Nespresso Vertuo Next Review: Is It Still Worth Buying?

The Nespresso Vertuo Next is one of the most recognisable machines in the Vertuo range.

It's also one of the easiest coffee machines to understand.

Insert a capsule.

Close the machine.

Press one button.

The Vertuo Next reads the barcode around the capsule and automatically adjusts how it prepares the coffee.

There's no grind setting.

No coffee dose.

No tamping.

No temperature control.

And almost no learning curve.

It can also make considerably larger coffees than a traditional Nespresso Original machine, with drink sizes extending from espresso through to large mug and carafe-style servings.

That makes Vertuo Next particularly attractive for people who want proper mug-sized coffee rather than espresso alone.

But there are now several Vertuo machines to choose from.

So is Next still the one to buy?

Coffee Machine Reviews Verdict

Overall: 8.5/10

Best for: People wanting extremely easy espresso and larger coffees from one machine.

Avoid if: You want fresh beans, cheap coffee or complete freedom over which capsules you buy.

Machine type: Capsule

Capsule system: Nespresso Vertuo

Milk system: None built in

Connectivity: Wi-Fi and Bluetooth

Our verdict: Vertuo Next remains a convenient all-round capsule machine, but we'd compare its price carefully with Vertuo Pop and Pop+ before buying.

Nespresso Vertuo Next Pros and Cons

Pros

• Extremely easy to use
• Multiple cup sizes
• Large coffees
• One-button brewing
• Automatic capsule recognition
• Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
• Fast heat-up
• Minimal mess
• Compact width
• Huge Vertuo capsule range

Cons

• Vertuo capsules only
• No built-in milk system
• Capsules cost more than many whole-bean coffees per serving
• Very little control over brewing
• Vertuo Pop can offer similar functionality for less
• Larger than it initially looks because of its depth

What Is Nespresso Vertuo Next?

Vertuo Next is a capsule coffee machine using Nespresso's Vertuo system.

The key difference between Vertuo and conventional capsule machines is that the machine reads information from each capsule and automatically determines how that coffee should be prepared.

Nespresso calls its extraction technology Centrifusion.

The capsule spins during brewing while water is introduced.

The result is the distinctive Vertuo coffee topped with a substantial crema-like foam layer.

What Coffee Sizes Does Vertuo Next Make?

One of the biggest reasons to choose Vertuo is drink size.

Depending on the capsules available in your market, Vertuo Next supports sizes including:

• Espresso
• Double Espresso
• Gran Lungo
• Mug
• larger-format coffees
• Carafe

This is very different from the Original Nespresso system, which is primarily built around espresso and lungo.

If your normal drink is a large black coffee, Vertuo makes considerably more sense.

How Easy Is It to Use?

Almost absurdly easy.

1. Fill the water tank.
2. Insert a Vertuo capsule.
3. Close and lock the machine.
4. Press the button.

That's essentially it.

The machine reads the capsule barcode and adjusts its brewing parameters.

There is very little scope for user error.

That's why capsule machines remain popular despite the enormous growth in home espresso.

Not everyone wants coffee to become a hobby.

Coffee Quality

This depends partly on what you're comparing it with.

Compared with instant coffee?

A substantial upgrade.

Compared with badly prepared supermarket pre-ground coffee?

Often extremely consistent.

Compared with freshly roasted beans dialled into a quality espresso setup?

That's a different standard.

Vertuo's strength is consistency and convenience.

Every capsule contains a predetermined amount of coffee and the machine controls preparation automatically.

You sacrifice control in exchange for repeatability.

What Is the Foam on Vertuo Coffee?

Vertuo produces a particularly thick foam layer.

Nespresso describes this as crema.

It's noticeably different from the crema produced during traditional espresso extraction.

Some people love it.

Others prefer to stir it into the coffee.

It's part of the Vertuo experience, so if you've never tried Vertuo coffee, we'd recommend tasting one before committing to the system.

Espresso

Vertuo Next can prepare espresso-sized drinks.

But if you exclusively drink espresso, we'd also investigate Nespresso Original machines.

Original has a more traditional espresso-focused proposition.

Vertuo's biggest advantage is its ability to move beyond espresso into larger coffee sizes.

