Today, we talk about Nespresso, one of the most popular capsule coffee systems. Let’s say one thing: the success (worldwide) of Nespresso is not only due to the overwhelming advertising campaign with George Clooney, but also and above all, the excellent quality of the coffee. In our opinion, Nespresso is among the best coffee systems for domestic use. And with a wide selection of mixtures!
If the doubt is then on which coffee system to buy, we immediately frown every perplexity: Nespresso is a good choice, the one with the greatest variety of excellent coffees. Its limits are little expensive capsules and no tea, barley, herbal teas, and other drinks.
In this article, we will focus on choosing the best Nespresso machine, which is not easy since, at first glance, they are all very similar, yet with marked price differences.
Nespresso: how are the machines made?
The design that we wanted to achieve with this type of product is modern and appealing but above all compact. Now the kitchens are smaller and smaller, and space is always smaller, so a coffee machine that easily enters a kitchen counter is a must.
We also appreciate that their appearance has soft and rounded shapes to harmonize perfectly with the rest of the appliances. It is proven that the softer forms make the object more desirable and friendly, as it should be the coffee machine, the ally of the first morning.a
There are differences in design and color, but as we said, the Nespresso machines, they all look a bit alike. In the front, there is the coffee dispenser; in the lower part, there is a semi-circle projection in plastic or metal where you can place the cup, the ” drop-save tray “, which is easily removable for cleaning.
In the upper rear part or in the front one, there are two buttons to supply the desired amount of coffee. The drive is electronic, and the quantity of water dispensed is automatically dosed: the button with the smallest cup if you want a small amount of coffee, while the button with the larger cup is for long coffee.
Strangely, there are no switches to operate the speck: it is necessary to press the two buttons of the cups at the same time (it is not immediate to understand it). After nine minutes of inactivity, the machine will switch itself off, or you can press the buttons again to turn it off manually.
In the rear part, there is the plug to be inserted into the socket and the water tank containing, on average, about 0.8 liters, and it is removable to be able to clean it carefully since with the stagnation of water can form germs and bacteria.
The fulcrum of the machine is, in any case, the lever to be lifted to insert the capsule and then to be lowered to deliver the coffee. As well highlighted in all claims, the act of leveraging is particularly rewarding and characterizing of the Nespresso system. The used capsules are expelled in a binder with a variable-capacity from 10 to 20 depending on the models. Emptying the container and the drip tray is always a fast and clean operation.
The machines are produced by De Longhi and Krups: many models from both houses, with minimal aesthetic differences, and this is quite curious. We have no preference for one or the other brand in terms of quality or reliability: they are truly equivalent.
Operation: let’s have a coffee!
Nespresso machines work ca sans dire with Nespresso coffee capsules. There is no compatibility with other systems, but there are many types of capsules compatible with the Nespresso system on the market. Their quality is fluctuating, but this is a topic that we explore in other articles dedicated to capsules.
To start making coffee, press the two power buttons and wait for the heating, usually very fast (about 25 seconds). You can already insert the capsule, making it fall into its seat, but we advise you to let the water go first, then let the machine go a little empty, with the lever lowered. With this operation, you can purge the first water (stagnant), heat and clean the ducts, and maybe use this water to heat your cup (after, dry it well for not having a watered-down or residue).
After inserting the capsule and closing the lever, press one of the two buttons: long or narrow. The machine automatically supplies the quantity of water/coffee prefixed. In our opinion, this function is not the best, as the quantity is easily adjustable only in the top models of the range and, even in these, there is a certain variability of height between a coffee and the next.
This lack of precision is all the more visible, the smaller the coffee is. On the contrary, with the default settings, it is impossible to have a small coffee, given that the amount of water supplied is too much. From here, it is not a system strictly thought for Italian coffee, but for international use. Not bad: we simply ignore the function and press the dispensing button again to stop it at the desired height. With all the models.
Comparison between Nespresso machines
We reveal one thing: practically, all Nespresso machines are similar to each other as technical characteristics, and internal components and, consequently, the resulting coffee is not very different from one machine to another.
