Nespresso CitiZ & Milk Pod Coffee Machine

Summary

We were still putting the cup under the spout when the light stopped blinking and the machine was ready to brew. That almost instant start was the first thing that won us over in testing, because with a pod machine speed is half the battle.

First, a clear word on exactly which machine this is. The unit we tested in Spain was the Magimix version of the Nespresso CitiZ (M196). In the UK, the same Nespresso model is sold made by De’Longhi (EN267.WAE), and the one we link on Amazon.co.uk is the white CitiZ & Milk, which also brings the Aeroccino3 milk frother and a 7-pod box. The coffee side, with its 19 bar pump, quick heat-up and two programmable buttons, is what we tested. The frother wasn’t part of our unit, so we haven’t tested it and it isn’t reflected in our scores.

It’s a machine for anyone who wants a decent espresso without bothering with grinders or tamping. It uses Nespresso Original pods and a 19 bar pump, enough for a consistent crema, and the unit we tested is just 13.0 cm wide. Bear in mind that the UK & Milk version integrates the frother into the machine, so it takes up more width than that.

What convinced us most day to day is the simplicity of the two buttons, espresso and lungo, which are programmable too. You save the exact amount you like and don’t have to stop the brew by eye every morning.

The main drawback is the one every machine of this type shares. You depend on pods, and the cost per cup is higher than with ground coffee, so if you drink a lot of coffee you’ll notice it at the end of the month. Watch out for the 37.1 cm depth too, as it needs a reasonably deep worktop.

All in all, it strikes us as a sensible buy if you value speed, a compact build and fuss-free upkeep, with fair value for money within the pod ecosystem.

Analysis and verdict

Design – Score: 8.8/10

This is its highest score and the reason the CitiZ stood out for design in our comparison. At 27.7 cm high, 13.0 cm wide and 37.1 cm deep, the version we tested is a narrow machine that fits under standard wall cupboards with no trouble. The only thing it demands is worktop depth, because pushed against the wall with a shelf above it won’t be comfortable to use. The UK & Milk version adds the frother, so allow extra width, and the one we link is white.

The finish survived a month of use with no scratches and no creaking plastic when pressing, and the pod lever still closed with a firm click and no side-to-side play at the end of testing. The cup support folds down, so it takes anything from an espresso cup to a tall latte glass without splashing or removing anything, and the drip tray with its steel grille slides out in one piece for washing.

Ease of use – Score: 8.3/10

Heat-up is where this machine shines. In our measurements it was ready from cold in 25-30 seconds, the quickest time we recorded in the whole comparison, and when making coffees back to back there’s no noticeable wait between one brew and the next. Its 19 bar pump delivers a stable crema and decent body, especially with the medium-to-high intensity pods we used.

What stops it scoring higher is that it only makes two coffee sizes, a short espresso (40 ml) and a lungo (110 ml), and it doesn’t recognise the pod. If you want a different amount, you have to reset the buttons by holding them down. The system works well, and we liked that everyone at home can save their own amount, but it needs that extra step, which the Vertuo Up doesn’t. The used pod drops into the internal container without splashing and without you touching it, and daily upkeep comes down to emptying the container and running water through the system by pressing the lungo button without a pod.

Capacity – Score: 8.0/10

It’s the lowest of its three scores , one of the things our editors weighed when placing it just behind machines that perform similarly. The tank holds 1 litre, and in our heavy-use testing (six brews a day plus a rinse after each session) it lasted no more than two days before needing a refill. In a home of one or two people you won’t be refilling constantly, but if your household gets through lots of coffees in a row, keep an eye on the level.

It’s removable from the back and can be filled straight under the tap, or topped up in place by lifting the lid without moving the machine. The internal container holds up to 11 used pods, so with our six daily brews it doesn’t last two days and you’ll be emptying it practically every day, ideally over the sink, because some waste water comes out with the pods.

Pros

• Slim coffee unit (13.0 cm wide on the M196 we tested); the UK & Milk version adds the Aeroccino3 frother, so it needs more width.
• Ready from cold in 25-30 seconds in our measurements, the fastest start in the comparison.
• Programmable espresso and lungo buttons, so you save your exact amount and never stop the brew by eye.
• 19 bar extraction with a consistent crema and repeatable results cup after cup, with no technique to learn.
• Easy cleaning, with an 11-pod used-capsule container and a removable drip tray, all off in seconds for washing.

Cons

• Nespresso Original pods only and no grinder, so the cost per cup is higher than with ground coffee and you’re tied to the system.
• 1 litre tank and 11-pod container, so with six coffees a day you’ll be emptying and refilling almost daily.
• The Aeroccino3 frother that comes with the UK version wasn’t part of the unit we tested, so we can’t vouch for its results.

Our test

Test 1: cold start time and back-to-back coffees

We wanted to put a number on that feeling of immediacy from day one, so we timed ten cold starts, with the machine switched off for at least two hours before each one, from pressing the switch to the light stopping blinking. Every run fell between 25 and 30 seconds, without a single reading over half a minute. We then made six coffees in a row and there was no noticeable wait between them; the machine was ready as soon as we took the cup away.

Test 2: noise and mechanical behaviour

We paid attention to the sound, because many pod machines rattle against the cabinet first thing in the morning. Here the brew is a steady, clean hum that doesn’t travel into the worktop. We only picked up a slight pressure rattle at start-up, which disappears within the first few seconds. The pod lever closes with a firm click, with no side play after several days of use, and the used pod drops into the internal container without splashing. After six coffees in a row we also found that the right-hand side of the machine gets warm, though never unpleasantly so.

If you’d like to know more about what to look for, have a look at our guide to the best pod coffee machines, where you’ll find the best models we’ve tested, Nespresso included, to help you choose the right one for you.