Last Updated on March 16, 2024 by brewthatcoffee
Suppose you are a coffee enthusiast and enjoy your daily cup of professionally brewed coffee from your favorite café. Then, making quality coffee at home is probably on your priority list. Some may prefer to tinker with the involvement of brewing a cup of coffee with freshly ground beans. Still, nothing really compares to the simplicity of café quality coffee at a touch of a button, not to mention at a fraction of the price.
We researched all the best Nespresso machines available to provide a list of the top machines for anyone looking to make exceptional coffee at home:
- Best Overall: Vertuo Next with Aerocinno 3
- 2Best Overall Runner-Up: Lattisima Pro
- Best Small Machine: Nespresso Atelier
- Best Bang for Your Buck: Nespresso Essenza Mini C
- Best Professional(ish): Vertuo Creatista
The 5 Best Nespresso Machines
Nespresso has become synonymous with coffee pods and is loved by millions worldwide. It provides delicious espresso and coffee and that layer of crema, with some machines able to provide milky beverages with minimal effort and without taking up too much counter space. It’s your perfect private coffee bar.
1. Best Overall: Vertuo Next With Aerocinno 3
The Vertuo Next has all the capabilities of an intelligent brewing machine that can make exceptional-tasting coffee using the Vertuo system using centrifusion technology.
Nespresso’s Vertuo system uses barcoded pods, which the machine automatically reads once it is inserted and, with the intelligent process, adjusts its brewing parameters to each pod, regulating the flow and volume of the water, temperature, infusion time, and the capsules rotation.
The Vertuo Next will dispense the perfect cup of coffee at a simple touch of a button, creating a richer and more luxurious crema with each cup due to its infusion technique for enhanced taste and pleasure.
The sleek and elegant design can be ordered in pops of bright color for color coordination. The added advantage of the WLAN and Bluetooth connectivity allows your machine to update automatically and pair to your phone via the Nespresso app for the latest coffee innovations, expert advice, and machine care alerts.
Although compact, it lacks a built-in frother, which can easily be remedied by adding a separate milk frother. We suggest using the Aerocinno 3 for hot and cold milky creations to take your coffee to the next level.
The Vertuo Next is like having a coffee shop at home. You have a choice of six different cup sizes, espresso, double espresso, lungo, mug, alto, and carafe. With the addition of the separate milk frother, you can make many more creations like latte macchiato, Reverso, americano, and much more.
Key features:
- Vertuo system
- 6 cup sizes
- Automatic power off
- 34-ounce tank capacity
- Bluetooth connectivity
- Includes coffee box samples
- 30-second heating time
- Barcoded pods
- One-touch brewing
Who is it for? The perfect machine is compact and modern enough to fit into a kitchen or office without cluttering the space to create a delicious cup of coffee whenever the need arises. Ideal for larger families where you can brew a carafe for a morning breakfast for everyone to enjoy or brew individual pods for individual preferences.
Pros | Cons |
versatile in the different coffee recipes | doesn’t have a built-in milk frother |
reasonably priced | |
centrifusion technology |
Priced at $172, you can find it on Amazon.
2. Best Overall Runner-Up: Nespresso Lattissima Pro
Our overall runner-up is the Nespresso Lattissima Pro, a professionally inspired machine for quality barista-style coffee at home, all with high-level user-friendly technology.
Its sleek yet robust design with an aluminum finish provides an impressive classic look incorporating advanced technology and a touch screen for easy use and programming.
It has default settings for three different cup sizes ristretto, espresso, and lungo. It also offers different drinks, including cappuccino, latte macchiato, hot milk, and hot water. The customizable settings are great for setting your coffee, water, milk, ad water preferences for future use.
Key features:
- Original system
- 3-cup size
- 44-ounce tank capacity
- 16 discarded pod capacity
- Milk function
- Touchscreen
- One button brewing
- 25-second heating time
- Assist cleaning system
- Hot water
- Descaling alert
Who is it for? The Lattissima Pro is ideal for people who want to tinker with the volume and temperature of the drink but still have the versatility of the coffee pod for those lazy days. It’s the perfect combination for the introduction of experimenting with coffee recipes and will suit multiple coffee drinkers in one household.
