Can anyone recommend their countertop combination coffee/espresso/latte/cappuccino maker? Apparently the 4th anniversary modern gift is "appliances" and DH and I are looking to get something like this but I'm confused by all the options/price points. We don't want to be tied down to using brand specific pods so I was hoping to find something that does drip coffee. So that rules out Nespresso which is the one I hear the most about.
Any thoughts? Thanks!
pear / 1767 posts
I'm a tea drinker but my husband is obsessed with the Ninja Coffee Bar he bought at Costco. It can make single cups or a carafe and has a frother for lattes (which I use for tea lattes). It's also easy to clean.
pear / 1767 posts
@IRunForFun: We had a fancy Delonghi one before and while this one isn't super fancy, it's so much more functional.
pomelo / 5129 posts
I used to have a side by side unit (coffee maker on one side, espresso on the other) but I ended up getting rid of it because it took up SO much space
pear / 1930 posts
I have a Mr. Coffee Cafe Barista, but it doesn't do drip. If it had been around when I got the Mr. Coffee, I would have gotten the Ninja instead.
pomelo / 5220 posts
My Nespresso does coffee, but not drip - it is a pod system. I have to say, it is the best coffee I've ever had at home. I've gotten my mom and 2 friends hooked on it after having coffee at our house!
pomelo / 5509 posts
@Shantuck: I was actually looking at a Delonghi one but it didn't get great reviews.
@Canoli: @Ms. RV: Sounds like Ninja is a good option!
@psw27: Do you have to use Nespresso specific coffee?
pomelo / 5220 posts
@IRunForFun: Yeah, they sell the pods directly. It's not a pain though because shipping is free and they get the coffee to me the next day. There might be some other brands that are compatible on amazon too, that usually happens with nespresso systems.
hostess / wonderful apple seed / 16729 posts
I love my nespresso! I'm primarily a latte drinker so it's perfect. Also, it's way cheaper than my Starbucks visits. I was speading so much at Starbucks. I was able to buy a whole nespresso unit each month when I went to Starbucks almost everyday before work.
You can add water (an Americano, I think) to get it more coffee like. I prefer to use the pods for espresso for my lattes, though. We still have a regular coffee maker. It's a smaller machine so it doesn't take up much room.
I don't have a kerig but that's because I don't want to pay for the pods. I'm fine paying $0.70-$1.10 per nespresso pod but not okay with paying that for drip coffee. Lattes are much better than drip coffee and much worth it for me.
They do have deals like if you buy a few sleeves (sleeve is 10 pack), you'll get one free. You can order a free recycling bag so you can mail back you pods and have them recycled. I feel it's slightly better than keurig.
pomelo / 5509 posts
@psw27: @bluestriped bee: I'm so torn! I hear so many good things about Nespresso. I didn't know about the pod recycling program, that's pretty cool. I love lattes but DH just likes plain old drip coffee so we can't agree on one machine!
grapefruit / 4045 posts
@bluestriped bee: @psw27: Can you please link to the ones you each have? I'm interested, too!
pomelo / 5220 posts
@IRunForFun: I had a regular nespresso that just did espresso and I was always wishing it did regular coffee too. I was on Gilt a few months ago and they had one that did both espresso and coffee for like $100 and I scooped it up without ever trying it. Best decision! They just recently had them on there again with a 25% off coupon so it is a really good deal! My machine is called the Evoluo and I got a milk frother with it as well.
The coffee pods are about $1.10 each. Which I think is very reasonable for how good the coffee is. I really dislike Keurig coffee because its too weak and watery.
hostess / wonderful apple seed / 16729 posts
@agold: I have the Pixie bundle (includes the Pixie and aeroccino aka milk frother). I bought it at Target. https://www.nespresso.com/us/en/pixie-machines-range
I've seen it at Costco a few months ago so if you have a membership I would check it out. It's probably a better deal plus with their awesome return policy.
Oh, when we moved, we took our nesprresso and aeroccino in our bags. The aeroccino stopped working for some reason and we called them and they immediately sent us another one. Yay for them!
hostess / wonderful apple seed / 16729 posts
@psw27: Oh, you have the Vertuoline and the cheapest pods (according to their website) is $0.85 each. There is a current promotion for new users that you get 2 sleeves for free when you buy 8 sleeves.
I have the original line and the pods range from $0.70 to $1.25 each.
