Last Updated On September 14, 2023
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Because the Breville Nespresso Creatista Plus combines both the convenience of Nespresso and the design quality of Breville, it’s revered as one of the best fully automatic espresso machines for home use.
Still, before you buy, you must do your due diligence to find out if this is the espresso maker for you.
I'll cover everything you need to know - from features and value to pros and cons - in this complete Nespresso Creatista Plus review.
Breville Nespresso Creatista Plus Review – My Ratings
Brew Quality
4.5
Build Quality
5.0
Ease Of Use
5.0
Overall Rating
4.8
The Nespresso Creatista Plus deserves a solid 4.8/5. It’s an easy-to-use super-automatic espresso machine, and the steam wand is perfectly capable of making creamy espresso-based drinks.
Here are a few standout key features that put the Creatista Plus above and beyond:
Pros
Cons
Who Should Buy The Creatista Plus?
The Creatista Plus is the ideal choice for anyone who wants a quick and easy brewing process.
It uses Nespresso capsules, so there’s no need to tinker around with a grinder or portafilter for a perfect shot each time.
If you’re looking for a traditional espresso machine that allows you to experiment, you might want to look elsewhere.
If you want a machine that's all about convenience for brewing espresso as well as milk-based drinks, the Creatista Plus is an excellent choice.
Why I Decided To Review The Breville Nespresso Creatista Plus
Pod coffee makers have always intrigued me, especially ones designed to brew quality espresso drinks.
I've used the Lavazza Blue pod-style machine for years, but unlike the Creatista Plus, it doesn't allow for milk frothing or steaming.
That’s why I decided to upgrade to the Nespresso machine. Not only does it offer the convenience of capsule machines, but it’s also capable of making creamy lattes and frothy cappuccinos.
Here’s a bit more info on how I tested the product for my full Nespresso Creatista Plus review:
Testing Conditions | |
|---|---|
Days Tested | 60 |
Cups Brewed Per Day | 2 |
Level Of Experience Needed | Beginner |
Reviewer Background | I’m an espresso enthusiast who’s sick of paying outrageous coffee shop prices. I’m on the hunt for an espresso machine that can quality espresso beverages at home. |
Environment Tested | My home kitchen & office |
Money Saved Per Year | I have saved more than $ 1,000 per year since I started brewing espresso with the Nespresso Creatista Plus. |
Favorite Drink To Brew | Milk-based drinks (latte, cappuccino & latte macchiato) |
My Full Review Of The Creatista Plus Espresso Machine
After 60 days of regular use, I can honestly say this is one of the best Nespresso machines on the market.
I thoroughly tested every aspect of the Creatista Plus, from brewing to frothing to cleaning. Here's what I found out…
What's In The Box?
In addition to the machine itself, the Creatista Plus comes with a stainless steel milk jug that matches the brushed stainless steel finish of the espresso maker.
Depending on where you purchase yours, your Creatista Plus might also come with a Tasting Box to sample different Nespresso capsules.
This is a handy addition; it gave me a chance to try a variety of different capsule flavors and strengths.[2]
My tasting box came with 14 different capsules, and each one tasted better than the last. I find the Napoli capsule to produce the best flavor, but it all comes down to personal preference.
You should know that assembly can take about 20-30 minutes. This isn’t unusual for an espresso machine of this caliber, and the good news is that it’s not a difficult process.
I barely even had to refer to the user manual - the digital display prompted me with all the steps.
The most time-consuming aspect of setting up my Creatista Plus was running water through the machine.
It's recommended that you flush it with water several times before using it to clean out the interior system, and it's also a good idea to wash all of the removable parts beforehand.
Brewing My First Espresso Shot
After setup, brewing my first shot of espresso was a piece of cake.
I simply inserted one of my free capsules into the coffee dispenser chamber, closed the lever, and selected my ideal drink from the display screen by turning the dial to scroll through the options.
After that, simply push the start button (located to the left of the dial), and the machine will start brewing within 3 seconds.
Because the Creatista Plus is a member of Nespresso's OriginalLine, the espresso tends to be more authentic than the VertuoLine machines.
