The L'OR BARISTA Sublime coffee machine delivers barista-quality coffee at home. It has a small design, and the twin spout distinguishes it from comparable devices. This is ideal if you prefer a longer coffee or want to make two espressos at the same time. Another distinguishing feature is that it accepts two different pod sizes (standard and double shot), which no other Nespresso machine does. One of my favourite features is that it allows you to customise the volume of coffee to make your ideal cup.
It's a nice-looking coffee maker that can make a variety of espresso beverages and is quite simple to operate. There are 27 distinct L'OR pods to pick from, each with a unique flavour and potency. It's now on sale for £59.99, which is a wonderful deal when compared to some of the finest pod coffee machines on the market. Here's how I handled it. The coffee machine arrived in a huge, robust package with excellent wrapping and everything I needed to get started. I loved the machine's matte black appearance and general appeal - it was created in partnership with designer Khodi Feiz.
Because my kitchen is so small, the slimline design was a huge plus for me. The container had some plastic wrapping, but it was mostly cardboard, which was a welcome sight. It's not little, but it warrants a spot on my kitchen counter. It was simple to put together, with a plastic water tank at the back that slides onto the machine. When I first emptied the pod reservoir, I was afraid I'd break it, but I discovered that you just have to be firm. I didn't realise it at the time, but the instruction manual says to flush the machine with fresh water before using it for the first time.
There is no water filter, however a special descaler may be purchased (further information on the L'OR Espresso website (opens in new tab)). Because I reside in London and have hard water, I'll have to look into this. It does not rinse itself between usage, but they recommend that you do it once a month by pushing the Lungo button without a pod in it and collecting water in the cup below. It's difficult to overestimate the impact that investing in the best coffee equipment has on your daily routine. Prior to reviewing the L'OR BARISTA Sublime, I relied on much more traditional methods: a cafetière on weekends and WFH days, instant coffee for those 'need coffee now' moments, and a Moka when I'm in a hurry.
I enjoy using it, and guests have used it without any training from me. Also, the early-morning stupor-induced errors I've contributed to demonstrate that it's quite fool-proof. I've switched it on without a mug beneath the spouts, and I've turned it on without a pod. The drip tray just filled with coffee, and I ended up with a mug of coffee-flavored water, unwittingly cleaning the interior. Pull the lever up to insert a pod, and the pod chamber rotates up with a gratifying thud. Insert the pod and depress the lever. Depending on the size of the coffee you desire, press one of the three top buttons.
How much time does it take? I timed it, and making a coffee takes 1 minute, 28 seconds, including the time it takes to rinse and fill the water tank, find a mug, and so on. The pod bin retains around ten used pods and is easily removed. It comes in three different colours: Piano Noir, Sunset Rubis, and Satin Blanc. The water capacity is 0.8L, which is plenty for three to four lengthy coffees. You can programme the buttons to deliver the volume of coffee you desire, which I did to make a slightly longer lungo because I prefer a longer coffee. If I have time, whether working from home or on the weekends, I occasionally use my Nespresso Aeroccino milk frother, which is available on Amazon (opens in new window).
After using the Nespresso Vertuo, I'd say it's rather noisy. When I turn it on at 7 a.m., I occasionally worry about waking my downstairs neighbours. Having said that, I haven't had much hands-on experience with pod machines; perhaps some create a good racket. The XXL Lungo pods that I like cost £12 for a box of 40. (opens in new tab). I occasionally use Aldi's Nespresso-compatible pods, which cost £1.35 for a box of ten (opens in new tab). I'm no coffee expert, but I believe there's a danger in getting so engrossed in the technical aspects of preparing coffee that you fail to enjoy the pleasure of that first drink. I like a good take-out flat white or cappuccino as much as the next person.
