The Best Nespresso pod coffee machines UK means you don’t need to mess around with buying coffee beans and grinding them. Coffee pod machines also produce consistent results that are notoriously difficult to attain using standard espresso machines and most bean-to-cup models. With a capsule machine you simply load in the pod, hit the button and out comes a stream of strong crema-topped black gold every bit as punchy as the last one. How much is Nespresso machine prices and what are customers saying in their Nespresso machine reviews?
How we test best Nespresso pod coffee machines UK?
From espresso to cappuccino, we sip our way through a range of coffees to find the best machines. We also pull an espresso and assess each shot by looking at the thickness and colour of the crema, and we take a temperature reading to ensure the shot isn’t too hot or too cool – it should be between 60-75C.
Whether testing bean-to-cup, espresso or pod machines, we use coffee with the same tasting notes – caramel, biscuit and chocolate. Then, a shot is given to an independent coffee expert who scores it in four key areas (for best Nespresso pod coffee machines UK):
– Taste: there should be a balance of tones, like you’d find in a good wine. An initial sweet acidity should be followed by richer, mellow tones.
– Aroma: it should be warming, rich and well-balanced. We should be able to detect individual notes.
– Body: the shot shouldn’t be too thick or too thin.
– Crema quality: the crema should be rich but not too pale or dark, more of a chestnut or hazelnut colour. The crema should also last until the end of the drink.
If the coffee machine has a milk frother, we steam milk and non-dairy milk to see how the results compare. We also take a temperature reading and leave the milk for five minutes to check the stability of the foam. Every test is conducted twice to check the consistency. How much is Nespresso machine prices?
Which are the best Nespresso pod coffee machines in UK?
1. BEST FOR COFFEE TASTE – Nespresso Creatista Plus Coffee Machine by Sage
The only model on this list with a steam wand, this Nespresso machine makes three sizes of coffee, with three programmed milk-based coffees, plus hot foam. It’s the milk options you can really customise here – there are 11 temperature settings, and eight texture levels. The steam wand is easy to use and self-purges when steaming has finished to ensure it stays clean and milk free.
This model scored full marks for the espressos made; they were consistently the correct temperature and had a thick, robust crema. Our coffee expert was impressed with the taste, picking out sweet brown sugar and notes of toffee apple. When making milk-based coffees, all coffees were too hot by between 5 and 20C. The milk itself was velvety and stable, but you wouldn’t be able to enjoy your coffee straight away. It is one of the best Nespresso pod coffee machines in UK.
Key specifications
Water tank capacity: 1.5 litres
Milk frother: Yes – automatic frother
Pod type: The Original Nespresso pods
Programmes: Espresso, large espresso, ristretto, macchiato, cappuccino, latte, flat white, hot foam
This Nespresso machine prices £399.95 at johnlewis.
2. BEST FOR MAKING COFFEE QUICKLY – De’Longhi Gran Lattissima Capsule Coffee Machine
This is the latest addition to the Gran Lattissima range. It has six programmed milk-based options – including latte and flat white, plus foam for extra customisation – and three coffee sizes, all delivered at the touch of a button. We found this made a technically excellent espresso. Our expert picked out chocolate and hazelnut aromas and tasted subtle cacao notes with a slight sharpness. However, we did notice quite a bit of dripping once each espresso had been poured.
When it came to the milk, when frothed it was always smooth and glossy. It was also fast, taking just 35 seconds to pour a cappuccino. Though we did find the milk was consistently 3 or 4 degrees hotter than it should have been. It is another one of the best Nespresso pod coffee machines in UK.
Key specifications
Water tank capacity: 1.3 litres
Milk frother: Yes – automatic frother
Pod type: The Original Nespresso pods
Programmes: Espresso, large espresso, ristretto, macchiato, cappuccino, latte, flat white, hot foam, hot milk
This Nespresso machine prices £349.99 at johnlewis.
3. BEST VALUE NESPRESSO COFFEE MACHINE – Lattissima One EN500W Coffee Machine
This innovative, compact machine from the Nespresso/Delonghi’s collaboration has two coffee options – espresso and lungo – but the clever bit is that it’s designed to take a single serve of milk to reduce wastage. Lines clearly show how much to use for the two milk-based options and a sensor ensures there’s none left over. While it lacks the variety of programmed coffees of the Gran Lattissima, it’s a good option if cappuccino and lattes are your go-to.
It performed consistently well on test; shot after shot had a great crema and was the ideal temperature. Our expert judged it well-balanced, with a woody flavour and had a good level of acidity, but felt the shot was a little bland overall. We also noticed that there was some dripping after pouring a shot and while the milk was on the whole, smooth and velvety, the machine consistently underheated and overheated the milk by a few degrees. It is one of the popular Nespresso pod coffee machines in UK.
Key specifications
Water tank capacity: 1 litre
Milk frother: Yes – automatic frother
Pod type: The Original Nespresso pods
Programmes: Espresso, large espresso, cappuccino, macchiato
This Nespresso machine prices £149.00 at Currys.
