I've Owned Three Nespresso Machines, and This Is Hands-Down the Best One

This is the third Nespresso machine that I’ve owned and the fourth I’ve used. As a self-proclaimed “Nespresso Expert,” I think this model is a true winner. My first Nespresso was a Vertuo machine because my husband convinced me that we needed to be able to make drip coffee, although neither one of us really drinks it. While we had the Vertuo for years, we only ended up making drip coffee a handful of times (of course). It also didn't steam milk, so we needed a separate difficult-to-clean device to make cappuccinos and lattes. With the Lattissima, just touch a button, wait a few seconds for the machine to warm up, and you can have a ristretto, espresso, lungo, cappuccino, latte, or just a cup of steamed milk on demand.

Another advantage of the Lattissima Touch is that it's an “Original Line,” which means I can buy whatever compatible pods I like. While Nespresso pods are delicious, they’re also pricey (but again, still cheaper than going out for coffee). I’ve found the Gourmesso brand pods to be a great option at a less expensive price. Better yet, in addition to a roster of coffee roasted from beans of various origins, fun flavors like Biscotti, Toffee Nut, and Almond are also available.

But the reason I love the Lattissima Touch so much is that it can steam milk just as well as a real-life barista. The 12-ounce container holds enough milk for approximately two drinks. However, if coffee for one is on the menu, you can leave the container in the fridge for a day or two without worrying about spoilage.

With a dial to customize the aeration level, it can be used with any type of milk, including almond, oat, or coconut. When you’re done, just clean the cup and its components in the top rack of the dishwasher. It is also pretty easy to clean by hand with a drop of dish soap.

Pod-based espresso machines have the upper-hand over traditional ones since they’re easier to use and that's especially true for the Lattissima. Once you understand the differences, pod machines allow you a lot of variety for drinks. One thing I learned is ristretto shots use the least water, so you might want to make it a double. These shots also have less caffeine than a standard espresso. On the other hand, lungo, which is Italian for “long,” uses twice the amount of water as a regular espresso and is slightly more caffeinated than your typical shot of espresso. 

This machine also makes drinks fairly quickly, so it’s great for entertaining and dinner parties. You can serve one person while another is being made without missing too much of the conversation. For those who are less social and simply don’t want to go out for their daily coffee, the Lattissima is just as life-changing.

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Amanda Lauren is a lifestyle writer, host, interior design expert, and co-creator of the online public relations course, Pitch Please. She's also the host of the Bougie Adjacent Podcast. In order to do so many things, she drinks two almond milk lattes a day and is happy she never has to leave the house to make one.