So, you’re debating between Nespresso Vertuo Next vs. Plus? Both machines look similar, but they have significant differences. The VertuoPlus has a motorized lid and a rotating water tank, while the VertuoNext can brew an 18 oz carafe coffee and has Wi-Fi connectivity.
I vote for the VertuoPlus because the design is superior, and it brews richer and sweeter coffee due to a higher brewing temeprature. The only reason to choose the VertuoNext is if you want the 18 oz carafe option. However, there are serious reports of leaks with the VertuoNext, which I’ll address.
I’ve used both of these Nespresso machines, so I’ll dive into Nespresso Next vs. Plus similarities and differences, so you can decide which Nespresso Vertuo machine is better for you.
Nespresso Vertuo Next Vs Plus: Feature Breakdown
The most important features to compare are the designs and programmability between the two machines.
Design And Build
The Vertuo Plus came out first in 2017, and Vertuo Next followed in 2020, so Next has a somewhat more modern design.
Vertuo Next comes with a larger brew head (where the pods go), but the water tank pays the price for this — it’s 37 oz compared to 40 oz for the Plus. I have the Vertuo Plus Dexluxe, which comes with a 60 oz water tank (I recommend this one).
Vertuo Plus has a sleek shape and a round look, with the spout sticking out. Overall, Vertuo Next is more compact and will fit into tight spaces more easily.
In terms of size and weight, the Vertuo Plus is wider than Vertuo Next. The height is the same (16.8 inches). Vertuo Next weighs 8.8 pounds, while Plus weighs 9.7 pounds.
Both coffee machines are made of plastic, which is to be expected considering the affordable price of Nespresso coffee machines. One difference is that Nespresso used 54% recycled plastic in manufacturing Vertuo Next, so it’s a good option if you’re concerned about the environmental impact.
In general, Nespresso machines have a compact size that doesn’t take up too much space, which is also the case with Vertuo Next and Plus. All the key components are located at the front, so it’s easy to use, clean, and maintain the coffee maker.
The drip tray on the Vertuo Plus is larger than the Vertuo Next. I liked the larger tray size as I use big mugs, and the drip tray on the Plus has two prongs, which felt sturdier. You can change the height of the drip tray for both to fit taller mugs.
I like the Vertuo Next aesthetic. The Vertuo Next looks like a modern machine, while Vertuo Plus looks like a coffee machine with an add-on accessory due to the adjustable water tank platform.
Note: There are design differences between DeLonghi and Breville models, where the VertuoPlus has a rounded top for Breville and a flat top for DeLonghi.
Lid Functionality
Once you start to get into the functionality, the VertuoPlus really starts to come out on top. The lid functionality favors the Plus model.
Vertuo Plus has a motorized lid to open the machine head. You gently push up the lever, and the lid opens. You place the pod inside and then tap the lever down for the head to close. You’ll hear it poke the pod and that’s all you need.
Vertuo Next has a spring-loaded lid. You have to slide the clip to unlock it, and the top springs open. Then load the pod, push down the head, and slide the clip back to the lock position. The Next process is more manual that requires non-trivial effort. I found it clunky.
We’re not talking about loading a portafilter difficulty, but honestly, the Next is sort of close. You get Nespresso for ease, and the Next falls short here.
Water Reservoir And Capsule Containers
Vertuo Plus has a 40 oz adjustable water tank, which can rotate to the side or back of the machine. This design makes it easy to fill the take and fit on a narrow countertop. Keep in mind, that the water tank is 3.5 inches, so factor that space into the side or back of dimensions when considering the size.
The capsule container is in the back of the machine and can hold up to 10 pods.
Vertuo Next doesn’t have an adjustable water tank. It’s placed in the back and smaller compared to Plus — 37 oz. The water reservoir is removable, which makes refilling easy.
The capsule container actually has two pieces, which unfortunately reduces the capacity to only 8 pods, which is less than the Vertuo Plus.
Both devices have an automatic capsule ejection system, where the lid “grabs” the capsule when you open it, and the capsule slides into the disposal bin. That means you don’t need to take out the hot, used pod once the coffee maker is done brewing coffee. Used pods are automatically stored in the coffee machines’ pod container. The automatic disposal is a nice feature on Vertuo models, especially if you use it several times per day.