There is a welcome package that you can buy for ~$150 (I think) and that is 200 capsules, so $0.75 each. It allows you to try all of the flavors. It's a pretty good deal considering some of the flavors are closer to $1 per pod.
pineapple / 12566 posts
I've been on the Nespresso bandwagon for nearly 10 years! My last machine was the Latissima which was perfect for me (latte drinker). We just moved so I haven't bought a new one yet, but I probably will. If you want drip, you can just run a capsule longer or add hot water depending on how strong you like your coffee. One of the main reasons I like Nespresso so much is because they have really good decaf, it doesn't taste like decaf at all. Where I was living before, I was within walking distance of a boutique, so I would just buy my capsules there and bring back the used ones to recycle them since they had a collection bin. Customer service is also excellent (disclaimer, my very first job was working for Nespresso).
persimmon / 1345 posts
Another vote for the Nespresso. Seriously better than Starbucks coffee bc it makes that little crema. I have the one with both coffee/espresso options so I can drink coffee and lattes.
I used to own a Keruig and you can use your own coffee if you purchase their reusable pod. Although it was okay, I prefer my Nespresso much more
wonderful olive / 19353 posts
Another Nespresso user, and I love it! I have the pixie so it's pretty compact. I do wish it had the aeroccino with it, but it means adding bulk so I have manual frother if I want to froth my milk. If I'm lazy, I'll just microwave my milk and not froth it. Mainly because my kids drink whole milk still and whole milk just doesn't froth as well as 2%! So I don't bother.
Nespresso brews lungo (which you'll need to purchase lungo specific pods) if you want something not as strong as an espresso. 3oz vs 1oz with one brewed pod. I love how potent the flavors are!
clementine / 854 posts
@Shantuck: @Canoli: @MrsSCB: Hi ladies! I'm looking for options for my husband's birthday. I wanted to see if you're still loving your Ninjas a year later. Thanks!
pear / 1767 posts
@futuremama: Yes! Ours is still going strong and we’re still super pleased!
pomelo / 5257 posts
@futuremama: Yes, we love it! My husband and I use it almost every weekday, mostly to make iced coffee. And our son loves to "make coffee," too, i.e. help dump three scoops of coffee grounds into it 
persimmon / 1458 posts
@futuremama: yes, I don’t really get time to make specialty drinks as much as I would like but make regular coffee daily and would still continue to recommend it.
persimmon / 1467 posts
@Canoli: I know you didn't ask me but I started ninja questions when it first came out and got one that Christmas. 2 years later I still like it. I made a lot of iced coffee in the summer and mostly just regular coffee 90% of the time when it's not hot. I love that I can make a pot when people come over. And I love not being tied to pods. I'm kind of jealous of people buying them now because they are a lot cheaper now
persimmon / 1467 posts
@Canoli: woops sorry meant to tag @futuremama: but I'm glad you still like it too!
I've been thinking the past few days that I want to make lattes again but they take more time so I don't tend to get around to it. I like having that option available for when life slows down again.
clementine / 854 posts
Realistically, we’re only going to use it on weekends. We both drink office coffee during the week. Although I wouldn’t argue if my husband woke up early on weekday mornings to make me a latte 
squash / 13208 posts
@Canoli: @brownepiano: @MrsSCB: @Shantuck: Can you post a link? I googled them and seems there are a few models
pear / 1767 posts
@Mamaof2: I believe we have this model... https://www.amazon.com/Auto-iQ-Programmable-Removable-Reservoir-CF091/dp/B01KA7VWWC/ref=asc_df_B01KA7VWWC/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=167147331067&hvpos=1o4&hvnetw=g&hvrand=18281789945121576026&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1016367&hvtargid=pla-316444352394&psc=1
persimmon / 1467 posts
@Mamaof2: this looks like the one I have. I know the newer ones have that brother on the side but it's already big enough without that. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0160R1LEK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_t1_.GKVBbHZMWFTT
I think Walmart has it cheaper but potentially without the separate frother.
clementine / 854 posts
I ended up getting this one. It's the same as the one Shantuck linked, except this has the stainless steel carafe.
pomelo / 5509 posts
Ha, I started this post and we have had the Ninja now for a little over a year. We still love it! Mainly use it for regular pots of coffee during the week, but I like doing a cappuccino or latte on the weekend. The over ice brew was awesome in the summer!
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