Nespresso Coffee Machines
Unlike drip coffee makers, Nespresso models are small and compact. They are black in color and range in price and sophistication. Some have an milk frother to create Latte art and can be linked with an app to manage recipes or get notifications on descaling.
The most basic machines, like our pick the Essenza Mini, are simple and affordable but forgo features that can make more complex drinks. Other machines can brew larger sizes of drinks like gran lungos.
What is what is a Nespresso machine?
Since 1986, Nespresso sells single-serve machines which use capsules to brew coffee and espresso. The brand has an army of loyal customers thanks to the speed, ease and consistency their machines can make a hot, espresso-like beverage. These machines are an excellent alternative to making espresso at home using a drip coffee maker or moka pot, which both require time and care after each use.
A Nespresso machine utilizes an air pressure system to extract the flavor of a pod. It then heats up water and it froths the milk to create coffee drinks such as lattes and cappuccinos. Nespresso offers a wide selection of coffee and blends that can be adapted to your mood and taste, including decaffeinated and flavored options. The machines are compact, stylish, and easy to operate and make them a great option for those looking for an easy cup of coffee in the morning or for an afternoon pick-me-up.
Original Nespresso machines, which make espresso-like shots using the company's Original capsules, were the only machines available until 2014 which was when the Vertuo line was launched. The smallest model in this line is the Essenza Mini, which is extremely compact and has a tiny water tank and a storage space for capsules that are used. Its easy operation, with only two buttons - one for espresso and the other for a lungo--makes it easy to master.
Contrary to Keurig machines that require you to manually add water before each use, all Nespresso models automatically dispose of any capsule that is not used after making. Based on the size of the reservoir and capsule storage the capsules can hold anywhere from four to 12 pods that have been used, which are disposed of into the built-in receptacle every time you open the machine.
Some of the most popular models also support the brand's mobile app, which allows you to make your own recipes and reorder capsules from the comfort of your home. This feature was tested on the sleek stainless steel Vertuo Creatista. It also allows you to make hot coffee as well as iced tea with a separate room for frothing. The only issue we found with the machine we test was that it didn't support all milk varieties and requires you to purchase a separate frothing wand if you plan to make drinks with whole milk, 2%, or almond milk.
The Original Line
The Original line of pod machines includes the stylish Citiz Mini and the Essenza Mini. Both machines pierce the capsule and then pump hot water through it, delivering an espresso or a lungo. The original machines utilize 19 bars of pressure which is more than the 15 to 18 bar pumps in some of the more expensive Vertuo models.
The Vertuo machines create a foam that is richer and more dense than the crema produced by the Original machines. The crema is more than just froth, though--as the Spruce notes, it can make up one quarter of espresso's flavor. The Original line is more expensive and comes with Creatista or Lattissima espresso machines that have built-in milk frothers that can make cappuccinos and lattes at the press of the button.
The Lattissima Line
This line is perfect for those looking for machines that can make cappuccinos, lattes and other milky coffee drinks. It comes with three user-friendly recipes and its 4.2-ounce milk container is removable and dishwasher safe. It's also light, which makes it easy to move and store in a small space. Some users claim that it's not as intuitive as other Nespresso machines.
The jug's drink-specific lines are in it, so you can choose the beverage you'd like to make as the machine heats up. It comes with a sensor that automatically stops the steaming when it is unable to make milk.
The Lattissima One is a good value for its price, 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 a minimalist aesthetic that won't take up too much space in small spaces. It's also fairly affordable, with a retail price of $385/PS279.
It has an automatic drip tray, similar to the OriginalLine models. This tray will catch any loose ground while you pour espresso. It's a great feature to reduce mess, and also helps to prevent spills that could spoil the flavor of your beverage.
The Pro and Gran Lattissima have larger water tanks than the Lattissima One. This allows them to hold more water without having refill. Both models come with an earlier time to heat up (15 seconds for an Espresso and 25 seconds for a Lungo) and hot water functions that can be used to make iced or tea.
The only real disadvantage of the Lattissima line is the difficulty in changing the consistency of the milk foam. The machine only works with skim or almond milk. Sorry Vegans and those who are not tolerant to dairy. Its frothing wand can also be tricky to clean, which is a common complaint among Nespresso owners. The Lattissima Pro or Gran Lattissima features a self-cleaning function that scrubs the milky insides of the frothing wand after each use.
The Vertuo Line
The Nespresso Vertuo makes a small and concentrated cup of coffee. It's the perfect choice for those who love espresso. The machine scans the barcode that is located on the outer edge of each capsule to determine how much coffee it can make. Nespresso uses an innovative extraction process to ensure you get the best flavor from each Vertuo pod.
The Vertuo Line offers a wide variety of drinks, including Ristretto (mini espresso), Espresso, Lungo, Americano and Cappuccino. magimix nespresso machine can be combined with the Nespresso Aeroccino Milk Frother to create frothy cappuccinos and lattes.
Each Vertuo Line machine heats up quickly and is ready to brew in about 30 seconds. They have a smaller water tank than the Original Line machines and require less maintenance. There are many models to choose from, meaning you can choose one that matches your style and budget.
Vertuo Line machines can also brew regular filter coffee, unlike Original Line machines that only can brew Nespresso. They do this through a separate spout at the bottom of the machine.
VertuoLine machines have a brand new brewing system that gently extracts espresso and coffee using the unique centrifusion technology. This allows the creation of natural crema, which preserves and enhances the coffee's aroma. The VertuoLine system also has an intelligent recognition system that alters the extraction parameters to match each Grand Cru blend.
Each VertuoLine machine comes with a manufacturer's warranty and includes a starter pack of 10 free Nespresso capsules. The company also offers a subscription service that delivers new Nespresso caps each month.
The Nespresso VertuoPlus machine is the best overall machine. It's user-friendly and heats up quickly and comes in several colors. It can produce five different sizes of espresso and coffee including a ristretto lungo, espresso and flat white. It can also make a latte-macchiato, and it can be used with the Aeroccino Milk Frother for the creation of lattes or cappuccino.
The only downside to the VertuoPlus is that it takes longer to brew than other machines, especially when making an Americano. Comparing the Bunn Fastbrew to the Nespresso VertuoPlus, which can brew an 8-ounce Americano in just 42 seconds, the VertuoPlus took 1 minute and 51 seconds. You can accelerate the process if you choose an automatic mode.