Nespresso Vertuo Next Review (2023) - The Good and The Bad

The Nespresso Vertuo Next is one of the easiest-to-use coffee machines we've come across. It is also very versatile, it can prepare 5 different brew sizes, and it's compatible with the coffee carafe Nespresso coffee pod. On top of that, this machine has an attractive compact, and sleek design, all at a very affordable price.

So is it all sunshine and rainbows? No, it's not, no machine is perfect.

To find out more about whether this machine is for you, read this Nespresso Vertuo Next review!

Specifications

• Line: VertuoLine
  
  
• Display: None
  
  
• Materials: 54% Recycled Plastics. The Deluxe uses stainless steel pourer.
  
  
• Colors: Cherry Red, White, Dark Grey, Matte Black, Light Grey, Classic Black (Premium), Black Rose Gold (Premium), Pure Chrome (Deluxe), and Dark Chrome (Deluxe)
  
  
• Dimensions (WxDxH): 5.5 x 14.7 x 12.5 inches
  
  
• Weight: 8.8 pounds
  
  
• Water Tank: 37 oz removable
  
  
• Spent Capsule Capacity: 6 coffee or 10 espresso capsules
  
  
• Power Rating: 1500 Watts

Key Features

• Brew Pressure: N/A - Centrifusion Technology
  
  
• Heat-up time: 15 to 20 seconds
  
  
• Brewing Sizes: Depending on capsule size: Espresso (1.35 oz), Double Espresso (2.7 oz), Gran Lungo (5.07 oz), Mug (7.8 oz), Alto (14 oz)
  
  
• Customizable Brew Sizes? Yes
  
  
• Pre-programmed drinks: None
  
  
• Milk System: None
  
  
• Milk Settings: N/A
  
  
• Milk Jug: None
  
  
• Hot Water Dispenser? No
  
  
• Auto-off: 2 minutes
  
  
• Cleaning: Water tank level and descaling alerts. Has cleaning, descaling, and water removal programs.
  
  
• Suitable for Latte Art? No
  
  
• Warranty: 1 year

Nespresso Vertuo Next Review

Design and Build Quality

The Nespresso Vertuo Next is amongst the newest coffee makers within the Nespresso VertuoLine. It's likely a replacement of the discontinued Nespresso Evoluo.

Despite being one of their newer VertuoLine models, Nespresso seems to have designed a slimmer machine with fewer features, but one that is supremely easy to use (more about that later).

The Nespresso Vertuo Next comes in three variations. These are the Vertuo Next, the Vertuo Next Premium, and the Vertuo Next Deluxe.

In terms of functionality, these machines are identical. But in terms of design and build quality, there are some slight variations.

The Vertuo Next Premium has a metal cup holder and a few touches of chrome. The Vertuo Next Deluxe adds more premium materials to those in the Premium models, such as a stainless steel coffee outlet.

The color of your Vertuo Next Nespresso machine will also depend on which model you get.

At the time of writing, the Vertuo Next comes in Cherry Red, White, Dark Grey, Matte Black, or Light Grey. The Nespresso Vertuo Next Premium is available in Classic Black or Black Rose Gold. Finally, the Vertuo Next Deluxe can be bought in Pure Chrome or Dark Chrome colors.

Regardless of which variation you get, the Vertuo Next is a slim, modern, and aesthetically pleasing machine that should easily fit in most kitchens.

Besides its small size, there are other practical aspects of the Vertuo Next design. We like that the cup support has three positions and can even be removed. This should allow you to use any cup size.

The water tank sits behind the machine and can easily be removed for re-filling. Given it's behind, it does not detract from the modern looks of this Nespresso machine.

Features and Ease of Use

The Nespresso Vertuo Next only comes with the necessary features to make coffee-making as easy and quickly as possible.

Yes, it does not have many features.

But, given its price-point, we do not penalize this machine too much for not having features other more expensive machines typically come with.

In fact, more premium machines can have too many unnecessary features that can hurt the design purpose, ease of use, and reliability of the machine. They can also bloat the price.

It's obvious that this Nespresso machine was designed with the intent of simplicity and ease of use.

The first hint is that this Nespresso machine is operated using just one button. This is referred to as either the ON/OFF button or the Coffee Button.

You use this same button to turn on your machine, to prepare coffee, to initiate the cleaning or descaling modes, or to change the brew size.

This is accomplished by holding this button for set a amount of time or pressing it a set number of times within a timeframe. For example, the cleaning program is activated if you press this button 3 times within 2 seconds.

The Nespresso Vertuo Next allows you to prepare up to five different drink sizes. Depending on capsule size, these are Espresso (1.35 oz), Double Espresso (2.7 oz), Gran Lungo (5.07 oz), Mug (7.8 oz), and Alto (14 oz).

