A Review of Quietest Nespresso machines

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Johny Morrisson


If you’re like me and need your early morning espresso but don’t want the grinding and whirring noises to wake up the whole house, a quiet Nespresso is a must.

Essenza Mini (The Quietest Nespresso >55 dB)

Nespresso Essenza Original Line

Nespresso Essenza Mini is the quietest Nespresso machine available.

It only makes a noise of 50 to 55 dB while preparing coffee which I am sure will not bother you. This sound level is even lower than the normal conversation voice.

So, if you are looking for a silent Nespresso machine, go with the Essenza mini.

However, the drawback is that it is an entry-level Nespresso machine that can only prepare Espresso or Lungo.

I suggest you buy the Aeroccino 3 milk frother with the Essenza mini in a bundle deal if you also want to enjoy milk-based coffee drinks.

If you already own a Nespresso machine and are annoyed by the machine’s noise level, then our guide will surely help you make your beloved Nespresso machine quieter.

Nespresso machines are often accused of being too noisy. The reality is that Nespresso machines are less noisy than other capsule-based coffee machines.

Still, some users found this noise pretty irritating, so I did some research and put together a list of the four quiet Nespresso machines.

Why Trust Us

I am a coffee lover who is also sensitive to noise, so I have put a lot of research into finding the quietest Nespresso machine on the market. To help you make an informed buying decision, I have listed the models that make the least noise when brewing coffee, along with all of their top features, pros, and cons.

Understanding the Noise Level of Nespresso machines

I think that Nespresso should mention the decibel assessment in its product description. However, Nespresso manufacturers don’t mention any working noise level ranges in their product descriptions.

With proper research, I managed to find out the general range of noise from the standard Nespresso machine model and the low-sound Nespresso models.

You might have heard about the term “decibels“(unit of sound) which is measured on a logarithmic scale.

The louder Nespresso model generally lies in noise level ranges varying between 60 to 80 decibels, and the quietest Essenza Mini model makes only 52 decibels of noise.

What noise level is dangerous for you?

Here’s a table to give you a general idea of what noise level is dangerous for your health.

Everyday Sounds and NoisesAverage Sound Level (dB)Typical Human Response
Normal Breathing10 dBNormal
Soft Whisper30 dBNormal
Normal Conversation50-60 dBNormal
Dishwasher or washing Machine70 dBYou may feel annoyed by the noise
Pod Based coffee machines55-75 dBYou may feel annoyed by the noise
City Traffic80-85dBIt can damage your hearing if exposed for a longer period
Car horn100 dBIt can damage your hearing in minutes
Typical Noise levels

So, now you have an idea of what noise level is dangerous for you. Please note that dB is measured on a logarithmic scale, not on a linear scale. That means the difference in loudness is huge as the sound level goes up (For example, there is a huge difference between 60 to 70 compared to 20 to 30).

So the bottom line is any Nespresso model operating between 70 or higher decibels unit range would be considered as a noisy machine.

Always invest in that Nespresso model machine that functions silently so that you can enjoy your coffee without creating much disturbance.

If the sound is the real issue for you, you should never purchase a Nespresso machine with built-in Milk Frothers as they get very loud sometimes.

All the machines mentioned in this review work in the range of 50-70 decibels and I am sure they will never get louder than 75 decibels.

Four Best Quietest Nespresso Machines- Review Guide

Basically, in this review guide, I would like to review the Nespresso machines that are more likely to operate silently, but we have to look at other features too as noise only shouldn’t be your main concern while buying a coffee machine.

1. Nespresso Essenza Mini Original line

I have found that among all Nespresso models, the Essenza mini is the quietest.

While preparing a shot of Espresso I noticed that this machine has an average sound level of 52 dB which never exceeds 54 dB.

  • Budget-friendly
  • Highly energy efficient
  • 19 bars pressure pump to deliver authentic Espresso
  • 2 cup sizes, Including Espresso and Lungo
Nespresso Essenza Mini

Essenza Mini is a great Entry-level, most budget-friendly Nespresso machine for brewing Espresso; ideal for those coffee lovers who have limited counter space in the kitchen.

As far as design is concerned, the Nespresso Essenza mini has a sleek, compact design that can fit any space on your kitchen counter or office easily.

Nespresso Essenza mini delivers a pressure of 19 bar without making much noise.

It brews a shot of Espresso in under 30 seconds with the ease of just pushing one button. Essenza mini also has an auto shut-off feature that automatically turns off the machine after 9 minutes of inactivity which makes this machine highly energy efficient.

Pros

✔️ Auto shut off feature (after 9 secs)

✔️Fast brewing time (30 seconds to brew coffee)

✔️ Most budget-friendly Nespresso model

✔️ Innovative and Minimalistic design

Cons

❌ Only 2 drink options

❌ Not for milk-based coffee drinks

❌ Made of plastic




2. Nespresso Citiz

Nespresso Citiz is the second quietest Nespresso machine that comes after the Essenza mini.

It is often accused of being noisy but during the sound test, it averages around 57 dB and never exceeds 59 dB. The sound level below 60 dB is quite normal.

  • Auto shut-off feature
  • Fast heat-up time (25 sec)
  • 2 Cup Sizes: Espresso & Lungo
  • 34 ounces water reservoir
  • Pressure: 19 bar
  • Several colors available
Nespresso Citiz

Like Essenza mini, Nespresso Citiz is a compact u shaped, compact coffee machine. With dimension dimensions of 5 inches wide, 11 inches tall, and 14.6 inches deep.

With an ultra-quiet 19-bar pump mechanism and 1710 Watts of energy, this machine can extract an ideal, noise-free cup of coffee.

