Caffeinated Gear » Best Nespresso Machines Review: Expert Guide to Original vs Vertuo
By: Caffeinated Gear Review Team
After months of hands-on testing and countless cups of coffee, we’ve compiled our definitive guide to Nespresso machines currently available in the market.
Before diving into our recommendations, there are some crucial insights every potential Nespresso owner should understand to make an informed decision.
Éric Favre, inventor of the Nespresso machine. Credit: houseofswitzerland
The story of Nespresso machines is fascinating – starting with an ambitious inventor who took a job in Nestlé’s packaging department just to get his foot in the door.
Through our extensive testing and research, we’ve identified three key factors behind Nespresso’s remarkable success:
1: Unmatched Speed and Simplicity. These machines heat up in mere seconds and produce coffee in about 12 seconds flat. Perfect for busy mornings when you need proper coffee without the faff.
2: Competitive Initial Investment. Compared to purchasing a traditional espresso setup with a quality grinder, Nespresso machines offer an accessible entry point into coffee brewing.
While the per-gram coffee cost might seem high, the small portion size in each pod means your daily coffee ritual remains reasonably priced. This is particularly true when using compatible pods, which can cost as little as 17p each.
3: Rich Selection of Options. Our testing revealed that no other capsule system matches Nespresso’s extensive range. Between Nespresso’s own offerings and third-party options, you’ll find an impressive variety of flavour profiles.
Even better, we’re seeing more speciality coffee roasters entering the Nespresso-compatible market, bringing exceptional coffee quality to the capsule format.
However, there’s something crucial we need to address:
Through our testing and analysis, we’ve found that Nespresso’s original machines create a distinct coffee experience – while similar to espresso, it’s technically its own brewing method.
The differences lie in the coffee-to-water ratio, brewing temperature, and pressure levels, resulting in a unique cup profile.
Éric Favre’s Nespresso Prototype.
Our research into Nespresso’s origins revealed something fascinating. Rather than simply miniaturising traditional espresso technology, Favre took an entirely fresh approach.
He found inspiration in a bustling Rome café, where he noticed the barista’s unique technique of pumping the lever multiple times. This extra oxidation became the foundation for Nespresso’s brewing system, creating an entirely new approach to coffee extraction.
The result? Something distinct from traditional espresso – it’s Nespresso, a category of its own. While similar to espresso, it operates at different pressures, flow rates, and coffee-to-water ratios, typically producing a mellower cup at slightly lower temperatures.
This distinction isn’t about quality – it’s about understanding what you’re getting. Many of our team members actually prefer Nespresso’s smoother profile, which helps explain its massive commercial success.
However, if you’re specifically after traditional espresso, consider these options:
One significant difference we’ve noticed between Nespresso and traditional espresso setups is coffee freshness. While Nespresso excels in convenience, pod systems can’t match the experience of freshly ground beans.
Traditional setups let you explore the world of freshly roasted beans, grinding just before brewing – something our team particularly values.
We’ve identified two other key considerations when comparing pod systems to traditional brewing:
Environmental Impact While Nespresso has made strides in sustainability, individual pod packaging remains a concern. Each cup requires its own capsule – sometimes multiple for larger drinks.
Traditional brewing typically uses one bag for 50-200 servings, significantly reducing packaging waste. Though Nespresso offers free recycling via return bags, the carbon footprint of this process is worth considering.
Coffee Selection Despite Nespresso original’s impressive variety in both official and compatible pods, our testing shows that whole bean coffee still offers unmatched choice.
With traditional brewing, you’re free to explore countless roasters and suppliers, opening up a world of coffee possibilities.
After extensive testing in our coffee lab, we’ve identified the key differences between these two Nespresso systems. The Vertuo represents Nespresso’s newer technology, though it currently offers fewer machine options and pod varieties compared to the Original line. This limitation stems partly from the current absence of compatible pods from third-party manufacturers.
The fundamental difference lies in serving sizes. Original Nespresso machines specialise in smaller, espresso-style servings, while Vertuo machines accommodate larger coffee drinks with their expanded pod range, including options for full mugs and carafes.
