Nespresso C121 vs D121

Nespresso C121 vs D121

Whipping up some great-tasting coffee is effortless with a Nespresso machine.  It is an automatic and convenient espresso machine without any hassle as it only requires you to place a capsule and push a button. Nespresso’s CitiZ line of coffee makers features reprogrammable espresso cup sizes. In this article, let us compare the Nespresso C121 Vs. D121 models of the CitiZ line and get to know their differences, similarities and features.

Nespresso C121 

The Nespresso C121 is manufactured by Nespresso of Nestle S.A. based in Lausanne, Switzerland. The word Nespresso comes from the words Nestle and Espresso.  The C121 model is made of plastic and weighs around 10 pounds.  It comes in the colors titanium, aluminum and fire engine red. 

The C121 features easy insertion and ejection of capsules and can hold 10 used capsules. It has an integrated aeroccino milk frother and a one-touch preparation of hot or cold milk froth for latte, macchiato and iced cappuccino. The model has a fast preheating time of 25 seconds, a 19 bar high-pressure pump and automatically turns off after nine minutes of inactivity.  

The C121 has a pivoting cup tray that can hold tall recipe glasses and the model has an automatic and programmable quantity of coffee volume for espresso and lungo. The latter is an Italian-style coffee that is less strong but more bitter compared to an espresso. The coffee maker has compact brewing unit technology with a fast preheating time of one minute thanks to the Thermoblock heating element. 

  • Product dimension : 14.6 x 9.3 x 10.9 inches 
  • Item weight:  10 pounds 
  • Voltage capacity: 110 volts 

Pros and cons

Pros 

  • You can enjoy a wide range of beverages and milk-based coffee recipes like cappuccino, latte and macchiato.
  • It is easy to use.
  • It features advanced technology. 
  • It serves your favorite cup of joe in a jiffy. 

Cons 

  • It was not too durable compared with other models.
  • It is not designed to be removable from the base and cannot be brought on road trips. 

Nespresso D121 

The Nespresso D121 is also manufactured by Nespresso of Nestle S.A. It is also made of plastic and available in colors like classic white, limousine black and silver. It uses buttons as human interface input. 

The model features easy capsule insertion and ejection and can hold up to 10 used capsules. You should only use Nespresso coffee capsules for the best results. It has a removable 34-ounce water tank along with an integrated aeroccino milk frother that prepares hot or cold milk froth for cappuccino, macchiato, latte and iced cappuccino. 

This Nespresso model has a compact brewing unit technology with fast preheating time of 25 seconds and a 19 bar high-pressure pump. The coffee machine automatically turns off after nine minutes of inactivity just like the earlier model. You can switch it on by pushing either the espresso or lungo buttons at the top. The container capacity is nine to 11 used capsules and the pivoting cup tray can accommodate tall recipe glasses. 

  • Product dimensions: 14.6 x 9.3 x 10.9 inches 
  • Item weight: 13.56 pounds
  • Voltage capacity: 120 volts

Pros and cons 

Pros

  • It has a large water reservoir. 
  • It is great for making quick coffee with minimal cleanup.
  • It is functional and saves energy.
  • It is simple to use. 

Cons

  • The bottom leak tray did not fit well. 
  • There is no power button.

Nespresso C121 Vs. D121

The Nespresso C121 and D121 both have the same manufacturer and they are mostly identical when it comes to basic features.  The differences are mainly the weight, colors, switch button positions and voltage capacity. Both models are updated versions of the C120 and D120 with slight price differences. 

Both the C121 and D121 have the aeroccino feature which is a great milk frother. It is activated separately from the coffee machine and produces hot or cold frothed milk in just a minute. 

There are other small differences:

  • The Nespresso C121 has a wider and flatter spout with a modern look while the D121 has a narrow spout with a retro touch. 
  • The Nespresso C121 has dotted drip grids while the D121 has slotted drip grids.
  • The Nespresso C121 has buttons that are located behind the coffee lever while the D121 are located on the sides of the coffee lever.
  • The Nespresso C121 has a horizontal notch on its side panels while the D121 does not have this feature. 

Our choice:  Nespresso D121 

Conclusion 

Choose Nespresso C121 if:

  • If you prefer a coffee machine with advanced technology and a modern touch. 
  • If you do not travel a lot and like to enjoy your cup of joe at home or the office. 

Choose Nespresso D121 if:

  • If you are always entertaining coffee-lover guests at home.
  • If you enjoy milk-based coffee but also like your machine to have that retro touch. 

Image: istockphoto.com / eyewave