I'll be the first to admit that testing top-of-the-line espresso makers and coffee machines has made me a bit of a snob. As such, I tend to turn my nose up at pod machines. But after testing Nespresso's Vertuo Pop machine for the last few weeks, I have to say I was genuinely taken aback by the quality of the coffee it produces.
Where I once believed coffee pod machines to be all about convenience and affordability, I now know you don't have to sacrifice the more luxurious elements, like flavor and crema. Nepresso's Vertuo Pop machine delivered an espresso shot (or whole cup of coffee, depending on the setting) with a thick crema layer at the push of a button. Every. Single. Time. There's plenty of flavor, no experience needed, and the slim design takes up very little room on your kitchen countertop, perfect for apartment-dwellers (or people like me who currently have five machines they're testing out).
Of course, you lose a bit of the magic that comes from the more manual espresso-making process. There are no beans to grind or milk to steam, but these are sacrifices worth considering if you value convenience and affordability. Sounds like this could be the machine for you? Here's everything you need to know about Nespresso's Vertuo Pop machine, and all the thoughts I had while reviewing it.
First Impressions
First impressions are about what you would expect for this machine, as in, what you see is what you get. There are no extra coffee accessories that come with Nespresso's Vertuo Pop machine — unboxing the machine is as simple as pulling it out of its box, plugging it in, pressing a button, and getting a coffee.
But don't confuse that with me suggesting this simplicity is a bad thing. Quite the opposite, actually. After months of faffing with high-tech espresso machines with lots of different parts and specific requirements to make the coffee machine work better, there was something so nice about not even having to open the instruction manual to know what to do.
It's worth noting, though, that Nespresso's new Vertuo line doesn't work with the original, smaller Nespresso pods. The Vertuo pods are larger and use a completely different technology from the original version, and are only available to buy from Nespresso. So, be sure to stock up on Vertuo pods before you begin.
Testing the Machine
If you've used a pod or Nespresso machine before, then the Nespresso Vertuo Pop machine will be a breeze. Genuinely, I didn't even open the instruction manual; it was that easy. Wash out the water tank, give the machine a flush, fill the tank with clean (ideally filtered) water, pop your pod in, and press start. If you do get lost, there is also a guide with QR codes to YouTube explainer videos.
One thing to note is that when running, the machine is slightly louder than I expected. The Vertuo pods operate by spinning, and that process, combined with heating the water, can generate a lot of noise (even for such a small machine).
This also isn't the machine to go for if you are a true coffee connoisseur who loves all the flourishes. For lattes or to practice your milk frothing techniques, you'll have to invest in a separate milk frother (I'd recommend the Nespresso Aeroccino 3 Milk Frother) or a hand-held milk frother, like this £15 option by Bonsenkitchen from Amazon.
After you're done brewing your espresso or cup of coffee, open the machine, and the used pod automatically discharges into a bin at the back of the machine that you can empty once full (use this Alessi Capsule Crusher when it's time to discard). As I said, when it comes to conveniences, this machine gets 5 stars.
Quality of Coffee
As mentioned, Nespresso's Vertuo machines use an upgraded brewing technology, so you'll notice that the head of the machine is larger and rounded compared to other, older Nespresso machines, like the Original CitiZ machine.
This technology is what allows for that upgraded flavor and coffee quality. Plus, you can choose from a variety of pod sizes that cater to everything from a single espresso shot to a full 250ml mug of coffee. Nespresso offers flavors with different intensity levels and flavor profiles as well, so you can really go deep (if you want to).
So, while opting for a pod machine might seem like you're limiting yourself in terms of coffee variety, Nespresso actually makes versatility really easy.
Should You Buy the Nespresso Vertuo Pop Machine?
All in all, as a starter-level coffee pod machine, Nespresso's Vertuo Pop is a great option for quality coffee with minimal effort.
This machine definitely caters to people with less space on their kitchen counters, as the size can easily slide into an empty corner or fit within a cabinet if that is the space you have carved out for your coffee bar ideas. The Vertuo Pop is also ideal for anyone wanting to streamline their morning routine. It really couldn't get any simpler to use.
That said, if you are a more experienced barista or are looking to upgrade your morning routine, you might want to look at a more hands-on appliance. I'd recommend something like the Kitchenaid Semi-Automatic machine or the De'Longhi La Specialista Touch in this case.
So there you have it, Nespresso's Vertuo Pop may have just made a coffee pod machine convert out of me. And if you're curious but don't want to sacrifice your morning lattes, you're in luck — the Nespresso Vertuo Creatista has an attached milk steaming wand (and may look even more stylish on your counter).
