Nespresso CitiZ Coffee Maker review: Simple yet luxurious

Despite all the advantages of Nespresso's more modern machines, I'm partial to its original line of coffee makers, and the Nespresso CitiZ proves exactly why. Modern and uncomplicated, this coffee maker only offers two coffee sizes (espresso and lungo) and occupies only 7.5 inches of space along your kitchen counter.

I reviewed this coffee maker in the Tom's Guide test kitchen to see if it deserves a spot in our guide to the best Nespresso machines. My reviewing took place alongside my number one Nespresso machine, the Vertuo Lattissima, as part of my comparison between Nespresso Vertuo and Nespresso Original lines.

While you can't deny that Vertuo machines offer better value for money, it's hard to complete with the impressive espresso extraction you'll find with the CitiZ, and the design quality almost justifies that high price tag. For my complete verdict of the Nespresso CitiZ, just keep reading.

Nespresso CitiZ review: Price and availability

I'll get the bad bit out of the way first: the Nespresso CitiZ retails for roughly $265 or £175. That's a lot for a somewhat simple pod machine. For comparison, you can get the Vertuo Pop+ for around $100 at full price, and it often goes on sale.

It comes in one color and is made by Magimix in Europe and De'Longhi in the U.S.

Nespresso Vertuo Lattissima review: Design

My first impression of the Nespresso CitiZ is that it features an impressively sturdy and durable-feeling construction. I was really pleasantly surprised when compared to the plastic builds of many of the Nespresso machines I've tested.

There are only two buttons: Espresso (1.35 oz) and Lungo (3.7 oz), and unlike alternatives such as the Nespresso Creatista Plus, it doesn't come with any milk-frothing capabilities.

There's a flip-down espresso cup holder for shorter shots, and a drip tray at the base of the machine for larger mugs, and when you pull the drip tray out you'll find the removable used pod holder, which can fit around 10 used Nespresso capsules. Pretty good for such a small machine.

I tested this machine alongside a Nespresso Vertuo machine, and it took notably longer to pre-heat than the Vertuo Lattissima. I timed between 10 and 15 seconds of a pulsing green light behind the buttons before it was ready to extract.

This isn't a huge issue by any means, but I'd recommend you wake the machine up before adding your coffee capsules so it's ready to pour when you lock the pod into place.

Nespresso Vertuo Lattissima review: Performance

This machine can do two things: Espresso and Lungo, so testing both was an easy job. I used both Nespresso-brand capsules and Lavazza capsules (one of the perks of Original lines is that you can pick from a range of alternative-brand pods, whereas you're locked into Nespresso-brand capsules with Vertuo machines) to test these.

You'll note that Nespresso Original pods come in one (5 gram) size, so no matter which coffee size you choose it will be extracted from the same serving of coffee. This meant that my espresso tasted a lot stronger than my lungo.

Noise levels during extraction hit 75dB, which is the same as the smaller Nespresso Pixie. Expresso took 20 seconds after the machine had pre-heated, and lungo took 35 seconds.

My espresso was surprisingly tasty. I really tasted the dark roasted notes of the Lavazza capsule I was using, and it was topped by a lovely glossy layer of crema that didn't fizzle away. Taste-wise, its some of the best flavor extraction I've had from a Nespresso machine. I tend not to drink straight espresso, but I found myself going back for sips while testing other elements of this machine.

The lungo also tasted good, and I found that the volume extracted was perfect for those who like to start the day with a long coffee with just a dash of milk, like my partner. It was always going to taste weaker because the espresso flavor is diluted by extracting double the volume of water through one pre-dosed portion of grounds, but because the dark roasted flavor was so prominent, I didn't mind whatsoever.

How does the Nespresso CitiZ compare?

Taste-wise, the coffee I drank from the CitiZ was significantly better than I've had from more affordable Original-line machines such as the Essenza Mini, but the Essenza also retails for $100 less, so it could be a worthwhile trade-off if you're not too concerned about complex flavors and simply want a cheap and compact single-serve machine that you can use with an assortment of cheaper pods.

If you're interested in drinking a lot of longer coffee drinks, you should consider Vertuo machines, which come with different pod sizes so that every drink is extracted to the right length for the volume of coffee grounds in each capsule. Similar in design and price is the Nespresso Vertuo Plus, which is one of Nespresso's cheaper Vertuo machines.

Should you buy the Nespresso CitiZ?

The Nespresso CitiZ is the perfect choice for a quite specific shopper, but that shopper also happens to be me. I love tasty coffee, and would happily spend a bit more for a simple but capable machine that delivers quality espresso without taking up too much space in my kitchen.

If taste doesn't matter too much to you, you can definitely find better-priced alternatives that will keep you caffienated without the high price tag. And if you don't mind being limited to Nespresso-brand pods and tend to drink longer coffeess, the Vertuo line machines are well worth considering.