Nespresso Coffee Machines
In contrast to drip coffee makers,
buy nespresso Machine models are small and compact. They have a basic black look and range in terms of price and complexity. Some come with a milk frother to create latte art. They can also be linked to the app of the company to manage recipes and receive descaling alerts.
The most basic machines, such as our favorite, the Essenza Mini, are simple and affordable, but they leave out features that make more complicated 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 espresso and coffee drinks. The brand has an army of loyal customers thanks to the speed, ease and consistency their machines make a hot, espresso-like beverage. These machines are a great alternative to making espresso at home with a moka pot, both of which require a lot of time and attention 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 and cappuccinos. Nespresso offers a variety of coffee and blends that can be customized to fit your mood and taste, including decaffeinated and flavored choices. Their machines are sleek and compact, making them easy to use, making Nespresso a fantastic option for those looking to have a quick cup of tea or coffee in the afternoon.
Original Nespresso machines, that 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 smaller model in this line is the Essenza Mini, which is super compact with a tiny water tank and a storage space for capsules that are used. Its simple operation, with just two buttons - one for an espresso, and another for a lungo - makes it simple to master.
Contrary to Keurig machines, which require you to add water manually before each use, all Nespresso models automatically dispose of any used capsule after the brewing. They can store anything from four to twelve pods that have been used, based on the size of their water reservoirs as well as capsule storage. They are then disposed of into the built-in receptacle each time you open the machine.
Some of the more popular models also work with the mobile app of the brand, which allows you to modify recipes and order capsules from 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 a dedicated frothing chamber. The only downside of the machine we test is that it does not support all milk types. You'll need purchase a separate frothing device if you wish to make drinks using whole almond, 2% or 2% milk.
The Original Line
The Original line of pod-only machines comprises the sleek Citiz and the Essenza Mini. Both machines are pierced by the capsule and pump hot water at high pressure through it to deliver an espresso or a lungo. The Original machines use 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 produce crema (a thin layer of tiny microbubbles that sits on the top of the espresso) that is thicker and more affluent than the foam of the Vertuo line. The crema is more than just frost. As the Spruce says, it could make up as much as 25 percent of the flavor of an espresso. The Original line also offers pricier Creatista and Lattissima models that have built-in milk frothers to make lattes, cappuccinos and macchiatos with the touch of a button.
The Lattissima Line
This line is ideal for those who want an appliance that can make cappuccinos lattes and other milky coffee drinks. It has three customizable recipes and its 4.2 ounce milk container is easily removed and washed in the dishwasher. It's also light, making it easy to move and store in a compact space. Some customers have complained that it's not as intuitive as other
krups nespresso coffee machine machines.
The jug's lines for drinks are etched into it, so you can pre-select which beverage you'd like to make as the machine heats up. It also has a sensor that automatically stops steaming when the jug runs out and stops milk waste.
The Lattissima One offers a great value for the price. It's available in four different 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 spaces. The machine is also moderately priced, with a suggested retail cost of $385/PS279
It comes with an automatic drip tray, similar to the OriginalLine models. This tray catches any loose ground while you pour espresso. This feature is ideal for minimizing mess and preventing overflow, which could spoil 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 having to refill. The two models also have a faster heat-up time (as little as 15 seconds for an espresso and 25 seconds for a lungo) and have an enhanced hot water function for making tea or iced coffee.
The only real drawback of the Lattissima line is the difficulty of adjusting the consistency of the foam you make. The machine only works with almond or skim milk. Sorry Vegans and people who are allergic to dairy. The wand for frothing 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 that cleans the milky insides after every use of the frother.
The Vertuo Line
The Nespresso Vertuo makes a small and concentrated cup of coffee. It's perfect for espresso lovers. The machine scans the barcode on the outside edge of each capsule to determine how much coffee it can make. Nespresso utilizes an innovative extraction process 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 also integrate with the Nespresso Aeroccino milk frother to create frothy lattes and cappuccinos.
Each Vertuo Line machine heats up quickly and can be brewed in about 30 seconds. They have a smaller reservoir for water than the Original Line and require less maintenance. There are many models available and you can pick one that is compatible with your style as well as your budget.
Unlike the Original Line machines,
Buy nespresso machine which only can brew Nespresso capsules however, the Vertuo Line also brews regular, filter-brewed coffee. This is done via a separate 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 using the unique centrifusion technology. This allows the creation of natural crema that protects and enhances the aroma of coffee. The VertuoLine system also has an intelligent recognition system that adjusts extraction parameters to match each Grand Cru blend.
Each VertuoLine machine comes with a manufacturer's assurance and a starter pack of Nespresso capsules. The company also offers an optional subscription service that sends new Nespresso capsules each month.
There are many VertuoLine machines to pick from, the Nespresso VertuoPlus is our pick as the top overall machine. It's simple to operate and heats up quickly and comes in a variety of colors. It can make five different sizes of coffee and espresso, including a flat white, ristretto, and lungo. It can also make a latte-macchiato, and it can be used with the Aeroccino Milk Frother to create lattes or cappuccino.
The only drawback to the VertuoPlus is that it takes longer to brew than other machines, specifically 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 brewed it in 1 minute and 51 seconds. You can speed up the process by making sure you choose an automatic mode.