Pros | Cons |
The versatility of one-touch brewing and the ability to adjust volume and temperature | no strength setting |
Wide drink range at a touch of a button | Small servings only |
Auto cleaning | A bit pricey |
Priced at $487, you can find it on Amazon.
3. Best Small Machine: Nespresso Atelier
The Nespresso Atelier is like having your personal barista in your home. The slim modern looking machine is sleek with a brushed stainless-steel look that is classy and fits into any theme.
It’s not just a coffee machine; although it’s on the pricier side, it offers a compact machine that can still provide different coffee creations with its milk-frothing wand. It has a built-in memory of seven different coffee creations, with latte macchiatos, mochas, cappuccinos, and iced frappes.
Also allowing you to create your favorite drink with hot or cold milk foam. A bonus point about milk is that you can use your preferred milk base and choose from cow, oat, almond, or soy milk to create your perfect coffee.
There is no milk wastage as the milk is prepared directly in your cup, the frother will stop automatically, and the coffee will pour directly into your cup. You also have the option of creating just milk drinks or adding some cocoa to steamed milk.
The drip tray is adjustable for different-sized cups. However, for the price, it does not come with Nespresso cups, so make sure to use the correct cup size as indicated in the manual.
The machine dispenses three different cup sizes, ristretto, espresso, and lungo. However, with the milk recipes, you can still enjoy a favorable-sized cappuccino, macchiato, and iced coffee, with many more recipes you can create yourself.
Key features:
- 7 hot and cold recipes for one-touch brewing
- Auto frothing
- 34-ounce tank
- Original system
- Compact
- Descaling alert
- 3 cup sizes
- Automatic turn off after 9 minutes
- 35-second heating
- 13 discarded capsule capacity
- Clean alert to wash the milk frother after every use
Who is it for? The Nespresso Atelier is perfect for kitchens with little counter spaces. It is compact but still allows you to create several different milky creations. This machine is the perfect home barista tool for simple and quality coffee in the comfort of your home or office.
Pros | Cons |
no milk waste; froth milk directly in your cup | doesn’t come with complimentary Nespresso cups |
you can use different animal or plant-based milk | milk can overflow if you use the incorrect cup size |
makes hot or cold foam | a bit pricey |
Priced at $370, you can find it on Amazon.
4. Best Bang For Your Buck: Nespresso Essenza Mini C
For the value, the Nespresso Essenza Mini C model is compact to fit into small kitchens without taking up too much counter space.
It has no bells and whistles and is easy to use with minimalistic beauty that fits most décor while still providing quality coffee using the original technology. The 19-bar high-pressure technology can make it noisier than the newer lines. However, you are still assured of a consistently good espresso with a delicious layer of crema.
The compact machine comes from the original line. It is easy to use, with two programmable buttons to set your preference on the cup size of an espresso or lungo-sized cup, with the small water tank of just over twenty fluid ounces directly behind the machine to save space.
This affordable machine comes in a choice of white or black for a classic look. It has a removable drip tray for taller glasses; unfortunately, the removable parts are not dishwasher safe. It has a heating time of under thirty seconds with an automatic flow stop.
The machine is equipped with an eco-mode and switches off after nine minutes of inactivity to save power. While the option of adding a milk frother is available to satisfy any milky fantasies.
Key features:
- Available in three different colors
- Original system
- 2 cup size
- Capacity for 6 discarded capsules
- 20.28-ounce tank capacity
- Eco mode
- Automatic switch off after 9 minutes
- You can add a milk frother
- Programmable cup size for easy use
Who is it for? The Essenza mini is for coffee lovers that enjoy a delicious espresso coffee with minimal fancy mixed drinks. It’s also perfect for small kitchen spaces or as a personal coffee assistant in your office.
Pros | Cons |
light and compact | small tank |
low energy consumption | small capsule capacity |
affordable |
Priced at $135, you can find it on Amazon.
5. Best Professional(ish): Nespresso Vertuo Creatista
The ultimate home barista coffee machine that offers simplistic coffee at a touch of a button, with the option of experimenting with your own recipes and latte artwork. The Vertuo Creatista opens the doors to your creativity, with every cup as a blank canvas for your inner barista.