For context, Original Nespresso’s largest offering (lungo) produces 110ml of coffee, whereas a standard UK coffee mug typically holds 250-300ml. This size difference presents an important choice for coffee lovers.
If you’re content with espresso-sized portions or 110ml lungos, Original Nespresso machines will serve you well. For those wanting larger servings, you have two main options:
Many users opt to use multiple Original pods (such as two lungos or three double-shots) to fill larger cups. While this works, our testing suggests it raises questions about cost-effectiveness and environmental impact.
We’ve thoroughly tested both systems for this review, starting with Original machines before moving to Vertuo models.
Vertuo machines use an innovative barcode system on their pods that automatically adjusts water volume based on pod contents. This smart feature delivers precisely measured drinks ranging from espresso shots to ‘Alto’ servings (400ml/14oz).
The financial implications deserve consideration. While using one Vertuo pod typically costs less than multiple Original pods for the same volume, there’s more to the story. Genuine Nespresso Original pods start around 35p, but compatible alternatives can cost as little as 7p. With careful shopping and bulk buying, Original machines using multiple compatible pods might prove more economical than Vertuo pods.
This cost difference exists because Vertuo currently lacks third-party compatible pods, a situation we don’t expect to change soon given the proprietary technology involved.
Other important factors include machine variety (Original offers more choices) and taste profile differences. Vertuo uses distinct brewing technology that produces notably different coffee characteristics. Our advice? If you’re currently using Original Nespresso, try sampling Vertuo coffee before switching systems. While this might be challenging currently, it’s worth the effort to ensure satisfaction with your investment.
Remember, Original Nespresso machines excel at producing espresso-style shots. For larger coffee servings, skip ahead to our Vertuo section.
38.6 x 31.7 x 14.1 cm. 2.34 Kilograms
Limited cup height clearance, which might frustrate some users. Taller cups won’t fit under the spout, a common complaint in user reviews.
For those seeking larger drinks, we recommend considering Vertuo machines instead.
The capsule container is relatively small.
The Essenza Mini lives up to its name as one of the most compact Original Nespresso machines available. Like all official Nespresso machines, it comes in both Krups and Magimix variants.
Many customers ask about Krups vs Magimix differences – we can confirm it’s purely aesthetic. Our team prefers the clean lines of the Krups model over Magimix’s angular design, though naturally, this won’t affect your coffee’s taste.
18.6cm wide x 25.9cm tall x 33.6cm deep. 4.3kg
Occasional pod ejection sticking
The Grind One, from London’s specialty coffee scene, breaks the conventional Nespresso machine mould. It’s deliberately designed to challenge the typical plastic pod machine aesthetic, with Grind positioning it as “an antidote to the mass-market plastic machines that seem destined for landfill”.
Our team particularly appreciates its traditional lever espresso machine styling, complete with an E61-style group head design. The professional-grade details extend to the authentic espresso machine drip tray and the cup-warming rails on top.
We love the classic toggle switch operation – no auto-off means it’s ready when you are. While some might question the energy efficiency, the thermoblock heating system means minimal power consumption in standby mode.
The stainless steel construction feels substantial, though we should note that external materials don’t necessarily reflect internal component quality. That said, our testing suggests robust build quality throughout.
While branded by Shoreditch-based Grind, this Scandinavian-designed machine pairs perfectly with their compostable Nespresso-compatible pods. Our extensive testing with their pod range revealed occasional sticking during ejection, though this likely relates to the compostable materials rather than the machine itself.
We’ve thoroughly tested their impressive pod selection:
House Blend – Crafted specifically for milk-based drinks like flat whites
Light blend – Ethiopian and Peruvian blend
Dark blend – Brazil, India, and Uganda combination
Decaf – Mexican single origin
Long blend – Brazilian and Guatemalan mix for longer drinks
Editions India – Single origin Indian
Editions Ethiopia – Single origin Ethiopian
Their complementary pods tin adds practical value for on-the-go coffee enthusiasts.
