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Expert reviews whether you're looking for an easy espresso or a luxurious latte.

We updated this article in July 2022 to add more information about each featured product, based on testing done by the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances Lab. Our top-rated picks remain the same.

Make an iced latte, cappuccino or double shot of espresso from the comfort of your home with a Nespresso machine. No need to spend $1,000 on an espresso maker or devote a big chunk of your counter space to a professional barista setup for coffee-based drinks at home. Since Nespresso’s launch in 1986, the Swiss company has developed a range of sleek automatic home coffee and espresso machines that use a patented pod-based system. To operate a Nespresso machine, simply choose your favorite pod from their coffee or espresso offerings, pop it into the machine and press a button for a drink in seconds.

The Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab has spent decades testing kitchen appliances and coffee makers, including drip coffee makers, single-serve coffee machines and French press coffee makers to help you make the best cup of coffee at home. When evaluating Nespresso machines, we checked for ease of use, brewing time, consistency, noise level and taste. Our recommendations for the best Nespresso machines reflect models we tested in the lab or tried out at home as well as options that caught our eye because of unique features that we look for in all espresso machines and coffee makers.

With over a dozen different Nespresso machines currently on the market, it can be difficult to know which one to buy. This guide will break down what was part of Nespresso's original line of machines, which operate with 19 bars of pressure to create drinks, and what falls under the brand's latest offerings, which use a technology Nespresso calls “centrifusion." We share what that means, what each machine excels at and what to look for when shopping.

The VertuoPlus perfectly balances features, price and design, making it the best Nespresso machine for most people. Because it’s part of the VertuoLine, it can make both coffee and espresso, and it uses barcodes on each specially-designed capsule to brew the right strength and volume every time. Choose from five drink types: espresso, double espresso, gran lungo, mug and alto.

In our tests, every cup of coffee came out hot and well-rounded with a luxurious, thick crema. We also liked that the position of the water tank can be moved around to accommodate any counter space and that the lid opens and closes with one touch of the lever. This is one of the most affordable Nespresso machines and can be combined with the brand’s Aeroccino milk frother — the best milk frother we’ve tested — for a complete coffee experience.

• Dimensions: 16.88" x 5.59" x 12.79" • Capsules: Vertuo • Milk frother: No

The small-but-mighty Essenza Mini is a Nespresso machine in its purest form: It makes a good, full-bodied espresso with a nice crema. Choose from espresso or lungo, with the option to remove the drip base for a bigger cup. This model is part of the original line of machines, so it achieves 19 bars of pressure when brewing.

This super-compact option forgoes bells and whistles for classic pod espresso, and it’s a great option if you don’t have much space or want to keep things simple. The water container is small, but we didn't mind refilling it for the freshest-tasting cups during testing.

• Dimensions: 8" x 4.3" x 12.8" • Capsules: Original • Milk frother: No

With its classic Breville stainless steel design and matching milk jug, the Creatista Plus looks like a high-end machine — and it has the features to match. The integrated steam wand for milk frothing is perfect for making lattes and other drinks, and an LCD menu allows you to select from different temperatures and milk settings.

Because the Creatista Plus belongs to the original line, it’s louder while brewing (thanks to 19 bars of pressure) than the VertuoLine, and it doesn’t work with VertuoLine pods or make regular coffee. It’s also one of the more expensive Nespresso models available. But if you love your lattes and want consistently delicious espresso from a beautiful machine, it’s worth your consideration.

• Dimensions: 6.7" x 16.1" x 12.2" • Capsules: Original • Milk frother: Yes

The most luxurious Nespresso on the market, the Creatista Pro is a step up from the Creatista Plus, with a dedicated hot water spout for tea and long blacks, a larger water reservoir and more customization options for drinks. It has the beautiful stainless steel design that is distinctly Breville with an LCD screen and integrated steam wand.

While it doesn’t work with VertuoLine pods or make regular coffee, the water spout does allow for drip-coffee-like drinks like Americanos. The Pro can also heat milk and brew espresso at the same time, and users can save their custom drink preferences with specific milk volume and texture as presets. It’s a luxury machine with a luxury price point, but it’s the most customizable model Nespresso has to offer.

• Dimensions: 16.75" x 7.75" x 13" • Capsules: Original •Milk frother: Yes

The Gran Lattissima strikes a happy medium between the sleek, easy-to-use design of the VertuoPlus and the more complex features of the Creatista series. It has an integrated frother, with a built-in, modern milk hopper that can be detached and stored in the fridge. You can select from nine presets on the top panel: ristretto, espresso, lungo, cappuccino, latte macchiato, flat white, caffè latte, hot milk and hot foam.

In testing, we found the Gran Lattissima to be somewhat inconsistent between drinks, and the milk frother was difficult to clean. But with simple presets — and a lower price point than the Creatista series — it’s a convenient option for beginners who want their cappuccinos and lattes at the press of a button.

• Dimensions: 7.99" x 14.44" x 10.86" • Capsules: Original • Milk frother: Yes

Like the Essenza, the CitiZ is a sleek, simple Nespresso machine from the original line — but it has a larger, 34-ounce water tank, meaning you can brew more espresso without refills. You can select from espresso or lungo, and the machine's 19 bars of pressure will deliver a smooth espresso with a nice crema. If you want a milk frother, you can opt for the bundle that includes the Aeroccino. Take note that this machine features an automatic shut-off after nine minutes to save energy, but you can adjust it up to 30 minutes if you need more time to make coffee for your family members.

