Triple Comparison of All-In-One Espresso Machines
Confused about all of the different single-serve espresso makers on the market and trying to figure out which one best meets your needs? Well, we can’t tell you exactly which one to buy, but we did find a great video that we thought we’d share with you comparing three top-rated all-in-one, single serve espresso machines - the Nespresso Lattissima Plus, the Keurig Rivo R500 and the Starbucks Verismo 585.
We’ve included the video here, in which Brian from Aromacup.com shares some facts about each machine, as well as his subjective opinion about different facets of the machines. The video is a bit long, so if you prefer a “quicker version” of what he has to say, we’ve summed it up below.
Here, in a nutshell, is what Brian had to say about these three machines: Commonalities: All three machines are considered some of the best single-serve espresso machines on the market that offer all-in-one brewing (meaning they also froth milk). This means that in addition to espresso, you can make milk-based espresso drinks like cappuccinos and lattes. Nespresso Lattissima Plus
- Machine versatility: Can make espresso and milk-based espresso drinks only
- Machine Size: Small, streamlined machine (stylish, too!)
- Price of machine: Around $399
- Milk frothing capabilities: Allows you to make milk-based drinks, using real milk, and does it with just one push of a button and built-in milk pitcher - offers various options for cappuccinos and latte
- Pod versatility: Pods can be used with any machine
- Pod size: 7 grams of espresso per capsule
- Pod materials: Aluminum
- Pod Price: About 75 cents per pod (HiLine pods, which are compatible with Nespresso machines, are less expensive)
- Price per drink: If you’re making a milk-based espresso drink, cost is 75 cents for Nespresso capsule (less for HiLine capsule) and can use store bought milk, which is inexpensive
- Overall subjective opinion: Hands-down winner for overall quality and taste; second lowest overall cost (higher machine price but lowest per drink price); aluminum capsule materials don’t impart potential plastic taste; extremely easy to use (only one press of a button needed); sleek and stylish design
- Machine versatility: Can make espresso and milk-based espresso drinks only
- Machine Size: Tank of a machine
- Price of machine: Around $229
- Milk frothing capabilities: Allows you to make milk-based drinks, using real milk – just pull out milk pitcher, put any type of milk and desired amount to froth milk - offers various options for cappuccinos, lattes and cold froth milk drinks (only one that offers cold froth option)
- Pod versatility: Pods can only be used with these machines
- Pod size: 8 grams of espresso per capsule
- Pod materials: Plastic with foil tops
- Pod Price: About 83 cents per pod
- Price per drink: If you’re making a milk-based espresso drink, cost is 83 cents for espresso pod and can use store bought milk, which is inexpensive
- Overall subjective opinion: Runner-up for overall quality; overall cost is the lowest (lowest machine price and relatively low pod price); offers the most types of capsules; only option that provides ability to make cold froth milk drinks; large and cumbersome machine size
- Machine versatility: Can make espresso and milk-based espresso drinks, as well as regular coffees and teas
- Machine Size: Tank of a machine
- Price of machine: Around $399
- Milk frothing capabilities: Allows you to make milk-based drinks, but you can’t use real milk - have to use Verismo milk pods that contain powdered milk
- Pod versatility: Pods can only be used with these machines
- Pod size: 9 grams of espresso per capsule
- Pod materials: Plastic with foil top
- Pod Price: About $1 per pod
- Price per drink: If you’re making a milk-based espresso drink, need 2 pods (one containing the powdered milk), so $2 for a drink - if you add more than one coffee pod or milk pod (which is common), the drink can get pricey ($4 per drink), rivaling the cost of going right to Starbucks for the same drink
- Overall subjective opinion: Good machine but falls a little short in taste compared to others; a lot of different beverage options; least favorite beverage quality; inability to use real milk; not as specialized; good option if you want versatility to make regular coffee, espresso and teas in one machine; most expensive, large and cumbersome machine size
- Best quality: Nespresso
- Most versatile: Starbucks (most types of beverages), Keurig (does cold froth milk), Nespresso (pods can be used in any machine)
- Easiest to use: Nespresso
- Best looking machine design: Nespresso
- Least expensive: Keurig (overall), Nespresso (cost per drink)
- Overall winner: Nespresso