4. Krups Nespresso vertuo XN901840 coffee machine
Nespresso has been at the forefront trying to give its customers new and revolutionary ways to brew coffee. And the Nespresso Vertuo Coffee Machine is among its best units yet. The vertuo makes use of Nespresso’s patented extraction tech called Centrifusion. Once you insert your capsule, the technology spins it at speeds of up to 7000 rpm to blend the coffee and water for a rich crema brew.
But the automatic blend recognition has to be where the system excels. Thanks to this intelligent system that uses barcodes on the capsules, each coffee type is easily recognised and the brewing parameters automatically changed for the best results. The interface offers simple, one touch brewing for up to four different cup sizes namely the 414ml full brew, the 230ml mug, the 150ml Lungo and the infamous 40 espresso.
This Nespresso machine prices £115 at Currys
5. Krups Nespresso expert coffee machine
This is a comprehensively featured capsule machine from Nespresso with several slightly unnecessary smart functions. If you’re looking to take convenient and effortless brewing to the next level, then look no further. The expert machine lets you make coffee without having to do boring things like stand up, walk, or press buttons.
Thanks to Bluetooth smart tech, this machine pairs easily with your smartphone for simplified machine care, assistance and other advanced functions. This means changing recipes, settings, schedules and drink types all from your phone. One feature worth noting is the speedy Aeroccino system that prepares light and creamy hot or cold milk froth. With an intelligent user interface, LED alerts and a flat-against-the-wall design, the expert machine is definitely inspired by the world of baristas.
This Nespresso machine prices £215.18 at John Lewis & Partners.
6. Krups Nespresso Essenza mini coffee machine
Are you low on both kitchen space and money but don’t want to give up on your dreams of homemade barista style coffee? Then this is the machine for you. As the name suggests, this is Nespresso’s most compact machine yet. At only 2.3kg, it’s effortlessly portable and will barely take up any space in the kitchen.
But don’t mistake the small size for weakness. With a powerful 19 bar high pressure pump, it can brawl with the best of them. So even if you’ll wait for a while when making multiple cups, each cup will take less than 30 seconds. With programmable one touch buttons for lungo and espresso, the essenza is as intuitive and user friendly as capsule machines get.
This Nespresso machine prices £89.99 at Argos
7. Krups Nespresso Inissia XN100140 coffee machine
Here’s another compact coffee machine that closely rivals the Essenza mini in terms of size and price. This particular model stands out from the other smaller models due to its folding tray that accommodates larger glasses.
Like Nespresso’s other larger models, there’s virtually no waiting around for the water to heat up. Juts one press of the button and the water reaches the ideal temperature to make nine coffees in just 25 seconds. It also uses a 19 bar pressure pump for barista style cups of coffee every time.
This Nespresso machine prices £59.99 at Currys
How to buy a Nespresso pod coffee machine?
1. Tank size
Every pod machine will have a refillable water tank so check its size before you buy. Anything less than a litre will require more frequent topping up, especially if you prefer long drinks. Some can be filled in-situ (for moments when you realise the water’s about to run out). Others will need to removed – if you have a small kitchen sink or short tap, check that you can fit the tank below the spout easily.
2. Bar pressure
This is how much force the machine uses to pump the water through the pod. Look for a minimum of 15 for a pro-style crema, though machines designed to handle a wide range of drinks can be lower.
3. Milk frothing
There are two ways a pod coffee machines can make frothy cappuccinos, lattes and flat whites. The first is by using dried or UHT milk pods – these are great if you don’t have access to a fridge but may not be to everyone’s taste. The other is by a separate or conjoined milk frother, such as the Aeroccino that often accompanies Nespresso machines.
4. Drink size
Great for those who like an espresso in the morning, but a latte at weekends, some machines have a choice of different-sized beverages. Often there is the ability to adjust the amount of water dispensed to suit your taste. You may also be able to save your favourite settings to create easily reproduced personalised drinks. The latest crop of coffee machines can even be controlled by an app, so you can set them to brew the moment you step out of the shower.
5. Spout size
Check there’s enough room for your favourite cup beneath the spout. Some pod coffee machines have narrow platforms that won’t accommodate big mugs. Espresso fans should look for spouts that drop down or adjustable cup platforms that raise smaller cups towards the spout. This not only helps prevent splashes on the worktop, but makes for a thicker crema on your espresso.
What drinks can your pod coffee machine make?
Most of the mainstream pod coffee machines can make basic milky drinks, but it’s common to find those that can produce anything from a chai latte to a caramel macchiato. Some coffee machines can also make cold drinks, such as chilled tea or coffee. There’s the option of branded drinks with the Tassimo T-Disc coffee system.
Machines that use ESE pods (which resemble a round teabag) will only brew coffee or tea, while other systems favour a variety of single-origin coffee types rather than a range of drinks.
Nespresso machine reviews – what are users saying in Amazon?
1.
De’Longhi Lattissima Touch, Single Serve Capsule Coffee Machine, Automatic frothed milk, Cappuccino and Latte, EN550.BM, Black Titanium by De’Longhi
“it’s pretty solidly built (though while the product page says it’s …” – by Gordon on Nespresso machine reviews.