Our testing revealed this machine excels in office environments thanks to its modest footprint, generous water capacity, spacious pod drawer, and notably quiet operation. The engaging ritual of toggle-switching, pod-loading, and lever-pulling offers a welcome break from screen time.
For home use, it’s particularly appealing alongside traditional espresso machines, especially for those exploring the growing specialty coffee pod market. Its slim profile and quiet operation make it ideal for any kitchen setting.
When our team evaluates Nespresso machines, we pay attention to practical details that matter in real-world use.
Here’s something fascinating we noticed during our testing: while most Nespresso machines boast compact footprints, their rounded tops or control placement often renders the upper surface unusable.
This becomes particularly relevant in smaller kitchens where every centimetre counts.
We’ve found that strategic design features, like safety rails along the top, can transform these machines from simple coffee makers into practical workspace solutions.
During our extensive testing, we discovered you can comfortably fit four 8-ounce flat white glasses within these rails without blocking essential access points like the pod slot or water tank.
With careful arrangement, you might even accommodate eight glasses – a brilliant solution for homes where counter space comes at a premium.
13 x 37.1 x 27.6 cm; 3.1 Kilograms
Watch those lighter cups! The powerful pump vibrations can send them dancing right off the cup tray – though this does speak to the machine’s impressive extraction pressure.
As a team, we’ve spent four years working with the Citiz, using it both in our test kitchen and in more demanding environments like our studio space.
While our certified baristas typically gravitate towards traditional espresso machines, we’ve found the Citiz invaluable when time is of the essence.
The build quality immediately caught our attention. For its price point – which sits considerably lower than many machines featured in our best bean to cup coffee machines post and our best espresso machines guide – the Citiz offers remarkable value.
We appreciate the accommodation for larger cups, though frequent users should note the capsule bin fills rather quickly. This becomes particularly noticeable if you’re brewing double shots, which many of our team members prefer. In hindsight, a Vertuo might have better suited our needs, though this wasn’t an option when we first acquired the Citiz.
Our only notable criticism centres on the vigorous pump action. While this contributes to proper extraction, it can cause lighter cups to gradually migrate across the fold-out tray – something to keep an eye on during brewing.
The Lattissima stands out as a versatile pod coffee machine that brings authentic café quality to your kitchen.
Compatible with the complete range of Nespresso® Capsules, it offers endless possibilities for flavour exploration.
The automatic cappuccino system consistently produces rich, creamy foam that would impress even seasoned baristas.
The brilliance of One Touch technology means you’ll never need to fiddle with complicated settings or timings.
Whether you’re craving your morning macchiato or an afternoon espresso, everything happens with a simple button press.
When you’re rushing to start your day, the rapid heating system proves invaluable – your coffee arrives in moments, not minutes.
Getting started with your new machine brings extra perks too.
Register it online with Nespresso®, and you’ll not only activate your warranty but gain membership to the exclusive Nespresso® Club, opening doors to special benefits and offers.
Key Features:
During our extensive testing, we found this machine particularly impressive for speciality milk-based drinks.
The system heats milk to 65°C and offers customisable foam textures, all automated for perfect consistency.
While more complex than standard Nespresso machines, we discovered the learning curve is worth the results – though you’ll want to keep the manual handy at first.
The touch-sensitive controls demand careful attention – our team occasionally triggered the wrong drink selection during testing.
However, this minor quirk hasn’t dampened users’ enthusiasm, as evidenced by consistently positive reviews.
One crucial point we must emphasise: regular cleaning of the milk system isn’t optional.
Some users suggest skipping the cleaning cycle after milk drinks, despite the machine’s reminder alerts.
From our professional experience, this leads to disaster – we’ve seen perfectly good machines ruined by milk residue in the pipes, creating an impossible-to-remove sour odour.
Whether you choose this model or any machine with milk frothing capabilities, strict cleaning discipline is non-negotiable.
In our thorough evaluation of this latest Nespresso-compatible machine from L’OR, we found its versatility impressive.
