If you’re a coffee enthusiast like me, you know how a perfect cup can make or break your day. That’s why I’m excited to share my Nespresso Vertuo Lattissima review based on my actual experience using this coffee machine.
This is the first DeLonghi Nespresso machine that makes milk-based drinks with one touch and using Vertuo pods. Older models use the smaller original pods, and Vertuo pods make tastier espresso. Did this change lead to better lattes and cappuccinos?
Spoiler alert: I like the Vertuo Lattissima. The carafe-style milk frother creates solid froth, and the cleaning is intuitive. However, it has many of the same issues as the Vertuo Next, which means the espressos aren’t as good as the lattes.
Here’s everything you should know about the Nespresso Vertuo Lattissima.
Nespresso Vertuo Lattissima Product Overview
Nespresso Vertuo Lattissima highlights:
- Centrifusion extraction technology: Spins capsules up to 7,000 rotations per minute.
- One-touch brewing: Easy selection of coffee sizes and styles.
- Integrated milk frother: For creating creamy lattes and cappuccinos.
- 54 oz water tank: Reduces the need for frequent refills.
- Capsule container capacity: 10 small and 6 large pods
- Energy saving: Automatic power-off after 9 minutes of inactivity.
- Fast heat-up time: Ready to brew in 30 seconds.
The Nespresso Vertuo Lattissima stands out for its versatility in brewing a wide range of coffee styles, from a quick espresso shot to a luxurious latte to a large coffee. This is the first model to have this much versatility.
One of the standout features of the Vertuo Lattissima is its ease of use. With a simple touch of a button, you can choose from multiple coffee sizes and styles. It also has an integrated milk frother, which delivers barista-quality froth for your lattes and cappuccinos. The frother is easy to clean, making maintenance a breeze.
The design of the Vertuo Lattissima is sleek and modern, fitting seamlessly into any kitchen decor. It’s compact enough not to take up too much counter space, yet it has a large water tank and capsule container, reducing the frequency of refills and disposal.
Pros
Brews a variety of coffee sizes with ease
Vertuo centrifusion technology ensures rich flavor and aroma
Simple one-touch operation for convenience
Integrated Milk Frother for creamy beverages
Cons
Carafe is poorly labeled
Brews cooler than other Nespresso machines
Nespresso Vertuo Lattissima Feature Breakdown
Design
The Nespresso Vertuo Lattissima has an aesthetically pleasing design. Its sleek, modern lines and elegant finish give it a premium look that complements any kitchen.
The machine’s footprint is compact, ensuring it doesn’t dominate your counter space. Overall, there’s a good balance between size and functionality.
One of the most user-friendly aspects of the Vertuo Lattissima’s design is the milk carafe system. It easily clips right into the right side of the, maintaining the sleek lines and minimalist aesthetic.
It’s easy to remove the carafe to refill it with milk. The carafe slots back into place with ease, ready for the next use. Overall, I didn’t have any issues with this, and I think it’s particularly useful for those who frequently enjoy milk-based coffee drinks, as it streamlines the process significantly.
The machine’s interface is intuitive, with clearly marked buttons and a straightforward navigation system that makes selecting your preferred coffee style a breeze.
Finally, the capsule loading and ejection mechanism is smooth and efficient (and the sound it makes when punching holes into the pods is very satisfying). Once the machine is done brewing and you open it, the pod automatically slides through the hole into the container. There’s little hassle and no mess.
Brewing Drinks With The Vertuo Lattissima
Milk-based Drinks and Milk Frother
The Nespresso Vertuo Lattissima uses a carafe-style milk frother to make milk-based drinks. This frother features a long tube that efficiently sucks up milk, aerating it to create a rich and creamy froth.
I found the process of preparing milk-based drinks straightforward. You start by filling up the milk carafe, then insert a coffee pod. The machine offers two milk options: a latte and a cappuccino setting. Choose one of those buttons to make a drink.
The two milk options use different quantities of milk – approximately 7oz for a latte and about 4oz for a cappuccino. However, the carafe doesn’t have markings to indicate this. I wish it had clearly labeled how much milk to use for either drink. On other coffee machines with a milk carafe I used, such as the Philips 3200 LatteGo, the marks are clearer.
That said, the milk comes out with a great texture and it’s at 140 F, which is a perfect temperature to drink right away. The cappuccino foam will be a little denser than the latte foam, but both come out smooth without huge bubbles. I like this delicate microfoam.
Another convenient feature I like is using any pod size to make a milk-based drink. Even if you use a big coffee pod, the Lattissima machine automatically brews it as a double espresso. I really like using larger pods to get a more concentrated espresso drink, which enhances the overall flavor and strength of your coffee.
This is the same feature on the Vertuo Pop, another new Nespresso Vertuo machine.
One you’re done brewing, an orange light will indicate a rinse. Place a new cup under the spout and turn the knob on the carafe to the right. The Vertuo Lattissima will run some water through the tube (without affecting the milk in the carafe) to rinse the inside. Turn the knob back to the middle to get the next drink.
Regular Espresso Drinks
Nespresso Lattissima uses Vertuo technology, which means it’s compatible with Vertuo coffee pods. You insert the pods, and the machine reads the barcode printed on the pod edge and automatically adjusts the brewing parameters.
If you want a coffee drink, just insert the pod and press the power button on top of the lid. The lid is spring-loaded, so unclip it, and the lid will pop open. Push down and latch the clip to keep it in place.
The espresso quality is comparable to that of the Vertuo Next, which is decent but not quite at the level of the Vertuo Plus.
I also noticed the Vertuo Lattissima tends to be noisier, similar to the Next model.
Moreover, it brews slightly cooler (which is also an issue on the Next), which reduces the coffee extraction. I thought the Vertuo Lattissima coffee is less fulfilling, especially if you prefer a stronger coffee flavor.
