This is the best Nespresso machine out there – Nespresso Vertuo Next review

If you're looking for a slick, quick, single-serve coffee maker, Nespresso will be the name that you see everywhere. The Nespresso Vertuo Next is often the one recommended by experts, but is it a good recommendation? And should you buy one?

After years of using all of the best Nespresso machines, our experts decided that the Nespresso Vertuo Next deserves the top spot as the best Nespresso (and best single-serve coffee maker) overall. It's versatile, easy to use, and really good value.

If you think it sounds like the one for you, but you want to know more, here's everything we found in our tests of the Nespresso Vertuo Next. We've got some comparisons between the Vertuo Next and other Nespressos further down, too.

Specifications

Unboxing

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Nespresso works with a range of manufacturers to create its machines, including Breville and De'Longhi in the US. Note, I live in the UK, so my machine is by Magimix and it features the brand's logo front and center.

Opening the box, I also presumed there would be more than a few parts to play with. Protected by recyclable cardboard inserts that cleverly held each piece in place, were the machine itself, the drip tray, and the manual, with the milk frother kept separately in its own box. I lifted them all out and laid them on the table before beginning to put them together. Even before assembly, I could see how stylish the Nespresso machine was going to look. Its matte black finish with rose gold touches gives it a modern edge I just love.

Setting it up

Set-up was also straightforward. A family member currently has another pod coffee machine, which has multiple parts and processes to get going. Think pushing reset buttons, switches, and codes for certain set-up instructions. For the Nespresso Vertuo, once I’d attached the drip tray, plugged it in, and filled the water tank, the instructions told me to push the (only) button three times in two seconds to rinse the machine. Given the five types of coffee this machine makes, the high-tech brewing performance, and the great coffee taste it claims to have, I was more than impressed with the one-button-does-all functionality. The rinse took around ten minutes, which at the moment felt longer due to my excitement. While this is only required at the beginning, to run through a brewing cycle and clean the components from any dust build-up before use, it could also be useful to do if you’re switching between coffee flavors and blends in between cleaning. After that, it was ready to go. 

As for the milk frother, which is an add-on you can choose to come with, or without the maker, the set-up is equally as simple. Plug in and push the go button. That’s it. 

An extra step in the setup process is Bluetooth connectivity. Initially, I didn’t know whether this was a required part of using the machine or not – if it was, I’d find it a little unnecessary, but I thought I’d download the app anyway. To connect your smartphone to the machine, I had to create an account and link my maker. This involved putting my phone on top of the button on the machine until it pinged. But what does this do? The app allows remote functions for the machine that otherwise would be managed by a series of button pressing and self-inspection. For example, the mug symbol on the button may illuminate red or flash when it needs descaling. The manual or a quick Google will tell you what this means, but conveniently, the app will alert you of what you need to do next. Pretty clever, I think! As well as machine care instructions, the app also has expert advice on how to use the machine to its full potential, and smart coffee tips on how to, essentially, become a barista. 

What is it like to use?

As you can predict, by the way this review is going, the Nespresso Vertuo Next is really easy to use. The fast heat-up, single-use-button, and automatic brewing adaption means there’s little to no effort needed to get a great cup of coffee. No panicked rush figuring out which temperature you’d like or accidentally pushing the wrong symbol when you’re in a rush for work. Rather, all you need to do is grab a mug, choose your pod and you’re good to go. Oh, and make sure the water tank isnt empty. 

In fact, the complication comes with figuring out which coffee to choose. If you’re up for trying different brews and blends and haven't discovered your go-to, like me, then this can be a little overwhelming. The Nespresso Vertuo comes with a vast range of pods since it’s compatible with a single espresso, double espresso, gran lungo, mug, and carafe-sized options. The machine comes with a selection box of 3 of each. I thought this was a great add-on as I could try and decide which I like best. On the other hand, if you know exactly what type you like, then you can go ahead and buy the pods in packs of 8. Or, if you really like your coffee, and can’t go a day without one (or two) then there are Nespresso coffee pod subscriptions available too.  

I did make more than one coffee and tried out all variations possible. But I’ll walk you through how to make a classic double espresso with milk foam. I chose the double espresso chiaro, which is an 80ml double shot, with a level 8 strength. I popped it in the machine, locked it, and pressed the button as my favorite mug sat underneath. Meanwhile, I filled the milk frother up to the max line and touched go. I poured in my milk and my coffee was ready to enjoy. Thanks to an automatic adjustment setting that adapts the brewing parameters to each capsule, including cup size, pressure, temperature, and brewing time, the process is the same as follows for whichever coffee you’d like to make. 

For me, the frother is almost a little too simple. It does froth cold and hot milk, controlled by either pressing the button once or holding it down for two seconds, but there’s no way to control the temperature and amount of froth together. You can either get very hot, very frothy milk or cooler milk with less froth. If you too, would prefer a frother with more technical settings, then you might want to see our verdict on some of the best milk frothers you can buy. 

