Nespresso Coffee Machines
Unlike drip coffee makers, Nespresso models are small and compact. They have a basic black design and vary in price and complexity. Some include a milk frother to create latte art. They can also be connected to the app used by the company to manage recipes and receive descaling alerts.
The Essenza Mini is a simple machine that is inexpensive, but does not have the features needed to make more complex drinks. Other machines can also make larger drinks, like grand lungos.
What is what is a Nespresso Machine?
Since 1986, Nespresso has marketed single-serve machines that use capsules to make coffee drinks and espresso. The brand has an army of loyal customers thanks to the speed, ease and consistency their machines make an espresso-like hot beverage. These machines are an excellent alternative to making espresso at home using a moka pot, which both require time and care after each use.
A Nespresso machine uses pressure to extract the flavor of the pod, and then heats water and froths milk for coffee drinks such as lattes or cappuccinos. Nespresso provides a range of blends and coffees that can be customized to fit your preferences and mood, including decaffeinated and flavored choices. Their machines are stylish and compact, making them easy to use which makes them a great choice for those looking to take a quick sip of coffee or tea in the afternoon.
Original Nespresso machines, which made espresso-like shots using the company's Original capsules were the only machines on the market until 2014 when the Vertuo line was launched. The most compact model in the line is the Essenza Mini, which is super compact with a tiny water tank and a storage space for used capsules. Its simple operation, with just two buttons, one for espresso and the other for a lungo--makes it simple to master.
Unlike Keurig machines, which require you to manually add water before every use, all Nespresso models automatically dispose of the capsules that are used after making. Based on the size of the water reservoir and the capsule storage they can store anywhere from four to 12 pods that have been used, which are disposed of in the built-in receptacle when you open the machine.
A few of the most sought-after 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 coffee using the frothing chamber that is built-in to the. The only issue with the machine we tested is that it doesn't support all milk types. You'll need to purchase a separate frothing device for making 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 Essenza Mini. Both models pierce the capsule, and then 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 have pumps of 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 more than just froth, though--as the Spruce notes, it can account for up to 25% of espresso's taste. The Original line also comes with more expensive Creatista and Lattissima machines 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, such as lattes and cappuccinos and want a machine that can do it all. It offers three customizable one-touch recipes, and its 4.2-ounce milk container is reusable and dishwasher-safe. It is also lightweight and easy to store and transport in small areas. Some customers have complained that it's not as intuitive as other Nespresso machines.
The jug of this machine has lines that show the type of beverage you'd like to drink. You can pick your beverage while the machine is heating up. It comes with a sensor that will stop the steaming automatically when it runs out of milk.
The Lattissima One is a good value for money, and it's available in four colors: black with gray accents, dark gray porcelain white, and silky white. The machine is easy-to-clean and has a minimalist design that won't overwhelm smaller rooms. It's also reasonably priced with a retail price of $385/PS279.
Similar to the OriginalLine models, this one also has an automatic drip tray that collects any loose grounds as you pour your espresso. This feature is ideal for reducing mess and preventing overflow, which could ruin the taste 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. These two models also have a speedier heating time (as little as 15 seconds for an espresso and 25 seconds for a lungo) and feature an upgraded hot water function for making tea or iced coffee.
The only issue with the Lattissima is the difficulty of changing the consistency and density of the foam you make with your milk. The machine is only compatible with skim milk (sorry vegans and those who are lactose intolerant) and the foaming mechanism doesn't work well with almond or vegetable milks. The wand for frothing is difficult to clean. This is a common complaint from Nespresso users. The Lattissima Pro or Gran Lattissima comes with a self-cleaning feature that removes the milky interior of the fr other after each use.
The Vertuo Line
A Nespresso Vertuo machine makes a small cup of coffee that's ideal for those who love espresso and prefer a short, intense drink. The machine reads the barcode on the outside rim of each capsule in order to determine how much coffee it should make. Nespresso uses an exclusive extraction method to ensure that you get the best 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 with the Nespresso Aeroccino Milk Frother to create frothy cappuccinos and lattes.
Each Vertuo Line coffee machine heats quickly and is ready for brewing in less than 30 seconds. They use smaller water tanks than the Original Line machines and require less maintenance. There are a variety of models available that you can choose one that suits your home's design and budget.
Contrary to the Original Line machines, which only brew Nespresso capsules however, the Vertuo Line also brews regular filter-brewed coffee. This is done via an additional spout that is located at the bottom of machine.
VertuoLine machines are equipped with a new brewing technology that makes use of centrifusion to gently extract coffee and espresso. This allows for the creation of natural crema, which protects and enhances the aroma of coffee. The VertuoLine system also has an intelligent recognition system that adjusts extraction parameters to suit each Grand Cru blend.
Each VertuoLine machine comes with a manufacturer's warranty and an initial pack of Nespresso capsules. The company also offers a subscription service that delivers fresh new Nespresso capsules each month.
The Nespresso VertuoPlus machine is the best overall machine. It is easy to use, warms up quickly and comes in a range of colors. It can create five different sizes of espresso and coffee including flat white, ristretto, and lungo. It also makes a latte macchiato and is able to be used together with the Aeroccino milk mixer to create a cappuccino or Latte.
The only issue with the VertuoPlus is that it takes a little longer to make a cup than other machines, specifically when making an Americano. For instance, if you compare it to the Bunn Fastbrew, which could brew an 8-ounce Americano in just 42 seconds, the Nespresso VertuoPlus took 1 minute and 51 seconds. You can accelerate the process if you choose an automatic mode.