REASONS TO BUY
Convenient
Good taste
REASONS TO AVOID
Expensive capsules
De'Longhi Nespresso Lattissima Pro Review
A good choice if you like the convenience of capsules and want an automatic milk frother
Credit: De'Longhi
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Our Verdict
The De'Longhi Nespresso Lattissima Pro is the only machine we tested that combines the efficiency of a capsule system with the convenience of a built-in, automatic milk frother. If you're a fan of capsule machines and want to make a cappuccino without any extra effort this would be a great choice. Just be warned you'll be paying a lot in the long run, as the capsules are expensive. Though other machines cost much more upfront, they can offer essentially the same level of convenience with a lower lifetime cost and far less waste.
Our Analysis and Test Results
If you're on the hunt for a very convenient machine that anyone can use, the Nespresso Lattissima Pro could be a solid choice. But if you want the best long haul cost or to improve your latte game with practice, this isn't the right choice.
Performance Comparison
Automatic milk frothers, like the one on the De'Longhi Nespresso Lattissima Pro, are the quickest and easiest way to a cappuccino.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman
Espresso Quality
Like the other Nespresso capsule machines we tested, the Lattissima Pro earned a middle-of-the-road score. Espresso from this machine tastes decent but is more watery and less bold than shots made with some other machines. Super-automatic machines that use fresh beans rather than capsules produce a better flavor. Sourcing cafe quality espresso requires sacrificing some convenience, but if you pair it with a high-end semi-automatic machine, there's no doubt you'll end up with a better quality drink.
Ease of Use
The Lattissima Pro scores well here, no surprise. Not only is the milk system automated, but capsules are super easy to use, even for someone that's never touched an espresso machine before. On top of that, this machine comes with a very clear set of instructions that make setup a breeze. We were making espresso in just 15 minutes.
The interface is the only place where the Lattissima could make some ease of use improvements. Once you get used to it the interface is intuitive, but there's a bit of a learning curve to get there. All the buttons are only labeled with small pictures, so it can be a bit mysterious until you memorize what everything means.
The symbols on the Latissima Pro's controls can be a bit confusing at first.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman
However, this machine won our cappuccino time trial, brewing up a drink in just under two minutes. Bonus: the only effort required was inserting a capsule and pushing a few buttons. Added bonus: virtually no cleanup.
The combo of a capsule system and automatic milk frother make the Lattissima pro incredibly fast.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman
Ease of Cleaning
The Lattissima Pro scores at the top of the pack here. Due to its capsule system, this setup requires almost no clean-up if you're only making espresso. Just empty the spent capsules periodically and send them off to be recycled. The automatic milk frother can be removed and stored in the fridge, so it doesn't need daily cleaning, but you'll probably want to clean it at least once a week. All of the parts are dishwasher safe, so nothing is a big hassle.
Since it uses Nespresso capsules, the Lattissima Pro doesn't require much cleaning.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman
Descaling the Lattissima Pro is also quite easy, though somewhat time-consuming. There are clear instructions that walk you through the painless process. It took us about 25 minutes.
Milk Quality
The automatic milk frother on the Lattissima Pro earned respectable marks in our milk mania showdown. Overall, we liked the espresso and milk drinks that this machine could produce. Still, while it makes fairly good steamed milk and froth, neither have an ideal consistency.
The Lattissima Pro's automatic milk frother does a good, but not great, job.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman
Value
The Lattissima Pro lists for a fairly average price, but due to its expensive Nespresso capsules, it has the most expensive lifetime cost of all the machines we tested. Even considerably more expensive machines are cheaper in the long run. Because of this, we think the Lattissima is of comparatively poor value, unless you really value its convenience factor.
Conclusion
The De'Longhi Nespresso Lattissima Pro is an incredibly convenient machine that can make a cappuccino in a flash with very little required cleanup. However, the expensive capsules make it quite costly in the long run. There are certainly scenarios where this machine might make sense (in an Air BnB, for example), but for folks that plan on using a machine every day in their home, we think there are better, albeit less convenient, options.
—
Max Mutter and Steven Tata
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