Whether you’re a coffee drinker who craves a double shot of espresso every once and a while, or an espresso drinker that doesn’t mind a good cup of coffee when the mood hits, you’ll want to take a closer look at the Nespresso Vertuo Next. This small appliance offers you the best of both worlds regardless of what coffee drinks you’re looking for.
With the Nespresso Vertuo Next machine, you don’t have to worry about a cluttered kitchen counter. There’s no need for a coffee maker and an espresso machine; you can get the delicious coffee with a push of a button.
About the Nespresso Vertuo Next
According to Statista.com, in 2020, 40% of Americans owned a single-serve coffee maker. The Nespresso Vertuo Next is the latest single-serve coffee maker from Nespresso brand, giving you the flexibility to make espresso or double espresso shots, as well as a pot of coffee when you have visitors. The ability to brew regular coffee and espresso shots separates this machine from Nespresso’s original line of appliances.
The technology in the Nespresso Vertuo Next differs from the original line of coffee makers based on the coffee source. For original Nespresso machines, you can find compatible coffee pods from different manufacturers like Starbucks or your favorite Amazon find.
When using the Nespresso Vertuo Next, you need appliance-specific Nespresso pods found in Nespresso stores because the machine needs to read the barcode to determine the brewing parameters of the cup or carafe of coffee you’re brewing, giving you the best coffee taste.
Nespresso’s original line of machines serves espresso in the four traditional espresso serving sizes, which are 5, 3.7, 1.35, and 0.85 ounces. If regular coffee isn’t your thing, then you’ll want to explore Nespresso’s original line of coffee machines. For those of you that like the idea of having the ability to make a regular mug or pot of coffee when you feel like it, keep reading as we do a review of Nespresso’s Vertuo Next.
Design
Nespresso’s latest machine has a sleek design that doesn’t take up too much space on your counter, and it’s light enough that you can quickly move it around. Weighing less than 10 pounds, It measures 5.5 inches wide with a 16.8-inch depth and is 12.4 inches tall.
The Vertuo Nespresso comes with a 37-ounce removable water tank and a removable drip tray that makes for easier clean-up.
What Coffee Type Can Nespresso Vertuo Next Brew?
You can make espresso shots and a pot of coffee with the Nespresso Vertuo Next. Nespresso capsules can deliver a single shot of espresso, a double shot of espresso, 5, 8, and 14-ounce cups of coffee, and an 18-ounce carafe of coffee for when friends stop by for a visit.
If you want to make milk-based espresso beverages like a latte or a cappuccino, you’re going to purchase a separate Aeroccino milk frother when you buy a Nespresso Vertuo Next. It’s cheaper if you purchase the Nespresso machine with the Aero bundle.
What Coffee Pods Does Nespresso Vertuo Next Use?
Nespresso machines use coffee pods instead of coffee grounds. You get a rich coffee without considering the grind size of the ground coffee, dosage, and anything else.
While you get flexibility in cup size with this pod coffee machine, you sacrifice flexibility with the pods you can use. This coffee machine offers exceptional smooth coffee quality thanks to its ingenious centrifugal brewing system.
Nespresso capsules have a barcode read by the machine. When the device reads the barcode, it adjusts the brewing factors to the specific capsule. The bar code determines the brewing time, temperature, pressure, and cup size.
Because of the bar codes, you have to purchase your coffee pods from a Nespresso store, which isn’t the case when you buy a Nespresso machine from their original product line. You can buy third-party pods for the original Nespresso devices, so you can lower your cost per coffee, which isn’t the case with the Nespresso Vertuo Next capsules.
Coffee Quality
Regardless of your coffee preference, you’ll find the right coffee pod for you with Nespresso Vertuo Next’s selection of flavors. You can thank the barcode system for providing rich and smooth coffee with a silky crema every time.
The centrifusion brewing method means that the capsules are blasted with water while spinning at high speeds to make your cup of coffee. The crema you’ll get with a cup of coffee made with this small appliance won’t compare to one made in an actual espresso machine, but you’ll still be able to enjoy it.
The original Nespresso uses 18 bars of pressure to brew coffee, and there’s a nice crema on a shot prepared with this machine. The Vertuo Next has a thicker crema than the original, which could be due to the spinning brewing method.
The Keurig machine uses a drip method of brewing its coffee, so there isn’t any crema to speak of when brewing with a K-Cup. And it won’t make espresso drinks. If you’re a coffee drinker who enjoys standard coffee in a larger cup, the Keurig is a suitable machine.
