Nespresso Coffee Machines
Nespresso coffee makers are compact and small unlike drip coffee machines. They are black in color and can vary in price and sophistication. Some come with a milk frother for latte art, and can be connected to the company's app to manage recipes and receive alerts about descaling.
The simplest machines, like our pick, the Essenza Mini, are simple and affordable but forgo features that make more complicated drinks. Other machines can brew bigger sizes of drinks, like the gran lungos.
What is a Nespresso Machine?
Since 1986, Nespresso sells single-serve machines which use capsules to brew coffee and espresso. The brand has gained a devoted following thanks to its ease of use, speed and consistency when making a hot espresso-like beverage. They can be a great alternative to brewing at-home espresso using a moka pot or drip coffee maker each of which requires time and careful cleaning after each use.
A Nespresso machine uses an air pressure system to extract the flavor of a pod. It then heats water and froths the milk to create coffee drinks such as cappuccinos and lattes. Nespresso offers a wide selection of coffee and tea blends that can be adapted to different moods and tastes such as decaffeinated and flavor options. Their machines are compact elegant, stylish and easy to use, making them the ideal option for those looking for an instant cup of coffee in the morning or for an afternoon pick-me-up.
Original Nespresso machines, that brew espresso-style shots from the company's Original capsules were the only machines on the market until 2014 when the Vertuo line was introduced. The smaller model in this line is the Essenza Mini, which is super compact with a tiny water tank and a space for used capsules. Its simple operation, using only two buttons - one for espresso and the other for a lungo--makes it simple to master.
Unlike Keurig machines that require the user to manually add water before each use, all Nespresso models automatically discard any used capsule after brewing. Based on the size of the reservoir and storage for capsules they can store up to 12 pods that have been used, which are discarded into a built-in receptacle each time you open the machine.
Some of the most popular models also work with the brand's mobile app, which allows you to modify recipes and order capsules from your home. We tested this feature on the sleek stainless steel Vertuo Creatista, which also lets you make hot chocolate and iced coffee with the frothing chamber that is built-in to the. The only drawback of the machine we test is that it doesn't support all milk types. You'll need to purchase a separate frothing machine if you wish to make drinks with whole almond, 2% or 2% milk.
The Original Line Original Line
The Original line of pod machines includes the elegant Citiz Mini and the Essenza Mini. Both models penetrate the capsule, pump hot water at high pressure through it and then deliver an espresso or lungo. The Original machines use higher pressure of 19 bars than the Vertuo models, which use pumps that range from 15 to 18 bars.
The Vertuo machines create foam that is more dense and thicker than the crema produced by the Original machines. The crema is not just frost. As the Spruce says, it could make up up to 25 percent of an espresso's flavor. The Original line also offers pricier Creatista and Lattissima machines that come with built-in milk frothers to make lattes, cappuccinos and macchiatos at the push of an button.
The Lattissima Line
This line is perfect for those who want a machine that can make cappuccinos, lattes, and other milky coffee drinks. It comes with three recipes that can be customized and its 4.2 ounce milk container can be taken out and washed in the dishwasher. It's also light, which makes it easy to transport and store in a small space. However, some users complain that it's not as intuitive to use as other Nespresso models.
Its jug has drink-specific lines that are etched into it, which means you can choose the beverage you'd like to prepare before the machine heats up. It has a sensor which automatically stops the steaming when it is unable to make milk.
The Lattissima One is a good value for the money, and it's available in four colors including black with gray accents, dark gray, porcelain white, and silky white. It's easy to clean and has an elegant design that doesn't overwhelm small spaces. It is also reasonably priced, with a suggested retail price of $385/PS279
Like the OriginalLine models, it comes with an automatic drip tray that captures any loose grounds as you pour your espresso. It's a great feature to minimize mess, and also helps to avoid spills that could spoil the flavor of your beverage.
The Pro and Gran Lattissima both have a larger water tank than the Lattissima One, allowing them to hold more liquid before needing to refill. Both models come with a quicker heat-up time (15 seconds for an Espresso and 25 seconds for a Lungo) and a hot water function that can be used to make iced or tea.
The only real downside to the Lattissima is the difficulty of adjusting the consistency and the density of the foam you make with your milk. The machine only works with almond or skim milk. Sorry Vegans and people who are allergic to dairy. Its frothing wand can also be tricky to clean, which is a common complaint among Nespresso owners. Fortunately, the Lattissima Pro and Gran Lattissima come with a self-cleaning system that cleans the milky innards after every use of the frothing.
The Vertuo Line
The Nespresso Vertuo makes a small but concentrated cup of coffee. It's ideal for espresso lovers. Each capsule is equipped with a barcode along its outer rim that is read by the machine's system to determine the amount of coffee it should make. Nespresso's Vertuo capsules are extracted using a unique technology.
The Vertuo Line offers a wide selection of different drinks including Ristretto (mini espresso), Espresso, Lungo, Americano and Cappuccino. The machines can be combined with the Nespresso Aeroccino Milk Frother to make frothy lattes and cappuccinos.
Each Vertuo Line coffee machine heats quickly and is ready to brew in less than 30 seconds. They have a smaller water reservoir than the Original Line and require less maintenance. There are several models to choose from, meaning you can find the one that is compatible with your style and budget.
Unlike the Original Line machines, which only can brew Nespresso capsules, the Vertuo Line also brews regular, filter-brewed coffee. This is done through the spout, which is located at the bottom of machine.
VertuoLine machines are equipped with a revolutionary brewing technique that makes use of centrifusion to softly extract coffee and espresso. nespresso coffee maker enables the creation of a natural crema that protects and improves the quality of coffee aromas. The VertuoLine System also comes with an intelligent recognition feature that adjusts the extraction parameters according to each Grand Cru blend.
Each VertuoLine machine is covered by a manufacturer's guarantee and comes with the starter pack of 10 free Nespresso capsules. The company offers a subscription service which delivers new Nespresso capsules every month.
The Nespresso VertuoPlus machine is the best overall machine. It is simple to use, warms up quickly and comes in a range of colors. It can make five different sizes of espresso and coffee which include a ristretto espresso, lungo and flat white. It also makes a latte-macchiato, and it can be used in conjunction with the Aeroccino Milk Frother for the creation of cappuccino or lattes.
The only issue with the VertuoPlus is that it takes a little longer to brew than other machines, especially when making an Americano. Comparing the Bunn Fastbrew with the Nespresso VertuoPlus which can brew an 8-ounce Americano within 42 seconds, it took 1 minute and 51 seconds. You can accelerate the process if you select an automatic mode.