Nespresso Vertuo Next Espresso Machine Single Product Review

Is the Nespresso Vertuo Next Espresso Machine worth it?

Americans consume a lot of coffee. That's probably because drinking it provides benefits such as increased energy, better mood and enhanced brain function. It also often means that people are on an endless quest to find — or better yet, make — the perfect cup.

Whether it's a coffee maker or an espresso machine, there are certain things that everyone wants: a hot and flavorful beverage that doesn't take long to make and uses an easy and foolproof method of brewing. The machine should also be easy to clean.

Nespresso Vertuo Next Espresso Machine promises all of this and more. So, the BestReviews Testing Lab evaluated this product to see how it performed.

Testing the Nespresso Vertuo Next Espresso Machine 

The BestReviews Testing Lab is where individuals take products and use them in a real-world situation to determine if they perform as intended. If they do, does that performance simplify, streamline or enhance your life?

Some product testers are experts who read the specs first and understand what every abbreviation means. Others, however, are average consumers who just want to know if the products they buy will work as intended. This means all types of consumers are represented in the Testing Lab.

For the Vertuo Next Espresso Machine, the lab paid particular attention to simplicity, consistency and quality. Does this coffee maker brew flavorful hot beverages every time with minimal effort?

What is the Nespresso Vertuo Next Espresso Machine?

Unlike other single-serve pod-based coffee makers, the Nespresso Vertuo Next Espresso Machine changes how it brews depending on the pod you use. The machine accomplishes this feat by employing barcode reading to deliver capsule-specific brewing. In other words, this Nespresso automatically adjusts such factors as temperature, pressure and brewing time depending on the type of capsule you use. With a single touch, the Vertuo Next can make a single espresso, a double espresso, a 5-ounce coffee, an 8-ounce coffee or an 18-ounce coffee.

While it features a slim build, the Testing Lab felt the Nespresso was too large to be called compact. It has about the same countertop footprint as a loaf of bread, which means it could be a little tough to fit on a small counter. The machine has a modern appeal with clean design elements, so it looks impressive and fits in with a variety of decors.

Thanks to the easy-to-follow instructions, BestReviews did not have any trouble assembling the product — every piece fit where it was supposed to go like a puzzle. The Testing Lab also liked that a full water tank can make about 8 cups of coffee and the machine only has one button to press, so operation is intuitive.

See how the Nespresso Vertuo Next Espresso Machine compares to other products in its space — check out our reviews for the best Nespresso machines.

Nespresso Vertuo Next Espresso Machine price and where to buy

Nespresso Vertuo Next Coffee and Espresso Machine is available on Amazon and costs $229. 

How to use the Nespresso Vertuo Next Espresso Machine

The Testing Lab brewed its first cup of coffee in about 60 seconds — 20 seconds to warm up, 30 seconds to dispense and 10 seconds for the last drips. During that minute, the Nespresso gets fairly loud, so it doesn't offer quiet performance, which could be problematic in early morning hours. The coffee comes out hot, but not at a dangerous level.

BestReviews tested several capsules to learn if the machine could really differentiate between them and automatically adjust its brewing parameters accordingly. The lab found the machine was able to do this — whether you had a large 18-ounce mug of coffee or a single shot of espresso, it made the appropriate adjustments to deliver a tasty brew. One small caveat the team noticed was there was a greater variety in the caffeine effect than there was in the flavor.

In general, basic cleaning is as easy as making a cup of coffee. When it's time, just fill up the chamber with clean water and open, close and lock the lid. To enter cleaning mode, you must press the start button three times within two seconds. And that's all it takes.

While testing the Nespresso, the Testing Lab discovered a curious quirk. After just two uses, the machine started blinking that it needed to be descaled. This also brought attention to the fact that there are a dozen patterns of blinking lights that convey information to the user. It can take a little bit to familiarize yourself with what these lights mean. Likewise, since there is only one button and operation depends on pressing or holding that one button in different ways, it can take some time before you remember how to do everything without referencing the owner's manual.  

Nespresso Vertuo Next Espresso Machine benefits

The primary benefit of this espresso machine is it knows what to do without much input from the user. As long as you insert the proper capsule and coffee mug, the machine takes care of everything for you. The Testing Lab also loved the convenience of having a built-in chamber that collects the used coffee capsules. 

As far as performance, BestReviews had no complaints about the quality of the brew or the one-touch operation. This machine consistently makes a good, frothy and flavorful cup of coffee with almost no effort.

Nespresso Vertuo Next Espresso Machine drawbacks

On the downside, the Vertuo Next is a little large and pricey for what it does. The locking mechanism on the lid can be finicky, you can't use third-party pods and it's loud when it operates. However, the toughest aspect to overlook is the temperamental electronics. When it works, this is an excellent coffee maker. However, when it doesn't, frustration quickly sets in and aggravation usually isn't far behind.

Should you get the Nespresso Vertuo Next Espresso Machine?

Nespresso Vertuo Next Espresso Machine isn't a bad machine. When it functions as intended, it makes a delicious cup of espresso or coffee with minimal effort. However, the reliability aspect can make it a little untrustworthy. If you're running late and your coffee isn't ready in the typical 60 seconds, it can cause frustration.