5 Best Nespresso Machines To Create Top Quality Lattes In 2023 (Read Before Buying)

Ready to become a master barista in your own home? With the right Nespresso machine, you can easily produce café-quality lattes and cappuccinos without breaking a sweat. Check out our list of top picks for the best Nespresso machines to find your perfect match today!

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With over 25 Nespresso machines in the line, choosing the right item your daily cup of joe agrees is a daunting task. 

It’s not that big of a deal if you’ve been using Nespresso for years and looking to upgrade to a fancier item with more advanced functions. In this case, invest in a premium machine like a Nespresso The Creatista Pro with a stainless steel body.

What if you’re new to the scene and unsure how much to pay for a decent espresso machine that pulls the best shot with crema on top but not too hard to use? Then a Nespresso CitiZ Original Espresso Machine is the best value unit to fit the bill.

This guide will give you a lowdown on the 5 best Nespresso machines for each type of user. 

At the end of the article, you’ll find the best one to make lattes, the best mini-sized machine, or one that comes with a built-in milk frother.

You’ll also know the differences between Nespresso OriginalLine and VertuoLine as well as things to consider before buying.

1. Breville Nespresso The Creatista® Pro

Wondering how to amaze a die-hard Nespresso fan? Get them this Breville Nespresso The Creatista Pro. This is the best premium Nespresso machine for home use with all the cutting-edge functions designed for a barista-style coffee.

The reason why this item surpasses any other unit in line is because of its comprehensive setting and advanced technology. A small touchscreen on top of a stainless steel construction lets you mix and match your drinks to taste. 

Even better, you can save those recipes for later use. Everything from such as espresso, cappuccino, and latte macchiatos is available at your fingertip. Adjust the volume of water, temperature, and mixture as you go. All that takes is three seconds to heat water.

Albeit the hefty price tag, this well-built machine stays for years. You even have a built-in stem wand for a seamless latte art every morning. 

What surprises me the most is the separate hot water nozzle. Who would have thought you can use a Nespresso machine just for hot water to steep a tea bag? Well, this Creatista Pro definitely fits the bill.

With all the high-tech features, the machine is ironically very easy to use. However, the power cord that comes with it is disruptive and hideous when plugged into the outlet. 

PROS

Elegant timeless steel construction.

It only takes three seconds to heat water.

The save function keeps your chosen recipes for later use.

Multiple drink options are incorporated into a high-tech touchscreen.

CONS

Higher price tag

The bulky size takes up much counter space.

2. Nespresso CitiZ Original Espresso Machine by De’Longhi

This is a sturdy, compact machine with a timeless black design, two programmable buttons with automatic flow stop, and 24 seconds heat up.

This item falls into the mid-range collection. Its durability ensures a hassle-free coffee experience for years with a reliable brewer and powerful boiler. Although the heat-up time is 8 times longer than the high-tech Creatista Pro, this CitiZ is still one of the best machines for the first encounter with Nespresso, especially when it comes with a complimentary starter set of Nespresso capsules.

Since there are not many functions to deal with, you won’t have a hard time getting used to the operation. The main thrill of this item is everything espresso related. The lungo button ensures a nice long draw. And since there’s a milk frother inside, making barista-graded cappuccinos is no more a hassle. The aroma will drive you wild every single time with a gorgeous crema on top.

PROS

It’s very quiet.

Simple setting allows easy navigation.

The narrow and unobtrusive construction lets it sit on the countertop nicely.

It makes consistent and tasty espresso every time.

CONS

It takes a little longer to heat water.

No descaling function is available.

3. Nespresso Lattissima Pro Espresso Machine by De’Longhi

On the higher range of the price spectrum, this Lattissima Pro comes with an integrated frother for your everyday latte. Turn on the touchscreen and you’ll see seven programmed settings waiting to brew everything from a velvety latte to an aromatic cup of ristretto.

Other than selecting a drink type, this Lattissima Pro also lets you play around with advanced features such as choosing the water hardness, emptying the fluids, maintaining a check-up, and customizing the drink volume.

One of the coolest things about this unit that makes it a great buy for latte lovers is the ability to fine-tune the frothiness of the cream out of the regulator knob.

On top of that, it also signals the clean-up time of the frother to help you reduce guesswork. You can also pop the stand-alone milk container into the fridge after each use.

