How to use a Nespresso machine to make espresso drinks at home

Making espresso at home is a work of art, but usually requires training and the best espresso machines that use steam and a massive amount of pressure to produce the ideal shot. If you don't have the space or budget to invest in a true espresso maker, the best Nespresso machine might be an ideal alternative.

"A Nespresso machine works the same way an espresso machine does, using pressure, but on a much smaller and potentially less-consistent scale," says Owen Burke, former senior reporter and espresso expert at Insider Reviews. "It is incredibly easy for someone to use, and while it doesn't produce espresso by definition, it's as close as you're going to get for as little effort as possible." 

According to Burke, the "espresso" that comes out of a Nespresso machine doesn't have enough TDS, or total dissolved solids, to qualify as a true espresso. That being said, it does create a fantastic base for espresso-style drinks like lattes and cappuccinos and is a reasonable substitute for those longing for a demitasse of this rich and intense decoction.

Setting up a Nespresso machine

Before its first use, it's important to rinse and clean the water tank, filling it with fresh drinking water. Switch the Nespresso on and let the machine warm up for about 25 seconds — its lights will blink green as it's warming up then turn solid green when it's ready. 

Place a cup under the spout and once the light is steady, run the machine without a capsule using the Lungo setting — the one that uses the most amount of water, symbolized by the tallest cup — in order to clean the machine. Repeat three times, throwing out the expelled water.

What do the settings mean?

Depending on the model, you'll see anywhere from two to five or more buttons indicating drink sizes. The Original line Nespressos, like the Pixie, Essenza mini, and the Citiz, only make espresso and will have two to three buttons. The Vertuo line includes all three espresso settings, plus additional options for regular coffee, symbolized by a tall coffee mug. And the Latissima line, which has a self-contained milk frother, offers additional one-touch settings such as latte, macchiato, cappuccino, and flat white, each with distinctive symbols that show their respective ratios of milk to espresso. Here are the basics:

Ristretto (Italian for "restricted") uses the least amount of water and is the most concentrated. It produces a 25-milliliter or .84-ounce shot and is symbolized by a small espresso cup. 

The Espresso setting will give you a 40-milliliter or 1.35-ounce pour and is depicted as a medium-sized espresso cup.

Lungo pours are 110 milliliters or 3.72 ounces and have a large portion of water added, making them most similar to an Americano. It is symbolized by the largest espresso cup of the three.

What pods should I use?

Nespresso makes its own brand of aluminum pods meant to be used with their machines, available directly through their website or through several major department stores and retailers. The range of coffees spans single-origin to flavored blends, with seasonal and special edition releases throughout the year. What's important is that Original line machines only take Original pods, and Vertuo models are only compatible with Vertuo pods. 

Burke says that there are also several other alternatives that make Nespresso Original-compatible pods, as well as reusable versions that can be refilled at home, like Seal Pods. Note that Keurig K-Cups, Vittoria Espressotoria, K-Fee, and soft pods will not work in a Nespresso machine.   

Insider's takeaway

Nespresso machines are an extremely user-friendly way to replicate the coffeehouse experience at home. While they don't make a true espresso, it's as close to a true espresso as you'll get without having to invest in a full espresso system. With one of the best Nespresso machines, you can enjoy lattes, cappuccinos, Americanos, and more right in the comfort of your own home in just a few easy steps.