Nespresso Coffee Machines
Nespresso coffee makers are compact and small unlike drip coffee machines. They sport a basic black look and range in price and complexity. Some include a milk frother for latte art and can be linked to the app of the company to manage recipes and receive alerts about descaling.
The Essenza Mini is a simple machine that is affordable however it lacks the features needed to make more complex drinks. Other machines can brew larger drinks, like Gran Lungos.
What is a Nespresso machine?
Since 1986, Nespresso sells single-serve machines which make use of capsules to brew coffee drinks and espresso. The brand has a loyal following thanks to its ease, speed and consistency in brewing a hot espresso-like drink. 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 makes use of a pressure system to extract the flavor of a pod. It then heats water and froths the milk to create nesspresso coffee machine drinks such as lattes and cappuccinos. Nespresso offers a variety of coffee and blends that can be customized to fit your preferences and mood, including decaffeinated and flavored options. Their machines are sleek, compact, and easy-to-use and make them a great choice for those looking to take a quick sip of tea or coffee nespresso machines in the afternoon.
The Vertuo line replaced the Nespresso original machines in 2014, using capsules that were 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 storage space for used capsules. Its easy operation, with only two buttons - one for an espresso and one for a lungo–makes it simple to master.
All Nespresso machines automatically dispose of used capsules after making. This is in contrast to Keurig machines that require you to manually add the water every time. Based on the size of the reservoir and capsule storage they can store up 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 are compatible with the mobile app developed by 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 lets you make hot chocolate and iced coffee with the frothing chamber that is built-in to the. The only downside to the machine we tried was that it does not support all varieties of milk and requires you to purchase an additional frothing wand should you plan to make drinks with whole, 2%, or almond milk.
The Original Line
The Original line of pod machines comprises the sleek Citiz Mini and Essenza Mini. Both machines pierce the capsule and pump hot water at a high pressure through it to deliver an espresso or a lungo. The Original machines use 19 bars of pressure, which is more than the 15-18 bar pumps found in the more expensive Vertuo models.
The Vertuo machines produce foam that is more dense and thicker than the crema created by the original machines. The crema is more than just frost. As the Spruce notes it can account for up to 25 percent of the flavor of an espresso. The Original line also offers pricier Creatista and Lattissima machines that come with built-in milk frothers to make cappuccinos, lattes and macchiatos at the touch of an button.
The Lattissima Line
This line is perfect for those who need a machine which can make cappuccinos, lattes and other milky coffee drinks. It comes with three recipes that can be customized and its 4.2 ounce milk container can be removed and washed in the dishwasher. It's also lightweight, making it easy to transport and store in a tight space. Some customers have complained that it's not as intuitive as other Nespresso machines.
The jug in this machine has lines that show the kind of beverage you'd like to drink. You can choose your beverage while the machine is heating up. It also comes with a sensor that automatically stops the steaming process when the jug runs out and stops the waste of milk.
The Lattissima One is a good value for its price, and it's available in four colors: black with gray accents, dark gray porcelain white, and silky white. It's easy to clean and has a minimalist design that won't overwhelm smaller rooms. It's also relatively affordable with a retail price of $385/PS279.
(Image: https://cdn.freshstore.cloud/offer/images/778/15564/nespresso-lattissima-one-evo-automatic-coffee-maker-by-de-longhi-single-serve-capsule-coffee-machine-automatic-frothed-milk-cappuccino-and-latte-en510-w-1450w-white-15564.jpg)Similar to the OriginalLine models, this one also has an automatic drip tray that captures any loose grounds while you pour your espresso. This feature is great 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 needing refill. Both models also have a speedier heat-up time (as little as 15 seconds for 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 drawback to the Lattissima line is the difficulty in adjusting the consistency of the foam you make. The machine can only be used 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 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 insides of the frothing device after each use.
The Vertuo Line
A Nespresso Vertuo machine makes a small cup of coffee that is ideal for espresso lovers who 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 can make. Nespresso's Vertuo pods are extracted using a unique technology.
The Vertuo Line offers a wide range of different drinks, including Ristretto (mini espresso), Espresso, Lungo, Americano and Cappuccino. The machines also work with the Nespresso Aeroccino milk frother to create frothy lattes and cappuccinos.
Each Vertuo Line machine heats up quickly and is ready to brew within 30 minutes. They use a smaller water tank than Original Line machines and require less maintenance. There are several models to choose from, so you can find the one that is compatible with your style and budget.
Unlike the Original Line machines, which only make Nespresso capsules however, the Vertuo Line also brews regular filter-brewed coffee. They do this via a separate spout at the bottom of the machine.
VertuoLine machines come with a new brewing technology that makes use of centrifusion to softly extract coffee and espresso. This enables the creation of an organic crema that preserves and improves the quality of coffee aromas. The VertuoLine System also features an intelligent recognition feature that adjusts the extraction parameters according to 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 top overall machine. It's easy to operate, quick to heat up and comes in a variety of colors. It can create five different sizes of coffee and espresso 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 make a cappuccino, or latte.
The only downside to the VertuoPlus is that it takes a little longer to prepare than other machines, particularly when making an Americano. Comparing the Bunn Fastbrew to the Nespresso VertuoPlus, which can make an 8-ounce Americano in just 42 seconds, the VertuoPlus took 1 minute, 51 seconds. You can speed up the process by making sure you choose an automatic mode.(Image: https://cdn.freshstore.cloud/offer/images/778/15920/de-longhi-nespresso-inissia-en-80-b-coffee-machine-19-bar-0-8-liters-black-15920.jpg)
