Review on ☕ Lavazza BLUE Classy Mini Single Serve Espresso Coffee Machine LB 300, 5.3" x 13" x 10.2" - 2 Coffee options with easy touch controls, 1 customizable dosage and 1 preset option by Lauren Salvage

I haven't seen any reviews comparing this machine to others and I have a few on hand so I wanted to share! Specifically, I want to compare it to the LB910 (another Lavazza Blue machine available in the States) and the Nespresso Pixie. As a reminder, this machine uses Lavazza Blue capsules and not Nespresso capsules. Compared to the LB910, the Classy Mini is smaller and slimmer, which should make it much more reliable. The 910 has two very common sources of error: a motorized capsule plunger that squeezes blue capsules and a sensor for discarding used capsules. Both have been removed from the Classy Mini - instead the machine will track how many times you've brewed and after every 5 seconds the lights will start flashing, indicating that you should check the water tank and capsule drawer. The motorized plunger has been replaced with a lever, very similar to Nespresso machines, that squeezes the capsules together when you pull it down. It might sound like a downgrade, but the adjustments actually appear to be a direct response to complaints about the previous car. Many 910 owners are familiar with a stuck pod piston or bowl sensor not detecting a replacement. Plus, this machine can brew without a capsule inside, so descaling is as easy as filling a water tank with solution and running lungo-shots until it's empty - no need to buy a separate descaling kit. In terms of brewing and quality, they're pretty much comparable to the LB910. On some measurements, they both wake from sleep after about 30 seconds and then take about 26 seconds to brew a shot of espresso from the push of a button to the end of the flow, producing coffee that hits the cup at around 160F. This makes the brewing time and temperature pretty ideal. I don't feel an immediate difference between the two, although the LB910 seems to consistently produce a bit more cream, which can be caused by many incredibly small factors, so I don't see that as a problem. I was concerned based on the reviews that the Classy Mini would use a shorter brew time or hotter water, but that's not the case. They are almost identical and I see no real reason to go with the less reliable and more expensive LB910. The only real downside is that the Classy Mini drips more after cooking. Compared to the Nespresso Pixie (and therefore most Nespresso machines), the difference is more interesting. The Pixie takes about 15 seconds to wake up and then brews the espresso in 18 seconds - the ideal temperature for espresso is 20 to 30. The coffee enters the cup at around 155°F, which is lower than it should be . In fact, neither Blue nor Nespresso machines are entirely comparable to espresso machines that cost a few hundred dollars more, and that's okay. That means the Nespresso coffee machine makes coffee about twice as fast (considering the difference here is about 30 seconds versus about 60 seconds), which is more convenient. Coffee with a foamier/lighter crema. The blue pads are more reminiscent of "real" espresso, with a thicker crema and more layers of coffee in the cup. In terms of taste, which is the most important part, blue pods are usually a lot bolder and closer to an espresso coffee shop. Nespresso capsules are in many cases lighter, have higher acidity and a slightly acidic taste, while blue capsules often have a much more pronounced body and character. I've also found that the blue pods tend to leave a much more lasting flavor and have more depth - you can find more flavors on repeated sips than the Nespresso pods. Some people might prefer the more muted flavor of Nespresso, but I find the blue pods MUCH nicer. Finally, Nespresso machines have their advantages: they brew faster, their capsules are easy to recycle in bulk (the blue capsules get stuck if you remove the foil, throw away the coffee puck, and then recycle the individual plastic/foil). There are many other first and third party options available, and you can actually find capsules in stores! But Blue machines produce coffee that's more like espresso, and that's why I like using the Classy Mini.