what changes (and what doesn’t) in the new generation of large capsule coffee machines

The ecosystem of Nespresso capsule coffee machines changed with the arrival of the Vertuo system. His centrifugation technology (Centrifusion) and barcode reading allowed us to finally distance ourselves from the classic short espresso coffee to embrace long, creamy, American-style cups.

Now, with the arrival of the new Nespresso Vertuo UP in the catalogue, the brand is once again shaking up its entry-level range. This model arrives with the promise of polishing the small design errors of its predecessors (the popular Vertuo Next and Vertuo Pop) and offering a more compact and stylish experience. If you are thinking about making the jump to this capsule format or want to renew your old coffee maker, we analyze how they change and which one best suits your kitchen.

Technical sheet of both models of Nespresso Vertuo coffee machines

The differences between the previous and the new generation of Nespresso Vertuo

To understand which one to choose, you have to scratch beyond the surface, since both coffee makers share the same motor and the same coffee frothing system, but differ in some features.

Dimensions and countertop space management

The Vertuo Next suffered from being excessively deep towards the back. For its part, the Vertuo Pop solved this by becoming lower, but at the cost of a ridiculously small water tank (0.6 liters), which required constant refilling.

Now, the Vertuo UP finds the perfect balance: It is noticeably narrower and more stylized from the frontgaining height to house a better optimized 1.4 liter tank that does not protrude as much from behind, making it ideal for kitchens with narrow countertops.

Head design and closure system

It is, without a doubt, the most important evolution. Users of the Vertuo Next and Pop often complained that the manual lever system for closing the coffee maker and piercing the capsule was too hard. In the new Vertuo UP The opening and closing mechanism has been noticeably smoothed. It is still manual, but the path is much more ergonomic and requires less physical force to ensure the seal before pressing the extraction button.

Cup height and size versatility

The Vertuo Next is the only coffee machine that supports the capsule format Carafe (for 535 ml), although the UP can accommodate cups of up to 550 ml. The Vertuo Pop, on the other hand, being so short, made it necessary to remove the drip tray completely even to fit a standard type cup.

As a summary, these are the sizes supported each of the Nespresso Vertuo coffee machines.

• Vertuo UP: 25ml (Ristretto), 40ml (Espresso), 80ml (Double Espresso), 150ml (Great Lungo), 230ml (Cup) and 550 ml.
• Vertuo Next: 25ml (Ristretto), 40ml (Espresso), 80ml (Double Espresso), 150ml (Great Lungo), 230ml (Cup) and 535 ml (Carafe).
• Vertuo Pop: 25ml (Ristretto), 40ml (Espresso), 80ml (Double Espresso), 150ml (Great Lungo), 230ml (Cup).

Noise and vibration level

Although centrifugal technology makes all Vertuo reach thousands of revolutions per minute (generating a sound similar to that of a small motor), the Vertuo UP has a better interior acoustic insulation. The vibrations on the table are slightly less than on the Vertuo Pop, whose lightweight plastic chassis tended to resonate more than necessary during the first seconds of cream extraction.

So… which model to choose

The price difference It is the main differentiating factor between the three models. The new Vertuo UP costs 179.90 euros in the official store, while the Next is available for 149.90 euros (in the official Nespresso store) and the Vertuo Pop you can buy it now for 99.90 euros in the same Nespresso store.

If after reading this comparison, you still have doubts about whether to choose the new Vertuo or a model from the previous generation, here are the keys to choosing.

• Choose the new Vertuo UP if: Your budget is higher and you prioritize comfort. It is worth paying that little extra if you have just enough space on the counter, you usually use large bowls for breakfast and you are looking for a model with a more refined design and a soft closure that does not require force. It is the smart long-term purchase.
• Buy the Nespresso Vertuo Next / Pop if: Your priority is immediate savings. The Vertuo Pop has become the queen of bargains and is often on sale. If you don’t mind that the water tank is smaller or that the lever is a little harder, its quality-price ratio for tight budgets is unbeatable.

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Images | Nespresso

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