There was a time when I was looking for the quickest, most convenient single-serve coffee machine.
I didn’t have much time in the mornings and needed to get my coffee fast without sacrificing quality.
I landed on the Nespresso Vertuo Plus.
A great, simple brewer that I think deserves a spot in your kitchen.
In this Nespresso Vertuo Plus review, I’ll break down my favorite aspects of the machine. I’ll give you some background on the technology and then offer my advice.
Let’s get to it!
Nespresso Vertuo Plus: A Quick Overview
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The Swiss company Nespresso started making single-serve espresso machines back in 1984. But it wasn’t until 2014 that they released the Nespresso VertuoLine.
Nespreso VertuoPlus is a great machine for someone who drinks brewed coffee. And if you want the convenience and simplicity of a single-serve machine.
While the Vertuo Plus can do espresso too, it isn’t an espresso-first machine. It does much better with brewed coffee.
But is it worth it?
I would say it is, especially if you are a coffee beginner and don’t plan on getting into the weeds.
Nespresso VertuoPlus makes it really easy for anyone to use. It has Nespresso’s Barcode technology and plenty of options so you will get consistent results.
Let’s jump into some of the details and explore what makes the VertuoPlus a really solid coffee machine.
Pros
- Barcode technology adjusts settings to specific Nespresso pods, so you never have to change settings to get good results
- Option for an expanded water tank means you won’t spend as much time refilling the reservoir
- The quick 30-second warm-up time means you don’t stand around waiting for the machine
- The adjustable water tank placement means this machine will most likely fit in any space
Cons
- There are better Nespresso machines for espresso, so if you mainly drink espresso, this machine probably isn’t for you
- No integrated milk system, you’ll have to buy a separate milk frother if you want steamed or frothed milk
Features
There are a handful of things that separates the Vertuo Plus from the other machines in the VertuoLine.
Let’s break them down.
Design
The standard version of the Vertuo Plus is almost identical to the standard Vertuo.
But it does have some updates. The Vertuo Plus is a little bit taller and wider.
Is that a problem?
Not really.
That’s because Nespresso opted for an adjustable water tank.
Want the Vertuo Plus to be narrower to slide into a space in your kitchen?
Easy, put the water tank at the back.
Need a shorter, wider Vertuo Plus?
Also easy, just put the water tank at the side of the machine.
I really like that Nespresso decided to add this to the Vertuo Plus. One of the downsides to single-serve machines is that they can get bulky and take up too much space in your home.
The adjustable water tank solves part of that problem.
The deluxe versions of the Vertuo Plus come with chrome accents. You can choose from a number of different colors and either matte or glossy finishes.
While this doesn’t do anything for the quality of your coffee, it’s a nice option that allows you to match your kitchen and make your machine blend in.
The deluxe option also comes with a bigger water tank. 60 oz instead of 40 oz. That’s nice because it means you can make more drinks before having to fill up the reservoir.
Bottom line: The design is up to the standards I expect from Nespresso. The bigger water tank and color options in the deluxe version are great and worth the extra cost. The adjustable water tank is the big sell in my opinion.
Performance
Let’s be clear: Nespresso is a leader in single-serve coffee machines. You won’t be let down with any Nespresso machine.
But does the Vertuo Plus perform any better than the other machines in the VertuoLine?
Not really.
But rest assured that it performs great. It just doesn’t stand out as a high-performance option relative to other Nespresso.
What Vertuo Plus does have, though, is Barcode technology.
This is probably my favorite aspect of the Vertuo Plus. Each Vertuo coffee capsule has a barcode on the underside of the rim. Your Nespresso machine reads that barcode and automatically adjusts the brew settings to the coffee.
That means that no matter which coffee pod you put in your machine, you’ll get consistently great results.
It also means no fiddling with buttons or settings yourself. You push one button and the machine does the rest. It’s perfect for someone who just wants a quick and convenient morning cup of coffee.
My opinion: The Barcode technology sets the Vertuo Plus apart from other single-serve machines. The machine automatically adjusts settings for the coffee.
