Nespresso Vertuo Next Review

We purchased the Nespresso Vertuo Next so our reviewer could test and assess it. Keep reading for our full product review.

Nespresso machines are espresso machines that are known for their usability. Besides convenience, there are several other factors to consider when deciding on an espresso machine for your home. For example, there are a number of espresso machines available today that are energy-efficient, and some are even made from recyclable materials—like the Nespresso Vertuo Next (according to the brand, it's made with 54 percent recycled materials). In testing this Nespresso machine over several weeks, I evaluated its ease of use, design, setup, cleanup, and price. Read on to see what I found. 

Setup Process: Normal priming required

The Nespresso Vertuo Next requires a normal priming of the machine. This process took about 10 minutes in total. After this, you can use the machine as normal. To use the Nespresso Vertuo Next, I turned the machine on by pressing the button on top and proceeded to add filtered water to the tank. I unlocked the capsule door by turning the lever to the right and inserted the Nespresso Vertuo capsule. I closed the lid and locked the door in place. I placed my mug on the drip tray and pressed the top button once again. The machine immediately brewed the coffee into my cup.

To use the Aeroccino, I put the milk in the main body and placed the lid on top. I plugged the machine in and then pushed the button once for hot milk froth. For cold milk froth, I pressed and held the button for 2 seconds. The button will no longer illuminate when the milk froth is ready. 

Design: Sleek yet down to Earth—literally

What’s great about the Nespresso Vertuo Next is that it’s the first Nespresso machine made from 54 percent recycled plastic. In addition, all of its packaging is made from 100 percent recycled materials, and the device itself is energy efficient, according to the manufacturer. And despite being made from such materials, this espresso machine is nothing short of stylish. It boasts a minimalist design with an all-black matte finish. I found it very sleek, and it fits in well with my minimal home interior design. This espresso machine is also available in several colors so you can find one in your favorite hue or in your kitchen's color scheme.

The Nespresso Vertuo Next offers users the option to get the Aeroccino milk frother alongside it. The Aeroccino is similar in its minimal design and consists of an electric base and the main body that functions to froth the milk. In terms of size, the Nespresso Vertuo Next is fairly slim, measuring just 5.5 inches wide. The only downside with the sizing is that the Aeroccino is separate from the Nespresso Vertuo Next, so I had to use more counter space to accommodate this piece. 

The removable water tank (37-ounce capacity) is located at the back of the espresso machine. There is an integrated capsule disposal bin that opens out on the left side of the machine. The control panel is located at the top of the device with only one button, functioning to turn the machine on and brew espresso. There is a lever in front of the control panel to open and shut the capsule door (where the capsules go). One design flaw I noticed is that the capsule door is difficult to close. There were multiple occasions when I had to open and shut the door several times to properly lock in place. 

Performance: Brews blues—but not with the coffee

The Nespresso Vertuo Next brews consistent, quality espresso-based drinks when used in conjunction with the Aeroccino. I made espresso, lattes, and cafe au laits with this espresso machine. All of these drinks had a robust espresso flavor, as all Nespresso drinks do. I also found the milk froth to be silky smooth and just the right texture for cappuccinos in particular. 

Perhaps one of the Nespresso Vertuo Next’s best features is how quickly the espresso machine heats up and brews coffee. In a matter of minutes, I could enjoy a cappuccino (assuming I started frothing my milk around the same time). What’s also unique about this machine is that it has Bluetooth connectivity. But to use this feature, I had to download the Nespresso App and pair the device with my phone. After it was connected, I only found that the app was useful for telling me when my water tank was running low. I honestly didn’t find the app to be that helpful. 

Another downside is you can only use Nespresso Vertuo capsules with this machine, which may be more difficult to attain than the original Nespresso capsule. To add to that, Vertuo capsules are not always available at the local grocery store. It’s not a huge deal, but just something to be aware of if considering this machine. 

Ease of Cleaning: Hand wash only

To clean this coffee maker, the instructions recommend running the machine through a cycle after each time you brew and washing all of the removable parts by hand, including the water tank and the capsule disposal bin. This process takes about 5 minutes. I found running the machine after each cycle to be a bit inconvenient, as it takes additional time, and sometimes I would need to refill the water tank just to do so. 

Price: Worth the high price

The Nespresso Vertuo Next retails for around $209, which is certainly higher than the cost of an average coffee machine but lower than an at-home espresso machine. Considering this espresso machine (with the Aeroccino bundle) can brew several different espresso drinks, the price is more than fair. 

Nespresso Vertuo Next vs. Nespresso Vertuo by De'Longhi Coffee and Espresso Machine

The Nespresso Vertuo by De'Longhi Coffee and Espresso Machine is another machine from Nespresso. It’s slightly different from the Vertuo Next in that it sports a slightly wider design. Another difference is that the capsule disposal container is not integrated into the machine as it is in the Vertuo Next. The Nespresso by De'Longhi Coffee and Espresso Machine also lacks the finesse that the Vertuo Next offers. Additionally, it retails for slightly more than the Nespresso Vertuo Next when bundled with the Aeroccino at around $262. 

Ultimately, it comes down to what size machine you need, your price range, and how much you care about your carbon footprint.