Nespresso Coffee Machines
Nespresso coffee makers are small and compact and are not as bulky as drip coffee machines. They sport a basic black aesthetic and range in terms of price and complexity. Some include a milk frother for latte art and can be linked to the app used by the company to manage recipes and receive descaling notifications.
The simplest machines, like our choice, the Essenza Mini, are simple and affordable, but they leave out features that can make more complex drinks. Other machines can make larger drinks, such as the gran lungos.
What is what is a Nespresso machine?
Since 1986, Nespresso sells single-serve machines that use capsules to make coffee drinks and espresso. The brand has a huge number of loyal customers thanks to the speed, ease and consistency their machines make an espresso-like hot drink. These machines are an ideal alternative to brewing at home espresso using moka pots or a drip coffee maker both of which take some time and careful cleaning after each use.
A Nespresso machine utilizes an air pressure system to extract the flavor of the pod. It then heats water and makes froths of the milk to make coffee drinks, such as lattes and cappuccinos. Nespresso offers a wide selection of blends and coffees that can be adapted to your mood and taste as well as decaffeinated and flavor choices. Their machines are sleek and compact, as well as easy to use and make Nespresso a fantastic option for those who want to have a quick cup of coffee or tea in the afternoon.
The Vertuo line was introduced to replace the Nespresso machines in 2014, using capsules from the Original capsules to make espresso shots. The smallest model in this line is the Essenza Mini, which is extremely compact, with a small water tank and a space for capsules that are used. Its user-friendly operation that has only two buttons one for espresso, and the other for lungo is easy to master.
All Nespresso machines automatically dispose of capsules that are used after making. This is unlike Keurig machines, which require you to manually add water each time. These machines can store anywhere from four up to twelve pods used up, based on the size of their water reservoirs and capsule storage. They are then thrown away into an internal receptacle time you open the machine.
Some of the more well-known models are also compatible with the brand's mobile app, which allows you to customize recipes and reorder capsules from the comfort of your home. We tested this feature on the sleek, stainless steel Vertuo Creatista, which also lets you make hot chocolate and iced drinks using the frothing chamber that is built-in to the. made my day to the machine we tried was that it does not support all varieties of milk which means you'll need to purchase a separate frothing wand if you plan to make drinks with whole or 2% almond milk.
The Original Line
The Original line of pod machines includes the stylish Citiz Mini and Essenza Mini. Both models pierce the capsule, pump hot water at high pressure, and then deliver an espresso or lungo. The original machines utilize a higher pressure of 19 bars than the Vertuo models, which have pumps that range from 15 to 18 bars.
The Original machines produce a crema (a thin layer of tiny microbubbles that sits on top of the espresso) which is more dense and richer than the foam of the Vertuo line. The crema is more than just foam but also. As the Spruce notes it can account up to 25 percent of an espresso's flavor. The Original line also has more expensive Creatista and Lattissima machines that come with built-in milk frothers to make cappuccinos, lattes and macchiatos with the touch of an button.
The Lattissima Line
This line is perfect for those who want machines that can make cappuccinos, lattes and other milky coffee drinks. It has three customizable recipes and its 4.2 ounce milk container can be taken out and washed in the dishwasher. It's also light, which makes it easy to transport and store in a compact space. However, some users complain that it's not as easy to use as other Nespresso models.
Its jug has drink-specific lines etched into it, so you can decide beforehand which drink you'd like to make as the machine is heating up. It has a sensor which automatically stops the steaming when it is unable to make milk.
The Lattissima One offers a great value for money. It's available in four different colors: porcelain white, dark gray and silky-white. The machine is easy to clean and features a an elegant design that doesn't overwhelm small spaces. It's also reasonably priced and has a price of $385/PS279.
It comes with an automatic drip tray exactly like the OriginalLine models. This tray catches any loose ground while you pour espresso. It's a great feature to reduce the mess, and helps to avoid spills that can alter the taste of your coffee.
The Pro and Gran Lattissima have larger water tanks than the Lattissima One. This allows them to hold more liquid without needing refill. The two models also have a speedier heating process (as little as 15 seconds for an espresso and 25 seconds for a lungo) and also have an improved hot water function to make tea or iced coffee.
The only downside to the Lattissima is the difficulty of changing the consistency and density of the foam you make with your milk. The machine only works with skim or almond milk. Sorry Vegans and those who are not tolerant to dairy. The wand that froths can be tricky to clean, which is a common complaint among Nespresso owners. The Lattissima Pro or Gran Lattissima has a self-cleaning feature that scrubs the milky interior of the frother after every use.
The Vertuo Line
A Nespresso Vertuo machine makes a small cup of coffee that's ideal for those who enjoy espresso but prefer a quick strong drink. The machine scans the barcode on the outside rim of each capsule to determine how much coffee it will 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 make frothy lattes and cappuccinos.
Each Vertuo Line coffee machine heats quickly and is ready for brewing in less than 30 seconds. They have a smaller reservoir of water 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 style and budget.
Vertuo Line machines can also make regular filter coffee unlike the Original Line machines that only can brew Nespresso. They do this via an additional spout located at the bottom of the machine.
VertuoLine machines are equipped with a brand new brewing technology that uses centrifusion to gently extract espresso and coffee. This creates an organic crema that preserves and improves the quality of coffee aromas. The VertuoLine system also features an intelligent recognition system that adjusts extraction parameters to match each Grand Cru blend.
Each VertuoLine machine is covered by a manufacturer's guarantee and comes with a starter pack of 10 free Nespresso capsules. The company also offers an optional subscription service that delivers fresh new Nespresso capsules each month.
The Nespresso VertuoPlus machine is the best overall machine. It is simple to use, heats up quickly and comes in a variety of colors. It can make five different sizes of coffee and espresso including a ristretto espresso, lungo and flat white. It also makes a latte macchiato and is able to be used together with the Aeroccino milk mixer to make a cappuccino or the latte.
The VertuoPlus' only downside is that it takes longer to brew compared to other machines, especially when making an Americano. Comparing the Bunn Fastbrew with the Nespresso VertuoPlus which can brew an 8-ounce Americano in just 42 seconds, the VertuoPlus took just 1 minute and 51 seconds. You can speed up the process by making sure you choose an automatic mode.