Nespresso Vertuo Plus Review
Nespresso promises what Keurig never could: genuinely good coffee from a pod machine. We drank 50+ capsules over two months to see if the "Centrifusion" technology is innovation or marketing.
Nespresso Vertuo Plus
The easiest path to café-quality crema at home. One button, 20 seconds, done. Just know you're locked into Nespresso's pod ecosystem forever.
Check Price on Best BuyThe Verdict
The Nespresso Vertuo Plus delivers on its core promise: genuinely excellent coffee with zero effort. The crema is thick and luxurious, closer to a café espresso than anything else you can make at home without learning barista skills. The catch? You're locked into Nespresso's proprietary pods at $1.10+ each, with no third-party alternatives. If you drink 2 cups daily, that's $800/year in pods alone.
- Incredible crema on every cup: thick and velvety
- 20-second heat-up time (not exaggerating)
- Movable water tank fits any counter setup
- One-touch operation is genuinely foolproof
- Automatic pod recognition via barcode
- Pods are expensive ($1.10-$1.35 each)
- No third-party pod options, so you're locked in
- Coffee runs slightly cool (170°F vs 185°F ideal)
- Used pod bin fills up fast (10 capsules)
Who Should Buy This
Buy the Vertuo Plus if you:
- Want café-quality crema without learning espresso technique
- Value convenience over cost-per-cup
- Drink 1-2 cups daily (the pod cost adds up beyond that)
- Have limited counter space (compact footprint)
- Hate cleaning coffee equipment
Skip it if you:
- Drink 3+ cups daily (get a real espresso machine)
- Want to experiment with different coffee brands
- Prefer your coffee scalding hot
- Care about environmental impact (pods aren't recyclable everywhere)
- Already have a good manual espresso setup
Design & Build
The Vertuo Plus looks like something Apple would design if they made coffee machines. The rounded edges, matte finish, and minimal buttons create a premium aesthetic that doesn't scream "appliance." It comes in black, white, or red, all tasteful.
The standout feature is the movable water tank. It can sit on either side or behind the machine, adapting to your counter layout. This sounds minor until you realize most coffee machines force a specific placement. The 40oz tank is enough for about 5 large coffees before refilling.
Build quality is solid but not exceptional. The lever that opens the pod chamber feels slightly plasticky, and we wonder how it'll hold up after a few thousand uses. The base is weighted enough to stay put when you push down the lever.
Coffee Quality: The Centrifusion Test
Here's how Centrifusion works: the machine spins the pod at 7,000 RPM while injecting water, blending the coffee and creating crema through centrifugal force rather than pressure. It's genuinely different from Keurig's puncture-and-drip method.
The result? Crema that's thick, creamy, and lasts several minutes on top of your cup. It's not quite true espresso crema (which requires 9 bars of pressure), but it's remarkably close. Keurig doesn't come anywhere near this.
Our Taste Test Results
We tested the two most popular Vertuo pods across multiple brewing sessions:
Stormio (dark roast, 7.77oz): Bold, smoky, with chocolate undertones. Best for those who like strong coffee. The crema adds a smooth mouthfeel that cuts the bitterness.
Melozio (medium roast, 7.77oz): Balanced, slightly sweet, with hints of honey. Our daily driver. Feels like a luxury hotel breakfast coffee: approachable but not boring.
The temperature issue: Coffee comes out at roughly 170°F. For reference, most specialty coffee recommends 195-205°F for brewing, and serving at 180°F+. If you like your coffee scalding, you'll find this lukewarm. Running the cup under hot water first helps.
The Pod Ecosystem: The Catch
Here's the uncomfortable truth: buying a Vertuo machine is a commitment to buying Nespresso pods forever. The machine uses a barcode system that only reads official Nespresso capsules. No third-party alternatives exist, and Nespresso has patents preventing them.
This is fundamentally different from the Original Nespresso line (and Keurig), where third-party pods are abundant and cheap. With Vertuo, you're paying:
| Espresso (1.35oz) | $1.00/pod |
| Double Espresso (2.7oz) | $1.10/pod |
| Gran Lungo (5oz) | $1.10/pod |
| Coffee (7.77oz) | $1.10/pod |
| Alto (14oz) | $1.35/pod |
At 2 cups per day, that's approximately $800/year in pods. A bag of quality whole beans costs $15-20 and makes roughly 30 cups, about $0.50-0.65 per cup. Over 5 years, you'd spend ~$4,000 on Vertuo pods vs ~$1,200 on whole beans.
Is the convenience worth 3x the cost? For some people, absolutely. For coffee enthusiasts willing to learn, probably not.
Full Specifications
| Heat Up Time | 20 seconds |
| Water Tank Capacity | 40 oz (movable) |
| Pod Compatibility | Vertuo Line Only (barcode-locked) |
| Used Pod Bin Capacity | 10 capsules |
| Brewing Temperature | ~170°F |
| Dimensions | 8.3" W x 12.8" D x 11.9" H |
| Weight | 10.1 lbs |
| Warranty | 2 years |
| Auto Shut-Off | 9 minutes of inactivity |
Final Thoughts
The Nespresso Vertuo Plus is the best pod coffee machine we've tested. The crema is real, the convenience is unmatched, and the coffee genuinely tastes good. It's not the cheapest way to drink coffee, and you sacrifice flexibility for simplicity.
Our recommendation: If you value your morning time and want consistent, café-style coffee without any effort, buy it. If you're a coffee hobbyist or budget-conscious, invest in a good grinder and manual espresso machine instead.
Nespresso Vertuo Plus
The easiest path to café-quality crema. One button, 20 seconds, great coffee.
Check Price on Best BuyIs Nespresso better than Keurig?
For espresso-style drinks, yes. Nespresso produces genuine crema and richer flavor. For large cups of drip-style coffee, Keurig offers more variety and lower pod costs.
How much do Nespresso pods cost?
Vertuo pods range from $1.00 to $1.35 each depending on size and variety. Third-party compatible pods are not available for the Vertuo line.
Can you use third-party pods in Nespresso Vertuo?
No. The Vertuo line uses a proprietary barcode system that only reads official Nespresso capsules. This is the main downside of the system.
How long does a Nespresso machine last?
With regular descaling, Nespresso machines typically last 5-10 years. The Vertuo Plus has a 2-year warranty.
