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Nespresso Vertuo Review: Best Pod Machine for Espresso Lover


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If you want a quality coffee experience, look no further than the Nespresso Vertuo. Designed to make gourmet espresso and regular coffee, this machine has a lot to offer busy coffee drinkers and offers incredible convenience and delicious results with every cup. So, whether you’re a seasoned coffee lover or just starting out, the Nespresso Vertuo is sure to impress. Keep reading our detailed Nespresso Vertuo review to know everything about this fantastic espresso maker!

Click here to learn more about the Nespresso VertuoPlus espresso machine!

Nespresso Vertuo Review

Things to Consider Before Buying a Nespresso Vertuo Machine

Determining if the Nespresso Vertuo is the right machine for you boils down to one simple question: what kind of coffee drinker are you? 

If you can’t decide between an espresso drink or a cup of coffee or want a simple way to make coffee shop espresso with delicious crema, this espresso maker is for you! If you enjoy an easy-to-use machine with an even easier cleanup and you’re new to creating espresso drinks, this machine is still for you!

Alternatively, the Nespresso Vertuo coffee and espresso machine might not be for you if you need a large pot of coffee for multiple people in the morning or prefer a french press, pour-over, or cold brew coffee option. If you want coffee pod variety from third-party companies and are looking for a budget-friendly brewing option, you might consider another coffee maker. 

The Nespresso Vertuo machine is best suited for single households or households with varied tastes, where every person enjoys a different type of coffee drink in the morning. Additionally, it’s an excellent choice for the self-admitted coffee addict looking to branch out into making espresso shots but who is overwhelmed by more traditional espresso machines. 

Want to know the difference between the Nespresso Vertuo vs. Verutoplus? Check it out here!

About the Nespresso Vertuo

The Nespresso Vertuo machine is a pod-style coffee maker and was the first addition to Nespresso’s Vertuo line. Like other pod-style machines, it makes one cup of coffee at a time but offers four different size options. Depending on the pod you choose, the Nespresso Vertuo can brew a 1.35-ounce espresso, a 2.7-ounce double espresso, a 5-ounce Gran Lungo, or an 8-ounce standard coffee.

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It also promises a fast heat up and is ready to make your coffee in as little as 15 seconds. The Nespresso Vertuo sets itself apart from its predecessor machine with the addition of centrifusion technology.

Each espresso pod comes with a unique barcode that tells the machine exactly what kind of coffee it is and how much hot water to use, eliminating the guesswork on your end. The pod is spun up to 7,000 RPM and creates a naturally formed perfect crema to give your delicious coffee the authentic taste of espresso. 

Your Nespresso Vertuo box includes the machine, an instruction manual, and Nespresso’s welcome kit. The welcome kit also includes one sleeve of twelve coffee capsules. It comes in several stylish color options if you want something besides black.

Nespresso Vertuo Review: Features & Benefits

Product Specs

  • Weight: 10.85 pounds
  • 8.3 inches wide x 11.91 inches deep x 11.9 inches tall
  • Removable 40-ounce BPA free water reservoir
  • The used pod container holds about 13 pods 
  • Automatic shut-off after 9 minutes
  • 1-year warranty 

Size

The Nespresso Vertuo is a compact capsule-based espresso machine compared to others on the market. I first got my Nespresso Vertuo while I was a college student living in a studio apartment. To say that I had limited counter space was an understatement, but the Nespresso Vertuo took up almost no storage space in my tiny kitchen. It was also light enough that I could easily pick it up to clean the counter it sat on, but it still felt sturdy and strong. 

Ease of Operation

The Nespresso Vertuo has single-button operation. Thanks to the centrifusion technology, the machine automatically knows how much water to use for each coffee pod.

I’ve always admired the art form of coffee-making, but I am nowhere near talented enough to pull espresso shots from a more traditional machine. I also didn’t have the time for that while in college. The Nespresso Vertuo machine allowed me to make a professional tasting espresso drink quickly and at the touch of a button before running off to class.

Espresso & Coffee Option

As I mentioned before, the Nespresso Vertuo pod machine can brew gourmet-quality espresso beverages and traditional coffee in four different coffee cup sizes: single-shot espresso, double-shot espresso, Gran Lungo, and a full-sized coffee. I initially got the Nespresso Vertuo because I was looking for an espresso machine, but over the years, I’ve come to love the option to have a typical cup of coffee. 

There is also an adjustable drip tray that you can raise and lower. If you have small espresso cups, you can move the tray closer to the spout to avoid splashes. When you want to use a standard coffee mug for your coffee or Gran Lungo, simply move the tray back down to make room.