The sheen design of the brushed steel finish gives it an air of elegance that compliments any décor. It’s not overly bulky for a professional(ish) machine that still fits comfortably in most kitchens for amazing coffee whenever you desire.
The machine uses the Vertuo pods for an easy one-touch button brewing for a quick cup of coffee. However, the versatility of the Vertuo Creatista offers unparallel control over milk temperature and texture, with its integrated milk wand to suit your personalized recipes.
The full-bodied coffee and rich, velvety layers of crema are instantly elevated with the automatic steam wand for milk texturing. The control over three different settings of temperature or texture allows you to experiment with latte art and customizable coffee and milk recipes to impress any guest.
It offers a range of cup sizes with six pre-set sizes and the option to program personalized favorites for quick one-touch brewing. The pre-programmed option above the six-cup sizes is flat white, cappuccino, café latte, macchiato, ristretto, and hot milk.
Built with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity, it lets you link to the Nespresso app on your smartphone for the latest updates and easy ordering of coffee pods so you never run out of your favorite brew.
Key Features:
- Quick start
- The energy saver switches off after 2 minutes of inactivity
- One-touch brewing
- 67-ounce water tank capacity
- Automatic milk frother
- Spent pod capacity, 10 small and 6 large
- 6 cup sizes
- Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity
- 30-second heating for water and 3 seconds for milk
Who is it for? The Vertuo Creatista is perfect for the home barista that enjoys entertaining. Every cup is sure to impress your guests. Apart from catering to a family’s individual coffee preferences, it’s also the perfect coffee bar for a small business.
Pros | Cons |
Barcoded pods for one-touch brewing | Cant brew coffee and milk together in the same cup |
Versatility to create your own personalized drinkAdjustable espresso volume | All the removable parts are not dishwasher safe |
Self-cleaning steam wand |
Priced at $562, you can find it on Amazon.
How To Choose A Nespresso Machine (Because There Are Too Many)
Choosing a suitable machine for your needs can be daunting with so many machines out there. Each one promises to satisfy your coffee needs. But how you should choose a Nespresso machine depends on your coffee needs and preferences.
We compiled a comparison chart comparing some key features of the machines to help you decide which machine is best for you.
Vertuo Next | Lattissima Pro | Atelier | Essenza Mini C | Vertuo Creatista | |
Pod System | Vertuo | Original | Original | Original | Vertuo |
Price | $172 | $472 | $370 | $135 | $562 |
Skill level | Easy | Easy | Easy | Easy | medium |
Milk frother | No But can be added separately | Yes | Yes | No | yes |
Drink type | EspressoDbl. espressoGran LungoMugAltoCarafe | RistrettoEspressoLungo | RistrettoEspressoLungo | EspressoLungo | EspressoDbl espressoGran LungoMugAltoCarafe |
Machine size (WxDxH) | 5.6”x16.9”x12.36” | 7.6”x10.7”x12.6” | 4.7”x17.1”x11” | 3.3”x13”x8.03” | 9.6”x16.4”x12.7” |
Heat up time | 30 seconds | 25 seconds | 35 seconds | Under 30 seconds | 30 seconds for water & 3 seconds for milk |
Tank Capacity | 34 ounces | 44 ounces | 34 ounces | 20.28 ounce | 67.6 ounces |
Who Are Nespresso Machines For? Should You Even Get One?
Nespresso machines are made for the coffee connoisseur that loves a great cup of coffee. Not everyone has the time to manually craft the perfect coffee in the morning before rushing off to work. And coffee shops can get pretty busy in the mornings, with everyone rushing off to get their caffeine fix before starting their day.
Nespresso machines are made for people who love more than just drip coffee. Nespresso machines can make different-sized espresso and coffee with that velvety layer of crema extracted from the pods to add the smooth, velvety, and rich nuance to a quality cup of coffee.
The question of whether or not Nespresso machines are worth getting depends on a few factors that we will discuss further. However, considering what you may pay for a drip machine or even a coffee at the coffee shop, it is definitely worth getting one to have consistently good coffee at the push of a button while in the convenience of your own home.
Pod System
Nespresso machines come in two different lines, the Original and Vertuo collection of machines, each using specific types of pods specific to the machines. Deciding which system to use can help narrow down your decision.
