Is Nespresso Worth It? Find Out from this Ultimate Guide

What is a Nespresso Machine?

Nespresso machines are single-serve coffee machines that use pre-packaged coffee capsules, or pods, to brew coffee.

There are two types of Nespresso machines, the OriginalLine and the VertuoLine machines.

Before we get into the nitty-gritty of whether Nespresso machines are worth getting, it’s important to understand the difference between the two types of Nespresso machines.

OriginalLine and VertuoLine

The OriginalLine machines are the classic Nespresso machines - tried, true, and loved. Compared to the VertuoLine machines, they use smaller pods that are designed for espresso-style coffee drinks. Third-party Nespresso-compatible capsules are also available for the OriginalLine, resulting in a greater variety of coffee types at a lower cost.

The VertuoLine machines, on the other hand, use larger, barcode-enabled pods. These machines use the barcode to fine-tune your coffee maker settings to the pod in question. They are designed to brew a variety of coffee sizes and styles, including espresso, double espresso, lungo, and larger coffee drinks.

Now that you know the differences between the OriginalLine and VertuoLine machines, let’s dive in on whether Nespresso machines are worth getting.

Is a Nespresso Machine Worth It?

Okay, let's take a hard look at Nespresso machines so you can decide if making coffee with one is really worth the hype and expense.

Good Coffee Quality

Let’s get something clear off the bat. Pod coffee will never taste as good as coffee made with fresh coffee beans (they say "never say never", but we stand firm on this one).

Further, Nespresso espresso is not exactly what coffee aficionados would call a true authentic espresso. Espresso is made by forcing hot water at 9 bars through fine coffee grounds in a portafilter. Neither the OriginalLine nor the VertuoLine Nespresso machines do that.

With that being said, Nespresso does deliver something pretty close to espresso. Further, the VertuoLine does an excellent job with higher volume coffees.

Although you should not expect café quality drinks with your Nespresso, the drinks are quite good given the level of effort needed to make them. And you won’t have to measure, grind and tamp your coffee.

In short: Nespresso machines make decent coffee drinks quickly and conveniently. But they won’t impress any coffee aficionados. 

Easy and Convenient Beverages

This is where Nespresso shines. All Nespresso machines are very convenient and easy to use.

All you have to do is pop a capsule in, press a button, and wait a few seconds for your machine to finish brewing coffee.

Nespresso made sure their machines are extremely intuitive to use. The user interface tends to be self-explanatory; you most likely won’t need to read the manual to learn most of your machine’s functions.

Some higher-end machines even come with one-touch coffee recipes such as lattes, cappuccinos or flat whites and a 3-second heat-up time.

If you are not a morning person and cannot function without coffee then you’ll definitely appreciate the convenience of capsule coffee.

In short: Nespresso machines are the most convenient way to make third-wave coffee drinks, including Instagram-worthy layered latte macchiatos!

Effortless Cleaning and Maintenance

In general, most Nespresso machines are extremely easy to clean and maintain. You won’t need to worry about spilled coffee grounds or dirty coffee filters.

Most of the time, all you’ll have to worry about is emptying the drip tray and spent capsule container. Yes, you will eventually need to descale your Nespresso but that should only occur a few times per year.

Obviously, if your machine comes with a milk frother you better clean that too.

It should be noted that the Nespresso Lattissima series are not as easy to clean. They require a thorough cleaning of their built-in milk frother which involves disassembling and soaking the milk frother pieces for 30 minutes.

In short: You’ll spend virtually no time cleaning and maintaining most Nespresso coffee makers.

Cost of a Nespresso Machine

Nespresso machines do carry a cheaper price tag than non-pod espresso machines, but the savings might only be temporary because the cost of pods quickly adds up.

For example, the De’Longhi Dinamica is an automatic bean-to-cup espresso machine that carries a price tag of around $1,500. If you indulge in one cup of coffee per day then you'll spend about $90 to $100  per year on coffee (based on $0.02 per gram of coffee and assuming a 13-gram single-shot per day for a year).

Keep in mind that there are other espresso machines like the De'Longhi Magnifica ESAM 3300 that can cost significantly less.

