How do you like coffee in the morning? If the answer is “fast”, then a Nespresso coffee machine is for you. They're more compact than manual coffee machines, and instead of grinding beans, tamping them down, and worrying about extraction times, you simply insert the pod and press a button.
When choosing a Nespresso coffee machine, note that there are two different types: those that use Nespresso Original capsules and those that use Nespresso Vertuo capsules.
1. Nespresso Vertuo Pop
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If you have a tiny kitchen, a small budget, or both, this is the best Nespresso coffee machine for you. It uses Nespresso Vertuo capsules and is one of the cheapest models, often discounted for under $100/£60/AU$100 during sales like Black Friday (which is quickly approaching).
It's not a complicated machine. If you want to add textured milk to your drink, you will need a separate frother, such as a Nespresso Aeroccino. The water reservoir is quite small, with only one spout, so you can only pour one drink at a time. However, it is built to last and is easy to use and keep clean.
Another one of the best features of the Vertuo Pop is that it is available in a wide variety of colors. I have a sunny yellow version in my kitchen, but there are plenty to choose from. A few months ago the company released it in a shade called Candy pinkand more recently, soft pistachio and pastel yellow versions have been added to coincide with the release of the limited edition. Coconut Vanilla And pistachio vanilla cold brew capsules.
Read our full Nespresso Vertuo Pop review
2. De'Longhi Lattissima One
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If you like to start your day with a latte or cappuccino, check out Lattissima One. This is one of the few Nespresso machines with its own milk steamer, allowing you to prepare real milk drinks at the touch of a button. Of course, it won't do the latte art for you, but it has everything you need.
The milk container is removable and has a lid so you can store it in the refrigerator between uses and avoid waste. Both it and the Lattissima One water tank are dishwasher safe, making cleaning easy.
Like the Nespresso Vertuo Pop, it's single-serve (larger Nespresso machines are available), but there's no easier way to whip up a milk-based coffee drink when you're rushing to work. In our testing, we found that it worked well with both dairy milk and plant-based milk alternatives, creating a rich, silky microfoam every time.
Read our full Review of De'Longhi Lattissima One
3. DualBrew Ninja Prestige System
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The Ninja Prestige DualBrew System (and the nearly identical Ninja Espresso and Coffee Maker Barista System sold in the US) doesn't just brew delicious espresso in seconds, it also includes a full-size drip coffee maker.
It's an ingenious design that gives you two of the most convenient ways to make your morning drink in one machine. Either fill the brew basket with ground coffee before bed, set the timer and wake up to a hot pitcher full of delicious brew, or add a Nespresso Original capsule and enjoy rich espresso without any effort.
It's the little things that make the DualBrew system special. For example, the burner underneath the pour-over carafe has adjustable time and temperature settings, so you can keep your coffee nicely warm without the risk of it going out. Remove the carafe to reveal a flip-out drip tray, allowing you to pour coffee directly into a cup or travel mug.
You can also adjust the height of the espresso drip tray to accommodate different sized cups, and there's a collapsible milk frother on the sides of the machine so you can turn Nespresso drinks into lattes or cappuccinos. It doesn't heat the milk like a steam wand, but Ninja's designers added a “recipe” label telling you how long to microwave the milk and then froth the milk for different drinks.
It's not small, but it has everything you need for your coffee station and is a lot of fun to use even when you're half asleep and bleary-eyed in the morning.
Read our full Ninja Prestige DualBrew System Review
