Best Nespresso Machine: Six UK Machines Compared

Best Nespresso Machine: Six UK Machines Compared
Lisa Norberg
7 October, 2026

Best Nespresso machine: our top pick

The Nespresso Pixie is the best Nespresso machine for most espresso drinkers. TechRadar names the Pixie by Krups its best overall Nespresso machine in its 2026 guide, after testing machines in reviewers’ homes for several weeks. Nespresso UK lists the Pixie at £169.

It uses the Original capsule system, which suits espresso or lungo drinkers who want more choice beyond Nespresso-branded pods. Original capsules are designed for Ristretto, Espresso and Lungo drinks. If you prefer a large mug of coffee, choose a Vertuo model instead.

Six Nespresso machines and one UK bundle compared

The table compares six machines with one Vertuo Pop bundle. Prices are UK prices listed by Nespresso or Currys, checked on 7 September 2026. Nespresso Plus subscription prices are separate from standard machine prices.

Machine System Listed price Best for
Nespresso Pixie Original £169 Best overall for espresso and lungo
Nespresso Essenza Mini Original £69 One person or a small kitchen
Nespresso Vertuo Pop Vertuo £99 Lower-cost entry to larger drinks
Nespresso Vertuo Pop+ Vertuo £139 Compact Vertuo buying
Nespresso CitiZ Original £189 Espresso drinkers wanting a step up from the Mini
Nespresso CitiZ&Milk Original £239 Original coffee with a milk option
Vertuo Pop Barista Bundle Vertuo £109 Large drinks with a milk-frother bundle

Nespresso lists the Pixie, Essenza Mini, CitiZ and CitiZ&Milk on its UK Original machine range, and the Vertuo Pop and Pop+ on its UK Vertuo machine range. Currys lists the Vertuo Pop at £99 and the Vertuo Pop Barista Bundle at £109.

Nespresso Original versus Vertuo

Choose Original for espresso-sized drinks and broader third-party pod choice; choose Vertuo for several drink sizes, including large mugs. Original and Vertuo use different capsules, and the pods are not interchangeable.

Choose Original if you want Choose Vertuo if you want
Ristretto, Espresso or Lungo drinks Espresso-sized drinks and mug-sized coffee
A wider choice of third-party capsules Several cup sizes from one system
A Pixie, Essenza Mini, CitiZ or another Original model A Vertuo Pop, Pop+, Next or another Vertuo model

Which? reports that Vertuo capsules cost more than Original capsules and are currently mainly available directly through Nespresso. That makes Original the more flexible choice for shoppers who want to compare pod brands. Nespresso explains the distinction in its Original and Vertuo guide.

Vertuo capsules use Nespresso’s Centrifusion brewing system, which spins the capsule during brewing. Each capsule has a barcode that controls the brewing parameters. The Vertuo Pop sold by Currys supports 25 ml Ristretto, 40 ml Espresso, 80 ml Double Espresso, 150 ml Gran Lungo, 230 ml Mug and 355 ml Large Mug sizes.

Which Nespresso machine is best for your home?

  • For one person: choose the Essenza Mini for the lowest listed price and espresso or lungo drinks. Choose the Pixie if you prefer TechRadar’s tested recommendation.
  • For espresso drinkers: choose the Pixie, Essenza Mini or CitiZ. All are Original machines, so size and price are more relevant than large-mug capacity.
  • For large mugs: choose the Vertuo Pop or another Vertuo machine. The system covers mug-sized drinks as well as espresso-sized servings.
  • For several drinkers: choose Vertuo for more serving sizes, or Original for the broader third-party capsule market.
  • For milk drinks: choose the CitiZ&Milk at £239 or the Vertuo Pop Barista Bundle at £109. Nespresso’s Original range also includes the Lattissima One at £279, Gran Lattissima at £419, Creatista Plus at £529 and Creatista Pro at £729.

Best budget Nespresso machine

The Essenza Mini is the cheapest standard Original machine in Nespresso UK’s listed range at £69. It is the sensible budget option for espresso-style drinks and Original capsules.

The Vertuo Pop is the budget choice for the Vertuo system. TechRadar names it its best budget Nespresso machine. Currys lists the De’Longhi Vertuo Pop ENV90.B at £99, with a 0.6-litre water tank, six cup sizes, app compatibility and a two-year guarantee. TechRadar describes its small tank as a disadvantage when making several drinks consecutively.

Currys also lists a Krups Vertuo Pop XN920440 at £49, reduced from a stated previous price of £99.99. Its listing gives it a 0.56-litre tank, four cup sizes, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and a two-year guarantee.

Nespresso machines with a milk frother

Buy the Vertuo Pop Barista Bundle if you want a Vertuo machine and a frother together. Currys lists the bundle at £109, with a 0.6-litre tank, app compatibility and a two-year guarantee. The standard Vertuo Pop does not have an integrated milk frother.

For Original, the CitiZ&Milk is the named option in Nespresso UK’s range. Other models with milk preparation include the Lattissima One, Gran Lattissima, Creatista Plus and Creatista Pro.

Pods, compatibility and ownership costs

Original machines accept Original capsules only, and Vertuo machines accept Vertuo capsules only. Original has a wider third-party capsule choice in the UK, while Vertuo capsules are mainly sold directly through Nespresso and cost more according to Which?.

Original aluminium capsules can be recycled through Nespresso’s collection service, boutiques and designated UK and Ireland drop-off points. Nespresso also offers machine assistance, spare-parts support and repair help through its UK service, including the telephone number 0800 442 442.

Nespresso lists some Vertuo machines at lower Nespresso Plus prices, including the Vertuo Pop at £49, Vertuo Next at £79 and Vertuo Next Premium at £109. These are subscription prices rather than standard machine prices.

How to choose and use a Nespresso machine

  1. Pick the system first. Select Original for espresso, lungo and wider pod choice, or Vertuo for larger mugs and more cup sizes.
  2. Match the drink size. Original capsules are designed around 25 ml, 40 ml and 110 ml drinks. Vertuo includes larger options such as 230 ml Mug and 355 ml Large Mug.
  3. Decide on milk preparation. Choose the CitiZ&Milk, a Vertuo bundle or another listed milk-focused model.
  4. Compare the ongoing choice. Original offers more third-party options; Vertuo gives barcode-controlled brewing and larger drink sizes.

Frequently asked questions

Which Nespresso machine is worth buying?

The Pixie is worth buying for most espresso and lungo drinkers: TechRadar names it the best overall Nespresso machine in its 2026 guide, and Nespresso UK lists it at £169. Choose the Essenza Mini for the lowest listed Original price, or choose Vertuo if large mug-sized drinks matter more than third-party pod choice.

What is the best Nespresso machine for home use?

For a small household that mainly drinks espresso, the Essenza Mini or Pixie is the most straightforward fit. For large mugs, several cup sizes or coffee for more than one person, choose a Vertuo model. For milk drinks, choose the CitiZ&Milk or the Vertuo Pop Barista Bundle.

Relaterade artiklar

What is a lifetime isa in the UK

What is a lifetime isa in the UK

  • Nyheter
Discover what a Lifetime ISA is: a tax-free UK savings account for 18-39 year olds to buy a first home or save for retirement. Get a 25% government bonus up…
Martin Lewis best savings account for 2025

Martin Lewis best savings account for 2025

  • Nyheter
Discover Martin Lewis's top picks for the best savings accounts in the UK for 2025, including easy access at 4.5% AER, high-interest regular savers up to 7.5%, child ISAs, and…
Copyright @ 2026