Nespresso VertuoPlus Coffee & Espresso Machine Review: 2026
Excellent for fast, consistent café-style coffee and rich espresso with minimal fuss.
You rush to work, crave a good espresso, but hate long prep and cleanup. The Nespresso VertuoPlus fixes that. It brews espresso and larger coffee with one button, heats fast, and steams milk easily with the included frother. If you want reliable flavor, quick cleanup, and consistent crema without barista skills, this machine is built to solve that daily coffee scramble.
Is Nespresso VertuoPlus Good?
The short answer: yes — for most home users who want fast, consistent coffee and easy milk drinks. I found the Nespresso VertuoPlus delivers solid espresso and full-size cups with very little learning curve. It’s great for busy mornings, small households, or anyone who prefers capsules to grinding and tamping. In my kitchen, it replaced a slow, messy drip maker. I use it for quick morning espressos and afternoon lungo sips. Once the capsule system clicked for me, I appreciated the clean drip tray and simple frother routine. If you’re after café-style coffee without a long setup, this machine will make mornings easier.
My First Impression for Nespresso VertuoPlus
The machine arrived well packed and intact. The box included the VertuoPlus body, a De’Longhi milk frother, a starter capsule pack, and a quick start guide. The build felt solid but light; the plastic finish looks modern in ink black. Setup took under five minutes: add water, insert capsule, press the single button. The first brew impressed me with fast heat-up and a nice crema. I felt pleased and a bit relieved — it did what it promised: simple, fast, and tidy. The included frother made a creamy cappuccino with almost no practice.
What Makes It Stand Out / Key Features
- Barcode brewing tech that adjusts extraction for each capsule size and blend
- One-touch brewing for espresso, double espresso, gran lungo, mug, and alto
- Fast heat-up (about 15–20 seconds) and automatic shut-off
- Included De’Longhi milk frother for cappuccinos and lattes
- Large removable water tank with swivel head for flexible placement
- Capsule ejection and storage area for used pods
- Consistent crema and flavor retention across capsule types
What I Like
- Fast, repeatable brews with dependable crema
- Very user-friendly one-button operation
- Milk frother included — good froth with minimal effort
- Compact footprint fits small counters nicely
- Minimal cleanup — capsules lock in grounds, drip tray is easy to wipe
- Wide variety of capsules and flavors from Nespresso
What Could Be Better
- Capsules cost more than beans or grounds over time
- Limited temperature control — no manual temp/pressure tweaks
- Plastic exterior can scratch if handled roughly
My Recommendation
The Nespresso VertuoPlus is best for busy people who want café-style drinks without fuss. If you value speed, consistency, and an included milk frother, this machine will serve you well. I recommend it to apartment dwellers, small families, and office kitchens. It’s less ideal for coffee purists who like manual espresso tuning. Overall, Nespresso VertuoPlus gives excellent convenience and solid value for capsule users.
| Best for | Why |
|---|---|
| Busy mornings | Fast heat-up and one-touch brewing save time |
| Small kitchens | Compact footprint and swivel tank for tight counters |
| Milk drinks at home | Included De’Longhi milk frother creates good foam |
Alternative Products You Can Consider
Nespresso VertuoNext — A lighter, Wi‑Fi enabled Vertuo model. It is better if you want firmware updates and a smaller footprint. The VertuoNext is a touch more modern but may lack the included frother that the De’Longhi bundle offers.
Breville-Nespresso Creatista Plus — A premium Nespresso machine with an integrated steam wand. Choose this if you want more control over milk texture and latte art. It costs more but gives barista-style milk control compared to the VertuoPlus combo.
Keurig K-Cafe — Good if you prefer a broader choice of loose K-Cups and the flexibility to use grounds with the included filter. The K-Cafe makes larger mugs easily, but it doesn’t match the espresso crema you get from the VertuoPlus.
| Product | Best For | Key Difference |
|---|---|---|
| Nespresso VertuoPlus | Fast, consistent espresso and mug coffee at home | Barcode extraction and included milk frother; strong crema |
| Nespresso VertuoNext | Smart features and small footprint | Wi‑Fi updates, lighter design; may not include frother |
| Breville-Nespresso Creatista Plus | Home baristas who want milk control | Built-in steam wand for advanced milk texturing |
| Keurig K-Cafe | Versatile pod options and larger mugs | Uses K-Cups; less espresso-like crema; more flexible pod choice |
Final Verdict: Which Should You Buy?
If you want straight-forward, one-button espresso and mug coffee with quick milk drinks, choose the Nespresso VertuoPlus. It’s fast, clean, and reliable for everyday use. Pick the VertuoNext if you want a sleeker machine and connected updates. Choose the Creatista Plus for more milk-control and a higher-end finish. For flexible pod options and larger mugs, the Keurig K-Cafe is a worthy alternative. For most users seeking ease and consistent crema, Nespresso VertuoPlus is the best balance of speed, taste, and value.
FAQs Of nespresso vertuoplus coffee and espresso machine review
Does the Nespresso VertuoPlus brew both espresso and regular coffee?
Yes. The VertuoPlus brews espresso and larger cup sizes. It reads capsule barcodes to set brew time and temperature for each format.
Is the included milk frother easy to use?
Yes. The De’Longhi milk frother is simple: pour milk, select hot or cold froth, and press start. It makes good foam for lattes and cappuccinos with minimal effort.
How often do I need to descale or clean the machine?
Clean the drip tray and capsule bin weekly with light use. Descale every 3–4 months depending on water hardness and frequency. The manual shows a clear descaling routine.
Can I use third‑party capsules with VertuoPlus?
VertuoPlus uses barcode capsules made for the Vertuo system. Third-party options exist, but quality and barcode compatibility vary. Stick with Nespresso capsules for consistent results.
Is the VertuoPlus noisy?
No more than most capsule machines. It hums during extraction and the frother makes typical steam noise. I found it unobtrusive for morning use.

Liora Pennings is a seasoned chef and kitchen enthusiast with a passion for turning everyday cooking into an effortless experience. With years of hands-on culinary expertise, she specializes in practical techniques, ingredient know-how, and smart kitchen solutions that help home cooks elevate their meals. At KitchFlair.com, Liora shares her best tips, time-saving tricks, and honest product reviews to guide readers toward a more efficient, enjoyable, and inspired cooking routine. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned home chef, Liora’s friendly, knowledge-packed insights make every visit to the kitchen a little easier—and a lot more delicious.
