I really liked this product. The one I use is at my office, so I don't have to pay for the capsules, which is big since they are not cheap. But it does make good espresso and froths milk fairy well. It does take a bit of time to learn to use it perfectly, but it does its job. If the capsules were less expensive I might have bought one for my home. But I inherited a very lovely Italian machine that uses beans not capsules and am very happy with that. I did recommend Nespresso to a friend, who purchased a model other than this. But she too is very happy with the quality of the machine and capsules. Brew Performance I like the manual control you have over the process. Ease of Cleaning Was fairly easy to clean, but with so many people using it had to be cleaned too often. It may be better off as a machine for only a couple people so it needs less care. Ease of Use A touch tricky to get the hang of at first, but once learned was simple enough. Design Seemed like some things, like removing the used capsules, could be done in an easier way. Durability We did have some minor problems with the machine, but only after several years in an office with 60+ people using it on a near daily basis, so I still think it gets high marks for durability.

jenninofer

Boston, MA

We've been using this espresso maker in the office for the last two and a half years.  It still works like a champ and pours a great espresso. Brew Performance Makes a solid shot of espresso...not as good as if you had ground, tamped, and pulled your own, but solid. Ease of Cleaning It pulls about into multiple parts which makes it easy to dump the used capsules. But many of the parts have deep nooks and crannies so it's not the easiest to clean and tends to gook up. Ease of Use Put the capsule in and press the button. Easy Peasy. You don't have to think in the morning :) Design This isn't the prettiest machine the Nespresso makes... Durability We've had these in the office for almost 5 years. They take a beating day in and day out. Dozens of cups a day for years.

kevin

Chicago, IL

Nespresso was one of the 1st companies to come out with coffee/espresso machines that use pods/capsules. 1st--the machine looks nice ( I don't llike ugly appliances on my counterop- do you?) 2nd- it's VERY easy to use-- just plop the capsule in ( there are a variety of capsules to choose from that you can easily purchase from Nespresso. Some cities even have Nespresso Storefronts where you can buy coffee-- so check your area)-- wait just a few minutes ( and I mean few) and voila YUMMY coffee/espresso If you want stonger-- you use less water-- weaker more. 3rd- great frother if you want capucchino-- yum ( my favorite) The machine is strong- 19 bars of pressure-- what that menas to you is that if you are making espresso- you get real crema on the surface of the coffee-- what true espresso lovers are after! Easier than constant trips to expensive Coffee Shops!

On-the-Go-Gal

New York, NY

After much research and review, we decided on the Nespresso D290 over all other espresso machines.  Our first choice in the line was the Le Cube which was toaster-like and had warming trays for espresso cups and a cup base that could be lowered to allow for the use of tall recipe glasses for milk infused or even ice infused beverages.  However, we wanted the ability to use one device for making steamed milk and froath.  This feature and the cool design sold us even though it is a bit more pricey.  The machine is robust (sturdier than the le Cube) and the coffee selections are more than adequate.  Recently, Nespresso added more espresso pods to their line of products.  I have never before been able to prepare such excellent espresso and cappucino in the comfort of my own kitchen. Warm up time is very fast and recovery time to make the next pod even faster.  Seconds. Daily cleaning requires only to run the machine without a pod after the last drink is prepared.  Then weekly or even monthly cleaning of the drip tray and spent pod holder.  After brewing a pod, a simple lift of the handle sends he spent pod to the spent pod holder which holds up to 12 pods. The included steam/froath attatchment works great and can be used to generate steaming hot water for tea or instant hot chocolate.  The volume of water dispensed through a pod is both automatic and adjustable in order to make ristretto, espresso, or lungo coffees.  This is a great product from a great company.  I could go on but there is no need at this point.  Just remember, this is a ristretto, espresso, lungo maker with the ability to make steamed milk and milk froath in a cup size no larger than 3 1/2 " tall. 

BeachBunnies

Kill Devil Hills, NC

In addition to the Nespresso machine at the office, I have an almost identical model at home. I have gone through several non-Nespresso machines; everything from a standard auto-drip Black & Decker to an automatic whole bean grinder from Krups to a manual French press to a single cup pod machine like Senseo. The Nespresso has outperformed them all. I consistently use it two-three times a week at home. And at work, well the addiction requires two-three demitasse cups a day. The selling point of the Nespresso and other pod coffee makers is ease of use. Simply keep some water in the container, pop a pod in the machine, press a button, and a wonderful cup of espresso is ready in seconds. Add some frothed milk and a cappuccino is ready in about a minute. Just like other systems, the Nespresso has a variety of coffee flavors. I tend to prefer the caffeinated ones with strong robust flavors. This is where (in my opinion) the Nespresso out performs other standard pod coffee makers. The result is a strong, rich cup of espresso with a fine crema layer. If you prefer a straight-up cup of black coffee, this may not be the machine for you. But if you like a nice little cup of espresso with some crema, the Nespresso is an excellent option!

Kyle

Chicago, IL