Lavazza's A Modo Mio Desa makes delicious espresso and a decent cappuccino
if you use the right milk

Date:
Sun, 18 Jan 2026 14:00:00 +0000

Description:
This little capsule coffee maker is whisper-quiet and compact enough to find
a home in even the smallest kitchen, but its milk system holds it back.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Lavazza A Mio Modo Desa: one-minute review

The Lavazza A Modo Mio Desa is a compact capsule coffee maker with optional milk-frothing for cappuccinos and macchiatos, plus hot and cold milk foam. It's excellent at the fundamentals, and Lavazza's A Modo Mio pods are superb affordably priced and packed with great quality coffee, with no flavored or sweetened options.

The Desa is simple to use, as you'd expect from a capsule coffee maker, and
is exceptionally quiet. During the testing period, it reached a maximum of only 50dB during brewing, making it the quietest machine I've tested to date.

It uses the same milk-frothing system as the Lavazza Assoluta (an automatic coffee maker that adapts its own settings to suit your chosen beans). This comprises a large glass cup with a lid containing a rotating electric whisk and a steam pipe. It works reasonably well with full-fat dairy milk, but in tests it produced very little foam when used with oat milk. This was very different to my experience with the Assoluta, so I suspect the much smaller Desa may not be able to generate the same level of steam pressure.

Overall, it's a likeable little espresso machine that would be a good option for small kitchens, particularly if you're the lone coffee-drinker. The price of its capsules won't make you sweat, even if you enjoy several cups a day. Lavazza A Mio Modo Desa: specifications

Name

Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg

Type

Capsule coffee maker

Dimensions (H x W x D)

11 x 5.7 x 15 inches / 280 x 145 x 380mm

Weight

9.9lbs / 4.5kg

Water tank capacity

37oz / 1.1 liters Lavazza A Mio Modo Desa: price and availability Similar price to other capsule coffee makers with milk foaming Available in Europe
and Australia, but not currently sold in the US A Modo Mio coffee pods are much cheaper than alternatives

The Lavazza A Modo Mio Desa has a list price of 249 / AU$349 (about $330),
but is often available at a discount. For example, at the time of writing, it could be found on sale for 199 in the UK in Lavazzas online store, and
$261.75 in Australia. Currently, this model isn't available in the US.

That price is about standard for a capsule coffee maker with a built-in milk frother. For comparison, the De'Longhi Lattissima One is currently priced at $429.99 / 259.99 / AU$519.

What sets the Desa apart from the competition is the price of its capsules. A pack of 16 Lavazza A Modo Mio capsules retails for 6.45 / AU$15 (about $9), and the cost per drink drops significantly if you buy a bundle instead. That makes the A Modo Mio capsules some of the cheapest around, and much less expensive than Nespresso Vertuo or Tassimo alternatives.

A Modo Mio pods offer up lots of choice when it comes to coffee blends,
roasts and terroir, but you wont find any hot chocolate or coffee with added flavors. Your options are espresso, espresso, and more espresso. During testing, I found the freshly ground and vacuum-sealed beans excellent but note that if your drink of choice is pumpkin spice, you wont find it here. Value score: 4.5/5 Lavazza A Mio Modo Desa: design Compact and smart-looking Includes milk-frothing system Milk frother only works with supplied mug Dishwasher-safe components

The Lavazza A Modo Mio Desa is available in black, white, cream and a deep burgundy (different retailers keep different colors in stock). It has a robust-feeling, glossy case with the company logo embossed on the side, and although it isn't quite as sleek as the Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg, it certainly isn't a slouch in the looks department. Gloss finishes can sometimes be a magnet for fingerprints, but I was pleased to find that this wasnt an issue with the cream-colored model I tested. Image 1 of 2 You can adjust the height of the drip tray to suit different cups (Image credit: Future) Image 2 of 2 The Desa takes Lavazza A Modo Mio capsules, which can be composted industrially (Image credit: Future)

The Desa is particularly compact, even for a capsule coffee maker. At just 11 x 5.7 x 15 inches / 280 x 145 x 380mm (H x W x D), it will easily tuck away into the smallest of kitchens and can be stashed in a cupboard when not in use (provided its properly cleaned and dried beforehand). Despite this, it
has a larger water tank than most pod coffee machines, holding 37oz / 1.1 liters. Thats because this isnt just an espresso machine; it can also foam milk for lattes and cappuccinos using high-pressure steam.