Coffee Quality
Alright, I know one of your burning questions:
Just how good is the Vertuo Plus coffee?
My answer: it’s pretty good.
A couple of caveats: as a trained barista, I believe that no single-serve coffee machine produces mind-blowing coffee. I also think it doesn’t take much more work to produce a much better cup than a single-serve machine.
However, as far as single-serve machines go, the Vertuo Plus is very good.
There was a point in my life where all I had was a Vertuo Plus. I used it every day. And I mean every day.
There are two things I can say about the coffee.
First, it was super consistent. I never had a cup that tasted off. No matter the pod I put in, it always came out tasting good.
Second, it does much better with brewed coffee than with espresso.
Let’s be clear, the VertuoLine was created to make brewed coffee and not espresso.
Nespresso uses Centrifusion brewing in the Vertuo Plus. That basically means that the water is run through the pod-like water going down a drain: it goes in a circle instead of straight through.
That ensures the coffee in the Nespresso capsule is evenly extracted. Even extraction is what makes coffee taste smooth, consistent, and generally tasty.
My opinion: The Vertuo Plus is a gold standard in terms of single-serve coffee machine quality. The coffee is consistent, delicious, and great for a morning cup. But it doesn’t do espresso as well as other Nespresso machines. If you mainly drink espresso, the Vertuo Plus probably isn’t for you.
Cleaning & Maintenance
When I think about cleaning and maintenance for a coffee machine, I think about how time-consuming and how complicated it gets.
For example, a fully automatic espresso machine is both time-consuming and complicated to clean and maintain.
On the other hand, an Aeropress is super easy and quick.
The Nespresso Vertuo Plus is a middle ground. For an automatic coffee machine, it’s actually pretty easy to clean and maintain.
As always, it’s best to refer to your owner’s manual when actually performing these functions. It’s my job to tell you how easy it actually is.
There are two different functions you will use for your Vertuo Plus: the cleaning function and the descaling function.
If you are unfamiliar with descaling, think of it as the interior detailing of your car.
The cleaning function is more like a carwash.
But they are both easy to perform with a Vertuo Plus.
You can get to each one with only a few presses of the button.
Bottom line: Cleaning and maintaining the Vertuo Plus is very easy. Follow a few simple instructions and you’ll have a working machine for a long time. You will need to purchase descaling liquid from Nespresso, however, but it’s worth it in the long run.
Ease of Use
I’ll be honest, it doesn’t get much easier than the Vertuo Plus.
Really.
All you have to do is fill the water tank, wait for 30-seconds for the machine to warm up, pop in a Nespresso pod, and press start.
It’s designed to be easy to use. It’s designed for anyone to be able to use.
And it hits the mark.
The only time it gets a little confusing is when something goes wrong. Because the display and interaction are so simple, troubleshooting can be a burden.
But trust me, brewing coffee is so easy.
Things to Consider Before Buying a Nespresso Vertuo Plus
There are a few questions you need to answer before pulling the trigger on a Vertuo Plus.
Do you mainly drink espresso?
If you mostly drink espresso with an occasional brewed coffee, I wouldn’t recommend the Vertuo Plus. Instead, go for an espresso-first Nespresso.
Do you want to learn how coffee extraction and brewing work?
If so, I wouldn’t recommend a single-serve machine. Instead, try a manual espresso machine or an Aeropress.
How much space do you have in your kitchen?
While the Vertuo Plus has an adjustable water tank, it is still on the bigger side. Double-check the dimensions of your space to make sure it will fit.
Do you want a simple, easy-to-use, and consistent machine?
Then the Vertuo Plus is definitely for you.
Verdict
The Nespresso VertuoPlus is the second generation of the VertuoLine.
It’s an automatic single-serve coffee brewer.
The bottom line is that it’s consistent, quick, easy to use, and provides good coffee.
It’s a convenient brewer for your busy mornings.
The Barcode technology on the coffee pods ensures each Nespresso Vertuo capsule gets its own brew. Centrifusion brewing means an even extraction and delicious coffee.