This is all thanks to the 19-bar pump and the higher temperature capabilities.[3]
My First Time Frothing Milk
The real Creatista magic happens whenever I’m craving a café latte, flat white, cappuccino, or any other drink requiring foamed milk.
For my first time testing the milk froth device, I followed the same steps mentioned above for brewing my espresso.
This time, I filled the milk jug and placed it under the steam wand located to the right. As the espresso brewed, the automatic wand began steaming the milk simultaneously.
Unfortunately, the steam wand doesn't add frothed milk to your mug for you - you'll have to do that part.
However, this is a small price to pay for perfectly frothed milk, especially considering the wand features 8 different texture levels as well as 11 milk temperature settings.
If you want to create latte art, you definitely have that option with the Creatista Plus.
The wand has enough mobility to make a pretty heart or flower, but don’t expect to make any latte art more intricate than that.
Control & Ease Of Use
All in all, this is one of the easiest machines to handle.
There’s nothing complicated about the digital display, and all of the selections and pre-programmed drinks can be made using the rotary dial control.
The same dial is used to change milk temperature and texture level, and there’s even an option to program your water hardness level.
There are a few more features that make the Creatista's ease of use stand out.
It has an auto-off function after 9 minutes, the heat-up time is an insanely fast 3 seconds, and digital prompts tell you when it's time for a descaling cycle.
Look, Feel & Size Of The Creatista
I've said it before, and I'll say it again: the Creatista Plus is one of the prettiest espresso machines on the market.
The stainless steel design is classic and timeless, but if you're not a fan of steel, it's also available in colors like Black Truffle, Sea Salt, and Damson Blue.
In terms of size, this is the smallest Nespresso machine I’ve used. It has dimensions of 6.7” wide by 15.5” deep by 12.1” high, and it’s just over 11 pounds.
Even when I move it from my kitchen to my home office, I never have trouble finding a spot.
The water tank capacity is 50 ounces, which is a bit small for my liking. I can't complain too much, though, especially since the water tank is easy to remove and fill.
The used capsule container can hold about 10 capsules, so it only requires emptying about twice a week.
Creatista Plus Drink Options
Considering the size of this machine, I was - and still am - shocked by how many different beverages it can handle.
In addition to beverage options, the LCD gives you 3 coffee volume options to choose from: a 0.85 oz ristretto, a 1.35 oz espresso, and a 3.70 oz lungo.
On top of that, there are plenty of pre-programmed drinks making steamed milk beverages, including caffe lattes, cappuccino, flat white, and latte macchiato.
Unfortunately, there’s no hot water dispenser for making Americanos. This isn’t a deal-breaker for me, but if your drink of choice is an Americano, it’s definitely something to think about.
Cleaning My Nespresso Creatista Plus
Just like every other category of my Creatista Plus review, this machine scores extra points for its ease of cleaning.
Every once in a while, it’s a good idea to flush the machine with plain hot water to keep the internal mechanisms working well.
Aside from that, daily cleaning is as simple as a quick machine wipe-down with a wet cloth. The removable drip tray, as well as the water tank, can be cleaned in the dishwasher.
I recommend doing this once a week.
I love that the steam wand is designed to self-purge after each use. Basically, it purges itself with hot water to remove milk residue, so there’s less work for you in the long run.
My Favorite Features Of The Nespresso Creatista Plus
I've always been a fan of classic design features and the Nespresso Creatista Plus delivers. The stainless steel finish is simple yet stunning, and best of all, it’s easy to clean after each brew.
Another thing that sets this machine apart from others is the convenient pod-style operation.
Rather than tamp espresso grounds into a portafilter, I simply add a capsule into the capsule container and start brewing. Shockingly, this doesn’t affect the espresso quality whatsoever.
This espresso machine is smaller than most in its price range.
The compact dimensions are just 6.7" x 15.5" x 12.1", so even if you’re limited on counter space, you shouldn’t have any problems incorporating this into your kitchen design.
Yet another pro is the fully automatic steam wand that makes milk frothing a breeze.
In addition to the automatic milk frother, it even comes with a stainless steel milk jug that matches the exterior of the coffee machine.
Lastly, I love the sheer volume of programmable settings.
