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Is Nespresso worth it? What to know before buying

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Nespresso needs no introduction, but we’re giving you one anyway! I’ve been using my Nespresso Citiz and Milk for nearly a decade now, and it has never let me down. Believe me, I’ve had my fair share of alternate coffee brewing routes, but nothing has come close to the sheer convenience and quality I get with this superb machine. So is Nespresso worth it? 

There’s a reason that Nespresso became the pioneer of espresso machines. They’ve focused on delivering rich and aromatic espresso coffee at the push of a button. Now, with so many coffee machines being manufactured with newly emerging brewing technologies, does Nespresso stand the test of time?

 

Cost

The average Nespresso machine can cost anywhere between one to several hundred dollars. The price typically moves up and down based on how many features it comes with and its quality.

A classic example is the inclusion of a Nespresso Aeroccino milk frother. This usually bumps up the price significantly, as we can see from the two different bundles of the Nespresso Essenza Mini below:

With Aeroccino:

Nespresso BEC250BLK Essenza Mini Espresso Machine with Aeroccino Milk Frother by Breville, Piano Black

 

Without Aeroccino:

Is Nespresso good value

Related:How to Use Nespresso Frother and Make Fancy Coffee at Home

Is Nespresso good value?

Regardless of how the price fluctuates based on additional features, you’ll find plenty of use for any extra investments you put into your Nespresso. Whether it’s the larger water reservoir, an auto-off function, or a milk frother, it always adds value to your purchase.

Personally, I never thought I’d get so hooked on the Aeroccino milk frother. Before I purchased my Nespresso machine, I was just a coffee mate guy. Albeit, I was turned off the concept of milk frothing with a steam wand. But, now, I can’t live without that amazing Aeroccino with its one-touch milk heating capabilities.

Nespresso is a brand that values quality in all aspects of its products. As a result, you’re able to brew Nespresso coffee pods using the best extraction methods, providing compact design solutions, and making delicious espresso-style coffee. Making all these as easily accessible as possible is part of the company’s core principles.

Nespresso aims to bring the coffee shop experience to you. As a result, you don’t need to leave your home and spend big bucks every day to get your hands on a quality cup of coffee. For that reason alone, Nespresso can be of great value to you for the mere fact that you will save money on coffee in the long run.

 

What is the best Nespresso machine?

There are plenty of Nespresso single-serve coffee machines that could be nominated as the best one, but I prefer to point out the best aspects of each product instead. After all, not everyone will pick the same machine as their favorite.

Of course, I am slightly biased towards the Nespresso Citiz and Milk, as this was the first espresso machine I purchased many years ago and still find plenty of joy with it. I love the Citiz and Milk because of its easy control panel that does single and double espresso at the push of a button. I also love its ability to froth milk with basically no effort.

There is increasing popularity with the Nespresso Vertuo series as the trends go. This product line produces machines and capsules designed for advanced brewing mechanisms such as pre-infusion, barcode scanning, and centrifusion coffee extraction.

When it comes to the quality of coffee, that is, the aromas, crema, and flavor, Vertuo is the best. On the downside, these machines are only compatible with Vertuo capsules, and they do come with a more hefty price tag than Original Line machines. However, many customers worldwide will attest to it being worth every extra penny.

More information on how Nespresso Vertuo machines work can be found here!

 

Waste

Most Nespresso coffee machines come with an auto-off function that will automatically shut off your machine after a certain period of inactivity. This helps you to save on electricity and power. Unlike most brands, Nespresso features recyclable aluminum capsules and offers reusable pods so you can reduce your environmental footprint.

Additionally, you can easily collect your used capsules and dispose of them how you please. Most Nespresso coffee machines come with a pod compartment that usually holds about 10 capsules before they need emptying, making it quite low-maintenance.

Of course, Nespresso recommends that you recycle your used coffee capsules. They even accommodate it at their Nespresso Boutiques, where you can walk in and hand over your used capsules to the team! Read more about how Nespresso handles waste and how you can help improve global sustainability using the link.

 

Clean up

Cleaning up your Nespresso machine is quite simple, as most feature a removable drip tray, water reservoir, pod compartment, and Aeroccino milk frother. All of which are dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning. The rest of the machine can be cleaned easily using a damp cloth or paper towel.

The great thing about Nespresso machines is that you don’t need to worry about emptying ground coffee beans from the system or cleaning out any portafilters or filter baskets. The descaling process is also super easy compared to regular coffee makers. It is just a matter of holding down the two brew buttons and getting the machine into descale mode.

To learn more about descaling your Nespresso machine, use the following link to our blog post on How to Descale a Nespresso in 4 Easy Steps:

 

Who should get a Nespresso?

I would recommend Nespresso to anyone who wants a richer, bolder, and more aromatic cup of coffee. In other words, an espresso. Of course, Nespresso machines wouldn’t appeal to anyone who didn’t have at least have a base-level love for espresso drinks, as this is where they excel.

