My Morning Savior: This Compact, Affordable, and Easy-to-Use Coffee Maker Always Delivers a Great Cup

Hello everyone!

I've recently found myself relying on coffee to get me going in the morning. My old Nespresso machine was starting to leak, so I decided it was time to find a more affordable option. I thought I'd save money by switching to a grain coffee, but it turns out I'm now spending the same amount each week. Okay, maybe I'm being a bit dramatic, but it's true - I'm spending around 1000 rubles a month on coffee, which is roughly the same as buying a 200-gram bag of Indonesia Java Lavender AUGUST COFFEE, which lasts me a week.

My new best friendName: NIVONA CafeRomatica 520

Country: Portugal

Where to buy: electronics stores, DNS, M-Video, coffee shops, and online marketplaces

Price: from 44,000 to 99,000 rubles

I'm still not sure why there's such a big price range for this model - it's the same machine, with the same design. Maybe there are some extra features or details that I'm not aware of, but it seems like the price difference is just too big.

This machine is a great value for money, especially compared to similar models from Delonghi and Philips.

Technical specifications:

Power consumption, W: 1455

Pump pressure, bar: 15

Used coffee: grain, ground

Weight, kg: 8.4 kg

Voltage, V: 220-240

Frequency, Hz: 50-60

Water tank capacity, 2.2 l

Cap container capacity, 100 ml

Grain container capacity, 250 g

My partner was super responsible when it came to buying a coffee machine. I mean, almost as much as he was when buying a car. He even consulted with his barista friend. His friend recommended a machine for around $2,000: 'But if not that one, get the Nevona' - it's Portuguese, rarely breaks down, unlike the more expensive Delonghi and Philips models that are just too flashy. It's got an integrated grinder and a built-in frother.

I'm not exactly the type to jump for joy, but this purchase genuinely put a smile on my face. It's a coffee-lover's dream come true.

Design: The machine may be heavy, but it's not too big, doesn't take up too much space, and doesn't require a huge work surface.

Scaling Bottle of Milk I've noticed that the power button is on the side, and you don't need to press it hard - just a gentle touch will do. However, you do need to make sure the machine isn't right up against the wall, or your hand won't fit in to press the button.The body of the machine is made of a matte black plastic that's a magnet for dust and stains. It's right next to the stove, so it gets splattered with grease and spills, and I find myself wiping it down every week. The cappuccinator also tends to spray milk everywhere.

The machine has three compartments - two of which are hinged. On the left, there's a water reservoir that you can pull out, but it's more convenient to fill it from the top when it's in this position.

The right compartment is for coffee grounds, and you can fill it with a whole 200g pack.

There's a small display that shows you all the steps to make coffee, along with little prompts to tell you what button to press next. It's got warning signs and error messages too, or the machine just won't work.

Like, you need to add more water.

Or clean out the coffee grounds and water from the drip tray. The waste container can hold around 4 or 5 used coffee pods.

It's easy to pull out, empty, and get rid of the leftover coffee (the drip tray comes out easily too)But then there's this one that really caught me off guard. It turns out you need to descale it. I've lived in this house for 10 years, and not a single appliance has ever had lime buildup.

The flashing coffee beans on the display - add more beans if they're just burning out - that's all you need.

I was impressed by the adjustable flavor strength on the left side - you can choose from three settings.

The two buttons in the center of the display are pretty handy. Double-clicking the cup button makes the machine dispense two separate servings of coffee, while the second button starts the frother and warms the cups.

The lever on the right lets you turn on the frother by simply rotating it. It's basically just a tube that you need to dip into the milk container - I personally think it's not very sanitary to dip it directly into the milk packet, so I always pour the milk into a separate container first.

I let my husband take a closer look at the machine, and he ended up disassembling it down to the last screw. He even managed to put one of the parts on the wrong side, which fell inside the machine, and we had to take everything apart to get it out. It was a whole day's worth of work just to put it back together.

My expectations from this coffee machine:

Ease of use;A decent cup of coffee that won't break the bank;It shouldn't be too bulky;It shouldn't be too loud;It should be easy to use and maintain;Using it.