Despite these drawbacks, I like it more than a Keurig machine, and it makes a good range of coffee drink sizes as well.
Cleaning & Maintenance
I found that maintaining the Nespresso Vertuo Lattissima is a straightforward and intuitive process. The cleaning routine is designed to be as hassle-free as possible, focusing on efficiency and thoroughness.
After you’ve made your milk drink, the machine simplifies the cleaning process with a clear indication: a rinse light will illuminate. As I said before, just add a new cup and turn the knob on the carafe to the rinse position.
Note: The rinsing process does consume a fair amount of water. However, this is a small trade-off for ensuring that the internal components of the machine are thoroughly cleaned and free from any build-up that could affect the taste of your coffee or the functioning of the machine.
Also, the milk frother can be fully disassembled for a more comprehensive cleaning. You can easily pull out the milk tube for cleaning. You can even remove the knob and back insert!
This level of disassembly allows for a deep clean of the frother. Every part that comes into contact with milk can be thoroughly washed, ensuring no residue or milk build-up. The ability to completely disassemble and clean the frother is a significant advantage. It not only ensures that your machine stays hygienic but also maintains the quality of the milk froth produced, which is essential for creating those perfect lattes and cappuccinos.
That said, the basic rinse cycle alone cleans all the milk inside the carafe. I use the rinse for daily use, and once a month, I do a deep clean of each piece.
Value
Nespresso Vertuo Lattissima is good value if you want a cappuccino and latte machine that requires minimal work.
It stands out primarily due to its integrated milk system. This feature simplifies the process of creating milk-based beverages, offering convenience and quality that are typically found in more complex machines.
The Lattissima Vertuo also scores high on ease of use. Its one-touch brewing options and user-friendly interface make it accessible and efficient, ideal for those who appreciate a quick and straightforward coffee-making process.
Overall, the Nespresso Lattissima Vertuo is a good choice for those seeking a versatile, efficient, and reliable coffee machine, especially for lovers of milk-based coffee drinks. However, if you already have a Nespresso machine or are on a budget, it’s not the best investment.
Alternative Options: Comparing Nespresso Vertuo Lattissima
Gran Lattissima
The Nespresso Gran Lattissima is also a one-touch latte machine, but it uses the smaller-sized OriginalLine pods. This isn’t compatible with Vertuo pods.
These features are really the same as the Vertuo Lattissima. The big difference is the pods. Personally, I like the Vertuo pods because they taste better. That said, Original pods cost a lot less – maybe 30 cents per pod compared to $1 for Vertuo!
Gran Lattissima highlights:
- Brewing variety: nine different coffee drinks.
- Rapid Cappuccino milk system: automatic milk frothing, making the entire drink preparation seamless.
- Customization: change coffee volume and milk foam.
- Capacity: 34 oz water tank and holds 14 capsules.
- Pod style: Original pods.
Creatista Vertuo
Like the Vertuo Lattissima, the Creatista Vertuo uses Vertuo coffee pods and the same brewing technology.
The main difference between these two machines is in the milk frothing system. Creatista Vertuo has a manual steam wand, so you have a more hands-on approach to milk frothing.
Creatista Vertuo highlights:
- Versatile coffee brewing: Vertuo pods, which have more sizes and better taste.
- Customizable settings: three milk temperature and texture levels.
- Premium build and design: stainless steel is visually appealing and more durable.
- Large water tank: 67.6 oz capacity and holds up to 10 pods.
The Creatista Vertuo has a simple milk-frothing wand designed by Breville. This wand offers plenty of settings to customize your milk texture and temperature.
While the Lattissima automatically pours milk into the cup, with the Creatista, you have the traditional method of frothing the milk separately and then pouring it into your coffee. This might seem like an extra step compared to the Lattissima’s integrated carafe, but in practice, it’s no more difficult than filling the milk carafe on the Lattissima.
Vertuo Plus
The Vertuo Plus is the most basic model in the lineup without a milk frother (buy an Aeroccino milk frother separately). That said, it has features that make it our favorite Nespresso machine: a motorized lid and swivel water tank.
Importantly, the Vertuo Plus brews almost 10 degrees hotter than other models, which increases extraction and leads to a richer and more fulfilling taste.
This combination is ideal for those who want the quality of Nespresso coffee but at a more affordable price point.
Vertuo Plus highlights:
- Pods and drink options: Vertuo pods for a range of drink options. Milk frother is sold separately.
- Design and build: rounded design, motorized lid opening, and swivel water tank.
- Water reservoir and capsule containers: 40 oz adjustable water tank and can hold up to 10 used pods.
- Higher brew temperature: extracts more coffee for a stronger taste with a hotter thermoblock.
Recommendation: Should You Get a Vertuo Lattissima?
You should get Vertuo Lattissima if you want a Nespresso machine that uses Vertuo pods and can make milk-based drinks automatically. It’s also a good option if you want an automatic coffee machine that’s easy to clean.
However, for those looking for a more budget-friendly option, you might consider pairing the Vertuo Plus with the Aeroccino 4. This combination offers a significant cost saving and still provides a high-quality coffee experience.
The Aeroccino 4 is a standalone milk frother that is renowned for its efficiency and ease of use. While it requires a separate step to froth and add milk to your coffee, it produces excellent froth quality.
Final Thoughts on Nespresso Vertuo Lattissima
The Nespresso Lattissima Vertuo is a good choice for those seeking a blend of convenience, versatility, and quality in their coffee experience. Its integrated milk system and Centrifusion technology can make everything from rich espressos to creamy lattes.
If you’re a latte lover, I recommend checking out our round-up of the best Nespresso latte machines, where you can find several more affordable options.
