Nespresso Vertuo Next Review: Is Amazon’s Best-Selling Coffee Machine Worth $160.99?

The Nespresso Vertuo Next has quietly become one of the most popular single-serve coffee machines on Amazon, racking up over 28,000 reviews and holding a near-perfect 5-star rating. At $160.99, it sits in a sweet spot between budget pod machines and high-end espresso setups, promising barista-quality coffee with virtually zero effort. But does it actually deliver?

After spending several weeks testing the Vertuo Next as our daily driver, brewing everything from single espresso shots to full 18-ounce carafes, we have a clear picture of what this machine does well and where it falls short. Nespresso’s centrifusion brewing technology is the headline feature here, spinning each capsule at up to 7,000 RPM to extract coffee in a way that no other pod system replicates. The result is a thick, velvety crema that looks impressive and tastes noticeably different from standard drip or competing pod machines.

In this review, we’ll break down the specs, real-world performance, and value proposition so you can decide if the Vertuo Next deserves counter space in your kitchen.

Key Specifications

Design and Build Quality

The Vertuo Next is one of the most compact machines in Nespresso’s lineup, and it shows. At just 5.5 inches wide, it takes up less counter space than a standard toaster. The design is sleek and modern with a rounded top and a single chrome lever for opening and closing the brewing head. Nespresso offers the Vertuo Next in several finishes including matte black, white, and a cherry red, all of which feel more premium than the price tag suggests.

Build quality is a mixed bag, though. The exterior shell is made almost entirely of plastic, and while it looks fine, it doesn’t feel as substantial as the all-metal Vertuo Plus or the VertuoLine machines from a few years ago. The 37-ounce water tank is removable and easy to fill, but we noticed it wobbles slightly when seated. The used capsule container holds about 8 pods before you need to empty it, which means daily users will be clearing it every few days. The drip tray adjusts to two positions to accommodate taller mugs, a small but appreciated detail. Overall, the Vertuo Next prioritizes compact design and aesthetics over rugged durability, which is a fair trade-off for most home kitchens.

Real-World Performance

Specs and design only matter if the coffee tastes good, so we ran the Vertuo Next through a series of practical tests over three weeks of daily use. Here’s exactly what we found.

Brew Speed and Heat-Up Time

Nespresso claims a 30-second heat-up time, and our tests confirmed this is accurate. From pressing the power button to the machine being ready, we measured an average of 28 seconds across 15 trials. Once heated, a standard 7.77-ounce mug brew completed in approximately 1 minute and 15 seconds. Espresso shots were faster at around 45 seconds. The full 18-ounce carafe took about 2 minutes and 40 seconds. These times are competitive with any pod machine on the market and significantly faster than most drip coffee makers.

Coffee Quality and Crema

This is where the Vertuo Next genuinely stands out. The centrifusion technology produces a crema layer that measured roughly 4-5mm thick on espresso shots and 3-4mm on larger mug-size brews. For context, most pod machines produce little to no crema at all. The crema isn’t quite as dense or long-lasting as what you’d get from a traditional 15-bar pump espresso machine, but it’s remarkably close. We tested six different Vertuo capsule varieties, and flavor extraction was consistently smooth, with noticeably less bitterness than Keurig K-Cup brews made with comparable roast levels. The Intenso and Stormio capsules, both rated at intensity 8 out of 13, produced a rich, full-bodied cup that could genuinely satisfy espresso enthusiasts.

Temperature Consistency

We measured brew temperature using a probe thermometer across 20 different brews over the testing period. The average temperature at dispense was 162F (72C), with a range of 158F to 167F. This is slightly below the Specialty Coffee Association’s ideal range of 195F-205F for brewing, but it’s worth noting that the centrifusion process extracts differently than standard drip brewing. The coffee arrives at a comfortable drinking temperature, though some users who prefer scalding-hot coffee may find it lukewarm. Running a hot water cycle before your first brew of the day can raise the temperature by about 5-7 degrees.

Noise Level

The centrifusion spinning mechanism is not quiet. We measured peak noise at 72 decibels during the brewing cycle, which is roughly equivalent to a running vacuum cleaner. The noise lasts only about 15-20 seconds during the spin phase, but it’s worth noting if you’re an early riser brewing in a small apartment. By comparison, a standard Keurig operates at around 55-60 decibels. This is one of the most common complaints in user reviews, and we can confirm it’s a legitimate concern.

Nespresso Vertuo Next vs the Competition

The Vertuo Next’s biggest advantage over the Keurig K-Elite is coffee quality. The centrifusion crema and overall flavor profile are in a different league. Keurig wins decisively on ongoing costs, though. At $1.00 to $1.35 per Vertuo capsule versus $0.40 to $0.80 per K-Cup, the cost difference adds up fast. A two-cup-a-day habit on the Vertuo Next will run you roughly $60-$80 per month, compared to $25-$50 on a Keurig. The near-total absence of third-party Vertuo capsules means you’re locked into Nespresso’s pricing with very little ability to shop around.

