Not everyone has the space for a huge coffee machine in their kitchen, and being one of those with limited real estate, I was excited to try out the Nespresso Vertuo Pop for size. Not only is the machine incredibly slim and compact, but it also comes at a much lower price than its contemporaries. For this reason, as well as the various colors it's available in, the Pop has gotten a fair bit of attention since its launch.
I tested out the appliance in my tiny kitchen, where it took the place of a similarly-sized but far inferior coffee maker in the sliver of counter space I have left. The machine kept me in coffee for more than a month.
In this review, we'll discuss everything you need to know - and everything we found out — about the Nespresso Vertuo Pop, from its price and design to its features and performance. We'll also take a look at the various Vertuo pods available, their pricing, and the quality of the coffee they produce. Keep reading to see what we thought, and head to our best coffee makers guide for more.
Nespresso Vertuo Pop: Key specs
Nespresso Vertuo Pop: Price & availability
The Vertuo Pop can be purchased from Amazon for around $190 (though it is on sale for $129.95 at the time of writing). The machine is the least expensive among the Nespresso Vertuo range right now, with the Vertuo Creatista priced at $749 and the Vertuo Lattissima at $499.
In the US, the slightly larger Vertuo Pop+ is also available, which offers a larger water tank and the ability to make an XL 12oz coffee in addition to the four sizes offered by the Vertuo Pop. The Vertuo Pop+ can be purchased directly from Nespresso for $129.
It's worth noting that the Vertuo pods are less widely available and more expensive than those compatible with other machines. On the Nespresso website, you can purchase a sleeve of 10 pods for $12.50 or an assorted pack of 60 pods for $73.50.
Score: 3/5
Nespresso Vertuo Pop: Setup
The Nespresso Vertuo Pop arrived in a smaller-than-expected (based on some of the giant deliveries from coffee machines in the past) box, which contained entirely cardboard packaging, a selection box of Vertuo pods across the range, and two extra sleeves for good measure.
The process of putting together the machine itself was basically non-existent as it emerged almost fully formed from the packaging, and only the removable drip tray came detached. That meant it was just a matter of plugging in the machine and taking a look at the instructions.
The information booklet gives you all of the information you need to do an initial clean, make a drink of your choice, and maintain the machine by cleaning and descaling it every so often. Pitched as compact and easy to use, first impressions supported this.
Nespresso Vertuo Pop: Design
The Vertuo Pop is aimed at those with less kitchen space, and it's as thin a machine as I've seen. As you can see from my images, it slots right into the space between my sink and countertop dishwasher. It has a sleek, user-friendly design and comes in various color options. My sample was Aqua Mint, but Spicy Red, Liquorice Black, Dark Gray, Pacific Blue, and Mango Yellow are also available.
The one and only button on the machine is located on top, with a lever to lock and unlock the lid when you need to insert your pod. The water tank is located at the back, which, unfortunately, ruins the compact design slightly, making the machine depth-heavy and prone to sticking out a little farther than I'd like.
The Vertuo pods also look a little different than I was expecting, only ever having used smaller coffee pods. Once you've made your drink selection, however, the machine uses the barcode to identify what to make, meaning you just need to make sure the water tank is filled and your mug is in place. Hit the button, and the machine will begin making your drink.
When you're done, lifting the lid will eject the used pod into a bin, which can be removed from the side for emptying.
Score: 4.5/5
Nespresso Vertuo Pop: Performance
As mentioned, using the Nespresso Vertuo Pop is as easy as it can be, with very little chance of error, even if you've never seen a coffee maker before. This is both good and bad, as the one-touch operation, auto-emptying, and general no-mess experience certainly have their perks. Brewing a coffee even in the early, bleary-eyed mornings is risk-free, as even the amount of water used is determined by the barcode on the pod.
Before using it for the first time, it's advised that you run a cleaning cycle, which simply involves filling the water tank and hitting the button three times.
Once you load up the machine with a pod, you can just hit the illuminated button (the machine automatically powers up and down as needed), and your drink will be ready within 20 seconds. This is incredibly fast and excellent for black coffee drinkers who don't need to be bothered with steaming milk. The coffee on its own is delicious, with a thick layer of crema on the top that's achieved via centrifusion brewing instead of pressure.
We tried out all of the different size options, which include espresso (40ml), double espresso (80ml), gran lungo (150ml), and mug (230ml). All of the pods come with strength ratings between 1-10.
As said, for black coffee drinkers, the 230ml mug pods will get you the perfect drink. For those who prefer milk, things get a little more tricky. Because the Vertuo Pop doesn't have a milk function, the coffee comes out at the ideal temperature to drink, and adding milk immediately dilutes this to a just-about-acceptable lukewarm. That said, size-wise, we had the best results with a double espresso pod, which left just enough room for a generous portion of milk to be added.
Score: 4/5
Should you buy the Nespresso Vertuo Pop?
Buy it if...
Don't buy it if...
How does the Nespresso Vertuo Pop compare?
The Nespresso Vertuo Pop and the Nespresso Vertuo Creatista are two coffee machines with different features. The Vertuo Creatista has more advanced features like a fully automatic frothing wand, programmable water hardness, and an integrated milk frother that lets you make lattes and cappuccinos. The Vertuo Pop, on the other hand, is simpler and more affordable but lacks these features.
The Nespresso Essenza Mini is another basic machine that uses the Nespresso Original line's 19-bar pressure system to make espresso. It's compact and affordable, much like the Vertuo Pop. However, the Vertuo Pop uses Centrifusion technology to brew coffee, which produces a heavier crema and allows for a wider variety of coffee sizes.
Finally, the Nespresso Vertuo Lattissima is part of a range of high-end models that can make a variety of drinks. The Lattissima models have a milk reservoir, allowing you to make cappuccinos or lattes, and the Vertuo Pop, while more affordable and compact, does not have this feature. If you're a fan of milk-based coffee drinks, the Lattissima might be a better choice.
How I tested the Nespresso Vertuo Pop
I have been using the Nespresso Vertuo Pop at home for over a month now, and it has been my go-to source of caffeine during this time. The compact size of the Vertuo Pop made it an excellent fit for my small kitchen, and I have also received feedback from my friends and family regarding its performance.
As a team at Top Ten Reviews, we are committed to providing our readers with the most reliable and accurate reviews of products. To ensure that our reviews reflect real-life usage, we conduct our testing in a home environment. Our aim is to provide our readers with authentic and trustworthy reviews, which will help them make informed decisions when purchasing.
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- First reviewed: March 2024
