At a glance
Expert’s Rating
Pros
- Compact
- Mess-free
- Can be linked to app for updates
Cons
- Only makes black coffee
- Noisy
- Small water tank
- Extra functions are difficult to use
Our Verdict
As a straightforward capsule coffee machine, the Nespresso Vertuo Pop excels – it’s fast and Consistently delivers a decent cup. But its multifunction button makes tailoring your coffee harder to do, and the small water tank and limited space below the spout make brewing long drinks a challenge.
Best Prices Today: Nespresso Vertuo Pop
If you’re a long coffee drinker, shopping around for a pod machine can be frustrating. Many will only brew shorter drinks, leaving large cups only half full. This is where the Nespresso Vertuo system has found its niche, delivering lungos and mugs full of coffee as well as morning espressos.
The Nespresso Vertuo Pop is the smallest of the family at only 25cm tall, enabling it to tuck below wall cabinets or into a cupboard in the most compact of kitchens. And while it won’t deliver the largest sizes – you’ll need the Vertuo Next for the XL brews – it’ll still produce long drinks packed with plenty of flavour.
Design and build
- 0.6 litre water tank
- Small countertop footprint
- Single button operation
To say that the Nespresso Vertuo Pop is minimal is something of an understatement. Besides its diminutive height, it’s just 13.6cm wide (although the depth is 42.6cm) and weighs only 3.5kg. Looks-wise, those who like colour are in luck as there’s a choice of six shades, although one of those is black. The others are white, red, blue, yellow and aqua.
The 600ml water tank is parked neatly at the back, while the left side is home to an internal used capsule container, which slides or tips out for emptying. At the front, you’ll find an optional drip tray/cup platform, though as the spout is low to start with, you’d probably only use this to raise up espresso cups.
The top of the machine is where the action happens. If you’re not familiar with the locking system for capsules, the design can be perplexing at first – to insert a capsule, you’ll need to turn the lever to unlock, before pushing it again to access the chamber inside, then lowering the head and locking it all into place.
Rachel Ogden / Foundry
There’s a single button for all of the machine’s features, including descaling, something which, along with the multi-language manual, makes getting comfy with its functionality quite difficult. While everyday brewing requires one push and you’re done, there’s an explainer about what all the different light blinks mean and how to get into different menus that makes you wish they’d added one or two more buttons or lights to the sleek exterior.
Rachel Ogden / Foundry
For example, should you want more intense/shorter coffee to pair with milk, you’ll need to click twice on the button quickly – sometimes, we just weren’t fast enough.
Performance and features
- Black coffee only
- Four drink sizes
- Noisy in use
Unsurprisingly for such a small machine, there’s no milk functionality on the Nespresso Vertuo Pop – it’s all about black coffee. Brewing is straightforward – each capsule has a barcode, which tells the machine how to make it, so there’s no need to select a preferred cup size.
Depending on the capsule inserted, it’ll make four drink sizes, ranging from espresso (40ml) to a mug (230ml). Although you can stop dispensing early by pushing the button or tapping it again for more water, you’ll need to be quick: you’re granted 45 seconds after brewing has finished to do so.
The capsules are brewed using what Nespresso calls “centrifusion” – it’s spun as the coffee is made – with a spin afterwards to dry the capsule, resulting in less wet mess than many other pod machines.
As the head of the machine is raised, the capsule is ejected backwards into the internal container. This means it’s a mess-free machine. There’s never any need to fish out used capsules with your fingers – they can be tipped straight out of the container without being touched.
The other beauty of this system is that you won’t have to empty water out of the used capsule container. However, centrifusion is a noisy process and certain to wake up other members of your household if you’re up and making coffee early.
We tried making coffee with both Gran Lungo (150ml) and Mug (230ml) sized capsules. We liked that the Vertuo Pop heated up in seconds (often less than the manufacturer’s estimate of 30 seconds) and that you could pop in a capsule and it would start brewing when it was ready.
However, what quickly became apparent is how limiting the machine’s water tank size was. If, for example, you make just two mugs of coffee, you won’t have enough water for a third without topping up the tank. And, should you take advantage of the ability to change the default dispensing amounts – the largest being 535ml – you will almost empty your tank in one go.
Another issue was the drip tray – it’s redundant unless you’re brewing into small cups, and even then struggles to stay attached to the machine – ours detached every time we moved the machine. Even without the drip tray, there’s not a lot of clearance below the spout for large mugs – we had to select those that would fit under as not all the mugs in our cupboard did.
This meant that once the cup was removed, we ended up with drips on the worktop.
Rachel Ogden / Foundry
Interestingly for an affordable coffee machine, the Vertuo Pop connects to the Nespresso app, which is easily done – but the reward is limited. You can’t tell it to start brewing at a certain time for example, or alter dispensing amounts from here.
What it mostly seems to do is allow system updates and tell you the status of the machine, although there are also handy videos under its help section, which are easier to follow than the included instructions.
Despite some shortcomings, the coffee made by the Vertuo Pop is perfectly good – not too hot, always with a frothy aromatic crema, and flavourful. Some of the capsules we tried had a slight bitter finish to them but always smelled enticing.
