The Nespresso Lattissima One is THE coffee machine for dorms and small kitchens

If there's one regret I have, it's not buying a good coffee machine like the Nespresso Lattissima One during college. Yes, being a student (in the UK) meant it was legal to spend my disposable income on liquor, but what I would have done for a constant flow of caffeine for those all-nighters and early seminars? 

Making espresso at home is more convenient and less expensive than standing in line at a coffee house every day. Especially when you're already late for wherever you need to be. Admittedly, I did have friends who avoided the at-home experience, citing the mess of grinding coffee beans, inserting them into the portafilter, and cleaning the milk frother. 

However, the Nespresso Lattissima One eliminates all of those excuses. Since it uses capsules, there’s no grinding, tamping, fidgeting with the bar pump, or spilled grounds. And since the milk measurements are precise, there’s no leftover milk to dispose of if you or your roomies just so happened to "forget". The espresso maker is easy to use, and a breeze to clean. If you're looking to invest in your daily delicious and easy espresso, The Lattissima One is truly among the top Nespresso machines... even after you've left formal education. So listen up, and take note!  

TDLR: What I thought of the Nespresso Lattissima One

The Nespresso Lattissima One is ideal for the design-conscious person that wants a pod coffee maker that looks good on their countertop. It’s also an awesome choice for anyone with limited horizontal space since it’s only 6.05 inches wide. Those who like simplicity will enjoy the ease of simply inserting a capsule and pressing a button, for delicious coffee.

Some of us like espresso machines that look like they belong in a coffee house. But this is not one of those massive, industrial appliances. The Nespresso Lattissima One is not only compact and stylish in design, but it also comes in several different colors, including Black (with gray accents), Shadow Black (all black), Porcelain White, and Silky White (with beige accents). If you’re not a fan of stainless steel or black, this espresso machine is available in lighter tones too.

There are two stand-out features. The first is the black window sensor that detects the remaining quantity of milk in the jug. This sensor allows the machine to automatically stop the milk frothing process when the milk jug is empty — essentially acting as a boil-dry protection mechanism.

We also like economical and minimalist one-button design. In short, the length / 'milkiness' of your beverage is determined by how much dairy/plant-based alternative is in the milk jug, so you're in full control, right from the start.

Testing the Nespresso Lattissima One

Reviewed by

Reviewed by

Christina Chrysostomou

Christina is our eCommerce editor and tests various coffee machines in every form in her home in Essex and at the Future Plc test kitchen in Reading. We're talking everything from pod, bean-to-cup, and coffee makers with built-in milk frothers. She really liked the simplicity of this machine, particularly the fact there's just one button for all milk-based drinks, including cappuccinos or latte macchiatos. The pictograms make it super clear which drink you're making and it's a super economical way to save milk... perfect for when you want to switch to a good cup of English Breakfast tea, and need a dribble of dairy (it's Yorkshire Gold, strong, no sugar if you're asking!).

The techy stuff

• Dimensions:  6.05” W x 12.75” D x 10.07” H
• Weight:  9.3 pounds 
• Pump Pressure: 19-Bar Pump Pressure System
• Heating Prep Time: 25-40 seconds
• Warranty: 2 years

Unboxing the Nespresso Latissima One 

The Nespresso Lattissima One is securely packed (and the drip tray was taped as well) to keep the machine safe during the shipping process. In addition to the espresso maker, the packing contents also include the user manual, a box of 14 capsules, a Welcome to Nespresso folder, and a water hardness test stick.

There’s a detachable water tank (with a lid) on the back of the machine. The descaler pipe is hidden in the descaling pipe storage area in the same location. The used capsule container and drip tray fit on the front left side. There’s also cup support with a grill for small containers.

The Rapid Cappuccino System, which attaches on the front right side, consists of a milk container, with a lid and milk spout.

A box of 14 Nespresso Capsules is included, with a variety of flavors, such as Ispirazione Firenze Arpeggio Decaffeinato, and Ispirazione Venezia. There are also selections from the Master Origins collections (India, Indonesia, Nicaragua, and Columbia), specific Lungo flavors  (such as Linizio Lungo and Envivo Lungo), Espresso (such as Capriccio, and Volluto), and Flavored Barista Creations (like Caramel Crème Brulee, and Cocoa Truffle.

