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Nespresso Citiz Review for 2020
This little machine has changed my office life. Seriously.
You probably want to know all about that, don’t you? I’ll get there.
First, for those who haven’t checked out Nespresso’s line of products, here’s a quick intro:
The Nespresso CitiZ is an ultra-convenient and stylish automatic espresso machine with a slim profile and intuitive design.
It combines the best of Nespresso tech in one sleek little package: single serving pods and a hands-free milk frother to bring milk based espresso drinks literally anywhere, with minimal fuss and total ease. Making a latte or cappuccino is literally a 2 button process with the CitiZ.
Best Suited For: The Nespresso CitiZ is designed for the convenience oriented drinker, looking for a slim and stylish appliance that delivers great espresso fast. Also for those seeking an integrated milk frother not found on the more basic models. This is an office favorite due to the minimal clean-up.
Ok, so how did I end up with one?
I ended up purchasing this model after doing a ton of research on the best espresso machine for a small office. At work, I need something that is quick to brew, requires little to no clean up, and doesn’t take up half the counter. I also wanted something that my co-workers could enjoy when they needed a fix.
Don’t get me wrong, I love the semi-automatic Breville I have at home. It’s my favorite part of every morning. The quality on that guy can’t be beat. BUT the CitiZ is now my favorite part of every work afternoon.
I was making way too many trips to Starbucks (I know, shame!) and spending too much money on coffee shops to get my afternoon caffeine boost. It was a total waste of time and money. The CitiZ totally took care of that dirty little secret.
Now, my afternoon coffee routine is about a 2 minute process and I scored some serious points with my co-workers. The CitiZ has a lot to offer, so let’s dive into the features and functionality.
While I choose the CitiZ for a number of reasons. If you would like to see all 7 machines reviewed, check out my ultimate guide to Nespresso machines.
Pros:
- Two programmable buttons with automatic flowstop, allowing for precise espresso and lungo servings from the desired range of grand crus.
- Aeroccino milk frothing capability to ensure that the possibilities don’t end with simply a good shot of espresso.
- Removable drip tray so that larger and taller glasses can be used, especially convenient when brewing into a travel mug.
- Award winning design with compact, urban kitchens in mind. Designed to fit into any space without being disruptive or overbearing, adding a stylish touch to home or office kitchens.
- Larger water tank than the Inissia and Pixie models for less frequent refilling.
This model can be purchased stand-alone or with the Aeroccino frother. It is the first model in the price hierarchy to offer the milk frother as an integrated feature.
Cons:
- Falling squarely in the middle of the Nespresso range, this machine does not offer too many additional features like the higher end models. Its strengths lie in its basic ease of use and aesthetic appeal, which will not speak to users looking for extra bells and whistles, like the coffee function.
Nespresso CitiZ Review
The CitiZ is a mid-range model from the espresso-only line and offers a solid balance of features and minimalist design.
Capsules
Like the entire Original line, it uses Nespresso’s capsule system of “grand crus” offered in different strengths, flavors and styles. All their capsules can be recycled, reducing the carbon footprint so you don’t have to feel guilty after popping one into the machine.
The beauty of the capsule system is that every user can enjoy their own flavor and strength of coffee, whenever they choose. They also produce a CRAZY amount of crema. I couldn’t believe it the first time I used the machine. It’s really cool.
Once the machine is done brewing, it collects the used capsules in a tray internally, which can be emptied about every 11 uses.
Brew Options
The CitiZ, like the base nespresso models, offers two brew strengths: espresso and lungo. Espresso will be your standard shot and lungo will be a longer pull, a little closer to an Americano from this machine.
The capsules are targeted for the different brewing options and will give you a different strength, lungo is usually a little less intense. Espresso is a bit stronger. If you’re making a latte, using the stronger espresso is a good choice.
The timing on the brewing is also really fast. Usually, you’ll wait between 25-30 seconds. That’s it. I told you this little powerhouse was convenient, didn’t I?
Water Tank
The water tank on the CitiZ is great at just about 34 ounces.
I chose this machine in part because the tank size is a step up from the base models, which means less frequent refilling. The tank is also convenient to remove and top up when needed. I keep ours next to a Aquafina water tank, so it couldn’t be simpler.
Aeroccino
The other feature that I really loved on this Nespresso model is the integrated Aeroccino. While you can purchase this machine without it, or buy the Aeroccino as an add on, I love having it grouped with the machine so it is all one unit.
The Aeroccino is also the crowd pleaser. It is SO easy to make a latte. You literally pour in the milk to the line. Pop on the lid. Push the button, and wait about a minute in a half while it perfectly steams and froths your milk.
Done. Latte nirvana achieved. I really can’t rave about this feature enough.
Bonus features
This machine also has a few bonuses worth noting: it comes with a TON of starter capsules. This is a really nice way to find out what you like, so you can order more of them.
It has an auto-shut off after 9 minutes. I am terrible at remembering to turn off appliances so this is a great green, energy-saving feature.
The drip tray is foldable, so you can fit larger cups under the spout, including travel mugs if you’re making a drink to go.
Nespresso CitiZ Hot Features:
- Pressure: 19 Bars
- 25 – 30 second water heat-up
- Energy saving automatic OFF mode after 9 mins
- Dimensions (WxDxH): 21.9 x 37.2 x 27.8 cm
- Weight: 4.05 Kilogram
- Removable water tank: 1 Litre
- Used capsule container capacity: 9
- Manual Capsule insertion and ejection
- Cable Length: 85 Centimeter
- Winner of the Red Dot Award for product design
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About the Author Michael York
I am a die-hard espresso fan. I love every form of the drink from straight espresso shots to lattes and cappuccinos. I currently use a Breville BES870XL Barista, it is an awesome machine. BUT, my dream machine is definitely an Italian Quickmill Andreja. Those bad boys make badass espresso. I love answering your questions, leave a comment or question below!
