Nespresso Vertuo Next Review: Compact Vertuo Brewing

By Shabbir
Last update:

With the Vertuoplus falling through the cracks, Nespresso tried to correct things with their latest Vertuo update in the form of the Vertuo Next.

Has Nespresso regained the success of the base Vertuo version, or does the Vertuo Next fall flat too? Find out in this Nespresso Vertuo Next Review.

Nespresso Vertuo Next Coffee and Espresso Machine by Breville with Milk Frother, 18 ounces, Light Grey

Nespresso Vertuo Next Review

We have to admit that we were really excited to review the Vertuo Next, especially since the last Nespresso Vertuo did not live up to expectations.

With the Vertuo Next, Nespresso has something to prove, so we cannot wait to see if they pulled out all the stops for this updated coffee machine. Let’s find out if this Nespresso machine does meet our expectations.

Overall Performance

The Vertuo Next is supposed to be a slimmer and more compact version of the Vertuo plus, which did make us fear for the performance. Fortunately, the performance did not disappoint as a touch of a button does almost everything you need it to.

While the coffee machine is the more compact option, you do have several options when it comes to this espresso machine. There are actual basic and premium versions, with the premium providing a slightly better performance. But for now, let’s remain with the performance of the Nespresso Vertuo Next.

The Nespresso Vertuo Next also has the centrifusion brewing system, which is an absolute must for us at this point. We will explain more about this system in the brewing quality section. It also gives you the choice of five quality coffee cup sizes, including espresso, double espresso, gran lungo, mug, and alto.

And to make the success song even sweeter, you can count on an auto shut-off function. If not used, the Nespresso Vertuo Next will shut off automatically after two minutes.

Brewing Quality

The centrifusion brewing system the Nespresso Vertuo is known for is pretty much the selling point for this model as well. The system basically makes the coffee pods shake at a high RPM, maximising the flavor that gets into your double espresso, your espresso, or other beverage you make with this machine.

Another plus point for the brewing quality this machine can provide can be found with the Nespresso pods as well. The Vertuo pods actually hold up to 15 grams of coffee compared to the 15 grams in traditional capsules. As a result, you get more flavorful and richer coffee in return.

The Next is also easy to use and requires little to no pre-existing knowledge when it comes to coffee brewing. So, even if you have zero experience or no barista skills whatsoever, you will still get high quality coffee because this coffee maker has automation down to a tee.

Good brewing quality can be a difficult thing with different coffee makers if you do not know what you are doing, but Nespresso seems to have simplified the process and make it accessible to everyone.

Design

You cannot fault the style of the Nespresso Next. While it is a little simplistic, is is also streamlined. No matter the interior of your kitchen, you can easily place this machine in any kind of interior.

The design of the coffee maker is also quite thin, so if you already have some appliances on your kitchen counter, we are pretty certain that this device will fit.

Do take into account any additional capsule holders you may have for the Vertuo, as placing your coffee pods right next to your coffee maker can be quite advantages for a quick cup of coffee in the morning.

Since there are basic as well as premium options, you can choose from a variety of styles to match your personal preferences as well. So, you cannot fault the design of the Nespresso Next in our book.

Durability

As with most Nespresso machines, we do get a little worried when we see a high amount of plastic for a coffee machine. Like the previous versions of the Nespresso Vertuo, there is quite an amount of plastic in the design once again.

Overall, we think the durability of the Vertuo Next matches the Plus. So, Nespresso could have made more improvements to this machine to make it more durable.

Of course, we do understand that some of the materials used in the construction are chosen for a reason, more specifically to keep the cost of this coffee machine down. At the end of the day, it does make the Next a solid choice in spite of the plastic material.

One of our few gripes with the model is the lid. We noticed that closing the lid can be quite finicky at time and that could be considered as inconvenient for some consumers.

Maintenance

Given the streamlined design, it is quite easy to clean the outside of your coffee machine. A simple wipe with a damp cloth is all you need to keep the exterior clean and pristine.

So what about the interior maintenance? Well, we are pleased to say that this coffee machine is one of the easiest we had the pleasure of encountering recently.

The pods come out of the machine relatively dry, keeping the entire coffee machine quite pristine to being with. Even the capsule bin has been refined by the manufacturers, which definitely needed an upgrade compared to previous models.

The drip tray of this coffee machine does not get dirty easily because of the centrifusion system, which ensures not much of your coffee is wasted and giving less drips down the drip tray. Of course, you still have to clean the drip tray every now again to prevent permanent stains.

Finally, you will need to descale the interior of the coffee maker every now and again. This coffee maker will actually give you a warning when descaling is needed, as you will be able to spot an orange light on the machine.

Since hard water can cause permanent stains on the water tank as well as blockages in the machine, we also recommend cleaning your water tank at least once a week.

Points for Improvement

Durability has always been a bit of a problem for us when it comes to Nespresso machines. Obviously, this has to do with the plastic materials that are used for their more affordable models.

While we can understand that this keep the price down for the consumer, it also means that the consumer might have to purchase a new machine as soon as their warranty runs out.

While the durability is not the best, the Next is far from a machine that can be easily damaged. The design certainly adds to the overall longevity of the coffee maker, so it is certainly not the worst option where durability is concerned.

For future upgrades, we would love to see a bit more stainless steel in the design. That being said, most of the plastic on the coffee maker is actually recycled, which is a positive for us.

So, while we do not want them to eliminate the recycled plastic completely, we would like to see a little bit more robustness in the materials in the future.

While durability is a problem for us, I think the designers did compensate for that with the centrifusion system and the superior taste each coffee brings. So, we are more than happy to live with the recycled plastic.

Verdict: should you buy a Nespresso Vertuo Next?

We found that this espresso maker is suitable for a wide variety of consumers. It is one of the better espresso makers out there for consumers who want a quick and tasteful cup of coffee in the morning. In fact, we dare state it might be one of the best on the market overall.

Now, if you already own a Vertuo espresso maker in the form of a previous version, we do not think it is really worth upgrading for. While we do think it is a lot better than their plus version, the improvements are not worth spending the money on alone.

Of course, if you do not get along with your plus and want to enjoy some of the solid performance the original Vertuo was known for, then the Next could be worthy investment for you after all.

Last update on 2024-03-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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About Shabbir

Shab is the Chief Caffeine Officer at Coffee Brewster. When he's not weighing out coffee beans for his next brew, you can find him writing about his passion: coffee.