Nespresso Coffee Machines
Nespresso coffee makers are small and compact, unlike drip coffee machines. They are black in color and range in price and complexity. Some come with a milk frother for latte art and can be linked to the app of the company to manage recipes and receive descaling alerts.
The simplest 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 espresso and coffee drinks. The brand has an army of loyal customers thanks to the ease, speed and consistency with which their machines can make an espresso-like hot beverage. These machines can be a great alternative to brewing at home espresso using moka pots or drip coffee maker both of which take the time and care to clean after each use.
A Nespresso machine uses the pressure system to extract the flavor of the pod. It then heats water and it froths the milk to create coffee drinks, such as lattes and cappuccinos. Nespresso offers a wide selection of blends and coffees that can be customized to suit your preferences and mood, including decaffeinated and flavored options. Their machines are small elegant, stylish, and simple to use which makes them the perfect choice for those who want an easy cup of coffee in the morning or a mid-day pick-me-up.
The Vertuo line replaced the original Nespresso machines in 2014, which utilized the Original capsules to brew espresso shots. The smallest model in this line is the Essenza Mini, which is super compact with a tiny water tank and a storage space for capsules that are used. Its easy-to-use operation with only two buttons - one for an espresso, and the other for lungos - makes it simple to master.
Unlike Keurig machines that require you to manually add water before every use, all Nespresso models automatically dispose of any capsule that is not used after brewing. The machines can hold anywhere from four up to twelve pods used up, based on the size of their water reservoirs and capsule storage. They are then disposed of in a built in receptacle every time you open the machine.
A few of the most sought-after models are compatible with the mobile app developed by the company, which lets users to create custom recipes and to reorder capsules at 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 using a dedicated frother room. The only drawback of the machine we tested is that it does not support all types of milk. You'll need to purchase a separate frothing device if you wish to make drinks using whole almond, 2% or 2% milk.
The Original Line Original Line
The Original line of pod-only machines include the sleek Citiz and Essenza Mini. Both machines are pierced by the capsule and pump hot water at a high pressure through it to deliver an espresso or a lungo. The original machines utilize a higher pressure of 19 bars than the Vertuo models, which have pumps of 15 to 18 bars.
The Vertuo machines produce an espresso that is more rich and thicker than the crema produced by the original machines. The crema is not just foam but also. As the Spruce says, it could make up as much as 25% of an espresso's flavor. The Original line is more expensive and comes with Creatista or Lattissima espresso machines with built-in milk frothers to create lattes and cappuccinos at the press of a button.
The Lattissima Line
This line is perfect for those who want a machine which can make cappuccinos, lattes and other milky coffee drinks. It has three customizable one-touch recipes, and its 4.2-ounce milk container is reusable and dishwasher safe. It's also light, making it easy to move and store in a compact space. However, some users complain that it's not as easy to use as other Nespresso models.
Its jug has drink-specific lines in it, so you can pre-select which beverage you'd like to prepare before the machine is heating up. It has a sensor which will stop the steaming automatically when it is unable to make milk.
The Lattissima One offers a great value for the price. It's available in four colors including porcelain white, dark gray, and silky-white. It's easy to clean and has a an uncluttered design that won't overpower small spaces. It is also reasonably priced, with a suggested retail cost of $385/PS279
Like the OriginalLine models, it comes with an automatic drip tray that catches any loose grounds while you pour your espresso. This feature is ideal for minimizing mess and preventing overflow, which could spoil the flavor of your espresso.
The Pro and Gran Lattissima both have a larger water tank than the Lattissima One, allowing them to hold more water before having to refill. The two models feature 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 coffee or tea.
The only issue with the Lattissima is the difficulty in adjusting the consistency and thickness of your milk foam. The machine is only compatible with skim milk (sorry Vegans and dairy-intolerant folks) and the foaming system does not work well with almond or vegetable milks. Its frothing wand can also be difficult to clean it, which is a frequent complaint among Nespresso owners. Fortunately, the Lattissima Pro and Gran Lattissima come with a self-cleaning system which cleans the milky intestines after every use of the frothing.
The Vertuo Line
The Nespresso Vertuo makes a small and concentrated cup of coffee. It's the perfect choice for espresso lovers. best nespresso machine reads the barcode that is located on the outer edge of each capsule to determine how much coffee it can make. Nespresso's Vertuo pods are extracted using an exclusive technology.
Vertuo Line has a variety of drinks, including Ristretto, Espresso, Lungo (mini espresso), Americano, and Cappuccino. The machines can also be used in conjunction with the Nespresso Aeroccino Milk Frother to create frothy cappuccinos and lattes.
Each Vertuo Line machine heats up quickly and can be brewed in just 30 minutes. They have a smaller reservoir of water than the Original Line and require less maintenance. There are several models to pick from, so you can find one that fits your home's style and your budget.
In contrast to the Original Line machines, which only can brew Nespresso capsules, the Vertuo Line also brews regular filter-brewed coffee. This is done through an additional spout that is that is located at the bottom of the machine.
VertuoLine machines have a brand new system of brewing that gently extracts coffee and espresso by using the patented centrifusion technology. This allows for the creation of natural crema that protects and enhances coffee aromas. The VertuoLine system also has an intelligent recognition system that adjusts extraction parameters to suit each Grand Cru blend.
Each VertuoLine machine is backed by a manufacturer's guarantee and comes with a starter pack of 10 free Nespresso capsules. The company also offers an annual subscription service that provides new Nespresso caps each month.
The Nespresso VertuoPlus machine is the best overall machine. It is easy to use, heats up quickly and comes in a range of colors. It can create five different sizes of coffee and espresso including a flat white, ristretto and lungo. It also brews a Latte macchiato and can be used with the Aeroccino milk frother to create a cappuccino or Latte.
The VertuoPlus' only downside is that it takes longer to brew when compared to other machines, particularly when making an Americano. Comparing the Bunn Fastbrew with the Nespresso VertuoPlus, which can brew an 8-ounce Americano in just 42 seconds, the VertuoPlus took 1 minute and 51 seconds. Luckily, you can speed up the process by choosing an automatic mode.