Don’t let the name fool you. Although the word “pixie” is commonly associated with dainty fairies and forest sprites, the Nespresso Pixie isn’t some lightweight.

It’s a little espress maker with a small footprint. Of course, a full-sized pro machine — the shining, hissing beast that belches steam as your bescarfed barista sweats over its many handles — will undeniably make better espresso than anything you can buy for less than a month’s salary. But as smaller machines go, the Pixie pumps out surprisingly tasty and w...