It has a removable water tank with a capacity of 34 ounces which is larger than the Essenza mini.

One feature that distinguishes Nespresso Citiz from other Essenza mini is that it has a programmed volume button. The volume of Lungo and Espresso can be reprogrammed easily.

Nespresso Citiz has a fast brewing time (About 25 sec), and it has an auto shut-off feature (After 9 minutes of inactivity).

This device is for you if you enjoy appliances with a nice visual impact. It certainly adds a bit of style to your morning coffee routines.

Pros

✔️ Auto shut-off feature

✔️ Power efficient

✔️ 19 bars pressure for authentic Espresso

✔️ two-year warranty

✔️ Compact and minimalist design

✔️ Easy to operate

Cons

❌ Only 2 drink options

❌ Fairly High Price







3. Nespresso Vertuo Plus

Vertuo Nespresso machines are slightly noisier than Original lines Nespresso machines like Essenza and Citiz. Mainly because it uses different technology to operate i-e centrifugation technology.

During the sound test, this machine averages around 63 dB and never exceeds 65 dB which is quite loud when compared with the Essenza mini.

Highlighted Features

  • Fast heat-up time (about 20 sec)
  • 54 ounces water reservoir
  • 5 cup sizes from 1.35 to 14 ounces
  • Centrifuge Technology
  • Barcode technology that allows only Nespresso capsules.
  • Different colors available ( Black, red, silver, and graphite versions)
Nespresso Vertuo Plus

The Vertuo machines don’t use pressurized water to brew Espresso as in traditional Espresso machines instead it uses centrifugation technology.

When you insert the capsule into the machine, the machine warms up in 20-30 seconds and spins the capsule at 7000 revolutions per minute. This delivers a shot of Espresso with a rich and thick layer of crema over it.

The water tank of this machine has the capacity to hold 53 ounces and the used capsule container can hold 13 used Nespresso pods. The design of Vertuo Plus is fairly compact and modern.

Nespresso VertuoPlus has a unique barcode technology that automatically detects the coffee pod and delivers the size of the coffee that is imprinted on the capsule. This machine has only one button which means even a kid can easily use it.

Pros

✔️ Fast heat-up time (about 20 sec)

✔️ Great taste

✔️ 54 ounces water reservoir

✔️ Centrifuge Technology

✔️ Very user friendly

✔️ You can also enjoy regular 8 oz servings of coffee in addition to Espresso

Cons

❌ You can only use Vertuo Capsules (these capsules are fairly expensive than other coffee pods)

❌ Slightly noisier than Essenza and Citiz

❌ Don’t have a built-in milk frother for specialty coffee drinks



Check out the comparison between Nespresso Vertuo Next vs Vertuo Plus.

4)Nespresso Gran Lattisima

So far I have only discussed the machines that are capable of brewing only black coffee i-e Espresso or Lungo.

But if you are a fan of Cappuccino or Latte you might be looking for the low-noise Nespresso machine with milk frother.

Nespresso gran Lattissima is the quietest among all Nespresso machines with a Milk frother. While preparing Cappuccino it peaked at 74 dB which is fairly less than other machines.

You must keep in mind that machines with milk frothers are louder because of the pressurized frothing steam.

Highlighted Features

  • One of the best pod-based Espresso machine
  • 9 beverage options with a touch of a single button including Espresso, Cappuccino, Latte, and hot milk.
  • Exquisite and modern design.
  • Milk frother for preparing frothy and creamy drinks.
  • 19 bar pressure with fast heat-up time.
Nespresso Gran Lattissima

Nespresso Gran Lattissima is the perfect choice for coffee lovers. This automatic coffee maker combines Nespresso capsule technology with one-touch fresh milk frothing technology to prepare barista-quality coffee in minutes.

Pros

✔️ 9 beverage options

✔️ Convenient and user friendly

✔️ Energy efficient with auto shut off feature

✔️ Easy clean up

✔️ Exquisite design

Cons

❌ Louder than entry-level Nespresso machines

❌ Very Expensive model





Read a detailed review of Nespresso Gran Lattissima.

Final Thoughts

There’s no denying that we live in a noisy world. Nowadays, it’s nearly impossible to enjoy peace and quiet anywhere.

If you are really looking for the quietest Nespresso machine then I suggest you stay away from the machine with Milk frothers as milk frothers are not generally quiet.

Nespresso Essenza Mini Is the perfect choice if you are looking for a basic coffee machine that doesn’t make too much noise while brewing.

Check out pros and cons of Nespresso machines: Is a Nespresso worth it

FAQs

Does Nespresso make a quiet machine?

No Nespresso or any other brand can’t make a fully quiet coffee machine as the coffee extraction process does make some noise. Even the Essenza Mini, which we chose as the quietest Nespresso machine, makes some noise. But that noise is certainly bearable.

Is Nespresso Vertuo machine noisy?

Yes, Nespresso Vertuo machines are noisier than Orginal line Nespresso machines like Essenza Mini and Citiz. This is mainly because of the difference in the brewing technique i-e rapid brewing system. Pods revolve around at the RPM of 7000 inside the machine which causes a lot of vibrations and noise.

Johny Morrison is a founder and content creator at Coffee About. He knows everything there is to know about coffee and loves sharing his passion with others.

You can often find him sipping a single-origin pour-over, rich French press, or pulling espresso shots at home. Johny loves full-bodied dark roasts – the bolder, the better!

As a former barista, he takes coffee equipment seriously and enjoys experimenting with the latest gear. When he’s not brewing or blogging, Johny is scouting local cafes for his next coffee fix.

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