I do not have a Nespresso, but I work for a houseware retailer and have been selling them for years. I think they are terrific. I don't drink espresso, or else I would have (at least) one!

I love how easy they are to operate, easy to clean, and take up very little counter space. That the pods are only available from Nespresso is a little off-putting at first, but once you realize you can set up a subscription and have your pods automatically sent to you every month - it's great. The coffee is very good and I understand they send along sample of other varieties with occasional shipments.

I can tell you we have minimal returns with these machines. It is VERY rare these are defective. When the Citiz was first introduced there were a few complaints that the coffee wasn't hot enough, but it has been well over a year since I have heard of those problems. One thing I always tell customers to do is when turning it on, run a brewing cycle once without any pods - just hot water. This insures that the machine is completely heated and your coffee will be hot.

Which model? They are all great. The Latissima is wonderful for milk drinks. It is truly one-touch, you don't see that kind of automation at that price point in any other machine. If you like espresso with the occasional milk drink, the Citiz bundled with the Aerocchino is a great option. And of course, if you are only drinking espresso, I say go with the Pixie. Why take up any more space than you need to?

I think very highly of these products, I don't think you would go wrong with any of them...

Nicole

No, but I WISH I did!!! My daughter and I stayed in a wonderful little boutique hotel in NYC last summer, and they had one on their breakfast bar. I was completely, absolutely in love with that thing!!! There are different models. The one they had also had a place off to the side and at the back where you would just place the cylinder of milk, and it steamed and frothed it while your coffee is brewed. You didn't have to hold it or anything -it just clicked in and did it.

In my opinion, it makes much, much better coffee than the Keurig -can't even compare them. I think it is because it has a true pump inside that really gets the flavor out of the coffee grounds. Honestly the only thing that has kept me from getting one is the cost of the little cups you put in -I think they are over $1 apiece, which sounds like a lot to me..

The pods are $5.95 for a pack of 10.

Nicole

I have a Quick Mill Andreja that I love, love, love. It's a work horse who ended my upgrade fever in 2004. That said, I am a total coffee snob. I have been drinking coffee from local roasters since 1974. I have the same brand Burr grinder that coffee stores like Starbucks, etc. uses, only smaller.

I have been given samples of the pod coffees in kitchen stores, Macy's, even Costco. I don't care for them. I think the coffee is very expensive and produces tons of waste in packaging. Plus the machines look flimsy to me.

Remember, I'm not the average coffee drinker so YMMV.

Oh! Before you buy an expensive espresso machine, I recommend you read product reviews and ask questions at coffeegeek.com. There are forums like this about coffee and machines.

Okay, I did go to coffee geek and several other review sources, and ended up ordering the Nespresso umm... okay, now I can't remember which model it was! One of the more basic ones with the milk thingie separate. I was sort of tip-toeing the idea around DH and he said "What are you waiting for? Just get it!" So I did. There are few things we splurge on so I don't feel too bad about spending extra on coffee. After all, it's my favorite part of every morning :)

I found the selection of pods a little confusing and overwhelming, so I ordered a variety so we can figure out which ones we like best.

And since this is a decorating forum, I will also point out that I got the titanium color. My kitchen cabinets are cream, so I really was lusting after the cream color, but it wasn't available in the model I wanted. Sigh.

Sue,
Merry Christmas, I'm excited for you!!!!

Cool. I noticed Costco sells the pod coffee in a couple different brands. I hope you love it.

I have had one for years. We did an across country move this year and mine was broken in the move. When I contacted Williams Sonoma, where I originally bought it, to see how to have it repaired they gave me a new one. Can't beat that!

I have the Pixi and the separate milk warmer and I love it; I have one in Florida also... I like the black or purple pods for a strong espresso shot.

I have a Nespresso machine, and love it. It's great for entertaining, too. I usually go for the stronger stuff.

In Europe, they recycle their pods at grocery stores.

Um, no. But everyone I know in Amsterdam has them! In Holland the pitchman for the Nespresso ads is George Clooney! They have him in a room with a gorgeous woman slinking around seductively. He approaches, coming closer and closer but...it's the Nespresso machine that he wants! You can probably find some of them on YouTube. I have a Senseo machine which also does single-serve coffees and I like it a lot. You can buy pods at the regular supermarket about 18 for a little over $4. It's less $$ than the Nespresso.