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I am a coffee fanatic. Once you go to proper coffee, you can’t go back. You cannot go back.
– Hugh Laurie
We couldn’t agree more, Hugh! After you have a cup of Nespresso coffee, you won’t be able to go back to your gas station’s coffee. Nespresso coffee machines aren’t your average Joes.
- Should I Get An Original Or Vertuo Machine?
- Original Machines: Quick & Easy Espressos
- Original Machines: Personalized Espressos
- Original Machines: Milk & Latte Machines
- Would George Clooney Pick Original Or Vertuo?
- Vertuo Machines: Full Range Of Coffee Styles
- What Is Descaling & How Can I Descale My Nespresso Machine?
- 8 Reasons Nespresso Is A Bold Coffee Machine (Infographic)
- What Is The Best Single Serve Coffee Maker?
Should I Get An Original Or Vertuo Machine?
Nespresso has many coffee machines, but they ultimately fall into one of two categories, Original or Vertuo.
Original
The Original machines extract coffee with up to 19 bars of pressure by pump, which gives you a hotter and stronger cup of coffee than Vertuo machines in our experience. The capsules are also less expensive than Vertuo’s, averaging $0.75 to $0.85 each.
These machines are best for those who like a bold cup of coffee without the too much crema and foam build up. Think strong European espressos, which is where Nespresso got its start. The Original line has more flavor options than the Vertuo line and satisfies that authentic espresso and coffee craving. If you like a smaller, stronger cup of coffee, look into the Original models.
If you want to try a variety of Nespresso’s Original capsules to find your favorite flavors, you can get 50 for $40.00 ($0.80 / Count) .
Vertuo
Vertuo machines extract coffee using centrifusion (rapid spinning) and milder temperature water. This process extracts fewer oils and essence (aka flavor) from the coffee grounds. So the coffee is often milder than what you’d get with an Original machine. The capsules, however, allow for larger coffees.
People have often been surprised at how “small” the coffees are that the Original line produces. That’s because in Europe, coffees tend to be smaller and stronger (think espressos), and that’s how the Nespresso got its start. The Vertuo line is newer and geared more towards an American audience from what we can gather. Because the capsules are larger, they are also more expensive than the Original capsules, averaging $0.90 to $1.25 each.
Vertuo machines give you bold crema and foam and are marketed towards those who prefer a little “extra something” with their coffee. The Vertuo line has fewer flavor options than the Original line, but it can create your favorite drink with an intense crema (think George Clooney Nespresso commercial). If you like a large cup of coffee, Vertuo may be your best bet.
If you want to try a variety of Nespresso’s Vertuo capsules to find your favorites, you can get 30 for $37.50 ($1.25 / Count) .
Original Machines: Quick & Easy Espressos
These are small, compact machines that are convenient and simple to use.
| Essenza Mini | Pixie | CitiZ | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Read Review | Read Review | Read Review | Read Review |
| Price | $177.00 | $189.00 ($5.91 / Ounce) | |
| Espresso Size - 1.35oz |  | | |
| Lungo Size - 3.7oz | | | |
| 25 Seconds Heat-Up Time | | | |
| Removable Water Tank Capacity | 20.29oz | 23.7oz | 33.8oz |
| 9-Minute Energy Save | | | |
| Used Capsule Capacity | 5-6 | 11 | 9 |
| 19 Bar Pressure | | | |
| Dimensions (WxHxD) | 3.3" x 8.03" x 12" | 4.4" x 9.3" x 12.8" | 8.6" x 10.9" x 14.6" |
| Weight | 5.07 lbs | 6.6 lbs | 8.93 lbs |
| Cable Length | 39.37" | Not Listed | 33.46" |
| Cable Storage | | ||
| 1-Year Warranty | | | |
| Essenza Mini | Pixie | CitiZ |
Essenza Mini Review
3.3/5.0 (68 user reviews)*
* User reviews are taken from Nespresso.com at time of writing. The total score is an average, so the more users that have reviewed the product, the more reliable the total score should be. This applies to all “user reviews” on this page.
Essenza Mini is Nespresso’s most compact machine, but it doesn’t compromise any of the taste. It has two programmable buttons for espresso and lungo coffees. If you don’t care about a fancier looking coffee machine and want something with a small footprint, checkout the Essenza Mini.
Price
Pixie Review
3.5/5.0 (118 user reviews)
Pixie is ergonomic and lightweight and has two one-touch buttons to create an espresso or lungo drink. It also features an empty water tank alert.
Price
- $189.00 ($5.91 / Ounce)
- Bundle (includes milk frother):
CitiZ Review
2.7/5.0 (91 user reviews)
If you want a step-up in design, the CitiZ may be appealing to you. Its retro-modern look makes it hip for any kitchen without compromising its compact dimensions. It has two programmable buttons for espresso and lungo drinks.
