Nespresso Coffee Machines
Contrary to drip coffee makers Nespresso models are small and compact. They are simple in their black design and vary in terms of price and complexity. Some include a milk frother that can be used to create Latte art and can be connected to an app to manage recipes or receive notifications about descaling.
The Essenza Mini is a simple machine that is inexpensive however it lacks the features required to make complex drinks. Other machines can make larger sizes of drinks, like Gran lungos.
What is an Nespresso machine?
Since 1986, Nespresso has marketed single-serve machines that use capsules to create coffee and espresso drinks. The brand has a huge number of loyal fans thanks to the ease, speed 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 a lot of time and attention after each use.
A Nespresso machine makes use of pressure to extract the flavor of the pod, then it heats water and froths milk to create coffee drinks like lattes and cappuccinos. Nespresso has a wide variety of tea and coffee blends to fit different tastes and moods, including flavored and decaffeinated choices. Their machines are sleek and compact, as well as easy to use, making them a great option for those who want to take a quick sip of coffee or tea in the afternoon.
The Vertuo line replaced the Nespresso original machines in 2014, which utilized the Original capsules to make espresso shots. The Essenza Mini is the smallest model in this line. It's compact, with a small water tank, and room for capsules that are used. Its simple operation, using just two buttons, one for an espresso and one for a lungo -- makes it easy to master.
All Nespresso machines eliminate used capsules after the brewing. This is in contrast to Keurig machines, which require users to manually add water every time. These machines can store anything from four to twelve pods that have been used, 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.
Some of the most popular models also work with the mobile app of the brand that lets you customize 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 using a dedicated frother room. The only issue with the machine we tested is that it doesn't support all milk types. You will need to purchase a separate frothing device in order to make drinks with whole almond, 2% or 2% milk.
The Original Line Original Line
The Original line of pod machines includes the stylish Citiz Mini and the Essenza Mini. Both machines are pierced by the capsule and pump hot water through it to deliver an espresso or a lungo. The Original machines have an increased pressure of 19 bars than some of the Vertuo models that have pumps that range from 15 to 18 bars.
The Original machines produce a crema (a thin layer of tiny microbubbles on top of the espresso) which is more dense and more rich than the foam in the Vertuo line. The crema is more than just froth. However, as the Spruce notes, it can make up 25% of espresso's taste. The Original line offers more expensive Creatista or Lattissima espresso machines with built-in milk frothers to make lattes and cappuccinos at the touch of the 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 does everything. It comes with three different recipes and its 4.2 ounce milk container can be removed and washed in the dishwasher. It is also lightweight and easy to store and transport in small spaces. Some users have complained that it is not as intuitive as other Nespresso machines.
Its jug has drink-specific lines etched into it, so you can choose the beverage you want to make while the machine heats up. It also comes with a sensor that automatically stops steaming when the jug runs out and stops milk waste.
The Lattissima One is a good value for the money, and it's available in four colors that include black with gray accents, dark gray porcelain white and silky white. The machine is easy to clean and features a an elegant design that doesn't overwhelm small spaces. It's also fairly affordable, with a retail price of $385/PS279.
Like the OriginalLine models, it comes with an automatic drip tray that captures any loose grounds when you pour your espresso. This feature is great to prevent spills and overflow, which could ruin the taste 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 to refill. These two models also have a speedier heat-up time (as as short 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 issue with the Lattissima is the difficulty in adjusting the consistency and the density of the foam you make with your milk. Going Here is only compatible with skim milk (sorry vegans and people who are lactose-intolerant) and the foaming system does not work well with vegetable or almond milks. The wand for frothing is difficult to clean. This is a typical complaint from Nespresso users. The Lattissima Pro or Gran Lattissima comes with a self-cleaning feature that cleans out the milky insides of the frother after every use.
The Vertuo Line
The Nespresso Vertuo makes a small, concentrated cup of coffee. It's the perfect choice for espresso lovers. The machine reads the barcode on the outside rim of each capsule to determine the amount of coffee it should make. Nespresso's Vertuo capsules are extracted using a unique technology.
Vertuo Line has a variety of drinks, including Ristretto, Espresso, Lungo (mini espresso), Americano, and Cappuccino. The machines can be combined 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 reservoir than the Original Line and require less maintenance. There are several models to choose from, meaning you can find the one that is compatible with your home's style and your budget.
Contrary to the Original Line machines, which only brew Nespresso capsules, the Vertuo Line also brews regular, filter-brewed coffee. This is accomplished by the spout, which is situated at the bottom of machine.
VertuoLine machines feature a new system of brewing that gently extracts espresso and coffee by using the patented centrifusion technology. This allows the creation of natural crema, which protects and enhances the coffee's aroma. The VertuoLine System also features an intelligent recognition feature that adjusts the extraction parameters to match each Grand Cru blend.
Each VertuoLine machine comes with a manufacturer's guarantee and comes with the starter pack of 10 free Nespresso capsules. The company also offers an annual subscription service that provides new Nespresso caps each month.
While there are many different VertuoLine machines to pick from but the Nespresso VertuoPlus is our choice as the top overall machine. It is easy to use, heats up quickly and comes in a variety of colors. It can make five different sizes of espresso and coffee which include a ristretto lungo, espresso and flat white. It also makes an espresso-latte, and it can be used with the Aeroccino Milk Frother to create lattes or cappuccino.
The only issue with the VertuoPlus is that it takes a little longer to brew than other machines, especially when making an Americano. For instance, if you compare it to the Bunn Fastbrew, which could brew 8-ounce Americano in just 42 seconds the Nespresso VertuoPlus brewed it in 1 minute and 51 seconds. Luckily, you can speed up the process by selecting an automatic mode.