Nespresso VertuoPlus Review: Features, Trade-Offs, and Value

Quick Verdict: Who Is Nespresso VertuoPlus For?

Who Should Consider It?

The VertuoPlus suits people who want a consistent cup with almost no effort: insert a capsule, close the lid and press a button. It brews four sizes, from single and double espresso to 5 oz and 8 oz coffee, heats in about 25 seconds and shuts itself off to save energy. With the included Aeroccino3, lattes and cappuccinos take one extra button press.

Who Should Choose Another Format?

If you want large mugs, full carafes or the lowest cost per cup, a drip coffee maker fits better. People who want to choose their own beans and grind should look at an espresso machine or a grind and brew coffee maker. And if you already own Nespresso Original capsules, remember they do not fit Vertuo machines.

Version, Specifications, and What Is Included

This review covers the Nespresso VertuoPlus Deluxe sold in the US with an Aeroccino3 milk frother. It is made by De'Longhi (the Matte Black listing we reference) and by Breville (a Titan version), and both listings describe the same features. It uses Nespresso Vertuo capsules only.

Specification	Nespresso VertuoPlus Deluxe
Machine type	Single serve capsule coffee and espresso maker
Coffee format	Nespresso Vertuo capsules only
Cup sizes	Single espresso, double espresso, 5 oz coffee, 8 oz coffee
Heat up	About 25 seconds
Energy	Automatic shut off
Milk	Aeroccino3 frother included, hot or cold froth, one touch
Iced drinks	Brew over ice
In the box	Machine, Aeroccino3, starter set of capsules
Dimensions and tank	See your listing
Price	Around $249 (De'Longhi Matte Black), around $163 (Breville Titan)

Optional extras are a supply of Vertuo capsules and a descaling kit. You do not need a grinder, a scale or a tamper, which is a large part of the appeal. Keep in mind that refurbished and used VertuoPlus units also appear on Amazon, and this review refers to new machines only.

Setup and Kitchen Fit

Initial Setup

Follow the quick start guide in the box. Typically you rinse and fill the water tank, plug in the machine and run water through it before the first capsule, which flushes the system. Then set up the Aeroccino3 on its base, rinse its jug and whisk, and try the starter capsules to find the sizes you like.

Use the starter set to learn which capsule types match your usual drink. Espresso capsules suit milk drinks and short coffees, while coffee capsules brew the longer 5 oz or 8 oz cups. Once you know your favorites, compare per-capsule prices across pack sizes before you stock up.

Controls and Access

Brewing uses a single button: you insert a capsule, close the head and press. The machine recognizes the capsule and brews the matching size, so there is no size dial to learn. The Aeroccino3 has its own one-touch button for hot or cold froth, and it sits beside the machine on its own base.

Working Clearance

The listing does not give exact dimensions, so measure your space against the product page before ordering. Leave room above the machine to open the head and insert capsules, room to remove the water tank, and a small footprint beside it for the Aeroccino3. A tall mug or glass with ice needs clearance under the spout.

Coffee Format and Serving Results

Verified Capabilities

The VertuoPlus brews four cup sizes at the touch of a button: single espresso, double espresso, 5 oz coffee and 8 oz coffee. Nespresso describes coffee you can drink bold or mild, hot or iced, and you can brew over ice to make iced coffee and iced lattes.

Vertuo capsules are a separate system from Nespresso Original capsules, and the two are not interchangeable. The Vertuo variety pack listing we reference, for example, brews a 7.8 oz serving and states it is not compatible with OriginalLine machines. Nespresso's listing for the original Vertuo machine describes the system as reading a barcode on each capsule to set the brew.

Results or Research-Based Assessment

We did not brew with this machine, so this part of our Nespresso VertuoPlus review is a research based assessment. The documented design points to very consistent cups: each capsule is matched to its size automatically, so the same capsule should taste much the same day after day.

What the documentation cannot establish is how the coffee tastes compared with drip coffee or pump espresso. Vertuo coffee is its own style, with a layer of foam on top, and some people love it while others prefer a classic shot. If you have not tried Vertuo coffee before, sampling a capsule at a store or from a friend is a sensible step.