It works seamlessly with L’OR capsules while maintaining compatibility with Nespresso Original and most compatible pods.
The standout feature that caught our attention is its volume customisation system – we particularly appreciated how easily we could adjust the coffee output for each capsule to match personal preferences.
Our testing revealed significant upgrades over the discontinued Uno model:
Building on the Uno’s strengths, the Plus offers:
Premium pricing (though justified by the advanced features)
Transform your kitchen into a professional coffee bar with the Nespresso Creatista Plus. This sophisticated machine combines lightning-fast performance with remarkable precision, featuring a 3-second heat-up time and unprecedented control over milk texture and temperature. Each unit includes a professional-grade stainless steel milk jug for perfect microfoam.
After extensive testing, we found the Creatista Plus builds significantly on the Uno’s foundation with:
For flat white enthusiasts like our testing team, this machine truly shines. The precise control over temperature and texture is remarkable—so much so that we’ve noticed professional establishments using this model in their reviews on Amazon.
While the price point sits at the premium end of Nespresso machines, we believe it’s justified by the outstanding milk preparation capabilities and superior build quality. However, if you primarily drink black coffee, you might not fully utilise these advanced features.
All the benefits of previous models, plus:
The Creatista Pro represents the pinnacle of home coffee automation. This premium machine combines rapid heating technology with professional-grade milk texturing capabilities. The sleek stainless steel design houses a sophisticated system that heats in just 3 seconds and offers complete control over milk temperature and texture.
Experience unmatched efficiency with the innovative dual ThermoJet heating system. Ready in just 3 seconds, it allows simultaneous coffee extraction and milk texturing—perfect for busy mornings or entertaining.
Our testing revealed the colour touch screen interface brings unprecedented ease to home coffee making. The intuitive menu guides you through setup, drink selection, and maintenance with professional clarity.
Understanding that every coffee lover is unique, we’ve ensured the Pro offers 8 distinct presets while allowing complete customisation of coffee volume, milk temperature, and texture. Save your perfect recipe for quick access whenever you need it.
The Creatista Pro stands as the flagship model in the range, similar to how the Oracle Touch leads Sage’s traditional espresso machine lineup.
While the touch screen interface is the most visible upgrade, our testing revealed several meaningful improvements:
The expanded 2L water tank reduces refills, while the comprehensive preset menu and dedicated hot water spout make it equally capable with both milk-based and long black coffees.
For those who appreciate both milky drinks and longer blacks, the Pro offers unmatched versatility. Its one-touch long black feature particularly impressed our team during testing.
After extensive testing in our coffee lab, we’re convinced the Creatista Vertuo stands out as the most innovative Vertuo machine in Nespresso’s lineup.
One significant advantage we’ve discovered with the Vertuo system addresses a common limitation of traditional Nespresso machines. While original Nespresso pods contain just 5-6g of coffee, Vertuo offers substantially larger doses.
During our trials, we found this particularly beneficial when crafting milk-based drinks. A single original Nespresso pod in a flat white simply didn’t provide the robust coffee flavour we wanted. With Vertuo’s larger pods, including mug and carafe sizes, you’ll get a properly strong cup without needing multiple pods.
However, we should note that choosing Vertuo over original Nespresso does come with certain trade-offs. The biggest consideration is pod compatibility. While original Nespresso machines can use a wide variety of third-party pods, Vertuo machines currently only accept Nespresso-branded pods. We expect this limitation to continue for some time.
The Creatista Vertuo essentially combines the discontinued Uno’s performance features – including its brilliant three-temperature and texture settings – with the premium design of the Pro and Plus models. The result is a truly remarkable machine.
For those primarily making smaller drinks, we still recommend the original Nespresso Creatista machines. But if you’re after those larger coffee options, our testing confirms the Sage Creatista Vertuo is currently the finest Vertuo machine available.
When brewing black coffee in our office, we typically use an AeroPress.
The convenience of pod-based systems is undeniable – simply insert a pod, press a button, and your coffee appears. But remember, even with original Nespresso machines, achieving a properly strong large coffee still requires multiple pods.
