Nespresso Coffee Machines
In contrast to drip coffee makers, Nespresso models are compact and compact. They sport a basic black design and vary in price and complexity. Some come with an milk frother to create Latte art, and they can be linked to an app that allows you to manage recipes or receive descaling notifications.
The Essenza Mini is a simple machine that is reasonably priced, but does not have the features required to make complex drinks. Other machines can make larger drink sizes like Gran Lungos.
What is an Nespresso Machine?
Since 1986, Nespresso has marketed single-serve machines that use capsules to make espresso and coffee drinks. The company has a large number of loyal customers due to the ease, speed, and consistency with which their machines can make an espresso-like hot drink. These machines are a great alternative to brewing at home espresso using a moka pot or drip coffee maker each of which requires time and careful cleaning after each use.
A Nespresso machine uses pressure to extract the flavor of a pod, then heats water and froths milk to make coffee drinks such as lattes and cappuccinos. Nespresso offers a variety of tea and coffee blends to suit different tastes and moods such as decaffeinated and flavor options. The machines are stylish and compact, making them easy to use which makes them a great option for those who want to grab a quick cup of tea or coffee in the afternoon.
Original Nespresso machines, that brew espresso-style shots from the company's Original capsules were the only machines available until 2014 which was when the Vertuo line was introduced. The smaller model in this line is the Essenza Mini, which is extremely compact and has a tiny water tank as well as a room for capsules that are used. Its easy operation, with just two buttons, one for an espresso and the other for a lungo -- makes it easy to master.
Unlike Keurig machines that require you to add water manually before each use, all Nespresso models automatically dispose of any capsule that is not used after making. Depending on the size of the reservoir and capsule storage they can store anywhere from four to 12 pods that have been used, which are discarded into a built-in receptacle each time you open the machine.
Some of the more popular models are also compatible with the mobile app of the brand that lets you make your own recipes and reorder capsules from the comfort of your home. We tested this feature on the sleek stainless steel Vertuo Creatista, which also allows you to make hot chocolate and iced coffee using the frothing chamber that is built-in to the. The only issue with the machine we tried is that it does not support all types of milk. You'll need purchase a separate frothing machine if you wish to make drinks with whole almond, 2% or 2% milk.
The Original Line
The Original line of pod machines includes the stylish Citiz Mini and the Essenza Mini. Both machines pierce the capsule and pump hot water through it to deliver an espresso or a lungo. The Original machines use 19 bars of pressure which is higher than the 15-18 bar pumps found in the more expensive Vertuo models.
The Vertuo machines produce a foam that is richer and thicker than the crema produced by the Original machines. nespresso machines is more than just frost. As the Spruce says, it could make up for 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 create lattes and cappuccinos at the push of one button.
The Lattissima Line
This line of machines is ideal for those who enjoy milky coffee drinks, such as lattes and cappuccinos, and need a machine that can handle it all. It comes with three different recipes and its 4.2 ounce milk container can be taken out and washed in the dishwasher. It is also lightweight and easy to store and move in small areas. However, some users say it's not as easy to use as other Nespresso models.
The jug of this machine is marked with lines that indicate the kind of beverage you'd like. You can pick your beverage while the machine is heating. It is equipped with a sensor that stops steaming at the moment it is unable to make milk.
The Lattissima One offers a great value for the price. It's available in four colors: porcelain white, dark gray and silky-white. It's easy to clean and has a minimalistic aesthetic that won't overwhelm smaller spaces. It is also reasonably priced, with a suggested retail price of $385/PS279
It has an automatic drip tray just like the OriginalLine models. The tray is designed to catch any loose ground as you pour espresso. It's a nice option for minimizing mess, and it helps prevent overflow that could spoil the flavor of your coffee.
The Pro and Gran Lattissima both have a larger water tank than the Lattissima One, allowing them to hold more liquid before needing to refill. Both models come with an earlier time to heat up (15 seconds for an Espresso and 25 seconds for Lungo) and a hot water function that can be used to make iced or tea.
The only real disadvantage of the Lattissima line is the difficulty in changing the consistency of your milk foam. The machine is only compatible with skim milk (sorry vegans and those who are lactose intolerant) and the foaming system doesn't work well with almond or vegetable 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 wand after each use.
The Vertuo Line
A Nespresso Vertuo machine makes a small cup of coffee that's ideal for espresso lovers who prefer a short, intense drink. The machine reads the barcode that is located on the outer edge of each capsule to determine the amount of coffee it should make. Nespresso's Vertuo pods are extracted with a unique technology.
Vertuo Line has a variety of drinks like Ristretto, Espresso, Lungo (mini espresso), Americano, and Cappuccino. The machines can also be used in conjunction with the Nespresso Aeroccino Milk Frother to create frothy cappuccinos and lattes.
Each Vertuo Line machine heats up quickly and can be brewed within 30 seconds. They have a smaller water tank than the Original Line machines and require less maintenance. There are many models to pick from, so you'll be able to find the one that is compatible with your style and budget.
In contrast to the Original Line machines, which only make Nespresso capsules The Vertuo Line also brews regular, filter-brewed coffee. They do this via an additional spout that is located at the bottom of the machine.
VertuoLine machines feature a new brewing system that gently extracts coffee and espresso by using the patented centrifusion technology. This allows for the creation of natural crema, which protects and enhances the coffee's aroma. The VertuoLine system also features an intelligent recognition system that adjusts extraction parameters to suit each Grand Cru blend.
Each VertuoLine machine comes with a manufacturer's guarantee and comes with an initial pack of 10 free Nespresso capsules. The company also offers a subscription service that provides new Nespresso capsules each month.
The Nespresso VertuoPlus machine is the top overall machine. It's easy to operate and quick to heat up and comes in several colors. It can produce five different sizes of espresso and coffee which include a ristretto lungo, espresso and flat white. It also makes a latte-macchiato, and it can be used with the Aeroccino Milk Frother for the creation of cappuccino or lattes.
The only downside to the VertuoPlus is that it takes a little longer to make a cup than other machines, particularly 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 just 1 minute and 51 seconds. You can accelerate the process by selecting an automatic mode.