Nespresso Citiz vs Vertuo: Best Nespresso Machines In The Affordable Price Range?

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You must read my evaluation of the Nespresso Citiz vs Vertuo comparison. Each customer has various needs for their Nespresso machine, so this time I’ll focus on the characteristics that matter to customers looking to buy a model that can accommodate more than two people.

Breville Nespresso Vertuo is my champion. It has a 40oz water tank, which is a sizable one for capsule machines. Depending on how each user customizes it and the recipe of each coffee capsule, it can brew in 4 different cup sizes. The texture is full-bodied, and the coffee flavor is excellent.

Rich and creamy coffee are likewise produced with the Delonghi Nespresso Citiz. It can accommodate up to two people because of its typical 30.4oz capsule water tank. However, this approach misses several conveniences that I found with Vertuo. As a result, it comes in second.

Nespresso Citiz vs Vertuo: Comparison Chart

Image
THE WINNER (#1)
Nespresso Vertuo Coffee and Espresso Maker by Breville, Chrome
THE RUNNER-UP (#2)
Nespresso CitiZ Coffee and Espresso Machine by De'Longhi with Milk Frother, Black, 9.3 x 14.6 x 10.9 inches
Model
Breville Nespresso Vertuo
Delonghi Nespresso Citiz
Dimensions (wxdxh)
9 x 12.2 x 12.3 Inches
5.1 x 14.6 x 10.9 inches
Water Tank Capacity
40 oz
30.4 oz
Material
Plastic and metal
Plastic
Weight/ Power/ voltage
11 Pounds/ 1350W/ 120V
8.9 Pounds/ 1710W/ 110-120V
Color
Black
Black
Heating System
Thermoblock
Thermoblock
Automatic Power Off
Adjustable coffee volume
Capsule recognition technology
Descale alert
Average Heat-up Time
15s
25s
Capsule container
12 capsules
10 capsules
Coffee recipes
Espresso & Mug
Espresso, long
Pump pressure
CENTRIFUSION™ technology
19 bars
Interface
Dial plate
Buttons
What I Like
Price
$136.30
$319.99
THE WINNER (#1)
Image
Nespresso Vertuo Coffee and Espresso Maker by Breville, Chrome
Model
Breville Nespresso Vertuo
Dimensions (wxdxh)
9 x 12.2 x 12.3 Inches
Water Tank Capacity
40 oz
Material
Plastic and metal
Weight/ Power/ voltage
11 Pounds/ 1350W/ 120V
Color
Black
Heating System
Thermoblock
Automatic Power Off
Adjustable coffee volume
Capsule recognition technology
Descale alert
Average Heat-up Time
15s
Capsule container
12 capsules
Coffee recipes
Espresso & Mug
Pump pressure
CENTRIFUSION™ technology
Interface
Dial plate
What I Like
Price
$136.30
More Info
THE RUNNER-UP (#2)
Image
Nespresso CitiZ Coffee and Espresso Machine by De'Longhi with Milk Frother, Black, 9.3 x 14.6 x 10.9 inches
Model
Delonghi Nespresso Citiz
Dimensions (wxdxh)
5.1 x 14.6 x 10.9 inches
Water Tank Capacity
30.4 oz
Material
Plastic
Weight/ Power/ voltage
8.9 Pounds/ 1710W/ 110-120V
Color
Black
Heating System
Thermoblock
Automatic Power Off
Adjustable coffee volume
Capsule recognition technology
Descale alert
Average Heat-up Time
25s
Capsule container
10 capsules
Coffee recipes
Espresso, long
Pump pressure
19 bars
Interface
Buttons
What I Like
Price
$319.99
More Info

Last update on 2024-12-14 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Nespresso Citiz vs Vertuo: Differences

Breville Nespresso Vertuo wins 3-1 against Delonghi Nespresso Citiz thanks to its more convenient descaling alert and more robust espresso flavor. Make sure you check the cleaning and descaling part because there is interesting info that will concern your experience.

Coffee Flavor

Winner: Breville Nespresso Vertuo

The Nespresso Vertuo uses Centrifusion Technology to extract espresso from the capsules. In essence, it rotates the capsules quickly to improve extraction. Additionally, this method forces air into the extraction chamber, increasing the amount of crema. With a normal pump pressure system, the crema thickness can be good but never as good as with Centrifusion.

With this model, I get a rich, velvety coffee with a thick crema. There aren’t many issues with espresso quality in general. But occasionally, this model produces excessive crema, which I don’t find appealing. The dosage adjustment is my suggested fix.

Breville Nespresso Vertuo delivers rich coffee crema
Breville Nespresso Vertuo delivers rich coffee crema

Espresso is extracted using a 19-bar pump pressure system by Delonghi Nespresso Citiz. It provides good crema and flavorful coffees. But the overall flavor is quite standard (mellow). And the crema thickness isn’t as impressive as what I get with Vertuo.

Temperature performance

Winner: Delonghi Nespresso Citiz

This pair employs Thermoblock as the sole and main heating element. Despite sharing the same heating concept, my experience with their temperature performance has been distinctive. While Citiz can get hot cups at around 165°F easily and quickly in 45s – 1 minute, Vertuo runs a bit cooler at around 152-160°F. Therefore, I tend to leave Vertuo on for slightly longer, around 2 minutes, to get hotter coffee.

