7 Nespresso Machine Alternatives Worth Trying

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There is no better way to start the day than with a good cup of coffee. Hot or iced, cream or black — do what makes you feel good. While a trip to the local coffee shop is a nice treat, it's not always feasible, especially in this economy. So coffee lovers are using home options that can give them the same cafe feel without breaking the bank each morning. 

When it comes to buying, choosing a machine can be overwhelming. Which brand? Which price point? Which drink range? For those who don't have a lot of time in the morning but still want a great cup, many are turning to pod options, which are quick and easy to use. Select your flavor of choice, put the pod in the machine, and hit start. It's that simple! While Nespresso has topped the charts as one of the most popular brands, there are a lot of other options to consider.

We looked far and wide at all the research out there — from Consumer Reports to vetted product reviews — to find the best of the best. Let's check out seven Nespresso machine alternatives worth trying, with an option for every budget and drink preference.

The Bruvi BV-01 Brewer is a standout in the lineup of at-home premium single-use pod machines that aren't Keurig or Nespresso. At $399, it's the most expensive on the list, but its range of drinks and sizes, along with stellar reviews praising its consistently good coffee, make it worth the price tag.

If you want an array of drink options, the Bruvi might be the perfect investment. You'll find an intuitive touchscreen (with an app) and straightforward customization options that can make anything from coffee and espresso to iced coffee, cold brew, and other popular drinks. It brews 6-, 8-, 10-, or 12-ounce cups, which you can schedule up to 36 hours in advance. However, buyers should note that the Bruvi only takes proprietary B-Pods — no other pods will work with this machine.

What's really cool is that the machine recognizes each pod and recommends brewing settings, but users can adjust them, too. The machine heats water in about five seconds and brews successive cups in roughly one minute each. It has a 70-ounce water reservoir, quiet operation, and an adjustable drip tray to make creating and cleaning a breeze. You'll also find an internal bin holding six pods.

Ninja has made a name for itself with an array of kitchen appliances, but if you're looking for a cheaper pod option that offers a stellar cup of coffee, check out the Ninja Pods & Grounds Specialty Single-Serve Coffee Maker. This one rings in at $129 — a perfect choice for budget-conscious shopping. 

What's great about this coffee maker is that it's the most versatile in the bunch. It accepts K-Cups and ground coffee, but you'll need your own grinder for the beans. It features four brewing styles — classic, rich, over-ice, and specialty — and has a fold-away milk frother. However, the frother does not heat the milk, so hot milk drinks require a separate heating step. With the pod option, you can brew 6, 8, 10, or 12 ounces. The grounds option features 14-, 18-, and 24-ounce cups.

Customers love that this one brews instantly, so there is little waiting time. It also has a slim design to take up less counter space and comes with a permanent filter, brew basket, scoop, pod adapter, and adapter storage bin.

Lavazza is a well-known brand reflecting Italian coffee culture, so it's a no-brainer that its Classy Plus machine is worth a try. This coffee maker ranges from $189 to $234 depending on the distributor and what's included, but the draw here is the various drink types with a built-in milk option.

Lavazza is the right choice for those who want convenience and range. The machine can make an array of drink types, including espresso, lungo, 8-ounce coffee, double shot, latte, cappuccino, and macchiato. There's also a milk capsule option for cappuccino and latte drinkers, which makes this machine stand out from the rest. Its milk system froths directly in the cup for drinks like cappuccinos and lattes — something no other option on this list can offer.

The internal drawer holds seven capsules, so it takes up limited space, and it's easy to clean. However, it's important to note that this machine only makes an 8-ounce coffee, and you can only use the brand's pods — no mixing and matching. For latte and speciality drinkers, this shouldn't be a huge deterrent.

If you've heard of Nespresso, then you undoubtedly know the Keurig brand. This is the OG that started the pod game in the '90s. When it comes to Nespresso alternatives, the K-Supreme Plus Smart is a stellar option. It will run you around $199 depending on where you buy and the deals at the time, but it's a solid middle-of-the-line coffee maker for those who adore the pod, and Consumer Reports says it's one of the best.

What's great about this option is that you can use K-Cups or the brand's reusable filter packed with the ground coffee of your choice. This is the machine for those who care more about a customized mug of coffee than espresso-style shots. The machine's BrewID feature recognizes supported pods and applies recommended brewing settings, but users always have the option of adjusting temperature, strength, and serving size.

Many praise the machine's hot, full-bodied coffee and love the fact that you can save favorites, schedule brewing, and initiate brewing remotely from the app. It has a large water reservoir and can make 4-, 6-, 8-, 10-, and 12-ounce drinks. It's important to note that this is a Wi-Fi-based machine and can take some time and effort to set up and connect. But once you have it all figured out, making your morning coffee is as simple as one click on your phone.

illy is an iconic Italian brand that knows a thing or two about coffee, so we had to add its Easy Espresso Machine to our list of Nespresso alternatives. While this one will cost you $249, it's a true must if you're an espresso lover looking to make at-home sips.

The real standout feature here is the E.S.E. (easy-serve espresso) pods that are single-serve, compostable pods. Unlike the rest, these pods are made from paper, rather than plastic or aluminum capsules, making the Illy Easy Espresso Machine one of the only options on the market with a low-waste focus. With this machine, you can make a quick and easy espresso or lungo with under a one-minute prep time. It also looks great and takes up little counter space to save room in your kitchen.

However, there are a few things to note. This one only takes the brand's E.S.E. pods, and unlike some of the other machines, it doesn't offer an array of drink types. This machine is for the espresso lovers, those who wish they could wake up in Italy each morning and enjoy a quick cup before work. If that's your vibe, the illy should be your next home purchase.

Another stellar pod machine option is Keurig's K-Café SMART Single Serve Coffee Maker, and it's the same price as the K-Supreme Plus Smart, starting at $199 (depending on where you buy and the packages available). That means you're still getting all the same features of the K-Supreme Plus Smart with some killer added features.

You'll still find the BrewID technology with Wi-Fi to remotely start your coffee, and you'll also have the same sizing: 6-, 8-, 10-, and 12-ounce coffees and 2- and 4-ounce concentrated coffee shots intended for milk-based drinks. The big difference is the included frother with three hot-froth settings and a cold setting, and it's been praised for its foam production. This machine also saves 10 customizable drinks, where you can play around with its five strength settings and six temperature settings.

However, it's important to note that the K-Café SMART does not deliver "true" espresso and that the machine only automates heating and frothing — not final drink assembly. It's also a little bulkier than the rest, but it makes a solid cup of coffee in an array of sizes and flavors. Variety is the name of this Keurig's game.

Last on this list, but surely not least, is the Chefman brand's Single Serve Coffee Maker. This sleek-looking machine will cost you $149 to $159 (depending on where you buy).

Like the Ninja Pods & Grounds option, the Chefman is super versatile, accepting K-cup pods (of any kind) or grounds. This one can make 4-, 6-, 8-, 10-, and 12-ounce drinks, using three strength levels and three temperature settings. Like the Keurig, you can save your preferred brewing combinations, too.

The research says this one takes under two minutes to brew — no matter your drink of choice. It's a solid option for the price point with all things considered. It's also good to note that the Over Ice setting supports only 4-, 6-, and 8-ounce brews, and the brewer and accessories are not dishwasher safe. While you may have to fill this slim design more often than the others, the machine is built to last and is worth that small chore. You'll be hard-pressed to find an array of other versatile machines like this one, especially one that withstands the test of time (aka daily coffee use).