Nespresso Vertuo review: A small and affordable espresso machine with superior taste

The very best gift for a coffee lover is one they'll actually use. A person can only use so many coffee mugs. And will they honestly ever brew that novelty bag of flavored coffee beans? What if their flavor palate changes season to season?

As a self described caffeine obsessive, I've tried out my fair share of coffee accessories over the years. From the Gator Coffee reusable mesh pour-over to limit waste, to traditional Bialetti moka pots, to a pricey Breville espresso machine, I've tested several tools and gadgets designed to help you make the perfect brew at home. And while I do still believe that the best cup of coffee is one I don't have to make for myself, I have over the years found a few go-to coffee essentials to make brewing up the perfect cuppa just a little bit more fun and less time consuming. It's also why I was interested in doing a review of the Nespresso Vertuo, a so-called fast and easy espresso machine.

Of course, what kind of coffee machine and accessories you need depends on what kind of coffee you want to make. Do you want cafe-quality frothy cappuccinos and silky, smooth lattes? Is your goal simply to funnel a large amount of caffeine into your veins as quickly as possible? Or perhaps a strong and bold dark roast served black will do you just fine? For myself, I like to brew a large French press of my favorite coffee (Onyx Coffee's Southern Weather, from my hometown in Northwest Arkansas!) when I plan to have a slow, leisurely morning. I've used drip coffee makers in the past, but I don't really enjoy the weak coffee they brew. I've even been known to dabble in instant coffee consumption (gasp!) when I'm extremely short on time or energy, a habit that started when I was renovating my kitchen and the kettle was the only appliance I could use. 

The one type of coffee gadget I've never really understood? Pod coffee machines like Keurig. In the times I've tested them, I found that the coffee was often weak and watery, not very flavorful and overall not to my taste. But that was before I'd tested out a Nespresso Vertuo Espresso Machine.

Since the early days using a Keurig pod coffee maker, I've learned that my personal preference is for a stronger, more robust coffee (i.e.: espresso) with a richer flavor profile than your average cup of black coffee. It's probably why I've enjoyed the espresso brewed from the Nespresso much more than I do the coffee from a Keurig.

In all fairness, Nespresso and Keurig machines aren't exactly comparable, except for the fact that they both use coffee pods to brew a cuppa. In reality, the types of caffeinated drinks they make are very different: One makes American-style drip coffee; the other, espresso. To compare the two is a bit like saying an Instant Pot is like a Crock Pot — they both technically heat foods, but the results are very, very different.

That's because the Nespresso Vertuo uses special brewing technology developed by Nespresso directly. Insert the pod and close the lid, which pierces the pod. Press the brewing button at the top, and the machine spins the capsule up to 7,000 rotations a minute. Each pod contains a unique "bar code" that the machine reads for precision brewing based on factors like rotational speed, temperature, infusion time, volume and flow of water. This ensures that you end up with the exact perfect cup each time. This patented brewing technology also means that, for better or worse, Nespresso Vertuo coffee pods are also patented. What that means for you is that you can only buy Nespresso Vertuo pods from Nespresso directly, so there aren't any third-party alternatives available to purchase like there are with Keurig, for example. 

I purchased three very different Nespresso single-shot espresso pod flavors: Diavolitto, Altissio and Voltesso — from mild to extreme intensity. I wanted to determine exactly which type of brew I liked best. One sleeve contains 10 pods; price varies depending on the blend and type of coffee, but averages around $1 to $1.25 per pod. 

In full transparency, I got my Nespresso Vertuo secondhand, so it did not come with an instruction manual or any included accessories. I was easily able to find the manual online, but even without step-by-step instructions it was extremely intuitive to learn how to use.

I especially like that the Nespresso Vertuo is extremely compact. At about 5 inches wide, it takes up less space on a countertop than a traditional drip coffee machine. The only problem I can foresee if figuring out where to store your Vertuo pods, but of course the internet has already come up with solutions for that, like these Nespresso Vertuo pod storage drawers. I'm partial to a simple oversized glass storage jar to keep them on display and so I know when I need to purchase refills, but to each their own. 

I started out by filling the 1.1 liter water tank reserve to the max fill line and reattached the lid. At maximum capacity, the machine should be able to pull over 20 single shots of espresso before needing to be refilled. I turned the locking lever to the unlock position, which opens up the pod holder. After inserting my chosen pod, I closed the machine, slid the lever to the "lock" position and pressed the brew button on the top of the machine. Then, the Vertuo did the rest. 

