10 Tell-Tale Signs You Need To Get A New Nespresso Machine
Nespresso Coffee Machines
Nespresso coffee makers are compact and small and are not as bulky as drip coffee machines. They sport a basic black look and range in terms of price and complexity. Some include a milk frother to make Latte art, and they can be linked with an app to manage recipes or receive notifications about descaling.
The Essenza Mini is a simple machine that is inexpensive, but does not have the features required to make complex drinks. Other machines can also make larger drinks, such as the gran lungos.
What is an Nespresso machine?
Since 1986, Nespresso sells single-serve machines that use capsules to make coffee drinks and espresso. The brand has a loyal following due to its ease of use speed, consistency and speed in making hot espresso drinks. These machines are a great alternative to making espresso at home with a drip coffee maker or moka pot, which both require a lot of time and attention after each use.
A Nespresso machine makes use of pressure to extract the flavor of a pod, then heats water and froths milk to make coffee drinks such as lattes or cappuccinos. Nespresso has a wide variety of coffee and tea blends to fit different tastes and moods, including flavored and decaffeinated options. Their machines are compact, stylish, and easy to operate which makes them the perfect option for those looking for an easy cup of coffee in the morning or an afternoon pick-me-up.
The Vertuo line was introduced to replace the Nespresso machines in 2014, using capsules that were the Original capsules to brew espresso shots. The most compact model in the line is the Essenza Mini, which is extremely compact, with a small water tank as well as a room for capsules that are used. Its simple operation, with only two buttons - one for an espresso and the other for a lungo -- makes it easy to master.
Contrary to Keurig machines, which require the user to manually add water before each use, all Nespresso models automatically discard any used capsule after making. They can store between four and twelve pods used up, based on the size of their water reservoirs as well as capsule storage. They are then disposed of into an internal receptacle time you open the machine.
Some of the most popular models are also compatible with the app for mobile 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 offers the option to make hot chocolate and iced drinks using a dedicated frothing chamber. The only issue with the machine we test is that it doesn't support all milk types. You'll need purchase a separate frothing tool for making drinks with whole almond, 2% or 2% milk.
The Original Line
The Original line of pod-only machines comprises the elegant Citiz and Essenza Mini. Both machines pierce the capsule and pump hot water at a high pressure through it to deliver an espresso or a lungo. The original machines utilize 19 bar of pressure, which is much higher than the 15-18 bar pumps in some of the more expensive Vertuo models.
The Original machines produce crema (a thin layer of tiny microbubbles that sits on top of the espresso) which is more dense and more rich than the foam found in the Vertuo line. The crema is more than just froth. As the Spruce notes, it can account for up to 25% of espresso's flavor. The Original line comes with more expensive Creatista or Lattissima espresso machine with built-in milk frothers to create lattes and cappuccinos at the touch of the button.
The Lattissima Line
This line is perfect for those who need a machine which can make cappuccinos, lattes and other milky coffee drinks. It comes with three user-friendly recipes, and its 4.2-ounce milk container is removable and dishwasher safe. It's also light, which makes it easy to move and store in a small space. Some users claim that it's not as intuitive as other Nespresso machines.
Its jug has drink-specific lines in it, so you can decide beforehand which drink you'd like to prepare before the machine heats up. It has a sensor which automatically stops the steaming when it runs out of milk.
The Lattissima One offers a great value for money. It's available in four different colors that include porcelain white, dark gray, and silky-white. It's easy to clean and has a minimalistic design that won't overwhelm smaller rooms. The machine is also reasonably priced, with a suggested retail cost of $385/PS279
It comes with an automatic drip tray, exactly like the OriginalLine models. The tray is designed to catch any loose ground when you pour espresso. This feature is fantastic for reducing mess and preventing overflow, which could ruin the taste of your espresso.
The Pro and Gran Lattissima have larger water tanks than the Lattissima One. This allows them to hold more liquid without having to refill. The two models also have a faster heating process (as little as 15 seconds for an espresso and 25 seconds for a lungo) and also have an improved hot water function for making tea or iced coffee.
The only real drawback of the Lattissima line is the difficulty of adjusting the consistency of the foam you make. It only works with almond or skim milk. Sorry Vegans and those who are not tolerant to dairy. The frothing wand is also difficult to clean. This is a common complaint from Nespresso users. Fortunately, the Lattissima Pro and Gran Lattissima have a self-cleaning mechanism that cleans the milky innards after each use of the frothing.
The Vertuo Line
A Nespresso Vertuo machine makes a small cup of coffee that's perfect for those who love espresso and prefer a quick and intense drink. Each capsule is equipped with an engraved barcode on its outer rim that is read by the machine's software to determine the amount of coffee it will 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, 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 coffee machine heats quickly and is ready to brew in less than 30 seconds. They have a smaller water reservoir than the Original Line and require less maintenance. There are a myriad of models to choose from, so you can choose one that fits your home's style and budget.
Vertuo Line machines can also brew regular filter coffee, unlike the Original Line machines that only brew Nespresso. This is done via a separate spout that is located at the bottom of the machine.
VertuoLine machines come with a revolutionary brewing technique that uses centrifusion to gently extract coffee and espresso. This creates a natural crema that protects and enhances the coffee's aromas. nespresso machines compared has an intelligent recognition system that alters the extraction parameters to match each Grand Cru blend.
Each VertuoLine machine is backed by a manufacturer's warranty. It also comes with the starter pack of 10 free Nespresso capsules. The company also offers a subscription service that delivers fresh new Nespresso capsules each month.
While there are many different VertuoLine machines to choose from however, the Nespresso VertuoPlus is our choice for the 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 which include a ristretto lungo, espresso and flat white. It also brews a latte macchiato and can be used with the Aeroccino milk frother to make a cappuccino or Latte.
The VertuoPlus has only one disadvantage, that it takes longer to brew compared to other machines, specifically when making an Americano. For instance, when compared to the Bunn Fastbrew, which brewed 8 ounces of Americano in just 42 seconds The Nespresso VertuoPlus required 1 minute and 51 seconds. You can accelerate the process if you select an automatic mode.