Original Line
The original line of Nespresso coffee machines was inspired by European-style espresso drinks. You will find that the original collection of machines will produce espresso drinks which can be found in three different sizes ristretto(25ml), espresso(40ml), and lungo(110ml).
The original system uses a high-pressure extraction with 19 bars to release the flavors and aromas from the coffee pod and provide that rich crema that is renowned with espresso.
Thanks to the option of adding a milk frother, you can also create barista-style drinks like the cappuccino and latte. While the Lattissima and Creatista range offer built-in frothers for convenience but compromise on size.
Vertuo Line
The Vertuo line, inspired by Australian-styled coffee that offers barista creations like lattes, macchiatos, and Reverso, is more suited for people that enjoy more pour-overs or drip-styled coffees.
Although these machines also provide excellent espresso drinks, they offer more versatility with six different cup sizes, espresso(40ml), double espresso(80ml), gran lungo(150ml), mug(230ml), alto(355ml), and carafe(535ml).
The Vertuo system uses intelligent centrifusion technology to read the bar codes on the pods. The capsule barcode allows the machine to adjust the brewing parameters accordingly to apply the right quantity of water, temperature, and number of revolutions to create the perfect cup of coffee. This system also provides that extra layer of rich crema with each cup.
Since the Vertuo system uses barcoded pods, making a coffee is as simple as pressing one button, sitting back, and allowing the machine to do the hard work.
Budget
Finding a machine that suits your budget is also important. Some machines are much more affordable, although the functions are somewhat limited. While other machines which seem to offer a permanent coffee bar in your home can become quite pricy.
If you already have a coffee machine, then considering the lower budget, Nespresso machines are ideal for creating quality espresso drinks. However, if you want to avoid the queues at the coffee shops for your morning ritual caffeinated drink, then aiming at a higher-end machine may be the best option.
Coffee machines are almost always the cheaper option, but they are simplistic in that they only offer dip-style coffee. Suppose you are after a barista-style type of option. In that case, it’s worth investing that little extra into a machine that offers more options.
Then there is the monthly budget to consider for your pods. Each system uses its own pods, which vary in price depending on your favorite flavors, but you can also pick up some specials on the Nespresso website for bulk purchases.
For the original line, the pods vary from $0.58 for an espresso to $0.70 for a lungo. The Vertuo line ranges from $0.64 for an espresso to $1.34 for a carafe. Still much cheaper than buying a $4 coffee at your local coffee shop every day.
However, Nespresso pods are still more expensive than brewing coffee from freshly ground beans. Still, it’s a far better option than getting a good quality grinder, the time from grinding and preparation.
Ease Of Use
When considering which machine will suit your needs, consider the ease of use. Both machines are simple enough to use with pre-programmed buttons for one-button brewing. The Vertuo line uses barcoded pods that adapt the brewing parameters to the pod for the perfect coffee-to-water ratio extraction.
But if you want to let your creativity out and enjoy experimenting with latte art and have the freedom to adjust the water and milk temperature, texture, and volume, then a higher-end machine would be more suitable, but it does come with a higher degree of technicality.
Types Of Drinks
Nespresso is far from just a good espresso machine; it offers a list of different types of drinks depending on the machine you decide to buy.
Suppose espresso is your go-to style of coffee. In that case, choosing a small original-line machine is sufficient to produce a great espresso in two or three different cup sizes depending on the machine you invest in. But you are not limited to just espresso; you do have the option of adding milk frothers to create some milky beverages.
If you want a wider variety of drinks to enjoy or impress your guests with. In that case, then the Vertuo line of machines offers six different sizes with your typical espresso as well as your favorite barista styles milk beverage, all at the touch of a button.
We always think of coffee as a hot drink. Iced and cold brewed coffees are also available with particular machines, so consider what drinks you enjoy with Nespresso’s latest cappuccino or latte recipes or the extensive list of recipes to inspire you.
Features
Features are also important when choosing a machine. The features are the machine’s traits and attributes that deliver value to the user. Knowing what you want from your Nespresso can help narrow down the field of machines.
Quick heating, large water tank capacity for larger families, milk frother for milk recipes, or perhaps connectivity are all points that you should consider when investing in a Nespresso.
