The Vertuo Pop+ is the smallest machine in Nespresso's Vertuo range, and for a lot of kitchens it is the right one. It brews everything from a single espresso to a 12 oz mug from one button, with a layer of crema that drip coffee never has.
How Vertuo works
Each Vertuo capsule carries a barcode. The machine reads it, then spins the capsule at high speed while water flows through, a method Nespresso calls Centrifusion. Because the capsule tells the machine what to do, there is nothing to adjust: the cup size, temperature and flow are set for you.
Five sizes
The Pop+ brews 5, 8 and 12 oz coffees plus single and double espresso, and several capsules are made to be brewed over ice. That range is the reason people choose Vertuo over the Original line: you get proper mug-sized coffee and espresso from the same machine.
Speed and size
It heats up in about 30 seconds and the 25 oz tank sits on the side, so it fits under low cabinets. The trade-off is refills: a household drinking several large mugs a day will be topping it up often.
The trade-offs
It is loud during the spin, briefly but noticeably. And you are tied to Vertuo capsules, which cost more per cup than ground coffee. Nespresso runs a free recycling program for the aluminium capsules.
Looking after it
Empty the used-capsule container daily and descale when the alert lights up. Most complaints about drips into the capsule tray go away after a descale.
Pod coffee compared
| If you want | Buy |
|---|---|
| Espresso and mug coffee with crema | Nespresso Vertuo Pop+ |
| The cheapest pods and the widest choice of brands | Keurig K-Express |
Choosing capsules
Vertuo capsules come in sizes that match the machine's formats: espresso and double espresso, Gran Lungo, the 8 oz coffee and the larger mug sizes. The capsule decides the cup size, so buy the size you actually drink. A tasting pack comes in the box, which is the easiest way to find a blend before buying sleeves.
For iced drinks, choose the capsules designed for over-ice brewing and fill a heat-proof glass with ice first. For milky drinks, a frother bundle or a separate frother turns a double espresso into a latte in a minute.
Keeping it running
Empty the used-capsule container and the drip tray daily so nothing sits damp overnight. Run a cleaning cycle with an empty machine once a week if you use it heavily. Descale when the alert lights; hard water shortens the interval, and a descaled machine is quieter, faster and less likely to leak into the capsule tray.
Should you buy it?
Buy the Vertuo Pop+ if you want espresso and mug coffee from one small machine with no learning curve. Skip it if you drink a lot of coffee and care about cost per cup, or if brewing noise first thing in the morning will bother the house.
Key features
Centrifusion brewing
Reads a barcode on each capsule and adjusts the brew automatically.
Five cup sizes
5, 8 and 12 oz coffees plus single and double espresso, hot or over ice.
30-second heat-up
Ready almost as soon as you switch it on.
Compact design
Side-mounted 25 fl oz tank that lifts out for refilling.
Descaling alert
Reminds you when maintenance is due.
Recyclable capsules
Free Nespresso recycling program for used aluminium pods.
Pros & cons
What we like
- Five sizes from single espresso to a 12 oz mug
- Heats up in about 30 seconds
- Genuine crema on every cup
- Very compact footprint
- One button, no dialling in
- Recycling program for the aluminium capsules
What could be better
- Loud during the spin
- Only Vertuo capsules fit
- Smaller 25 oz tank needs frequent refills
Specifications
Frequently asked questions
No. The Vertuo Pop+ only takes Vertuo capsules, which have a barcode the machine reads.
It makes single and double espresso with crema using centrifugal brewing. It is not a pump espresso machine, but the result is close to what most people order in a café.
Yes. Several Vertuo capsules are designed to be brewed over ice.
Not by itself. Bundles with the Aeroccino frother are available.
The capsule spins at high speed to extract the coffee. The noise lasts for the length of the brew.
When the descaling alert lights, typically every few months depending on water hardness.
Final verdict
The simplest way to get café-style coffee and espresso at home in a small kitchen. It is loud while brewing and you are tied to Vertuo capsules.
What owners report
Gathered from what long-term owners consistently say, not from a single test.
Taste and variety are what owners praise most, with the coffee often compared to a café drink. The compact size is welcomed in small kitchens, though some find the tank small for a busy household. The noise during brewing is frequently mentioned, and a minority report reliability problems or coffee dripping into the used-capsule tray, which regular descaling helps prevent.
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