Australian Review: Nespresso Prodigio & Milk Bluetooth coffee machine – A sip of the future

Other than Bluetooth connectivity and a companion smartphone app, the Prodigio is a fairly standard Nespresso machine, built to the same specifications as every other Nespresso machine. Provided you're using the same pod, all Nespresso machines will theoretically make an identical black coffee. Adding milk changes this slightly; different Nespresso machines have different frothing mechanisms. The Prodigio includes an "Aeroccino", a cylindrical frother that operates independently from the main machine. It froths well enough, but it adds a separate step to the process.

Since the Prodigio doesn't have a milk jug (to facilitate making a cappuccino by just pressing one button, for example), I've typically just drunk my coffee black. The Aeroccino can also be a bit tricky to clean due to its cramped design. As such, frothing with the Prodigio often ends up in my "too hard" basket.

The Aeroccino's independent design means there's no way to use the Nespresso app to froth your milk. Leaving milk out overnight wouldn't really be a great idea either, so I don’t really see a way around this unless there's a tiny fridge built into the company's next connected coffee maker. 

While there's some debate as to the quality of Nespresso's coffee capsules, the system's main appeals are simplicity and consistency. You slide back a cover, pop in a capsule, select your coffee size, and you've got fresh coffee in a matter of seconds. It's worth noting that while you're locked into using capsules, you don't have to buy these from Nespresso. Thanks to the ecosystem's popularity, many roasters – both big and small – have begun offering their coffee in compatible pods.