Model Inissia
Inissia is one of the basic models available on the market. Indeed, the most basic seen the attack price of some colors, among the lowest. Its dimensions are really compact and are available in many different colors: its dimension 12.6 x 4.7 x 9 inches.
The salient feature of the machine is not just the small size: even the weight is the lowest among all, with only 5 pounds. It is well manageable even in a small home and becomes easily transportable, for example: to take it on vacation! In our opinion, it is so light and easy to handle that it is not excluded either to remove it and store it every time, after its use.
We talk about the internal pump: like all the other Nespresso models, the pressure is 19 bar, so the quality of the coffee is guaranteed. Inissia has two buttons located in the upper back to choose the amount of coffee desired: to do so just press the button with the right icon (cup high or low, with all the limits already listed).
The grill at the bottom to accommodate the cup is removable to allow the consumer to remove it if larger and capacious cups are used. The water tank behind is obviously a little reduced, but with 0.7 liters, it’s still good. A common data for most Nespresso machines is the automatic shut-off after 9 minutes of inactivity.
Note that it is produced by both De Longhi and Krups with minimal aesthetic differences in the shape of the spout.
A defect of the Inissia lies in the fact that the opening and closing operation of the capsule holder involves the forward or backward movement of the dispensing spout. This can cause some dripping on the coffee cup edge. The other aspect where it does not excuse is the aesthetic: not that it is ugly, on the contrary, we like it a lot, but its plastics betray a very ” very cheap ” appeal.
Our taste test reassures us of quality: Inissia coffee is excellent and, like most other models. Its advantages are the reduced dimensions and the featherweight, in addition to the lower price (but only in some colors like black). We would like to advise you without any doubt to those who simply want the smallest and / or the cheapest: for them, this is the right choice and … look at the differences in price between the various colors!
- Compact machine offers 2 programmable cup sizes; Espresso Lungo
- 19 bar high-pressure pump for barista-style flavor and aroma
- Fast heat-up system reaches ideal temperature in just 25 seconds
Model Essenza
The capsule must be inserted in the upper back, where you will find the long lever very pleasant to use and, unlike the Inissia, the spout remains fixed when you operate it (it is preferable). This type of model does not come with a removable, gray or adjustable for larger cups.
The water tank, whose capacity is 20.3 oz, is one of the largest compared to all other specks, even if only a deciliter. The most important difference compared to all the other Nespresso machines is the fact that there is no short heating feature in 25 seconds: you have to wait a few minutes for the speck to be at temperature.
Also, in this case, it is produced by the two brands De Longhi and Krups, but this time we have a preference: we aim for Krups, which has an aesthetic that we believe is more successful.
This is, in our opinion, the most representative model of the brand. If you are undecided, choose this classic and widespread model with confidence. Let’s say that it is a bit like the reference model. Here is the recommended link for online purchase:
- Compact machine offers 2 programmable cup sizes; Espresso Lungo
- 19 bar high-pressure pump for barista-style flavor and aroma
- Fast heat-up system reaches ideal temperature in just 25 seconds
Model Pixie
The characteristics of this speck of De Longhi are similar to those of the Inissia model, apart from the compact dimensions, and the particularity of the convenient detection indicator of the empty water tank.
But let’s go in order: the dimensions of the Pixie model are as follows: 12.8 x 4.4 x 9.3 inches. Also, in this case, there are two buttons in the upper rear part to turn the speck on and off it is automatic. You can adjust the amount of coffee desired by pressing one of the two buttons before dispensing the coffee, even after 25 seconds from the first ignition.
Unlike the other two specimens analyzed until now. The Pixie model has aluminum finishes that are well suited to a modern kitchen. The water tank is 0.7 liters, slightly less capacious than the previous ones, but it could be a good opportunity to clean it more frequently. The grid below is adjustable for larger and capacious cups and can hold up to 10 Nespresso capsules.
