For many people, getting a creamy cappuccino or latte requires a costly trip to the nearest coffee shop. Some particularly dedicated espresso lovers might even get a small espresso machine for their homes, such as the Nuova Simonelli Oscar II.
However, this isn’t an option for everyone, whether that’s due to budget or experience limitations. But this doesn’t mean all hope is lost for home-brewed espresso.
There are machines created by manufacturers specifically to make espresso brewing simple. In this post, we’ll be comparing two such manufacturers: Mr. Coffee vs Nespresso.
We’ve picked two of their most popular and similar machines for this comparison. This is what we’ll discuss:
- What the Mr. Coffee and Nespresso have in common.
- Which features differ between these machines.
- Considerations to make before you choose either one.
Quick Summary
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Attribute | Mr. Coffee Espresso and Cappuccino Maker | Nespresso VertuoPlus Coffee and Espresso Maker |
|---|---|---|
Image |
|
|
Water Tank Capacity | 54 oz | 40 oz |
Removable Water Tank | Yes | Yes |
Automatic Milk Frother | Yes | Yes |
Pods Compatibility | No | Yes |
Water Tank Adjustability | No | Yes |
Included Accessories | Recipe Book | Pod Sampler Kit |
Ideal Uses | Home | Home |
Pricing |
You can think of the Mr. Coffee Espresso and Cappuccino Maker as a sort of mini-espresso machine. Like an espresso machine, it can brew up to 15 bars of pressure, leading to a more authentic coffee shop experience right at home. You won’t have to struggle to steam milk, either, as it has a built-in automatic frother.
We recommend this model for espresso beginners that want an experience like brewing genuine shots of espresso.
If what you want is total simplicity, then allow us to introduce you to the Nespresso VertuoPlus Coffee and Espresso Maker. This is a pod-compatible machine, meaning you don’t need to grind your own coffee. Simply choose the pod flavor you’re craving, add milk to the Aeroccino Milk Frother, and let the Nespresso take care of the rest.
Get this model if you want the easiest and most automated drink-making experience possible.
Similarities
Automatic Milk Frother
That silky layer of foam atop your lattes, cappuccinos, and macchiatos is surprisingly difficult to make. Baristas must know which angle to hold the milk pitcher at and how far to submerge the steam wand, all the while risking painful steam wand burns.
We don’t blame you if this isn’t something you want to deal with. Fortunately for you, you won’t need to with it on the Mr. Coffee or Nespresso VertuoPlus.
Either one of these machines includes an automatic milk frother. The look and controls differ between them, but the overall function is the same: add milk, press a button, and wait for it to be perfectly frothed with no further effort on your part.
The Keurig K-Café is another option for you if you’re looking for a machine that can froth your milk. Read our comparison of the Keurig K-Café vs Mr. Coffee Café Barista to learn more.
Removable Water Tank
Both these machines have removable water tanks. This leads to easier cleaning.
Imagine if you wanted to wash out the water tank on your machine, but it was permanently attached to the coffee maker. You’d have to either struggle to wash it where it stands on your counter or carry the whole thing to your sink for a rinse.
Obviously, that’s not an efficient design. Since the water tanks on these machines are removable, though, you can just pull them off and bring them to your sink when you’re ready to clean them out.
One-Touch Brewing
Your barista has to go through a fairly complex process when they brew a single shot of espresso. They need to make sure the grind texture, timing, temperature, and pressure of the machine are all perfect.
Using the Mr. Coffee or Nespresso, your experience will be much more user-friendly. They both have buttons that you use to set up the machine for brewing.
In other words, making yourself a drink is as easy as pressing a button.
Size
The Mr. Coffee and Nespresso both have compact designs. They are somewhat similar in size, so if you can fit one in, you can likely fit the other.
To give you an exact idea, the Nespresso is 12.8 inches tall, 14.1 inches deep, and 5.6 inches wide. Those measurements can vary slightly depending on which configuration you choose.
The Mr. Coffee is 12.6 inches tall, 11.2 inches deep, and 8.9 inches wide. There are some differences in size, but overall, they’re similar.
Looking for other compact coffee makers? Read our comparison of the Keurig K-Mini vs K-Compact, two modestly sized machines.
