Contents
The successor to the NICR 8 series comes with a new brewing group that is supposed to make everything even better. The test of the Nivona NIVO 8000 shows whether this is successful.
Table of contents
- The new brewing group is convincing
- Integrated milk system
- Simple control via rotary or app
- Outstanding espresso
- Not suitable for the dishwasher
- Nivona NIVO 8000: prices and models
- Nivona NIVO 8101 in the test: conclusion
Next to the Hybrid coffee machine Cube 4 Nivona presented another innovation, the NIVO 8000 series, at IFA 2023 (September 1st to 5th in Berlin). The successor to the upper classFully automatic coffee machines The NICR 800 series didn’t cause as much of a stir as the “coffee cube”. But a technical innovation made fans of bean infusion sit up and take notice when they tried it out. We have tested the Nivona NIVO 8101 extensively and revealed what it is all about.
The new brewing group is convincing
The big special feature of the Nivona NIVO 8101 is the newly designed brewing group. Compared to the previous brewing units in the previous models, the so-called “RomanticaPlus” is more compact and has a closed design. In this way, fewer coffee residues end up inside the machine and the maintenance effort is significantly reduced. For weekly cleaning, the brewing group is removed from behind the service flap on the right, rinsed under running water, dried briefly and can then be reinserted straight away. Nivona recommends in the very detailed operation manual cold water, but warm water shouldn’t cause any problems.
Even apart from maintenance, the brewing group does an excellent job and, in conjunction with the other device elements, ensures excellent coffee results. The entire concept appears sophisticated because it has a positive impact on all areas of the fully automatic coffee machine. For this reason, the Nivona NIVO 8000 gets a small upgrade for the new brewing group.
Integrated milk system
On the top right you will find the bean container of the Nivona NIVO 8101. Up to 250 grams of whole coffee beans can fit here. A conical grinder made of stainless steel works one floor below. And it’s particularly quiet: In our test, the machine emitted a maximum of 52 decibels during espresso preparation – the top value to date among the fully automatic coffee machines tested. The grinding level can be adjusted to five levels using the slider behind the service flap on the right side.
The water tank is on the left side and can be removed upwards. Around 1.8 liter capacity is sufficient for daily use in most households. Optionally, a Claris filter cartridge can be inserted into the designated position in the tank. This allows you to improve the general water quality and means you have to descale the device less often. The water is pumped through the pipes by a 15 bar pump.
For the preparation of milk coffee drinks, the Nivona NIVO 8000 has an integrated milk system, the “OneTouch DUOplus”. There is a removable cappuccinatore in the central spout (height adjustable from 8.5 to 14.5 cm; double cover possible). The rubber hose provided is inserted into the spout on the right, the other end goes into the milk container. Great: Two milk drinks can be prepared at the same time. Not every fully automatic coffee machine can master this art.
Simple control via rotary or app
The Nivona NIVO 8101 is operated via a smooth-running knob, which the manufacturer calls a “rotary”, and a color display. A well-known concept that has worked well with Nuremberg’s previous machines. This also applies to the 8000 series: the menu navigation is self-explanatory and precise after a short period of getting used to it. By turning the knob you can navigate between the individual coffee programs; a short press starts preparation.
If you hold the button down, you will go to the recipe menu, where you can adjust the drink parameters. These include the coffee strength (five levels), temperature (three levels), the amount of coffee (20 to 240 milliliters), the amount of milk (foam) and the amount of water. The “Aroma Balance System” is also back on board and now offers five profiles (“Quick”, “Dynamic”, “Constant”, “Harmonic” and “Intense”). This changes the brewing parameters, especially the throughput time of the water during preparation. In practice, however, we always recommend using the “Constant” setting.
In addition to the rotary knob, the NIVO 8000 can be controlled via the Nivona app (iOS and Android). The connection works via Bluetooth, online registration or WLAN (except for downloading the application) is not necessary. As with the other app-enabled Nivona machines, operation is extremely easy. The app is intuitive and logical, offers useful functions and instructions and makes customizing the drinks child’s play. There are nine in total own recipes create, name, save and control via the favorites menu (in the app and on the fully automatic machine itself). There is also a small upgrade for the practical app control.