Convenience is a big part of our daily lives to help coordinate everyone’s busy schedules between work, school, and other activities. This is why looking at features such as ease of use and cleaning is essential to simplify the process.
To some, the simplicity of brewing a coffee by simply pressing one button is more than sufficient. In contrast, others want the bells and whistles of all the modern technology Nespresso machines have to offer, like connectivity, self-cleaning, alerts, milk frothing features, a touch screen, and many more.
Deciding what is important to you before choosing a machine to take home is essential.
Frothing
If your preference is black coffee, then you can skip this part. However, if creating milk recipes is important, consider whether you want a separate frother or a built-in frother.
You will find a range of Nespresso machines with built-in frothers; these are pricier, so you must consider the budget. But there is hope; if your budget restricts you from getting the built-in frothers, they do have separate frothers, opening more opportunities for a broader range of drinks for the smaller machines that only offer coffee recipes.
What do you want from the frother? Is a manual frothing wand sufficient, or do you want an automatic frother? Some machines can brew and froth milk in the same cup while others do each step separately, allowing you to delve into the barista-style milk art.
Machine Size
Not all homes are blessed with a country kitchen that offers wall-to-wall counter space, so space plays a significant aspect when choosing the right machine.
Although most Nespresso machines are compact, there are bigger models that can take up more space on the kitchen counter than you would want. And if you need to store your machine after every use due to space restrictions, it’s crucial to choose a model that is small and easy to move around.
Dimensions and weight for Nespresso machines are easy to find online, so you can plan your kitchen counter space before ordering your machine. If space is a concern, Nespresso has some great compact machines like the Essenza Mini, Citiz, and Pixie.
Of course, water tank capacity and spent pod capacity are something to consider. The smaller compact models have small water tanks that, for a larger family that enjoys coffee, may have to be refilled several times in order to accommodate all the coffee.
Spent pod capacity is also a consideration if you are making several coffees one after another. Smaller machines will generally hold about six to ten spent pods before you have to clear the container out.
Time To Heat Up
All brewing machines will need time to heat up to brew coffee, but brewing a Nespresso espresso or coffee is still considerably faster than real espresso machines, electric drip machines, and other competitors using pod-based coffee brewing, including Keurig.
Nespresso machines take three to thirty seconds to heat water to brew an espresso, with a large variety falling in the twenty to twenty-five-second bracket.
Water Tank Size
All Nespresso machines have a water tank; the capacity depends on the model. Some smaller models will have a small water capacity starting at 20 ounces, sufficient for single use or a couple. For larger families or multiple-cup dispensing, the larger models have bigger water tank capacities of up to 67 ounces, not including the more industrial machines.
How Nespresso Machines Work
The idea of a coffee system has been around since the 1950s but was never fully pursued until a young engineer employed at Nestle discovered his eureka moment in 1975 on a trip to Rome, which would change the history of the way coffee was made.
His idea came when he stumbled across a small coffee shop that seemed busier than other establishments. The baristas used the same espresso machines that other coffee shops used; the difference was how many times they would pump the piston.
Here is Sant ‘Eustachio Il Caffe. The barristers would pump the pistons repeatedly, forcing more water and air through the grounds; this increases the oxidization drawing out more flavors from the grounds and producing a rich crema that espresso is synonymously known for.
This inspired his new project of building a machine replicating the same results using a sealed pod of coffee grounds that users would put into a machine to brew an espresso in their homes.
Coffee beans can stay fresh for weeks. However, ground coffee can quickly become stale. So, the pods had to be designed to keep the coffee inside fresh for extended periods, hence why Nespresso pods are packaged in aluminum pods, which are also recyclable.
The air-tight aluminum pods protect their contents from moisture, oxygen, and light, keeping the coffee aroma and flavors fresh inside the pod for up to twelve months.
While there are different models in the Nespresso range, there are two specific types of systems, the original and Vertuo lines. They both have the same concept but work slightly differently.
The Original Line
The compatible cup-shaped pod is inserted into the pod holder, after which you close the lid and choose the desired size. The pod is then punctured the aluminum pod with a needle-like spout on one side.
