Nespresso Coffee Machines
Unlike drip coffee makers, Nespresso models are small and compact. They sport a basic black design and vary in terms of price and complexity. Some include an milk frother to create Latte art, and they can be linked with an app to manage recipes or get notifications on descaling.
The most basic machines, like our choice the Essenza Mini, are simple and affordable, but they leave out features that create more complicated drinks. Other machines can brew bigger sizes of drinks, like gran lungos.
What is what is a Nespresso Machine?
Since 1986,
portable nespresso maker sells single-serve machines which use capsules to brew espresso and coffee drinks. The brand has gained a loyal fan base because of its ease of use, speed and consistency when brewing a hot espresso-like drink. These machines are a great alternative to making espresso at home using a drip coffee maker or moka pot, both of which require time and care after each use.
A Nespresso machine makes use of pressure to extract the flavor of the pod, and then heats water and
nespresso Vertuo machine froths milk for coffee drinks such as lattes or cappuccinos. Nespresso offers a wide selection of coffee and tea blends to fit different moods and tastes as well as decaffeinated and flavored choices. Their machines are compact elegant, stylish, and simple to operate and make them a great choice for those who need a quick cup of coffee in the morning or for an afternoon refreshment.
Original Nespresso machines, which 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 Essenza Mini is the smallest model of 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 an espresso and another for a lungo which makes it easy to master.
In contrast to Keurig machines that require you to add water manually prior to every use, all Nespresso models automatically discard any capsule that is not used after making. Depending on the size of the water reservoir and storage for capsules the capsules can hold anywhere from four to 12 used pods, which are disposed of in the built-in receptacle when you open the machine.
Some of the most popular models are also compatible with the brand's mobile app that lets you modify recipes and order capsules from the comfort of your 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 drawback of the machine we test is that it doesn't support all types of milk. You'll need purchase a separate frothing tool if you wish to make drinks using whole almond, 2% or 2% milk.
The Original Line
The Original line of pod machines includes the elegant Citiz Mini and
Nespresso Vertuo machine the Essenza
mini nespresso machine. Both machines penetrate the capsule and pump hot water at high pressure through it, delivering an espresso or a lungo. The Original machines have a higher pressure of 19 bars than some of the Vertuo models, which have pumps of 15 to 18 bars.
The Vertuo machines create foam that is more dense and more dense than the crema produced by the original machines. The crema is more than just froth, though--as the Spruce says, it can make up one quarter of espresso's taste. The Original line comes with more expensive Creatista or Lattissima espresso machine with built-in milk frothers to create lattes and cappuccinos at the push of the button.
The Lattissima Line
This line of machines is ideal for people who prefer milky coffee drinks such as cappuccinos and lattes and need a machine that can handle it all. It comes with three recipes that can be customized and its 4.2 ounce milk container can be taken out and washed in the dishwasher. It's also light, making it easy to move and store in a small space. Some users claim that it is not as intuitive as other Nespresso machines.
The jug in this machine has lines that show the type of beverage you'd like. You can select your beverage while the machine is heating. It comes with a sensor that automatically stops the steaming when it is unable to make milk.
The Lattissima One is a good value for 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 has a a minimalist aesthetic that won't overwhelm small spaces. It is also reasonably priced, with a retail cost of $385/PS279
Similar to the OriginalLine models, it comes with an automatic drip tray that collects any loose grounds as you pour your espresso. It's a nice feature to minimize mess, and it helps prevent overflow that can alter the taste of your coffee.
The Pro and Gran Lattissima both have a larger water tank than the Lattissima One, allowing them to hold more liquid prior to needing to refill. These two models have an earlier time to heat up (15 seconds for an Espresso and 25 seconds for a Lungo) and hot water functions that can be used to make tea or iced espresso.
The only real downside to the Lattissima is the difficulty in changing the consistency and thickness of your milk foam. The machine is only suitable with skim milk (sorry Vegans and dairy-intolerant folks) and the foaming system does not work well with almond or vegetable milks. The wand that froths can be tricky to clean and is a common complaint from Nespresso owners. The Lattissima Pro or Gran Lattissima features a self-cleaning function 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 short strong drink. The machine scans the barcode that is located on the outer rim of each capsule in order to determine the amount of coffee it can make. Nespresso uses an innovative extraction process 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 also be used with the Nespresso Aeroccino Milk Frother to make frothy lattes and cappuccinos.
Each Vertuo Line machine heats up quickly and is ready to brew in about 30 seconds. They use a smaller water tank than the Original Line machines and require less maintenance. There are a variety of models to pick from, so you can choose one that matches 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 done through the spout, which is located at the bottom of machine.
VertuoLine machines come with a brand new brewing technology that makes use of centrifusion to extract gently espresso and coffee. This enables the creation of a natural crema that protects and enhances the quality of coffee aromas. The VertuoLine System also features an intelligent recognition feature that can adjust the extraction parameters according to each Grand Cru blend.
Each VertuoLine machine comes with a manufacturer's guarantee and an initial pack of Nespresso capsules. The company also offers an annual subscription service that provides new Nespresso caps each month.
There are many VertuoLine machines to pick from but the Nespresso VertuoPlus is our pick for best overall machine. It's simple to operate and quick to heat up and comes in several colors. It can make five different sizes of coffee and espresso, including a ristretto, lungo, espresso and flat white. It also makes a latte macchiato, and can be combined together with the Aeroccino milk mixer to create a cappuccino or Latte.