• Dimensions: 15.91" x 7.44" x 12.99" • Capsules: Original • Milk frother: No

From the makers of the Instant Pot comes this brand-neutral pod espresso machine that is compatible with both original Nespresso pods and Keurig pods, also known as K-cups. Users love the Instant Pod’s one-touch programs for six different brew sizes and its hulking, 68-ounce water reservoir. It also offers an auto-shutoff after 30 minutes to save energy. It's versatile and available at a reasonable price point, but some say the machine is sometimes tricky to close and remove pods.

• Dimensions: 16.3" x 7.04" x 13" • Capsules: Original and K-cups • Milk frother: No

Although it’s not a true Nespresso machine, the Wacaco Nanopresso is the best non-electric alternative to a proper espresso machine we’ve seen. And when you also purchase this pod-adapter attachment you can use original Nespresso capsules. This portable espresso maker can generate up to 18 bars of pressure with hand power alone, brewing a creamy espresso shot anywhere you also have access to hot water. It’s a pricey gadget, and it’s not the easiest to use without some practice, but it’s the go-to for campers and adventurers who are serious about their espresso or Nespresso while traveling.

• Dimensions: 2.83" x 3.03" x 7.28" • Capsules: Original with adapter • Milk frother: No

The latest in the VertuoLine, the Vertuo Next is a stylish coffee and espresso machine made of 54% recycled materials, and it offers Bluetooth connectivity if you’d like to prepare a cup of coffee from your phone. It’s functionally very similar to the VertuoPlus, but it has a slimmer design, slightly smaller water tank and can make 18 ounces of pour-over style coffee, in addition to three smaller sizes of coffee and both espresso and lungo shots.

Because it’s part of the VertuoLine, this model uses barcodes on each specially-designed capsule to brew the right strength and volume every time, and it produces a thick crema.

• Dimensions: 6" x 17" x 12" • Capsules: Vertuo • Milk frother: No

In the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances Lab, we test Nespresso machines according to the methodology we use when testing espresso machines. We evaluate their ease of use, time to brew, consistency, taste, and noise level. In our most recent test of espresso machines, we rounded up over 20 models, brewing more than 60 cups of espresso. If the machine had a milk frother, we tested it with both skim and oat milks.

While we haven't formally tested every single Nespresso machine in the Lab, we've selected many of our road-tested top picks and vetted user reviews. Here, we prioritized machines that balance useful features with price, that are easy to set up and use and that brew consistent espresso time after time. Most Nespresso models produce the same quality of espresso, but during taste tests, we assured each machine produced a hot, smooth cup of espresso that had depth and wasn't too bitter or acidic, with crema that was smooth without any noticeable big or small air bubbles.

Before you get brewing, you'll have to decide what type of machine best suits your needs. Some models, like those in the popular VertuoLine, make both coffee and espresso. Some have built-in milk frothers for creating the perfect latte or cappuccino. Others create more crema for a well-rounded espresso. Although almost all Nespresso models are simple to use and less expensive than other espresso machines, it’s important to consider the features that fit your needs before making the investment. Here's what to keep in mind:

✔️ Original vs VertuoLine: To understand the differences between all the Nespresso models, you must first understand the difference between how the VertuoLine and the original series of machines operate.

✔️ Original capsules vs. Vertuo capsules: This is important to consider because you can’t swap pods between machine types. However, all pod types can be recycled through the Nespresso capsule recycling program. Here's the difference:

✔️ Milk frothers: Some Nespresso models, including the Creatista series and the Gran Lattissima, come with integrated steam wands for frothing milk. These are very convenient for those looking to make macchiatos, lattes, cappuccinos and other drinks with milk. However, these milk frothers can sometimes be difficult to clean and maintain. Nespresso also sells the Aeroccino, a separate milk frother that’s often bundled with their machines. If you want a café experience, you should consider choosing a model with an integrated frother. The Aeroccino doesn’t produce a “true” microfoam, but it performed great in our milk frother testing and prepares milk quickly and easily for your coffee and espresso. ✔️ Size: If you’re looking for a machine as small, powerful and refined as a shot of espresso itself, there are a lot of compact options, including the Essenza Mini and CitiZ, to choose from. These machines forgo extra features and big water reservoirs to stay small and lightweight. But if you want to make many drinks in a row or a larger cup of coffee for yourself, you’ll need to consider the larger, taller models. Make sure the machine you choose will fit under your countertops and suit the kind of vessel you’ll be drinking your coffee from. ✔️ Manufacturer: Don’t be thrown off by the labels “by Breville” or “by De’Longhi” on different Nespresso models: Both companies have the rights to manufacture these machines, and neither necessarily makes a better one. The differences you’ll notice between manufacturers have more to do with design — for example, many of the Breville machines match the company’s usual stainless and brushed-stainless aesthetic.

Cassidy Olsen is a freelance writer who has tested and written about kitchen appliances for years. She worked with the Good Housekeeping Institute to translate lab reports into easily digestible content that's more than just numbers and spreadsheets.

Nicole Papantoniou is the director of the Good Housekeeping Institute's Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab, where she oversees all testing and content related to cooking and making drinks. She conducted the latest side-by-side test of espresso machines and uses at least one daily. Her favorites are easy to use and clean and — most importantly — deliver a rich and balanced cup of espresso.