Compared to the Nespresso OriginalLine Pixie, the Vertuo Next offers far more versatility in cup sizes but sacrifices the 19-bar pressure system that true espresso purists prefer. The OriginalLine also benefits from a massive selection of compatible third-party capsules from brands like Peet’s, Lavazza, and Starbucks, giving you much more variety and better price competition. If you only drink espresso and don’t need larger brew sizes, the OriginalLine is arguably the better Nespresso ecosystem to buy into.

Who Should Buy the Nespresso Vertuo Next

• Busy professionals who want great-tasting coffee in under two minutes with zero cleanup beyond tossing a capsule.
• Households with mixed preferences where one person drinks espresso and another prefers a full mug or large carafe-size coffee.
• Anyone upgrading from a Keurig who’s grown tired of weak, flat-tasting pod coffee and wants a noticeable quality bump.
• Small kitchen owners who need a compact footprint — the Vertuo Next is one of the slimmest machines available at just 5.5 inches wide.
• Coffee lovers who value convenience over ritual and don’t want to deal with grinding beans, tamping, or frothing milk manually.

Who Should Skip the Nespresso Vertuo Next

• Budget-conscious coffee drinkers — at $1.00-$1.35 per capsule with virtually no third-party alternatives, the ongoing cost is 2-3x higher than Keurig or standard drip coffee.
• Espresso purists who want traditional 15-19 bar pressure extraction, manual control over grind size, or the ability to use fresh-ground beans. The Vertuo system is closed and fully automated.
• Heavy coffee households brewing 5+ cups daily. The small 37-ounce water tank and 8-capsule used pod container require frequent refilling and emptying, and capsule costs at that volume can exceed $150 per month.
• Anyone bothered by noise — the 72 dB brewing cycle is noticeably louder than most competitors and can be disruptive in early mornings or shared living spaces.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you use third-party capsules in the Nespresso Vertuo Next?

Technically, the Vertuo system uses barcode-scanning technology that reads each capsule to determine the brew parameters, which means it’s designed to work exclusively with Nespresso Vertuo capsules. A small number of third-party manufacturers have started producing compatible pods, but the selection is extremely limited compared to the OriginalLine or Keurig ecosystems. For most buyers, you should plan on purchasing directly from Nespresso for the foreseeable future.

How long does the Nespresso Vertuo Next last?

Based on user reports and Nespresso’s warranty coverage, the Vertuo Next typically lasts 2-4 years with regular home use. Nespresso provides a 2-year manufacturer’s warranty. Some users have reported issues with the machine after 12-18 months, particularly error lights and descaling problems, though Nespresso’s customer service is generally responsive about replacements within the warranty period. Running the descaling cycle every 3 months, as recommended, can significantly extend the machine’s lifespan.

Is the Nespresso Vertuo Next worth it over a Keurig?

If coffee quality is your top priority, yes. The centrifusion technology produces a noticeably better cup with genuine crema that Keurig machines simply cannot match. However, if you prioritize low per-cup costs and maximum flavor variety from dozens of brands, a Keurig is the more practical choice. The Vertuo Next costs roughly 50-70% more per cup in ongoing capsule expenses. We’d recommend the Vertuo Next for anyone who drinks 1-2 cups per day and values taste over economy.

Does the Nespresso Vertuo Next make real espresso?

It depends on your definition. The Vertuo Next uses centrifusion spinning rather than the traditional 9-15 bar pump pressure used in conventional espresso machines. The result is a concentrated shot with thick crema that looks and tastes similar to espresso, but the extraction process is fundamentally different. Most coffee professionals would classify it as espresso-style coffee rather than true espresso. For the vast majority of home users, the difference is negligible, and the Vertuo’s espresso shots work perfectly well in lattes, cappuccinos, and americanos.

Our Verdict

Score: 8.4/10

The Nespresso Vertuo Next earns its popularity. At $160.99, it delivers coffee quality that genuinely exceeds what most single-serve machines can produce, and the 5-star rating across 28,000+ amazon reviews isn’t just hype. The centrifusion brewing creates a crema and flavor profile that’s a clear step above the Keurig ecosystem, and the five cup-size options make it versatile enough for any coffee preference in the household.

Where we dock points is on ongoing costs and long-term durability. Being locked into Nespresso’s $1.00-$1.35 capsules with almost no third-party alternatives is a real financial commitment, and the plastic build quality raises questions about how many years you’ll get out of the machine. The 72 dB noise level is also hard to ignore. But if you’re looking for the best-tasting single-serve coffee you can make in under two minutes, the Vertuo Next is one of the strongest options available today. Just budget accordingly for the capsules.

Pros:

• Exceptional coffee quality with thick, creamy crema from centrifusion technology
• Five cup sizes from 1.35 oz espresso to 18 oz carafe cover virtually every need
• Ultra-compact 5.5-inch width takes up minimal counter space
• 30-second heat-up time is among the fastest in any pod machine category
• Barcode scanning automatically optimizes brew settings for each capsule variety

Cons:

• Capsule costs of $1.00-$1.35 each with almost no third-party alternatives make it expensive long-term
• 72 dB noise level during centrifusion cycle is noticeably louder than competitors
• Plastic build quality feels less durable than older Nespresso models at similar price points
• Brew temperature averages 162F, which some users find too cool compared to drip machines