Outstanding espresso
With the Nivona NIVO 8101 you have the choice between six factory-installed coffee programs. The three drinks without milk include coffee, Americano and espresso. In the taste test, the latter classic showed outstanding balance. The mixture of acidity and bitterness is unparalleled, the espresso is very full-bodied, has a good strength and is also convincing in terms of temperature and smell. In addition, the different flavors come into their own wonderfully. The Nivona machine gets a huge amount out of the coffee beans and ranks among the top machines Siemens, Miele, law and DeLonghi and comes dangerously close to portafilter machines. Similarly, the espresso crema also scores points in all areas.
Many users rely on fully automatic machines, especially because of the milk coffee drinks. You can choose between cappuccino, latte macchiato and caffè latte. The milk foam reaches the cup nice and hot and creamy and also tastes great. Anyone who likes to drink cappuccinos etc. will definitely get their money’s worth here. Aside from coffee drinks, the Nivona NIVO 8000 has programs for milk foam and hot water.
Not suitable for the dishwasher
When it comes to care and maintenance, the Nivona NIVO 8101 also performs well. The fully automatic coffee machine notifies you in good time when cleaning or descaling is required and indicates when the water tank needs to be filled or the drip tray and the pulp container need to be emptied. Automatic programs with cleaning tablets or descaling agents are available for thorough cleaning of the machine and descaling. There are also simple rinsing programs for the coffee circuit and the milk pipes. Cleaning the brewing group is also easy – as described above. Last but not least, the maintenance status can be viewed at any time via the settings menu.
Simply wipe the housing with a damp cloth, it works effortlessly overall. According to the instructions, the individual parts – i.e. the drip tray including the drip grid, pulp container, cappuccinatore, milk hose and water tank – must not be put in the dishwasher, otherwise warranty claims could be void. However, cleaning by hand with a dish or bottle brush, sponge and dishwashing liquid is easy. You can find tips and tricks for using and maintaining your fully automatic coffee machine in our guide.
Nivona NIVO 8000: prices and models
The Nivona fully automatic coffee machines from the NIVO 8000 series are available in two color versions that are technically identical. In addition to the tested model in black (model number: 8101), there is a variant in titanium gray (model number: 8103). Depending on the version, the price is around 1,169 to 1,249 euros – appropriate for the scope of services.
Test results
Test results
| Nivona NIVO 8101 | |
|---|---|
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Color variants: Black (8101), titanium gray (8103) Price: 1,169 euros Power / pressure: 1500 watts / 15 bar Water tank / coffee bean container capacity: 1.8 l / 250 g |
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Furnishing |
Central spout height adjustable up to 14.5 cm 2 cup spouts Water filter and powder compartment available 6 (espresso, coffee, Americano, cappuccino, latte macchiato, caffè latte) Adjustment of coffee quantity, milk quantity, temperature and grinding degree possible Up to 9 favorites Grade: 1.8 |
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Service & |
Instruction manual very detailed Easy to operate via rotary knob and display Espresso taste and crema quality very good Even more practical milk system with hose and frother in the central spout Grade: 1.6 |
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cleaning |
Programs for descaling and cleaning available, water hardness adjustment possible Easy to clean surface, water tank, drip tray and pulp container, no dishwasher-safe parts Brewing group can only be cleaned by hand (removal from the side) Grade: 2.0 |
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Technical tests |
Average power consumption when making espresso, low in standby Very quiet grinder Somewhat uncompact design Grade: 2.2 |
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Upgrades |
Intuitive app controls Excellent brewing group -0.2 |
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Test results |
good (grade: 1.6) |
Nivona NIVO 8101 in the test: conclusion
The fully automatic coffee machines from Nivona’s NIVO 8000 series have practically no weaknesses and are convincing across the board. The coffee quality is outstanding, the equipment and technology are good and the handling, both in everyday use and in terms of care, works without any problems. Thanks in particular to the new brewing group, the NIVO 8000 is becoming the new top device in the Nuremberger range and can easily compete with the competition.