The extra cost comes down to a unique function that you barely find elsewhere: descaling. You know hard water kills coffee. It does nothing better than resulting in a dull flavor and muddy acidity. If you don’t want a yucky latte or espresso, invest in a piece like this.

PROS

Durable construction ensures a long shelf life even if you use it twice a day.

The descaling function is an intuitive and thoughtful add-in.

Timeless and sleek design that fits all kitchen designs.

It has various programmed settings that also warm your milk or heat water to brew tea.

CONS

Navigation is more complicated compared to some other machines.

The touchscreen is overly sensitive sometimes.

4. Nespresso Vertuo Next Coffee and Espresso Machine with Milk Frother

If you want nothing more than a stellar Nespresso machine that makes really good lattes, opt for this Nespresso Vertuo Next Coffee and you’re good to go.

No whistles and bells mean simple navigation and reasonable cost. The item falls in the lower end of the price spectrum. As a Vertuo unit, it only reads the barcode on compatible capsules so make sure you purchase the right pods at home.

The frother is Aeroccino 3 model that makes silky smooth hot and cold milk for your coffee recipes. If you’re worried if the frother vibrates or makes some noise when in action like some other machines in the market, don’t fret over as this one works in complete silence.

Sometimes when you wanna have less foam in your drink, shut the frother down just before it finishes the whole cycle and keep the milk that way. Otherwise, let it go in a full cycle and you will have a nice foamed milk sitting on top of a beautiful cappuccino.

Other than lattes, the machine lets you make both coffee and double-shot espresso in various cup sizes including 5, 8, and 18 oz coffee.

PROS

It’s simple to function with a one-touch button.

It’s sleek and environmentally friendly with recyclable pods.

The Aeroccino 3 milk frother creates hassle-free barista-style lattes.

The machine isn’t loud when in action.

CONS

The drink doesn’t stay hot for too long.

The Vertuo metal pods do not guarantee the best espresso up to par with the Original line

5. Nespresso Essenza Mini Coffee and Espresso Machine by De’Longhi

Small but mighty, this Essenza Mini has nothing to envy other units in the Original line. From ristretto and espresso to lungo, there’s nothing this mini machine cannot tackle, just more lightweight and compact.

It has a few colors to choose from and my favorite one comes with the slim and attractive black frame . At only 5.1 lbs, you can pop it back into the cabinet after each use or move it around the house without any hassle. Plus, with the dimension of 8.1 x 12.8 x 4.3 inches, the machine takes up very little space.

Even though the heat time may reach up to 30 seconds, you get an Energy Saving mode in return. This function aims at low energy consumption and it will automatically turn off after 9 seconds of inactivity.

PROS

Sleek and timeless design spruces up your kitchen corner.

It takes up less counter space and is easy to maintain.

The Energy Saving mode powers off after 9 minutes.

It’s lightweight and simple to carry around.

CONS

The foot scratches the countertop when carelessly moved.

The leaking problems happen once in a while.

Nespresso Machine Buying Guide

1. Choose the right type: Original vs. Vertuo

First-timers usually run into a dilemma when they can’t choose which Nespresso line to buy. No matter which machine you’re looking at, it either falls under one of these two lines: the Original Line or the Vertuo Line.

Alike but not identical, the main difference between the two usually lies in the amount of coffee each machine can yield. Other than that, you also wanna pay attention to the extraction method of each.

Nespresso Original Line

The OriginalLine uses 19 bars of pressure and hot water through an internal pump to pull the best cup of espresso. If you look closer, it mimics the extraction process of an actual espresso machine.

These original machines are designed to accompany the original, bell-shaped Nespresso capsules. All you need to do is plug your capsule into the chamber. A needle will puncture the lid before the hot water goes through the grind to extract the brew.

Nespresso Original Line is the top call for those craving espresso and espresso-based drinks such as Ristretto, Lungo (an Italian word for milder espresso with more water in the brewing process), and Long Blacks.

The downside to Original Line is that it doesn’t yield a big volume and you have to brew more often all day long.

Nespresso VertuoLine

Launched in 2015, Vertuo Line was born mostly to tap into the North American coffee market where people prefer large-sized coffees. 

Nespresso Vertuo Line machines are set up with a scanning system. So instead of piercing through the pods, it reads the barcode on the edges of the pods and spins them at the speeds of 7000 rpm to extract the brew. Each barcode defines the flow, volume of water, temperature, infusion time, and rotation.

