Nespresso OriginalLine machines have been around for a long long time now. In fact, Nespresso was the first to introduce the concept of single-serve espresso makers well over 20 years ago. But as they lost the patent of their OriginalLine espresso pods, a lot of other companies now make Nespresso-compatible machines as well as pods.
When it comes to investing in a new coffee pod machine, two things you have to keep in mind:
- Pod compatibility
- And, pod availability or how easy they are to buy
Nespresso is one of the oldest pod coffee machines, which is why I will compare it to the newcomer, L’or Barista System.
In this post, I will break down the specs and features of L’OR’s Barista System (in the UK, known as L’OR Barista Sublime), and why I think you should actually choose it over other Nespresso machines!
L’or or Nespresso? Which Is Best?
Here’s the bottom line of what I really think you should buy…
When it comes to brewing espresso, both Nespresso OriginalLine and L’OR Barista System are quite comparable. Although I like that L’OR’s brewers has three different buttons giving you instant access to different brew sizes up to 3.7 oz for Espresso, while Nespresso has two that by defaults brews up to 2.7 oz, buy you can always reprogram it to your liking.
However, if you are a coffee drinker, L’OR’s Coffee capsules that can brew coffee up to 12 oz are a total game changer! It’s pretty much what Nespresso should have done instead of coming up with the Vertuo system.
If this is going to be your first Nespresso machine, I would totally recommend the L’OR Barista System, even if you don’t want to immediately use the coffee capsules. If you like Lattes and Cappuccino’s, I recommend adding an electric milk frother to your purchase.
With the L’or Barista you get:
- Pod compatibility with ALL Nespresso OriginalLine capsules (the small nespresso pods). That includes pods from Nespresso, L’or, or other brands like Starbucks, illy, Lavazza and many more.
- Coffee Pods (to brew cup sizes 5oz, 8 oz and 12 oz) are only available from L’OR.
- Pods are available online or at local grocery stores.
For me, L’OR Barista checks all the marks for a comprehensive coffee pod brewer that won’t limit you to one kind of pods.
L’OR Barista System vs. Nespresso – The Differences
To be fair, I will be comparing the L’OR Barista System to Nespresso OriginalLine machines like Essenza, Inissia, Citiz or even Lattissima machines. Because those machines use the same pods as L’OR’s. There’s also the Essenza Plus, which can be comparable to L’OR’s.
Let’s look at the most popular Nespresso OriginalLine model for this comparison, the Essenza Mini. Do note that the majority of OriginalLine machines by Nespresso have the same specs, apart from small differences like reservoir capacities or whether it has a built-in frother or not (Lattissima).
Serving Sizes
To start, all Nespresso OriginalLine machines are Espresso machines only. They make a single or double shots of espresso. So you have size of 1.35 oz for espresso and 2.7 oz for lungo.
L’OR has created a whole new option with their XL coffee capsules, no other OriginalLine machine has this option to brew up to 12 oz coffee using a LARGE capsule. To make coffee, Nespresso introduced the Vertuo system, which uses an entirely new line of pods.
L’or Pods vs Nespresso
Can I Use Nespresso Pods in L’or Machine?
Yes! As long as they are Nespresso OriginalLine capsules…
For espresso servings, both machines can use any OriginalLine capsules made either by Nespresso or other brands. With either machine, you can use Lor’s or Nespresso’s espresso or lungo capsules [learn about L’or pod compatibility]. You can also use 3rd party capsules from brands like Starbucks, Illy, Lavazza, Gourmesso… whichever pods are for Nespresso OriginalLine will work for L’OR’s Barista, too.
For coffee servings, which only the L’or Barista is able to do, you can only use Lor’s Coffee pods. This serving sizes is exclusive to L’or Barista System.
Related Post: Nespresso Caffeine Content
Brew Technology
Both Nespresso and L’OR use pump pressure to brew the capsules, which is what any espresso machine uses.
L’or has its own capsule recognition technology, which can tell whether you inserted an espresso capsule or coffee capsule and allows the brew selection buttons to brew the correct size for each capsule. While Nespresso Vertuo uses something similar, OriginalLine machines by Nespresso don’t since they only brew espresso.
Design and Dimensions
Both machines sport a slim and compact design, differences in size are barely considerable.
