Jump to:
One of the most popular options for making espresso is the Nespresso line of coffee makers. These easy-to-use, fully automatic espresso machines are ideal for the coffee lover that wants to enjoy a variety of coffee and espresso drinks with minimal effort.
Another great option for quick and easy espresso is the AeroPress. This compact and portable coffee maker is great for making espresso at home but is also perfect for enjoying tasty espresso no matter where you go.
When it comes to selecting the AeroPress vs Nespresso there are a variety of things that you need to consider. If you have both of these options on your list, you may be wondering how they differ and which makes the best coffee for your needs.
In this article, we’ll examine the differences between the Nespresso coffee makers and the AeroPress coffee press. We’ll offer you some pros and cons for each and give you some helpful information on what to look for when shopping for the AeroPress vs Nespresso machine.
Things To Consider Before Buying Either AeroPress or Nespresso
Whether you are considering an AeroPress or a Nespresso there are some factors that you should consider while doing your research.
The product features that we’ve listed below aren’t the only things to consider in your research, but we think that these are the most important to consider when deciding between the AeroPress and the Nespresso.
Size
When it comes to size, there are a couple of things you need to think about. First, you need to consider which coffee maker will fit best into your kitchen.
If you have a tiny kitchen a larger coffee maker may not be practical. However, if you have ample space you may find that smaller coffee makers look out of place.
If you are considering a coffee maker for traveling, you will also want to consider how your coffee maker fits in your RV, camper, or camping supplies. Even if you are traveling in an RV, a large coffee maker may not be practical for your space.
Make sure that the option you pick is practical for your needs but also fits well in the space where it will be used.
Price
When it comes to selecting a coffee maker, you will want to know your budget. There are coffee maker options that range from less than $20 to coffee makers that will set you back thousands of dollars.
One thing to remember is that just because a coffee maker is expensive, that doesn’t mean that it will make your ideal cup of coffee. When thinking about the coffee maker that is right for you, select an option that fits your budget but also fits your preferred coffee style or taste.
Capacity
If you really like to drink coffee or if you are making coffee for more than two people, capacity is going to be an important deciding factor.
There are plenty of coffee makers out there that will make a full pot of coffee or have the ability to quickly make numerous shots of espresso. These larger-capacity coffee makers are ideal for multiple cups of coffee for you or for serving a crowd.
If you just like a single cup of coffee or you’re brewing only for yourself, consider smaller-capacity coffee makers that allow you to make only a cup or two of coffee at one time.
If you’re just brewing for yourself you may also consider coffee pod machines that are specifically designed to brew just one cup of coffee at a time.
Brewing process
The brewing process of your coffee maker will make a big impact on how your coffee tastes, and for some people, how much enjoyment they get from making a cup of coffee.
Fully automatic coffee makers and coffee pod machines allow you to enjoy a consistent cup of coffee with just a push of a button. For busy people or people that enjoy a good cup of coffee but don’t care to tinker with a coffee maker, these fully automatic options are great.
Coffee lovers that want to take a bit more time and have more control over their coffee process will enjoy manual or even semi-automatic coffee makers.
These options allow you to experiment with different types of beans, different grinds, and even different combinations of water and grinds. If you like to try new things or if you have the time to really get into making your coffee manual or semi-automatic coffee makers are a good choice.
Presenting the AeroPress vs Nespresso
The Nespresso and the AeroPress are two very different types of coffee makers. The Nespresso coffee makers have become a big hit for people that love espresso coffee drinks but want their coffee quickly.
Nespresso is also one of the original coffee pod lines of coffee makers. The Nespresso machines are ideal for brewing a single cup of coffee at a time. This is also great for making a variety of coffee drinks in a short amount of time.
On the other end of the spectrum is the AeroPress. This manual coffee press is a great option for coffee lovers that want to have control over their brewing process. This simple-to-use coffee press is a favorite of coffee lovers with small kitchens or who are on a budget. The AeroPress is also very popular for travelers that don’t want to miss out on a great cup of coffee even when they’re on the road.
Both options have their pros and cons. If you are trying to decide between the two, you’ll want to carefully consider where you’ll be brewing coffee, what your budget is, and how much control you like to have over the brewing process.
In the section below, we offer our thoughts on these questions and offer our pros and cons for both the AeroPress and the Nespresso coffee system.
AeroPress
Pros:
- Makes one to four shots of espresso
- Comes with all the necessary accessories for brewing
- Compact design for small spaces or travel
- Easy to use and easy to clean
Cons:
- Needs a way to make hot water
- Only makes a few coffee types
- Espresso isn’t as rich or robust
- Needs special filters
- Not great for serving multiple people
Nespresso
Pros:
- Push-button operation
- Makes a wide variety of espresso-based drinks
- Integrated milk jug for easy frothed milk
- Single-serve coffee pods give you more versatility in coffee flavors
Cons:
- Coffee pods are not 100% recyclable
- Higher priced than similar options
- Autoclean settings aren’t super efficient
Features & Benefits
Price
When it comes down to it, the AeroPress is a much more affordable option than the Nespresso machine.
The AeroPress comes in at around $40 for a complete start-up kit. The kit includes the press, filters, scoop, and stirrer. During the life of the AeroPress, you’ll only need to purchase the coffee you enjoy and filters. Over time there’s a minimal cost to the AeroPress.
The Nespresso line of coffee makers does have a variety of price points. The base models come in just over $100 while the more expensive options can set you back around $500.