When it comes to taste, I can’t complain about the coffee the machine makes. You’ll indefinitely get the best possible flavor from freshly ground bean-to-cup coffee, but in my opinion, it’s just as good as the one you’d get from the cafe and much better than an instant or filter alternative. Plus, filling up a coffee press or grinding your own beans isn't exactly convenient for your quick morning coffee. So as long as you find the type you like amongst the abundance of pod choices, then you’re all set for cafe-standard coffee, at home. 

Cleaning

There’s no surprise then, that cleaning the coffee machine is fuss-free. Since there aren't many parts to dismantle or settings to play with, cleaning the machine took me 15 minutes only. The self-pod emptier puts all the used pods in a box automatically as you open it up after use. Emptying this is the first step. In between cleaning, your app or red light on the top of the machine will let you know when it needs emptying. And there was also little to no coffee spill or need to wash out the container either. The water tank then needs a wash with hot water and mild detergent, and the pod holder handles and drip tray wanted a quick wipe down with an antibacterial spray and microfiber cloth. Then, I put the machine through a rinse to clear out the insides for any build-up and residue. Dried with a clean cloth and it was ready to use again. 

The machine will need descaling every so often. Nespresso advises doing this every 600 coffee pods or at least every 6 months. Really, this depends on how much coffee you drink. Again your app would let you know when. I haven't had this machine for that long but descaled the machine for testing purposes. To do so, I took the maker apart and cleaned, it before adding water and a descaling agent to the container and held the button down for 7 seconds. Refill for drinkable water and clean and rinse again before making your next mug.

How does it rate online?

The Nespresso Vertuo Next is a popular model online. It's almost always labeled as the best Nespresso machine on the market because it ticks a lot of boxes for a lot of coffee drinkers. 

Most people praised the Vertuo Next for its intuitive controls, delicious coffee, and stylish design. There are other smaller features, such as the adjustable height cup colder and automatic cleaning settings that got this nudge closer to perfection in the eyes of both reviewers and customers.

It was hard to find serious criticisms of the Vertuo Next. Some people don't like the plastic exterior (although Nespresso uses a considerable amount of recycled plastic to make this). If that's something that would be a deal-breaker for you, I recommend trying the Vertuo Creatista, which is all stainless steel. It's impressive, but expensive too. Other people wished that the Aeroccino or milk frother came with the machine because you normally have to buy it separately, or in a bundle, which is frustrating.

How does it compare to other models?

This best pod coffee maker is one of the easiest I’ve used. Okay, it’s not meant for the professional baristas in mind, but I think it makes great coffee that tastes just as good as one made with a bean-to-cup industry-led machine. And I’d expect nothing less from Nespresso. Design-wise, I find it to be the most attractive of coffee makers, especially if you like the modern style. There are a few colors to choose from, including gray, red, and chrome for a more traditional, high-end look. And with stainless steel or rose gold touches, there’s something for everyone. It’s the slimmest I’ve noticed, when it comes to pod machines, considering comparable models like the Nespresso Vertuo Lattissima or the Nespresso Vertuo Plus 

Other upgrades include the compatibility with multiple-size coffee pods, so you can have an espresso to start your day, a mug at lunch and a gran lungo before bed. It also has a new brewing system, where Centrifusion™ technology reads the barcode in each coffee capsule to cleverly adjust the settings to create the best blend. But the biggest, and most important comparison worth making to previous models is its drive toward sustainability. This maker is the first to be made of 54% recycled plastics. Not to mention, all Nespresso coffee is cased in recyclable aluminum capsules, which is great if compared with the rest of the market. 

If we’re talking about price too, I believe the Nespresso favorably compares. It may not be the most expensive, or professional out there, but it stands at a reasonable price for a single-serve machine. Besides, there are always plenty of discounts at Nespresso, I find. 

Should you buy it?

Truthfully, I am struggling to find a reason why you shouldn't buy the Nespresso Vertuo Next. It’s sleek, stylish and perfectly practical if you’re looking for a single-serve pod coffee maker that’s easy to use and looks just as good on your counter as it tastes. It's not the quietest, but I believe all the other good points make up for it. And the Nespresso standard coffee it creates sure makes it a full 5 stars. If you’re wanting a more technical machine, to perhaps practice your barista skills or to learn how to make a cup of coffee, the proper way, then you may want to see our Jura ENA 8 review or find an industry style one instead. 

The deciding factor however is whether or not you like Nespresso coffee. I’d like to think that someone who doesn't wouldn't have gotten this far through the review. Still, it’s worth mentioning that the Nespresso Vertuo is not compatible with any other coffee capsules, like other brands offer. So if you buy a Nespresso machine, you better be okay with drinking nothing else.