Nespresso CitiZ review: A classy, easy-to-use Nespresso machine

There are a vast number of Nespresso coffee machines on the market. Ranging from simple affordable models s right up to do-it-all machines with barista-style tricks such you can spend a few quid or a small fortune on a new Nespresso machine.

The Nespresso CitiZ stands in the middle ground, with the base model retailing for £160 and the pricier CitiZ and Milk version adding milk frothing to the menu for £209.

Nespresso CitiZ review: What you need to know

• Uses standard Nespresso pods
• 25 second warm-up time
• 19 bar brewing pressure
• 1 litre water tank
• 12 capsule bin capacity
• Auto shut-off after 9 minutes
• Dimensions: 13 x 27.8 x 37.2cm (WDH)
• Weight: 3.31kg

What do you get for the money?

There are two versions of the basic CitiZ: the original was made by Krups and the newer version is built by Magimix. The only obvious difference is visible in the design: the Krups’ front panel is peppered with holes while the Magimix opts for horizontal lines. It is worth shopping around, however. At the time of writing, prices ranged from as little as £120 for the Krups model right up to £180 for a shiny chrome-panelled Magimix version.

The basic CitiZ capsule machine is incredibly sleek. The glossy exterior and chrome cup holder have a premium look and feel and its small worktop footprint will be ideal for smaller kitchens. For longer coffees, the cup shelf can be folded up and drip tray removed, giving you enough space to accommodate glasses and mugs of up to 130mm in height.

Despite its tiny stature, there’s a generous 1 litre water tank at the back and the bin inside holds 12 used capsules before it needs emptying.

What type of coffee can I make in it?

The CitiZ is compatible with any of the classic Nespresso capsules you can buy online and in-store, as well as third party capsules that are labelled Nespresso compatible. It’s not compatible with Vertuo capsules, however.

It makes two sizes of black coffee, Espresso (40ml) and Lungo (110ml), and the fast 25-second heat-up time and simple one-touch buttons mean you go from pod to cup in not much more than a minute.

There are no options for hot milk or milk frothing on the basic CitiZ model. You can buy the CitiZ with Integrated Aeroccino for £210, however, and this allows you to manually add hot or frothy milk to your espresso or lungo.

If budget and space – or lack thereof – aren’t issues for you though, Nespresso’s more advanced models such as the Gran Lattisima or Creatista Uno, as these both offer a greater level of milk customisation.

What’s it like to use?

Using the Nespresso CitiZ is incredibly quick, easy and mess-free. Most of Nespresso’s machines, the CitiZ included, heat up in just 25 seconds, though some, such as the Creatista Uno heat up in as little as three. Rivals, such as Lavazza’s Jolie and Dolce Gusto’s Jovia take 35 and 40 seconds respectively.

It couldn’t be easier to use. Simply lift the lever, insert your preferred capsule in the top of the machine, place your cup under the spout and press either the espresso or lungo button. The result is a silky black coffee in as little as 20 seconds. Lift the lever again and the capsule automatically drops into the waste bin below. When this is full, it easily slides out of the main body of the machine. You can dispose of your capsules in the bin or if you prefer, Nespresso offers a free recycling service for old capsules.

Is the coffee any good?

During testing, there were some slight variations in the amount of coffee pulled through and time taken for each. Repeat testing with the same capsule blend showed that these variations didn’t appear to drastically affect the taste of the coffee, however. Each black coffee came out with a decent amount of crema which had a nice silky consistency.

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Classic Nespresso capsules only contain 5 grams of coffee per capsule – around a third of what you’d use in a manual espresso machine – but the CitiZ still does a very good job of producing a tasty, good-looking coffee.

Should I buy it?

If you’re looking to attain coffee shop perfection, then we’d always recommend a manual espresso machine such as the Barista Express by Sage. If, on the other hand, you simply want a hassle-free option which produces a consistently good cup of black coffee, then the CitiZ certainly fits the bill.

It’s a little pricier than we’d like – and particularly so since cheaper machines whip up a similarly fine espresso – but the great build quality, stylish design and mess-free maintenance go a long way towards justifying the premium price.