Nespresso Vertuo Lattissima review

As a Home Editor, I've tested countless coffee makers, from luxe espresso machines to some of the top single-serve models, but I rarely give a five-star rating. Even the best coffee makers have a lot of functions on offer, and they rarely execute every setting perfectly, so when I tested the Nespresso Vertuo Lattissima I was surprised to find that it ticked every box. What's more, it's 30% off at Amazon right now in this early Prime Day deal. 

At only 6.5 inches wide, this coffee maker is a petite powerhouse for those who want a full range of drink options without a barista-level machine taking up a lot of counter space. And although a number of the best Nespresso machines come with milk frothing options, this is one of the best I've tried and it's also easy to use and store. 

I put the Nespresso Vertuo Lattissima through its paces in the Tom's Guide test kitchen to see how well it made various drink sizes and varieties. Although its small frame does mean you'll need to empty the waste bin and refill the water tank quite often, it's a great option for most homes. 

Nespresso Vertuo Lattissima review: Price and availability

The Nespresso Vertuo Lattissima is made in collaboration with De'Longhi. It's available in both black and white colorways, and I tested the black model. It has an RRP of $499 or £379 in the UK; you can find it at Amazon, Best Buy, and Target. 

The Nespresso Vertuo Lattissima is a re-imagined version of Nespresso's original Lattissima machine, which has a very similar design and comes at a similar price, but uses traditional Nespresso capsules as opposed to the brand's exclusive Vertuo line. 

Nespresso Vertuo Lattissima review: Design

On first impressions, I was surprised by just how compact the Nespresso Vertuo Lattissima is. For a machine with so many options, it also has a neat and button-free design. Because Nespresso's Vertuo line uses different capsule sizes to determine the length of your drink, there is only one button for brewing coffee drinks.

If you want to make a frothy drink though, there are three settings to choose from. One is for a cappuccino, which brews your milk on top of your fresh-brewed coffee. There's also a latte macchiato setting, which pours your milk first and coffee second for that classic multi-layered look, which looks great in a clear coffee glass. 

The brewing unit on the front of the Nespresso can pull away easily to be stored in the refrigerator between uses, be cleaned, or topped up. It has a dial in place that lets you rinse your frothing unit after use, which is essential for keeping it clean and free from old milk buildup.

The final setting you'll get with this machine is the milk foam button, which makes a serving of steamed milk for chai lattes or babyccino. You can adjust the milk spout so it's angled perfectly for your chosen mug, and the adjustable height stand is easy to move around depending on your drink of choice. 

Nespresso Vertuo Lattissima review: Performance

I first made an americano in the Nespresso Vertuo Lattissima using a mug/coffee capsule. Brewing took just over a minute, starting with a luscious strand of rich crema, but finishing with a weaker dribble of coffee. The taste was luxuriously rich and not too sour. 

The head that comes out on top of Nespresso's Vertuo drinks isn't real crema but a foam that's created by the fast spinning of the Vertuo capsules inside the brewing unit. It still achieves that crema texture, but it fades quite fast. Brewing is also a little noisier than you might expect, although it's not too disturbing. That spinning motion sounds a bit like tiny helicopter taking off — I measured it at 73dB.

Next, I made a cappuccino in the Nespresso Vertuo Lattissima. I first added a capsule to the brewing unit, but instead of pressing the button on top of this unit I pressed the button that makes coffee and milk drinks on the side of the milk unit. 

After my espresso had brewed, the milk dispenser topped up my coffee with steamed milk. I was impressed at how consistent the milk was — there were no large milk bubbles, just a sturdy micro-foam that was made in less than a minute. 

I also used one of Nespresso's cold brew capsules. I first added some ice cubes to a high-top glass and poured my coffee over the top using the button on the top of the brewing unit. To add your capsule, you need to twist the handle to the top of the Vertuo brewing system, which will open the capsule container.

After putting it in place, you simply need to press the machine and twist the handle back into place to lock the brewing unit closed. Then it's just a case of pressing the right button, which will begin the brewing process depending on the barcode on the side of the capsule you've used. This will determine the size of your drink.

My cold brew took just under 2 minutes to brew, and I was really impressed by the flavor. It was fruity and light, and the coffee hadn't watered down my ice cubes in the brewing process. 

I did note that my waste bin had almost filled after making about five drinks. It could probably take around eight capsules in total before it needs emptying. After my cold brew I also noted that my water needed topping up. With a capacity of 57oz, you'll get through it quite quickly if you make a lot of long coffees. 

How does the Nespresso Vertuo Lattissima compare?

I've tested a number of Nespresso Vertuo machines, and they all feature the same brewing unit. Although most of them feature the same locking mechanism as the Vertuo Lattissima, the Nespresso Vertuo Plus has an automated tab that you can press to lift or close the brewing unit unassisted, which might be better for some users. 

The Nespresso Vertuo Next is a much more affordable alternative to the Vertuo Lattissima, but it doesn't come with a milk steaming unit, so you'll need to buy a separate milk steamer to use it. 

We reviewed the Vertuo Lattissima's predecessor, the Lattissima One, and gave it four stars. It also features the same small used capsule container, but lacks the smart features as the Vertuo line. 

Should you buy the Nespresso Vertuo Lattissima?

I love milky coffee, but also enjoy the option of pouring coffee over ice or having a black americano when I'm trying to be good. For coffee enthusiasts like me, who want every option but don't have the space for a bean-to-cup barista machine, it doesn't get much better than the Nespresso Vertuo Lattissima. 

The Vertuo brewing system, as always, makes the most out of every capsule, and you'll never be short on flavor options when choosing your morning brew. Although the milk steamer is small, it holds plenty of milk for a large latte, and it can be easily slotted into place and removed between uses for simple top-ups. 

There are cheaper Nespresso machines on the market, and if you're not committed to the brand, you could also get a more affordable option in our guide to the best Keurig coffee makers, but the Vertuo Lattissima is a small yet mighty machine that's worth splurging on.