Nespresso Coffee Machines
Unlike drip coffee makers, Nespresso models are compact and compact. They're black-colored and can vary in price and complexity. Some come with 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 make larger drink sizes like grand lungos.
What is an Nespresso machine?
Since 1986, Nespresso has marketed single-serve machines that make use of capsules to make espresso and coffee drinks. The brand has a loyal following thanks to its ease speed, consistency and speed in brewing a hot espresso-like drink. These machines can be an excellent alternative to making at-home espresso with moka pots or drip coffee maker both of which take some time and careful cleaning after each use.
A Nespresso machine utilizes a pressure system to extract the flavor of a pod. It then heats up water and it froths the milk to create coffee drinks like lattes and cappuccinos. Nespresso offers a wide selection of blends and coffees that can be customized to suit your mood and taste, including decaffeinated and flavored choices. The machines are stylish and compact, making them easy to use, making Nespresso a fantastic choice for those looking to grab a quick cup of coffee or tea in the afternoon.
Original Nespresso machines, that brew espresso-style shots from the company's Original capsules, were the only machines available until 2014, when the Vertuo line was launched. The Essenza Mini is the smallest model in this line. It's compact and has a small water tank and space for used capsules. Its simple operation, with just two buttons one for espresso, and the other for a lungo is easy to master.
In contrast to Keurig machines that require you to manually add water before each use,
Nespresso Vertuo all Nespresso models automatically discard any capsule that is not used after the brewing. Depending on the size of the water reservoir and the capsule storage, these can hold up to 12 pods that have been used, which are discarded into a built-in receptacle each time you open the machine.
A few of the most sought-after models can be used with the mobile app from the brand, which lets you customize recipes and reorder capsules from home. We tested this feature on the sleek stainless steel Vertuo Creatista, which also lets you make hot chocolate and iced drinks using an ice-making chamber that is specifically designed for frothing. The only downside to the machine we test was that it didn't support all types of milk, requiring you to buy an additional frothing wand should you wish to make drinks with whole, 2%, or almond milk.
The Original Line Original Line
The Original line of pod machines comprises the sleek Citiz Mini and Essenza Mini. Both models are pierced by the capsule, pump hot water at high pressure through it, and then deliver an espresso or lungo. The Original machines have higher pressure of 19 bars than some of the Vertuo models, which have pumps that range from 15 to 18 bars.
The original machines create a crema (a thin layer of tiny microbubbles on the top of the espresso) that is thicker and richer than the foam found in the Vertuo line. The crema is more than just froth. As the Spruce notes, it can be responsible for as much as 25% of espresso's flavor. The Original line also comes with more expensive Creatista and Lattissima machines, which come with built-in milk frothers to make cappuccinos, lattes and macchiatos with the touch of the button.
The Lattissima Line
This line of machines is perfect for those who enjoy milky coffee drinks like cappuccinos and lattes and want a machine that can handle it all. It comes with three different recipes and its 4.2 1 ounce milk container is easily removed and washed in the dishwasher. It is also lightweight and easy to store and transport in small spaces. However, some customers say it's not as easy to use as other Nespresso models.
The jug in this machine is marked with lines that indicate the kind of beverage you want. You can select your beverage while the machine is heating up. 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 the money It's available in four colors including black with gray accents, dark gray porcelain white, and silky white. The machine is easy-to-clean and has a minimalist design that won't overwhelm smaller spaces. It's also reasonably priced with a retail price of $385/PS279.
Similar to the OriginalLine models, it has an automatic drip tray that catches any loose grounds as you pour your espresso. This feature is ideal to prevent spills and overflow, which can ruin the flavor of your espresso.
The Pro and Gran Lattissima both have a larger water tank than the Lattissima One, allowing them to hold more water before having to refill. Both models come with an earlier time to heat up (15 seconds for an Espresso and 25 seconds for a Lungo) and a hot water function that can be used to make iced or tea.
The only downside to the Lattissima is the difficulty of changing the consistency and the density of the foam you make with your milk. 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. Its frothing wand can also be tricky to clean and is a common complaint from Nespresso owners. The Lattissima Pro or Gran Lattissima has a self-cleaning feature that scrubs the milky insides of the frothing device after every use.
The Vertuo Line
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Nespresso Vertuo machine makes a small cup of coffee that's perfect for espresso lovers who prefer a short and intense drink. Each capsule is equipped with an engraved barcode on its rim that can be read by the machine's software to determine what size beverage it can create. 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 also are compatible with the Nespresso Aeroccino milk frother to make frothy cappuccinos and lattes.
Each Vertuo Line machine heats up quickly and is ready to brew within 30 seconds. They have smaller water tanks than Original Line machines and require less maintenance. There are many models available that you can choose one that fits your home's style as well as your budget.
Contrary to the Original Line machines,
Nespresso Vertuo which only make Nespresso capsules however, the Vertuo Line also brews regular, filter-brewed coffee. This is done via a separate spout situated at the bottom of machine.
VertuoLine machines feature a new system of brewing that softly extracts espresso and coffee by using patented centrifusion technology. This allows the creation of natural crema that protects and enhances coffee aromas. The VertuoLine system also features 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 annual subscription service that provides new
nespresso vertuo coffee machine caps each month.
There are many VertuoLine machines to pick from but the Nespresso VertuoPlus is our pick for best overall machine. It is easy to use, heats up quickly and comes in a range of colors. It can make five different sizes of espresso and coffee, including a flat white, ristretto and lungo. It also makes the latte-macchiato and can be used with the Aeroccino Milk Frother for the creation of lattes or cappuccino.