The most important pros of this machine are:

Automatic descaling

Adjustable coffee strength

Simultaneous brewing of two cups

Temperature control

Cup warming

I have to say, it's pretty straightforward to get started with this thing. First, you flip the switch on the side - it automatically turns off after about 10 minutes, so don't worry about that. Then, just follow the prompts on the display. You'll see an S icon light up, and the machine will start cleaning itself. In theory, it's supposed to do this in the drip tray, but I just use a small cup to catch the excess. When it's done cleaning, hit the S button again, and it'll start heating up the cups and activating the frothing mechanism. Don't even think about moving on until you see the frothing arm icon on the display - it's really important to do things in order and wait for each step. It might seem a bit slow the first time around, but trust me, it's worth it.

Next, just press the cup button on the panel - one press for a single serving, two presses for a double. You'll see the corresponding number of cup icons light up.

Just let the machine do its thing - you don't need to babysit it at all.

The result is a seriously delicious, aromatic cup of coffee with a thick layer of foam, just like you'd get at a coffee shop. And the best part? It's ridiculously convenient - you can have a boost of energy and happiness whenever you want, day or night.

After brewing, the machine self-cleans again and turns off.

If you're running low on beans, you'll need to top them up. But the built-in grinder is incredibly powerful and loud, so that's something to consider.

We use regular milk, although there is a special one for cappuccinos. This is a real test of the milk's quality! Some, especially those in cardboard packaging, just don't froth properly.

Coffee selection. Initially, my husband and I were splurging on various expensive blends from specialty coffee shops in St. Petersburg, expertly roasted right here in the city, and chosen by baristas and competition winners. We spent a lot of money. A 200-250g pack would set us back at least 1,000 rubles and up to 2,000. And... we came to the realization that they mostly differ in terms of aroma when brewing – this one has a strong chocolate note, that one has caramel, and that one has exotic undertones. But when you actually drink the coffee, at least when it comes to cappuccinos, there's not a huge difference. Some are more bitter, some less, some more acidic. In short, we wouldn't have won any cappuccino-making competitions.

We've since switched to a more budget-friendly option, but we don't go for the absolute cheapest – the difference is noticeable.

Ah, the intensity of the flavor really depends on the grind size - you can adjust it to your liking, whether it's finer or coarser. When you use a finer grind, the bitterness will hit you harder. If you're using beans with a strong acidic taste, a finer grind will only amplify that.

One of the best things about this machine is that you can just add pre-ground coffee right in.

Maintenance. Besides the usual wipe-down with a cloth, you'll need to take care of the steam wand. You can detach it and give it a good rinse under the tap, or run some hot water through it a few times (just don't use milk). That's usually enough to get rid of any buildup, but the narrow tube can be a problem - it's prone to drying out and getting that stale or musty smell. We like to soak the parts in a lemon juice solution every now and then.

You'll need to get some machine oil to keep the brew group running smoothly.

And occasionally, you'll need to descale it. But don't worry, my husband takes care of that - he only does it every few months.

Pros and Cons

+

It produces a rich, creamy foam;The coffee tastes amazing, with a more pronounced flavor than when I use a French press or pour-over;It's not too complicated to use (although some models are even simpler);The built-in grinder is incredibly powerful;It's not too expensive;I can use it as a thermos, which is a huge plus;I can brew two cups at once, which is a game-changer for me;The height is adjustable;It doesn't take up too much space;There's a flavor intensity control, which is a nice touch;-

That being said, some models are even more basic;There's no milk container or dedicated compartment;It can be pretty loud;Brewing coffee from beans can be a bit pricey, even if it's cheaper than buying it from a cafe or vending machine;Verdict. This machine has been a game-changer for me every morning, giving me a much-needed energy boost. It's easy to use, although it can be a bit finicky at times – the display always makes it clear what I need to do next. Is it worth the cost? Honestly, I've found that using capsules has been cheaper for me in the long run.

I hope everyone can find their own happiness in a machine like this that brings joy to their daily routine!