A special feature in L’or’s design is the double spout. While you might not make much of it, it is quite helpful when making larger coffees. Because you can use a large coffee pod but instead fill up two smaller cups instead of one. This is a feature that I’ve not seen in any other single-serve brewer.
Coffee Drinks You Can Make
Both systems, Nespresso or L’ORs can make espresso or any espresso based drinks like latte or cappuccino, you will have to get a separate milk froth, though. Espresso is the base of all coffee drinks, hot or cold. So whether you want to make hot or iced latte, cappuccino or macchiato, you can do it with either machine.
If you enjoy larger cup sizes of coffee, only L’OR’s Barista System has this selection.
L’or Coffee Machine Warranty
Your L’or coffee machine will come with a 2 year limited warranty. When you purchase the machine, make sure to head over to L’OR’s website to register your machine for warranty. You can also claim your warranty by providing a copy of your receipt, whether it’s from Amazon, L’or or any shop.
L’or vs Nespresso Vertuo – The Differences
Click to Read the full comparison of –> L’or vs Nespresso Vertuo . Below, you’ll find a quick comparison of the two coffee systems..
Since Nespresso has created their line of Vertuo machines to be able to brew espresso and full coffee cups (5 oz and 7.7 oz). I’ve written about my experience of Vertuo and OriginalLine, and why I prefer OriginalLine.
How does the Vertuo line compare to L’OR’s Barista?
Pod Availability and Compatibility
L’or Barista
Like I mentioned above, L’OR’s coffee machine uses either their own pods for espresso and lungo or any OriginalLine Compatible pods, including Nespresso’s own pods. For coffee servings, you’ll need to use L’or’s exclusive Coffee Pods, which brew sizes 5 oz, 8 oz and 12 oz. Pods are widely available from L’or’s own website, from Amazon or other retailers or grocery stores that sell OriginalLine compatible pods.
Nespresso Vertuo
Vertuo machines use their own independent capsules that are exclusive to Nespresso. All capsules from espresso size up to mug size 7.7 oz are only sold by Nespresso. And when Nespresso has finally brought back the Alto pod, which brews 12 oz of coffee, they made it exclusive to Nespresso Vertuo Next and Vertuo Pop machines only.
So while both Vertuo and L’or Barista can brew coffee as well as espresso, the exclusivity of Nespresso’s Vertuo pods is still a problem to many. Pods can be ordered from Nespresso’s website or from their Amazon store, or you can visit your local Nespresso boutique, so it’s not entirely hard to buy them, but it’s the limitation of pods available in comparison to OriginalLine that’s a problem to some users.
Philips L’or Barista vs Nespresso for Lattes – Which Is Best?
If you want a machine to make Lattes mostly, both machines will do just fine. However, they’ll need the help of a milk frother. L’OR Barista or Nesprsso can make the espresso, which is the base of the Latte, but to heat and froth the milk, you’ll need a separate milk frother.
Alternatively, If you want a push-button solution, you might want to consider a Lattissima machine instead, which is a Nespresso OriginalLine machine but with an integrated milk frother.
Also, have a look at the L’OR Barista Sublime vs L’OR Original, a model that includes a milk frother, but not available worldwide, yet.
Related Post: L’or Barista vs Keurig
Recommended Electric Milk Frothers to Consider
Planning on using your L’or Barista to make lattes or cappuccinos? Here are three milk frothers worth adding to your order.
I have hand picked these milk frothers to meet these criteria:
- Cost: All of these frothers cost $50 or less (as of the time or writing), which won’t add a lot to your L’or Barista order but will add a lot of value to your coffee station.
- Function: They can heat milk, froth hot milk or make cold froth for iced coffee drinks
- Milk Choices: These frothers will froth any type of milk or milk alternatives like almond milk, oat milk, coconut or soy milk. However, you should expect different results or froth densities from each type of milk, depending on its fat content.
Features of L’or Barista System
- Brew coffee pods and espresso with the L’OR BARISTA system one-cup coffee maker
- 19 bars of pressure: The L’OR BARISTA system pod coffee maker makes a shot of espresso with nice level of crema.
- 6 serving sizes: The L’OR BARISTA system creates 6 different beverage sizes through Dual-Capsule Recognition Technology.
- The L’OR BARISTA system is compatible with LOR single-serve coffee and espresso capsules and is also compatible with Nespresso OriginalLine capsules.