Color Variations
While it may not be the most important feature to you, it’s always nice to have the option to get your appliances in various colors. Plenty of people coordinate the color of their appliances to give their kitchen a uniform design.
You’ll have the ability to do the same thing with the coffee makers in this comparison. Either one is sold in a small range of colors so you can choose the one that fits your style the best.
Differences
Espresso vs Coffee Maker
The biggest difference between the Mr. Coffee and Nespresso is their basic design.
Because it can support fifteen bars of pressure, the Mr. Coffee is much closer to a real espresso machine. You’ll need to provide your own ground coffee, put it in the portafilter, and pull shots much like a real barista would.
In comparison, the Nespresso is a simple coffee maker. It will run water through your chosen pods, but it does not brew at the proper pressure for a true shot.
The Mr. Coffee therefore takes a little more effort to use. If what you want is the closest possible thing to a real coffee shop drink, though, it may be worth the extra effort to you.
Pods vs Grounds
Another key difference between these machines is how you supply them with coffee grounds. The Nespresso uses pods, which are tiny capsules filled with a pre-measured amount of coffee.
Capsules are inherently more beginner-friendly. As opposed to selecting a blend, grinding beans, and filling a filter, you just pick out a pod and slip it into the machine.
The catch is that you can’t guarantee the freshness of the coffee in a pod like you can when you choose or even grind your own coffee. Experts agree that fresher coffee tastes better, and you can be sure of the freshness in your grounds when you pick machines like the Mr. Coffee.
Water Tank Capacity
The amount of water your machine can hold at once limits how many cups you can brew. Once it runs out, you need to fill it with more water.
In this regard, the Mr. Coffee wins out. Its water tank can hold up to 54 ounces of water, while the Nespresso’s holds 40.
That’s 14 more ounces of water, which is approximately as big as an extra-large cup of coffee. You’ll be able to brew more cups on the Mr. Coffee before needing to pause for a refill.
Read Also: Best Super Automatic Espresso Machines for Offices
Nespresso VertuoPlus Capsule Samples
It’s always nice when you get some extras with your purchases. With the Nespresso, you’ll receive a welcome kit that consists of a small range of capsules.
If you forget to buy capsules separately at first, you won’t need to worry. You’ll be able to start brewing right away, anyway.
Mr. Coffee Espresso and Cappuccino Maker Recipe Book
When you have the ability to make cappuccinos and lattes from scratch, it’s hard to come up with new ideas to try. With the Mr. Coffee’s included recipe book, you’ll have a little bit of guidance.
This is perfect for when you’re not sure what to do or you need some inspiration. Just open the recipe book and choose a recipe that sounds appealing to you. Who knows – maybe it will give you some other ideas to try in the future.
Nespresso VertuoPlus Adjustable Water Tank
One of the most interesting features on the Nespresso VertuoPlus is its flexible water tank. You can adjust where it’s located on the machine by pushing it back and forth.
If you have a particularly crowded countertop or table, this can be so useful. It’s like having a malleable machine that can be uniquely shaped to fit exactly where you need it to.
Which One Should You Get?
Still haven’t made up your mind yet about which one is a better fit for you? We’ll answer that question now by looking at different circumstances that make one or the other better for you personally.
For instance, you can start by thinking about what you want from your espresso drinks and your skill level. If you’re not afraid to familiarize yourself with the basic aspects of operating an espresso machine, the Mr. Coffee will give you a much more realistic experience.
But if you truly want an easier and effortless experience, the Nespresso will be the more appropriate choice. This is because it uses pods rather than requiring you to supply your own coffee grounds.
Another thing to think about is how many drinks you’ll make on average. If you’re going to be serving friends and family, then you’ll want a machine that can go for longer without needing a water refill. In this comparison, that would be the Mr. Coffee, with its 54-ounce water tank.
In a nutshell, this is what we suggest:
Pick the Mr. Coffee Espresso and Cappuccino maker if you want to make authentic espresso and you’re willing to put in a little work to do so.
Go with the Nespresso VertuoPlus if you want the easiest and most beginner-friendly brewing experience possible with its pods.
You can learn more about either one by clicking the links below: