Manufactured by the Swiss food and drinks giant Nestlé, Nespresso is the market leader in home brewed coffee machines. Using specially made coffee “pods”, Nespresso machines manage to mimic the taste of coffee shop espressos without the need to leave your own home. This buyer’s guide explains what they are all about and how to find the right Nespresso machine for you.
Although the Nespresso brand has rocketed to popularity in recent years, the actual technology is relatively old, with the very first Nespresso machine having been created in 1976 by Nestlé technician Eric Favre. However, Favre and Nestlé in general saw the pod-based coffee machine as primarily aimed at businesses and hotels, not everyday home usage, so promotion stalled.
In the 1990s, Nestlé took a second look and started to invest in home brewed espresso technology. Working with the manufacturer Eugster/Frismag, they came up with a range of machines and pod designs that delivered an unprecedented quality of brew for pod-based systems. In the 2000s, as coffee consumption surged and consumers came to demand a higher-quality of brew, Nestlé’s machines took off – helped along by strategic celebrity endorsements, most notably from Hollywood star George Clooney.
The core of the Nespresso brewing process is the espresso pods that contain the coffee being brewed. These pods are made from hermetically sealed plastic, which ensures that the contents don’t degrade (as is often the case when espresso coffee is stored in metal containers). Importantly, the aroma remains as rich as ever, so coffee fans are met with a burst of coffee when the pod is used.
Every Nespresso pod contains 5g to 6g of coffee – enough for a single espresso or cappuccino serving. When the pods are entered into Nespresso machines, they are perforated by the machine’s mechanism and hot pressurised steam is pumped through one end of the capsule. Brewed coffee then pours from the other end through the machine’s serving mechanism, ready to be consumed.
That doesn’t mean that all Nespresso machines are alike. It’s important to note that Nestlé don’t make every single Nespresso coffee maker. There are also options from big names like DeLonghi, Krups and Magimix which could offer more functionality than Nestle’s own designs. We’ll look in more detail at some of them later.
Whenever you come to purchase a Nespresso maker, there are certain specifications to look out for. Here are some of the most common:
Pressure – The raw pressure created by your Nespresso goes a long way toward ensuring that it creates an even, smooth brew every single time. Look for a pressure of around 20 bar and your machine should be extremely consistent.
Tank capacity – How much water your Nespresso can contain can limit the amount of cups you can make without refilling. For instance, if you are working through the night on a student project, you won’t want to run out of water, so a larger tank will make sense. Then again, smaller tanks keep the weight low (and are often cheaper). Look for capacities of 0.7-2 litres.
Weight – Coffee machines don’t have to weigh a ton. In fact, it’s often necessary to move coffee makers around (especially if they don’t have a removable water tank), so choosing a relatively light Nespresso is a good move. Around 3kg should be about right.
Size – Will your Nespresso actually fit into the shape and dimensions of your kitchen? It’s incredibly frustrating when your coffee machine does everything you need it to, but just won’t fit. Most Nespresso machines come in at around 30cm tall, so leave enough clearance or pick one of the slightly shorter models.
Those are just some specs to look out for. However, the details matter too. When you buy a Nespresso, you may want to find one with specific functions that not every model includes. For instance, some heat up in as little as 15 seconds, some have multiple brewing modes and others are extremely energy efficient. Stay savvy and check the small print, and make sure you get the features you really want.
Nespresso’s core range of coffee machines includes several basic models with different features and abilities. Here are the basic categories on offer:
Essenza – Available in standard and mini varieties, the Essenza is the cheapest of the Nespresso variants offering minimal choices but efficient, simple brewing.
Citiz – A retro-themed compact model, the Citiz is perfect for smaller kitchens, heats up quickly and is as capable of making espresso as lungo coffees.
Pixie – Another compact version, the Pixie is made by Krups, and costs roughly the same as the standard Essenza but works much faster. This speedy model heats up in 25 seconds and operates at very high levels of energy efficiency.
U – Offering a magnetised tray and a very simple mechanism, the U is also made by Krups and is ideal for people who are rushed in the mornings and want to take as little time to brew their coffee as possible. It also comes in a version with a built-in milk frother to create perfect cappuccinos.
Prodigio – Another mid-range option, the Prodigio also has a smartphone interface so you can turn on the coffee maker remotely before you even enter your house.
Lattissima – Available in Touch and Pro options, this machine offers much more choice, with 6 pre-set recipes available with one button press. Made by De Longhi.
Expert – A larger and slightly more expensive machine, the Expert makes ristretto, espresso, lungo and American coffees with precise water settings (warm, hot and very hot) and Bluetooth connectivity. It’s a great machine for coffee connoisseurs.
KitchenAid – Near the top of the Nespresso range, the KitchenAid has a retro look and a similarly wide range of pre-set recipes and settings.
VertuoLine – A newer variant that’s really making waves worldwide, the VertuoLine specialises in creating a “crema” layer on top of espressos which mimics the finest café-bought coffees as well as a more efficient “centrifusion” system to extract aroma and taste from every Nespresso pod. It also has the handy ability to automatically recognise which type of pod you are using, so there’s no need to manually change settings (as is the case with all other Nespresso units).
Those are the basic machine varieties. Aside from price, the main differences are size and functionality. At the top of the line in terms of function, you’ll find the VertuoLine, the Lattissima Pro and the Expert. However, these aren’t small machines. For a compact, mobile alternative, have a look at the Pixie or the Essenza instead.
Machines aren’t the only things that vary in the Nespresso range. There are also many different types of pod to choose from, and many of these will be discounted at hotukdeals merchants as well. Here are the major choices on offer:
Espresso – Standard espresso pods come in four different forms: capriccio, livanto, cosi and volluto, with a range of strengths to pick from.