Nespresso calls this advanced technology Centrifusion.

For that reason, the Vertuo Line produces a slightly different flavor of coffee compared to Original Line with a distinguished crema on top.

Nespresso Vertuo Line is more versatile. It can make both espresso and non-espresso drinks even though the tasting profile is a tad weaker.

2. Brew Size

Nespresso Original Line machines have 3 brew sizes, which include:

• 0.85 oz Ristretto
• 1.35 oz Espresso
• 3.7 oz Lungo

Nespresso Vertuo Line machines have 5 brew sizes, which include:

• 1.35 oz Espresso
• 2.7 oz Double Espresso
• 5 oz Gran Lungo
• 7.8 oz Mug
• 14 oz Alto

So why did the European company decide to make five sizes of coffee and espresso that are way larger than the original line anyway?

It all started with Starbucks and how this coffee titan has been offering insanely large-sized coffee. Starbucks is famous for its whopping 32-ounce Trenta (which is about half the size of an adult human stomach).

Nespresso foresaw this scenario where there was a chance to lose this huge potential market where large-sized coffee is a real deal for North Americans. They simply want something bigger than a shot of espresso.

Drinking a big amount of coffee also results in a warming effect on the body. For that reason, the VertuoLine was brought to life so you can play around with your favorite cup size in one go without pulling shot after shot each time.

3. Type Of Capsules

Nespresso Original capsules and Vertuo capsules are NOT interchangeable. So make sure the machine you bring home coordinates with the capsules you’ve already had.

As mentioned earlier, the Original capsules can only brew coffee while Vertuo capsules can make espresso and other cafe-style beverages.

For now, the Original capsule collection is broken down into five selections:

• Ispirazione Italiana
• World Exploration
• Espresso
• Master Origins
• Barista Creations

Meanwhile, the Vertuo collection comprises:

• Espressos
• Long Black
• Barista Creations
• Craft Brew

Before 2014, Nespresso-branded capsules were the only type to fit in their own machine. Since 2014 onwards, the brand has partnered with other companies to produce compatible capsules that can go with almost any Original machine.

However, note that these compatible capsules cannot go with the Vertuo Line. Always make sure to check with the retailer about compatibility before you buy it.

4. Milk Frother

Only the Lattissima and Creatista machines from the OriginalLine come with a built-in milk frother for a seamless all-in-one experience. Meanwhile, the rest need an upgrade to a separate Aeroccino milk frother you can get from a bundle.

The Creatista Plus machine is the most cutting-edge model at the moment as its integrated stem wand works in the exact same way as what you find in a regular espresso machine.

That being said, this model is more versatile and you have better control over the texture of your latte art as well.

Meanwhile, the Lattissima unit comes with a milk carafe that can be removed and assembled to stay in the fridge stored cold.

The Creatista Plus machine also accommodates 12 capsules at once while Lattissma holds 10.

The detached Aeroccino frother is available in models 3 and 4. This stand-alone unit is more advanced compared to the built-in frother as it creates a better silky smooth texture without watering it down. For that reason, those after a barista-style cup of joe will prefer to invest in a separate Aeroccino frother. It’s also lower than the built-in frother cost-wise and easier to use.

5. Machine Size

How much does your countertop agree with a Nespresso machine? Do you plan to take it away after each use or should it sit in a fixed corner at an office?

The Essenza Mini model from the Original Line is the smallest unit with a dimension of 4.3 x 12.8 x 8.0 inches only. The reservoir of this mini size can tackle up to 20.3 oz of water.

The bulkiest model is Creatista Plus with 8.9 x 18.7 x 15.7 inches with a huge reservoir that holds 50.7 oz of water.

Tailoring how many people it serves at a time will help you come up with the right choice.

On the other hand, the Evoluo model is the largest Vertuo item of 9.0 x 12.2 x 12.3 inches. This one holds up to 54 oz water tank capacity and accompanies 17 capsules at maximum.

6. Price

The models fluctuate somewhere between $150 and $900 depending on the size, manufacturer, and which retailer you’re getting it from. There’s still a gap between the price of the same model made by two different retailers.

A mini machine is always cheaper than a bulky one with a larger capsule capacity and bigger reservoir. On top of that, rapid heat-up times, touchscreen displays, and a powerful steaming wand are other factors that come into play.

Frequently Asked Questions about Nespresso Machine

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