Breville CitiZ&milk BEC660CRO (Chrome) Review: Introduction
If you’re searching for a reliable, stylish, and hassle-free way to make great coffee at home, this Breville CitiZ&milk BEC660CRO (Chrome) review is for you. Based on a compelling 28 customer reviews, this Breville-manufactured Nespresso machine stands out as a crowd-pleaser, boasting an excellent average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars. An overwhelming majority—19 out of 28 users—awarded it a perfect 5-star score, praising its consistent performance, elegant chrome design, and incredible ease of use. This machine isn’t about barista-level complexity; it’s about delivering a quick, delicious, and creamy coffee at the push of a button, day after day. Whether you’re replacing a worn-out machine or entering the world of capsule coffee for the first time, this analysis will show you why the Breville CitiZ&milk is consistently hailed as one of the best investments for the home kitchen.
Key Features of Breville CitiZ&milk BEC660CRO (Chrome)
The Breville CitiZ&milk BEC660CRO is more than just a Nespresso machine; it’s a complete, integrated coffee station. Its standout feature is the built-in, aeroccino-style milk frother that is physically attached to the machine’s stand, creating a sleek, unified look and saving valuable counter space. It operates with Nespresso’s proprietary 19-bar high-pressure pump system, designed to extract maximum flavor and produce that signature crema on every cup. The machine is constructed with a premium chrome and plastic finish, offering a modern and durable aesthetic. Key functional aspects include a removable 1-liter water tank, a used capsule container that holds approximately 10-12 pods, and an adjustable cup height to accommodate everything from espresso cups to travel mugs. The operation is brilliantly simple: lift the lever, insert a capsule, close the lever, and press one of two buttons for either an espresso or a lungo. This focus on streamlined functionality is exactly why, in this Breville CitiZ&milk BEC660CRO (Chrome) review, we see such high user satisfaction.
Breville CitiZ&milk BEC660CRO (Chrome) review: Pros & Cons
Based on the aggregated feedback from 28 users, the pros of the CitiZ&milk are dominant, with only a few minor cons noted by a small fraction of owners.
Pros
- Consistently Excellent Coffee: The most praised feature. Users report it “delivers a perfect coffee every time” with a good crema. It makes “great tasting coffee” that can turn a non-coffee drinker into an enthusiast.
- Incredibly Easy & Quick to Use: Simplicity is its superpower. Reviewers love that they can “drag myself out of bed still sleep walking and have a coffee ready within a couple of minutes.” It’s repeatedly described as “simple,” “easy,” and “quick.”
- Excellent Integrated Milk Frother: The attached frother is a huge hit. It makes “a nice rich froth” without burning the milk, works for both hot and cold froth for iced lattes, and keeps the setup tidy.
- Reliable and Durable: Many users report years of trouble-free service. One customer’s machine is “still running strong” after 5+ years, while another updated after 4 years only to return to the CitiZ because they preferred it.
- Easy to Clean and Maintain: Daily maintenance is minimal. The drip tray, water tank, and capsule container are easily removed and rinsed. The frother is also noted as simple to clean if done promptly.
- Sleek, Space-Saving Design: The chrome finish looks premium in any kitchen, and the integrated design means it “doesn’t take up too much room.”
Cons
- Milk Frother Lid is Fragile: A few users mentioned the plastic lid on the milk frother can break easily, which is a minor but noted design flaw.
- Water Tank and Drip Tray Could Be Larger: Some heavy users find they need to refill the water tank and empty the drip tray/capsule container more often than they’d like. The drip tray, in particular, can fill with water from the cleaning cycle.
- Coffee Temperature Can Vary: A couple of reviewers noted the coffee isn’t as piping hot as they’d like, with one suggesting to pre-heat cups. Another mentioned needing to rinse/run the machine once before the first coffee of the day to ensure hot water.
- Can Be Noisy and Vibrate: A minority of users describe it as “extremely noisy” or noted it vibrates enough to rattle a light cup. This seems to be a point of variance between units.
- Frother Capacity Limits: One user pointed out the frother doesn’t hold enough milk for a large cup, requiring two batches.
Customer Experience Analysis
The customer sentiment for the Breville CitiZ&milk is overwhelmingly positive, making it a standout product in the capsule machine market. The rating distribution tells the story: 5/5 (19 reviews), 4/5 (5 reviews), 3/5 (2 reviews), 2/5 (2 reviews). A remarkable 86% of reviewers (24 out of 28) are satisfied (4 or 5 stars), with the vast majority in the “delighted” category. Of these, 7 are verified purchases, adding weight to the praise.
The positive experiences are characterized by words like “perfect,” “reliable,” “easy,” and “best.” Users often frame it as a transformative appliance: “I can’t go to work without having a perfect flat white everyday.” Many are long-term owners, with reviews spanning from 2017 to 2022, consistently reporting years of dependable service. The machine inspires genuine affection, with one user stating they “can’t imagine life without it.”
The negative experiences (the four 2 and 3-star reviews) are isolated and focus on specific quirks: noise, temperature, and a design complaint about the water tank lid. There are no widespread reports of mechanical failure, leaking, or catastrophic breakdowns that plague other machines. Even the critical reviews often concede the coffee tastes good. This consistency over years and across many users points to excellent manufacturing quality control from Breville.
“We’ve tried the rest, returned to the best! We love this machine and have used it for over 4 years now… we actually preferred the ease of the citiz and milk.”
