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Choosing a Nespresso machine can get very complicated very fast. Not only are there two different sets of machines (VertuoLine and OriginalLine), but each has several models to choose from.
Once you sort through all of that, there’s a good chance that your chosen model is actually made by multiple manufacturers! It’s time to end the confusion and finally break down the differences between DeLonghi vs Breville Nespresso machines. While we’re at it, we’ll also look at each of the Nespresso models made by both companies.
Quick Comparison: DeLonghi vs Breville Nespresso Machines
Who Makes Nespresso Machines?
Nespresso doesn’t make their own machines. Yea, I was surprised to find that out, too. The company invented, designs, and engineers all of their products, but they work with more established coffee maker brands for manufacturing.
The vast majority of Nespresso machines are made by either Breville or DeLonghi. Espresso drinkers will likely recognize those names as they produce some of the best espresso machines and best coffee grinders in the market.
This was a really smart move by Nespresso, as it’s hard to make a high-quality espresso machine. The high pressures and precision machining involved present manufacturing challenges that most companies just aren’t ready to face. By partnering with Breville and DeLonghi, Nespresso has ensured that their machines maintain the high standards that espresso lovers have come to expect.
(I mentioned that these two companies make “the vast majority” of Nespresso machines. Are you wondering who else was involved? Believe it or not, there was once a KitchenAid Nespresso machine.)
What’s the Difference Between Breville and DeLonghi Nespresso Machines?
Both DeLonghi and Breville have their own unique Nespresso machines. All of the Nespresso Creatista machines, for example, are made only by Breville. Similarly, the Nespresso Lattissima machines are all made by DeLonghi.
However, several Nespresso models have both a Breville and a DeLonghi variant. This includes almost the entire VertuoLine (the newer line that makes both cups of coffee and shots of espresso) and a few of the OriginalLine machines (the ones that make just espresso shots).
So what difference does the Manufacturer make?
Short answer: not much.
DeLonghi and Breville are both excellent manufacturers, and there is no substantial difference between the quality of their Nespresso machines. Nespresso handles the technical specs and provides the underlying technology, so there really is no wrong answer between any of the Nespresso manufacturers.
Aesthetically, the Breville vs DeLonghi difference is often noticeable. DeLonghi Nespresso models are often boxier and more rugged or traditional-looking. Breville’s Nespresso models, on the other hand, feature more rounded edges and an overall more modern look.
DeLonghi vs Breville: Nespresso Machines Made by Both
These are all of the Nespresso machines currently made by both DeLonghi and Breville.
The differences in style are most often visible in the top part of the machine. In most cases, the price is the same or very similar regardless of the manufacturer, although any active discounts may change that.
VertuoLine machines
Nespresso Vertuo
Like all of the VertuoLine machines, The Vertuo can make either a cup of coffee or a shot of espresso. Its 40-ounce water tank isn’t the largest in the Nespresso line — and it’s not adjustable — but the Vertuo has one of the most rugged, compact designs in the Nespresso lineup.
Nespresso VertuoPlus
The VertuoPlus introduced a couple of major advantages over the Vertuo, including an adjustable water tank that can be placed on either side or behind the machine. Although the base model has the same 40-ounce tank as the Vertuo, the VertuoPlus Deluxe increases that to an impressive 60 ounces without taking up any extra counter space.
When comparing the Nespresso Vertuo vs VertuoPlus, most users opt for the VertuoPlus Deluxe for its flexibility, lower price, and larger tank — but the Vertuo’s extra durability still wins a few hearts and minds.
Nespresso Vertuo Next
The Vertuo Next is the latest and smallest entry in the VertuoLine, and it includes a couple of really exciting features.
It’s the only model that can use Nespresso’s new 18-ounce carafe capsules, making it a more viable option if you have roommates or often entertain guests.
The Vertuo Next includes a Bluetooth connection that allows you to order replacement pods and makes the Vertuo Next the first software-upgradable VertuoLine machine. We’re still waiting to see how much advantage that really offers.
The Vertuo Next is gaining in popularity, so new Nespresso fans often find themselves choosing between Vertuo Next vs VertuoPlus. The difference between the two often comes down to whether you prefer the flexibility and larger water tank of the VertuoPlus or the tiny size and newer features of the Vertuo Next.
OriginalLine machines
Nespresso Essenza Mini
As the name implies, the Essenza Mini is the smallest Nespresso machine. It has a 20-ounce water reservoir, weighs only 5.1 pounds, and is just 3.2 inches wide. That’s a whole two inches narrower than the most compact machine in the VertuoLine!