The machine only uses Nespresso-compatible capsules. You can purchase a box of 30 Nespresso Capsules at Amazon for $33.00, which is a little more than $1 a serving, or directly through Nespresso. Other types of Nespresso Capsules are currently 50 for $35, which is more economical.  However, it can still add up if you’re using them every day or if there’s more than one coffee drinker in your home.

Using the Nespresso Lattissima One coffee machine

The Nespresso Lattissima One is easy to use. There are only three buttons: Espresso, Lungo, and milk beverages, so it’s as simple as pressing the button for which drink you want. I love how there is no fumbling around and no learning curve. Also, the machine doesn’t take long to heat up. It’s ready to brew an espresso in 25 seconds and is ready for milk beverages in just 40 seconds.

Making a black Americano

To make a black Americano, I just filled the water tank with water, inserted a capsule, and closed the lid. On the first go, I used the Espresso ispirazione ristretto Italiano (this was a '10' on the strength level) which was a little strong, even for me. The Barista creations Chiaro on the contrary had a caramelly, almost dried-fruit taste which I much preferred. 

Making a latte macchiato

Ironically, while chatting over coffee, my high school friend told me about the time she tried to order a latte in Italy. A latte is a latte anywhere in the world right? Nope. I almost spat out my drink when I heard she didn't add any other words to her order. So, naturally, she was served a cup of milk (FYI: latte = milk in Italian). What she wanted was a cafe latte or a latte macchiato. Here, I show you how to make the latter type of latte.

To make a latte macchiato, I filled the milk jug to the indicated line, inserted a capsule and closed the lid, and pressed the milk button. The Nespresso began to froth the milk into the cup, before brewing the coffee.

Cleaning the Nespresso Lattissima One

Cleaning the Nespresso Lattissima One is easy. Recall that after I insert a capsule to make coffee, I close the lid. Now, I can merely lift and close the lid again to eject the capsule into the used capsule container.  After emptying the container, both it and the drip tray — as well as the water tank — can be removed and rinsed. I can also place a container under the coffee outlet and press the lungo button to rinse it out.  The surface of the machine can be cleaned with a damp cloth.

The Rapid Cappuccino System (milk jug and components) can be disassembled and cleaned in the dishwasher — although I prefer to wash by hand.

Descaling the Nespresso Lattissima One

Descaling the appliance takes a few more steps than most coffee/espresso makers. There’s a descaling alert on the control panel, and the descaling alert will turn orange when the machine needs to be descaled.  Fill the water tank with water and add Nespresso Descaling Solution (the company does not recommend using vinegar). Then, the descaling pipe (which is located at the rear of the machine), is plugged into the steam connector on the front. (The steam connector is where the Rapid Cappuccino System connects to the machine). This will start the descaling process, which takes around 20 minutes. The descaling button will blink orange during the process and then turn white when the descaling process is over.

After placing a container (wide enough to fit under both the coffee outlet and the descaling pipe nozzle) on the drain tray, just press the espresso button to let the descaling product flow through the coffee outlet and descaling pipe. When the cycle finishes, fill the tank with water and press the espresso button again to rinse all of the descaling solution out.

How does the Nespresso Lattissima One compare to similar products?

The Nespresso Lattissima One is on our list of the best Nespresso machines, and it holds its own against the best espresso machines, especially with its 19-bar high-pressure pump (compared to the 15-bar pump on most espresso makers). If you don’t like manual bar pumps, this is a great option, compared to the De’Longhi All-in-One Combination Coffee Maker, the Calphalon Temp IQ Espresso Machine, or the De’Longhi Stilosa Manual Espresso Machine.

If you're not sure if this is the right machine for you, then see below for three alternatives, all of which are equipped with a milk frother. We've listed each one's specs for you to compare with ease.

Is the Nespresso Lattissima One right for you?

If you prefer the ease and convenience of using capsules, the Nespresso Lattissima One is a great choice. It’s also beautiful to look at and doesn’t take up much space on your countertop. One thing to keep in mind is that it only uses Nespresso-compatible capsules, and this can get pretty expensive over time. Otherwise, we highly recommend it.

About this review and the review process

All of our reviews, as in the case of the Nespresso Lattissima One, are based on the real-life experience of using these products at home and in our Future Plc test kitchen.

The products are given to us free of charge and we test them for as long as possible before sending them back to the brand unless we are able to keep them (as we were with this coffee maker). This means that we can continue to use the product, which gives us the opportunity to return to our reviews for updating, so you can keep up-to-date with how it's fared over a period of time.