Breville CitiZ&milk BEC660CRO (Chrome) Performance Review
Performance is where the CitiZ&milk truly shines, excelling in the core metrics that matter most for a home capsule machine.
Brew Performance & Coffee Quality: The 19-bar pump delivers consistently. Users report excellent crema and rich flavor, especially with genuine Nespresso capsules. The machine handles a wide variety of compatible pods from supermarkets (Coles, Woolworths), though a few users note that the very cheapest pods can sometimes get stuck or yield variable results. The consensus is clear: for a quick, push-button coffee, the quality is superb and highly repeatable.
Milk Frothing Performance: The integrated frother is a key part of this Breville CitiZ&milk BEC660CRO (Chrome) review’s positive verdict. It is praised for producing fine, creamy foam without scalding the milk—a common fault in cheaper frothers. Its ability to make cold froth for iced beverages is a beloved bonus for summer. Performance depends on proper cleaning; users who rinse it immediately after use report no issues, while those who don’t may encounter burnt-on milk residue.
Ease of Use & Daily Operation: Performance here is perfect. The workflow is intuitive: fill the tank, add milk to the frother, insert a pod, and press a button. The machine heats up in seconds. This effortless operation is repeatedly cited as the main reason for daily use and satisfaction.
Cleaning & Maintenance Performance: Daily cleaning is straightforward. The used capsule bin fills up predictably, and the drip tray is easy to empty. The descaling process, guided by the machine’s indicator light, is described as simple to follow. The only maintenance note is the need to replace the milk frother if the lid breaks or if it’s not kept clean, but spare parts are available.
Durability & Longevity Performance: Perhaps the most impressive performance metric is time. Reviews from 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2022 all report the same reliable operation. Users talk about 4, 5, and even more years of daily use without issue. This long-term reliability is a testament to Breville’s build quality and sets it apart from machines that fail shortly after the warranty expires.
Value for Money Assessment
Priced in the mid-range for Nespresso machines (often found on sale around $199-$250 AUD), the Breville CitiZ&milk represents outstanding value for money, a fact echoed by nearly every review.
The value proposition is multi-faceted. First, it eliminates daily takeaway coffee costs, with many users stating it paid for itself within months. Second, it offers the convenience and quality of a café-style milk coffee at home, saving time and effort. Third, and most importantly, its durability means this value extends over many years, not just the first 12 months. As one user who owned it for over 5 years noted, it’s a gift that keeps giving.
When compared to cheaper, no-name pod machines or even other Nespresso models, the Breville-built reliability, the integrated frother design, and the premium materials justify the price. The few users who felt it wasn’t “hot enough” or was “noisy” likely had specific preferences, but they are a small minority against a sea of users who feel they got more than their money’s worth. The consistent sentiment is that while the initial outlay might seem significant, the long-term cost-per-coffee and joy-per-use metric is exceptionally favorable.
Check Breville CitiZ&milk BEC660CRO (Chrome) on Amazon for the latest price
Alternatives to Breville CitiZ&milk BEC660CRO (Chrome)
While the CitiZ&milk is highly recommended, it’s wise to consider the landscape:
- For a More Compact Option: The Nespresso Essenza Mini is a fantastic, tiny machine that brews the same great coffee. You would need to purchase a separate milk frother (like the Aeroccino), which makes the total footprint larger and cost similar.
- For Larger Households: The Breville Vertuo Plus or Nespresso Vertuo Next machines use a different capsule system that makes larger cup sizes (mug-sized coffee) in addition to espresso. This is great if you primarily drink long blacks or americanos, but the capsule ecosystem is different and often more expensive than OriginalLine pods.
- For Built-in Milk Automation: The Nespresso Lattissima series (made by De’Longhi) features a built-in milk reservoir that automatically froths and dispenses milk. It’s more hands-off for milk-based drinks but has more parts to clean and is typically more expensive.
- For a Different Ecosystem (K-Cups): If you prefer the wider availability of K-Cups, machines from Keurig are the alternative. However, they generally don’t produce true espresso pressure and are aimed more at filter-style coffee.
You can explore a wide range of Nespresso machines on Amazon or visit the Breville Nespresso lineup to compare models directly.
Breville CitiZ&milk BEC660CRO (Chrome) review: Final Verdict
After analyzing 28 detailed customer experiences spanning over five years, the conclusion of this Breville CitiZ&milk BEC660CRO (Chrome) review is resoundingly clear. This machine is a benchmark for what a home capsule coffee machine should be: reliable, elegant, simple, and capable of producing a consistently excellent cup of coffee with creamy, perfectly textured milk.
The data is compelling. With a 4.5/5 average rating and 86% satisfaction rate, it outperforms most appliances in any category. The minor criticisms—like a small drip tray or the need to pre-heat cups for some—are vastly outweighed by its core strengths: bulletproof reliability, effortless operation, and a design that looks great and saves space. The integrated milk frother is the killer feature that completes the package, moving it from a simple espresso maker to a true home café station.
Final Recommendation: The Breville CitiZ&milk BEC660CRO (Chrome) comes with our highest recommendation. It is an ideal choice for busy individuals, couples, or small families who want café-quality milk coffee at home without the complexity, mess, or learning curve of a traditional espresso machine. It’s perfect for first-time buyers and a worthy upgrade for those with failing pod machines. Its proven multi-year durability means you’re not just buying a coffee maker; you’re buying years of delicious, convenient mornings. If you find it on sale, it’s an absolute steal. This is a rare product that truly lives up to its excellent reviews.