Review: DeLonghi Nespresso Lattissima Pro

Why choose DeLonghi Nespresso Lattissima Pro over others?

Nespresso Lattissima Pro is similar to Nespresso Creatista or Nespresso Creatista Plus in some ways. For example, all three use Nespresso capsules, which have to be purchased separately and which come in different flavors.

In my opinion, what truly differentiates DeLonghi Nespresso Lattissima Pro from other machines (like Breville Nespresso Creatista) is that Lattissima Pro allows to brew coffee in a quick and easy way, yielding a delicious and fresh cup of coffee.

What I also want to emphasize in this Nespresso Lattissima Pro review is I was able to customize coffee volume and froth density, but not the quality, texture or temperature of the milk.

Here are some distinct features of DeLonghi Nespresso Lattissima Pro:

• Intuitive and easy to use
• A modern and fashionable design with an LCD touch-display with text. I was able to select my preferred settings simply by touching the buttons on the control panel.
• Easy, straightforward and quick brewing process
• Modern and versatile exterior appearance
• A milk frother that whisks and froths the milk (but does not create the micro-foam texture)

Who is DeLonghi Nespresso Lattissima Pro perfect for?

DeLonghi Nespresso Lattissima Pro is a nice and simple espresso maker that allowed me to brew my coffee quickly and efficiently. This machine can be a compelling choice for some. Here’s what we want to emphasize in the Nespresso Lattissima Pro review:

✓ Individuals or families with a large budget

✓ Enjoy using Nespresso coffee capsules

✓ Easy and convenient to use machine

✓ Fresh, rich and creamy coffee

✓ Compact espresso machine

✓ A simpler and less technologically advanced machine (vs. Nespresso Creatista or Nespresso Creatista Plus)

Who is Lattissima Pro NOT perfect for?

Just like in other reviews, I would like to remain fair and unbiased in the review of the Nespresso Lattissima Pro. As I mentioned earlier, this machine might be a great choice for beginners or intermediate users of espresso makers. Those who would like a professional high-end espresso may wish to consider other machines like Breville Nespresso Creatista or DeLonghi ESAM3300.

There are a couple of things that I feel might be disadvantages for some people.

✗ Not as technologically advanced as other Nespresso machines

✗ A milk froth whisks and froths, but does not create a micro-foam texture that professional baristas (and Nespresso Creatista) do to coffee

✗ A machine that allows a user to feel like a professional barista

✗ Customization limited to volume of coffee, and milk-to-coffee ratio

✗ Plastic-free appliance

✗ Low budget

DeLonghi Nespresso Lattissima Pro Review and Evaluation 🕵️

→ Appearance

I was very pleased with the exterior appearance of DeLonghi Nespresso Lattissima Pro. The top and front are brushed aluminium, as advertised by the manufacturer. However, most other surfaces are black plastic. The only exception is a drip-tray, which is metallic (probably stainless steel).

The machine was simple, and came with metallic gray and black colors. It looked elegant, but not as modern or versatile as other espresso machines.

The machine was quite compact, measuring merely 13 inches in height. It fitted perfectly on my small countertop. It was also rather lightweight, weighing only about 12.5 pounds. Though some may have difficulties to set it up, once it was on the counter, I had no issues moving or changing the machine’s position.

Unfortunately, the cable seemed rather short. I had to place my Lattissima Pro closer to the outlet.

→ Features and technical specs

Voltage: Nespresso Lattissima Pro is made for 120V, and can be used in Canada and the US only.

Basket size: Unlike regular espresso machines, DeLonghi Nespresso Lattissima Pro does not have a portafilter and cannot be used with coffee grounds. Users are limited to Nespresso capsules only.

These Nespresso capsules are aluminium, and I am not entirely comfortable with their long-term use. The capsules come in different flavors. They typically sell in a pack of 50 for about $35, which means they are about 80¢ per cup of coffee.

Lattissima Pro has a container that holds used capsules. I usually keep up to 15 capsules before I clean it out

Beverage size: Though the water reservoir is quite large, holding about 44oz of water, there are a couple of pre-set volumes of coffee (which can be manually adjusted):

• Ristretto .75oz
• Espresso 1.35oz
• Lungo 3.7oz
• Cappuccino Milk 1.35oz
• Latte Macchiato Milk 5oz
• Warm milk 4.1oz
• Hot water 4.2oz

Weight: The machine weighs about 12.5 pounds. I did not have any problems unpacking, and setting it up on the counter. In fact, the machine is rather less heavy than other espresso machines.

Unit size: I was positively surprised how compact Lattissima Pro was. It measured about 11 inches in length, 8 inches in width and 13 inches in height. My kitchen is by no means large, but it fitted in perfectly.

I loved the design of the water reservoir. It was removable for cleaning or refilling. But, I was also able to re-fill water without removing it.

Water reservoir: The removable reservoir holds 44 oz of water.

Additional perks: DeLonghi Nespresso Lattissima Pro brews coffee primarily (and solely) from capsules. It is also less technologically advanced than some of its sister Nespresso makers such as Nespresso Creatista or Creatista Plus, or much more professional machines like BES840XL and BES870XL.

Compared with other machines, I feel that there are fewer things in this machine, but the features were quite awesome. Let’s dig deeper in this Nespresso Lattissima Pro review:

✓ A 19-bar pump system allowed me to brew deliciously creamy coffee. Though 19-bar pump system is way more than is needed or used in an espresso machine, DeLonghi Nespresso Lattissima Pro has enough power to begin brewing at higher pressure. This allows to reach richer and more creamy coffee, though will make the unit more expensive.

