Even if you are not an expert in coffee or coffee machines, I am sure that when you hear the word coffee pod machine, the first image that comes to your mind is a Nespresso coffee machine or the image of George Clooney in a super elegant suit and a delicious espresso in his hand, saying: What else?
Nespresso has managed with this TV spot to convey to the audience what their coffee machines are all about; elegance and delicious espressos. However, there is much more behind Nespresso coffee machines; since each model is different, they do not have the same functions, so their prices vary widely.
Nespresso is the best espresso machine for espressos
Nespresso revolutionized the coffee market in 1986 with its C-100 model. An elegant, rectangular-shaped coffee maker that looked like an espresso machine but used coffee pods. Its design included a black color with gold details that reflected Nespresso’s intentions very well.
From the beginning, Nespresso specialized in espressos, a word included in the brand’s name. Nespresso has the widest variety of espressos in the coffee pod machine market and the highest quality espressos you can find in this sector of coffee makers.
➡️ However, coffee does not differentiate its different models since all Nespresso coffee makers use the same coffee inside the pods.
The main difference that can be found between the different Nespresso models is the volume of the final beverage (apart from the exterior designs). On the one hand, there are models with two buttons, which allow only espressos (40ml) and lungos (110ml) to be prepared. On the other hand, there are models with a third button for ristrettos (25ml).
Note: In all models, these coffee sizes can be modified, except the Nespresso Vertuo, which I will discuss next. On some models, you can change the beverage size for each preparation by pressing a single button; on others, you will have to change the factory settings.
Original Nespresso or Vertuo?
I would not consider the VertuoLine model as another Nespresso model but as a separate coffee maker. The only thing they have in common with the classic Nespresso OriginalLine is the coffee in their pods, but nothing more.
In 2014 Nespresso launched this type of coffee maker that uses a barcode reader and centrifugal force for coffee extraction, which has nothing to do with the classic Nespresso coffee makers.
With the Vertuo models, we have five different sizes of coffee; 40ml, 80ml, 150ml, 230ml, and 535ml. But these cannot be modified, as they are determined by a bar code printed on the coffee pod. Thus each pod extracts a predefined volume of coffee.
If you want to know in detail all the differences between the Nespresso Original and Vertuo models, do not miss this other article.
Nespresso coffee machines for cappuccinos and lattes
Although Nespresso was born to satisfy espresso fans, it soon realized that the general public enjoyed coffee drinks with milk as much as espressos. Thus, its models soon began to meet the demand for latte beverages.
Nespresso Lattissima range
In 2007 Nespresso launched its first and only coffee machine with a built-in milk tank, attempting to compete with other brands that already included the possibility of preparing milk beverages. Such was its success that today, more than 15 years later, new versions of that first model are available.
This coffee maker includes a removable tank to which the user adds the milk, and this reaches our cup, already steamed through a small rod. The selection of beverages is made at the top of the coffee maker thanks to intuitive touch buttons.
We can buy a Nespresso Lattissima One in the official store for just £279, while on Amazon, we find it for £329.99. Also, on Amazon, we find offers like the Nespresso Latissima Touch for £283.60 or the Latissima Pro for £429.
Nespresso Citiz&Milk
The Nespresso Citiz was launched in 2009, two years later than the Lattisima. But it had (and still has) the possibility of being combined with the Aeroccino (launched in 2006). With Citiz&Milk, you have a little more control over your coffee preparations, as you can prepare the milk to your liking.
Buying a Citiz&Milk is like buying two different coffee machines; on the one hand, you have a classic Nespresso, and on the other hand, you have all the flexibility that the Aeroccino brings when it comes to frothing milk.
You can get a Citiz&Milk in the official store for as little as £239, while in other online stores like Amazon, the same model costs about £210.
Nespresso Creatista
To finish with the category of Nespressos capable of preparing cappuccinos and lattes, we have the top-of-the-range and newest one, the Nespresso Creatista.
This coffee pod machine, launched in 2016, allows us to customize espressos through a touch screen and incorporates a steaming wand in the classic style of espresso machines.
It is constructed mostly of high-quality stainless steel, which gives it a classic and elegant look. And with the steaming wand, at first glance, it looks more like an espresso machine than a coffee pod machine.
In addition to its appearance, it is built with a state-of-the-art touch screen, thanks to which we will be able to prepare unique coffees and store them in the memory of the coffee maker. This screen will also alert us of technical or maintenance problems.
Today, 12/14/2022, we can find the Creatista Plus in the official store for £529, while the same version is on Amazon for just £279.99.
Which is the simplest and cheapest Nespresso coffee maker?
Those Nespresso coffee makers that give us the possibility of preparing coffee drinks with milk are also the most expensive of the brand. On the other hand, those whose only function is to prepare delicious espressos are also the cheapest.
You can always use milk heated directly in the microwave or steamed with a battery-operated frother. This way, you will still enjoy all the quality of Nespresso espresso and the possibility to make a latte or cappuccino whenever you want, all for a very low cost.
Nespresso Inissia or Pixie?
Nespresso has two very simple and cheap models; the Inissia and the Pixie. If you ask me about their differences, I wouldn’t know what to tell you, and I’m not referring to functions, but even aesthetics.
These two coffee makers are very similar in size and simplicity, two of the smallest coffee makers Nespresso manufactures. Today (12/14/2022), we can find in the official store the Inissia for just £110, while the Pixie costs £169.
Looking at other online stores like Amazon, we can find the Inissia for £158 and the Pixie for £194. If you have to choose one or the other, decide by price or aesthetics because there is no other difference between them.
Which Nespresso coffee machine is the best?
Considering everything I have discussed in this article and what is described in the article on the differences between the Nespresso OriginalLine and the VertuoLine, the best coffee maker Nespresso has produced so far is the Creatista.
The only problem I find with this coffee maker is its high price since more than 500 pounds in its cheapest version seems a bit excessive for a capsule coffee maker, but despite this, it is still the best Nespresso coffee maker.
Another question is which Nespresso coffee machine is the best value for money. If you do not drink lattes or cappuccinos, you do not need one to prepare drinks with milk, so go for the cheapest.
If I had to decide which is the most balanced Nespresso coffee machine in terms of functions and cost, I would undoubtedly choose Citiz&Milk. Besides being beautiful, it can be sold for even less than £200, and I own one, so I can vouch for its robustness.
At coffeemakerpedia.com we have tested some new manual espresso machines:
