Nespresso is a popular brand when it comes to single-serve coffee makers and there’s a good reason for this. Although it’s not hands-on like a traditional espresso machine, what you lose in coffee customization you get back with ease of use.
With the simple press of a button, the machine does all the hard work and all you need to do is sit back and enjoy the delicious coffee.
The Nespresso Evoluo is a premium choice coffee maker and this review will look at it in a lot of depth. We will look at all the great features it boasts, how you set it up and use it and what kinds of coffee it can brew for you. We will also touch on any negative points with this model and some FAQs that are commonly asked.
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Nespresso Evoluo
Brand: Nespresso
Type: Espresso Pod Machine
Cup Sizes: Five Cup Size Options
PROS:
- Fast Heat Up
- Removable Water Tank
- One-Touch Brewing
- Energy Saving Mode
- Espresso and Coffee Brewing
CONS:
- Single-Use Pods Can Be Wasteful
Size and Appearance
The Nespresso Vertuo Evoluo is a compact coffee maker. It weighs only 11 pounds and is (DxWxH) 12x9x12 inches so fits well into most kitchens. It has a spacious, 54-ounce removable water tank and has room for 17 used capsules in the capsule container.
It comes in five color options; graphite, titan, silver, black, and red. It’s sleek and simple in design with smooth, curved edges. It fits in well with most modern kitchens and the minimal design means it won’t stand out if you have a more traditional layout.
The drip tray is removable and can be set to four different heights to accommodate different cup sizes and even travel mugs and this prevents splashes as the coffee is brewing.
Setting Up
The Evoluo machine is really easy to set up. First, remove the water tank and rinse it thoroughly. The next step is to flush out the machine. Add clean drinking water to the tank and fix it into place. Plug in the machine and turn it on using the button on top. The button will light up gradually as the machine heats up. It’s ready when the light remains lit.
Place a 12.5 ounce (400ml) cup under the spout. Close the top of the machine and lock it by turning the lever to the left until the indicator lines match up at the front of the machine.
To start the cleaning cycle, press the top button three times within two seconds. This will flush the machine through and the water will collect in the cup. You can stop the cleaning cycle at any point by pressing the button again.
Let the cycle run through and it will stop automatically when it is finished. This can take up to 5 minutes.
This will clean your machine and prepare it to brew your Nespresso coffee. It’s a really simple procedure and takes less than ten minutes from start to finish.
Ease of Use
Nespresso machines are well known for their ease of use. With just the touch of a button, you can brew authentic espresso or single-serve coffee. All you need to do is fill the water tank, switch the machine on and grab your favorite flavor coffee pod. Place this in the top chamber of the machine, dome side down.
Close the machine and lock the lid in place by twisting it to the left. Make sure you have an adequate-sized mug for your choice of coffee. The coffee machine will read the barcode on the capsule and will adjust the brew settings as required to give a perfect cup every time.
Compared to most espresso makers, the Nespresso Vertuoline Evoluo only requires a single button to brew a huge variety of quality coffees. It only takes 15-20 seconds to heat up and it brews by Centrifusion Technology, meaning it spins the Nespresso capsule rather than using pressure.
The machine switches itself off after 9 minutes of inactivity so is not only easy to use, it also saves power.
This is a very easy way to make espresso or a cup of coffee and you’re guaranteed a delicious thick crema every time.
The Aeroccino
If you love to indulge in a latte or cappuccino then a milk frother is a must. The Nespresso Vertuo coffee maker on Amazon has the option of adding in the Aeroccino. This is a milk frothing jug with an 8-ounce capacity that can froth milk hot or cold.
This is just as simple to use as the coffee machine. All you need to do is add milk and press the button. It makes a very rich, creamy milk foam that can expand your coffee menu and gives you barista status amongst friends and family.
Drink Options
You’ll not be short of options when it comes to this coffee maker. There is a range of Vertuoline capsules to choose from and these are made from coffee beans from all over the world. You don’t have to worry about programming your coffee maker between different brews as the machine reads the capsule’s barcode and adjusts its settings accordingly.
Espresso
Choose between a single shot or double espresso by selecting the capsule size that best suits you. There are a few flavor options to choose between and even a decaffeinated one. The single-shot comes out as 1.35 ounces and the double is 2.7 ounces.
Coffee
Next up we have the americano type coffee, gran lungo. This is a 5 ounce coffee available in various strengths, flavors, and a decaffeinated option.
The next coffee size is 7.77 ounces and this option comes in loads of flavors as well as half-caf and decaf.
If you like a large mug then the alto, XL coffee is for you. This is a 14-ounce option that’s bound to satisfy your coffee craving.
Specialty Coffee
Nespresso has developed a range of single-origin capsules for the more refined coffee experience. Alongside these, there are have also released a range of unique flavored capsules from chocolate fudge to vanilla custard pie that contains delicious aromas to satisfy any craving.
These coffees can be enjoyed black or layered with milk or milk foam to create all manner of delicious specialty coffees. Why not add some melted chocolate to create a thick, indulgent mocha?
Iced Coffee
Hot coffee is not all this machine is good at. Perfect for a hot summer’s day, iced coffee is a unique option that features in a lot of customer reviews. Nespresso has capsules designed to serve over ice and even a coconut flavored one for tropical vibes. As with hot coffee, you can serve these iced coffees black or add milk to give a creamier drink. The Aeroccino can froth cold milk to give iced lattes as well. Delicious.
Maintenace
As with all coffee machines, maintenance is necessary to keep them in good working order. Regular descaling prevents issues down the road and the machine activates a descaling alarm when it needs to be done. It’s recommended to use the Nespresso descaling kit which is designed to keep your machine in good working order.
The Evoluo comes with a 1-year warranty for peace of mind but it’s important to adhere to the manufacturer’s guidelines to ensure you don’t invalidate this.
Capsules
Nespresso has capsules available as Vertuo or Original Line. Make sure you purchase the Vertuo capsules to go in the Evoluo machine.
Coffee capsules have a bad rep for the waste they produce but Nespresso has combated this issue by setting up a recycling program. You can order bags to collect used capsules and drop them off at your local collection point (there are 88,000 of these – check yours on the Nespresso website).
Any Issues?
There has been an issue reported with this coffee maker. Some models seem to end up with a leaky water tank. It’s best to empty the tank after each use anyway so your next coffee is as fresh as possible. If you do experience this issue, contact customer support where they will help you to repair or replace your machine.
Another downside with using a pod machine, in general, is that using these coffee makers has been shown to have a negative impact on the environment, even with recycling your capsules. This study here shows that pod machines result in greater emissions of CO2 of up to 27g more than using a traditional Moka pot. This is defiantly something to consider if you’re trying to minimize your CO2 footprint.
F.A.Q.s
What is the difference between Nespresso Vertuo and Evoluo?
Nespresso has a range of Vertuo coffee machines from the Evoluo, Vertuo, Vertuoplus, and Vertuonext. These differ from the original range as they feature more specialty coffee options. The Evoluo differs from the Vertuo due to the bigger water tank and more powerful heating element.
When did the Nespresso Evoluo come out?
This coffee maker was first released on the 1st of October 2015.
Who makes Nespresso Evoluo?
Nestle Nespresso is the brand name but some other companies also make Nespresso products. De’Longhi, Magimix, and Krups are third-party manufacturers of some Nespresso machines.
Can you run a Nespresso pod twice?
It is possible to reuse a Nespresso pod by taking it out of the waste chamber and re-inserting it into the machine. It does result in a weak coffee that’s not very enjoyable so is not really recommended.
Is Nespresso, Breville or De’Longhi better?
De’Longhi and Breville both make Nespresso coffee machines. They have the same technical specifications and use the same technology so you’ll never notice the difference.
Is the Nespresso Evoluo better than the Keurig?
The Keurig is an alternative single-serve coffee machine that uses k-cup pods similar to the Nespresso capsules. When it comes to pricing, the Keurig is typically a cheaper machine to buy and has a lot more options where it comes to coffee flavors. The difference really comes down to the brew method. The Centrifusion method used by Nespresso gives a much creamier coffee with a thick crema. The Keurig uses pressure to extract the coffee so it’s typically less intense in flavor. The Nespresso could be considered a more deluxe choice for a pod machine.
Conclusion
The Nespresso Evoluo is a low-maintenance, user-friendly way to make great-tasting coffee at home. It makes a rich, delicious brew with a creamy texture and can even do iced coffee for those hot summer mornings. When teamed with the Aeroccino it can make all your coffee shop favorites without needing the skills of a barista. It’s an attractive machine and the fact the capsules are recyclable means it gets a thumbs up from me!
