Nespresso Coffee Machines
Unlike drip coffee makers, Nespresso models are small and compact. They are simple in their black aesthetic and range in terms of price and complexity. Some include a milk froth for latte art and can be linked to the app of the company to manage recipes and receive descaling notifications.
The Essenza Mini is a simple machine that is affordable but lacks the features required to make complex drinks. Other machines can also make larger drink sizes like gran lungos.
What is a Nespresso Machine?
Since 1986, Nespresso sells single-serve machines which use capsules to brew espresso and coffee drinks. The brand has a loyal following due to its ease of use speed, consistency and speed in brewing a hot espresso-like drink. These machines can be a great alternative to brewing at home espresso using moka pots or drip coffee maker each of which requires time and careful cleaning after each use.
A Nespresso machine utilizes the pressure system to extract the flavor of a pod. It then heats water and froths the milk to create coffee drinks like cappuccinos and lattes. Nespresso provides a range of blends and coffees that can be customized to suit your preferences and mood with decaffeinated and flavored choices. Their machines are stylish, compact, and easy-to-use which makes the perfect option for those who want to grab a quick cup of coffee or tea in the afternoon.
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 launched. The Essenza Mini is the smallest model in the line. It is compact, with a small water tank and room for used capsules. Its easy-to-use operation with only two buttons one for espresso, and another for lungos - makes it simple to master.
In contrast to Keurig machines that require the user to manually add water before each use, all Nespresso models automatically discard the capsules that are used after brewing. These machines can store anything from four to twelve pods used up, based on the size of their water reservoirs and capsule storage. They are then disposed of into a built in receptacle every time you open the machine.
Some of the most popular models are compatible with the mobile app of the brand, which allows users to create custom recipes and to reorder the capsules at home. We tested this feature on the sleek, stainless steel Vertuo Creatista, which also offers the option to make hot chocolate and iced coffee with an ice-making chamber that is specifically designed for frothing. The only downside to the machine we test was that it didn't support all milk varieties and requires you to purchase a separate frothing wand if you want to make drinks with whole or 2% almond milk.
The Original Line Original Line
The Original line of pod-only machines comprises the sleek Citiz and the Essenza Mini. Both models pierce the capsule, pump hot water at high pressure through it, and produce an espresso or lungo. The Original machines use higher pressure of 19 bars than some of the Vertuo models, which have pumps that range from 15 to 18 bars.
The original machines create crema (a thin layer of tiny microbubbles layered on top of the espresso), which is thicker and more affluent than the foam of the Vertuo line. The crema is more than just froth. As the Spruce says, it can make up a quarter of an espresso's flavor. The Original line also has more expensive Creatista and Lattissima models that come with built-in milk frothers to create cappuccinos, lattes, and macchiatos at the push of a button.
The Lattissima Line
This line of machines is perfect for people who prefer milky coffee drinks like lattes and cappuccinos, and want a machine that can do everything. It has three customizable recipes and its 4.2 cup milk container can be taken out and washed in the dishwasher. It's also light and easy to store and move in small areas. However, some users complain that it's not as intuitive to use as other Nespresso models.
The jug of this machine has lines that show the kind of beverage you'd like to drink. You can pick your beverage while the machine is heating. It comes with a sensor that automatically stops the steaming when it is unable to make milk.
The Lattissima One offers a great value for the price. 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 won't overwhelm smaller rooms. It's also fairly affordable and has a price of $385/PS279.
Like the OriginalLine models, this one also has an automatic drip tray that catches any loose grounds when you pour your espresso. This feature is fantastic for minimizing mess and preventing overflow, which could spoil the flavor of your espresso.
The Pro and Gran Lattissima have larger water tanks than the Lattissima One. This allows them to hold more water without having refill. These two models have 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 downside to the Lattissima is the difficulty of altering the consistency and thickness of your milk foam. The machine is only compatible with skim milk (sorry vegans and those who are lactose intolerant) and the foaming system doesn't work well with almond or vegetable milks. The wand that froths can be difficult to clean it, which is a frequent complaint from Nespresso owners. Fortunately the Lattissima Pro and Gran Lattissima come with a self-cleaning system that cleans the milky insides after every use of the frothing.
The Vertuo Line
The Nespresso Vertuo makes a small and concentrated cup of coffee. It's ideal for those who love espresso. The machine scans the barcode on the outer edge of each capsule to determine how much coffee it will make. Nespresso utilizes a unique extraction technology to ensure you get the most flavor from each Vertuo pod.
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 make frothy cappuccinos and lattes.
Each Vertuo Line machine heats up quickly and is ready to brew within 30 seconds. They have a smaller water tank than Original Line machines and require less maintenance. There are many models available that you can choose one that suits your style and budget.
Vertuo Line machines can also make regular filter coffee, unlike Original Line machines that only make Nespresso. This is done via a separate spout located at the bottom of machine.
VertuoLine machines come with a revolutionary system of brewing that softly extracts espresso and coffee by using the unique centrifusion technology. This allows the creation of natural crema, which protects and enhances the aroma of coffee. nespresso machine features an intelligent recognition system that alters the extraction parameters to match each Grand Cru blend.
Each VertuoLine machine is backed by a manufacturer's warranty. It also comes with the starter pack of 10 free Nespresso capsules. The company also offers an annual subscription service that provides new Nespresso capsules each month.
There are many VertuoLine machines to choose from however, the Nespresso VertuoPlus is our pick as the top overall machine. It's simple to operate and heats up quickly and comes in several colors. It can make five different sizes of coffee and espresso including a flat white, ristretto, and lungo. It also brews a Latte macchiato and is able to be used with the Aeroccino milk frother to make a cappuccino or the latte.
The only downside to the VertuoPlus is that it takes longer to prepare than other machines, particularly when making an Americano. Comparing the Bunn Fastbrew to the Nespresso VertuoPlus, which can brew an 8-ounce Americano in 42 seconds, the VertuoPlus took 1 minute and 51 seconds. You can speed up the process by choosing an automatic mode.