Nespresso Coffee Machines
Nespresso coffee makers are small and compact and are not as bulky as drip coffee machines. They're black-colored and range in terms of price and complexity. Some include a milk frother that can be used to create latte art, and they can be connected to an app to manage recipes or receive notifications about descaling.
The most basic machines, such as our favorite, the Essenza Mini, are simple and affordable, but they leave out features that create more complicated drinks. Other machines can brew larger sizes of drinks like gran lungos.
What is a Nespresso machine?
Since 1986, Nespresso sells single-serve machines which use capsules to brew coffee and espresso. The company has a large number of loyal fans thanks to the speed, ease, and consistency with which their machines make a hot, espresso-like beverage. These machines are a great 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 makes use of pressure to extract the flavor of a pod, then heats water and froths milk for coffee drinks such as lattes or cappuccinos. Nespresso offers a wide selection of blends and coffees that can be customized to fit your preferences and mood, including decaffeinated and flavored choices. The machines are compact elegant, stylish, and simple to use, making them the ideal option for those looking for an instant cup of coffee in the morning or an afternoon energy boost.
The Vertuo line replaced the original Nespresso machines in 2014, which utilized capsules that were the Original capsules to brew espresso shots. The smaller model in this line is the Essenza Mini, which is extremely compact, with a small water tank as well as a room for used capsules. Its easy-to-use operation with only two buttons - one for an espresso, and the other for lungos is easy to master.
All Nespresso machines automatically dispose of used capsules after making. This is different from Keurig machines, which require you to manually add water every time. Based on the size of the reservoir and the capsule storage the capsules can hold between four and 12 used pods, which are disposed of into the built-in receptacle every time you open the machine.
Some of the most popular models can be used with the mobile app from the brand, which allows you to customize recipes and order capsules at home. We tested this feature on the sleek, stainless steel Vertuo Creatista, which also allows you to make hot chocolate and iced drinks using a dedicated frothing chamber. The only issue with the machine we test is that it doesn't support all milk types. You will need to purchase a separate frothing machine for making drinks with whole almond, 2% or 2% milk.
The Original Line
The Original line of pod machines comprises the sleek Citiz Mini and the Essenza Mini. Both models penetrate the capsule, and then pump hot water under high pressure, and deliver an espresso or lungo. The original machines utilize 19 bars of pressure which is much higher than the 15 to 18 bar pumps in some of the more expensive Vertuo models.
The original machines create a crema (a thin layer of tiny microbubbles layered on the top of the espresso), which is thicker and richer than the foam found in the Vertuo line. The crema is not just froth. As the Spruce notes it can account up to 25% of an espresso's flavor. The Original line comes with more expensive Creatista or Lattissima espresso machine with built-in milk frothers to create cappuccinos and lattes at the touch of one button.
The Lattissima Line
This line of machines is perfect for those who enjoy milky coffee drinks such as lattes and cappuccinos and need a machine that can do it all. It has three customizable recipes and its 4.2 ounce milk container can be removed and washed in the dishwasher. It's also light and easy to store and move around in small spaces. Some users claim that it is not as intuitive as other Nespresso machines.
Its jug has drink-specific lines in it, so you can decide beforehand which drink you want to make while the machine heats up. It comes with a sensor that automatically stops the steaming when it runs out of milk.
The Lattissima One offers a great value for money. It's available in four colors that include porcelain white, dark gray and silky-white. The machine is easy to clean and has a minimalistic aesthetic that doesn't take up too much space in smaller spaces. It's also fairly affordable with a retail price of $385/PS279.
It has an automatic drip tray, just like the OriginalLine models. The tray is designed to catch any loose ground while you pour espresso. This feature is great for reducing mess and preventing overflow, which can ruin the flavor of your espresso.
The Pro and Gran Lattissima have larger water tanks than the Lattissima One. This allows them to hold more liquid without needing refill. These two models also have a faster heating process (as as little as 15 seconds for an espresso and 25 seconds for a lungo) and have an enhanced hot water function to make tea or iced coffee.
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 is only compatible with almond or skim milk. Sorry vegans and those who are intolerant to dairy. The wand that froths can be tricky to clean it, which is a frequent complaint among Nespresso owners. Fortunately the Lattissima Pro and Gran Lattissima have a self-cleaning mechanism which cleans the milky intestines after each use of the frother.
The Vertuo Line
A Nespresso Vertuo machine makes a small cup of coffee that is ideal for espresso lovers who prefer a quick strong drink. Each capsule has a barcode along the outside of its rim, which is read by the machine's computer to determine the size of drink it can create. Nespresso's Vertuo pods are extracted using a unique technology.
The Vertuo Line offers a wide variety of drinks, including Ristretto (mini espresso), Espresso, Lungo, Americano and Cappuccino. The machines can also be used with the Nespresso Aeroccino Milk Frother to make frothy lattes and cappuccinos.
Each Vertuo Line coffee machine heats quickly and is ready for brewing in less than 30 seconds. They have a smaller water reservoir than the Original Line and require less maintenance. There are a variety of models to choose from, so you can choose one that fits your home's style and your budget.
In contrast to the Original Line machines, which only make Nespresso capsules The Vertuo Line also brews regular filter-brewed coffee. It does this by using a separate spout at the bottom of the machine.
VertuoLine machines have a brand new system of brewing that gently extracts espresso and coffee by using patented centrifusion technology. This allows for the creation of natural crema, which preserves and enhances coffee aromas. The VertuoLine system also features an intelligent recognition system that adjusts extraction parameters to match each Grand Cru blend.
Each VertuoLine machine comes with a manufacturer's assurance and an initial pack of Nespresso capsules. The company also offers an optional subscription service that delivers fresh new Nespresso capsules each month.
There are many VertuoLine machines to choose from, the Nespresso VertuoPlus is our choice for best overall machine. It's simple to operate and heats up quickly and comes in several colors. It can produce five different sizes of coffee and espresso, including a ristretto, espresso, lungo and flat white. nespresso mini coffee machine makes a latte macchiato, and can be combined with the Aeroccino milk frother to make a cappuccino or Latte.
The only drawback to the VertuoPlus is that it takes a little longer to prepare than other machines, particularly when making an Americano. For instance, when compared to Bunn Fastbrew, which could brew 8 ounces of Americano in just 42 seconds The Nespresso VertuoPlus required 1 minute and 51 seconds. You can accelerate the process by selecting an automatic mode.