What’s The Difference Between The Nespresso Creatista Plus or Pro by Breville?
In my opinion, the Creatista range of Nespresso machines made by Breville are the best Nespresso machines out there. They are not cheap, but they are packed with features and functionality that you won’t find in other Nespresso models. If you love lattes and cappuccinos, you are going to love the Creatista. However, there is a big price gap between the two models currently available. The Plus has a suggested retail price of $649 while the Pro has a suggested price of $849. So what’s the difference between the Creatista Plus vs Pro to justify that $200? I’ll explain all that below to help you decide which one is right for you.
[Note for UK visitors: This summary also applies to the Creatista Plus by Sage or the Pro by Sage. The models are designed by Nespresso and made by it’s partners, Breville in the US and Sage in the UK]
Creatista Plus vs Pro: Most Important Similarities
Coffee Preparation Options
The Creatista is part of Nespresso’s OriginalLine. These espresso makers only brew a highly concentrated shot of coffee that is used in popular drinks such as lattes and cappuccinos. You won’t be able to make a regular 8 oz American cup of coffee with either the Creatista Plus or Pro. To have the option of preparing both espresso and regular coffee, you would have to get a VertuoLine machine.
The range of drinks you can prepare with the Creatista Plus or Pro with the push of some buttons is what makes these machines so special. Both models offer 7 drink options:
- Flat White
- Cappuccino
- Latte
- Latte Macchiato
- Espresso
- Lungo
- Ristretto
Milk Frothing
Both Creatista models have milk frothing and steaming built directly into the machine. They both use a fully automatic steam wand. This is a huge difference vs the more basic Nespresso Original models. No accessories like the Aeroccino are needed to make milk-based drinks. Just use the stainless steel milk jug that comes in the box to quickly and easily prep the milk. You’ll get a barista-quality micro foam that you can use to make latte art. Both the Creatista Plus and the Creatista Pro allow you to customize the default milk settings, with 8 texture levels and 11 temperatures.
To get the best results with the steam wand, you will want to use whole milk. This is true of just about all milk frothers, especially if you want to do latte art. I’m not a big fan of whole milk, so I’ve been using 2% and it works pretty well. I took the default froth level for cappuccinos up a notch and I get a level of froth that I’m happy with. Non-dairy milks generally don’t work as well if you are looking for textured milk froth or quality micro foam. That said, I’ve used soy milk a couple times for guests with allergies.
Creatista Plus vs Pro: The Most Significant Differences
Display Screen
The display screen is one of the most significant differences between the Creatista Plus vs the Pro. This is where you choose your drink and adjust any of the default settings. The Pro has an LCD color touchscreen that is bright and nice to look at. This is a bit larger and more advanced than the digital screen on the Plus which has more limited color and is not a touchscreen. To use the Creatista Plus, you have to use the dial and the START/CANCEL button to select your options on the display. I don’t mind the knob and button on my Plus, but if you really like the latest tech, this may be a reason to spring for the Pro.
ThermoJet Boilers
The ThermoJet is the name of Breville’s heating element. While both models use a ThermoJet system and heat up in a quick 3 seconds, the Creatista Plus only has a single heater while the Creatista Pro has a double one. This enable the Creatista Pro to brew espresso and prepare milk at the same time. In contrast, if you get the Creatista Plus you will have to brew espresso and prepare milk sequentially.
Hot Water Dispenser
While it is generally easy to use any Original Nespresso machine to make hot water, only the Creatista Pro has a separate hot water nozzle and the option to adjust hot water volume to seven different levels. The Creatista Plus hot water will come out of the same spout that the espresso comes from. That means that the first one or two times you run hot water, it could look a little yellow-brown from the coffee residue. If you like to add water to your espresso for a long black, you’ll have an easier time customizing it to your taste with the Pro. If you want to make an americano, I think it is easy to do that with either machine since you’ll want two or three espresso-sized shots of water.
Price
The Creatista Plus is among the most expensive Nespresso machines on the market. The suggested retail price is around $649. However, you may be able to find it on sale from time to time on Amazon, Bed Bath and Beyond and other retailers. The Creatista Pro usually sells for $849. It has more limited distribution, so you are likely to find it on Nespresso.com, Bloomingdales or Williams-Sonoma.
Creatista Plus vs Pro: Minor Differences
Design, Color & Size
The Creatista Plus and the Pro look very similar. They are definitely the most attractive Nespresso machines out there. Both come in a brushed stainless steel finish, but the . However, you may be able to find the Plus in other colors. at retailers like Williams-Sonoma, including Sea Salt White, Black Truffle, and Damson Blue.
If counterspace is a concern for you, the Creatista Plus is slightly shorter, less deep and less wide vs the Creatista Pro. The length of the power cord is the same for both models. The Pro is a bit heavier than the Plus.
| Creatista Plus | Creatista Pro | |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 15.4 x 12 x 6.7 inches | 16.9 x 12.9 x 7.7 inches |
| Cord Length | 47 inches | 47 inches |
| Weight | 11.4 lbs | 14.7 lbs |
Both models also have a cup tray that you can push in or out. This is helpful if you are making an espresso shot or cappuccino into a shorter glass as it will raise the glass closer to the coffee outlet. If you are using a larger glass for a latte, simply push the tray in and rest the glass on the drip tray.
Care And Maintenance
No matter which Creatista model you choose, you’ll want to learn how to take care of your espresso maker to protect your investment. There is regular cleaning you’ll want to do daily and weekly. This involves, among other things, emptying out the used pods container and refilling the water reservoir. Both the Creatista Plus and Pro hold 12 used capsule. However, vs the Plus, the Creatista Pro has a water tank that is a 34% bigger. That means you’ll need to refill it less often.
| Creatista Plus | Creatista Pro | |
|---|---|---|
| Descaling Alarm | Yes | Yes |
| Used Capsule Container Capacity | 12 pods | 12 pods |
| Removable Water Tank Capacity | 50.7 fl oz | 68 fl oz |
In addition to basic daily and weekly cleaning, you will want to do a deeper clean (called descaling) about every three months or so. Both the Creatista Plus and Pro enable you to set your water hardness levels and will alert you when it is time to descale. The display on either model will walk you through the detailed steps on how to descale. Both models come with a 2 year warranty.
Creatista Plus vs Pro Summary: Which One Should You Buy?
Both the Creatista Plus and Creatista Pro are top rated, high quality and reliable Nespresso machines. Which one is right for you comes down to whether or not some of the major and minor differences between the Creatista Pro vs Plus matter to you. That extra $200 for the Pro could be worth it if any or all of the following apply to you:
- You like the advanced and colorful touch screen technology
- Time matters to you and you want to shave off a few seconds of your drink prep by running espresso and milk at the same time
- You like to add water to your espresso and want the flexibility to be able to customize that
- Refilling the water tank less often sounds appealing to you
- You have the money to spare and you are not constrained by counter space