We compared the Original and Vertuo Nespresso machines, and also the Nespresso Vs. Keurig previously. You can check the articles for more details.
Ease of Use – How to Use Nespresso Vertuo Next
The Nespresso Vertuo Next is simple to use! Here are five steps to get your cup of quality coffee or shot of espresso without needing to leave your house:
Step One:
Fill the water tank.
Step Two:
Close and lock the machine and press the coffee button to optimize the heating time. It will take about 30 seconds to heat up. The light will stop blinking when it’s ready for the next step.
Step Three:
Place your cup on the cup support. The following are the cup sizes based on the drink you’re preparing:
- Alto: 14 fluid ounces
- Mug: 7.77 fluid ounces
- Gran Lungo: 5.0 fluid ounces
- Double Espresso: 2.7 fluid ounces
- Espresso: 1.35 fluid ounces
Also, the cup holder is adjustable so you can fit in taller cups.
Step Four:
Unlock and open the machine head and insert your coffee capsule with the dome facing down. Close the lid and lock it by turning the handle to the left.
Step Five:
Push the coffee button to start the brewing process. If you want to stop the coffee flow early, push the button again.
Great Features
Aside from the fact that you can brew espresso and coffee with this machine, there are some other pretty cool features on this Nespresso Vertuo Next.
You can connect with this small appliance over wi-fi or by BlueTooth. This feature provides automatic software updates for your machine, which comes in pretty handy as Nespresso creates new capsules for new drinks, which means new bar codes to read!
If you’re concerned about the environment, you’ll love the fact that this machine consists of 54% recycled plastic.
If home décor is more of a priority for you, then you’ll be happy to hear that the Nespresso Vertuo Next is available in a variety of colors and finishes, so you’re bound to find the perfect one for your home.
Nespresso Vertuo Next Vs. Vertuo Plus
You’ve been doing your coffee machine research, and you can’t decide between the Nespresso Vertuo Next and the Nespresso Vertuo Plus. Aside from the cost of the coffee machines, you might be wondering what other differences there are. We’ve decided to summarize each device, the similarities, and the differences so that you can make a better-informed choice.
This model of the Nespresso Vertuo Plus comes with an Aeroccino 3 Milk Frother so that you can enjoy your espresso beverages with steamed milk. Unlike the Nespresso Vertuo Next, where you have to manually open and close the top lid, the Nespresso Vertuo Plus has a motorized open and close feature.
The Nespresso Vertuo Plus isn’t as deep as the Vertuo Next, which may be a good thing if your counter space is limited. The Vertuo Plus also requires less clearance when open when compared to the Vertuo Next.
If energy consumption is a concern, you may prefer the Nespresso Vertuo Next since it has a two-minute automatic shut-off feature. The Nespresso Vertuo Plus doesn’t automatically turn off until nine minutes have passed.
Alternatives
Here are some alternatives to consider if you’re still on the fence about what your next coffee or espresso machine will be.
If you mainly drink espresso:
Serious espresso drinkers will probably be looking for a machine that gives them the perfect shot of espresso with the right crema every time. If that’s what you’re looking for, you probably should be looking at a traditional espresso machine or an original Nespresso machine. Check out our favorite Nespresso machines here.
If you want more coffee pods options:
For coffee drinkers who want a wide selection of coffee to choose from, you’ll probably want to look at Keurig machines. Keurig has the most coffee pods with over 75 brands and 400 different pods to choose from. The only struggle will be when your indecisiveness kicks in.
If you want milk-based drinks:
You may want to consider the Nescafe Dolce Gusto coffee machine for the cappuccino and latte drinkers out there. You can make a shot of espresso or any milk-based espresso beverage without worrying about needing a milk steamer.
Conclusion
The Nespresso Vertuo Next is an excellent machine for the environmentally conscious coffee drinker. Whether you want a double shot of espresso or a nice pot of coffee to get you through the day, the Vertuo Next will give you what you need. You get a choice of six different sizes of beverage, so you never have to worry about wasting good coffee.
Suppose you’ve ever been neglectful about cleaning your coffee maker or espresso machine. In that case, you don’t have to worry when you buy this machine because it comes with a descaling alarm to let you know when it’s time to get rid of the build-up that accumulates after frequent use. Whether this is your first espresso machine or your first coffee maker, you won’t be disappointed!