Price
Original Machines: Personalized Espressos
Want a step-up from the previous models and the ability to customize your espresso? Check out these Personalized Espresso models.
| Expert | KitchenAid | |
|---|---|---|
| Read Review | Read Review | Read Review |
| Price | Check Amazon for availability | Check Amazon for availability |
| Ristretto Size - 0.75 - 0.85 oz. | | |
| Espresso Size - 1.35oz | | |
| 2oz | |
|
| 3oz | |
|
| Lungo Size - 3.7oz | | |
| Americano Size - 0.84oz coffee and 4.2oz hot water | | |
| 4.4oz | |
|
| Cappuccino - 1.7oz milk froth and 1.35oz coffee | | |
| Latte Macchiato - 5oz milk froth and 1.35oz coffee | | |
| Heat-Up Time | 30 seconds | 25 seconds |
| Removable Water Tank Capacity | 37oz | 44oz |
| 9-Minute Energy Save | | |
| Used Capsule Capacity | 10-12 | 14 |
| 19 Bar Pressure | | |
| App Integration | | |
| Dimensions (WxHxD) | 15" x 11.3" x 8.8" | 8.2" x 12.9" x 12.9" |
| Weight | 10 lbs | 19 lbs |
| Cable Storage | | |
| Warranty | 1-year | 2-year |
| Expert | KitchenAid |
Expert Review
2.8/5.0 (31 user reviews)
Gourmet coffee shop fans will love this Nespresso machine. You’ll feel like a true barista with the ability to make americanos, lattes, cappuccinos and more with this coffee maker. You can control the Expert machine through an app and even schedule when you want your beverage made. It can brew ristretto, espresso, lungo and americano size coffees.
Price
- Check Amazon for availability
- Bundle (includes milk frother):
KitchenAid Review
3.1/5.0 (45 user reviews)
If you love KitchenAid products and Nespresso, here’s your machine. It features a manual lever for the capsule door and a brewing button with six pre-programmed cup sizes (ristretto, espresso, 2 oz, 3 oz, lungo and 4.4 oz). If you love displaying your appliances on your countertop and want something to match your other KitchenAid products, this is a great pick.
Price
- Check Amazon for availability
- Bundle (includes milk frother): Check Amazon for availability
Original Machines: Milk & Latte Machines
Want to customize the settings to make your perfect milk and coffee beverage, including bold cappuccinos, creamy lattes and rich macchiatos? Then these Original models may be your best bet.
| Lattissima Plus | Lattissima Touch | Lattissima Pro | Creatista | Creatista Plus | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Read Review | Read Review | Read Review | Read Review | Read Review | Read Review |
| Price | $319.00 | $310.00 | $595.99 | Check Amazon for availability | $587.98 |
| Ristretto Size - 0.75 - 0.85 oz. | | | |
||
| Espresso Size - 1.35oz | | | | | |
| Lungo Size - 3.7oz | | | | | |
| Cappuccino - 1.7oz milk froth and 1.35oz coffee | | | | | |
| Latte Macchiato - 5oz milk froth and 1.35oz coffee | | | | | |
| Heat-Up Time | 25 seconds | 25 seconds | 15 seconds | 3 seconds | 3 seconds |
| Removable Water Tank Capacity | 30oz | 30.4oz | 44oz | 50oz | 50oz |
| Removable Fresh Milk Container | 11.8oz | 11.8oz | (Size not listed) | ||
| Milk Jug | | |
|||
| 9-Minute Energy Save | | | | | |
| Used Capsule Capacity | 10 | 9 | 15 | 10 | 10 |
| 19 Bar Pressure | | | | | |
| Dimensions (WxHxD) | 6.5" x 13.5" x 12.6" | 6.9" x 10.2" x 12.6" | 7.6" x 14" x 13" | 6.7" x 12.2" x 16.1" | 6.7" x 12.2" x 16.1" |
| Weight | 9.9 lbs | 10 lbs | 12.6 lbs | 11.4 lbs | 11.4 lbs |
| Cable Storage | | | | ||
| 2-Year Warranty | | | | | |
| Lattissima Plus | Lattissima Touch | Lattissima Pro | Creatista | Creatista Plus |
Lattissima Plus Review
3.6/5.0 (92 user reviews)
Lattissima Plus features an integrated milk carafe that you can easily remove and place in the refrigerator between uses to keep from spoiling. Its one-touch system is simple to use and can deliver your favorite drink each morning. It features four preset buttons (espresso, lungo, cappuccino and latte macchiato).
Price
Lattissima Touch Review
3.2/5.0 (6 user reviews)
Lattissima Touch has a luxury feel to it with its touch sensor for selecting your brew preference. You have five different brew options: espresso, lungo, cappuccino, latte macchiato and hot milk. With the Lattissima Touch you have more brew options than with the Lattissima Plus.
Price
Lattissima Pro Review
5.0/5.0 (11 user reviews)
The Lattissima Pro can brew six brew sizes (espresso, lungo, cappuccino, latte macchiato, ristretto and hot milk). It can hold more water than the Touch with a 44oz capacity and its milk container is dishwasher safe. With this model you have not only more brew options, but potentially less cleaning time as well.
