Nespresso Vertuo Pop vs Vertuo Next: How Do They Compare?

Thinking about buying a Nespresso machine? Two of the newest models available are the Vertuo Next (updated in 2020) and the Vertuo Pop (released in 2023). While the biggest difference between Nespresso Vertuo Pop vs Vertuo Next is size and color choices, there is also a lot that is similar about them. Keep reading to learn more.

Vertuo Pop vs Vertuo Next: Machine Reliability

Be warned that according to several reports on social media forums from Facebook to Reddit and beyond, Vertuo Next owners appear to have many problems with this model. These issues include coffee or water leaks, coffee that tastes like plastic, or a range of orange blinking light problems that Customer Support can’t even help users fix. There’s even a mysterious purple light that isn’t mentioned in the user manual but usually appears a couple days before the machine dies.

For those who are lucky enough to have issues while their Next is still under its one year warranty, Nespresso has been replacing them. Usually they send another Next, but many people report having been successful in begging Customer Support to send them a Vertuo, Vertuo Plus or Evoluo instead.

Given that the Vertuo Pop looks very similar to the Next, I wonder if the internal components are the same and if, as a result, the Pop will also suffer from these same reliability issues. (The same question applies to the new Vertuo Creatista as well). I reached out to Nespresso US public relations team and asked if changes had been made to the internal components of the Vertuo Pop to improve the reliability relative to the Next. I’ll simply include their response here and leave any interpretation up to you:

“We built the Vertuo Pop and Vertuo Creatista with quality as a top priority. Similar to our full range of Vertuo machines, the Pop and Creatista use barcode technology to read each capsule and adjust to the perfect settings – allowing users to brew a full range of coffee sizes. Based on our thorough, regular product testing, we are confident in the ability of all our machines to meet the high demands of Nespresso customers.” -a Nespresso spokesperson

Vertuo Pop vs Vertuo Next: Coffee Preparation

Pod Sizes

Both the Vertuo Pop and Vertuo Next coffee makers brew a variety of pod sizes using centrifusion technology. Both machines can use all six pod sizes:

• 1.35 oz espresso
• 2.7 oz double espresso
• 5 oz Gran Lungo
• 8 oz coffee
• 12 oz XL coffee
• 18 oz pour over carafe pods

However, note that because of the short height of the Vertuo Pop, you can’t use the Nespresso Carafe mug or tall Alto glass accessories under the coffee outlet. Those accessories are only compatible with the Next.

Expert Mode

Both the Vertuo Pop and Vertuo Next have Expert Mode. This allows you concentrate just about any pod for use in recipes that call for either espresso (single or double shot) or ristretto. For example, you’ll want a single or double shot of espresso to make a Nespresso latte, a Nespresso cappuccino or an Americano. If you want to make a flat white, you’ll want a ristretto shot which is even more concentrated. Just press the coffee button twice to change the brew size of certain pods.

Pod Size	Expert Mode Volume
Single Espresso (1.35 oz)	0.85 oz (ristretto)
Double Espresso (2.7 oz)(	1.35 oz (single espresso)
Gran Lungo (5.1 oz)	1.35 oz (single espresso)
Coffee Pods (7.8 oz)	2.7 oz (double espresso)

Third-Party Pod Selection

Vertuoline capsules have barcodes to customize the brewing pressure, temperature and duration. Because Nespresso controls the barcodes and has a patent, there are fewer non-Nespresso branded Vertuo pods on the market. This patent is widely believed to be valid until 2030, so you shouldn’t expect to find cheaper off-brand pods until then. If pod cost is a concern, you may want to consider a reusable pod.

Milk-Based Drink Preparation

Neither the Vertuo Pop nor Vertuo Next models have milk frothing built-in. If you want to make a latte or cappuccino, you can buy an Aeroccino milk frother separately or in a bundle with your machine. If you want to upgrade, you can also consider the new Vertuo Creatista machine by Breville which has a frother built into it.

