Nespresso Vertuo Next vs VertuoPlus: Which Is Better?

Until recently, capsule espresso machines were a joke. They tried, but it was just too hard to create good espresso without a real espresso machine. Then, along came Nespresso.

They quickly dominated the pod-based espresso market, but Nespresso didn’t stop there. Their VertuoLine could create both espresso and coffee, and their latest machines can even make a small coffee carafe.

The Vertuo Next vs VertuoPlus debate is still going strong, so it’s time to do a head-to-head comparison and find out which one is better.

Quick Take: Nespresso Vertuo Next vs VertuoPlus

The Nespresso VertuoLine vs OriginalLine

Nespresso machines all fall into one of two types: VertuoLine and OriginalLine. The biggest difference is that the VertuoLine brews both espresso and coffee, whereas the OriginalLine can only make espresso.

Both the Vertuo Next and VertuoPlus are part of the VertuoLine, so they’ll work with any of the VertuoLine capsules, including both the coffee and espresso sizes.

Before you decide on a VertuoLine machine, there are a couple of additional differences between the VertuoLine and OriginalLine that you should know about.

With the OriginalLine, you can buy third-party pods along with the Nespresso-branded pods. You can only find Nespresso pods for the VertuoLine, though, because these machines use a barcode reading system that prevents third parties from making their own VertuoLine pods. Aside from the added variety, off-brand OriginalLine pods are also often cheaper ($0.30–0.40 each) than the $0.70+ for Nespresso-brand pods.

The other big change is the coffee itself. The OriginalLine machines were made to mimic the flavor of espresso better than the VertuoLine, but they never made a real crema — that layer of foam on top of the espresso. The VertuoLine produces a rich crema that is more faithful to the espresso experience. 

Why Do Nespresso Machines Say Breville or DeLonghi?

Nespresso doesn’t make their own machines, although they do engineer and design them. For the actual manufacturing, they partner with Breville and De’Longhi, two popular makers of traditional espresso machines.

Both of these companies produce high-quality machines, so either option will give you a reliable espresso maker. When choosing between the two, feel free to just go with your brand preference or take a look at the minor aesthetic differences.

Vertuo Next Varieties: Next vs Deluxe vs Premium

The Vertuo Next comes in three varieties: the Next, Next Deluxe, and Next Premium. The features and quality of these varieties are identical. So why the different names? Each variety has its own chooses in colors and finishes.

The basic Next offers no metal accents. With the Deluxe, you can have either a chrome or dark chrome finish. If you get the premium, you can choose between chrome and rose gold accents. That makes the Vertuo Next one of the few options for a rose gold coffee maker. 

The Vertuo Next Deluxe and VertuoNext Premium are usually priced $10–30 more expensive than the baseline Next.

VertuoPlus vs Deluxe

The VertuoPlus also comes in multiple varieties. In this case, there are two: the VertuoPlus and VertuoPlus Deluxe.

The Deluxe variety adds chrome accents, but that’s not the only difference this time.

Unlike with the Next, the VertuoPlus Deluxe actually does add extra functionality. It has a 60-ounce water tank instead of the 40-ounce tank found on the baseline VertuoPlus. Impressively, they managed to add this extra capacity without any real change in the overall size of the machine.

Brew Size Options: Vertuo Next and VertuoPlus

Each VertuoLine capsule produces a specific size cup of coffee. This differs from how Keurigs work, as each Keurig coffee pod works for any coffee cup size. While having to buy multiple capsule sizes might be frustrating, Nespresso’s design ensures that each capsule has exactly the right amount of coffee grounds to produce a consistently delicious cup of coffee or espresso.

	Size (ounces)	Vertuo Next compatible	VertuoPlus compatible
Espresso	1.3	X	X
Double espresso	2.7	X	X
Gran Lungo	5	X	X
Mug	7.8	X	X
Alto	14	X	X
Carafe	18	X

The two smallest pod sizes are intended to be espresso-like, whereas the larger sizes are all intended to mimic coffee. The VertuoPlus is compatible with the five smallest capsule sizes. The only one it doesn’t work with is the latest VertuoLine pod size: carafe. The Vertuo Next works with any of the six VertuoLine capsule sizes.

Machine Size: Vertuo Next and VertuoPlus

	Vertuo Next	VertuoPlus
Dimensions, (W x D x H) (inches)	5.5 x 16.9 x 12.4	9.1 x 14.1 x 12.8 (tank on side) 5.6 x 16.7 x 12.8 (tank on back)
Weight (pounds)	8.8	10.1

The VertuoPlus has an adjustable water tank that can be rotated to either side or to the back of the machine. This allows a good amount of flexibility for fitting it into most countertop setups. When the tank is on the side, the VertuoPlus is almost 3 inches less deep than the Next, but it is over 3.5 inches wider.

When the VertuoPlus’s adjustable tank is placed in the back, it has almost exactly the same dimensions as the Vertuo Next. The biggest difference is in height, with the VertuoPlus being about half an inch taller. 