Although the capsule operation doesn't allow for as much creativity as traditional espresso machines, plenty of programs and settings exist to achieve your ideal espresso shots.
My Least Favorite Features Of The Nespresso Creatista Plus
As I said before, capsule/pod-style machines don’t allow for as much tinkering around when it comes to crafting espresso shots.
It’s certainly easy to brew with this type of espresso machine, but it’s not ideal if you enjoy traditional espresso pulling.
My only other complaint is the cost of Nespresso capsules, but you’ll still be able to save money by avoiding coffee shops.
Plus, the machine comes with a tasting box of different roasts and flavors to get you started.
Breville Nespresso Creatista Plus Vs Similar Coffee Machines
Breville Nespresso Creatista Plus vs Creatista Uno
In the Creatista lineup of Nespresso machines, the Plus is considered the more premium choice compared to the Creatista Uno.
The exterior of the Plus is made with shiny stainless steel rather than black ABS plastic, and it offers much more programmability when it comes to frothing milk and making latte art.
It’s the more expensive choice, but the higher price tag is certainly justified by its added features.
Breville Nespresso Creatista Plus Vs Creatista Pro
Another Nespresso machine to look out for is the Creatista Pro.
Even though it’s still easy to use, this machine is more geared toward professional-level baristas who want to enjoy espresso at home.
In a side-by-side comparison, the Pro boasts a larger water tank, it features an intuitive LCD touchscreen, and the dual boilers allow users to brew and steam simultaneously.
For those reasons, it’s about twice the price, making the Plus the more budget-friendly option.
Breville Nespresso Creatista Plus Vs Barista Express
Even though both the Creatista Plus and the Barista Express feature Breville designs, they are very different in how they operate.
The Plus is a super-automatic machine that completes the entire brew cycle on its own, whereas the Express is a semi-automatic machine that requires some elbow grease.
So, if you're looking for easy operation, go with the Nespresso Creatista Plus. But if you enjoy handling coffee grounds and pulling shots, the Barista Express is an excellent espresso machine.
Breville Nespresso Creatista Plus Vs Keurig K-Cafe
In my opinion, the Keurig K-Cafe has nothing on the Nespresso Creatista Plus.
Nespresso machines are built with more advanced brewing technology; in other words, they’re capable of brewing better coffee.
I'd only recommend the Keurig K-Cafe to those looking for a cheap portioned coffee machine that delivers decent espresso.
FAQs
Original Nespresso pods are compatible with the Creatista Plus. These capsules come in various strengths and flavors, and even decaf options are available.
There are lots of companies out there that sell third-party capsules, but try to avoid these. Even though a source may say that their capsules are compatible, many of them aren’t the right size for the Creatista Plus.
Yes, you can make iced coffee with the Creatista Plus espresso machine. Even though there’s no ‘iced coffee’ setting, just fill your mug or glass with ice before brewing espresso over it.
No, the Creatista Plus is not designed to brew regular coffee; this machine can only make espresso and milk-based espresso drinks. I suggest the Nespresso Vertuo or a Keurig machine if you're craving drip coffee.
Yes, the Breville Creatista Plus comes with a built-in water filter. Like any machine by Breville, the frequency of changing the filter depends on how often you use the machine as well as the water hardness.
Conclusion - Is The Breville Creatista Plus Worth Your Money?
There’s a lot to love about the Creatista Plus.
It’s a beautiful machine that’s compact enough for small kitchens, and it doesn’t come with the high price tag of most super-automatic espresso machines.
If you're looking for a convenient home brewing experience that requires very little work on your part, the Creatista Plus is for you.
Still, I can't say it's ideal for everyone, especially home brewing fanatics who want to play around with different techniques and methods.
For those who consider themselves the latter, consider the Barista Express of the Barista Pro instead.
These Breville machines both feature semi-automatic operation, giving users more room to play around.
Breville Creatista Plus
Brew Quality
4.5
Build Quality
5.0
Ease Of Use
5.0
Overall Rating
4.8
References:
1. https://machineguidance.nespressochina.com/en/warranty
2. https://www.nespresso.com/jp/en/order/capsules/original/trial-coffee-set-14
3. https://www.nespresso.com/us/en/original-coffee-pods
