Magimix Nespresso UMilk review

The temperature of the coffee in the cup averages at around 63C, making it close to ideal for drinking straight away. There’s a decent, golden brown crema accompanying each espresso shot and, thanks to the nature of a capsule based system with predefined volumes, it’s fairly consistent.

The UMilk delivers great tasting coffee too, with none of the bitter aftertaste that plagues some home espresso machines. Of course the overall taste is dependant on the flavour of coffee capsule you choose, but even the same capsules can taste very different when placed into different machines.

The Aeroccino that ships with the UMilk is the latest version of Nespresso’s milk frothing device. The Aeroccino 3 is also sold as a separate unit, but having it integrated into a coffee machine makes for a far tidier solution. That said, the Aeroccino is very much a separate device from the coffee machine, and won’t pump milk directly into your coffee cup.

The Aeroccino can produce a variety of milk options, both hot and cold, but the real test is how well it can produce Cappuccinos and Lattes. Thankfully it does a pretty good job, albeit a rather slow one.

When you remove the lid, you’ll see marks embossed inside the drum indicating the maximum fill level depending on the type of milk you’re after. You’ll also find the whisk assembly, which can be used with or without the frothing spring.

The Aeroccino takes about 90 seconds to heat and froth the milk, producing a good consistency and making for a pleasant Cappuccino experience. But given that the Aeroccino needs to be washed after every use, this isn’t the ideal solution for dinner parties – unless you have understanding guests that are willing to wait a while for their coffees.

It’s also worth considering the issue of noise pollution, and just like every other Nespresso machine, the UMilk makes quite a racquet when it’s delivering you that perfect cup of coffee. It’s certainly loud enough to affect conversation or TV watching at home, and it’s not something you’d want to live with in an open plan office either.

The Magimix UMilk is a great little countertop Nespresso machine. It looks sleek and stylish, and makes a good cup of coffee, whether that be a straight shot of espresso, or a rich and frothy Cappuccino.

At around £179, the UMilk sits at the upper end of the Nespresso price range, but you do get a £70 voucher to spend on coffee, which makes it something of a bargain over time.