Espresso is a popular choice in coffee shops and often forms the basis of many favorite caffeinated beverages. Making espresso at home can be challenging, which is where Nespresso machines come in handy.
While Nespresso machines may not replicate the full complexity and body of espresso from your local cafe, they do offer the convenience of quickly and easily producing a satisfying espresso shot. After testing various machines that are compatible with Nespresso pods, we recommend the Nespresso Essenza Mini for its compact size, ease of use, and stylish appearance that will add charm to your kitchen.
Our Recommendation
The Essenza Mini brews well-balanced and consistent espressos with a mild flavor compared to other Nespresso machines we tested. It’s a straightforward machine with a small size and an elegant design.
While the Nespresso Essenza Mini is limited to brewing espresso only, it excels at this task, consistently producing a quality espresso that you’ll enjoy time and time again. This machine is efficient, brews quickly, easy to operate, and requires minimal cleanup. The Essenza Mini lives up to its name, being petite and convenient, fitting neatly on a busy countertop or in a cupboard. Available in two stylish designs, tapered or rectangular, it caters to various preferences. The Essenza Mini is part of the Original line and can brew three types of espresso: rich ristrettos (0.85 ounces), classic espressos (1.35 ounces), and longer lungos (3.7 ounces).
Another Great Option
The Nespresso VertuoPlus not only delivers a smooth espresso but also offers an excellent 8-ounce coffee, surpassing what Keurig machines can produce.
The Nespresso VertuoPlus is known for its quality espresso and stands out for its ability to brew 8-ounce coffees, catering to a broader range of coffee preferences. While taller than our top pick, it still has a compact footprint on the countertop. Featuring an automatic lid and simple one-button operation, it is effortless to use. This machine can prepare espressos, double espressos, 5-ounce gran lungos, and 8-ounce coffee servings.
Although the coffee from the Nespresso VertuoPlus may not match the intricacy of home-brewed methods like pour-over or French press, it offers a significant improvement over Keurig brews. Unlike machines in the Original line, the VertuoPlus is designed to work with Nespresso’s exclusive capsules, which can be pricier and are not typically found in grocery stores (Starbucks also offers Vertuo pods, but they are not as high-quality).
