Nespresso by De'Longhi Evoluo Coffee and Espresso Maker Review

We purchased the Nespresso by De'Longhi Evoluo Coffee and Espresso Maker so our reviewer could put it to the test. Keep reading for our full product review.

For some, there’s nothing more important than getting their caffeine fix as quickly as possible after getting out of bed. To accommodate such needs, there are various espresso and coffee machines that take just mere seconds to heat up so users can brew coffee almost immediately. One such machine that preheats and brews coffee quickly is the Nespresso by De'Longhi Evoluo Coffee and Espresso Maker. For several weeks, I tested this machine and evaluated its design, setup, espresso and coffee, cleanup, and price. Read on to see what I found. 

Setup Process: Difficult to start the priming process

The setup for the Nespresso by De'Longhi Evoluo Coffee and Espresso Maker was one of the most frustrating aspects of this machine. I ran into the issue of not being able to get the coffee and espresso combo machine to begin the priming process. It should have been a quick five-minute process, but because it was difficult to get going, it ended up taking about 15 minutes. 

The instructions say to press the button on top of the machine three times within two seconds. This proved to be much more difficult than expected. I kept trying to do so within the two-second time frame, but the machine would freeze. As a result, I continually needed to unplug it and start the process several times. When I finally got the button-pressing technique right, I was able to trigger the priming process. After that, the machine was ready for regular usage. 

To use the machine for the first time, I plugged it in and turned it on by pressing the power button once. It preheated almost immediately, taking just 30 seconds or so. The machine’s button will stop blinking to indicate it’s ready to brew. I placed my cup on the drip tray, put my Vertuo capsule inside the capsule holder, and locked the capsule door shut. I pressed the button on top again, and the device proceeded to brew espresso into my cup. 

Design: Modern aesthetic, wide footprint

The Nespresso by De'Longhi Evoluo Coffee and Espresso Maker is designed with a modern aesthetic. The entire machine is made up of different shades of gray except for the water tank and capsule container, which are clear. There is a door on top of the machine that opens to the Nespresso capsule holder. On top of this door, there is a button to power on the device. There is also a lever on the door to lock it shut. Underneath this area, there is a spot for the user to place their cup with an adjustable tray to accommodate different cup sizes. 

In terms of size, the Nespresso by De'Longhi Evoluo Coffee and Espresso Maker isn’t necessarily large, but it does lean on the wider side (measuring around 9 inches in width). This broadness is due to the water tank and capsule container, which live on each side of the main body. I'm quite limited on counter space, so this machine did take up more room than I would’ve liked. But if you don't currently have a lot to declutter in your kitchen space, then this size shouldn't be a problem for you.

Performance: Quick and consistent espresso & coffee

The Nespresso by De'Longhi Evoluo Coffee and Espresso Maker is successful at brewing single servings of both espresso and coffee in about one minute. The speed at which this machine operates is pretty incredible, and it was probably my favorite aspect of this espresso and coffee maker combo. 

In addition to brewing quickly, the Nespresso by De'Longhi Evoluo Coffee and Espresso Maker can brew a variety of drinks, including regular cups of coffee, double espresso, gran lungo, altos, and iced coffee. I used it to make a number of espressos, regular coffees, and gran lungos. What’s great about this coffee and espresso maker combo is that I never had to worry about making a bad drink. This is due to the Vertuo capsules, which essentially ensure a perfectly brewed espresso or coffee every time. Each drink I made was consistently bold and flavorful. 

One downside to this neat espresso machine is that it’s only compatible with Nespresso Vertuo capsules as opposed to the original Nespresso capsules. The Vertuo capsules are, first of all, more expensive. I also found that I had to make sure I stayed on top of my inventory of Vertuo capsules. This is because Vertuo capsules aren’t as readily available as original Nespresso capsules, so I needed to order them ahead of time. 

Ease of Cleaning: Just a few parts to rinse

After using the Nespresso by De'Longhi Evoluo Coffee and Espresso Maker, the capsule container should be dumped and cleaned by hand. The water tank and adjustable cup tray should also be rinsed by hand. This only takes about a minute or two at the most, so I found the cleaning process to be very low-maintenance. 

On occasion, you should also give the internal system a clean by following the procedure from the setup section. 

Price: A fair number

The Nespresso by De'Longhi Evoluo Coffee and Espresso Maker retails for around $249, which is a fair price considering that it brews many different coffee and espresso drinks efficiently and quickly. The convenience that this machine offers is certainly worth the price, in my opinion. 

Nespresso by De'Longhi Coffee and Espresso Machine vs. Nespresso Vertuo Next

The Nespresso Vertuo Next is a similarly designed espresso and coffee maker combo to the Nespresso by De'Longhi Coffee and Espresso Machine. Both machines use Vertuo capsules only and are available as bundles with the Aeroccino for making espresso-based drinks such as cappuccinos and lattes. However, the Nespresso Vertuo Next is different in that it’s made of partially recycled materials and sports a slightly slimmer design (measuring 5.5 inches in width). It retails for around $169, so it’s lower in price than the Nespresso by De'Longhi Coffee and Espresso Machine. 

In the end, both machines function quite similarly, so it comes down to your budget, space, and design preference.