Nespresso Coffee Machines
Nespresso coffee makers are compact and small, unlike drip coffee machines. They sport a basic black design and vary in price and complexity. Some include a milk frother for latte art and can be connected to the app used by 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 required to make complex drinks. Other machines can brew larger drink sizes like gran lungos.
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 with which their machines can make an espresso-like hot drink. These machines are a great alternative to making espresso at home with 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 froths milk to make coffee drinks such as lattes or cappuccinos. Nespresso offers a wide selection of coffee and blends that can be customized to suit your preferences and mood with decaffeinated and flavored choices. The machines are compact elegant, stylish and easy to operate and make them a great choice for those who need an instant cup of coffee in the morning or an afternoon energy boost.
The Vertuo line replaced the Nespresso original machines in 2014, using the Original capsules to brew espresso shots. The Essenza Mini is the smallest model in the line. It is compact, with a small water tank and space for capsules that are used. Its simple operation, using just two buttons--one for an espresso and the other for a lungo -- makes it easy to master.
Contrary to Keurig machines that require you to add water manually prior to every use, all Nespresso models automatically dispose of the capsules that are used after making. These machines can store between four and twelve pods that have been used, based on the size of their water reservoirs as well as capsule storage. They are then thrown away into an internal receptacle time you open the machine.
Many of the most well-known models are compatible with the mobile app of the brand, which allows users to create custom recipes and to reorder the capsules at home. This feature was tested on the sleek stainless steel Vertuo Creatista. sources tell me allows you to make hot coffee as well as iced tea using a dedicated frother room. The only drawback to the machine we test was that it didn't support all varieties of milk, requiring you to buy an additional frothing wand should you plan to make drinks using whole, 2%, or almond milk.
The Original Line
The Original line of pod machines comprises the sleek Citiz Mini and the Essenza Mini. Both machines pierce the capsule and then pump hot water at a high pressure through it to deliver an espresso or a lungo. The Original machines use an increased pressure of 19 bars than some of the Vertuo models that have pumps of 15 to 18 bars.
The Vertuo machines produce an espresso that is more rich and thicker than the crema produced by the original machines. The crema is not just foam but also. As the Spruce states, it can make up up to 25% of an espresso's flavor. The Original line is more expensive and comes with Creatista or Lattissima espresso machines that have built-in milk frothers to make cappuccinos and lattes at the push of the button.
The Lattissima Line
This line of machines is ideal for people who prefer milky coffee drinks like lattes and cappuccinos, and want one 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 lightweight, making it easy to transport and store in a small space. However, some customers say it's not as intuitive to use as other Nespresso models.
The jug's drink-specific lines are that are etched into it, which means you can pre-select which beverage you'd like to make as the machine is heating up. It also has a sensor that will automatically stops steaming when the jug is empty and prevents milk waste.
The Lattissima One offers a great value for money. It's available in four colors that include porcelain white, dark gray, and silky-white. It's easy to clean and has a a minimalist aesthetic that won't take up too much space in small spaces. The machine is also moderately priced, with a suggested retail cost of $385/PS279
Like the OriginalLine models, it has an automatic drip tray that collects any loose grounds as you pour your espresso. It's a great feature to minimize mess, and it helps to avoid spills which could affect the taste of your drink.
The Pro and Gran Lattissima both have a larger water tank than the Lattissima One, allowing them to hold more water before needing to refill. These two models also have a quicker heating process (as little as 15 seconds for an espresso and 25 seconds for lungo) and feature an upgraded hot water function for making tea or iced coffee.
The only downside to the Lattissima is the difficulty in adjusting the consistency and density of the foam you make with your milk. The machine only works with almond or skim milk. Sorry Vegans and people who are not tolerant to dairy. The wand for frothing can be difficult to clean it, which is a frequent complaint from Nespresso owners. The Lattissima Pro or Gran Lattissima has a self-cleaning feature that removes the milky insides of the frother after each 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 reads the barcode that is located on the outer edge of each capsule to determine the amount of coffee it will make. Nespresso utilizes an innovative extraction process to ensure that you get the best flavor from each Vertuo pod.
Vertuo Line has a variety of drinks, including 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 can be brewed within 30 minutes. They use a smaller water tank than Original Line machines and require less maintenance. There are a variety of models available, so you can choose one that is compatible with your style as well as your budget.
Vertuo Line machines can also make regular filter coffee, unlike Original Line machines that only make Nespresso. They do this through a separate spout at the bottom of the machine.
VertuoLine machines are equipped with a new brewing technology that uses centrifusion to softly extract coffee and espresso. This allows for the production of natural crema that protects and enhances the coffee's aroma. The VertuoLine system also has an intelligent recognition system that alters the extraction parameters to match each Grand Cru blend.
Each VertuoLine machine is covered by a manufacturer's warranty. It also comes with an initial pack of 10 free Nespresso capsules. The company offers a subscription service that delivers new Nespresso caps each month.
The Nespresso VertuoPlus machine is the top overall machine. It is easy to use, warms up quickly and comes in a variety of colors. It can create five different sizes of espresso and coffee including a flat white, ristretto, and lungo. It also makes a latte-macchiato, and it can be used in conjunction with the Aeroccino Milk Frother to make cappuccino or lattes.
The VertuoPlus has one drawback, which is that it takes longer to brew when compared to other machines, especially when making an Americano. Comparing the Bunn Fastbrew with the Nespresso VertuoPlus, which can make an 8-ounce Americano within 42 seconds, the VertuoPlus took 1 minute, 51 seconds. You can accelerate the process by selecting an automatic mode.