Nespresso vs De’longhi: What’s the difference?

If you love amazing coffee, then one of the best appliances you can buy is an espresso machine. Unfortunately, if can be overwhelming and stressful to decide which coffee maker to choose.

Nespresso vs De'Longhi

Two espresso machines that always come up are the Nespresso and the De’Longhi. Both of these brands are well-respected in the market. So, how do you decide which one to get? In this article we help make your decision simple and easy. We will discuss what each brand offers, the pros and cons, and how they are different. This allows you to know which one is the best for you. So, let’s get right to it.

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Nespresso Review:

The Nespresso System is owned by swiss-based company, Nestle. It is a world-renowned and well-respected brand in the coffee industry. If you love making delicious espresso in your kitchen, then you will love doing it with a Nespresso machine. It is a single-serve coffee system that utilizes the patented Nespresso coffee pods.

This machine is designed to make authentic, amazing espressos and espresso-based coffee drinks at home. If you are looking for that coffee shop experience, look no further. This machine can even create that lovely crema on top.

However, if you want to have the versatility of making a wide variety of coffee drinks with one machine, then the Nespresso is not the right one for you. This is a machine that is created for espresso fanatics. It features a high-end stylish design and is simple to use and operate.

Pros:

  • Makes authentic, coffeeshop espresso in your kitchen
  • Sleek, high-end design
  • Easy, single-serve espresso pods
  • Can use a reusable espresso pod
  • Excellent customer service

Cons:

  • Only makes one cup at a time
  • Can only use the branded Nespresso pods
  • Expensive price point

De’longhi Review:

It can get confusing because De’Longhi makes Nespresso machines. However, they feature their own line of them. It is important that you find the right one for you. De’Longhi makes excellent, high-quality espresso machines for you to enjoy.

These machines allow you the flexibility to make your favorite coffee beverages, such as the latte macchiato and cappuccino. As well as the traditional espresso and lungo drinks. The espresso machines feature plenty of bells and whistles so that you can make your favorite espresso, at the touch of a button.

It will even heat and froth the milk for you. While it has a bit of a learning curve to use, it is completely worth it in the long run. You will have no problem getting it set up and ready to brew. The built-in milk carafe allows you to enjoy an all-in-one experience. The coffee maker is simple to clean. Just remove the parts and rinse them out. 

Pros:

  • Quickly brews your espresso
  • Uses a variety of espresso pods
  • Makes the perfect milk froth for you drink
  • Simple to set up and operate
  • Easy to clean and maintain
  • High-capacity water reservoir
  • Heats up quickly

Cons:

  • Built with plastic materials
  • Learning curve to use
  • Expensive price point

Nespresso vs De’Longhi:

These are two of the most famous espresso makers in the coffee industry. There is a reason for this, they make are high-quality, amazing machines. However, while there are some similarities between them, there are also quite a few differences.

Let’s discuss some of the key features that are different, so that you can decide which one better meets your coffee needs. These key features include:

Hot Milk System:

One of the main differences between the Nespresso and the De’Longhi espresso machines is the hot milk system. On the De’Longhi, the milk system consists of the milk reservoir, the heating, mixing and frothing parts.

The whole system takes you from cold milk to the creamy milk froth on your coffee. You can detach the milk tank to store any unused milk in the fridge so that it doesn’t go to waste. This also makes it quick and simple to clean when you are done using it.

On the Nespresso machine, you have to heat and froth your milk separately. There is no milk system built into the machine. While both machines allow you to get the frothy top of your cappuccinos and lattes, the Nespresso takes more work on your part to achieve it.

This is because you have to manually create the froth on your own and then add it to your espresso drink. If you want a convenient way to get your milk froth, where the machine does all of the work then the De’Longhi machine is a better option for you.

Coffee Type:

This is an important feature because it is nice to have a wide variety of options when it comes to the roast and flavor of your coffee beverages. The Nespresso machines are designed to use the Nespresso branded coffee pods.

However, they do allow you to use a reusable pod, so you can use whatever ground coffee you want. This gives you more flexibility in your espresso drinks. The De’Longhi machines can use pods from Nespresso and some other brands. This gives you more variety if you only want to use espresso pods.

This choice really comes down to your lifestyle preference. If you only want to use pods and like variety, then choose a De’Longhi espresso machine. However, if you want the widest variety and don’t mind using a reusable pod, then a Nespresso coffee maker is your best option.

Ease of Use:

If your mornings are anything like mine, chaotic then you need a coffee maker that is quick and simple to operate. The Nespresso machine is your best choice. It is easy to use and will quickly make that shot of caffeine that you need to start your day.

Nespresso machines will have you enjoying that first sip in less than a minute. All you need to do is insert your espresso pod, choose your coffee preference, and voila a delicious drink is created for you.

The De’Longhi takes more patience on your part. There are more choices for you to consider. While the learning curve is a bit more than the Nespresso and it takes longer to brew, it does all of the work for you. It will not only brew your coffee, but also warm and froth your milk.

If you love creamy, rich espresso based drinks and don’t want to put in the effort to make them, then get a De’Longhi espresso machine. All you need to do is add the coffee pod and milk and then choose your beverage of choice. The coffee maker will do the rest.

So, it really comes down to speed versus effort. The Nespresso is quicker, but the De’Longhi requires less manual labor from you. Both are great options. You just have to choose which one fits your needs and lifestyle better.

Water Reservoir:

Another key feature to consider is the capacity of the water reservoir on the coffee maker. If you need a large water reservoir then a De’longhi espresso machine is a better choice for you. These machines feature water tanks with a capacity of up to 60 ounces.

The more high-end, expensive options can even go up to 80 ounces in capacity. Nespresso machines tend to have smaller water tanks, up to 40 ounces in size. The larger the water reservoir the less often you have to refill it. This is important if you share the machine with other people. 

Cost:

The last key feature to consider before choosing is the overall cost required to buy and use the machine. The Nespresso requires you to use the brand’s patented espresso pods with their machines. De’Longhi allows you to use pods from other brands. This gives you greater variety and flexibility and can save you some money.

However, Nespresso allows you to use a reusable coffee pod. In the long run this might save you even more money. Overall, Nespresso machines seem to be more affordable than De’Longhi machines.

However, it really depends on the model you choose. If you buy one with all of the bells and whistles then it will cost you more. Overall, Nespresso seems to be more affordable and cost-effective than a De’Longhi espresso machine.

Final Thoughts:

As you can see both brands offer you incredible espresso machines that you can buy. They are both well-respected, high-quality brands with many different coffee makers that you can choose. Nespresso is known for its single-serve, easy to use espresso machines.

If your focus is to have a bold and smooth espresso each money, then Nespresso will meet your needs without any problem. De’Longhi features more bells and whistles on their machines. If you want an espresso machine that will do all of the work for you then De’Longhi is the choice for you.

It all comes down to your personal preference. If you want a quick to brew, simple to operate coffee maker then buy a Nespresso. However, if convenience and versatility is more important, then buy a De’Longhi machine. You really can’t go wrong with either brand.

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