While the Nespresso Vertuo offers a range of customization options for which kind of coffee you want to make, the variety of compatible capsules is limited as it only uses Nespresso-brand pods. All Nespresso Vertuo capsules are sold through Nespresso, and while they offer high-quality pods, the selection sometimes feels too small.

Centrifusion

Nespresso introduced their new centrifusion technology with the release of the Vertuo line. Unlike other pod-style coffees, Nespresso espresso capsules have a barcode around the rim unique to that brew method and coffee blend.

This single-serve coffee maker is equipped with capsule scanning technology that reads the correct cup size, brewing temperature, rotational speed, flow rate, and time the water should contact the coffee.

The advanced coffee tech spins the barcode-enabled capsules at 7,000 RPM during the brewing process and injects them with water at 20 different points, producing a cup of barista-style coffee or espresso with delicate yet strong flavors and a natural, authentic crema on top. 

Removable Water Tank

Nespresso Vertuo water tank

The Nespresso Vertuo machine has a removable water tank, making refilling the tank incredibly easy. But, it feels like I rarely refill the water tank because of how large it is. I primarily use my machine for double espressos, so the 40-ounce water tank lasts me quite a while.

Fast Heat Up Time

Nespresso Vertuo heats up time

My favorite thing about the Nespresso Vertuo is that it takes only 15 seconds to heat up. I’ve used other single-cup coffee makers that take 45 seconds to one minute to heat up before I can make a cup of coffee, and those thirty seconds really make a difference when you’re late and need a faster brew time.

Used Capsule Container

The Nespresso Vertuo machine comes with a built-in disposal container on the side of the device. When you open the lid to place a new capsule in, it automatically pushes the old capsule into the used capsule container, which can receive up to 13 large pods before you have to empty it.

Nespresso Vertuo capsule container

Easy to Clean

Since the water tank and the used capsule container are removable, they are incredibly easy to clean. Nespresso sells descaling kits that you can use with the automatic cleaning process to clean the inside of the machine and remove any limescale build-up that may have accumulated. As I’ve mentioned before, the coffee maker is also easy to pick up and move to clean the counter it sits on.

It is essential to clean out the drip tray regularly. If you let it sit for too long, it can get sticky and become difficult to clean. I’ve also noticed that, depending on the location of your Nespresso Vertuo, the brewer’s outside can get dull and a little sticky. A damp paper towel or Clorox wipe solves this problem.

Environmentally Friendly

When I was looking for a new coffee machine, Nespresso’s commitment to the environment sealed the deal.

The Nespresso Vertuo automatically turns off after nine minutes, ensuring it’s not wasting energy if you forget to turn it off. While this feature is not exclusive to the Vertuo machine, Nespresso is committed to helping the environment.

I was initially hesitant about purchasing a pod-style coffee machine because of the added waste compared to a typical coffee machine, but Nespresso has a recycling program for used aluminum coffee pods. When you order your coffee maker, you can add a free recycling bag to your order at check-out.

Instead of throwing your pods away in the trash can, empty them into the recycling bag until it’s full. Once it is, drop it off at your nearest UPS location or Nespresso Boutique to mail your used pods back. The capsules are recycled into new Nespresso products, and the leftover coffee grounds are composted.

Nespresso Vertuo coffee and espresso maker

Alternatives & Conclusions

The Nespresso Vertuo coffee maker creates a high-quality beverage without all the fuss. It also solves the problem most single-use pod-style brewers have since Nespresso is an environmentally friendly brand. 

As you can tell from this review, I love my Nespresso Vertuo. I’m the only coffee drinker in my house and always in a rush in the morning, so the Nespresso Vertuo is an excellent option that fits all my needs. If that’s not you, you might want to consider an alternative.

If you have more time in the morning and want to flex your barista skills, a more traditional espresso machine might fit your lifestyle better. If you’re still new to espresso machines, an automatic espresso machine might be just the thing for you. If you feel good about your barista skills, you might be ready for a traditional authentic espresso machine. 

But, if you have your heart set on a Nespresso but the Vertuo machine wasn’t what you were looking for, consider a different Nespresso machine. Nespresso’s Original line of machines offers more third-party capsule options, and other Vertuo coffee makers come with an additional milk frother. If you love Nespresso, you’re sure to find one that fits your coffee needs.

Happy Caffeinating!

Nespresso Vertuo Review: Best Pod Machine for Espresso Lover
Nespresso Vertuo Review

Check out our ultimate Nespresso Vertuo review and find out what makes this pod machine so special and why it is the perfect solution for you!

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Editor's Rating:
4.3
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