How to use delonghi nespresso vertuo machine

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We updated this article in December 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.

Our top picks:

• Best Overall Nespresso Machine

  Vertuo Plus Coffee and Espresso Maker Nespresso by De'Longhi Read More

• Best Value Nespresso Machine

  Essenza Mini Nespresso by Breville Read More

• Best Nespresso Machine for Lattes

  Creatista Plus Nespresso by Breville Read More

• Best Nespresso Machine for Beginners

  Gran Lattissima Espresso Machine Nespresso by De'Longhi Read More

• Best Breville Nespresso Maker

  Creatista Pro Nespresso by Breville Read More

• Best Smart Nespresso Machine

  Vertuo Next Nespresso by Breville Read More

• Best K-Cup and Nespresso Compatible Machine

  Instant Pod Coffee and Espresso Maker Instant Brands Read More

• Best Compact Nespresso Machine

  CitiZ Original Espresso Machine Nespresso by De'Longhi Read More

• Best Portable Nespresso Machine

  Nanopresso Wacaco Read More

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. And because nearly all of these are available through Amazon Prime, you can have one on your doorstep in one to two days—with plenty of time to spare before the holidays!

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Best Overall Nespresso Machine

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Best Value Nespresso Machine

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Best Nespresso Machine for Lattes

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Best Nespresso Machine for Beginners

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Best Breville Nespresso Maker

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Best Smart Nespresso Machine

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Best K-Cup and Nespresso Compatible Machine

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Best Compact Nespresso Machine

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Best Portable Nespresso Machine

How we test espresso and Nespresso machines

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.

What to look for when buying a Nespresso machine

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 machines, including the Creatista Series, the Essenza, the CitiZ and the Lattissima Series, produce espresso by forcing water through the top of a pod using 19 bars of pressure (much like a traditional espresso machine), eventually rupturing the foil at the bottom of the pod and allowing the espresso to flow out. Because the original machines operate more like real espresso machines, they can make espresso only, not coffee, and you should expect a more traditional level of crema. Original machines are also louder than VertuoLine machines because of this process.
• VertuoLine machines, first introduced in 2014 to appeal to the North American market, use a different technology that Nespresso likes to call “centrifusion”: Water flows in through the top of the dome-shaped capsule, mixes with espresso through centrifugal force, and then flows out through 20 punctures on the side of the capsule. As a result of this centrifusion process, the VertuoLine machines produce espresso with a thick layer of crema, and they also have the ability to make regular coffee.

✔️ 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 . Here's the difference:

• Original pods come in only one size. They are generally easier to find, less expensive and available in more varieties, although this may change. If you’re strictly an espresso fan and prefer a traditional level of crema, the original line will likely suit your needs.
• Vertuo pods have custom barcodes that the machines read in order to automatically produce the right drink every time, making them very easy to use. Vertuo pods also come in different sizes, so your larger drinks won’t be diluted. If you’re looking to make a wide variety of coffee drinks and want a machine that’s very easy to use (and can make coffee!), a VertuoLine model is your best bet.

✔️ 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 , 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.

Why trust Good Housekeeping?

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.