Overall, the Plus is the clear winner with the rotating tank and more used capsule capacity.
Coffee Brewing And Taste
Nespresso Vertuo machines use centrifusion technology, which spins the capsules 7,000 times per minute to blend the coffee and hot water for a delicious end result. While the brewing methodology is the same, there are two distinct differences between these two.
First, the Vertuo Plus brews at a hotter temperature than the Next. After testing many pods side-by-side and using the same cup at room temperature, the Plus brewed about eight degrees hotter.
A higher brewing temperature will lead to higher extraction, which was noticeable in flavor. The Vertuo Plus consistently tasted sweeter and richer, and more distinct flavor notes came out in the cup. Meanwhile, the Vertuo Next tasted more flat with a thinner texture.
Secondly, the Vertuo Next has a louder pump than the Plus. Running the Next was closer to flying on an airplane. I tested the noise with the DecibelX app and found:
- Vertuo Plus: 60-61 dB
- Vertuo Next: 69-70 dB
Does The VertuoNext Have A Leak Issue?
I want to address one issue: many reports show that the Vertuo Next leaks water. This comes up on Facebook and Reddit, and even Nespresso’s own website has a big discrepancy in user ratings: the VertuoPlus is rated 4.7 while VertuoNext is 3.9 (the lowest of the lineup). Lastly, there are an oddly high number of used VertuoNext’s for sale on my local apps.
This is something I discuss on the video review, especially after comparing the differences in brewing temperature and taste:
To be clear, I didn’t have issues with the VertuoNext. I’ve used two models for over a year. The first one I gave away, and it’s still working just fine. However, I want to point out the leak issue because it’s come up enough that Craft Coffee Spot readers should be aware of before choosing.
For what it’s worth, Nespresso customer service has helped deal with complaints and even replaced machines with leaks. Lastly, you can find a leak complaint on almost every coffee and espresso machine, so be aware that this can happen.
Drink Sizes
The drink options also differ between the two machines:
| Vertuo Plus | Vertuo Next | |
|---|---|---|
| Espresso (1.35 oz) | Y | Y |
| Double espresso (2.7 oz) | Y | Y |
| Gran lungo (5.07 oz) | Y | Y |
| Coffee (7.77 oz) | Y | Y |
| Alto XL (12 oz) | Y | |
| Carafe (18 oz) | Y |
The Vertuo Plus has the four standard sizes of pods, while the Next has two additional larger sizes. They have the Alto XL and the the 18 oz pour-over carafe pods, which are exclusively compatible with Nespresso Vertuo Next.
I like the larger drink options, where we Americans typically like our “small” coffees to come as a 12 oz drink. Therefore, I had high hopes for the XL and carafe style pods.
Unfortunately, the big coffee pods weren’t better tasting than the traditional coffee-sized pods. They tasted weaker with less flavor than the regular pods.
The problem with the larger pods is they don’t hold enough coffee to compensate for their larger size. The coffee pod holds 13 grams fo coffee while the XL and carafe sizes hold 18 grams each. So you’re getting somewhat more coffee, but the drink size almost doubles or more than doubles, leading to a watered-down drink.
Also, there is less variety of large pods on the Nespresso website (the only place you can find these larger pods). Maybe they’ll develop more pods over time, but the coffee-size pods still have my favorite flavors.
Note: You get a complimentary 12-capsule sleeve when you buy any Nespresso coffee machine, so you can try different aromatic profiles and find your favorite brew.
Ease Of Use And Programming
Nespresso Vertuo machines are extremely easy to use. These are single-button coffee machines, so all you have to do is insert the Nespresso Vertuo capsules, wait about 30 seconds for the machine to heat up, put the cup on the tray, and wait for it to fill up with coffee.
Both machines use Nespresso Vertuo capsules. These capsules have a bar code that each machine reads to deliver a specific flow, water volume, temperature, and infusion time. This ensures a consistent coffee drink every time.
Vertuo Next Wifi
Vertuo Next is Nespresso’s first coffee machine that has Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. The extra connectivity lets the coffee maker get firmware updates directly from your home network, including software-based features and fixes.
