

Our winner, the Nespresso Creatista Plus by Breville ( available at Amazon) isn’t the cheapest of the pack, but its features make it worth the splurge.

We examined the temperature, time to brew, affordability of the capsules, and density of the crema, among other features. To help you get the most bang for your buck, we chose 11 espresso machines that work with capsules, all priced under $500, and put them to the test. Inserting a capsule is much easier than messy grinding and tamping, so these machines allow a few extra minutes to catch up on sleep each morning-and require very little skill to use. Pod machines also save money and counter space by combining up to five gadgets into one. Add a bit of steamed milk and invest in some flavored syrups and you'll have a hard time telling the difference between the espresso drinks you make at home from those made in your favorite café. Shot after shot comes out with a beautiful layer of crema, the signature of a true espresso. The best of these single-shot pod-based espresso makers are quick, neat, and give totally consistent results. If you're a coffee nerd who assumes pod espresso is for the unenlightened-and trust us, we once thought that too-we're here to tell you you're wrong. After testing six new machines, our new pick for the best single-serve espresso maker is the Nespresso Creatista Plus by Breville.