Given the higher cost compared to the two previous models, choose it only if you fell in love with its aesthetics. Here she is:
- Powerful Coffee maker: Espresso Pixie Espresso maker has a 19 bar high-pressure pump...
- Efficient and energy saving Espresso maker: system heats-up to ideal temperature in...
- Ease of use: The Pixie is a programmable Espresso maker with two one-touch buttons to...
Model U
One of the most-recent models among all the Nespresso machines is the one simply called U: its dimensions are in line with the previous ones; dimension 15 x 12.5 x 7.5 inches.
The pump used is the same as the others, 19 bar for high and decisive pressure: even, in this case, it is possible to obtain a good hot coffee even after 25 seconds from switching on. The water tank contains 0.8 liters and is easily removable to be able to clean it thoroughly. Unlike other machines, the U has one more button than the canonical ones to adjust the desired amount of coffee. So in addition to espresso and long coffee, you can get a small coffee, obviating that problem we mentioned earlier.
In addition, the speck U is equipped with automatic expulsion of the capsule once the coffee has been emitted. The cup holder is adjustable, and unlike the others, it is made of metal to obtain a more attractive design and better cleaning than plastic, more porous and subject to consumption.
Aesthetic differences and minimum price between the two versions Krups and De Longhi, then choose the one you find at the best price.
In your choice, consider that the plus of the third key for the ” restricted ” is not so decisive since, in all the machines, you can stop the coffee whenever you want. Once again, choose based on aesthetics.
Model Prodigio
A speck for technology lovers: it is one of the first coffee makers with a connection (Bluetooth) to your smartphone. Thanks to the dedicated Nespresso app, you can interact with the speck both with Android and Apple systems.
But what are the functions that can be managed by smartphones? The settings of the machine are the programming of the quantity of water for the various buttons, the descaling light, the coffee start, and little else. Completely useless, but absolutely unmissable for the ” tech-addicted “.
For the rest, the dimensions are standard: dimension 14.70 x 14.7 x 10.1 inches, but can be adapted to many spaces thanks to the possibility of moving the tank to the side. Even if the model seems to be hyper-technological, it is not equipped with automatic switch-off, so you have to proceed manually, and it does not even have fast heating. A good peculiarity is that, like the U model, it is equipped with automatic expulsion of the capsule, once used.
Given the cost, it is a model that we substantially discourage, except precisely to the ultra-technological that wants to impress friends with ” the phone that makes coffee “. For such a model, any purchase must obviously be made … online! Here she is:
- Easy insertion and ejection of capsules. For use with Nespresso Original Line...
- 19 bar high-pressure pump for a barista-style result, perfectly extracting the flavor...
- 3 programmable buttons with automatic flow stop for Ristretto, Espresso and Lungo...
Model Citiz & Milk
We did not talk about the Citiz line yet. It is a ” narrow ” model aesthetically similar to the U model, but with standard functions. Being narrow, it is convenient to integrate an Aeroccino up to the dimensions: 4.7 x 9 x 12.6 inches.
The coffee dispenser does not change at all: there is an internal high-pressure pump that delivers excellent hot coffees even after 25 seconds from the ignition, which is done by simultaneously pressing the two buttons on the high rear part. In addition, on the side, integrated is an Aeroccino machine that mounts the milk is cold or hot depending on how you want it, to be added, then manually to the coffee.
The grid to place the cup is removable for larger cups and is made of metal for better cleaning and durability. The water tank is 1 liter, one of the largest in the Nespresso coffee and milk category. Recommended? No, because, as we said, we do not find the integration of machines and Aeroccino. Evaluate it during special offers, given that, as mentioned, the only Aeroccino costs a lot.
- High performance: The 19 bar pump system offers barista-style single-serve coffee or...
- Speed and Energy saving: the fast heat-up system reaches the ideal temperature in...
- Versatility: Adjustable cup size with two programmable Espresso (1. 35 oz. ) and...
As usual, if you have doubts about your choice of the Nespresso machine, do not hesitate to ask for personalized advice from our expert, who knows a lot about coffee machines!
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