Nespresso Coffee Machines
In contrast to drip coffee makers, Nespresso models are small and compact. They are black in color and vary in price and complexity. Some come with a milk frother for latte art, and can be connected to the app of the company to manage recipes and receive descaling alerts.
The Essenza Mini is a simple machine that is inexpensive, but does not have the features needed to make more complex drinks. Other machines can also make larger drink sizes like gran lungos.
What is a Nespresso machine?
Since 1986, Nespresso has marketed single-serve machines that use capsules to make coffee drinks and espresso. The brand has an army of loyal fans thanks to the speed, ease and consistency their machines make an espresso-like hot beverage. These machines can be an excellent alternative to making at-home espresso with a moka pot or drip coffee maker, both of which require the time and care to clean 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 create 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 options. Their machines are small elegant, stylish and easy to use, making them the ideal choice for those who want a quick cup of coffee in the morning or a mid-day refreshment.
The Vertuo line replaced the Nespresso original machines in 2014, which used capsules that were the Original capsules to brew espresso shots. The smallest 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 simple operation, with just two buttons, one for espresso and the other for a lungo -- makes it easy to master.
All Nespresso machines automatically dispose of capsules that are used after making. This is in contrast to Keurig machines, which require users to manually add water every time. These machines can store anywhere from four up to twelve used pods depending on the size of their water reservoirs as well as capsule storage. They are then disposed of into the built-in receptacle each time you open the machine.
Many of the most well-known models can be used with the mobile app of the brand, which lets 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. delonghi nespresso machine to the machine we tried was that it does not support all types 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 Original Line
The Original line of pod-only machines includes the elegant Citiz and Essenza Mini. Both models penetrate the capsule, pump hot water under high pressure through it and then deliver an espresso or lungo. The Original machines use an increased pressure of 19 bars than the Vertuo models that 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) which is more dense and richer than the foam of the Vertuo line. The crema is not just foam but also. As the Spruce notes it can account up to 25 percent of the flavor of an espresso. The Original line also has more expensive Creatista and Lattissima machines that have built-in milk frothers to make cappuccinos, lattes and macchiatos at the push of the button.
The Lattissima Line
This series of machines is ideal for those who enjoy milky coffee drinks such as cappuccinos and lattes and want one machine that can do everything. It has three customizable one-touch recipes and its 4.2-ounce milk container is dishwasher-safe and dishwasher-safe. It's also light, making it easy to move and store in a small space. However, some users complain that it's not as easy to use as other Nespresso models.
The jug's lines for drinks are in it, so you can decide beforehand which drink you'd like to prepare before the machine is heating up. It comes with a sensor that stops steaming at the moment it is unable to make milk.
The Lattissima One is a good value for its price, 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 an uncluttered design that won't overpower small spaces. It's also reasonably priced and has a price of $385/PS279.
Like the OriginalLine models, this one also has an automatic drip tray that captures any loose grounds while you pour your espresso. It's a nice option to minimize mess, and it helps to avoid spills that can alter the taste of your drink.
The Pro and Gran Lattissima have larger water tanks than the Lattissima One. This allows them to hold more water without having refill. Both models also have a faster heating time (as as short as 15 seconds for espresso and 25 seconds for a lungo) and have an enhanced hot water function to make tea or iced coffee.
The only issue with the Lattissima is the difficulty of adjusting the consistency and density of the foam you make with your milk. The machine is only compatible with skim milk (sorry Vegans and dairy-intolerant folks) and the foaming mechanism doesn't work well with almond or vegetable 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 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 is ideal for those who enjoy espresso but prefer a quick, intense drink. The machine scans the barcode on the outer rim of each capsule to determine how much coffee it can make. Nespresso's Vertuo pods are extracted with an innovative technology.
Vertuo Line has a variety of drinks including Ristretto, Espresso, Lungo (mini espresso), Americano, and Cappuccino. The machines also work with the Nespresso Aeroccino milk frother to make frothy cappuccinos and lattes.
Each Vertuo Line machine heats up quickly and can be brewed within 30 seconds. They have a smaller reservoir for water than the Original Line and require less maintenance. There are a myriad of models to choose from, so you can choose one that suits your home's design and budget.
Contrary to the Original Line machines, which only can brew Nespresso capsules however, the Vertuo Line also brews regular, filter-brewed coffee. This is done through the spout, which is that is located at the bottom of the machine.
VertuoLine machines are equipped with a brand new brewing technology that uses centrifusion to softly extract coffee and espresso. This allows for the production of natural crema, which protects and enhances the aroma of coffee. The VertuoLine System also has an intelligent recognition feature that can adjust the extraction parameters to match each Grand Cru blend.
Each VertuoLine machine comes with a manufacturer's warranty and includes an initial pack of 10 free Nespresso capsules. The company also offers a subscription service which delivers new Nespresso caps each month.
The Nespresso VertuoPlus machine is the best overall machine. It's simple to operate and quick to heat up and comes in a variety of colors. It can produce five different sizes of coffee and espresso which include a ristretto lungo, espresso, and flat white. It also makes a latte macchiato and is able to be used with the Aeroccino milk frother to make a cappuccino or Latte.
The VertuoPlus has one drawback, which is that it takes longer to brew compared to other machines, particularly when making an Americano. In comparison, for instance, to Bunn Fastbrew, which could brew 8 ounces of Americano in just 42 seconds the Nespresso VertuoPlus brewed it in 1 minute and 51 seconds. You can accelerate the process if you choose an automatic mode.