Something unique about the Vertuo Next is that it accepts the coffee carafe pods, which result in an 18 oz brew. This makes this Nespresso machine a dual coffee maker, since it is able to brew single serve coffee as well as a pot of coffee.

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To customize your brew size, you simply need to press and hold this button until the desired coffee volume is achieved. This updated water volume will be stored for future use. Following this simple procedure (and also depending on which capsule size you use), you can program your drink volume from 0.7 oz to 17 oz, excluding the carafe pod.

Other features worth mentioning are its very decent heat-up time of 15 to 20 seconds. By the time you find the capsule you want, and insert it into your machine, the Vertuo Next will be ready to use.

Another nice feature is its auto-off feature - your machine will automatically turn off after 2 minutes of inactivity saving electricity.

You can also connect this machine to your smartphone using the Nespresso App and Bluetooth. The app itself is more of a gimmick than anything.

You can also connect the machine itself to Wi-Fi, which allows it to update its software.

This machine uses a bar-code system to read each capsule and adapt its brewing to each specific capsule. Sometimes software updates are needed to fine-tune this process or account for new Nespresso pods entering the market.

Coffee Drink Quality

The Vertuo Next can prepare some very decent cups of coffee which can be customized.

As you may already know, this machine does not come with an integrated milk frother. So if you want milk-based drinks, you will need to purchase one separately or purchase the Vertuo Next & Aeroccino bundle.

Like all VertuoLine Nespresso machines, the Vertuo Next uses Nespresso's Centrifusion technology instead of a traditional pump. The capsule is spun at very high speeds (7,000 RPMs) while hot water is injected into the center of the capsule. As the capsule rotates, the water mixes with the coffee, and the coffee brew comes out from small openings on the side of the capsule.

This pod coffee machine also implements a capsule scanning technology that allows the machine to know which type of capsule you've inserted, so it can adapt its brewing.

You should be aware though, that the Centrifusion technology results in coffee brews that are not prepared under pressure and therefore are not really espresso coffee. The flavor is weaker and the mouthfeel is not as thick, even compared to OriginalLine coffee drinks.

There is crema, but it has an airy consistency, a weaker flavor, and a lighter color. So don't expect the thick crema and mouthfeel you would get from a coffee shop.

A downside of this machine (and all VertuoLine Nespresso machines) is that you're stuck using Nespresso VertuoLine capsules. Due to the scanning technology, third party or re-usable capsules are not compatible. This limits your coffee choice.

If you love to drink espresso coffee and like the convenience of pod machines, then we recommend you look into getting one of the Nespresso OriginalLine machines. The Nespresso Essenza Mini or the Nespresso Pixie are great choices with similar price points as the Vertuo Next.

However, if you are looking for a versatile and convenient machine that can brew regular coffee and espresso coffee, then the Vertuo Next does a fine job.

Cleaning & Maintenance

The Nespresso Vertuo Next excels in terms of cleaning and maintenance.

Daily cleaning and maintenance include rinsing the water tank, the capsule container, and the removable drip tray. This is typical of most well-designed machines and this routine should only take a few minutes to accomplish.

There is no integrated milk system - which simplifies cleaning and maintaining your coffee pod machine.

Despite its minimalistic design, and apparent lack of features, the Nespresso Vertuo Next does come with cleaning programs and prompts.

At your discretion, you can start the cleaning program by pushing the button 3 times within 2 seconds. This program takes about 7 minutes to complete.

A descaling alert will let you know when it's time to descale your machine. The descaling alert consists of an orange and white light alternately blinking 3 times and then steadily. Descaling takes about 20 minutes to complete.

Given the simplified user interface, you may need to go through the User Manual to understand what all the blinking light patterns mean. If you are having issues with these alerts, learn how to troubleshoot the blinking lights of your Nespresso machine.

There is even a water tank alert, which is handy since the water tank sits behind the machine.

In short, the Nespresso Vertuo Next is extremely easy to clean and maintain.

Value for Money

The Vertuo Next machine offers excellent value for money thanks to its low starting cost.

At the time of writing, you can get one for $170 (or less if you find a good deal).

If you purchase coffee every day and are looking for a versatile, easy-to-use machine, then getting this machine should be a no-brainer.

A cup of coffee costs these days about $3 to $4, which is equivalent to about $1,100 to $1,500 per year if you buy coffee every day.

With the Nespresso Vertuo Next you would easily recover its cost and save money within a year, despite the higher cost of VertuoLine Nespresso pods, which cost about $1.20 each. The total cost of Year 1 of owning the Nespresso Vertuo Next, assuming you drink coffee once per day, is slightly more than $600.

However, note that some of the OriginalLine Nespresso machines, offer an even better value for money since you can use the cheaper OriginalLine capsules, or the even cheaper third party capsules.

Our Verdict

Frequently Asked Questions