Mug-Sized Coffee

This is where Vertuo Next makes much more sense.

Insert a Mug capsule and the machine prepares a full coffee without requiring you to make an espresso and dilute it manually.

For people moving from:

• filter coffee;
• instant coffee;
• coffee-shop americanos;

that can be particularly appealing.

Does Vertuo Next Make Latte?

Not by itself.

There is no integrated milk system.

You'll need:

• an Aeroccino;
• another standalone milk frother;
• or a separate method of preparing milk.

If latte and cappuccino are your main drinks, compare the total cost of the machine plus milk frother with something like Vertuo Lattissima.

Vertuo Next vs Vertuo Pop

This is probably the most important comparison.

Vertuo Pop is:

• smaller;
• cheaper;
• colourful;
• designed around the same basic Vertuo ecosystem.

Vertuo Next has traditionally supported larger-format coffee options and a larger physical format.

But the Vertuo range continues to evolve, including newer Pop+ machines.

Don't assume Next is better simply because it's larger.

Vertuo Next vs Vertuo Lattissima

Vertuo Next

Choose it if:

• you mostly drink black coffee;
• you already own a milk frother;
• you want a cheaper machine.

Vertuo Lattissima

Choose it if:

• you regularly drink cappuccino;
• you want automatic milk;
• one-touch milk drinks matter.

Vertuo Next vs Vertuo Creatista

Creatista is in another price category.

You're paying primarily for the integrated automatic steam wand and premium milk experience.

The underlying reason to choose Vertuo remains the same.

If you don't drink milk coffee, paying for Creatista makes very little sense.

Vertuo vs Original

This is the bigger decision.

Choose Vertuo if:

• you like large coffees;
• you want multiple cup sizes;
• you like the Vertuo coffee style;
• capsule convenience matters.

Choose Original if:

• espresso is your priority;
• you want broader capsule compatibility;
• you prefer the traditional Nespresso format;
• third-party capsules matter.

Vertuo capsules are proprietary to the Vertuo system.

That should absolutely factor into your buying decision.

Connectivity

Vertuo Next includes Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity.

This allows the machine to receive updates and communicate with the Nespresso ecosystem.

It's useful technology.

But we wouldn't make it a major buying reason.

The machine's greatest strength remains that you can operate it with one button without touching your phone.

Cleaning

This is one of the easiest coffee-machine categories to maintain.

There's no:

• grinder;
• portafilter;
• loose coffee;
• tamping;
• steam wand.

Used capsules are automatically collected inside the machine.

You'll need to:

• empty the capsule container;
• empty and clean the drip tray;
• rinse the water tank;
• run cleaning cycles;
• descale when required.

Compared with manual espresso, it's exceptionally clean.

Running Costs

This is the trade-off.

Every coffee requires a Vertuo capsule.

Drink several coffees every day and those individual capsule costs accumulate.

With whole beans, you can shop across an enormous range of roasters and price points.

With Vertuo, you're buying into Nespresso's proprietary ecosystem.

Convenience has a recurring cost.

Who Should Buy Vertuo Next?

Buy it if:

• you want extremely easy coffee;
• you like large mug-sized drinks;
• you hate coffee-machine mess;
• you don't want a grinder;
• you don't want to learn espresso;
• you like the Vertuo capsule range.

Who Shouldn't Buy It?

Look elsewhere if:

• you want fresh beans;
• you drink lots of coffee and running cost matters;
• you want manual control;
• you want automatic milk built in;
• you want third-party capsule freedom.

Final Verdict

Vertuo Next remains a good example of why capsule coffee is still enormously popular.

It's ridiculously convenient.

The machine does almost all the thinking.

And unlike traditional espresso-focused capsule systems, it can produce proper mug-sized servings.

The bigger question isn't whether Vertuo Next works.

It's whether it's still the best-value Vertuo machine for you.

With Vertuo Pop and newer Pop+ machines competing aggressively, we'd compare current prices before ordering.

If Next is competitively priced and you want its broader size capability, it remains a very easy machine to live with.

Coffee Machine Reviews Score: 8.5/10

Convenience Score: 9.8/10

Best for: Effortless large and small capsule coffee.

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