In-depth review
Nespresso Vertuo Plus Review: The Best-Tasting Pod Coffee
In-depth review of the Nespresso Vertuo Plus: Centrifusion extraction, cup sizes, pod lock-in, and who should buy it.
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 makes the best-tasting pod coffee in this guide, full stop. Centrifusion spins each pod to produce a thick, lasting crema that K-Cups cannot match, and the barcode system dials in 5 cup sizes from 1.35 oz espresso to 14 oz alto automatically. The price is ecosystem lock-in: only Nespresso Vertuo pods work, no third-party options, and per-cup costs exceed K-Cups. If you crave espresso-style drinks with crema and accept the pod monopoly, nothing else here competes. If you want pod variety and lower costs, buy the K-Supreme. The Keurig vs Nespresso comparison and best single-serve ranking frame the decision.
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
Drinkers who want espresso-style coffee with real crema from pods and accept Nespresso's closed ecosystem.
Centrifusion and crema
Centrifusion is genuinely different from pressure brewing: the machine spins the pod at high speed while water flows through, emulsifying the coffee into a thick, hazelnut-colored crema that lasts. The result tastes closer to espresso than any K-Cup, with more body and intensity. The barcode on each pod rim tells the machine the exact volume and spin profile, so a 1.35 oz espresso and a 14 oz alto each brew to their own spec with no manual settings.
Cup sizes and capacity
Five sizes, espresso (1.35 oz), double espresso (2.7 oz), gran lungo (5 oz), coffee (8 oz), and alto (14 oz), cover everything from straight shots to full mugs. The 60 oz water tank matches the K-Supreme's capacity class, and the used-capsule container holds 10 capsules before emptying. The motorized head opens and closes at a button press, a small luxury that feels premium daily.
The pod lock-in
This is the section to read twice. Vertuo pods are Nespresso-only: no third-party compatibles exist, unlike the crowded K-Cup market. That means Nespresso sets the price, the variety, and the availability, and you order from Nespresso or licensed retailers. Per-cup costs run higher than K-Cups. In exchange you get consistent quality and the recycling program for used capsules. If open ecosystems matter to you, this is disqualifying; if you just want great pod espresso, it is the cost of admission.
How it stacks up
Against the Keurig K-Supreme, the Vertuo Plus delivers espresso-style crema and intensity that drip-style K-Cups cannot match, but locks you into Nespresso-only pods while the K-Supreme enjoys hundreds of K-Cup varieties and a reusable-filter option. Against the Nespresso Essenza Mini, the Vertuo Plus brews full-size coffee up to 14 oz alto with a 60 oz tank versus the Mini's espresso-and-lungo-only range and 20.3 oz tank, at a larger footprint and higher price. Read the full Keurig vs Nespresso comparison for the head-to-head.
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
Keurig K-Supreme
MultiStream pod brewing for one fast cup at a time.
- Brew type: Single-serve K-Cup pods
- Technology: MultiStream brewing
Sources: Keurig 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
Can I use third-party pods in the Vertuo Plus?
No. Vertuo pods are Nespresso-only with barcode brewing; no compatible third-party pods exist. The Essenza Mini's Original line has third-party options, but Vertuo does not.
Does the Vertuo Plus make real espresso?
It makes espresso-style coffee with genuine crema via Centrifusion, but it is not 9-bar portafilter espresso. For milk drinks and straight shots it satisfies most drinkers; purists will want a real espresso machine.
How do I recycle Vertuo capsules?
Nespresso runs a capsule recycling program with prepaid bags and drop-off points. The aluminum capsules are recyclable through the program, not curbside in most areas.
Vertuo Plus or Essenza Mini?
The Vertuo Plus if you drink full-size coffee as well as espresso; the Essenza Mini if you drink only espresso and lungo and want the smallest, cheapest Nespresso.