Price
Creatista Review
No user reviews
Want to take a whack at latte art from home? Creatista lets you create your caffeinated beverage and make it pretty too. It has three preset settings to brew ristretto, espresso and lungo sizes. You can make more complex drinks, like flat whites, and adjust the settings to customize your preferred coffee volume, milk temperature and mixture.
Price
Creatista Plus Review
3.9/5.0 (65 user reviews)
If you like what the Creatista has to offer but want more milk temperature options (11 to be exact), milk textures (8), a 3-second heat up time and sturdier metal build, the Creatista Plus may be a good option. If all of this sounds like too much to you, then maybe go with the simpler Creatista model outlined above.
Price
Would George Clooney Pick Original Or Vertuo?
Does Clooney love Nespresso? Seems like he does, an ambassador for the brand since 2006, here’s the first commercial featuring him enjoying a coffee from an Original machine:
Vertuo Machines: Full Range Of Coffee Styles
Looking for a larger cup of joe? Brew a short espresso, indulge in a mug or sip on a large thermos of your favorite coffee with these machines.
All of the Vertuo machines below brew five sizes: espresso, double espresso, gran lungo, coffee and alto. A friendly reminder that Vertuo machines require different capsules than the Original machines, and there are different Vertuo capsule sizes for different brew sizes (contrasted to the Original line, where all the capsules are the same size).
| VertuoPlus | VertuoPlus Deluxe | Evoluo | Vertuo | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Read Review | Read Review | Read Review | Read Review | Read Review |
| Price | $159.00 | $189.99 | $180.00 | $160.00 |
| Espresso Size - 1.35oz | | | | |
| Double Espresso Size - 2.7oz | | | | |
| Gran Lungo Size - 5oz | | | | |
| Coffee Size - 7.7oz | | | | |
| Alto Size - 14oz | | | | |
| Crema | | | | |
| Heat-Up Time | 20 seconds | 20 seconds | 15-20 seconds | 15 seconds |
| Removable Water Tank Capacity | 37.1oz | 57.5oz | 54oz | 40oz |
| 9-Minute Energy Save | | | | |
| Used Capsule Capacity | 10 | 10 | 17 | 13 |
| Dimensions (WxHxD) | 8.7" x 12.8" x 12.7" | 9.1" x 12.8" x 13.2" | 9.0" x 12.3" x 12.2" | 8.32" x 11.93" x 11.91" |
| Weight | 10.1 lbs | 10.1 lbs | 11 lbs | 10.85 lbs |
| Cable Length | 29.13" | 29.13" | 29.13" | 33.46" |
| 1-Year Warranty | | | | |
| VertuoPlus | VertuoPlus Deluxe | Evoluo | Vertuo |
VertuoPlus Deluxe Review
3.4/5.0 (200 user reviews)
The VertuoPlus Deluxe is straightforward and easy to use. Simply insert a capsule, close the lever and voila, your coffee starts to brew. You can attach the water reservoir on either side or behind the machine.
Price
VertuoPlus Review
3.4/5.0 (200 user reviews)
The VertuoPlus water reservoir is smaller than the Deluxe version, and you can adjust its position from the left or right side or behind the machine itself.
Price
Evoluo Review
3.4/5.0 (353 user reviews)
The Evoluo water reservoir is built into the coffee maker, unlike the VertuoPlus models. The design is different and features a flatter top compared to the VertuoPlus models. It can hold more used capsules too, up to 17.
Price
Vertuo Review
4.0/5.0 (311 user reviews)
This Vertuo model is wider than the others because its water reservoir and used capsule tank sit on the sides of the coffee machine. It can hold up to 13 used coffee capsules or 20 espresso capsules.
Price
What Is Descaling & How Can I Descale My Nespresso Machine?
It’s important to descale your machine every 3 months (or every 300 capsules used) to remove deposits of calcium and lime. Descaling improves the coffee taste. Also, taking good care of your Nespresso machine, in general, will help improve its lifespan.
The video below is for the Lattissima Plus Nespresso machine, but there are machine-specific videos on YouTube that can guide you in descaling your machine.
8 Reasons Nespresso Is A Bold Coffee Machine (Infographic)
What Is The Best Single Serve Coffee Maker?
Nespresso has many coffee machine models to fit each coffee drinker. Whether you like espressos, lattes or bold black coffee, there’s a model for you. However, there are also other companies to consider for your coffee drinking needs. Read our review of the Best Single Serve Coffee Makers to see which coffee maker creates the best cup of Joe for you.
Tagged With: Coffee
Big Nespresso fan – my only beef is, why does the “free shipping” not kick in automatically for orders that total more than $35? I went into my order history and just realized that an order I had placed 2018 for $160+ I had accidentally selected “paid shipping: below $35” and they charged me for shipping! How ridiculous is that?
So people, my PSA for the day: please remember to select the free shipping option.
Joe Bean