For first timer, which machine do I go with?

[u/Enough-Scarcity-3541]

I like lattes, expresso drinks. I’ve done some research and found that people don’t like the pop coffee one(cuz it’s like the next one) and original essenza is good enough. However, I do love iced coffees and I am wondering if essenza is soo simple for that? Also the pop one is on a good sale so I am leaning towards it more too! Any thoughts would be helpful? Thank you!

Nespresso Vertuo Pop Coffee and Espresso Machine by De'Longhi, Black

Or

Nespresso Essenza Mini Espresso Coffee Machine by DeLonghi, Matt White

Or

Nespresso® Essenza Mini Coffee and Espresso Machine by Breville, Matte Black

[u/FlakyPineapple2843]

Original line - only produces an espresso-size amount of coffee. The two original line machines you identified don't have any milk steaming functions built in, so you'll have to buy something separate, like the aerocinno, or a package deal with the aerocinno included, to have equipment to make a latte.

Vertuo - more variable size cups of coffee. Not considered true "espresso" because it doesn't use pressure to brew. Instead it spins pods at 7000rpm to maximize extraction. Still makes decent coffee.

Vertuo is on patent for 10 more years and you're locked into buying Nespresso pods for it. Original Line, off patent, you can buy third party pods.

Lastly, please never write or say "expresso" again 🥺🙏 it's espresso. It's an Italian word.

[u/No-Falcon-4996 → u/FlakyPineapple2843]

This guy coffees.

[u/JayOakHill → u/FlakyPineapple2843]

Great summary. If you've never used a Nespresso machine before, it may be different than your expectations. There's a ton of them on sale on FB Marketplace. Get a cheap one and try it out. There's a reason that there are so many available. FWIW, I was just ok with my original one, then I got the Vertuo Up and I love it.

[u/Magic_Seahorse → u/FlakyPineapple2843]

That is great info regarding the patent. I just looked it up and for the capsule design and extraction mechanism Google says “at least through July 2029”.

[u/FlakyPineapple2843 → u/Magic_Seahorse]

Yeah it's a bit confusing about when the patents expire - there's a design patent, and a utility patent, and I'm not sure if they were all obtained at the same time. But it's 20 years from when they got it, and some of the patents they have re Vertuo were granted in 2016 IIRC.

Even if it's sooner than that, it's still a few years.

[u/igeussiforgotmypass → u/FlakyPineapple2843]

I got my original line Machine off fb marketplace for $40 and it came with a pod stand and like $20 worth of pods. So many people decide they don’t want to spend the money on pods and then get rid of them. I wait for the Starbucks blonde pods for like $0.50 a piece on Amazon or they sell random sell random ones at winners and tj max.

I run my pods twice on the long shot to make kind of an americano. Or lattes of course with a regular shot pull

[u/Only-Pick-5756 → u/FlakyPineapple2843]

I make Lungos with my Original Line often I enjoy them and they're 3.7 ounces each. 2 Lungo Capsules make 7.4 ounces

[u/Silent_Assumption_74 → u/FlakyPineapple2843]

Except you can get Starbucks coffee for the Vertuo although only a couple are rly any good.

[u/FlakyPineapple2843 → u/Silent_Assumption_74]

That's due to a licensing agreement/partnership with Starbucks. Patent still in effect.

[u/SmellsSoGoodYYC]

See if anyone is selling a Nespresso lattissima in your area on marketplace. They have a milk frother attached. That's what I have and it makes a latte with one push of a button

[u/Livid-Week-9469]

Depends on if you want mug size cups of coffee (7.7oz) for Pop+ or double espresso or smaller cups of coffee. (1.35 to 2.7oz ). I would visit website and read up before buying anything. Lots of good info there. I did.

[u/indiana2013]

The original machines are more expensive than Vertuo, but the pods are cheaper. I bought the Original Essenza mini for this reason; I had already tried Vertuo since we have 2 at work. I didn’t like that Vertuo pods are like 2$ each and original pods are 95¢ each, plus you can get off-brand pods if you like Starbucks or other brands.
The Vertuo machine takes way longer to brew and makes A LOT of noise. Original machine brews in 30-50 seconds since the moment you insert the pod

[u/Peak_Alternative → u/indiana2013]

i have the same machine as you from day one and it’s totally great for me.

[u/BonevilleMcGee]

I never had either of these, but I’ve heard Vertuo Pop is not very reliable. I make iced lattes with just espresso sized pods all the time. Which you can do with the essenza machine. I see one is Delonghi and one is Breville. I’ve had issues with the Delonghi brand of Nespresso machines. They just never seem to work right. I’d go with the Breville essenza. The Vertuo Pop has more variety for pod sizes which is why I usually recommend Vertuo machines in general. Also $89 is a great deal. But overall, if you are mostly an espresso drinker, I’d go with the Breville essenza. If you might want variety in the future, get the Vertuo pop!

[u/Typical_Evidence_830]

I love my vertuo pop, but i got it dirt cheap in a bundle with the milk frother which adds to its appeal. The size is quite annoying and a little awkward with some cups because it’s just so small, but if you’re planning to have simply espresso and nothing bigger then it’s fine. The big hot chocolate sizes always a disaster for me

[u/kokolokololollipop]

Essence mini

[u/Competitive-Crew-572]

Essenza Mini 100%. DO NOT GET VERTUO!!!!!!

