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What Are the Best Nespresso Machines and Is It Worth Investing in One?
Wondering if a Nespresso machine is the right choice for you? Here are some things to consider.
Published March 18, 2022
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Johan Hedlund
Coffee experts@The Coffee Lab
Are Nespresso machines worth it? The answer will always depend on who you ask. Some people swear by the quality and unique taste profile produced by most Nespresso machines on the market, while others will quickly dismiss the idea, explaining in great detail why they believe that other brewing methods are superior. And then, there are tons of additional considerations to be made. Should you look for best buy Nespresso coffee machines online or from retailers? Are best buy Vertuo pods OK or should you go with alternative options? If you’re not sure where to even begin, this guide can shed some light on the situation for you.
Do You Need a Nespresso Machine at All?
Finding the best Nespresso coffee machine can be tricky and requires a lot of research. Before you even get there, you should figure out if the Nespresso machine cost is worth it and would one be a good choice for you in the first place. Even the best Nespresso original coffee maker on the market won’t do you much good if you don’t enjoy the taste of the coffee itself and knowing how to find the best Nespresso deals will only come in handy if you’re serious about using these machines in the long term. Generally, you should keep in mind that Nespresso machine models have a very specific taste, and if you don’t enjoy its profile, you might end up wasting a lot of money on this purchase.
Popular Manufacturers on the Market
If you’re looking for the best Nespresso machine out there, you’ll quickly come to two main manufacturers – De’Longhi and Breville. Both companies have some good offers, regardless of whether you’re looking for the best Nespresso machine for latte, espresso, or something else altogether. Both have their advantages and disadvantages, especially when it comes to long-term maintenance, and you should spend some time comparing what they have to offer.
De’Longhi
De’Longhi have some well-known Nespresso machines, such as the CitiZ and the Gran Lattissima, and the company has put a lot of effort into capturing as much of the market as possible. If you’re looking for a cheap Nespresso machine, you’ll likely want to go with one of their models, as they have various budget-friendly solutions. That’s not to say that their build quality is lower than that of Breville – quite the opposite in fact, as De’Longhi have some very durable models that can last a long time.
Breville
On the other hand, if you’re looking for something more comprehensive – perhaps even the most versatile Nespresso machine on the market – you’ll probably want to explore Breville’s various models. The main choice between Breville or De’Longhi Nespresso machines comes down to complexity and customization, and between the two, Breville is generally known as the brand that provides a wider variety of options. Is Nespresso made by Breville? Some enthusiasts will claim that they have the most durable Nespresso machines on the market, but that’s arguable, and depends heavily on the specific model you’ve chosen.
Considerations for the Specific Model You’re Picking
When searching for the best rated Nespresso machine on the market, you shouldn’t just look at the price. Sure, you can easily find a model that’s relatively cheap and will still last you a long time, but if you’re serious about this and want to enjoy your machine for a long time, you should explore its different features in as much detail as you can. Different Nespresso machines can provide you with completely different settings for brewing that perfect cup of coffee, for example.
You can also find some models that require minimal maintenance compared to others, which require various regular part replacements and advanced cleaning procedures. And of course, you should also be careful about the specific pods that you can brew in the machine you’re buying. Don’t assume that all Nespresso machines on the market, including a cheap Nespresso machine, are the same in this regard because you can easily find yourself locked out of the exact pods that you were interested in trying.
Minimizing Long-term Maintenance
That brings us to a very important point. Some Nespresso machines require a lot of maintenance, while others are made to last a long time with minimal interference on your end. If getting your hands dirty is not an issue, you probably won’t care much about this factor. But otherwise, you should pay attention to things like the kinds of replacement parts that the machine requires, how hard it is to get to different parts of the system, and whether you can use third-party parts or are required to go with ones from the original manufacturer.
For some machines, you might even need specialized service to make certain kinds of repairs, and the cost of that can add up very fast. Bottom line, if you care about the complexity and cost of the maintenance required by the machine you’re buying, it can be worth spending some extra money to get a more durable model.
When Is It Time to Change Your Nespresso Machine?
If you’ve had a Nespresso machine for a while and are looking for a change, you should stick to models that support the same pods that you’re already used to. Of course, if you want to try something new, that’s a different story – but otherwise, you should do your best to minimize the “shock” from the sudden change in flavor. Some people never really get over the huge difference that this creates and buying a new Nespresso machine can be very problematic for them.
How long do Nespresso machines last in general? It’s hard to give a rough answer to that, especially today when the market is so full of different models with all sorts of characteristics. Some can last for many years with practically no maintenance, while some cheaper models will start to break down just a few months in. Price isn’t always a deciding factor here though, so don’t focus solely on that when comparing what the market has to offer.
Don’t Be Quick to Discard New Machines if You Don’t Enjoy the Taste Initially
First time buying a Nespresso machine? An important thing to remember is that you might dislike the taste at first – quite a lot, in fact. Some people need a few cups to get used to the typical flavor profile of Nespresso, and it can seem like the worst coffee you’ve ever had until you get adjusted to it. Is Nespresso good coffee anyway? That’s completely subjective – but it’s true that some people refuse to drink anything else, and deeply enjoy the particular taste that a cup of Nespresso offers.
Try some different pods to mix things up if you’re not impressed with your first choice. Again, the important thing here is that you give yourself some time to get used to the taste of Nespresso. Switching things up by changing to a different flavor can help you adjust faster, although your mileage may vary.
Do You Need More Than One Machine?
More than one Nespresso machine? Some might see that as going overboard, but for some diehard fans of the brand, there’s no such thing. In fact, you might find some people with not one or two, but several of those machines, just so they can enjoy the unique flavors only found in specific pods. This is definitely a bigger investment than what most people are ready for, but don’t forget that the option is there if you find yourself getting more and more into the world of Nespresso. At this point, you might want to start going through a Nespresso machine comparison chart and researching your choice in more detail.
Always Have a Good Backup Substitute!
And in the end, remember that you might not even like this at all. Not just because you can’t get used to it – it’s possible that you realize that Nespresso isn’t your thing, period. In this case, you should have something to go back to, so don’t be quick to throw out your current coffee machine. Even if you’re buying a Nespresso machine with the specific goal of replacing what you’re using right now, you shouldn’t rush to get rid of the last machine until you’re sure you’ll be using your new one in the future.
Maybe you do like Nescafe and Nespresso, but just realize that you didn’t buy the best Nescafe machine for your specific needs. Or perhaps you might want to upgrade to something higher-end straight away. In any case, keep an alternative option available until you’ve found the best Nespresso machine for your specific needs.
Take some time to compare Nespresso machines before settling on anything. When it comes to a product with as many different options as this one, it can be quite the challenge to ensure that you’re making the best choice. In the end though, going through all that will leave you with something you’ll enjoy for a long time. No matter if you’re an avid coffee lover or not, a good Nespresso machine can be a huge boost to your lifestyle!
About the author
Johan Hedlund
I´m living in Karlstad, Sweden with my family. Been working the last 25 years with several start ups in the tech industry. Coffee has been an integral part, both professionally and privately. Eager to learn new things and happy to be a member of the era of we community.
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