The 10 Worst Nespresso Machine Errors Of All Time Could Have Been Prevented Nespresso Coffee Machines

Nespresso coffee makers are small and compact and are not as bulky as drip coffee machines. They are simple in their black look and range in price and sophistication. Some include an milk frother to create Latte art and can be connected to an app to manage recipes or get notifications on descaling.

The simplest machines, like our choice the Essenza Mini, are simple and affordable, but they leave out features that create more complicated drinks. Other machines can also make larger sizes of drinks, like the gran lungos.

What is what is a Nespresso Machine?

Since 1986, Nespresso has marketed single-serve machines that make use of capsules to make espresso and coffee drinks. The brand has an army of loyal customers thanks to the speed, ease and consistency their machines brew up a hot, espresso-like beverage. They can be an excellent alternative to making at-home espresso with a moka pot or drip coffee maker, both of which require the time and care to clean after each use.

A Nespresso machine uses pressure to extract the flavor from the pod, and then heats water and froths milk to make coffee drinks such as lattes or cappuccinos. Nespresso provides a range of coffee and blends that can be customized to suit your preferences and mood with decaffeinated and flavored choices. Their machines are small elegant, stylish, and simple to operate, making them the ideal choice for those who want an easy cup of coffee in the morning or a mid-day pick-me-up.

Original Nespresso machines, which made espresso-like shots using the company's Original capsules, were the only machines on the market until 2014, when the Vertuo line was launched. The Essenza Mini is the smallest model in the line. It's compact and has a small water tank and room for capsules that are used. Its easy operation, with just two buttons, one for espresso and the other for a lungo--makes it easy to master.

Unlike Keurig machines, which require you to add water manually before every use, all Nespresso models automatically dispose of any used capsule after brewing. They can store anywhere from four up to twelve used pods depending on the size of their water reservoirs as well as capsule storage. They are then disposed of into a built in receptacle every time you open the machine.

Some of the most popular models are also compatible with the brand's mobile app that lets you modify recipes and order capsules from home. We tested this feature on the sleek stainless steel Vertuo Creatista, which also offers the option to make hot chocolate and iced coffee using an ice-making chamber that is specifically designed for frothing. The only issue with the machine we test is that it does not support all types of milk. You'll need to purchase a separate frothing device in order to make drinks using whole or 2% almond milk.

The Original Line Original Line

The Original line of pod-only machines include the elegant Citiz and the Essenza Mini. Both models are pierced by the capsule, then pump hot water at high pressure, and produce an espresso or lungo. The Original machines have a higher pressure of 19 bars than some of the Vertuo models, which have pumps ranging from 15 to 18 bars.

The Original machines produce a crema (a thin layer of tiny microbubbles on top of the espresso) that is thicker and more affluent than the foam of the Vertuo line. nespresso pod machine is more than just froth, though--as the Spruce states, it could be responsible for as much as 25% of espresso's taste. The Original line comes with more expensive Creatista or Lattissima espresso machine with built-in milk frothers to make lattes and cappuccinos with the push of one button.

The Lattissima Line

This line of machines is ideal for those who enjoy milky coffee drinks like lattes and cappuccinos, and need a machine that does it all. It has three customizable recipes and its 4.2 ounce milk container can be removed and washed in the dishwasher. It's also lightweight, making it easy to move and store in a tight space. However, some users complain that it's not as intuitive to use as other Nespresso models.

The jug in this machine is marked with lines that indicate the kind of beverage you'd like. You can choose your beverage while the machine is heating up. It comes with a sensor that stops steaming at the moment it runs out of milk.

The Lattissima One offers a great value for money. It's available in four colors including porcelain white, dark gray and silky-white. It's easy to clean and has a minimalistic aesthetic that won't overwhelm smaller spaces. The machine is also moderately priced, with a suggested retail cost of $385/PS279

Like the OriginalLine models, it has an automatic drip tray that collects any loose grounds as you pour your espresso. This feature is fantastic to prevent spills and overflow, which can ruin the flavor of your espresso.

The Pro and Gran Lattissima have larger water tanks than the Lattissima One. This allows them to hold more liquid without having to refill. The two models feature faster heating times (15 seconds for an Espresso and 25 seconds for a Lungo) and a hot water function that can be used to make iced or tea.

The only real disadvantage of the Lattissima line is the difficulty of changing the consistency of the milk foam. The machine only works with skim or almond milk. Sorry Vegans and people who are not tolerant to dairy. The wand for frothing is difficult to clean. This is a frequent complaint from Nespresso users. Fortunately, the Lattissima Pro and Gran Lattissima have a self-cleaning mechanism that cleans the milky innards after every use of the frothing.

The Vertuo Line

The Nespresso Vertuo makes a small but concentrated cup of coffee. It's ideal for espresso lovers. The machine scans the barcode that is located on the outer rim of each capsule to determine the amount of coffee it will make. Nespresso's Vertuo capsules are extracted using an innovative technology.

The Vertuo Line offers a wide selection of different drinks including Ristretto (mini espresso), Espresso, Lungo, Americano and Cappuccino. The machines can also be used in conjunction with the Nespresso Aeroccino Milk Frother to create frothy cappuccinos and lattes.

Each Vertuo Line machine heats up quickly and can be brewed within 30 seconds. They have a smaller reservoir of water than the Original Line and require less maintenance. There are many models to pick from, so you'll be able to find the one that is compatible with your style and budget.

Vertuo Line machines can also make regular filter coffee, unlike Original Line machines that only can brew Nespresso. They do this through a separate spout at the bottom of the machine.

VertuoLine machines have a brand new system of brewing that gently extracts espresso and coffee using patented centrifusion technology. This allows for the creation of natural crema that protects and enhances coffee aromas. The VertuoLine System also comes with an intelligent recognition feature that adapts the extraction parameters to match each Grand Cru blend.

Each VertuoLine machine comes with a manufacturer's guarantee and an initial pack of Nespresso capsules. The company also offers an optional subscription service that provides new Nespresso capsules every month.


There are many VertuoLine machines to pick from but the Nespresso VertuoPlus is our choice for best overall machine. It is easy to use, warms up quickly and comes in a range of colors. It can make five different sizes of espresso and coffee which include a ristretto lungo, espresso, and flat white. It also brews a latte macchiato and can be used with the Aeroccino milk frother to create a cappuccino or Latte.

The VertuoPlus has only one disadvantage, that it takes longer to brew when compared to other machines, especially when making an Americano. For instance, if you compare it to Bunn Fastbrew, which could brew 8-ounce Americano in just 42 seconds the Nespresso VertuoPlus brewed it in 1 minute and 51 seconds. You can speed up the process if you select an automatic mode.