You’re pretty sure you know you want to get a Nespresso machine, but there are so many. Which should you choose?
There are many ways to brew coffee, but this post is only about Nespresso style machines. I can’t debate Nespresso vs. other methods, because this is the only coffee I drink at home. For information on other methods, see this post on the Pour Over Method and this post on Semi vs. Super Automatic Espresso Machines.
There’s really only one big choice to make when it comes to choosing your first Nespresso machine. There are two types of machines – the Original Line machines and the VertuoLine machines.
We’ll start with the Original Line.
These machines are still more common than the newer VertuoLine machines. The first and most important thing to know about these machines is that they are espresso machines, not coffee machines. The capsules come in two sizes – a regular espresso size and a lungo espresso size. If your drink of choice is a latte or cappuccino, this machine is the one for you. Add a milk frother and you’ll be enjoying every cup from here on in.
(If you want to make an Americano, you can just eject the capsule after brewing your espresso shot and then run an empty water-only shot into the same cup. Some of the newer and more expensive machines have this option built in with a single button press, but it’s really doing the same thing.)
A plus of the Original Line is that because the patent has already expired, there are many coffee brands that make compatible capsules, which can cut down on cost. But even if you stick with Nespresso brand capsules, Original Line capsules are significantly cheaper than VertuoLine capsules.
The smallest, and lowest priced, Original Line machine is the Essenza mini. It makes just as good a cup of espresso as the bigger machines, with no bells and whistles. Bundling it with a milk frother is your most affordable option for a Nespresso setup. The Pixie has similar pricing – sometimes a few dollars more – but has a foldable drip tray which is important if you use a taller mug. (I have this model for Pesach and I have to fold up the tray to use a Dixie 12 oz hot cup. However, the weight of the empty cup is not enough to hold the drip tray up so I have to hold it until there’s enough weight in the cup that it doesn’t get knocked over. Keep this in mind if you tend to use disposable hot cups more than mugs. It’s a pain.) The Citiz costs a little bit more, but has a bigger water reservoir, heats up a few seconds faster, and can fit a full size mug on the drip tray. Those features are worth the extra price to me, but may not be for everyone. And the newest Citiz Platinum has the automated Americano cup size, as well as a hot water button for tea. Nice features, but not necessary.
In our opinion, the machines with the built in reservoir for steaming and frothing milk are somewhat more difficult to maintain. The stand alone milk frother is much more convenient. If you do want a super sleek looking machine on your countertop, and one button lattes and cappuccinos, look into the more sophisticated Lattissima machines.
And now let’s discuss the Vertuo Line.
These machines can brew espresso and a larger cup of coffee. The different pod sizes will determine the size of the cup brewed – no need to tell the machine what to do. The bar code on the pod itself is all the machine needs, which is pretty cool.
Besides the higher price of the pods – espresso pods are approximately 20 cents more and coffee size pods can be 50 cents more – than the Original Line pods, the other con of the VertuoLine is that it brews a few degrees cooler than the Original Line. In general, Nespresso machines won’t make your coffee as hot as a store bought cup, but most people do find the Original Line machine to be hot enough.
The Vertuo Next machine is the lowest priced machine that brews the newer larger size pods, including carafe size. Keep in mind that it has a smaller water reservoir than most. It’s also the narrowest machine. Make sure to check the dimensions of any machine you plan to order to make sure it fits in the space you plan to use it. The Vertuo Pop is cool looking and also very compact. The water reservoir is the smallest of all, but it’s easily removable for filling. The Lattissima machine mentioned above is also available in a Vertuo version.
As far as the coffee itself – try them all! Each machine comes with a sampler of a few different capsules, but read the coffee capsule descriptions on the website and try the ones that appeal to you most.
Personally, my daily coffee is a latte made with a Cape Town or Stockholm Lungo, my summer iced coffee is made with two Colombia shots, and my afternoon decaf is usually the Volluto decaffeinato.
Want to know what else I do with my Nespresso? Check out these 6 different coffee treats. And I love adding a pump of peppermint syrup instead of sugar or sweetener, too.
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