The Desa has an unusual milk-frothing system that uses a special glass mug with a lid containing a steam tube and a whisk. It's the same system used by the Lavazza Assoluta I tested a couple of months ago, and although it isn't
as effective as a proper steam wand, it works reasonably well provided you use the right type of milk.

However, bear in mind that you can only make milk-based drinks in the glass mug; the special lid doesn't fit onto other cups. Unless you buy a second (they are $22.70 / 15 each), you and your partner won't be able to enjoy lattes as the same time. Image 1 of 2 The milk system uses a glass mug with a lid containing a steam pipe and a rotating whisk (Image credit: Future) Image 2 of 2 The water tank holds almost a liter and has a sturdy lid and handle to prevent spills (Image credit: Future)

Most removable components (including the cup, drip tray and used pod container) can be safely cleaned in the top rack of your dishwasher, although they take only a moment to wash by hand, too.

The drip tray can be detached and positioned higher up to avoid splashes if youre using an espresso cup, which is a welcome touch. Used pods drop into a bin that can be accessed by removing the tray and pulling out a drawer on the front of the machine. Design score: 4/5 Lavazza A Mio Modo Desa: performance Produces excellent espresso Extensive drinks menu Milk system doesn't work as well as a steam wand Performs better with dairy than plant-based milk

The Lavazza A Modo Mio Desa has a cleverly designed control panel that displays the different menu options depending on the cup youre using. Place
an ordinary cup of any size under the dispenser and youll see options for brewing an espresso, long espresso (lungo), and long coffee. Push the milk-foaming cup into place and the options for milk-based drinks will light up. The full menu includes: Espresso Long espresso (lungo) Long coffee (Americano) Cappuccino (regular or large) Latte macchiato Hot milk foam Cold milk foam

You can adjust the volume of your coffee pour, which is a nice feature that you wont find on many capsule coffee machines. All the drink size options are customizable; just hold the appropriate button on the control panel for three seconds to begin dispensing, then press it again once you have the desired volume. When you hear two beeps, you know the new setting has been saved successfully, ready to use next time.

Like the Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg coffee maker I tested recently, the Desa brews excellent, well-rounded espresso in just a few seconds, and does so extremely quietly. Using a decibel meter, I measured an average volume of
50dB when extracting coffee, which is about the same as the murmur of a quiet office (although Lavazza claims the volume doesn't exceed 43dB).

After your coffee has brewed and the lights on the front panel have re-illuminated, lift the lid and after a second or two youll hear the used
pod drop into the collection bin. Image 1 of 2 Espresso is consistently delicious, and the machine's pump is exceptionally quiet (Image credit: Future) Image 2 of 2 Used pods drop into a bin, ready to be collected for commercial composting (Image credit: Future)

The milk system is a little louder when injecting steam, reaching a maximum
of 70dB for a couple of seconds as it incorporates air, but it's quieter than the squeal and rip of a manual steam wand, and the whisk is whisper-quiet.

When you want to use the milk system, take a good look at the fill lines on the side of the glass cup that indicate how much milk to add for different drink sizes. Add too much milk and it risks splashing; too little and it wont foam properly.

During tests, the Desa didnt fare very well when texturizing oat milk, which was very different from my experience with the Lavazza Assoluta . Despite the two machines using the same cup-and-lid system, the Assoluta produced inches of creamy oat foam, whereas the Desa heated the milk (a little too much it reached 70C, whereas the optimum for coffee is about 60-65C), but didnt actually create any froth, even with the "extra foam" option selected. The milk system works much better with dairy than plant-based milk (Image credit: Future)

The Desas milk system worked much better with full-fat dairy milk, although I found that it still didnt produce quite as much foam as the Assoluta. This might be because the smaller Desa cant generate as much pressure and inject
as much steam into the liquid.