Mcvey (UK)Very narked to get back to this page to write the review and find that the machine is now £20 less than I paid less than a week ago!
As for the machine itself, it’s pretty solidly built (though while the product page says it’s made of stainless steel there’s more than a few plastic panels on it, just FYI). I bought it to replace a Tassimo machine, which required you to use these “milk discs” if you wanted milky coffees. Those consisted of UHT milk and I found them very nasty. This looked far better.
The biggest difference between the Tassimo and this machine was that the Tassimo pretty much configured itself based on the barcode of the inserted disc, whereas you have to do more of the setup yourself. There’s nothing stopping you from using an Espresso pod to make a Lungo drink and vice versa, .
2.
Nespresso XN760B40 Nespresso Citiz and Milk Coffee Machine, 1710 W, Silver by Krupsby NESPRESSO
“Hioefully better than the pprevious model.” – by Doug Scott (Paddock Wood, KENT United Kingdom) on Nespresso machine reviews.
An improvement on the previous model. but the replacement was necessitated by a water pump failure in that machine which was less than four years old.
3.
Nespresso Inissia Coffee Machine, Black by Magimix by NESPRESSO
“Magimix Nespresso” – by Steve on Nespresso machine reviews.
So easy to use, clean and refill with water.
Practical design allows for any size mug. (Nespresso pods are delivered from nespresso super quick)
4.
Nespresso Citiz and Milk Coffee Machine, Black by Magimix by NESPRESSO
“Best coffee machine yet” – by Mrs G Jones
Best coffee machine yet, I already have sage bean to cup coffee machine and I would say that the Magimix is much quicker and hassle free,would definitely recommend this to family and friends.
5.
Nespresso BNE800 Creatista Sage, Brushed, 1600 W, 1.5 liters, Stainless Steel (Plus) by NESPRESSO
“Perfection” – by Bobby (London) on Nespresso machine reviews.
This is the ultimate Nespresso maker. Breville combined the best of the best, an excellent, super fast heating Nespresso capsule espresso maker, and a good solid steamer. Then put it all in a package that is gorgeous. And included really simple, intuitive controls.
The instructions say, warms up in three seconds. Not 100% accurate, more like about 10 seconds from completely off to actually delivering espresso or steaming milk. That’s far better than the standard Nespresso machines that take around two minutes to warm up.
This uses a lot more electricity than the other models. The heating element and pump seem to be much larger. If your kitchen circuit is close to capacity, best to not run this and the toaster at the same time.
There is a small learning curve and not everything is super high quality. The steamer is super easy to use. However after you steam milk, have a towel ..
6.
Nespresso Essenza Mini Coffee Machine, Pure White Finish by Magimix by NESPRESSO
“Fantastic machine” – by Ann Stuart on Nespresso machine reviews.
Absolutely amazing value for money. I ordered this machine on Tuesday and I have received it today. I already had a magimix nespresso coffee machine and this one is so similar except half the size. I can throw this is my travel bag when I go on holidays. It takes up no amount of space in the kitchen but does a fantastic job of coffee. The aeroccino add a lovely frothy milk to the coffee. 10/10. Fantastic value for money.
7.
Nespresso Citiz Coffee Machine, Black by Magimix by NESPRESSO
Flavorsome Coffee Every Time!” – by stanley robinson on Nespresso machine reviews.
This machine using the Nespresso pods produces good quality coffee and besides that it is aesthetically pleasing toning in well where it is located in our kitchen.
8.
Nespresso Essenza Mini Coffee Machine, White by NESPRESSO
“Works perfectly” – by Sandra Porter on Nespresso machine reviews.
Little quety which works brilliantly. It’s very compact so we can take it with us on holidays to have the perfect coffee all the time. Because it is compact, the water tank is quite small but that is no problem as you can top it up when you need some more coffees.
9.
Nespresso Inissia Coffee Capsule Machine, White by Krups by NESPRESSO
“It is so much better. Makes excellent coffee quickly” – by Rambler (UK) on Nespresso machine reviews.
Bought this to replace my Dolce Gusto machine. It is so much better. Makes excellent coffee quickly. No mess, as pods drop into container and drips are collected in a small reservoir, so no more running to the bin with red hot dripping spent coffee pods! It’s a small and unobtrusive machine which sits neatly on the work surface. I’m very pleased. It arrived quickly and was well packed. Instructions seemed very clear to me.
10.
Nespresso, Pod Coffee Machine, Vertuo, Black finish by Krups, by NESPRESSO
“Excellent product, have ground and filtered coffee for years …” – by Amazon Customer
Excellent product, have ground and filtered coffee for years and was a bit sceptical able the results from machine. the coffee is excellent, lets hope Nespresso offer as many flavour’s for this machine as the original range.
11.
Nespresso Essenza Mini Coffee Machine with Aeroccino, Black by Krups by NESPRESSO
“So far so good” – by Alans
Bought for office use tp see how we got on before investing in a higher spec more robust machine – probably does 20 cups a day – 2 months in still going strong.
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