It also helps to translate the sizes into real cups. An 8 oz coffee fills a standard mug about two-thirds of the way, while a double espresso is a small, strong serving that works best as the base for a latte or an iced drink. Most households settle on two or three favorite sizes.

Practical Limitations

The largest documented size is 8 oz of coffee. If you drink 12 oz or 16 oz mugs, you will brew two capsules or choose another machine, such as the Vertuo Pop+, whose listing includes a 12 oz size. Larger formats in the wider Vertuo range are not listed for the VertuoPlus, so check capsule packaging before buying them.

You are also limited to Vertuo capsules. That means no ground coffee, no third-party K-Cups and no Original capsules, which narrows your choice of coffees and ties your running costs to Vertuo pricing.

The Vertuo and Original systems differ in more than shape. Original capsules are built around espresso-style shots, while Vertuo covers longer coffees as well as espresso. If you mainly drink short espresso and want the widest range of compatible third-party capsules, an Original line machine may suit you better.

Preparation and Convenience

Verified Capabilities

Convenience is the VertuoPlus's main strength. It heats in about 25 seconds, brews at the touch of a button and switches itself off with an energy-saving automatic shut off. The included Aeroccino3 makes smooth hot or cold milk froth in a few seconds with one touch, so a latte needs only two buttons.

Iced drinks are simple too. You brew a capsule over ice and add cold froth from the Aeroccino3 for an iced latte. The box includes a starter set of capsules so you can try several coffees before committing to a larger pack.

For an iced latte, fill a glass with ice, brew a double espresso over it, and top it with cold froth from the Aeroccino3. For a hot cappuccino, brew a single or double espresso into a cup and add hot froth. Both drinks take only a couple of minutes from start to finish.

Results or Research-Based Assessment

Based on the listing, the VertuoPlus removes nearly every decision from the morning routine. There is no grinding, dosing, tamping or measuring, and capsule recognition picks the size for you. For busy households, that consistency matters more than fine control.

The Aeroccino3 is a separate appliance rather than a built-in wand, which has a practical upside: you can froth milk while the coffee brews, and the frother is easy to wash. The trade-off is one more device on the counter and one more cord to manage.

Practical Limitations

Convenience comes at a price per cup. Capsules cost more than ground coffee or beans, so a household that drinks several cups a day will spend more over a year than with a drip machine. Milk drinks still need a quick rinse of the Aeroccino3 after each use.

Control is limited by design. You cannot change grind, strength beyond your capsule choice, or brew temperature, so the only real lever is which capsule you buy. People who enjoy adjusting their coffee will find that frustrating.

Controls and Everyday Use

Customization

Customization comes from the capsules. Nespresso offers different blends and intensities, and the variety pack we reference includes three coffees at intensities 6, 7 and 8. You choose hot or iced, and for milk drinks you choose hot or cold froth on the Aeroccino3. Beyond that, the machine handles the settings.

A Complete Daily Routine

A typical latte looks like this. Turn on the machine, insert a capsule, close the head and press the button. While it brews, pour milk into the Aeroccino3 and press its button. Pour the coffee into your cup and add the froth.

Afterward, rinse the Aeroccino3 jug and empty the used capsule container when it fills. On espresso-only mornings the routine shrinks to inserting a capsule, pressing the button and drinking, with nothing to rinse but the cup.

Multiple Servings

Each drink takes one capsule and one brew cycle, so serving four people means four rounds. The fast heat up helps between drinks, but you will refill the water tank more often when making several cups. The Aeroccino3 makes froth for one or two drinks at a time, so plan extra rounds for a group.

Nespresso does not list a cups-per-hour figure, so judge capacity by your routine. For one or two people it is quick; for a crowd, a carafe brewer is faster.

A simple trick for guests is to brew coffees first and froth milk in batches, so the Aeroccino3 is not the bottleneck. Keeping a pitcher of fresh water nearby also cuts the pause when the tank runs low.

