Dimensions: 16"D x 7"W x 11"H
Weight: 14.77 pounds
Water capacity: 40 oz
Drink sizes: 1.4oz, 2.7oz, 3.7oz, 5oz, 8oz, 12oz
If you read my deep dive on Nespresso Original vs Vertuo machines, you'll know that I personally prefer Original-line Nespresso machines to the newer Vertuo line.
However, with Nespresso Original you're restricted to only one pod size and, at most, two drink sizes, which means it's less suited to those who enjoy long coffees.
The L'Or Barista coffee maker is the perfect workaround to this limitation, offering an XXL pod size alongside the classic Nespresso capsules to make 6 different drink options.
What's more, the L'Or Barista coffee maker is a handsome and well-priced solution. It's well made and looks really smart, so long as you don't mind the L'Or branding front and center.
The machine has only three buttons, so it's very easy to use, but depending on the pods you use it can make six drink sizes.
While you'll be restricted to L'Or's XL capsules for longer coffee drinks, you can pick from any brand's Nespresso Original capsules to make your espresso-based drinks, which is a level of versatility you won't get with Nespresso's Vertuo system.
In other words, this machine offers the best of both worlds. I tried the full Barista System with an equally handsome milk frother for two weeks — here's why I think it's one of the best Nespresso machines you can buy.
L'Or Barista review: Price and availability
If you want to buy this machine sans milk frother, expect to pay just under $200. It's currently $188 at Amazon, and the complete system with the milk frother will cost $229.
In the U.K. the complete system costs £203 but is reduced to £147 at Amazon at time of writing. The standalone machine is $109 but reduced to just £75 at time of writing.
L'Or Barista review: Design
This is a sturdy, well-made machine. The matt black exterior is all curves, with glossy touches. It feels nice to use, and the water tank (which has a capacity of 40oz) lifts away easily.
One thing that confused me when I first set this machine up is the glossy panel on the front of the Barista System. It looks like something you should be able to interact with, maybe to start brewing or choose your drink size. But it's actually purely decorative, hence the L'Or logo.
The actual controls are to the back of the machine. There are three: ristretto, espresso, and lungo, but depending which pods you use, you can end up with a double of each.
This can be split across two coffee cups to serve you and your partner, for example, in one go. Or, you can use an XXL pod and brew yourself a double espresso or classic long coffee using the Lungo button. The settings are as follows:
- Ristretto (regular pod)
- Espresso (regular pod)
- Lungo (regular pod)
- Double ristretto (XXL pod)
- Double espresso (XXL pod)
- Double lungo / Classic (XXL pod)
Overall, this is a very easy machine to use. It heats up pretty fast (I timed 11 seconds when brewing an espresso) and is pretty quiet (hitting 68dB when brewing an espresso). This is pretty strong when compared to my favorite Nespresso Original, the CitiZ, which takes 15 seconds to preheat and hits 75dB when brewing.
L'Or Barista review: Performance
I made every drink size when testing the L'OR Barista System. The first thing to note is that while you can use any Nespresso Original-style pod for regular coffees, you'll have to order backups of L'Or's XXL pods, which can only be bought from L'Or.
So if you enjoy experimenting with flavors, there are fewer on offer for longer coffee sizes.
The first thing I made was a lungo coffee using an Original pod, and I was immediately impressed at how smooth and fresh this coffee looked as it poured.
The brew was frothy and toffee-colored, settling into a strong black coffee with a good thick layer of crema on top. The flavor was pretty dark-roasted (most Nespresso pods will taste this way, people like it!) so it tasted pretty strong despite being a longer shot of an espresso-sized pod.
I next used an XXL pod to make two espressos in one. One thing I noted after brewing a few coffees in this machine is that it does take a little while to stop dripping.
This is an issue with pretty much every coffee maker, but Philips attempts to overcome this with a very generously-sized drip tray that lifts away for easy emptying. This has the added bonus of fitting larger cups underneath the dispenser.
The coffee tasted very strong using the XXL capsule. I was also satisfied with how it looks and the thick and full-bodied finish of the crema.
I took the temperature of the coffee as it poured, and it hit 163°F or 72°C. This is not as hot as a fresh-brewed coffee from an espresso machine, but it's a perfectly drinkable temperature, and the brew did not taste under-extracted.
I also tested the accompanying milk frother with this coffee maker, so I decided to make a latte using the ristretto setting.
The milk frother has a minimum and maximum fill line and a removable whisk for heating milk without frothing. There's a singular button on the front, but this is a versatile gadget. It can heat and froth milk, heat milk without frothing, and froth cold milk for tasty iced coffees.
The temperature of my frothed milk was 154°F or 67°C, which is the ideal temperature for cow's milk, but might be at risk of scorching plant milk which should typically stay under 149°F /65°C.
My simple suggestion to fix this is to pick up the frother slightly before the frothing is finished. You'll still end up with a good layer of foam on top of your coffee, which is best suited to a sturdy cappuccino.
How does the L'Or Barista Coffee Maker compare?
When compared to other Nespresso machines on the market, the L'Or wins in a lot of categories. In my view, Original line machines produce a better taste but will restrict you on the length of your coffee, so by including an XXL pod L'Or makes the Barista System more versatile than the likes of the Nespresso Pixie and Nespresso Lattissima One.
The Nespresso Vertuo Lattissima is my top-rated Nespresso machine at time of writing. It's got an in-built milk dispenser and features Nespresso's Vertuo technology which takes a range of capsule sizes and brews the optimum shot for each pod.
This machine can also brew six drink sizes: Espresso, Double Espresso, Gran Lungo, Mug/Coffee, Alto and Carafe. However, the crema on Vertuo coffees usually fades fast and you'll be limited to Nespresso-brand pods.
Truthfully, I'd pick the L'Or over either of them if I was in the market for a Nespresso, but some users might prefer a built-in milk dispenser which you can get on both the Lattissima Vertuo and Lattissima One machines.
Should you buy the L'Or Barista coffee maker?
I'm a big fan of this machine, especially when it comes to value. As I mentioned above, I prefer Original-line Nespresso machines over the Vertuo range for flavor and versatility, but these machines often end up being more expensive and less versatile on account of the single pod size.
So, in my view, the L'Or Barista System offers the best of both worlds. Using the XXL pods you can achieve 6 different drink sizes, and when used alongside the attractive and user-friendly milk frother, it's capable of making a range of iced and hot milk-based coffees.
It's also well-priced, looks great, and is easy to use. The only limitation is that you'll be restricted to L'Or XXL capsules for longer coffees, and you'll have to empty the drip tray every now and again on account of its dripping once pouring is over.
