongs to before you order coffee.
Which Nespresso machine makes lattes and cappuccinos?
Three machines in this guide have milk built in. The Lattissima One and Vertuo Lattissima froth milk into the cup at the press of a button, and the Creatista Plus steams milk in a jug with an automatic wand. Any other model can make a latte with a separate milk frother.
What is the smallest Nespresso machine?
The Essenza Mini is the smallest. It has a 20.3 oz water tank, weighs about 5 lb and brews espresso and lungo with a 19 bar pump.
Does a Nespresso machine make regular coffee?
Vertuo machines brew mug-size coffee, including a 7.77 oz cup and larger mug pods. Original machines top out at a lungo of about 3.7 oz, so a longer drink means adding hot water to an espresso.
Is a Nespresso machine worth it compared with an espresso machine?
It is worth it if you value speed, consistency and easy cleanup over hands-on control. A capsule machine heats in seconds and needs no grinder, but a semi-automatic machine with fresh beans gives you more control over the shot.
The Verdict
Buy the VertuoPlus if you want the best Nespresso machine for everyday mugs of coffee, the Essenza Mini if you want espresso in the smallest space, the Vertuo Lattissima for one-touch milk drinks, and the Creatista Plus if you want steamed milk and are comfortable in the premium tier.
Want more control than capsules allow? Compare our best home espresso machines. Buying for someone else? Pair the machine with something from our best coffee gifts list.
Marcus Webb writes about home coffee for BrewElevate. He researches and compares brewing gear, beans and recipes so home brewers can make a better cup without overspending. His rule: if he wouldn’t be comfortable buying it himself, it doesn’t make the list.
