Nespresso Coffee Machines
Nespresso coffee makers are small and compact and are not as bulky as drip coffee machines. They are black in color and range in terms of price and complexity. nespresso machine white include an milk frother to create Latte art and can be linked to an app that allows you to manage recipes or receive notifications about descaling.
The simplest machines, like our favorite the Essenza Mini, are simple and affordable but forgo features that make more complicated drinks. Other machines can make larger drink sizes like gran lungos.
What is an Nespresso machine?
Since 1986, Nespresso has marketed single-serve machines that make use of capsules to make coffee drinks and espresso. The brand has an army of loyal customers due to the speed, ease and consistency their machines can make a hot, espresso-like beverage. These machines are a great alternative to making espresso at home using a moka pot, both of which require time and care after each use.
A Nespresso machine makes use of an air pressure system to extract the flavor of a pod. It then heats up water and it froths the milk to create coffee drinks, such as cappuccinos and lattes. Nespresso offers a wide selection of tea and coffee blends to suit different tastes and moods as well as decaffeinated and flavored choices. Their machines are sleek, compact, and easy-to-use, making the perfect option for those looking to have a quick cup of coffee or tea in the afternoon.
The Vertuo line was introduced to replace the Nespresso machines in 2014, which used the Original capsules to brew espresso shots. The Essenza Mini is the smallest model in this line. It's compact and has a small water tank, and room for capsules that are used. Its simple operation, with just two buttons one for espresso, and another for a lungo which makes it easy to master.
Unlike Keurig machines, which require you to manually add water before every use, all Nespresso models automatically dispose of any used capsule after making. Depending on the size of the water reservoir and storage for capsules they can store up to 12 used pods, which are disposed of into the built-in receptacle every time you open the machine.
Some of the more well-known models are also compatible with the app for mobile, which allows you to make your own recipes and reorder capsules from home. We tested this feature on the sleek stainless steel Vertuo Creatista, which also lets you make hot chocolate and iced drinks using an ice-making chamber that is specifically designed for frothing. The only drawback of the machine we test is that it does not support all types of milk. You'll need to purchase a separate frothing tool if you wish 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 Essenza Mini. Both models penetrate the capsule, and then pump hot water under high pressure, and deliver an espresso or lungo. The Original machines use 19 bar of pressure, which is 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 on top of the espresso), which is thicker and richer than the foam in the Vertuo line. The crema is more than just frost. As the Spruce notes it can account as much as 25 percent of an espresso's flavor. The Original line comes with more expensive Creatista or Lattissima espresso machines that have built-in milk frothers to create lattes and cappuccinos at the touch of one 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 handle everything. It offers three customizable one-touch recipes, and its 4.2-ounce milk container is reusable and dishwasher-safe. It's also light and easy to store and move in small spaces. Some users claim that it is not as intuitive as other Nespresso machines.
The jug's lines for drinks are that are etched into it, which means you can pre-select which beverage you'd like to prepare before the machine heats up. It also has a sensor that automatically stops steaming when the jug is empty and stops the waste of milk.
The Lattissima One is a good value for the money, and it's available in four colors including black with gray accents, dark gray porcelain white and silky white. The machine is easy to clean and has a an uncluttered design that won't overwhelm small spaces. It's also fairly affordable, with a retail price of $385/PS279.
Like the OriginalLine models, it has an automatic drip tray that captures any loose grounds as you pour your espresso. It's a nice feature to minimize mess, and it helps to prevent spills that could spoil the flavor of your coffee.
The Pro and Gran Lattissima have larger water tanks than the Lattissima One. This allows them to hold more liquid without having to refill. These two models also have a quicker heating time (as as short as 15 seconds for an espresso and 25 seconds for a lungo) and also have an improved hot water function that can be used to make tea or iced coffee.
The only real disadvantage of the Lattissima line is the difficulty in altering the consistency of your milk foam. The machine is only compatible with skim milk (sorry Vegans and dairy-intolerant folks), and the foaming mechanism doesn't work well with vegetable or almond milks. The wand that froths can be difficult to clean, which is a common complaint among Nespresso owners. Fortunately the Lattissima Pro and Gran Lattissima have a self-cleaning cycle which cleans the milky intestines after every use of the frother.
The Vertuo Line
The Nespresso Vertuo makes a small, concentrated cup of coffee. It's perfect for espresso lovers. Each capsule is equipped with a barcode along the outside of its rim, which is read by the machine's system to determine the amount of coffee it can make. Nespresso utilizes an exclusive extraction method to ensure that you get the most flavor from each Vertuo pod.
Vertuo Line has a variety of drinks like Ristretto, Espresso, Lungo (mini espresso), Americano, and Cappuccino. The machines can be combined 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 seconds. They have a smaller reservoir for water than the Original Line and require less maintenance. There are many models to pick from, so you'll be able to find one that matches your home's style and your budget.
In contrast to the Original Line machines, which only make Nespresso capsules however, the Vertuo Line also brews regular, filter-brewed coffee. It does this by using an additional spout that is located at the bottom of the machine.
VertuoLine machines have a brand new system of brewing that softly extracts espresso and coffee by using the patented centrifusion technology. This allows the creation of a natural crema that protects and enhances the coffee's aromas. The VertuoLine System also features an intelligent recognition feature that can adjust the extraction parameters to each Grand Cru blend.
Each VertuoLine machine comes with a manufacturer's warranty and includes an initial pack of 10 free Nespresso capsules. The company offers a subscription service which delivers new Nespresso capsules every month.
The Nespresso VertuoPlus machine is the best overall machine. It's easy to operate, quick to heat up and comes in a variety of colors. It can produce five different sizes of espresso and coffee, including a ristretto, espresso, lungo and flat white. It also makes an espresso-latte, and it can be used with the Aeroccino Milk Frother to create cappuccino or lattes.
The VertuoPlus' only downside is that it takes longer to brew compared to other machines, specifically when making an Americano. In comparison, for instance, to Bunn Fastbrew, which could brew an 8-ounce Americano in just 42 seconds the Nespresso VertuoPlus brewed it in 1 minute and 51 seconds. You can speed up the process by making sure you choose an automatic mode.