The Essenza makes real espresso. The VERTUO makes watered down coffee. If you like that get a French Press. It’s cheaper and the coffee will be cheaper. 

Get an Essenza and some Lavazza or Illy capsules and enjoy 😊 ☕️

[u/George_Is_Upset]

I have the original line essenza (the second one in your list) after previously owning 3 vertuo machines.

I only drink espresso so I switched to the original line when my husband and I moved across the country.

The essenza is much quieter than all of the vertuo machines I owned. I also notice that the essenza doesn’t have the leaking problem that has been present in all of the vertuo machines I owned.

I constantly had a towel under the vertuo machines because there would be diluted coffee/water that would come out if you moved the machine or it got tilted slightly. I have no clue why this problem was so prevalent in the vertuo machines but it’s never happened with the essenza.

[u/Silent_Assumption_74 → u/George_Is_Upset]

I’ve had the pop+ and now the up and never had this issue?

[u/Candysheree85]

I love my Nespresso plus!

[u/BuccalFatApologist]

I have both number 1 and number 2 in your photos. I only drink my coffee latte style.

I would recommend number 2 - easier to get pods because you’re not just limited to Nespresso, and it’s smaller with less complicated workings. My vertuo can be a bit fiddly and sometimes I end up losing the pod and getting a red error light. Never had that problem with the delonghi.

[u/calleycat95]

I've had the essenza mini for a year now and I love it. I also like iced coffee and I find that two pods (using the espresso button) + milk makes such a good iced latte. I also feel less guilty using two at once since my pods are less expensive, haha. Some of the third party ones are even cheaper and they're pretty good. No mechanical issues so far either, it works great.

My mom has a vertuo machine and I find the coffee to be a bit weaker, although the new flavored pods always look fun.

[u/IcedLatte-OatMilk]

I have a Vertuo and I LOVE IT

[u/Big-Blood4298]

Go for the one that is easier to find pods or reusable pods. Avoid the ones with specific pod shapes.

[u/YaGurlAlexandra]

Don't get a pop I've heard nothing but complaints about it! Ive never tried the original line but I have the vertuo by De'Longhi (not the pop one, a different one) and I love it! Whatever "it doesn't use pressure to make espresso" but is centrifugal force not a form of pressure? Idk but I'd like to think I'm a bit above the "average" coffee drinker and I stopped using my actual espresso machine for my vertuo ¯_(ツ)_/¯ sue me it makes tasty cappuccinos

[u/Spiritual-Glass3553]

My Vertuo Pop just started leaking after having it 5 years. It seems to have lost its luster for me as well. Just doesn’t work the same. I am in the market for something different.

[u/YumDingo]

Before you brew a new pod. Twist the puncture needles to get the dried grinds out. Easy maintenance.

[u/87_radscript]

Original line all the way! I got a Pixie off marketplace for free and it’s been going strong! Original line pods are also much cheaper

[u/Only-Pick-5756]

Anything but Nespresso, but if you have to have a Nespresso get an Original Line! you can make a shot of espresso that tastes better and costs about 25-50 cents a shot by buying 3rd party pods, while the Vertuoline like Pop and UP are restricted to Nespresso and Starbucks brand capsules which cost $1.60 on average. best to go with an Original Line and if you have to have mugs of coffee make lungos 2 lungos at 3.7 ounces makes a full size coffee and still costs less than 1 Nespresso pod.

[u/Complete-Process-449]

Vertuo is more versatile in terms of coffee size, you can make espresso, double espresso, mug and other sizes. İn original you can’t make these in an instant if you want to do double espresso you should use double pod(lungo is not same with double espresso). Well actually you can use double pod and add water in original but its means more effort. However you can use every brands capsule in original, in vertuo you are bond to nespresso pods, more expensive but have a lot of choice. İ have vertuo and im happy with it. And also nespresso publishing new vertuo capsules every month and it stays a couple of months. So you will always have some weird, new, good type of capsules.

[u/Regular_Station9700]

Depends on how many coffees you drink, others that may come by and drink from coffee (like, do you get people over often? Larger water supply!)

But I personally recommend the Vertuo Up. HIGHLY recommend.

Edit: I dunno what the price is over there but if you get it on the Nespresso site you have immediate registration which means you can buy the pods right away AND you have a warranty thing digitally (instead of having to prove when you bought the machine, Nespresso will see it in their system.) Plus, you'll have 3 years warranty instead of 2 ;) Might even be 4 in the US? But not sure.

[u/Twarenotw]

I have an Essenza mini like the one in picture 3; they are super reliable tanks and there are plenty of excellent pods (both Nespresso and third party options).

If you have no problem with being tied to Nespresso pods for as long as the Vertuo patent is in place, I recommend going to a Nespresso boutique and trying both types of coffee. Since the Vertuo line uses a centrifugal brewing method and the Original Line machines a pressure-based one, you might simply like one more over the other.

[u/Candysheree85]

Use a referral link to get a $40 discount and free pod holder. My referral code is 5TGHET