The L’OR Barista System is a revolutionary single-serve coffee and espresso maker that offers a perfect in-home cafe experience. The machine uses 19 bars of high pressure to produce a layer of smooth crema on top of each cup. It has Dual-Capsule Recognition Technology which enables it to brew 6 different beverage sizes. This feature is what sets it apart from any other Nespresso-compatible brewer, including Nespresso’s own machines.
This machine is a collaboration between L’OR Coffee and Philips.
Serving Sizes
Here’s what makes L’OR Barista System special, the serving sizes. To start, it makes both espresso and coffee, yes, that’s a full 12 oz cup of coffee!
The machine has three buttons for small, medium and large serving. Here’s how it works:
The Dual Capsule Recognition technology can recognize whether you have inserted an espresso capsule or coffee capsule, because coffee capsule are actually larger in size.
Then, it will activate the menu for said capsule type:
For Espresso, the serving sizes are:
- Small: 1.4 oz,
- Medium: 2.7 oz
- Large: 3.7 oz
As for coffee, the serving sizes are:
- Small: 5 oz
- Medium: 8 oz
- Large: 12 oz
Pod Compatibility
Espresso
L’or Barista System is a Nespresso-Compatible brewer, so it can brew any OriginalLine pod for espresso or other drinks like tea or hot chocolate. L’OR makes their own range of pods with many options of intensity and flavors. So when it comes to Espresso, you have a wide selection of pods to choose from. That includes that ever popular Starbucks capsules.
Coffee
When it comes to coffee, these pods are EXCLUSIVE to the L’or Barista System. Coffee pods look like the espresso pods, but they are larger in size as they contain more ground coffee.
Other features:
- 40 oz removable water reservoir
- 25-second heat up time
- Automatic used pod ejection.
- Double spout design allows you to serve two cups at the same time.
L’or Coffee Pods
The large coffee pod has two uses thanks to the machine’s double-spout design. One, is making a single-serve of coffee sized anywhere from 5oz to 12 oz. Or, you can use one single Coffee pod to serve two cups of espresso or Lungo, simple two cups instead of one under each spout to get two servings.
The Coffee pod excels in the 5 oz and 8 oz servings, but for some people, the 12 oz feels like a lighter brew that they don’t enjoy much.
How To Use L’or Coffee Pods
There is no special way to use these larger pods. All you have to do is lift the lid and insert them. The L’OR Barista will automatically recognize that you’ve inserted a coffee pod and the three serving size buttons will dispense 5 oz for the small size, 8 oz for the medium size or 12 oz for the large size.
To fill up two cups instead of one, all you have to do is place two cups under each spout and that way you split the dispensed amount of coffee and enjoy smaller serving of coffee without using more pods.
Related: What Pods To Use with L’or Barista
Cleaning and Maintaining the L’OR Barista System
The L’OR Barista System is pretty easy to maintain. The removable water tank, used capsule container and drip tray can be taken out for cleaning. Use a damp cloth or sponge to wipe the machine’s body. Don’t use harsh chemicals when cleaning it as this could damage its components.
The used capsule drawer, which is placed behind the drip tray holds up to 12 used capsules.
Can I Reprogram my Nespresso Serving Sizes to Make Large Coffee?
With Nespresso OriginalLine machines, it’s easy to reprogram your serving size to make more coffee than it makes by default. So, why not just do that to make a large cup of coffee?
The problem is that espresso pods don’t contain enough coffee grounds to make large cups of coffee. Of course you can increase your serving size (or decrease it) slightly, but not up to 12 oz as it will taste fully watered down.
This is why L’OR designed their Coffee pods, they’re larger in size, and they contain more ground coffee than an espresso pod. So brewing up to 12 oz of coffee will taste full bodied and strong.
Popular Questions and Answers
What’s Inside L’or Capsules?
They contain ground coffee only. Flavored pods include natural flavorings and no sugar.
Are L’or Pods Compatible With Nespresso Vertuo, Dolce Gusto or Keurig Machines?
No, L’OR espresso pods are only compatible with OriginalLine machines like Citiz, Inissia, Pixie, Essenza, or Lattissima and Breville Creatista models.
Where To Buy L’or Capsules
L’or capsules are available via Amazon or in major grocery stores.
Who Makes L’or Coffee?
L’or’s coffee and espresso capsules are manufactured in France by L’OR. The Barista System machine is manufactured in Europe by Philips.