A Nespresso machine with a built-in frother will cost around $500-$700. However, each Nespresso pod costs between $0.80 to $1.20, resulting in a yearly coffee cost between $290 to $440. So the coffee cost of operating single-serve coffee machines should not be underestimated!

Ultimately, in a few years, the overall cost of owning a Nespresso machine will catch up with higher-end espresso machines. The following table illustrates this:

As can be seen from the above table, the cost of owning a Nespresso machine widely ranges, depending on the machine and your favorite type of capsules.

However, regardless of which machine or capsules you get, purchasing a Nespresso machine makes much more financial sense than buying daily coffee from a coffee shop.

But after a few years, purchasing and owning a Nespresso machine may be more expensive than buying and owning a higher-end super-automatic espresso machine.

In short: The initial cost of Nespresso machines is low and in the long run, is much cheaper than buying a cup of joe. However, the capsule cost will exceed the initial and operating costs of a full-blown home espresso machine after a few years.

The Environmental Impacts of Nespresso Machines

Nespresso machines pose environmental impacts due to the production, use, and disposal of coffee pods.

 

• Production: The manufacturing of Nespresso capsules requires energy, resources, and raw materials such as aluminum and plastic. While Nespresso has made efforts to improve the sustainability of its production processes, the production of single-use coffee pods still has an environmental impact.
  
  
• Disposal: The biggest environmental concern with Nespresso machines is the disposal of used coffee pods. Nespresso pods are made of aluminum, which may not be easily recyclable in many countries. This means that used pods often end up in landfills, where they can take hundreds of years to break down. Nespresso has introduced recycling programs in many countries, where users can send used capsules back to the company for recycling.

It should be noted that the OriginalLine Nespresso machines can potentially be less polluting because they are compatible with 3rd party re-usable capsules. The reusable pods obviously mean less waste but also give you the option to use environmentally friendly coffee beans.

However, the VertuoLine machines are not compatible with third-party pods.

Nespresso has been working to reduce its environmental impact through initiatives such as sourcing sustainable coffee and promoting recycling programs.

You may have heard about a study claiming that single-serve pod machines are the most environmentally friendly way to make coffee.

 

However, we are highly skeptical of the initial assumptions of the study. We’ll write an article with further details soon.

In short: Nespresso machines generate a lot of waste, despite the capsules being recyclable. The waste impacts can be mitigated if you use reusable capsules with the OriginalLine machines.

Nespresso Machines: The Pros And Cons You Need To Know

Okay, it's time to weigh the pros and cons. This is a crucial step if you are trying to decide if a Nespresso machine is worth the investment or not.

Here are some pros and cons to consider:

Pros

• Convenience: Nespresso machines are easy to use and provide a quick and easy way to make a good cup of coffee.
  
  
• Variety: Enjoy a wide variety of coffee flavors and strengths to choose from.
  
  
• Consistent Coffee Quality: Nespresso machines consistently brew decent-quality coffee drinks. They will not be as good as espresso drinks from a coffee shop, but your coffee will always be the same quality. If you thrive on having a dependable cup of coffee every morning then Nespresso is for you.
  
  
• Initial Cost: Nespresso machines are initially less expensive than full-blown espresso machines.

Cons

• Operating cost: Nespresso machines' capsules are more expensive than whole-bean or pre-ground coffee. This cost can surpass the total cost of a high-end automatic espresso machine in a few years.
  
  
• Limited customization: While Nespresso offers a variety of coffee flavors and strengths, you can't customize the coffee as you would with a traditional coffee maker.
  
  
• Waste: Even though Nespresso offers a recycling program for their capsules, the use of single-use capsules still generates waste and most capsules end up in landfills.
  
  
• Good but not amazing coffee quality: While Nespresso can brew a mean cup of joe, nothing beats the aroma of espressos or coffees made with fresh beans. Also, Nespresso espresso is not true espresso - but close.

How is Nespresso Different From Drip Coffee?

You're ready for a change, but it's a hard decision to say 'goodbye' to your tried and true drip coffee maker. Nespresso coffee machines are spendy so you want to make sure you are investing in a coffee machine that is truly a must-have and not just a trendy fashion statement.