The machine took a few seconds to do its thing, presumably scanning the "bar code" on the pod itself to determine exactly how to brew the perfect cup. Then, the machine kicked into high gear and began a loud whirring sound. After about 22 seconds, during which I assume the machine was heating up water to the ideal temperature, infusing the grounds perfecting the flow of water, the first drips of crema — that creamy, golden froth on the top of your espresso shot— poured forth from the machine. After several uses, the average single-shot extraction on my machine was around 24 seconds. 

The entire process, from beginning to end, took under 45 seconds. At the end, I was left with a beautiful, creamy and fragrant shot of espresso ready to be served with milk and sugar or simply sipped as is. 

Given the cost of the machine and how easy it is to use, the espresso it produces is high quality with lots of rich, robust flavor and silky smooth crema floating on top. I found that I preferred higher intensity blends like the Diavolitto and Altissio blends over the more mild Voltesso, but this purely comes down to palate preference.

And clean up is a breeze, too. When you move the locking lever to the unlock position and open up the pod holder, the lid has small metal "arms" that lift the previously used pod out of the holder and drop it into the used capsule container that's built into the side of the machine. When it's full, simply pop it out and empty the used capsules into your recycling. Be sure to read up on how to recycle them where you live. 

It's worth mentioning that the Vertuo itself does not include milk frothing capabilities. The machine simply brews a fast, easy, pretty high-quality shot of espresso, and can also brew a nice cup of coffee. If you're keen on being able to make milk foam for lattes, flat whites and cappuccinos, it is very easy to find Nespresso Vertuo bundles that comes with an Aeroccino milk frother. 

My personal preference is to use a simple handheld milk frothing wand if I want something more elaborate than warm milk in my espresso. Right now, during the dog day's of summer, I'm enjoying making simple iced lattes with my Nespresso — no milk frothing required.

Our review

Overall, the Nespresso Vertuo is an excellent addition to a coffee lover's kitchen, especially if they like to drink both coffee and espresso drinks. It will take up less space on their countertop than their toaster, and is likely to get just as much (perhaps more?) use. Prep and cleanup is virtually non-existent, and it takes less than 45 seconds to pull a pretty high-quality cup of espresso.

If money is no object and you're in the mood to splurge on something premium, we'll always recommend the Breville Bambino espresso machine as our favorite small-space all-in-one espresso machine. But for the price, ease of use, range of flavors and its ability to make both pod coffee and pod espresso, the Nespresso Vertuo is hard to overlook. Even though at full price it's pretty affordable, we do recommend trying to purchase one during the many times of the year that it goes on sale, if possible. 

How we tested

During my career as writer and editor and product recommendation expert, I've tested dozens of coffee makers, machines and accessories over the years. From reusable mesh pour-overs, to traditional moka pots, to a pricier espresso machines, I've tested several tools and gadgets designed to help you make the perfect brew at home. I still adamantly believe that the best cup of coffee is one I don't have to make for myself, which is why the Nespresso Vertuo caught my eye. With it, prep and cleanup is virtually nonexistent, making it almost as effortless as not having to make a coffee for yourself at all. I tested several varieties of Nespresso Vertuo pods, timing the brew and extraction times of each. I compared this to the other top brewing methods and machines for coffee and espresso.

FAQs

How does a Nespresso Vertuo machine work?

The Nespresso Vertuo uses special brewing technology developed by Nespresso directly. Once you insert the pod and close the lid, it pierces the pod. Press the brewing button at the top, and the machine spins the capsule up to 7,000 rotations a minute. Each pod contains a unique "barcode" that the machine reads for precision brewing based on factors like rotational speed, temperature, infusion time, volume and flow of water. This ensures that you end up with the exact perfect cup each time. This patented brewing technology also means that, for better or worse, Nespresso Vertuo coffee pods are also patented. 

What is the difference between Vertuo and normal Nespresso?

The main difference between the Nespresso Vertuo and the original Nespresso machines is that only the Vertuo can make both regular coffee and espresso shots. Original Nespresso machines only produce shots of espresso.

Can you use original Nespresso pods in the Nespresso Vertuo?

Unfortunately the Vertuo cannot use original Nespresso pods, and vice versa. You can only use Vertuo-specific pods in the Vertuo.

Does anyone else make pods for Nespresso Vertuo?

Unlike original Nespresso machines, the Vertuo's unique brewing method — and its pods — are patented. That means you can only buy the Nespresso Vertuo pods from Nespresso directly, so there aren't any third-party alternatives you can purchase. 

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