The Vertuo Next is more lightweight than the VertuoPlus by about 1.3 pounds. When it comes to machine size, the advantage goes to the flexibility of the VertuoPlus unless this weight difference is important to you.

Vertuo Next vs VertuoPlus: Water Tank and capsule capacity

The Next’s 37-ounce water tank is barely smaller than the 40-ounce tank of the VertuoPlus. However, the VertuoPlus Deluxe is still the clear winner here with its 60-ounce tank. That difference is enough to make 4 more Gran Lungos or 14 more espresso shots before refilling the tank.

As with all VertuoLine machines, the Next and the VertuoPlus automatically drop used capsules into a used capsule compartment. The compartments on both of these machines can hold 10 mug-sized capsules.

Color and Design of Vertuo Next and VertuoPlus

You can get the Vertuo Next in one of four colors: white, light gray, dark gray, or cherry red. The Vertuo Next Premium comes in black with either a chrome or rose gold finish. The Vertuo Next Deluxe is available in chrome and dark chrome, both of which are largely black aside from the chrome highlights.

The VertuoPlus has four main colors: cherry red, white, and two variants of gray. With the VertuoPlus Deluxe, you have eight finishes to choose from: two titanium, two matte black, two black, and two silver. That’s the most options you’ll find in any of the VertuoLine machines.

Both the Vertuo Next and VertuoPlus are sleeker and more modern-looking than the older models. The VertuoPlus has a rounder look, but the adjustable water tank platform can detract from the overall aesthetic. The Vertuo Next looks like one solid machine, whereas the VertuoPlus looks like a machine with an add-on accessory.

Vertuo Next vs VertuoPlus: Other Features

The VertuoPlus features an automated brew head. You can open and close the capsule container at the press of a button. With the Vertuo Next, the lid has to be manually locked and unlocked. It requires a bit of pressure to pierce the capsule when closing the Next, but it’s certainly not difficult to use.

The Vertuo Next is Nespresso’s first Wi-Fi and Bluetooth-enabled VertuoLine machine. It’s not a smart coffee maker by any measure, but the connectivity allows the machine to receive firmware updates. Unlike earlier machines, the Next will continue to receive new software-based features and fixes for the foreseeable future. The Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connection also allows you to order new capsules via the Nespresso app.

The Vertuo Next is made from 54% recycled plastic, unlike previous models like the VertuoPlus. That’s a pretty decent leap forward, although the plastic of the machine is not the primary environmental factor when dealing with coffee capsule machines.

Which Offers the Better Value: Vertuo Next or VertuoPlus?

The base prices of these models are very similar, although as of when this article was written the VertuoPlus was cheaper on Amazon.

Beyond that, it really comes down to comparing the features and design. The VertuoPlus Deluxe certainly differentiates itself with its larger capacity, but some users might find the lack of the carafe size to be an issue. The Next’s Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity could also offer some real advantages as Nespresso rolls out new updates.

Some users have mentioned that the Next is less durable than the VertuoPlus, possibly due to the former’s use of recycled plastic. Both machines have had reports of a few technical issues, and the VertuoPlus has had a few water tank leaks occur. All of these problems are generally covered under Nespresso’s 1-year warranty, and they have generally occurred well within that period.

Both the Vertuo Next and VertuoPlus come with a starter pack of complimentary capsules. You also have the option to buy either machine as a package deal with an Aeroccino milk frother.

Other Nespresso VertuoLine Models

• Vertuo — The Vertuo is the basic VertuoLine machine. It’s compact (but slightly wide). The Vertuo vs VertuoPlus differences are much more significant than the Vertuo vs Vertuo Next differences. Take away the Wi-Fi/Bluetooth, 18-ounce carafe, and some of the sleekness of the Next, and you get the original Vertuo. Those disadvantages aside, the Vertuo is probably the most well-built machine in the lineup, and it does have the same automated brew head as the VertuoPlus.

• Evoluo — The Evoluo is the oldest Nespresso VertuoLine machine that you can still purchase. It’s bulkier than the other VertuoLine models, but that extra space is used to house a 54-ounce water tank and an extra-large used capsule bin that holds 17 mug-sized capsules. 

Nespresso Vertuo Next vs VertuoPlus: Which Is Better?

Either of these machines is an excellent choice for coffee lovers that want a sleek, convenient single-serve espresso and coffee machine. Either gives you access to the best Nespresso pods.

The Vertuo Next is the future of Nespresso, with its Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity and added carafe capsule size offering some real future potential. The flexibility of the VertuoPlus is still hard to beat, though, especially with the extra water reservoir capacity of the Deluxe. You can find more about all that in my full Nespresso Vertuo Plus review.

If you are looking for a more compact pod coffee maker than Nespresso offers, the smallest Keurig coffee makers have gotten much better since the introduction of their multi-stream technology, especially when coupled with some good espresso k-cups.