It’s 2024, and Being Cringe Is the New Cool (Promise)

The good ol’ awkward turtle gets a new groove.

Nothing brings me more joy than running out to my local spot for a freshly poured cup of joe… except maybe the barista remembering my order. No, it’s not exactly the most cost-effective (nor environmentally friendly) way to kick off my day, but I’ve tried to replace the habit with an at-home coffee and nothing ever seems to measure up.

Until now. Let me back up for a second: I try to take inventory of my daily routine at the turn of the year—nothing major, just a quick “how do I spend my days?” moment—and, in doing so, I realized that my morning java jaunt was costing me a not-so-insignificant amount of money and time. Add to it the dark mornings and chilly temps, which don’t exactly entice me outdoors, and I thought it might be worth investing in a solution that ends up saving me both.

For a few weeks, I kept my eyes peeled—and my tastebuds ready and waiting—for an at-home brewer with cafe-worthy taste (read: strong) and countertop appeal. After sipping on a few friends’ versions of homemade coffee, I decided to go for a Nespresso Vertuo Next Coffee & Espresso Maker—and you can call me changed.

My morning routine has never been simpler: With the touch of a button, a fresh-brewed and foam-topped coffee is mine for the savoring. Bonus: It’s on sale right now through Jan. 21 for $170 (that’s over $100 off)—and when you purchase on QVC, your order will include a starter pack of 12 coffee pods, a milk frother, and a $50 voucher to use on future Nespresso finds. Latte lovers, rejoice.

Nespresso Vertuo Next Coffee/Espresso Maker with Frother and Voucher — $170.00

Originally $218, now $170

Pros:

High-quality taste in seconds
Convenient and simple to operate
Slim design for any kitchen counter size
Caters to all kinds of coffee drinkers
Saves you money on daily coffee

Cons:

Brewed cups are on the smaller side
A pricey upfront investment (when it’s not on sale)

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Shaking up your coffee ritual is like messing with your skin-care routine, I know—it’s dangerous territory. So if you’re feeling hesitant about adding a Nespresso to your kitchen, hear me out. Once you unbox this thing of beauty, you’ll drop any pod into the machine and choose from six brew sizes, from single shot to 18-ounce coffee, before watching rich, crema-topped goodness drip into your cup. That’s it—no perfecting your pour-over or learning to tamp ground espresso necessary. And as if it couldn’t be any more fool-proof, the machine has a weekly auto-rinse cycle to keep things clean and a light that indicates when it’s time for additional descaling.

Plus, the Vertuo is less than six inches wide, which means it’ll fit on any countertop (looking at you, studio apartments) without taking over cooking space—and its sleek design will totally elevate whatever aesthetic you’re working with.

It fits like a glove in my apartment and now, having settled into my new, relaxed routine, I’m in the business of leading my friends toward the Nespresso life. I’ve made it a habit of inviting them over for weekend drop-ins and testing my milk-frothing skills when I do—and I think that divinely creamy cafe au lait might just be influencing them to hop on the at-home coffee train, too.