The water line is coiled around a heating element that ensures the water is heated to the optimal temperature for the selected coffee choice. The water is pumped through the spout into the pod, mixing with the coffee grounds, under high pressure until the foil top cover bursts releasing the rich flavorful brew into your mug.
The Vertuo Line
The Vertuo system is slightly different, using barcoded dome-shaped pods so that the machine can adjust the brewing parameters to deliver the perfect cup of coffee every time.
The Vertuo system uses Centrifusion Technology that adjusts the brewing parameters to suit each pod. It uses a combination of infusion to saturate the ground coffee with water and a centrifugal method that spins up to 7000 times a minute to extract the coffee flavors.
The dome-shaped pods are dropped into the pod holder. Once the lid is closed and you press the one-touch button, the pod rotates, allowing the machine to scan the barcode adjusting the water, temperature, and flow extraction level to each pod.
The dome pods are punctured with a large spout in the center of the pod, infusing the pod and the coffee content with the right amount of water. The centrifugal process spins the capsule to extract the brew through twenty smaller punctures around the outer rim of the pod, dispersing a full-bodied coffee straight into your cup with a thicker and richer layer of crema.
How To Use A Nespresso Machine
Each Nespresso machine is slightly different, with either choosing the cup size you want to brew or pressing the pre-programmed milk and coffee recipe on the original lines or the one-touch button for the Vertuo system.
However, the basics are all the same, so let’s look at how to use a Nespresso machine.
Using The Original Line
Step 1: Fill the water tank with filter, bottled or alkaline water, which contains good minerals that enhance the flavor of your coffee. Good quality water also helps minimize the build-up of limescale.
Step 2: Press the cup button to turn the machine on.
Step 3: Place the desired size cup under the nozzle. Most machines have adjustable drip trays that can be adjusted to the cup size.
Step 4: Open the pod lever; this reveals the pod chamber. Place the desired pod, espresso or lungo pod, into the chamber with the flat part of the pod facing you and the cup shape facing backward.
Step 5: Close the pod lever, ensuring it’s all the way down to ensure the pod is correctly punctured.
Step 6: The buttons will flash, indicating that the machine is busy warming up. Once they stop, you can press the espresso or lungo button once for the desired brew.
Step 7: Once the brew is finished, wait a few more seconds to allow the last drops to fall into the cup.
Step 8: Open the pod lever. This will eject the capsule into the used pod container and open the pod chamber for a new pod.
Using The Vertuo Line
Step 1: Fill the tank with bottled, filtered, or alkaline water. Turn the machine on, and the light will flicker. Once it stops flickering, the machine is ready to use.
Step 2: Place the desired cup size under the brewing nozzle. Adjust the support tray to fit the cup size you are using.
Step 3: For all the Vertuo machines except the Plus model, to unlock the machine’s cover, turn the lever to the right and lift the head to reveal the pod chamber.
Press the underside of the lever on the Vertuo Plus model. It automatically opens the head to reveal the pod chamber.
Step 4: Place the domed shape pod into the chamber with the flat side of the pod facing upward with the dome resting downward into the chamber.
Step 5: For all the Vertuo machines except the Plus model, close the head and turn the lever to the left, locking the machine. On the Vertuo Plus, gently touch the top of the lever, and the head will automatically close by itself.
Step 6: Pressing the start button will start the brewing process. The machine will spin the capsule to read the bar code and adjust brewing parameters to the pod’s specifications.
Step 7: Once the brewing process is done, wait a few more seconds until the last drops drip into the cup.
Step 8: For all the Vertuo machines except the Plus model, unlock the head and eject the spent capsule from the chamber. On the Vertuo Plus, press the underside of the lever to open the head. This will automatically eject the capsule into the spent pod holder.
Does Nespresso Make Real Espresso?
The set standard set by the Speciality Coffee Association (SCA) describes espresso parameters as a 1:2 ratio beverage of 25-35ml, prepared from 7-9 grams of finely ground coffee, pushing hot water, heated to 195-203°F, forced at 9-10 bar pressure for a duration of between 20-30 seconds.
The caffeine content is, on average, 64.5mg per ounce and has the perfect mix of bitterness and sour acidity with a rich layer of crema. The thickness of an authentic espresso can be described as warm honey.
