Nespresso Vertuo Pop+ review
Coffee in under a minute with no technique, and a capsule system that ties them to one supplier.
The verdict
Give the Vertuo Pop+ to someone who wants better coffee without learning anything, because it makes a good cup in under a minute with no skill and the milk frother is included. Skip it for a coffee enthusiast who grinds beans, who will find the capsule system limiting and will want a real espresso machine instead.
Nespresso Vertuo Pop+ Coffee Machine with Milk Frother, Liquorice Black
~$120
A compact capsule coffee machine with a milk frother included, using hermetically sealed capsules across more than thirty coffees.
Check price on AmazonSpecifications
| Range | More than 30 coffees with different aromas, intensities and flavours |
|---|---|
| Capsules | Hermetically sealed to preserve freshness |
| Included | Milk frother |
| Crema | Generous crema from the brewing system |
| Use | Designed to be easy to use and to clean |
Specifications above come from Nespresso's published feature list. Treat pricing as approximate, since Amazon pricing moves.
What it does well
- It works the first time and every time. There is no technique to learn, which is why it gets used daily and an espresso machine sometimes does not.
- The milk frother is included, which turns it from a black coffee machine into one that makes lattes and cappuccinos.
- Sealed capsules mean the coffee tastes the same in month six as in week one, which is not true of an open bag of beans.
- It is compact enough for a small kitchen or an office, which matters more than people admit.
- Cleaning is genuinely minimal, and that is the difference between a machine that stays on the counter and one that gets put away.
Where it falls short
- Capsules are the running cost, and over a year they exceed the machine several times. That is the real price of the gift and it is worth being honest about.
- Vertuo uses its own capsule format, so the recipient is buying from a much narrower set of suppliers than a standard espresso machine allows.
- Capsules are waste. Recycling programmes exist and they require the recipient to participate, which not everyone will.
- The coffee is good and it is not what a well-pulled shot from fresh beans tastes like. Someone who knows the difference will notice it.
- The frother is a separate device to store, clean and find space for.
What owners report
Reports on capsule machines are consistently positive on convenience and consistently uneasy about cost and waste. The useful framing for a gift is that a capsule machine has by far the highest chance of being used every day, and the lowest ceiling on how good the coffee gets. Our espresso machine versus pod machine comparison sets out that trade properly.
The second theme is the capsule format. Vertuo capsules are specific to Vertuo machines, which narrows where the recipient can buy coffee for the life of the machine. Anyone who values choosing roasters will find that restrictive, and anyone who just wants coffee will not care at all.
The third is that a machine plus a starter selection of capsules is a complete gift and a machine alone is not. Including capsules is not a token addition; it is what makes it work on the morning after.
Who it suits
- Anyone who wants better coffee with no learning curve.
- Small kitchens, offices and spare rooms.
- People who drink one or two coffees a day rather than experimenting.
Who should skip it
- Coffee enthusiasts who grind their own beans.
- Anyone strongly opposed to single-use packaging.
- Households drinking six coffees a day, where the capsule cost becomes serious.
Alternatives worth considering
Breville BES870XL Barista Express Espresso Machine
~$700
A grinder and a real espresso machine for someone who wants to learn. Much better coffee, ten minutes a cup, and a genuine learning curve.
Check price on AmazonInstant Pot Duo Plus 6-Qt 9-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker
~$100
Similar money for a kitchen appliance with no consumable at all, if the recipient already has coffee sorted.
Check price on AmazonAmazon Echo Dot Max
~$120
The same money for something with no running cost, if you are unsure whether their counter has room for another appliance.
Check price on AmazonCommon questions
Is a Nespresso a good gift?
It has one of the highest hit rates of any gift in this price range, because it needs no skill and gets used daily. The caveat is the ongoing capsule cost, which you are effectively committing the recipient to.
Nespresso or a real espresso machine?
Nespresso for someone who wants good coffee quickly. An espresso machine for someone who wants to learn and enjoys the process. Giving a $700 espresso machine to someone who wanted convenience is the more expensive mistake of the two.
How much do capsules cost?
Enough that over a year they exceed the price of the machine several times over for a daily drinker. It is worth saying so, and worth including a starter selection so the gift works immediately.
Can you use other brands of capsule?
Vertuo uses its own format, which is far more restricted than the standard Nespresso format. Check what is available where the recipient lives before assuming they will have a wide choice.
Does it froth milk?
Yes, this bundle includes a milk frother, which is what makes lattes and cappuccinos possible rather than just black coffee. It is a separate device to store and clean.
Keep reading
- Espresso machine vs pod machine compared
- Breville Barista Express review
- Instant Pot Duo Plus review
- Echo Dot Max review
This review draws on published specifications, manufacturer figures and the consensus of verified owner reviews. We have not tested this product ourselves, and we say so rather than implying otherwise. Confirm current prices and specifications before buying. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.