Besides the initial investment in the machine, you will need to purchase single-serve coffee pods. Nespresso uses a specific pod that is different from those used by many other single-serve coffee makers. They are also more expensive than other options. Over time, you’ll spend more if you select the Nespresso option.
Design and Construction
Both the Nespresso and AeroPress options are made heavily of plastic. Despite the price of the Nespresso, this is one of the design features that we are not a fan of.
There are other single-serve coffee makers that offer similar convenience features but are made from more durable and attractive materials. With that said, the Nespresso line of coffee machines is designed to be fast, easy to use, and convenient.
The AeroPress is also made from BPA-free plastic. However, this coffee maker is designed to be very compact, lightweight, and portable.
The plastic construction allows this press to be more durable if used during travel than other options. The AeroPress is designed for single-serve coffee brewing, but can also be used to make up to four shots of espresso at one time.
The AeroPress, while a manual coffee maker, is designed for easy operation and easy cleaning.
Cleaning and Maintenance
You can’t beat AeroPress when it comes to cleaning and maintenance. All of the parts of the AeroPress separate and are dishwasher safe for quick and easy cleaning. Even the filter and coffee puck are easy to remove after each use.
The Nespresso machines do have self-cleaning cycles built into their programming. However, we have found that these are not as simple or effective as they seem. You’ll need to do little maintenance items like rinsing the pod container after you’ve made coffee.
The milk container on some Nespresso machines needs to be rinsed and cleaned frequently. And like other automatic coffee makers, the Nespresso machines can build up calcium deposits that will need to be removed periodically.
Waste
This is a big factor for some people. Many coffee makers today use the pod concept. The Nespresso is one of the machines that use this process for brewing a consistent cup of coffee every time.
However, coffee pods are not recyclable and most are made from plastic. If you’re trying to get away from single-use plastics, you may want to consider an option other than the Nespresso or any of the other coffee pod coffee makers.
The AeroPress has minimal waste. When you’re done brewing coffee with the AeroPress, you’re simply left with the used coffee grounds and the paper filter. Both of these are compostable and have minimal impact on the environment.
Alternatives
Both the AeroPress and the Nespresso line of coffee makers are great options for making coffee. They both are also favorites for coffee lovers. However, they aren’t the only options out there for making a great cup of espresso.
If you’re not sold on the AeroPress or the Nespresso, we offer some additional coffee makers that use similar brewing processes to the AeroPress or the Nespresso.
1. Bodum Pour Over Coffee Maker
- Note: 1)Too coarse a grind, too little coffee, or insufficiently tamping the grounds before brewing can all lead to inadequate pressure for a proper brew. 2)It is important to note that the amount of...
- Does not trap essential oils of your Coffee in a paper filter, and makes a beautiful slow-brew
- Includes a Permanent stainless steel mesh filter; no paper filters or capsules needed
- Mouth-blown borosilicate glass, dishwasher safe
Bodum is well known for its manual coffee-making tools. The Bodum pour-over coffee maker allows you to enjoy the silky and light taste of pour-over coffee. The glass carafe holds enough coffee for two 12-ounce cups of coffee.
Making pour-over is a simple process and is a favorite alternative to the AeroPress due to its simplicity, compact design, and minimal waste.
2. Lavazza BLUE Classy Mini Single Serve Espresso Coffee Machine
If you are really into espresso but don’t have the time to do the work necessary to make espresso, the Lavazza BLUE mini single-serve espresso machine is a great alternative to the Nespresso.
This coffee maker, like the Nespresso, uses coffee pods for quick and efficient brewing. The Lavazza is a well-known name for quality coffee in Italy so you can feel confident that this machine will give you a perfect cup of espresso.
3. Keurig K-Classic Coffee Maker
- Note: 1)Too coarse a grind, too little coffee, or insufficiently tamping the grounds before brewing can all lead to inadequate pressure for a proper brew. 2)It is important to note that the amount of...
- Brews multiple k-cup pod sizes: (6, 8, 10 ounce) – the most popular k-cup pod brew sizes. Use the 6 ounce brew size to achieve the strongest brew.
- Large 48 ounce water reservoir: Allows you to brew 6 plus cups before having to refill, saving you time and simplifying your morning routine. The water reservoir is removable, making it easy to refill...
- Descaling: An important part of cleaning your keurig brewer. This process helps to remove calcium deposits, or scale, that can build up inside a coffee maker over time.
- Auto-off: An auto-off feature is easily programmed to turn off your coffee maker after it has been idle for 2 hours, helping to save energy.
The only other coffee pod system that is as popular as the Nespresso, is the Keurig K-Classic. This simple-to-use coffee maker gives you a wide variety of options when it comes to coffee type, pod size, and brewing options. The K-Classic is simple to use and features push-button operation, attractive styling, and an affordable price tag.
The K-Classic doesn’t make espresso, but you can enjoy a delicious cup of brewed coffee from the Keurig. Keurig also has the ability to make tea or hot chocolate thanks to the variety of coffee pods available.
The Keurig has a more versatile pod system so you don’t have to purchase Keurig branded coffee pods, which can save you money over other coffee pod brewing systems.
AeroPress vs Nespresso – Final Thoughts
The Nespresso and the AeroPress are pretty different in how they function and the type of coffee that they make. We like the AeroPress for its simple operation and compact design. It’s an ideal option for enjoying a great cup of coffee while traveling.
The Nespresso is a more complex coffee system, but with a number of machines with a variety of options, the Nespresso allows the coffee lover to enjoy their favorite espresso drinks with minimal effort.
Both options are fantastic and depending on your needs will provide you with a delicious cup of coffee.