Say goodbye to instant coffee with these coffee capsules whereby making espresso is no longer a struggle but a pleasure instead. If you consider yourself a lover of espressos, cappuccinos, latte macchiato, or flat whites, you cannot go wrong with a Nespresso coffee machine.

 

Ease of use

This is probably what sells me the most on Nespresso machines. It’s that no matter how many other methods of coffee brewing I explore, I always end up coming back to my Nespresso Citiz and Milk. It’s just that easy to use.

It brings a smile to my face just thinking of the simple steps to delicious coffee just by putting in a pod and pressing the brew button. Let’s not forget the milk frothing process too, again, being the press of a button away! I honestly couldn’t ask for much more for easy brewing, easy maintenance, and delicious coffee.

Alas, Nespresso continues to give. They offer programmable machines that let you set the time of your brew so you can have coffee waiting for you as soon as you wake up!

 

Taste

I’ve had my fair share of coffee from the local coffee shop, and I can say that Nespresso is well up to the standard of third-wave specialty brewing. So it’s not surprising when their machines use 19-bars of pressure pump extraction to bring out the best flavor from every capsule.

The result is a bolder, richer, and more aromatic flavor in every espresso shot. This delicious taste is only amplified when you consider the Vertuo series, where pre-infusion and precision brewing bring out even more flavor and creamy espresso topped coffee for a higher-quality experience.

 

Variety

Original and Vertuo lines combined, there are countless Nespresso capsule varieties out there. These cover the full spectrum of intensities and flavors. In fact, for caffeine-sensitive coffee lovers, there is even a decaf range to pick from.

The remarkable thing about Nespresso compatible capsules is that they are everywhere. Furthermore, they come in the form of third-party capsules in addition to its Nespresso-branded options. These third-party brands include L’OR, Starbucks, and even Lavazza, giving you options for endless styles and flavors.

Of course, for the advanced brewing experience, you have the VertuoLine capsules available. These come with barcodes that your Vertuo machine will read in and adjust its parameters to bring out the best taste unique to that roast.

Check out our Best Nespresso Capsule Holders

Is Nespresso better than Keurig?

It’s a tight contest wherever you’ve seen one, but these two coffee machine giants have their own unique perks. These propel each of them to unique heights, so it isn’t easy to compare. On the one hand, Nespresso specializes in espresso, while Keurig excels in regular coffee brewing.

Nespresso uses recyclable aluminum capsules, while Keurig’s infamous K-Cup is made out of plastic. On the other hand, the cost per cup is significantly less with Keurig machines, making it more appealing for bargain buyers as a budget coffee maker.

When it comes to offering a range of machines from compact to high-performing and including features like a built-in milk frother, these two brands go toe-to-toe. So whichever path you choose, know that making coffee drinks at a cafe-quality level is possible with both companies.

On a final note, I would base your decision on whether you consider yourself a regular coffee person or more of a rich espresso lover. Also, know that alternative machines are built to be hybrids that accept Nespresso capsules and Keurig K-Cups, so if you can’t choose, then definitely consider those options.

To find out more about which coffee company to choose between these two brands, see our blog post on Nespresso vs. Keurig using the link below!

Thinking Keurig? Here are the best Keurigs that we have found.

 

Is Nespresso Worth It FAQ

 

Is it worth buying a Nespresso machine?

Nespresso machines can prove to be a worthwhile investment for espresso lovers everywhere because of their ease of use. They also sport high-quality espresso extraction methods. It doesn’t matter whether you are a coffee casual or a coffee nerd. With countless flavors of Nespresso pods at your disposal, there is a great-tasting coffee blend out there for everyone!

 

Is Nespresso a waste of money?

Not at all. A wide variety of affordable low-cost Nespresso machines deliver many of the same benefits as the more pricey ones. With that said, there is always something exciting and unique to be gained with every Nespresso coffee machine.

 

Is Nespresso as good as real espresso?

The Nespresso capsule is designed to be as good as real espresso. They freeze the fresh coffee grounds in place and lock in the flavor into the convenient capsules. As such, the grinding and measuring process is already down for you. That way, you can enjoy the flavor of good espresso without the hard work and hassle.

 

What’s so good about a Nespresso?

The great thing about Nespresso machines is their delicious selection of Nespresso capsules that allow you to make rich and aromatic coffee at home. In addition, Nespresso offers coffee blends for any coffee lover with an all-inclusive range that is accessible at the mere push of a button, making it well worth the hype!

 

So is Nespresso worth it?

Absolutely, if you are looking for quality espresso in an easy and fast way to make it, then a Nespresso is a perfect addition to your kitchen essentials. For help with picking the right one check out our reviews below.

 

Want more Nespresso? Here are some more great reviews!
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