So you’ve decided to take the plunge and invest in a Nespresso machine, but which one do you go for? With so many machines in the line-up, all boasting different features, it can be hard to decide which machine is right for you.
In this article we are going to take a look at one of the mid-range machines; the Nespresso CitiZ. The CitiZ is a reliable, no-frills espresso maker that boasts a large 34 oz water reservoir, and was, in fact, the first Nespresso coffee maker we owned. So let’s dive into it.
Nespresso Citiz- In Summary
The Nespresso CitiZ is a reliable brewer that is known for its slim footprint, solid build and large water reservoir. The machine is characterized as a mid-range brewer, so costs a bit more than your basic entry-level espresso makers. This extra cost, however, does not come with a whole lot of extra features other than the large water reservoir. So you will have to weigh up whether it is worth the extra bucks.
Nespresso OriginalLine vs VertuoLine
Within the Nespresso range, there are two types of machines. The OriginalLine machines feature the original technology, namely a 19-bar pump to force hot water through the pods and produce espresso. The Nespresso CitiZ falls within this range. These machines use the original Nespresso pods and are compatible with third-party pods.
The VertuoLine machines utilize newer technology known as centrifusion, whereby the pod is spun rapidly to mix the water and finely ground coffee beans. These machines are more versatile, offering a wider range of drink sizes, including both espresso and coffee, to suit all coffee drinking preferences. The downside is they require specialized pods with barcodes that dictate the temperature and volume of water required to brew each drink. Because of this, they are only compatible with Nespresso brand pods.
Nespresso CitiZ Review
Specs
Design
The Nespresso Citiz is a simple machine that produces a consistent cup of coffee with very little effort. The machine has a slim footprint, easily slipping into space on a crowded counter. The Citiz is produced by both Breville and DeLonghi, and while there are slight cosmetic differences to the appearance, internally they utilize the same technology and produce identical-tasting coffee.
The Citiz has a sleek design and comes in four different colors; black, white, chrome, or red. The machine is well-built and easily stands up to daily use. Perhaps its most notable feature is the large 34 oz water tank, allowing you to brew multiple drinks before having to refill. The water tank is removable and easy to fill, the only drawback is that the tank is at the back of the machine so it can be difficult to monitor the water level.
The CitiZ has a removable drip tray making it easy to empty and a foldable cup holder. While the cup holder sounds good, in reality, it isn’t all that practical, being too small to hold most cups.
Ease of Use
Nespresso brewers are known for being ridiculously simple to operate, and the Nespresso CitiZ is no exception. The CitiZ has only two buttons; one for espresso and one for a Lungo. The machine doesn’t even have a power button, to start it you simply press either of the two buttons and it will flash while warming up then turn a steady green when the machine is ready to brew. The CitiZ has a fast heat-up system, taking around 25 seconds.
Brewing is then as easy as lifting the lever, inserting a coffee capsule, pressing the lever down, and choosing your drink.
Extra Features
The CitiZ is characterized as a mid-range model, so while it produces Espresso or Lungo, it doesn’t offer milk-based beverages or one-touch drinks such as you would find in the Nespresso Lattissima range. The machine is easy to use and offers basic functionality but has a few extra bells and whistles. It does have a used capsule container that can hold up to 10 used capsules. These are not ejected automatically, you need to raise and lower the lever to do this. The CitiZ also has a folding cup tray which can be helpful for larger mugs.
Programmable Auto-off Feature
The CitiZ has an auto-off feature that will turn the machine off after 9 minutes if left unattended. This is helpful for those bleary-eyed mornings when you can barely slip out of bed, let alone be trusted to operate a machine. This auto-off can be adjusted to 30 minutes if needed.
Programmable Coffee Size
The other feature on offer in the CitiZ is the ability to program the coffee size. This is very straightforward to do, you simply press and hold the espresso or lungo button until you have your preferred amount of espresso. The machine automatically remembers the amount for the next time.
Espresso Quality
The Nespresso CitiZ produces rich and flavorful espresso with a thick layer of crema. Obviously, there is going to be a difference if you are comparing it to an espresso brewed on a commercial espresso machine. But considering it is pod coffee, Nespresso is about as good as it gets.
The Nespresso capsules are filled with roast and ground coffee and then hermetically sealed in an effort to keep the coffee fresh. While the brewing method means that a Nespresso machine doesn’t produce authentic espresso, it is very close. Nespresso offers a wide range of pods with different roast levels, blends, and flavors. In addition, the CitiZ is compatible with third-party pods, so there are plenty of options to choose from. See our guide to the best Nespresso pods for some good starting points. The CitiZ does also come with a set of free coffee capsules for you to sample some of the flavors on offer.
Nespresso CitiZ & Milk
The CitiZ comes with the option of upgrading to the CitiZ and Milk which comes with a built-in Aeroccino3 milk frother. The Aeroccino milk frother is built into the side of the machine and produces hot or cold frothed milk. While it costs slightly more, it is well worth upgrading to this, which will allow you to expand your coffee repertoire to include lattes and cappuccinos. In addition, purchasing this milk frother bundle is cheaper than purchasing a milk frother separately.
Cleaning and Maintenance
The CitiZ is very easy to clean. On a regular basis, you need to empty the drip tray and used capsule container and give them a rinse. The water reservoir is removable making it easy to rinse and refill. Other than that, you simply need to give the body a wipe-down to keep it shining.
Nespresso recommends you descale the machine every 3 months, or 300 capsules used. Nespresso recommends you use the Nespresso Descaling Kit for this. Thankfully the CitiZ has a descaling alert (a blinking light) and a descaling program to make this easy. See our guide to Nespresso Descaling for a rundown on how this is done.
Who is the Nespresso CitiZ for?
The Nespresso CitiZ is a basic Nespresso machine that is simple to operate, well-built, and brews amazing coffee quickly. Its two standout features are its large 34 oz water reservoir and the programmable brew buttons. Given the limited features, if you are just looking for a basic coffee machine it is hard to recommend the CitiZ over other more affordable models like the Essenza Mini.
However, if you are wanting milk frothing capabilities it is worth considering the CitiZ & Milk which is a good value machine.
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Alternatives To The CitiZ
Nespresso Essenza Mini
The Nespresso Essenza Mini is another option if you are looking for a machine with basic functionality. It brews the same espresso and lungo coffee preparations and doesn’t come with a milk frother (although one can be purchased separately). The Essenza has a compact footprint and is more affordable. The drawbacks are it has a slightly longer heat-up time and a smaller water tank capacity.
Nespresso CitiZ Review- The Verdict
The Nespresso CitiZ is a reliable espresso maker. Its features include a slim footprint, solid build, programmable brew sizes, and a large water reservoir. The machine heats up quickly and is simple to use and clean. If you are looking for a coffee machine to brew black coffee, the CitiZ doesn’t offer many extra features to recommend it above the other basic models. However, if you are wanting the ability to brew milk-based beverages, the Nespresso CitiZ and Milk, with a built in milk frother is a good value package.
Faqs
The CitiZ is compatible with the original capsules, so you can use both the Nespresso brand or third-party brand capsules. It is not compatible with Vertuo capsules which are designed for a different system.
The CitiZ is compatible with reusable coffee capsules which you can fill with pre-ground coffee. These can be purchased from Amazon.
