The Lavazza Espresso Maker Review: Is This the Machine for You?


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If you know the name Lavazza then you probably already know that they make incredible coffee beans. In my opinion, they make the best tasting coffee on the market. But they make a lot more than just coffee. They also make a pretty great inexpensive Lavazza Espresso Maker.

The Lavazza company began in Northern Italy, and they have been around since 1895. Today they are responsible for more than 75 percent of Italy’s coffee distribution. They have a pretty impressive presence in the U.S. too.

So what about the espresso machines? Is the Lavazza Espresso Maker as good as Lavazza’s coffee beans?

Before we answer those questions, let’s talk for a minute about some of the things that you should look for in the best espresso machine.

What Should I Look for in the Best Espresso Maker?

To make the perfect shot of espresso, it takes the right machine. There are a few things that you should look for in the best espresso maker.

Does the machine control temperature and pressure?

In this Lavazza Espresso Maker review, one of the first things we looked at was whether or not the machine controls pressure and temperature. When you’re looking for the best espresso maker, you want to find a machine that keeps the temperature consistent and stable. You also don’t want the pressure to be too high.

Generally speaking, you want around 10 bars of pressure to brew the perfect shot. And ideally, you want the temperature to stay about 195 degrees Fahrenheit. The Lavazza Espresso Maker has nine bars, which is excellent.

The Lavazza Espresso Maker also controls the temperature pretty well.

One of the problems with inexpensive espresso machines like the Lavazza Espresso Maker is that they tend to lack a mechanism called a PID, or proportional-integral-derivative controller. More expensive machines have a PID which helps to maintain a constant water temperature with extreme accuracy, right down to the degree.

Some inexpensive espresso machines boast that they have 15 or 20 bars of pressure. But the pressure that high is not really a good thing. Too much pressure can lead to bitterness and over-extraction in your espresso shot.

How easy is the espresso maker to set up and use?

The truth is, there is a learning curve when it comes to making the perfect espresso shot. However, even with that said, you don’t want a machine that is so complicated that you need an advanced degree to understand the manual.

One thing that we really liked about the Lavazza Espresso Maker is that it’s super easy to use. Actually, all of the machines that we looked at are easy to use.

Part of the fun is learning how to use your new machine, but you don’t want it to be impossible to use right out of the box.

How does the espresso taste?

Okay, now this is a big one in my book. What good is a fancy new machine if it makes espresso that tastes like crap?

In this Lavazza Espresso Maker review, we looked for machines that produced a delicious, balanced shot. You don’t want it to be too bitter. Instead, you should look for an espresso maker that makes a shot nuanced in flavor. Ideally, you want to taste some sweetness and brightness instead of bitterness.

Now, are you ready for the good news?

Lavazza makes the best tasting capsules on the market. True story.

What about extra features?

Another thing that we looked at in this Lavazza Espresso Maker review was the accessories.

Generally speaking, espresso machines require a bunch of accessories. Does the espresso maker have a steamer wand? Does it come with a milk jug for steaming?

The Best Coffee Capsule Machines

One thing to remember when you’re buying a capsule machine is that you’re not only buying the espresso maker, you’re also committing to a particular brand of coffee. The Lavazza Espresso Maker only uses Lavazza capsules. Fortunately, Lavazza makes some damn good coffee.

The best thing about the capsule espresso machines is that they take a lot of the guess work out. The espresso maker basically does all of the thinking for you.

But one thing you should think about is the water that you use. Experts say that you should bottled water. If you choose to use tap water, there are a couple of things you should know.

Hard water is better than soft water when it comes to espresso. Hard water has more magnesium and calcium in it. Now that could pose a problem in the long run for cleaning your machine. However, the good thing about hard water is that it gives the coffee a stronger flavor than soft water. The downside of hard water is that it can make your espresso taste bitter if it has too much bicarbonate.

The Review Process

This was an independent review of the Lavazza Espresso Maker. In the review process, we researched and examined professional and consumer reviews. We also compared the features and price of the Lavazza Espresso Maker with several competitors. We have no business or financial ties to any of the manufacturers on our list. Our goal is to help you find the best espresso machine to meet your needs.

The Lavazza Espresso Maker Review

The first thing that you should know about the Lavazza Espresso Maker is that it runs exclusively on Lavazza Blue capsules. You don’t grind the coffee beans with the Lavazza Blue 910 Espresso Machine. The pods do that work for you.

Speaking of the capsules, they make some excellent tasting espresso. But because you can only use Lavazza Blue capsules, it’s important that you know where to buy them.

Not counting the great taste, the best thing about the capsules is that they won’t cost you a fortune. They cost about half as much as competitor brands.

One nice thing about the 910 espresso maker is that it comes with 400 pods already ready for you to use.

Our favorite thing about this machine is that it’s incredibly easy to use. You just plug it in, fill up the water tank, allow it to heat up for one minute (seriously it only takes one minute), and you’re good to go. In just seconds, you are pouring espresso.

Another thing that we really like about the Lavazza Espresso Maker is that it gives you the perfect dose. The capsules contain more coffee than most competitors. Lavazza Blue capsules contain 8 grams for regular and 12 grams for bi-dose pods. The Nespresso capsules only have five to seven grams of coffee.

The Lavazza Blue 910 also has 9 bars of pressure and a brew cycle of 25 to 26 seconds. Lavazza boasts that this is the proper pressure and extraction for espresso as defined by the Italian Espresso National Institute.

