Nespresso Vertuo Pop Capsule Coffee Machine Review: Too Simple?

Value When Reviewed

$129

Greatest Costs Immediately: Nespresso Vertuo Pop+

When you’re a protracted espresso drinker, purchasing round for a pod machine might be irritating. Many will solely brew shorter drinks, leaving giant cups solely half full. That is the place the Nespresso Vertuo system has discovered its area of interest, delivering lungos and mugs stuffed with espresso in addition to morning espressos.

The Nespresso Vertuo Pop is the smallest of the household at solely 25cm tall, enabling it to tuck under wall cupboards or into a cabinet in probably the most compact of kitchens. And whereas it received’t ship the biggest sizes – you’ll want the Vertuo Subsequent for the XL brews – it’ll nonetheless produce lengthy drinks filled with loads of flavour.

Design and construct

• 0.6 litre water tank
• Small countertop footprint
• Single button operation

To say that the Nespresso Vertuo Pop is minimal is one thing of an understatement. Moreover its diminutive peak, it’s simply 13.6cm large (though the depth is 42.6cm) and weighs solely 3.5kg. Seems-wise, those that like color are in luck as there’s a alternative of six shades, though a kind of is black. The others are white, purple, blue, yellow and aqua.

The 600ml water tank is parked neatly on the again, whereas the left aspect is house to an inner used capsule container, which slides or ideas out for emptying. On the entrance, you’ll discover an non-compulsory drip tray/cup platform, although because the spout is low to start out with, you’d in all probability solely use this to lift up espresso cups.

The highest of the machine is the place the motion occurs. When you’re not aware of the locking system for capsules, the design might be perplexing at first – to insert a capsule, you’ll want to show the lever to unlock, earlier than pushing it once more to entry the chamber inside, then decreasing the top and locking all of it into place.

Rachel Ogden / Foundry

There’s a single button for the entire machine’s options, together with descaling, one thing which, together with the multi-language handbook, makes getting cozy with its performance fairly tough. Whereas on a regular basis brewing requires one push and also you’re accomplished, there’s an explainer about what all of the completely different gentle blinks imply and how one can get into completely different menus that makes you want they’d added one or two extra buttons or lights to the glossy exterior.

Rachel Ogden / Foundry

For instance, do you have to need extra intense/shorter espresso to pair with milk, you’ll must click on twice on the button rapidly – typically, we simply weren’t quick sufficient.

Efficiency and options

• Black espresso solely
• 4 drink sizes
• Noisy in use

Unsurprisingly for such a small machine, there’s no milk performance on the Nespresso Vertuo Pop – it’s all about black espresso. Brewing is simple – every capsule has a barcode, which tells the machine how one can make it, so there’s no want to pick a most well-liked cup measurement.

Relying on the capsule inserted, it’ll make 4 drink sizes, starting from espresso (40ml) to a mug (230ml). Though you may cease dishing out early by pushing the button or tapping it once more for extra water, you’ll should be fast: you’re granted 45 seconds after brewing has completed to take action.

The capsules are brewed utilizing what Nespresso calls “centrifusion” – it’s spun because the espresso is made – with a spin afterwards to dry the capsule, leading to much less moist mess than many different pod machines.

As the top of the machine is raised, the capsule is ejected backwards into the interior container. This implies it’s a mess-free machine. There’s by no means any must fish out used capsules together with your fingers – they are often tipped straight out of the container with out being touched.

The opposite fantastic thing about this technique is that you just received’t must empty water out of the used capsule container. Nevertheless, centrifusion is a loud course of and sure to get up different members of your family in case you’re up and making espresso early.

We tried making espresso with each Gran Lungo (150ml) and Mug (230ml) sized capsules. We preferred that the Vertuo Pop heated up in seconds (usually lower than the producer’s estimate of 30 seconds) and that you possibly can pop in a capsule and it will begin brewing when it was prepared.

Nevertheless, what rapidly grew to become obvious is how limiting the machine’s water tank measurement was. If, for instance, you make simply two mugs of espresso, you received’t have sufficient water for a 3rd with out topping up the tank. And, do you have to benefit from the power to vary the default dishing out quantities – the biggest being 535ml – you’ll nearly empty your tank in a single go.

One other challenge was the drip tray – it’s redundant until you’re brewing into small cups, and even then struggles to remain connected to the machine – ours indifferent each time we moved the machine. Even with out the drip tray, there’s not a number of clearance under the spout for big mugs – we needed to choose people who would match below as not all of the mugs in our cabinet did.

This meant that when the cup was eliminated, we ended up with drips on the worktop.

Rachel Ogden / Foundry

Curiously for an reasonably priced espresso machine, the Vertuo Pop connects to the Nespresso app, which is well accomplished – however the reward is proscribed. You may’t inform it to start out brewing at a sure time for instance, or alter dishing out quantities from right here.

What it principally appears to do is enable system updates and let you know the standing of the machine, though there are additionally useful movies below its assist part, that are simpler to observe than the included directions.

Regardless of some shortcomings, the espresso made by the Vertuo Pop is completely good – not too scorching, at all times with a frothy fragrant crema, and flavourful. A few of the capsules we tried had a slight bitter end to them however at all times smelled engaging.

Brewing utilizing the extraordinary setting eliminated the bitter edge and introduced out extra of the espresso’s sweetness – we solely want it was easier to pick this each time.

Value and availability

The Vertuo Pop is extensively out there for £99-£100 within the UK. There’s little distinction between most retailers’ customary costs however you should buy it from John Lewis (the place, on the time of writing, you’ll additionally get 50 espresso capsules free), Argos and Very.

Nevertheless, Amazon at present has a limited-time low cost that’ll web you £10-£20 off, relying on the color you need.

Within the US, the Vertuo Pop+ is out there solely from Nespresso for $129.

Verdict

When you prize consistency and comfort above all else, you’re positive to like the sheer simplicity of the Nespresso Vertuo Pop. All the things has been accomplished for you, from dealing with the mess of capsules and deciding how a lot water to make use of, to turning itself off after two minutes.

And, whilst you might not have the area for one of many bigger Vertuo machines, the Pop’s small measurement means it’s excellent for these with restricted kitchen area or a house workplace.

Nevertheless, like all Vertuo machines, you’re restricted to suitable capsules, somewhat than the unique Nespresso system, which now presents alternative from different roasters.

Along with this, by making the Vertuo Pop small and easy, there have been concessions in practicality. These is probably not a difficulty for many who solely need their espresso scorching, black and moist, and don’t thoughts maintaining a water provide close by.

However for busy households, all-day espresso drinkers and latte lovers, its limitations might show a frustration too far. Finally, how a lot you like the Nespresso Vertuo Pop will come right down to how a lot versatility you’re completely happy to sacrifice for the convenience of excellent espresso with one faucet.

The query could also be whether or not one of many different Vertuo machines is best for you. Our fundamental bugbear with this machine is its petite water tank. However we’ve additionally reviewed the Vertuo Subsequent, which has a bigger, one litre water tank you should utilize to fill a carafe, and the Vertuo Plus, which has a 1.2 litre water tank and might accomodate 4 cup sizes.

For extra espresso machine choices of every kind, take a look at our round-up of the most effective espresso machines. And to see how the Vertuo Pop fares in opposition to different capsule espresso machines, browse the most effective pod espresso machines we’ve examined.