The Desa can also prepare cold milk foam. To do this, add your cup of milk, drop in a coffee pod if required, hold the temperature +/- button on the
front of the machine until the foam and latte lights turn blue, then press
the one you want. Again, during my tests this worked better with dairy milk. Its a nice feature, but bear in mind that the Desa can only brew hot coffee, so if you want to make a cold latte then youll need to add a shot of hot espresso when the milk is ready, which will raise the temperature. You might like to add a few ice cubes to the drink once its made (but not before, as they could damage the whisk). The whisk produces large bubbles rather than fine microfoam, so the froth tends to break down relatively quickly (Image credit: Future)

Finally, a word on waste. Lavazzas A Modo Mio capsules are compostable, but you cant simply toss them into your household waste or add them to a compost pile. They have to be processed in an industrial facility; currently Terracycle is the only service that offers this in the UK. Theresno home collection or postage system as there is with plastic and foil coffee pods,
so youll need to gather your used capsules and take them to a drop-off point. If there isnt one near you, you can apply to create one. Performance score: 3.5/5 Should you buy the Lavazza A Mio Modo Desa? Lavazza A Mio Modo Desa score card

Attribute

Notes

Score

Value

Similar price to other capsule coffee makers with milk frother, but the pods are much cheaper.

4.5/5

Design

Compact and smart-looking, though milk system only works with supplied mug.

4/5

Performance

Doesn't foam milk as well as a steam wand, but espresso is consistently excellent and the whole machine is very quiet in use.

3.5/5 Buy it if

You have a compact kitchen

There aren't many coffee machines this small with a milk-frothing system, and the Desa is light enough to easily move around your home and tuck into a cupboard when it isn't in use.

You're a frequent coffee-drinker

Other capsule coffee makers may be cheaper to buy, but the pods can be very expensive, particularly if you drink several cups a day. Lavazza's A Modo Mio pods are super affordable, and packed with great-quality coffee. Don't buy it if

You prefer plant-based milk

The Desa's milk system works best with full-fat dairy, which is true of many automatic coffee makers. If you want to stick with oat or soya, you might be better choosing the Lavazza A Modo Mio Jolie, which arrives with a standalone milk frother.

You want to make a round of coffees

The milk system only works with Lavazza's own mug; you can't fit the lid onto your own favorite cup. Again, a more basic Lavazza A Modo Mio machine and a separate milk frother would be a great alternative. Lavazza A Mio Modo Desa: also consider

If you're not sure whether the Lavazza A Modo Mio Desa is the best coffee maker for you, here are two other options for your shortlist:

De'Longhi Lattissima One

This smart coffee maker uses Nespresso Original pods (the ones shaped like
top hats) and has a milk system that produces foam more like a conventional steam wand. You can use any cup and the froth is thick; but the capsules cost more than A Modo Mio ones.

Read our full De'Longhi Lattissima One review

De'Longhi Dedica Duo

Want to move on from capsules? This little manual espresso machine costs
about the same as the Desa and is a great introduction to fresh speciality coffee. It has an excellent steam wand as well.

Read our full De'Longhi Dedica Duo review View Deal How I tested the Lavazza A Mio Modo Desa

I used the Lavazza A Mio Desa for two weeks, making at least two drinks per day and using all of the available drink options (including hot and cold milk foam). I used it with dairy and oat milk, both of which were freshly
purchased and chilled. I used two different types of Lavazza A Modo Mio
coffee capsules, with different intensities.

I measured the temperature of the prepared milk with a food thermometer, and used a decibel meter app to measure the machine's volume.

For more details, see how we test, rate, and review at TechRadar .



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