Nespresso CitiZ review: a solid espresso-first pod machine that takes supermarket pods

This Nespresso CitiZ review is for anyone weighing up a classic, espresso-focused pod machine that doesn’t tie you to one brand of pods. The CitiZ uses Nespresso’s Original system, so it takes supermarket-brand compatible pods as well as Nespresso’s own. It’s £174.99 at Currys, checked 28 Sep 2026. I haven’t tested this in person. My verdict is based on the specs Currys lists, dated UK prices, Currys owner reviews and the published tests I name and link below.

Nespresso CitiZ review: the short answer

Buy the CitiZ if you mostly drink espresso or short black coffees, you like a machine that looks and feels solid, and you want to keep running costs down by buying supermarket pods. The Telegraph names it the best Nespresso machine for espresso, and the compatible pods I found work out at roughly 23p to 26p each.

Who it isn’t for: anyone who wants a large mug of coffee at the press of a button. The CitiZ makes espresso and lungo only. If you want bigger drinks, the Vertuo system suits you better; my Vertuo Next review covers a much cheaper option, though it only takes Nespresso’s own pods.

Skip the CitiZ if you’re on a tight budget and don’t care much about looks or build. Expert Reviews and Tom’s Guide both point out that it’s expensive for what is, underneath, a basic pod machine.

Who it isn’t for: bargain hunters. You’re paying partly for the design here.

What it costs right now

• Nespresso CitiZ by Krups XN741B40, silver: £174.99 at Currys, in stock, checked 28 Sep 2026. This isn’t a sale price. You may spot a “Was £114.99” on the page, but that belongs to a kettle offered as an add-on, not to the CitiZ. See the CitiZ at Currys
• Other shops: I couldn’t confirm prices at Nespresso UK, Argos, John Lewis or AO, so Currys is the only price I’m giving. It’s worth checking around, as pod machine prices move often.

What you get: specs and what’s in the box

Currys lists the CitiZ with a 19-bar pump, a 1-litre water tank and a 1260W rating. It measures 318 x 181 x 396mm (height x width x depth) and weighs 4.25kg. There’s an adjustable cup stand, a 1m power cord and automatic power-off, which Currys says kicks in after nine minutes. There’s no milk frother.

Expert Reviews says it heats up in about 25 seconds, and that the fold-up cup shelf takes mugs up to roughly 130mm tall. It also lists the two drink sizes: espresso (40ml) and lungo (110ml).

In the box, Currys lists the machine and a capsule welcome set, so you can brew straight away. The manufacturer’s warranty is two years.

Who it isn’t for: latte and cappuccino drinkers without a frother. You’ll need to buy one separately, and my guide to the best milk frothers covers the options. If you want to learn to pour properly, see my best milk jug for latte art guide too.

Pods and running costs

This is where the CitiZ earns its keep. Because it’s an Original-system machine, it takes compatible pods from other brands, sold in UK supermarkets. Here are two I found, with prices via the price-comparison site Trolley, checked 28 Sep 2026:

• Starbucks by Nespresso House Blend, 36 pods: £9.25 at Sainsbury’s, Waitrose and Tesco, which works out at about 26p a pod. See it on Trolley
• L’OR Lungo Profondo, 40 pods: £9.00 at Asda, about 23p a pod. Tesco lists it at £9.95 with a “3 for 2” offer, which is a promotion that may end. See it on Trolley

These prices come from Trolley’s copy of each shop’s listing, so check the shop itself on the day, as they change. One pod makes one cup, so the per-pod figure is also your cost per cup. I couldn’t confirm what Nespresso charges for its own Original pods, so I haven’t put a figure on those.

Who it isn’t for: anyone who only wants Nespresso’s own pods and has no interest in shopping around. Then the CitiZ’s main running-cost advantage over Vertuo doesn’t matter much to you.

What reviewers and owners say

The published tests I found are broadly positive. The Telegraph names it “Best Nespresso machine for espresso”. Expert Reviews likes its premium look, small footprint and quick, tidy brewing, but thinks it’s a bit pricey for a basic machine. Trusted Reviews calls out its stylish design, sensible size and good control of temperature and flow, with the lack of a descale warning light as its main gripe. Tom’s Guide praises the sturdy build and the flavour of its coffee but, again, flags the cost.

Balance Journal, a smaller UK site, is positive too, though it found the pump louder than Nespresso’s Pixie and notes there’s no milk system.

Currys owners rate it 4.7 out of 5 across 436 reviews (checked 28 Sep 2026). That’s a big sample, though retailer ratings tend to reflect the early weeks of ownership rather than long-term reliability.

Who it isn’t for: anyone who wants a quiet machine for early mornings in a shared home. Balance Journal’s point about the pump is worth bearing in mind.

CitiZ vs Vertuo Next

• Price: the CitiZ is £174.99 and the Vertuo Next is £69.99, both at Currys and checked 28 Sep 2026. The Next’s price is a sale price (was £149.99) that may end.
• Pods: the CitiZ takes Original pods, including supermarket compatibles; the Next takes Nespresso’s own Vertuo pods only.
• Drinks: the CitiZ does espresso and lungo; the Next covers sizes up to a large carafe-style serving, according to BBC Good Food.
• Tank: 1 litre on the CitiZ, 1.1 litres on the Next, per Currys.

The Next is far cheaper to buy today, but I couldn’t confirm what its pods cost, while the CitiZ has supermarket pods from about 23p. If you drink espresso and plan to keep the machine for years, the CitiZ makes a stronger case. Read my Vertuo Next review for the other side.

Who it isn’t for: anyone who mainly drinks long, mug-sized coffees. The Vertuo Next suits that better.

Downsides

• Price. £174.99 at Currys is a lot for a machine with two cup sizes, as Expert Reviews and Tom’s Guide both say.
• Two sizes only. Espresso and lungo, nothing bigger.
• No milk frother. Every source I read points this out.
• No descale reminder. Trusted Reviews notes there’s no warning light, so you’ll need to remember yourself.
• Pump noise. Balance Journal found it louder than the Pixie.

Where to go next

If you’d rather use ground coffee, my best espresso machine under £300 guide is the place to start, or see bean-to-cup machines under £500 for fresh beans at the push of a button. For milky drinks, read my best milk frothers guide. And for a Vertuo alternative, see my Vertuo Next review.

FAQ

Can the Nespresso CitiZ use supermarket pods? Yes. It’s an Original-system machine, so it takes compatible pods such as Starbucks by Nespresso and L’OR, which I found from about 23p a pod (via Trolley, checked 28 Sep 2026).

Is the CitiZ on sale at Currys? Not as of 28 Sep 2026. It’s £174.99, and the “Was £114.99” on the page refers to a kettle add-on, not the machine.

Does the CitiZ froth milk? No. You’ll need a separate frother for lattes and cappuccinos.

What cup sizes does the CitiZ make? Two: espresso (40ml) and lungo (110ml), according to Expert Reviews.

Should I buy the CitiZ or the Vertuo Next? The CitiZ if you drink espresso and want cheap supermarket pods; the Vertuo Next (£69.99 at Currys, checked 28 Sep 2026, a sale price that may end) if you want bigger drinks and a lower price today.