They claim to be able to produce 19 bars of pressure and — although that number seems slightly overstated — it still produces delicious coffee that tastes more like espresso than what the VertuoLine can produce.
The Essenza Mini and Essenza Plus probably illustrate the most drastic aesthetic difference between Breville vs DeLonghi. Shockingly, the Breville options are actually more squared than the DeLonghi ones for these two models. The DeLonghi Essenza Mini looks vaguely like a metronome, which is a kind of cool design choice.
Nespresso Essenza Plus
Just like with the Essenza Mini, the Essenza Plus’s Breville and DeLonghi variants look very different. The Essenza Plus is, in many ways, just a slightly larger version of the Mini, with some of the extra space devoted to the larger 34-ounce water tank.
The Essenza Plus is newer than the Mini, and it can handle four espresso cup sizes instead of the two available on the Mini. These extra sizes are basically the Nespresso version of an Americano. It can also produce hot water on demand, has one-touch capsule re-orders, and is Bluetooth- and WiFi-enabled.
Nespresso Pixie
Close your eyes and picture a Pixie. You’re probably seeing something delicate and pretty. Nespresso apparently never got that memo. The Nespresso Pixie is a durable, scratch-resistant machine with all of the power of a Nespresso but few of the frills or extras.
The Pixie is simple, right down to its one-touch espresso sizing system. The 24-ounce water tank is on the small side, but you don’t buy a Pixie if you need a giant.
Nespresso CitiZ
A few of these mid-tier Nespresso OriginalLines just feel like clones of one another. The CitiZ is basically the simplicity of the Pixie without its aluminum shell and with a larger 34-ounce water tank. That extra capacity makes it a popular choice for those that don’t need the tiny size of the Pixie.
Nespresso Inissia
The Inissia is the smaller cousin of the CitiZ and Pixie. At just over 5 pounds and with just a 24-ounce water reservoir, it is very similar in size to the Essenza Mini.
Nespresso Expert
The Expert is the only premium OriginalLine model that is produced by both DeLonghi and Breville. It has all of the bells and whistles, including 4 coffee brew sizes (ristretto, espresso, Americano, Americano XL) and a hot water mode.
The Expert makes much better use of its WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity than most Nespresso models. Via the app, you can change settings, brew your espresso, program future brews, re-order capsules, and diagnose faults in the machine. This impressive feature set makes it the pod coffee lover’s choice for best smart coffee maker.
The design of the Nespresso Expert is entirely different from the mid-tier and low-tier Nespresso models. It looks like it should be sitting in a futuristic coffee shop instead of on your kitchen counter.
Unique DeLonghi Nespresso Machines
DeLonghi’s Lattissima OriginalLine machines are always fan-favorites, and they are especially popular for those interested in a high-end Nespresso that offers all the power of a super-automatic espresso machine.
VertuoLine machines
Nespresso Vertuo Evoluo
The Evoluo is kind of a unique case. It was originally made by both Breville and DeLonghi, but both lines have been discontinued.
I thought about removing it from this list since it’s no longer being made, but the Evoluo became a cult favorite amongst Nespresso fans. While the Breville variant seems to have completely disappeared, the DeLonghi can still be purchased through sites like Amazon.
The Evoluo was only the second model made in the VertuoLine. It’s bulkier than the Vertuo or VertuoPlus, but it fills that extra space with an oversized used capsule holder (large enough for 17 mug-sized capsules) and a 54-ounce water reservoir. It’s also widely considered to be the most durable model in the VertuoLine.
OriginalLine machines
Nespresso Lattissima One
The Lattissima One is the base model in the Lattissima series. It doesn’t have all the bells and whistles of its bigger siblings, but what it does have is truly impressive. Its 4-ounce milk container and one-touch specialty coffee options allow you to make cappuccinos and latte macchiato with ease in just 40 seconds. It even froths the milk for you!
Nespresso Lattissima Plus
The Plus has everything the One has and a few nice extras.
The 12-ounce milk reservoir is three times as large. That size difference is pretty significant as the Plus can make multiple specialty drinks at once whereas the One can’t. That’s a big deal if you are preparing cappuccinos for your friends.
The Plus also has an adjustable froth density, but the heat-up time is about 15 seconds slower than in the other Lattissima models.
