10 Best Nespresso Pod Coffee Machines 2021

A machine which will please Nespresso fans and coffee aficionados alike, the Citiz model allows the user to make a vast range of coffee drinks thanks to the integrated milk frother, which many pod machines usually lack.

It’s perfect for those who are starting out in the world of coffee machines yet want something with more freedom than the basic models out there. The two water-quantity buttons offer automatic espresso and lungo coffee preparation, but there is also a removable drip tray if you fancy a taller recipe.

Prefer to acquire to your particular tastes? Programme the controls to suit, so everything is done at the touch of a button.

As it is fitted with an Aeroccino milk frother, you don’t have to separately prepare and add the milk for your lattes or cappuccinos which means a lot less hassle, a quicker brew and more choice. It can heat and froth or just froth, so your cup can be made just how you like it.

Fitting the pods can be a bit fiddly, but we saw it’s easy to spot that they aren’t inserted properly before you turn the machine on so it isn’t wasted. It isn’t the best at adapting to different milk types though. We found thinner milk didn’t get frothy enough when poured in up to capacity, and full-fat overflowed if at capacity.

Having said that, the user interface is easy to adapt in order to suit everybody’s individual tastes. It switches off automatically after 9 minutes of not being used, which also saves power.

For the price, you get a capsule model which rivals some barista-style machines, plus it is compact to suit whatever countertop space you have. It is available without the milk frother, but it is well worth having the option.

A relatively new addition to the Original Nespresso line, this is a machine which will allow you to bring out your inner barista and craft your coffee just how you like it.

There is a milk frothing wand so you can easily add any finishing touches, whether you like to have a fully frothy cappuccino or just an ordinary coffee with a little more than crema. It is automatic, so even though you can act like a barista, you don’t have to have the skills of one to use it.

You get a stainless steel milk jug as a little extra which helps with the frothing process. This has a little spout which will allow you to do some latter art if needed. On the machine, you also get adjustable settings for coffee volume, milk temperature and milk texture so can make the coffee just how you wish.

The housing is plastic, but very stylish and modern so it will look great in your kitchen. Our only downside is a lack of on/off button, which means you have to wait for it to turn off after around ten minutes. To say this is our only niggle shows it is good stuff. It is a winner in our eyes, which is to be expected from Sage.

There is a pretty good chance that there is no better looking Nespresso machine than this. It even comes with an Aeroccino milk frother.

It uses the Nespresso capsules, which are available widely in shops and online. The pods are great quality, and pairing this with the technology of the GranMaestria means a quality cup of coffee which you’d be surprised came from a pod machine.

The milk frother means you can make tall drinks too, and it is whisper quiet so you won’t wake up your household. It uses one-touch operation, so isn’t overly complicated, and all you need to do is pop in the capsule and you’re good to go. Once finished, the machine will eject the used pod for less mess and cleanup too.

To finish it off, a 19 bar system extracts the most flavour from the pod, meaning you aren’t left underwhelmed.

A slightly different design to the Inissia by Magimix, but still the great performance.

It is a compact design, great for small kitchens, and has an auto shut-off feature after 9 minutes of inactivity so you don’t have to worry about it staying on all day when you are at work.

As it uses the famous Nespresso capsule system, you get 22 varieties of coffee with just one touch. It takes 25 seconds to deliver boiling water, so is great for anyone who wants a pod machine for the convenience.

The design means it can cater to a range of cup sizes, and the drip tray will catch any mess to save your worktops.

Is the one thing which is putting you off a pod machine the fact that they look like a pod machine?

You want something which people think is barista level. You can offer then a coffee and they think you’re fully trained when they drink it, but all you had to do was pop a pod into the holder.

This Lattissima Pro is ideal. It looks like a proper bean to cup or espresso machine but is so easy to use. There is an added milk frother, and the touchscreen interface is simple to navigate and choose from.

Think it will be more effort to clean, though? Think again. A simple button again can flush through the whole unit, ensuring it doesn’t suffer from the usual blockages and wears which affect other pod machines.

For anybody who wants to see what all the fuss about capsule machines is without spending a fortune, the Inissia is affordable and takes things back to basics.

Firstly, it takes up very little space on the kitchen countertop, so is perfect for any kitchen no matter the size. This does mean the water capacity is on the small scale, but as capsule machines are designed only to create one cup at a time, we found that this isn’t a big deal.

You aren’t just limited to using it in your kitchen, either – there is a handle, and it is very lightweight, so feel free to take it on holiday or even just store it away when not in use.

It is easy to insert the capsules, and empty ones are collected in a container which is quick to remove and cleanout. In fact, the whole machine is easy to clean, so keeping it in top condition is no hassle.

The coffee produced tastes high-end, and creating your cup couldn’t be easier. Controlling the quantity of water used is simple, so espressos and lungos are at the touch of a button. We will admit that the instructions provided aren’t the easiest to follow, so there was a lot of guesswork involved for the first few goes, but once you get the hang of things, you wonder how you ever even struggled.

After 9 minutes of being left in idle, the machine will turn off to save electricity, but it is easy to get up and running again with a heating time of under 25 seconds. You get 16 Nespresso Grands Crus capsules with your purchase so that you can get started straight away. Make sure they’re inserted properly, or they can easily get stuck or fall through without being pierced.