Intenso – A collection of more intense flavours, including ristretto, Roma, arpeggio, dharkan and khazar.
Lungo – Designed for longer coffees, including envivo, fortissio, vivalto and linizio.
Pure Origin – Meticulously sourced gourmet coffees from Brazil, Colombia, India and Ethiopia.
Decaffeinato – A wide range of decaffeinated blends, with intense and fruity options to choose from.
Flavoured – Popular flavours include chocolate, vanilla and caramel.
VertuoLine capsules – VertuoLine uses its own capsules that can be read by the machine. Users can pick between 12 basic coffees and 4 espressos, giving them plenty of different tastes and strengths.
When it comes to picking a Nespresso maker, a number of factors come into play. First of all though, you’ll need to be clear about how seriously you take your coffee. High-end Nespresso makers can cost hundreds of pounds, while smaller basic models are often around £50 – and there’s a massive difference. If you just want a refreshing cup of well-made coffee in the morning, go for a less sophisticated model like the Pixie, as you probably won’t get much use out of the complex functions of more expensive varieties.
Think about what kind of coffee you usually make as well. Some Nespresso makers are focused on espressos and ristrettos, while others come with frothers that can create authentic cappuccinos. You’ll pay more for machines with in-built frothers, and they’ll use more energy, but for some cappuccino fanatics, any price is worth paying.
Then again, it’s also worth noting that Nestlé make a device called the Aeroccino. This standalone milk frother is designed to complement Nespresso machines and can turn basic models into slick cappuccino making machines. You’ll often find deals where Aeroccinos are bundled with Nespresso makers, so pick one up if it becomes available.
As mentioned earlier, think about how you’ll use the machine too. If you tend to use your machine once or twice a day for morning and lunchtime caffeine hits, models with smaller water tanks will do just fine. But if you need to keep knocking back espresso shots every half an hour, investing in a larger tank is essential.
Speed matters too. If you live a hectic lifestyle and need coffees in a matter of seconds, you don’t want to wait two minutes for your Nespresso to heat up. If that sounds like you, go for superfast models like the Pixie which heat almost instantaneously.
The accessories you use with your Nespresso can make it much more enjoyable to use, so choose wisely. Here are some of the most popular options:
Cups – You’ll find specialist Nespresso cups made from reinforced glass which allow you to see how consistent the brew has been (and appreciate the beauty of a perfectly settled crema on top of your espresso).
Capsule dispensers – One of the frustrating things about using a Nespresso machine is having to store and access all of your capsules. However, you can make this much simpler by storing them on a special Nespresso capsule holder like the Versilo, which clips them securely with magnetised pads.
The Aeroccino – As mentioned above, the Aeroccino allows Nespresso users to brew genuine cappuccinos. All you need to do is to pour milk into the cylinder, press the button and the result is a creamy froth that can be applied to your freshly brewed espresso.
Sugars and snacks – To truly replicate the café experience, Nespresso users need to have the right sweeteners and snacks to hand. Nestlé can supply a wide variety of chocolates and biscuits as well as sugar and artificial sweeteners to complete the gourmet coffee ensemble.
Nespresso machines are stylish, easy to use and make great coffee, but they aren’t the only option on the market, and they have their drawbacks. Probably the most obvious problem is the need to use capsules which are fiddly, expensive (about three times as costly as using ground coffee) and environmentally damaging. If you can get over these issues, that’s great. But if they present any issues, there are other options.
Tassimo are the main competitors to Nespresso and could be worth a look. As with Nespresso, they manufacture stylish and functional coffee makers. Unlike Nespresso, Tassimo uses its own T-discs which are scanned by their coffee machines. The result can be excellent coffee, and Tassimo machines are if anything slightly more versatile than Nespresso, but the issues of waste and cost remains.
If you want to spend less on every cup of coffee yet still enjoy a gourmet taste, you’ll probably have to sacrifice in terms of convenience. Conventional grinders and espresso makers can be purchased from brands like DeLonghi, Heston Blumenthal and Philips. They will certainly make great (possibly better) coffee, but you’ll have to wait.
Hopefully by now you’ve decided whether to opt for a compact Pixie, a versatile Expert or a top of the range VertuoLine Nespresso coffee maker. The question now is where and how to find the best Nespresso offers?
Most Nespresso machines cost over £200 (when the Aeroccino is factored in), so finding a good Nespresso deal is really important. You’ll be paying slightly more per cup even after purchasing the machine, so saving as much as possible on the initial purchase is an absolute must.
The first step is to finalise your plans. Be sure about the model you want and double check that it meets your needs. Does it make the coffees you prefer? Is the water capacity large enough?
When you’re certain that you’ve made the right decision, head over to hotukdeals and take a look at the Nespresso listings. These listings will include the most recent Nespresso discounts from the UK’s biggest coffee machine retailers. With merchants like John Lewis, Argos, AO, Tesco, Amazon, CostCo and Currys all represented and the Nespresso store itself, we hardly miss a single deal.
Another thing to check is whether there are any deals for the Nespresso Club. Run by Nespresso themselves, this loyalty scheme provides money-off discounts for their machines and pods as well as access to exclusive coffee varieties.
Finally, it might be a good idea to delay your purchase to get the very best Nespresso prices. If you can hang on until November, many UK merchants tend to offer big reductions on Black Friday, so it’s a great time to shop.
In any case, shop around, consult your options and don’t settle for store prices. You can find the perfect Nespresso maker for less at hotukdeals.
Nespresso machines are a great way for coffee lovers to make authentic cappuccinos, ristrettos and espressos without leaving their own kitchen. There’s a wide range of Nespresso makers on the market, along with plenty of handy accessories. All of them can be found at big discounts by shopping at hotukdeals’ Nespresso listings.
