The best Nespresso machines | Popular Science

Getting a cup of coffee from any shop has gotten absurdly expensive, which means a Nespresso machine will pay for itself in no time. Espresso drinks can be customized to fit your day and mood. A double espresso preps for a day that’s all business, no frills. A latte with skim milk offers comfort without adding too much to a waistline. An affogato is an adventure in a cup, and if you start your day like this, you’re probably a party. These home appliances can create all of them without extensive barista training. The capsule-based system automates many coffee-based drinks into a one-button operation or a selection from a menu. We combed through popular models, examining the variety of drinks they make, the types of accessories they take, and their ease of use to determine the best Nespresso machines for every type of caffeine capsule connoisseur. We’ve declared the Nespresso VertuoPlus Deluxe Coffee and Espresso Machine by Breville the best overall Nespresso machine, but keep reading to find the machine that best fits your taste, lifestyle, and budget.

How we chose the best Nespresso machines

We’re the kind of people who get caffeine headaches if we miss our morning cuppa … and our afternoon follow-up. We’ve been perfecting our home setups for years, experimenting with different coffeemakers for our own consumption and for reviews. And we love to give coffee gifts to coffee lovers. Our recommendations come from this accumulated experience, expert opinions, and research.

The best Nespresso machines: Reviews & Choice

Nespresso machines are best for people who like their coffee on the more robust, darker side and want a machine to do most of the work. Compared to the grinding, tamping, and pulling of a traditional espresso machine, Nespresso machines brew quickly and comparatively cleanly. The flavor is also remarkably consistent—it’s one of the selling points (too consistent across pods, some say, but to each their own). To pick the suitable machine for your home, determine whether you want coffee, espresso, or milk-based drinks; consider the size of used capsule containers and water tanks; and how easy it is to operate and clean. If the slower, more customizable route is your speed, check out our picks for the best espresso machines. But if you love the idea of one-touch pick-me-ups or even some lite steam pipe experimentation, get that coffee travel mug ready and read on.

Best overall: Nespresso VertuoPlus Deluxe Coffee and Espresso Machine by Breville

Specs

• Dimensions:  6 inches D x 17 inches W by 13 inches H, but includes an adjustable water tank to help fit space
• Type of Capsule: Vertuo 
• Capacity: 60-ounce water tank capacity
• Extra Feature: Used capsule container holds up to 10
• Price: $139

The Nespresso VertuoPlus Deluxe Coffee and Espresso Machine by Breville offers one-button simplicity for households that want espresso and coffee. The machine can brew a single or double espresso, lungo, and 8-ounce coffee, but it reads the capsule for the brewing specs, including coffee size, temperature, pressure, and brewing time. In other words, you don’t customize your drink with buttons; you select its main features according to whatever Vertuo capsule volumes and flavors you bought.  The expansive capsule menu includes single-origin options, flavors like pumpkin spice cake, and iced options that brew with intense flavor.

Brewing is as simple as selecting a capsule, pressing a button, and waiting. When complete, the capsule automatically drops into the used capsule container. The Deluxe model comes with one of the larger used capsule containers and a 60-ounce water tank, so you won’t have to empty or refill the machine after each drink. Water tank placement is also adjustable; it can be moved behind or kept on the side to adjust for shallow counters or weird corners.

It’s an excellent machine for someone who wants simplicity and to clean up after a few cups, not each one.