If you’re shopping around for your first Nespresso machine, or maybe you already own one, you must have noticed how Nespresso is really doubling down on their efforts to sell the Vertuo machines.
In a previous post, I have answered the question of whether or not Vertuo is being discontinued. This led to another question: Is Nespresso discontinue OriginalLine machines and pods?
The short answer is no. Nespresso will not discontinue OriginalLine machines or pods.
To understand why Nespresso OriginalLine is here to stay, we have to understand how far back it goes and how Nespresso simply cannot give up on it or its capsules.
The Start of Nespresso
OriginalLine is the name that Nespresso now uses to refer to their ‘older’ coffee machines, which came out way before Nespresso Vertuo. Originalline models specialize in making espresso drinks only and use the small Nespresso pods.
Nespresso started back in 1986 with the idea of making espresso available easily to every one at home, without the complication of using a traditional Espresso machine.
Single serve espresso machines and coffee capsules were started by Nespresso for more than 30 years. Ever since, ‘OriginalLine’ machines, which did not have that name back then, became available in every household, business venue and hotels.
Not only Nespresso sold millions of their machines, but they also owned the patent to their espresso capsules. Which means, they were the only ones who could sell Nespresso OriginalLine capsules.
Eventually, the patent came to an end.
Nespresso Patent Expiration
Sometime around the 2012, Nespresso’s capsule patent came to an end. And now, 3rd party coffee makers can make Nespresso OriginalLine capsules and millions of Nespresso machine owners can now get their pods from anywhere. This is a huge loss to Nespresso.
So, how do they solve this problem?
New patent and a new brewing system – Enter: Nespresso Vertuo.
Pod Design Change
Why Did Nespresso Change Pods?
Since Nespresso has lost the patent to Nespresso OriginalLine capsules, they had to come up with a new patented capsule design that only Nespresso can sell to keep the profits to themselves.
That’s when the came out with the Nespresso Vertuo line, a new line of coffee machines that uses new capsule design, exclusive to Nespresso.
Vertuo was created for two main reasons:
- Patented pod design and brewing technology that only Nespresso can sell.
- It makes espresso as well as coffee, which makes it more appealing to North American customers who prefer larger cups of coffee to espresso.
With that, and since 2014, Nespresso has shifted focus to their new Vertuo system and is investing heavily on making it their ‘main’ line of machines.
Will They Phase Out OriginalLine Machines and Pods?
With Vertuo now being Nespresso’s main ‘money maker’, will they phase out OriginalLine machines and pods?
No, Nespresso will not discontinue or phase out OriginalLine machines or pods. Here’s why:
1- Nespresso still makes a lot of money from OriginalLine. Millions of people own their older Nespresso machines either at home, office, dorms, or hotels. They still have to cater to these customers.
2- Nespresso is still actively producing OriginalLine capsules, releasing new capsules and limited edition pods.
3- Not everyone is happy about Nespresso’s exclusivity to Vertuo pods, myself included (I gave up my VertuoPlus for an OriginalLine machine). Customers are still buying OriginalLine machines everyday.
4- Nespresso still sells OriginalLine machines on their website and Boutiques. Also through their partners like DeLonghi, Breville or Krups and Magimix.
Discontinuing OriginalLine machines and pods would lead to Nespresso losing a lot of money and market share.
Related: Nespresso Pod Caffeine Content Chart
Discontinued Nespresso OriginalLine Models
Nespresso OriginalLine machines that are now discontinued are:
- Nespresso Inissia
- Nespresso Essenza Plus
- Nespresso U
- Nespresso Expert
As for Nespresso Vertuo, none of the Vertuo line models have been discontinued. Nespresso Evoluo was renamed as Nespresso Vertuo (read: Is Nespresso Evoluo discontinued?)
Let’s have a look at each of these Nespresso machines
Nespresso Inissia
Nespresso Inissia is still a best-selling Nespresso OriginalLine machine to this day, even though it’s been discontinued for a long time now. Many people prefer it for its compact size and vibrant colors. And it’s also available in neutral colors like black, grey or white.
Nespresso replaced Inissia with Essenza Mini, which is an even slimmer design, but both perform equally well.
Inissia has two serving sizes:
Espresso – Lungo
It uses Nespresso OriginalLine capsules. Same goes for its replacement, Nespresso Essenza Mini, which is still available from Nespresso.
Related posts:
Nespresso Essenza Plus
Nespresso Essenza Plus is a unique Nespresso OriginalLine model that has unfortunately been discontinued.
I already named it the best Nespresso machine for Americano because it was designed for exactly that.
