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

Nespresso Vertuo Pop vs Vertuo Plus
Nespresso Vertuo Pop Credit Jennifer Payne

Thinking about buying a Nespresso machine? Many shoppers find themselves trying to decide between the newer Vertuo Pop vs Vertuo Plus, an older but reliable and thus popular Nespresso model. There are actually quite a few significant differences between these models, from pod sizes to machine size and lid functionality, so its good that you are here to learn more.

Vertuo Pop vs Vertuo Plus: Machine Reliability

The Vertuo Plus is one of the most popular Nespresso machines out there. Buyers in the know will often choose the Vertuo Plus over what until recently was the latest Nespresso Vertuo model, the Vertuo Next, because of its reliability. I personally have had my Vertuo Plus since December of 2021 and haven’t had any problems with it.

The Vertuo Pop has only been available in the US since early around March 2023 so it is too early to have any first hand user accounts around the reliability of the machine. Some people are worried that the Vertuo Pop will be plagued by the same issues as the Vertuo Next since they look very similar. 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.

I reached out to Nespresso US public relations team and asked if changes had been made to the internal components of the Vertuo Pop (or the new Vertuo Creatista which also looks similar) 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

Nespresso Vertuo Next leaking
Vertuo Next Leaking Coffee

Vertuo Pop vs Vertuo Plus: Coffee Preparation

Pod Sizes

Both the Vertuo Pop and Vertuo Plus brew a variety of pod sizes using Nespresso’s patented centrifusion technology. No matter which machine you get you can enjoy a variety of flavors in the following sizes:

  • 1.35 oz espresso
  • 2.7 oz double espresso
  • 5 oz Gran Lungo
  • 8 oz coffee

However, the Vertuo Pop has an edge over the Vertuo Plus for people who like bigger cups of coffee. That’s because only the Vertuo Pop (as well as the Vertuo Next and Vertuo Creatista) can brew two larger coffee pod sizes:

It may be worth noting 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.

Expert Mode

Only the Vertuo Pop has 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 SizeExpert 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)

Since the Vertuoline has relatively few espresso pods compared to the Original line, the benefit of Expert Mode is that it gives you more pods to choose from your espresso-based recipes. The downside is that it is more expensive to use a coffee pod as a double espresso by about 27 cents.

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 Plus 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 Plus: Care & Maintenance

The most frequent caring for my Nespresso Vertuo Plus that I do a few times a week involves cleaning and refilling the water tank and emptying the used capsule container. The most convenient model is therefore going to be the Vertuo Plus Deluxe which has an extra large water tank and used pod holder.

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

Vertuo PlusVertuo Plus DeluxeVertuo PopVertuo Pop Deluxe
Water Tank Capacity40 ounces60 ounces25 ounces37 ounces
Used Capsule Container Capacity10 large capsules13 large capsules5 large capsules5 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 Plus: 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 Plus comes white, red and gray, black, navy or silver tones.

Power

The Vertuo Pop has a slightly higher power rating than the Vertuo Plus. That means you may get a hotter cup of coffee from the Pop. 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 PlusVertuo Pop
Heating Power Rating1300 watts1500 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 Vertuo Plus. This would make it easy to fit in any tight spaces, like under a low shelf. However, it is also about an inch and a half wider. That is because the Vertuo Pop’s water tank is located off to the side of the machine. Only the Vertuo Plus has an adjustable water tank position, so consider that model if the flexibility matters to you.

Vertuo PlusVertuo PopVertuo Pop Deluxe
Dimensions (WxDxH)8.7 x 12.7 x 12.8 in8.6 x 14 x 10.4 in.8.6 x 14 x 10.4 in.
Cable Length29.13 in29.5 in29.5 in
Weight10.1 lbs7.9 lbs8.1 lbs
Adjustable Water Tank PositionYesNoNo

Speed

If you often find yourself in a rush in the morning, every second counts! The Vertuo Plus is the faster machine. It heats up in 20 seconds, compared to 30 seconds for the Vertuo Pop.

Vertuo Pop vs Vertuo Plus: Other Features

Lid Functionality

The lid on the Vertuo Pop has 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.

Bluetooth Connectivity

Only the Vertuo Pop has 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 Plus Summary

If you want larger coffee pods or if you just 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 Plus. However, since the Vertuo Pop is a newer machine, we don’t yet know enough about its reliability compared to the very reliable Vertuo Plus. The advantage of the Vertuo Plus is that its a bit more low maintenance because of the larger water tank and used capsule container. It is also easier to open because of the motorized lid.

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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