Let's compare Nespresso machines to drip coffee machines to decide if Nespresso is worth it.

Here are some key differences:

• Brewing method: Nespresso uses a pod or capsule system that forces hot water through the grounds under pressure, or uses centrifusion. Drip coffee makers use a filter (hence also known as filter coffee) that allows hot water to drip slowly through the coffee grounds.
  
  
• Time: Nespresso machines typically make coffee much faster than drip coffee makers, as the pods or capsules are pre-measured and require no manual measuring or grinding.
  
  
• Consistency: Nespresso machines produce a consistently good cup of coffee every time, while drip coffee can vary in taste and quality depending on factors such as the type of coffee bean used, the grind size,  the water-to-coffee ratio, and how consistent you are with your measurements.
  
  
• Taste: Drip coffee makers have the potential to make better coffee than Nespresso machines because you can use fresh coffee and any type of coffee. However, this is only true if you buy quality coffee beans.
  
  
• Customization: Drip coffee makers allow for more customization, as you can adjust the amount of coffee, grind size, and water-to-coffee ratio to your liking, while Nespresso machines have limited options for customization.
  
  
• Cleaning: After making a coffee with a Nespresso you won’t have to worry about cleaning unless it’s time to empty the drip tray or capsule container. With a drip coffee maker, you’ll have to remove the filter and wash the machine’s filter basket and carafe.

Who should get a Nespresso Machine?

Nespresso machines are a good choice for anyone who enjoys drinking espresso or other types of coffee drinks at home with little to no tinkering. They are also ideal for busy people who are on the go but need a quick and easy way to make different types of coffee.

Indeed, the at-home machines give you coffee almost instantaneously and are particularly convenient for people who don't want to spend time grinding coffee beans, measuring out the right amount of coffee, and cleaning up the mess afterward. You get all of the perks without the mess.

Another factor to consider is that a Nespresso machine can help you save money if you regularly go to coffee houses for your caffeine-laden beverages.  You can avoid the high monthly coffee cost that you incur at a coffee shop.

Who Should NOT get a Nespresso Machine?

While Nespresso machines are great for many people, there are some who may not benefit from owning one.

Here are a few examples of people who should NOT get a Nespresso machine:

• Coffee connoisseurs: If you are someone who is very particular about the taste of your coffee and prefers to grind and brew your own beans to achieve the perfect espresso cup, a Nespresso machine will most likely disappoint you.
  
  
• Large households: If you live in a large household where multiple people drink coffee regularly, a Nespresso machine may not be practical. The small size of the pods means that they may need to be replaced frequently, and the cost of pods can quickly add up over time. Unless you are buying the Nespresso Vertuo Next, which brews carafe coffee.
  
  
• Green consumers: Nespresso pods can be recycled, but unfortunately much of the recyclable waste ends up in the landfill. As such, Nespresso pods contribute to environmental waste. If you are someone who is passionate about reducing your carbon footprint, you may want to consider a different type of coffee maker while using sustainably sourced coffee beans.
  
  
• Budget-conscious consumers: While Nespresso machines are convenient, they can be relatively expensive compared to other types of coffee makers, especially since the cost of pods will add up over time, making it an expensive option for people on a tight budget.

The Verdict: Is Nespresso Worth It?

Yes, Nespresso machines are definitely worth it if you do not have the time or the propensity to learn how to make a perfect espresso shot, yet still need a great-tasting coffee to get your day started.

If this sounds like you (i.e., not a coffee nerd), we recommend buying a Nespresso machine.

Related Reads:

• Nespresso Breville vs Delonghi Machines: Which Is the Best?
• The Best Nespresso Vertuo Pods + Other Contenders
• Troubleshooting the Nespresso Blinking Orange Light and How to Fix it!
• Nespresso Creatista Plus Review - Is It Worth It?

Frequently Asked Questions

Bottom Line

There you have it! We have assessed various factors to help you decide whether getting a Nespresso machine is worth your money.

Nespresso machines are a great choice if you want to enjoy high-quality coffee drinks at home without the hassle of grinding beans, measuring coffee, and cleaning up the mess.

They are particularly convenient if you enjoy a variety of coffee choices and don't want to invest in expensive coffee-making equipment.