For lovers of substantial black coffees, you might want to consider other Vertuo options, which we’ll explore below.
Having covered the premier original Nespresso machines, let’s examine the Vertuo range. These newer machines target coffee drinkers who prefer larger servings.
Reading consumer feedback across Nespresso original machines reveals a common thread: the small serving sizes. This isn’t actually a flaw – it reflects the machines’ original purpose as an espresso alternative. While the brewing process differs from traditional espresso, the serving sizes were intentionally similar.
For larger drinks, you’ll need to add water or use multiple pods – even with lungo-sized capsules – to achieve full-bodied flavour in a standard 285-350ml mug.
Nespresso developed the Vertuo range specifically to fill this market gap.
While original Nespresso pods produce 25ml-110ml servings, Vertuo’s range spans from single espresso right up to Alto size – an impressive 414ml. This makes Vertuo machines particularly suited to those who enjoy standard or larger coffee servings, whether black or with milk.
Current Nespresso original users should note that Vertuo machines produce notably different coffee characteristics. The centrifusion brewing system creates an exceptionally thick layer of foam (often called “crema” though technically different from true espresso crema).
This foam layer is substantially thicker than what you’d get from original Nespresso machines. While some coffee enthusiasts might debate the terminology, the end result is distinctive and may appeal to many users – though it’s worth noting it’s quite different from traditional Nespresso drinks.
At present, Vertuo pods remain exclusively Nespresso-branded, unlike the original system’s wide range of compatible options. This limits both purchasing options and variety compared to original Nespresso pods, which are widely available from numerous manufacturers.
The Vertuo machine range is more streamlined, offering variations of three core models: Vertuo Plus, Vertuo Chrome, and Vertuo Next, with differences primarily in aesthetics.
These key distinctions between Vertuo and original Nespresso systems should help inform your choice between the two platforms.
22 x 34.9 x 32.5 cm. 4.6 Kg
After extensive testing, we’ve found this red Nespresso by Magimix pod coffee machine offers remarkable versatility for its price point.
The machine exclusively uses Nespresso® Vertuo capsules, providing an extensive range of coffee options. What particularly impressed us during testing was the five programmable cup sizes – alto, mug, gran lungo, double espresso, and espresso. The Centrifusion™ Technology consistently delivered well-extracted coffee with rich aromas across all cup sizes.
For busy mornings, the Fast Heat Up function proved invaluable. We recommend registering with the Nespresso® Club not just for the warranty coverage, but also for their excellent perks programme.
As coffee specialists, we were particularly interested in the special edition features. The automatic opening/closing mechanism and movable water tank set this model apart from the standard VertuoPlus – and surprisingly, it typically costs about £20 less.
For anyone seeking quality large-cup coffee without breaking the bank, our testing suggests this machine deserves serious consideration. While we noticed some users reporting technical issues in reviews, these typically surface early if they’re going to appear at all. Purchasing from established retailers like Amazon provides solid buyer protection should you encounter any problems.
14.2 x 42.9 x 31.4 cm. 4 Kg
Our testing revealed the Vertuo Next as a wonderfully versatile machine. Whether you’re craving a full mug in the morning, an espresso after lunch, or a Gran Lungo in the afternoon, this model handles it all effortlessly.
The five cup sizes, accessible with simple button touches, accommodate virtually any coffee preference. The Centrifusion brewing system impressed us with its intelligent capsule recognition – it reads each capsule’s barcode and adjusts brewing parameters accordingly for optimal extraction.
Available in various colours with sleek chrome accents, this machine should complement most kitchen designs. We particularly appreciate the environmental consciousness – it’s crafted from 54% recycled plastics, a first for Nespresso. The WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity ensure your machine stays current with automatic updates.
For its price point, this machine delivers solid performance. While the Plus Special Edition offers more flexibility with its movable water tank, the Next compensates with some thoughtful design choices.
The fixed water tank might limit placement options, but the side-accessed pod bin proves more convenient than the rear-access design of the Plus. During our tests, this small detail made a noticeable difference in daily use.
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