You have to download the Nespresso and create a login. Then, I connected my Next to the app. The process was really simple: click on top of the app (where it says “my machine”), then choose the “pair machine” on the next screen, and place your phone on the Next until it connects. The process took a minute or two.
The problem is you can’t do anything with the Wifi connection on the Next. This is not a smart machine, so you can’t push a button on it to make coffee (like the Jura models), and there isn’t much firmware to upgrade as the sizes are pretty set (although it’d be totally worth it if Nespresso brought back a new Alto size!). The only thing I could do is set water hardness, which ostensibly modifies the brewing a bit.
That said, the Nespresso app itself is pretty good. You can easily order new pods. Also, you can connect your Vertuo Plus by typing in the serial number. So the Wifi is mostly useless, but the app is fine.
Value
Nespresso Vertuo Next is Nespresso’s slightly pricier option as it costs a little more than the Plus (as a general rule). Both devices have a very similar, almost equal performance. They both have similar brewing speeds and automatic capsule ejection.
However, Next’s higher price tag is because this newer model includes features like Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
However, Nespresso Vertuo Plus has an adjustable water tank and a larger water reservoir.
My vote for value winner goes to Vertuo Plus. I don’t believe the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity that Next has is worth the higher price tag, considering it’s pretty basic.
Of course, the final decision is up to you and what fits your needs and lifestyle best. You should check around for the latest price, as I found the Plus was cheaper than the Next on Nespresso’s site but pricier on Breville’s.
Recommendation and Who Is Each For
Overall, my vote goes to the Nespresso Vertuo Plus. It is the coffee maker if you want an extremely user-friendly coffee machine, as it has a motorized opening and closing system. It’s also a good option if you’re short on counter space, as it has an adjustable water reservoir and large storage for used capsules.
Nespresso Vertuo Plus highlights:
- Motorized opening and closing system
- Adjustable water reservoir
- User-friendly design
Nespresso Vertuo Next is the coffee maker for users who want a compact device with a modern and sleek design, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity, and an option to make 18 oz carafe coffee. However, be warned that the durability is questionable based on numerous reviews.
Nespresso Vertuo Next highlights:
- Compact device with a modern and sleek design
- Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity
- Option to make 18 oz coffee
Alternative: Nespresso Pop and Evoluo
The newest Nespresso machine is the Vertuo Pop. This is a “mini-Next” but without the design complaints. It’s smaller and the least expensive entry into the Vertuo family. You also get some newer features like the Wifi connectivity and XL pod size.
We tested the Vertuo Pop and found that it brews cooler than the Vertuo Plus. So, the Pop is more like the Next and therefore you sacrifice some taste by using this machine. That said, if you want to save space and cost, this is a good option.
Nespresso Vertuo Pop highlights:
- Compact size as 10″ tall
- Brews 12 oz XL pod
- Can brew any pod as double espresso
Nespresso Evoluo is the basic Vertuo Line machine. It’s also the fastest Nespresso Vertuo machine, as it heats up in just 15 seconds. It comes with a 40 oz water tank, but it doesn’t swivel like the Vertuo Plus. Finally, the lid on the Vertuo is more difficult to open and close, as it has a lock that needs to be turned, like Nespresso Vertuo Next.
Nespresso Evoluo is bulkier compared to other Nespresso Vertuo models, but it houses a 54 oz water tank. It also has the largest container for used pods — it fits 17 used Nespresso capsules. This is the best choice if you brew several drinks a day and want to spend little time cleaning and refilling the machine.
Nespresso Evoluo highlights:
- 54 oz water tank
- Fits 17 used Nespresso capsules
- Fast heat-up time of only 15 seconds
Nespresso Vertuo Next vs. Plus: What’s the Best Machine for You?
Both of these Nespresso Vertuo machines are good options for brewing coffee. Think about which one fits your needs best when making a decision. Go for Vertuo Next if you want smart technology and bitter coffee flavor. Go for Vertuo Plus if a swivel water tank and a sweeter and hotter coffee flavor are more important for you.
To get the most out of your Nespresso Vertuo device, check out our guide on how does a Nespresso machine work.