This model features a hot water dispenser to add hot water directly to your shot of espresso to create a cup of Americano. In total, it makes 4 different sizes of coffee and hot water. It uses Nespresso OriginalLine capsules, which are available from Nespresso or 3rd party brands.
I am assuming this model was discontinued because it would overshadow Nespresso Vertuo, since it can make longer cups of coffee using branded or non-branded Nespresso pods.
But if you are lucky, you’ll still find one to buy from retailers other than Nespresso. This model was never popular because it wasn’t advertised enough by Nespresso, so it is harder to find. But I did manage to find that Breville still sells it (at the time of writing).
What Is The Difference Between Nespresso Essenza Plus vs Essenza Mini?
While they share the same name, Essenza Plus featured a dedicated hot water dispenser and two additional serving sizes.
Essenza Mini does not have a dedicated hot water dispenser and only has espresso and lungo as serving sizes.
Other than that, they do share a somewhat similar slim design. And they do use the same OriginalLine pods.
Nespresso U
This model was discontinued several years ago. It got named U because of its modular design that adapts to your space. It was the first Nespresso machine to have a repositionable water reservoir.
Other than that design feature, Nespresso U works like any other Nespresso Original machine. It does two servings: Espresso and Lungo, and it uses Nespresso Original capsules.
This model is pretty hard to find nowadays. And frankly, there’s no need to look it up. There is nothing special about it. You can buy the Nespresso Inissia or Essenza Mini for the same functions.
Nespresso Expert
Nespresso Expert is truly unique in its designs and features.
Unlike other Nespresso OriginalLine machines that are compact in size, the Expert model was a larger machine. It used rotary control buttons that no other Nespresso machine has.
It had two rotary buttons:
- Serving size: it made 4 cup sizes (Ristretto, Espresso, Lungo, Americano (Espresso + hot water).
- Temperature: it had temperature control
Temperature control is something so many Nespresso users dream of to this day, but it’s not on any Nespresso machine other than the discontinued Nespresso Expert. (Breville Creatista has some temperature control)
Other than design features, Nespresso Expert was also the first Nespresso machine to offer Bluetooth connectivity.
Why Was It Discontinued?
Due to unpopular demand, because of its high price point and larger footprint, Nespresso Expert was discontinued eventually. Also, the Bluetooth feature wasn’t something that users were looking for or interested in when the machine first came out.
Is a Discontinued Model Still Supported by Nespresso?
So if you decided to buy a discontinued machine, will you still receive support from Nespresso?
Yes, provided that your Nespresso purchase is new. Your warranty and support will start at your purchase date, even if it’s a discontinued model.
But if you buy a used Nespresso machine, even if it’s a discontinued model, you will receive support but your machine won’t be covered by Warranty (unless the seller was able to provide you with a valid warranty).
Current Nespresso Original Models
There are SO many options for Nespresso OriginalLine machines. You can buy Nespresso’s own models, or get an OriginalLine from a 3rd part brands.
Nespresso’s current OriginalLine models are:
- Nespresso CitiZ
- Nespresso Pixie
- Nespresso Essenza Mini
- Nespresso Creatista line – Made with Breville
- Nespresso Lattissima line – Made with DeLonghi
For an OriginalLine from a 3rd party brand, I highly recommend L’or Barista System.
Related: Cheaper Nespresso Original Machine Alternatives
Discontinued Original Pods
Nespresso has discontinued many of their OriginalLine capsules, but they have replaced them with newer ones. For example:
- Nespresso Single Origin range was discontinued, but it has been replaced by the Nespresso World Explorations range and the Master Crafted Single Origins. Both are practically the same thing, but with newer names and packages.
- Flavored capsules were recently renamed: Vanilla is now called Vaniglia, Chocolate is called Cioccolatino, and Hazelnut is Nocciola. These names are more in line with Nespresso’s Italian roots.
- Also, Nespresso periodically releases Limited edition capsules, which are only available for a limited time and then discontinued.
So, while some Nespresso OriginalLine capsules can come and go, some get renamed or rebranded, the are not discontinued.
Should You Still Buy a Nespresso Original Machine?
To wrap up this post, and now that you know OriginalLine will not be discontinued, the question is: Is it viable to buy a Nespresso Originalline, when Nespresso has now Vertuo?
Yes, absolutely!
If you want a Nespresso OriginalLine, it’s totally worth it to get one. Especially if you are mostly making espresso based drinks (espresso, latte, cappuccino…).
There’s no reason you should lock yourself up to Nespresso’s own capsules when you can buy your OriginalLine espresso capsules practically from anywhere.