Vertuo Pop vs Vertuo Next: Care & Maintenance

The most frequent caring for my Nespresso machine that I do a few times a week involves cleaning and refilling the water tank and emptying the used capsule container. Given the small size of the Vertuo Pop, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that water tank and used pod holder are also smaller than those in the Next. If you choose the Pop, you’ll need to refill the water tank and empty the used pod container more often than if you had the Next.

In the US, there is a Vertuo Pop Deluxe model that has a water tank the same size as the Next. It still only holds 5 large used pods though.

	Vertuo Next	Vertuo Pop	Vertuo Pop Deluxe
Water Tank Capacity	37 ounces	25 ounces	37 ounces
Used Capsule Container Capacity	10 large capsules	5 large capsules	5 large capsules

Both models will require more time intensive cleaning (called descaling) every 3 months or so. This will remove mineral buildup from water that can impact performance. These models come with an alert light so you’ll know when it is time to descale.

Vertuo Pop vs Vertuo Next: Other Specs

Colors

The Vertuo Pop is all about color. There are six color choices for the Pop+: liquorice black, coconut white, aqua mint, spicy red, pacific blue or mango yellow. The Vertuo Pop Deluxe comes in Titan and Silver, both featuring chrome accents. The Vertuo Next comes white, black, red and gray tones. There are also some models available with chrome or rose gold accents.

Power

The Vertuo Next and Vertuo Pop both have a power rating of 1500 watts. That means you’ll get an equally hot cup of coffee from both machines. However, this heat rating could also be related to some of the trouble that users have with the Next coffee machine. Some users suspect that melting internal pieces cause Next defects. This might make the Vertuo Pop an equally unreliable choice.

	Vertuo Next	Vertuo Pop
Heating Power Rating	1500 watts	1500 watts

Machine Size

If kitchen counter space is a factor for you, one model may fit more easily in your space than the other. The Vertuo Pop is two inches shorter than the Next. This would make it easy to fit in any tight spaces, like under a low shelf. However, it is also about 3 inches wider. That is because the Vertuo Pop’s water tank is located off to the side of the machine instead of in the back of the unit like the Next. Neither machine has a water tank with an adjustable position. Only the Vertuo Plus has that feature, so consider that model if the flexibility matters to you.

	Vertuo Next	Vertuo Pop	Vertuo Pop Deluxe
Dimensions (WxDxH)	5.5 x 16.8 x 12.4 in	8.6 x 14 x 10.4 in.	8.6 x 14 x 10.4 in.
Cable Length	29 in	29.5 in	29.5 in
Weight	8.8 lbs	7.9 lbs	8.1 lbs
Adjustable Water Tank Position	No	No	No

Speed

If you often find yourself in a rush in the morning, every second counts! The Vertuo Next is the slightly faster machine. It heats up in 25 seconds, compared to 30 seconds for the Vertuo Pop.

Vertuo Pop vs Vertuo Next: Other Features

Lid Functionality

The lid on both the Vertuo Pop and Vertuo Next have to be opened and closed manually. This requires a lit bit of effort and hand strain because you need to turn a lever to lock and unlock the lid. For people with arthritis or carpal tunnel, this may be difficult. If this is a concern for you, consider the Vertuo Plus. It has a motorized lid that will open and close by itself with the gentle push on the lever.

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Bluetooth Connectivity

Both the Vertuo Pop and Vertuo Next have bluetooth connectivity. Bluetooth that allows you to connect the machines to the Nespresso app. If a problem arises and you see an orange light or red light alert, connecting to the app can help you learn what the problem is and what steps you need to take.

Nespresso Vertuo Pop vs Vertuo Next Summary

If you want to add some color to your kitchen or if you are tight on counter space, the Vertuo Pop may be a better option vs the Vertuo Next. However, the Next is a bit more low maintenance because of the larger water tank and used capsule container. The Next is known to have reliability issues and the big open question is whether or not the Pop will be plagued by the same problems.

If you are still on the fence about buying a Nespresso, you can read more about why I think a Nespresso is worth it or learn more about the other Nespresso models out there.

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