This Lavazza Espresso Maker is moderately priced. And it gets killer reviews. Amazon customers rate it 5 out of 5 stars. The biggest complaint about it is that it can’t steam milk. You will need an alternative method for that.

Pros

  • The superior espresso contained in the pods tastes incredible
  • Comes with plenty of Lavazza Blue capsules
  • Capsules are cheaper than any of the competitors

Cons

  • Only works with Lavazza capsules
  • Doesn’t come with a milk steamer
  • Doesn’t have the heating elements required to produce authentic espresso
  • Not eligible for Amazon Prime

How the Lavazza Espresso Maker Stacks up to the Competition

To get some sense of comparison, we also looked at three of the competitors.

Nespresso Vertuo Coffee and Espresso Machine

Like the Lavazza Espresso Maker, the Nespresso is a smart machine that does all of the work for you. The Nespresso machine works exclusively with Nespresso capsules. The Nespresso capsules make some great espresso, although it’s not quite as good as the Lavazza espresso. The Lavazza capsules are also cheaper.

The Nespresso Vertuo features a removable water tank. And it has a super-fast heat-up time of just 15 seconds.

This machine also has an automatic shut off feature that turns the espresso maker off after nine minutes of inactivity.

One of the things that we loved about this machine is that it uses a patented extraction technology called Centrifusion. This process allows you to make the perfect espresso shot time after time.

The Nespresso comes with only 12 free capsules, which is far less than the 400 that come with the Lavazza Espresso Maker. But one thing that we liked better about the Nespresso is that it comes with an Aeroccino 3 milk frother.

The Nespresso machine costs about the same as the Lavazza Espresso Maker. It also gets similarly high professional and consumer reviews. Amazon customers rate it 4.6 out of 5 stars.

Pros

  • Comes with an Aeroccino 3 milk frother
  • Makes excellent tasting espresso
  • Centrifusion technology assures an awesome shot every time
  • Prime eligible

Cons

  • Capsules are expensive
  • Some complained that the machine doesn’t make the coffee hot enough
  • Only comes with 12 capsules

Nescafe Dolce Gusto Majesto Coffee Machine

The next machine that we looked at in our Lavazza Espresso Maker review is the Nescafe Dolce Gusto Espresso Maker.

One thing to note about this machine is that it creates professional-quality espresso with a velvety thick crema. That’s thanks to the high-pressure system that goes up to 15 bars.

The Majesto runs exclusively on Dolce Gusto hermetically sealed capsules, similar to the Lavazza Espresso Maker.

Another thing that we loved about the Majesto is that it is a smart machine. It comes with a Wi-Fi connectivity function, which means that your espresso maker will always have the latest beverages. The intuitive interface also allows for full personalization and customization.

Another cool thing about this machine is that it has automatic service reminders to let you know when your espresso maker needs maintenance. You can also get an optional accessory that allows you to connect your Majesto into your main water line directly. That means no more filling up the water tank.

The Majesto is moderately priced, although it’s a bit more expensive than the Lavazza Espresso Maker. And it gets killer professional and consumer reviews. Amazon customers rate it 4.3 out of 5 stars.

Pros

  • Eligible for Amazon Prime
  • Makes a great tasting espresso shot every time
  • Easy to use
  • The machine looks very sleek on the counter

Cons

  • Doesn’t come with capsules
  • The capsules are expensive and hard to find
  • The espresso maker doesn’t have a froth setting

Cuisinart EM-200 Espresso Machine

The last machine that we looked at in our Lavazza Espresso Maker review is the Cuisinart EM-200.

The first thing that we loved about this machine is that it allows you to use pods or ground espresso. The programmable espresso maker uses 15 bars of pressure to ensure that you get an authentic espresso with velvety thick crema.

Another thing that we liked about the Cuisinart is that it comes with a stainless steel steam nozzle which lets you make the perfect frothy cappuccino or latte.

The Cuisinart machine also comes with a cup-warming tray on top. And for easy cleanup, you can remove the drip tray and cover.

Accessories for this machine include a stainless steel frothing cup and a tamping tool with a measuring spoon.

We also love that the EM-200 comes with a three-year warranty.

One of the best things about this machine is that it is super affordable. It is significantly cheaper than the Lavazza Espresso Maker. It also gets decent professional and consumer reviews. Amazon customers rate it 3.6 out of 5 stars.

Pros

  • The machine allows you to use pods or ground coffee
  • Very affordable
  • Easy to use and easy to clean
  • Prime eligible

Cons

  • Doesn’t come with any capsules
  • Some complained that the steam wand isn’t durable enough
  • Others complained that the machine leaks

It All Boils Down to This

Overall we found the Lavazza Espresso Maker to be an excellent little machine. If you are looking for a hassle-free shot of espresso with no fuss, then the Lavazza Espresso Maker might be right up your alley. The best thing about it is that it produces the best tasting espresso on the market, especially at this price.

Our other favorite is the Nescafe Dolce Gusta Majesto Machine.

Both machines are super simple to use, and they both pull a fantastic shot of espresso. It’s also nice that neither machine will cost you a fortune.

Now we want to hear from you! Let us know in the comments section below what you think about the Lavazza Espresso Maker. And share with our readers if you have any great tips on making the perfect shot of espresso.

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