Pod machines are convenient, but often don’t give you the full barista experience or much adaptability. This is where the Creatista Plus steps up to the task while providing a style statement.

Firstly, there are three coffee volumes available from 25 to 150ml, so espressos are just as easy to make as standard coffee or lungo, without any need to change settings. Then, there is a milk frother built-in – but it isn’t just any milk frother.

Choose the ideal temperature from 56 to 76°C, as well as one of the eight milk frother settings (from 2 to 30 mm). So whether you like your coffee tepid and strong, or hot and milky, everything is adaptable.

The milk is frothed in a dedicated stainless steel jug, so if a bit of latte art is your thing, the pour spout allows it. We loved the fact that there are eight beverage selection options too, with three black coffee options, four milk-based and the milk froth.

The display also guides you through the steps for the selected coffee type, so even if you are crafting your very own Latte Macchiato for the first time, the instructions are there for you to read clearly.

The screen can also guide you through the cleaning and maintenance process, which is great as it looks like a complicated piece of kit on the outside but breaks it all down.

This is all without mentioning one of the most significant selling points; the super-fast 3 second heat time. In fact, it is so fast that it took us all by surprise for the first few start-ups. Waiting the average 25 seconds it takes other machines to heat up isn’t a massive strain, but until you have such a quick machine, you don’t know just how great it is.

Love the idea of a pod machine but worried your favourite lattes and cappuccinos would take too much effort to craft? The Lattissima Touch, with DeLonghi’s patented automatic cappuccino system, is your answer.

Nespresso machines with Aeroccino’s aren’t necessarily rare, but this one seems to have a bit of an edge as it does it all with no input from you. The inbuilt milk container gives you the option to vary your froth texture, and there are six recipes ready to be made at the touch of a button.

If you use alternative milk, such as soya or almond, you’ll be pleased to hear it handles them with no difficulty, unlike with a lot of other milk machines.

The container is removable and can be popped in the fridge if you want to prepare some milk ahead, make a hot chocolate with powder or use it cold, and the machine reminds you to clean it after every use, so it is all very hygienic.

A handy light comes on when everything needs cleaning and descaling, and all the steps must be followed meticulously for the light to turn off. While this is technically great for keeping everything in top condition, it can make it a bit of a long process, and it had a habit of starting from the beginning if we didn’t move it to the next step quickly enough.

We found it was a bit louder than most of the other Nespresso machines we reviewed, especially when frothing milk, but it is something you soon get used to. Also, you may have to preheat the cup with boiling water if you don’t want to have to gulp it all down as the temperature of the coffee produced isn’t the hottest.

The Vertuo range of coffee machines from Nespresso gives you the perfect mix of good coffee and technology, to craft an even better brew with even less effort.

There are four pre-programmed cup sizes available at the touch of a button, so you do not need to spend ages trying to get your coffee just right. Thanks to an intelligent extraction system, it also does a lot of the work for you.

Nespresso Vertuo’s automatic blend recognition barcode technology will read the pod to adjust the brewing parameters to each blend and capsule size, depending on the particular one you are using. This makes it the best option for anyone who prefers their coffee to not rely on espressos, such as different flavour blends or iced coffees.

Simply pop the pod into the holder and pull down the lever. Centrifusion power means it will spin at a rate of 7,000 rotations per minute, so you get the full flavour and a great crema with no hassle.

As the water tank is a generous 1.7L, you won’t have to refill it as much as with smaller models, which we think is great for anyone who is often in a rush in the mornings, or even if you like to make coffee for the whole family or one cup in the morning isn’t enough. We also think it is the best option for the office, as the variety of coffee will please everyone.

It will only take the Vertuo capsules – the Vertuo and Original pods aren’t interchangeable, and you can’t use cheaper non-brand pods either because of the automatic blend recognition technology. As long as the cost of only being able to buy Vertuo pods is okay with you, then this isn’t an issue.

If you’re after a capsule machine that is both space- and money-saving, then the Essenza Mini is pretty perfect.

This budget offering is easy to use, with two programmable flow-stop buttons, as well as being ultra-compact so great to move around and transport. Take it on holiday, on work trips or simply just store it away thanks to the handle.

Available in three colours, there is a style to suit every kitchen. We particularly like the white, as it looks fresh and modern while brightening up any space. It will turn itself off if not used for about 10 minutes, which is great to save energy or if you’re simply forgetful.

The coffee produced tastes similar to that from much more expensive models, so it is nice to be able to say that just because it is a lower price doesn’t mean it is lower quality. The crema on the top of the coffee is smooth, just like with a proper coffee shop brew.

You aren’t just limited to Nespresso pods either, as a lot of the cheaper non-branded or supermarket own alternatives on the market will fit – you just need to experiment to find the one for you. Nespresso does usually taste better, but alternatives can be great for those in-between times when you’re waiting for an order to arrive.

As it is mini, the capacity is the smallest out of those we reviewed, but as pod machines are only made to create one cup at a time, this isn’t a huge issue. It will only really take cups and mugs which are on the small side, though. The drip tray can be removed to accommodate larger sizes, but the machine does drip quite a lot, so this will get a bit messy!