✓A rapid water heating (in about 20 seconds) was possible due to the thermoblock heating system. This is a bit slower than Nespresso Creatista (10 seconds) and Nespresso Creatista Plus (3 seconds). For me, however, Lattissima Pro did not heat water enough, and coffee tended to be not as warm as desired.

✓ DeLonghi Nespresso Lattissima Pro came with an intuitive touch display with 6 pre-programmed drinks. With a simple touch, I was able to brew coffee quickly and efficiently.

✓ Quick auto-off. It takes about 10 minutes for the machine to turn off, when on idle.

→ Performance

Brewing time: Nespresso Lattissima Pro comes with a 20-second heat up time. Once started, the brewing (and frothing) should take no more than 2 minutes, depending on the type of coffee drink I selected.

Flavor: I’ve tested and enjoyed all the 6 pre-programmed coffee beverages:

• Ristretto
• Espresso
• Lungo
• Cappuccino
• Latte Macchiato
• Hot milk

I could customize these beverages by adjusting the coffee volume

Temperature: Though Lattissima Pro comes with a thermoblock heating element, I was surprised that the machine did not yield my desired (or expected) temperature for brewing espresso.

Because my coffee tended to come out lukewarm, I measured the heated water’s temperature. It reached between 160 to 170 F degrees (vs desired 195 to 205 F degrees).

Milk Frother: I really appreciate that the machine came with a milk frother. It whisked, frothed and was able to warm up milk a bit. However, unlike Creatista or Creatista Plus, Lattissima Pro’s milk frother was not able to adjust the temperature of milk to my liking, or create a specific firmness or texture of the froth, which is what professional coffee baristas do.

Pressure / pressure gauge: Lattissima Pro is supposedly equipped to yield 19 bars of pressure. This amount of of BAR pressure is more than is typically needed or used in an espresso machine, but 19 BARs will allow to initiate brewing at about 15-16 BARs of pressure.

Noise levels: The noise levels are fairly acceptable. On average, espresso machines tend to be more noisy than regular coffee makers. I did not find this machine to be specifically annoying.

Cleaning: One of the machine’s advantages of this machine is the ease and speed with which I could clean it. The unit comes with an auto-cleaning milk carafe, so at least I got that out of my way every time I start cleaning the machine. The extra storage for used coffee capsules can also be cleaned in no time. Every month, I descale the machine, a process that takes me around 10 minutes using the descaling solution available through Nespresso.

Customer-reported technical issues

DeLonghi Nespresso Lattissima Pro comes with a 1-year limited warranty from the day of purchase.

From what I have seen, the vast majority of users truly love this machine. I personally have not experienced any major issues with the machine.

However, there are a few users who expressed a couple of concerns:

• A super short cable that does not allow flexibility in the kitchen. I do echo these comments. The cable was very short, maybe a bit over 1 feet.
• Quality of milk frother does not produced desired or expected results.
• The machine can allegedly stop working after a couple of months. Again, we do not know enough about how users use this machine, and whether the machine is cleaned regularly. I have not experienced any such issues.

→ Health and safety

I was not able to find any official statements from DeLonghi regarding BPA in this specific machine. Further, the machine comes with aluminium capsules.

The BPA-free status is helpful to know, but it typically does not guarantee that there are no other potentially dangerous substitutes used in the production process.

Reports show that many manufacturers replace BPA with other types of plastic. These types include but are not limited to BHPF (fluorene-9-bisphenol), TPP (triphenyl phosphate), and bisphenol S (BPS). The exact health effects of the BPA substitutes, such as BHPF, TPP and BPS, are unknown at this point.

I was not able to find much detailed information on what kind of materials or chemicals are used, so I am not able to verify. I will be reaching out to DeLonghi so I can include it in the DeLonghi Nespresso Lattissima Pro review.

Nespresso Lattissima Pro has an anodized aluminum exterior meaning rust will likely never find its way to the machine.

You should always remember to put the milk carafe back into the fridge after you’ve used it. If not, the milk out in the open could seriously damage your health.

→ Price to value: is Nespresso Lattissima Pro worth the money?

Nespresso Lattissima Pro is surely quite expensive, with an average price vacillating between $$$$ and $$$$$.

On the positive side, I appreciate that the machine is quite simple and easy to use. It yields good and rich coffee.

On the negative side, I think that this machine costs too much, and comes with very simple features. It does not have more nuanced perks that Creatista or Creatista Plus come with. Those nuanced features allow to brew a much stronger, richer and better cup of coffee (or a shot of espresso). Further, this machine severely limits a user to use aluminium capsules. Those capsules cost about 80 cents per cup of coffee. Because there is not a lot of competition to produce capsules, these capsules can become more expensive overnight.

Should I buy Nespresso Lattissima Pro? Owly’s verdict! 🔨

DeLonghi Lattissima Pro coffee and espresso machine brings together simplicity and richness. It is a good-looking machine, compact and reliable. Despite those amazing features, I don’t find Lattissima Pro to be an attractive choice for three reasons:

• egregious retail price,
• capsule limitations, and
• less sophisticated features and equipment (vs other Nespresso machines).

In this price point, there are many wonderful espresso machines, including a much cheaper Nespresso Creatista version, which yields a shot of espresso that I enjoyed much more.

What do you think about Nespresso Lattissima Pro? What was your experience with DeLonghi Lattissima Pro machine?

Let us know your thoughts in the comments, under this Nespresso Lattissima Pro review!