Howdy, OK, I am not a coffee sophisticate like so many on here I have seen discuss coffee. I just like coffee, I do not want to spend my 401K on a espresso machine that is as complicated as a reactor, I do not want to spend hours sourcing, selecting and grinding esoteric coffee beans. I want a reliable machine I can put a pod into and get decent espresso or close to it. So many of the reviews I see are all about machines leaking and failing to function. Money is not the deciding factor in selection, quality and convenience are.

Anyone have a Nespresso type machine that works and makes good coffee/espresso?

A good grinder that you can dial in and a moka pot will get you damn close. More work than pods, but worth it.

2 months into the Bosch 500 which grinds and brews. So far pretty reliable and like it better than the Nespresso. Relatively easy to clean.

I think the Nespresso VirtuoPlus or Essenza are what you are looking for. Whenever we are traveling and these are in our room I get very close to purchasing one.

I have a mocha pot and it is cheap and reliable but not the same convenience as pods.

I was going to get a pod system but got turned onto the Breville Barista Touch. The touch screen basically walks you through everything. Had it since Christmas and I use it daily.

Did this a few years ago and ended up with a Nespresso Pixie. It takes the old style capsules. No coding, lots of market compatibility for other brands, just espresso. I find the new style virtuo's make everything 6/10 m, whereas the Pixie only does espresso, but it's 9/10.

We bought a Nespresso Pixie in 2020. Based on our typical consumption rate I estimate we've run over 4,000 pods through that machine, and we still use it daily. It is not as good as freshly ground and brewed espresso, but close enough that the convenience trade-off far surpasses the effort, time, and expense of a legit espresso setup for our tastes.

In my mind it's about 80% as good as real espresso for a daily commitment of about 30 seconds. I've watched my coffee nerd buddy go through the rigmarole of weighing and grinding beans, pulling the shot, cleaning out equipment, etc. for one serving, and it's not even close to being worth it to me for as good as the Nespresso is.

Scotts Tot said:

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We bought a Nespresso Pixie in 2020. Based on our typical consumption rate I estimate we've run over 4,000 pods through that machine, and we still use it daily. It is not as good as freshly ground and brewed espresso, but close enough that the convenience trade-off far surpasses the effort, time, and expense of a legit espresso setup for our tastes.

In my mind it's about 80% as good as real espresso for a daily commitment of about 30 seconds. I've watched my coffee nerd buddy go through the rigmarole of weighing and grinding beans, pulling the shot, cleaning out equipment, etc. for one serving, and it's not even close to being worth it to me for as good as the Nespresso is.

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We had exactly the same experience. My wife is gonna put vanilla creamer and cinnamon on top of it, then ice it. I don't need the extra 10% of quality doing all that brings.

HTownAg98 said:

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A good grinder that you can dial in and a moka pot will get you damn close. More work than pods, but worth it.

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That's some prime TexAgs'ing right there!

Not just Htown. 80% of replies are non-pod solutions. :0

Get a moka pot and a $100 burr grinder.

That's because nespressos suck. The company just latches onto you and sucks you dry as you fork out cash to buy their pods.

1) Acquire moka pot
2) acquire burr grinder
3) buy beans from Costco
4) enjoy

I know it's not what you asked…
Went thru this a few years back… did two of the Nespresso pod machines. Got tired of dealing w the pods..

Ended up w a Jura J8 machine. Spouse found one for half the price at Sam's ( "last year model"…)

It does regular bean grind coffee (Americano) plus the fancy milk drinks if you want those…. I do the Americano 95% of the time. Put coffee beans in it…. Push a button… get your coffee.

Much better than any of the pod/ espresso alternatives out there. Changed my mind after drinking "drip/pod" coffee over 45 years.

We've had a Nespresso vertuo for 3-4 years now and we like it.

HTownAg98 said:

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A good grinder that you can dial in and a moka pot will get you damn close. More work than pods, but worth it.

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This!

And stay away from anything that puts steaming hot water through plastic

Mark Fairchild said:

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Howdy, OK, I am not a coffee sophisticate like so many on here I have seen discuss coffee. I just like coffee, I do not want to spend my 401K on a espresso machine that is as complicated as a reactor, I do not want to spend hours sourcing, selecting and grinding esoteric coffee beans. I want a reliable machine I can put a pod into and get decent espresso or close to it. So many of the reviews I see are all about machines leaking and failing to function. Money is not the deciding factor in selection, quality and convenience are.

Anyone have a Nespresso type machine that works and makes good coffee/espresso?

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What are you looking to drink? Straight espresso or are you planning on making lattes and such? I've got a Nespresso Vertuo and it's fine for most coffee drinks and makes a reasonably decent Americano, but the only reason I own it is my wife. I'd rather drink a cup of black coffee from freshly ground beans out of my Technovorm bought on sale at the Pottery Barn outlet for $175 than anything out of an espresso machine at any cost. I may get an occasional espresso shot for an afternoon pick me up, but 99.9% of the time I want coffee it's so I can enjoy a cup of coffee.

Nothing wrong with Nespresso machines. Just know some pods taste like mud while others are surprisingly good.

We have a Delonghi Nespresso machine. It's solid, pulls decent shots; but like any machine it needs care and descaling or it becomes inconsistent. But quick and easy - fill the water chamber, drop in a pod, press the button, and coffee. No real clean up.

We also have a Breville espresso machine with a built in grinder. It makes superior coffee, but it is a bit more work (not a ton, but more). Its also a much more expensive entry point and takes up more counter space. Fwiw.