Nespresso does not follow the standards prescribed by the SCA, which prevents it from being called a true espresso. However, they do make a very similar-tasting beverage.
Nespresso used pre-packed capsules with 5-7.5 grams of finely ground coffee, depending on the original or Vertuo pods. They use a 1:4.5 ratio with a pressure system in the original line using 19 bar pressure for 20 to 30 seconds. The Vertuo line uses centrifugal technology to extract an espresso that contains between 60 – 70mg caffeine depending on the amount of Robusta versus Arabica beans.
So, although it’s not defined as a true espresso, it is very similar in taste but does not have the same viscosity.
Here’s Why We Can’t Stand Integrated Frothers
Machines with integrated frothers offer the versatility of simply filling the milk jug, angling the frothing nozzle at an angle towards your cup, and waiting for the magic to happen.
However, you are not always assured of the perfect milky treat with the same full-bodied milk foam or texture. The milk foam, texture, and temperature can be affected by the frother, so to maintain consistency in the frothed milk, there are a few things you should take into consideration.
Not all types of milk will froth the same way. Fresh cold, high-fat, and long-lasting milk is the best for frothing and texturing. Oat and soy milk contain sugars that can burn when heated. The sugars burn onto the elements of the machine and, in effect, damage the frother.
Since the frothers are integrated into the machine, the water quality used can, as it affects the machine, affect your integrated frother. Machines like the Lattissima, Maestria, and Creatista may all be affected by limescale build-up due to hard water. Suppose your machine is not adjusted correctly to the water hardness. In that case, this may also cause your milk frother not to work optimally.
Regularly descaling the machine is essential for the health of the machine and the frother. This also helps ensure that the water pressure needed is correct. Steam pipes can get clogged from milk residue, so cleaning the frother after every use is important.
It’s also essential to disassemble the milk frother regularly and put all the parts in warm water with detergent to dissolve any residue left in the pipes that did not get cleaned out.
Unfortunately, it’s not always that easy to clean an integrated milk frother, and you have to trust that the machines do indeed clean the parts that carry the milk efficiently.
This is why optional standalone frothers like the Aeroccino 3 and 4 are possibly a better option when it comes to knowing that the frother is properly cleaned as you can rinse and clean it after every use, drying it out, ensuring there is no moisture for a breeding ground of organisms of remaining milk specks that could easily spoil.
However, the Aeroccino models also have their downsides. You don’t have complete control over the frothing process to adjust the texture, temperature, and how much aeration you get in the milk. They both have magnetized whisks at the bottom of the jug to froth the milk. These whisks sometimes fail to work due to residue build-up on the magnet heads.
Are Nespresso Machines Eco-Friendly?
Nespresso prides itself on being sustainable and considering its product’s impact on the environment.
Sustainability is the balance between environmental care, social well-being, and economic growth, fulfilling the requirements of current generations without diminishing the needs of future generations.
Nespresso pods are made of aluminum, which according to the International Aluminum, is the most recyclable material on earth and is 100% recyclable.
Nespresso offers a recyclable program where you can get free, recyclable bags that hold 200 original pods or 100 Vertuo pods. You can drop off your prepaid bags at any UPS location, Nespresso boutique, or participating stores.
The pods are melted down and used to produce new items. The coffee grounds are composted and returned to the earth. Recycling aluminum uses less energy, up to 95%, compared to producing primary aluminum, which reduces the carbon footprint on the environment.
Some Nespresso machines are also made from recycled plastic, like the Vertuo Next; it’s made from 54% recycled plastic, its packaging is made of 95% recycled material, and it is all 100% recyclable.
The eco features also help reduce the waste of energy by automatically switching the machine off after a period of inactivity.
Nespresso Machine FAQs
We answer some more frequently asked questions that you may be wondering about.
Conclusion
Nespresso has a range of machines to cater to everyone’s needs, from espresso types drinks to machines that can make mugs and carafes with milky drinks, all at the touch of a button. So, when choosing your machine, it’s important to consider the necessary features you are looking for in a machine.
Our best overall machine, the Nespresso Vertuo Next, checks all the boxes for the perfect coffee machine for home use, with a large variety of different drink sizes and recipes and the option of adding a milk frother to increase those options further.
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