Brewing using the intense setting removed the bitter edge and brought out more of the coffee’s sweetness – we only wish it was simpler to select this every time.
Price and availability
The Vertuo Pop is widely available for £99-£100 in the UK. There’s little difference between most retailers’ standard prices but you can buy it from John Lewis (where, at the time of writing, you’ll also get 50 coffee capsules free), Argos and Very .
In the US, the Vertuo Pop+ is available only from Nespresso for $129.
Verdict
If you prize consistency and convenience above all else, you’re sure to love the sheer simplicity of the Nespresso Vertuo Pop. Everything has been done for you, from handling the mess of capsules and deciding how much water to use, to turning itself off after two minutes.
And, while you may not have the space for one of the larger Vertuo machines, the Pop’s small size means it’s perfect for those with limited kitchen space or a home office.
However, like all Vertuo machines, you’re limited to compatible capsules, rather than the original Nespresso system, which now offers choice from other roasters.
In addition to this, by making the Vertuo Pop small and simple, there have been concessions in practicality. These may not be an issue for those who only want their coffee hot, black and wet, and don’t mind keeping a water supply nearby.
But for busy households, all-day coffee drinkers and latte lovers, its limitations may prove a frustration too far. Ultimately, how much you love the Nespresso Vertuo Pop will come down to how much versatility you’re happy to sacrifice for the ease of good coffee with one tap.
The question may be whether one of the other Vertuo machines is right for you. Our main bugbear with this machine is its petite water tank. But we’ve also reviewed the Vertuo Next , which has a larger, one litre water tank you can use to fill a carafe, and the Vertuo Plus , which has a 1.2 litre water tank and can accomodate four cup sizes.
For more coffee machine options of all types, have a look at our round-up of the best coffee machines . And to see how the Vertuo Pop fares against other capsule coffee machines, browse the best pod coffee machines we’ve tested.
Best Prices Today: Nespresso Vertuo Pop
Author: Rachel Ogden, Contributor, Tech Advisor
Rachel Ogden specialises in reviews of home appliances, from kitchen gadgets to smart home tech. She’s a UK-based freelance journalist with more than 24 years’ experience and has written for publications including Ideal Home, BBC Good Food, The Sunday Telegraph and The Evening Standard.
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At a glance
Expert’s Rating
Pros
- Enjoyable and easy to use machine
- Wide variety of capsules, with long drink options
Cons
- Very few options for tailoring your coffee
Our Verdict
If you like capsule coffee, the Vertuo Next is one of the best machines you can buy. It’s attractive, enjoyable to use and makes coffee in around 40 seconds. Get it if you want one-button brewing, especially if you prefer a big mug of coffee. But if you like to tinker with settings, this machine is not for you.
Best Prices Today: Nespresso Vertuo Next
There’s no bigger name in the capsule coffee market than Nespresso. The brand has two types of machine: the classic Nespresso machines, and its newer Vertuo line.
The beverages from the original machines are espresso-based: ristrettos, espressos and lungos. But the Vertuo line was launched in 2014 to offer more range, especially to the North American market, where coffee is traditionally enjoyed in big mugs.
Depending on which pods you buy, the Vertuo line can offer either European-style espresso drinks or longer black coffees – even up to carafe size – making it a more versatile option for many households.
No Vertuo machines have an inbuilt a milk frother and there are no milk-based pods, as in the Nescafe Dolce Gusto line. This is a black coffee-only machine, although Nespresso also makes the Aeroccino , a pint-sized milk heater and frother, which you can find out more about in our review of the Vertuo Plus machine .
Design and features
- One litre water tank
- Can hold ten used capsules
- Lever operation
One of the best things about brewing espresso at home is the pleasure to be had making it. Espresso machines are enjoyably tactile, and the ritual of measuring and tamping is part of the fun.
Nespresso has cleverly recreated these pleasures in the design of the Vertuo Next, which is a joy to use. Release the big, chrome-effect lever on top and the capsule compartment springs open. If there’s a capsule inside, it’s catapulted back and away into the spent capsule reservoir.
Emma Rowley / Foundry
It’s a good looking machine as well – from the front, at least – with a curved, glossy brewing head that comes in a choice of colours including grey, white, red, brown, blue and black. The colour options available depend on your region and whether your machine is a Vertuo Next, a Vertuo Next Premium or a Vertuo Next Deluxe, which has a chrome brewing head.
Emma Rowley / Foundry
They haven’t wasted any time on adorning the sides of the machine though: it’s just featureless, black, matt plastic. It’s narrow at 14.2cm wide, and at only 31.4cm high, you should have plenty of clearance from overhead cabinets. But at 42.9cm, it’s a long appliance that will need a fairly deep counter space to occupy.
It has a clear, cylindrical water tank, with a one litre capacity. Like many machines of this kind, it’s situated at the back. And although you can remove it to fill it from a tap if that’s easier than reaching over the machine with a jug, it’s still not an ideal design, being difficult to get to.