Cleaning and Maintenance

After-Use Tasks

Daily cleaning is light. Empty the used capsule container regularly, rinse the drip tray, and wipe the coffee outlet. Rinse the Aeroccino3 jug and whisk right after each use so milk does not dry inside. Because there are no grounds to knock out, cleanup is faster than with an espresso machine.

Recycle used capsules through Nespresso's program, as the capsule listing describes. Aluminum capsules are recyclable, but they need to go through the right channel rather than regular curbside bins in many areas.

Periodic Cleaning and Descaling

Descale on the schedule in Nespresso's manual, adjusted for your water hardness, using a descaler approved for Nespresso machines. The Nespresso descaling kit we reference states it fits all models and includes two packets. Follow the manual's descaling procedure for the VertuoPlus exactly.

Keep cleaning types separate. Daily rinsing removes coffee and milk residue, while descaling removes mineral scale from inside the machine. Neither replaces the other.

Access and Service

User-accessible parts include the water tank, drip tray, capsule container and the Aeroccino3 jug and whisk. For brewing problems, follow the troubleshooting steps in the manual and contact Nespresso or the maker's support rather than opening the housing. Register your machine so warranty support is easier if you need it.

Purchase Price and Ownership Cost

The Complete Setup

The VertuoPlus Deluxe with Aeroccino3 lists at around $249 for the De'Longhi Matte Black version, and the Breville Titan version was around $163 when we checked. The frother is included, so the only other startup purchase is capsules beyond the starter set. A descaling kit runs around $23.

Recurring Supplies

Capsules are the main ongoing cost. The 30-count Vertuo variety pack we reference was around $42, or roughly $1.40 per capsule. At one capsule a day, that is about $40 to $45 a month; at two a day, about $85 to $90.

Add milk, and a descaling kit a few times a year; we do not estimate repair costs. For comparison, ground coffee for a drip machine usually costs far less per cup, while a café latte costs far more. The VertuoPlus sits between the two: more expensive than brewing your own grounds, but much cheaper than buying coffee out every day. Comparing per-capsule prices across pack sizes is the easiest way to keep the per-cup cost in check.

Pros, Cons, and Alternatives

Strengths and Limitations Established Above

• Pro: one-touch brewing in four sizes with about a 25 second heat up.
• Pro: Aeroccino3 included for hot or cold froth.
• Pro: very light daily cleaning, with no grounds or grinder.
• Con: Vertuo capsules only, with a higher cost per cup than ground coffee.
• Con: the largest listed coffee size is 8 oz.

When an Alternative Fits Better

If you want a 12 oz cup and a smaller footprint, the Nespresso Vertuo Pop+ at around $99 lists five sizes, a 30 second heat up and a 25 fl oz side tank, though no frother is included. If you want espresso from your own beans, an espresso machine fits better; our best Nespresso machine guide compares the wider lineup.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which exact version does this review cover?

This review covers the new US Nespresso VertuoPlus Deluxe bundled with an Aeroccino3 frother, sold by De'Longhi (Matte Black) and Breville (Titan). Both listings describe the same features. Used and refurbished VertuoPlus units also exist, but they are not covered here.

What extra equipment is required?

None beyond Vertuo capsules, since the Aeroccino3 frother is included. A Nespresso-approved descaling kit is needed periodically. You do not need a grinder, scale or tamper, which keeps the setup simple.

What cleaning does daily use require?

Empty the capsule container, rinse the drip tray and wipe the outlet as needed. Rinse the Aeroccino3 after every milk drink. Descale following Nespresso's manual for your water hardness.

Is this model worth it for my routine?

It is worth it if you value one-touch coffee and easy milk drinks over cost per cup. If you drink large mugs or several cups a day, a drip machine or a Vertuo model with a 12 oz size may serve you better. Try Vertuo coffee first if you have never had it.

Final Verdict

This Nespresso VertuoPlus review lands on a clear buyer: someone who wants consistent coffee and espresso at one touch, plus easy hot or cold froth, and accepts capsule pricing for that convenience. The main compromise is the Vertuo-only format and an 8 oz top size. Check the live price of the De'Longhi and Breville versions, which can differ a lot. For other options, see our best espresso machine guide, or the best super automatic espresso machine picks if you want bean-to-cup drinks.