Nespresso Lattissima Touch
The Lattissima Plus and Touch are incredibly similar in size, features, and design. The most prominent difference is that the Touch has six drink selection buttons whereas the Plus has four. These extra buttons get you an extra, smaller espresso size (ristretto), a creamy latte, and a milk froth-only option.
Nespresso Lattissima Pro
The De’Longhi Lattissima Pro is amongst the highest-end Lattissima models, and it’s got the price tag to match. For that extra money, you get an easy-to-use touchscreen display instead of the buttons on the lower-end models.
The Pro adds a seventh drink option: hot water. You can use that to either make tea or turn your espressos into Americanos. Technically, you could get hot water from the other models just by leaving out the capsule, but the Pro delivers it from a separate spout to avoid contaminating it with coffee residue.
The Pro also has extra capacity compared to the Touch. Its water tank is 44 ounces compared to the 30-ounce tank on the Touch, and its milk tank is 16 ounces instead of the 12-ounce tank on the Touch. The used capsule container on the Pro is about 70% larger than that of the Touch, providing room for about 6 more used capsules.
Nespresso Gran Lattissima
Apparently, even the Pro wasn’t enough for DeLonghi, because they released the Gran Lattissima to become the new top-of-the-line model. They went back to buttons instead of a touchscreen, but they redesigned the buttons to provide a much sleeker look.
It has nine drink options, including all the ones on the non-Pro models and a couple more: ristretto, espresso, lungo (double espresso), cappuccino, latte macchiato, cafe latte, flat white, foamed milk, and hot milk. The flat white is the biggest addition, and it’s a pretty great one if you enjoy this coffee shop favorite.
It’s missing the hot water option of the Pro, but you can still get hot water from the espresso spout. Unlike the Pro, the Gran Lattissima doesn’t let you adjust the milk foam density
Unique Breville Nespresso Machines
Breville doesn’t have quite the extensive unique Nespresso machine lineup that DeLonghi does, but they do make a few OriginalLine machines — the Creatista Uno, Plus, and Pro — that are definitely worth looking at.
VertuoLine machines
There are no unique VertuoLine machines by Breville.
OriginalLine machines
Nespresso Creatista Uno
The Creatista Uno is the baseline model for this series. It offers three drink sizes (ristretto, espresso, lungo) and a milk container that powers pre-set specialty drink options for cappuccinos, cafe lattes, latte macchiatos, flat whites, and milk froth.
The three milk temperature settings and three milk frother texture levels are a particularly nice touch, making this a machine that can easily hold its own against most of the DeLonghi’s Lattissima line. The Uno and other Creatista models heat up in about 3 seconds, much faster than the Lattissima machines.
Nespresso Creatista Plus
The Creatista Plus is a thing of beauty, replacing the plastic of the Uno with a brilliant stainless-steel casing. Most of the buttons are replaced with a colored digital display which further adds to the visual appeal.
The Plus is one of the most customizable capsule machines you’ll ever see, with 11 milk temperature settings and 8 milk texture settings along with the same drink presets as the Uno.
Nespresso Creatista Pro
The Creatista Pro is the newest model in Breville’s Creatista line, and it’s not available in all stores just yet.
Everything about the Pro is bigger than the Plus. The water tank has been upped to almost 70 ounces, gigantic by Nespresso standards.
The Pro is almost unrecognizable as a member of the Creatista family. They’ve replaced the buttons and/or knob-based digital display of the older models with a touchscreen LCD panel. There is a double thermojet, allowing you to heat milk for one drink while you dispense coffee for another. They even added a water dispenser for tea or Americanos.
Beyond that, you get all of the customizability of the Plus and the same stunning stainless-steel exterior.
Nespresso DeLonghi vs Breville: Which Is Better?
If you are buying a machine that has both DeLonghi and Breville varieties, you can’t go wrong with either option. Just pick your favorite brand or go with whichever style (or price) you prefer.
Things become more complicated when you get into the premium DeLonghi vs Breville Nespresso machines: the Lattissima and Creatista lines. There’s still no wrong answer as both lines are excellent, but each has its own pros and cons. Take a look at the descriptions above, but I’d generally recommend going with a Creatista if you care about customizability and a Lattissima if having easy-to-use presets matters more.
While you’re deciding, don’t forget to check out the best Nespresso pods for both the VertuoLine and the OriginalLine. If you aren’t sure about coffee pods, you may want to take a look at how Ninja vs Nespresso coffee machines compare.