Utilities

Winner: Breville Nespresso Vertuo

Due to its large water tank and large spent capsule container, Nespresso Vertuo triumphs. You don’t need to empty it out because of its large capsule storage constantly.

On the other hand, because of its 2-tier design, the drip tray for the Delonghi Nespresso CitiZ can hold both tall and short cups. So, you can brew espressos in most containers you have on hand, and spillage is not a problem with any cup height.

Cleaning & Descaling (important)

Winner: Breville Nespresso Vertuo

+ Cleaning

Cleaning capsules are needed for Nespresso machines. They function similarly to coffee capsules and are essentially interchangeable. A certain amount of soap is contained in each cleaning capsule, and Nespresso machines “brew” the soap the same way they make coffee. They wash the entire system with hot water and cleaning solution as they work. There is nothing complicated or new about this convenient aspect of Nespresso machines.

+ Descale

What I want to comment on is the descale alert of the pair because there is a catch to it. If you check both machines’ websites, you will find that both of them are cited as “descale alert included.” And there is a twist to this statement.

The model with a decent descale alert is Nespresso Vertuo. It tells users when we need to descale the machine by turning the backlit control panel light on in color red and green (half red, half green). Thanks to it, I never have to keep up with the descaling schedule.

Breville Nespresso Vertuo alerts when users need to descale
Breville Nespresso Vertuo alerts when users need to descale

As for Nespresso Citiz, even though Delonghi claims that it comes with a descaling alert, I think the brand misses the mark there. I only found the machine blinking light when I had already activated the descaling process. In other words, the device alerts users that it’s in descaling mode after I start it. To a certain extent, it’s still useful because it alerts that the system is in descaling mode, so we have to switch back to brewing mode after that.

I researched everywhere and waited for the machine to start blinking to show me that it comes with an ergonomic descale alert. But after a few months, nothing. So I believe when the brands rated the machine with descale alert, the “alert” worked the way I described above.

Nespresso Citiz vs Vertuo: Similarities

Check out these 2 most important similarities between Nespresso Citiz and Vertuo that I think have more impact on users’ experience.

Lightweight design

Being Nespresso machines, the pair is designed mostly with plastic, thus explaining their lightweight. The material is not heavily prone to damage, and it’s not common for users to throw appliances around to test their durability either. I think it will withstand a minor impact if there is one. The type of plastic used also is safe to get in contact with espresso, so there is no health risk here!

Delonghi Nespresso Citiz is very lightweight
Delonghi Nespresso Citiz is very lightweight

Eco mode

Both models enter eco mode after 3 minutes of inactivity and shut off after 9 minutes. This feature helps prolong the machines’ lifespan and saves energy simultaneously. You don’t have to worry about turning them off manually, either. Just grab your drink and go, and the devices will handle the rest.

Quick Rundown of Breville Nespresso Vertuo

Sale
Nespresso Vertuo Coffee and Espresso Machine by De'Longhi, 1597 milliliters, Silver
  • SINGLE SERVE COFFEE & ESPRESSO MACHINE: Single serve coffee or espresso at the touch of a button. Innovative programs and features such as 25 sec heat up & energy saving automatic shut off.
  • COFFEE FOR EVERY OCCASION: Brew better coffee at home with Nespresso's coffee espresso machine! Drink your coffee bold, mild hot, or iced.
  • VERSATILE COFFEE MAKER: Brew 4 different cup sizes at the touch of a button (5oz & 8oz coffee, single & double espresso). Pour over ice to create your favorite blend of iced coffee and lattes.
  • INCLUDES: One Vertuo Nespresso coffee machine with an extra-large 54 ounce water tank, a 17 count used pods container.
  • COMPLIMENTARY GIFT: Each machine includes a complimentary starter set of Nespresso capsules (capsule assortment may vary from picture).

Last update on 2024-12-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Pros
  • Solid and durable construction
  • Large water capacity to reduce refilling frequency
  • Technique for quickly collecting capsules that saves time
  • Quick extraction of the shot and heat-up times
  • Delicious espresso at an affordable price
Cons
  • The crema is too thick sometimes

Quick Rundown of Delonghi Nespresso CitiZ

Nespresso CitiZ Coffee and Espresso Machine by De'Longhi with Milk Frother, Black, 9.3 x 14.6 x 10.9 inches
  • High performance: The 19 bar pump system offers barista-style single-serve coffee or Espresso every time, perfectly extracting the delicate flavor of each Espresso Original Coffee capsule
  • Speed and Energy saving: the fast heat-up system reaches the ideal temperature in just 25 seconds
  • Versatility: Adjustable cup size with two programmable Espresso (1. 35 oz. ) and Lungo (5 oz. ) buttons making CitiZ a great coffee maker for all your single-serve coffee needs
  • Design: citiz's look continues to Please both Espresso coffee and espresso drinkers and design lovers, adding a touch of elegance to coffee rituals.
  • Complimentary gift: Each machine includes a Espresso Original capsule welcome kit with a range of capsules with unique aroma profile

Last update on 2024-12-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Pros
  • Compact, sleek, and lightweight design
  • Water tank that is both roomy and simple to refill
  • More versatile cup clearance
  • With milk frother, it offers more varied coffee options
  • Authentic espresso and crema quality
Cons
  • False descale alert advertisement

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Rating 5/5 - (3 votes)