If this is a particular bugbear for you, it’s worth nothing that the Vertuo Plus machine has a water tank that swivels out from the back for easier access.
There are three height options for the drip tray, so you can accommodate anything from an espresso cup to a mug without splashing, and it’s easy to swap drip tray positions.
The used capsules fall into a reservoir which you can access from the side. It can hold ten capsules, which is pretty generous given the machine’s size.
Emma Rowley / Foundry
The controls are very simple: there’s one button, which also acts as an indicator light.
Performance
- Automatic dispense
- 30-second heating time
- One-button operation
Insert the capsule and press the button on top to begin brewing. It takes around 30 seconds to heat up and the coffee symbol on the button will blink.
Once the coffee has started dispensing, you can press it a second time to stop the flow early. Or you can press a second time once it’s finished dispensing, to add more water.
And that’s it. There are no dials to twist or keys to press to alter the strength of the coffee.
You see, the Vertuo Next reads the barcode on the capsule and pre-wets, infuses and dispenses the correct volume of water for each blend, so the entire process is automatic.
However, you can change the way the machine responds to specific capsule types. To do so, put a capsule in the machine and press and hold the button down while it’s dispensing, until you’ve reached your preferred volume. From then on, the machine will use that as the default setting for that type of capsule, unless you return it to its factory settings.
For some people, that’s ideal: press button, get coffee. Couldn’t be simpler. Other people will feel short-changed at not being able to tinker more with settings.
Nespresso Vertuo capsules
- Carafe, mug and espresso sizes available
- Over 40 flavours
- Return to Nespresso for recycling
Because the machine is set up to identify capsules, it’s important that you get the right ones for what you want. Don’t, for example, buy long coffees and imagine you can treat them like espresso. You can add water but you can’t choose to infuse for longer. Each capsule type will not only have a strength and flavour profile but it’ll be associated with a liquid volume. Here are the options:
- Alto (for a carafe or jug of coffee): 14 fl. Oz / 414 ml
- Mug: 7.77 fl. Oz / 230 ml
- Gran lungo: 5.07 fl. / 150 ml
- Double espresso: 2.7 fl. Oz/ 80 ml
- Espresso: 1.35 fl. Oz/ 40 ml
Depending on the machine you buy, you may get an introductory box – like a selection box of coffees – so you can decide which types of capsules you want to buy in the future.
Emma Rowley / Foundry
Don’t forget: you can’t use classic capsules in a Vertuo machine. But there are over 40 varieties of Vertuo capsules available at the moment, from full-bodied espressos to decafs to a limited edition pumpkin spice cake. Capsules cost from around $1.10 to $1.25 in the US or 44p to 82p each i n the UK . You may be able to get deals if you buy in bulk or during sales.
Along with your capsules, you’ll get a recycling bag. When you’ve filled it – it can hold up to 100 capsules – you can drop the bag off at a Nespresso store in the US or the UK. In the UK, you can also opt to have it collected .
Smart features
The Vertuo Next is a connected machine, although you can use all of its functions without downloading the Nespresso app and pairing your machine.
But if you do, you’ll find that the smart functionality has a focus on re-ordering capsules, finding nearby Nespresso shops (or “boutiques” as they prefer) and your nearest recycling points. In other words, it’s all about keeping you connected to Nespresso. But that’s pretty useful as you’re already tied to the brand for the life of the machine via its capsules.
You can also access maintenance and settings information for your machine – although machine information is somewhat tucked away – but you can’t make a coffee remotely, via the app.
Price and availability
Prices for the Vertuo Next can vary a lot, depending on where you buy. There are also three models available: the Vertuo Next, the Vertuo Next Premium and the Vertuo Next Deluxe. The differences between the Next and the Next Premium are subtle, but the Deluxe is recognisably different, thanks to its chrome brewing head.
Some machines may also be bundled with pods – or even an Aeroccino milk frother. So, when you’re buying, make sure you check what you’re getting. Depending on what you want, it may be more cost-effective to opt for a bundle.
In the US, the Vertuo Next is available from Nespresso for $169, the Vertuo Next Premium for $179 and the Vertuo Next Deluxe for $199. You may get a better deal elsewhere but you can browse all available colour options on the Nespresso site, so it’s worth a visit.
If you’re in the UK, you can currently get a bundle deal on a machine, Aeroccino and £75 off coffee pods: the Vertuo Next bundle is £149, the Vertuo Next Premium is £179 and the Vertuo Next Deluxe is £199. All are available in the full range of colours.
Verdict
If you like the ease and convenience of a pod coffee machine, the Vertuo Next is one of the best around. It’s attractive, pleasurable and simple to use and there’s a huge variety of capsule blends and flavours to choose from. If you like adjusting your coffee settings, however, this machine isn’t for you.
Best Prices Today: Nespresso Vertuo Next
Author: Emma Rowley, Deputy Editor, Tech Advisor
Tech Advisor’s Deputy Editor, Emma has been a journalist and copywriter for over 20 years and has been testing and writing about home tech and appliances for seven years. She tries out every appliance she writes about at home, and aims to recommend time- and energy-saving products that will last.
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