In-depth review
Nespresso Vertuo Plus Review
In-depth review of the Nespresso Vertuo Plus: Centrifusion brewing, five cup sizes, 60 oz tank, and who it suits.
Nespresso Vertuo Plus
The big-tank Vertuo: five cup sizes from espresso to 14 oz Alto with barcode-read brewing.
- Extraction: Centrifusion, up to 7000 rpm
- Cup sizes: 5: 1.35, 2.7, 5, 8, and 14 oz
- Water tank: 60 oz
Our verdict
The Vertuo Plus is the safest Vertuo buy for mixed households: five cup sizes from 1.35 oz espresso to 14 oz Alto, genuine Centrifusion crema, and a 60 oz tank that halves refill duty against the smaller Vertuos. The trade-offs are structural to the line, not this model: proprietary pods cost more per cup than Original, and there is no milk system built in. If your household drinks both shots and mugs, this is the one. The model-to-model math is in our Vertuo Plus vs Vertuo Next comparison, and its ranking is in our best Nespresso machines guide.
What we like
- Centrifusion spins capsules at up to 7000 rpm for thick crema on every size
- Five cup sizes from 1.35 oz espresso to 14 oz Alto cover shots and full mugs
- 60 oz water tank is the largest among the compact Vertuo models
- Barcode reading sets brew parameters automatically, so there is nothing to learn
What to watch out for
- Vertuo pods are proprietary, with fewer third-party options than Original
- Pods cost more per cup than Original line capsules
- Used capsule container holds 10 large capsules, so heavy users empty it often
Who it is for
Households that want espresso-style shots and full mugs of coffee from one automated pod machine.
Brewing and cup sizes
Centrifusion spins each capsule at up to 7000 rpm while water infuses, and the barcode on the capsule rim sets the parameters automatically. The result is consistent across all five sizes: 1.35 oz espresso, 2.7 oz double espresso, 5 oz gran lungo, 8 oz coffee, and 14 oz Alto. The crema is thick and persistent, though airier than pump-machine crema. There is nothing to learn and nothing to adjust, which is exactly the appeal.
Tank and daily use
The 60 oz water tank is the practical headline: it brews roughly four 14 oz Altos or a full day of mixed drinks before refilling, and it repositions for the counter. The used capsule container holds 10 large capsules, so heavy Alto drinkers empty it every couple of days. Heat-up takes about 25 seconds, and the machine is ready before the cup is.
Pod economics
The honest cost of Vertuo is the pods. Vertuo capsules are proprietary, mostly Nespresso-made, and cost more per cup than Original pods with far fewer third-party alternatives. Heavy drinkers should price a month of their actual consumption before committing to the line; the machine is the cheap part of Vertuo ownership.
How it stacks up
Against the Vertuo Next, the Plus wins on capacity: 60 oz tank vs 37 oz, and a larger used-capsule bin. The Next counters with a 5.5-inch-wide body, the slimmest Vertuo here, plus Bluetooth and WiFi updates the Plus lacks. Same five cup sizes, same Centrifusion, different priorities. Against the Evoluo, the comparison is new vs discontinued: the Evoluo's 54 oz tank and 17-capsule container nearly match the Plus, but at 11 lb in a blocky body with no connectivity and no current warranty, it only makes sense from remaining stock at a discount.
Key specifications
- Extraction
- Centrifusion, up to 7000 rpm
- Cup sizes
- 5: 1.35, 2.7, 5, 8, and 14 oz
- Water tank
- 60 oz
- Used capsule container
- Holds 10 large capsules
- Heat-up time
- About 25 seconds
Sources: Nespresso official product specifications, Major retailer product listings, Published coffee gear reviews
What owners report
Owners praise
- Owners praise the Centrifusion system, spinning capsules at up to 7000 rpm for thick crema on every size
- Many owners like the five cup sizes, from a 1.35 oz espresso to a 14 oz Alto
- Owners say the barcode reading sets brew parameters automatically, leaving nothing to learn
Common complaints
- Some owners dislike the proprietary Vertuo pods, with fewer third-party options than the Original line
- A common complaint is pods costing more per cup than Original line capsules
- Owners who brew heavily find themselves emptying the 10-capsule used container often
Also consider
Nespresso Vertuo Next
The slim Vertuo: the same five cup sizes in a 5.5-inch-wide body with connected updates.
- Extraction: Centrifusion, up to 7000 rpm
- Cup sizes: 5: 1.35, 2.7, 5, 8, and 14 oz
Sources: Nespresso official product specifications, Major retailer product listings, Published coffee gear reviews
Check current price
Nespresso Essenza Mini
The smallest Nespresso: real 19-bar espresso in a footprint barely bigger than a mug.
- Brew method: Nespresso Original pods
- Pressure: 19-bar pump
Sources: Nespresso official product specifications, Major retailer product listings, Published coffee gear reviews
Check current priceResearch-based assessment. TheBrewLedger has not hands-on tested this product; this evaluation synthesizes manufacturer specifications, retailer documentation, and published expert reviews.
Questions, answered
Does the Vertuo Plus make real espresso?
Espresso-style, not traditional espresso. Centrifusion produces a 1.35 oz concentrated coffee with thick crema, but the extraction physics differ from a 19-bar pump. Most drinkers enjoy it; purists prefer Original line shots.
How often will I refill the 60 oz tank?
About four 14 oz Altos, or a full day of mixed espresso and coffee drinks for a two-person household. It is the least refill-hungry of the compact Vertuo machines.
Can I use third-party Vertuo pods?
Rarely. The barcode system keeps Vertuo pods mostly Nespresso-made, unlike Original's wide compatible range. Assume Nespresso pricing for your pod math.
Does it come with a milk frother?
No. Milk drinks need a separate Aeroccino or another frother. For built-in milk, look at the Vertuo Creatista's steam wand or the Original line's Lattissima models.