Nespresso VertuoPlus Review (2026): Is It Still Worth Buying?

Last Updated: September 2026 • 18–22 minute read • Editorial Review: Brewing System + Daily Workflow + Capsule Costs + Maintenance + Pop+ Comparison + Buying Guidance

The Nespresso VertuoPlus is no longer the newest machine in the Vertuo family, and that is exactly why it deserves a fresh look in 2026. Newer models such as the Vertuo Pop+ add app connectivity and newer drink formats, but the VertuoPlus still offers a combination that is unusually practical: a large removable water tank, a motorized brew head, automatic capsule handling, and a rotating reservoir that can adapt to awkward countertop layouts.

The question is not whether the VertuoPlus can still make a good cup of Vertuo coffee. It can. The more useful question is whether its older design remains the better ownership experience for some buyers, or whether the newer Vertuo machines have finally made it obsolete.

The 30-Second Answer

The VertuoPlus is still worth buying in 2026 if you want an uncomplicated Vertuo machine with a larger standard water tank, motorized opening and closing, automatic capsule ejection, and an adjustable reservoir position. It is especially appealing for households that brew several drinks a day.

Its biggest drawbacks are equally clear: no Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, no 12-ounce XL positioning like the newer Pop+, a slower official heat-up specification than newer models, and complete dependence on Nespresso’s Vertuo capsule ecosystem. If you value newer connected features or larger current drink formats, the Vertuo Pop+ may fit better.

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The VertuoPlus is often sold in machine-only and frother bundles. Compare the exact configuration before buying; an Aeroccino can also be added separately if milk drinks are part of your routine.

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What the VertuoPlus Is — and What It Is Not

The VertuoPlus is a capsule coffee machine built around Nespresso’s Vertuo system. It is designed for people who want coffee with very little preparation: insert a capsule, close the head, press a button, and let the machine identify the capsule and choose the brewing parameters automatically.

That simplicity is the product. The VertuoPlus is not trying to replace a semi-automatic espresso machine with a grinder, portafilter, and steam wand. It is also not a low-cost pod platform with dozens of third-party capsule brands. The machine trades control and open compatibility for consistency and convenience.

For the right buyer, that trade is reasonable. Someone who wants an 8-ounce coffee before work without weighing beans, dialing in a grinder, or cleaning a brew basket may get more daily value from the VertuoPlus than from a more technically capable machine. Someone who wants to control extraction, use locally roasted beans, or reduce per-cup capsule costs will likely outgrow it.

How the Vertuo Brewing System Works

Nespresso describes the VertuoPlus as using its Centrifusion system. The machine reads a barcode around the capsule rim, adjusts brewing parameters for that capsule, and spins the capsule at high speed during extraction. Nespresso states that the capsule can spin at up to 7,000 rotations per minute.

The practical result is consistency. You do not manually choose water temperature, pressure, flow rate, or brew time for each capsule. That makes Vertuo accessible to people who want repeatable drinks without learning espresso technique.

It also explains why Vertuo coffee has its own character. The thick foam layer on a Vertuo drink is not the same thing as traditional espresso crema produced by a conventional high-pressure espresso machine. Some drinkers enjoy the texture; others prefer the denser, more concentrated style of Nespresso Original or a traditional espresso setup. If espresso is your main priority, read our Best Nespresso Machines guide before committing to the Vertuo platform.

Daily Use: The Motorized Brew Head Is Still a Real Advantage

The feature that most clearly separates the VertuoPlus from newer budget-oriented Vertuo machines is its motorized brew head. A light movement of the lever opens or closes the chamber electronically. After brewing, used capsules are automatically released into an internal container.

That sounds like a small luxury until the machine is used several times a day. Repeatedly twisting a manual locking mechanism is not difficult, but the VertuoPlus removes one more step from the routine. In a household where two or three people make coffee throughout the morning, the automated head and larger used-capsule bin make the machine feel less fiddly.

The trade-off is mechanical complexity. A motorized mechanism has more components than a manual latch. CoffeeGearHub does not have controlled long-term failure-rate data that would justify claiming the VertuoPlus is more or less reliable than the simpler Pop+ design, so durability should not be inferred from the mechanism alone.

The Water Tank Design Is More Useful Than It Looks

Nespresso’s current U.S. support documentation lists a 37.1-ounce removable water tank for the standard VertuoPlus. Nespresso’s broader manual documentation also covers VertuoPlus variants with larger reservoirs. That capacity is one reason the machine remains attractive for frequent use: a household making several mug-size drinks does not need to refill the tank as often as it would with a smaller reservoir.

The more distinctive feature is the rotating tank position. The reservoir can swing around the machine instead of being permanently fixed behind it. That lets the VertuoPlus adapt to narrow counters, corners, or spaces where access from the rear is awkward.

Countertop measurements therefore require more thought than simply comparing widths. Nespresso currently lists the standard VertuoPlus at about 8.7 inches wide, 12.7 inches deep, and 12.8 inches high in its U.S. support specifications. Other official VertuoPlus manuals show that dimensions can change depending on tank position and exact model. Measure the usable space where the machine will actually sit, including room to remove the reservoir.

Coffee Quality: Consistency Matters More Than Machine-to-Machine Differences

Because Vertuo machines read the capsule and automate brewing, the capsule selection and drink size have more influence on flavor than small differences between Vertuo machine bodies. The VertuoPlus does not need to outperform the Pop+ through a different extraction recipe; both are built around the same capsule ecosystem and automated brewing concept.

That makes capsule choice important. Darker, more intense Vertuo capsules can stand up well to milk, while lighter coffees may be better suited to drinking black. Larger mug-size capsules produce a different balance from espresso-size capsules, so judging the system from one pod can be misleading.

If your reference point is freshly ground specialty coffee, Vertuo is a convenience-first system rather than a substitute for dialing in a burr grinder and brewer. If your reference point is a conventional single-serve pod machine, however, the range of espresso and coffee sizes gives Vertuo a broader drink profile. Our Keurig vs Nespresso comparison covers that ecosystem-level decision.

Capsule Cost Is the Long-Term Expense to Think About

The machine price is only part of the Vertuo ownership cost. Vertuo capsules are a proprietary system, and Nespresso controls the format. That is very different from Nespresso Original, where compatible capsules are widely available from third-party brands.

For a person drinking one capsule per day, the difference between capsule systems can add up over a year. For a household making several drinks daily, consumables can become more important than the purchase price of the machine itself. Before buying a VertuoPlus, look at the current price of the specific Vertuo capsules you expect to drink most often rather than focusing only on a machine promotion.

This is also why a discounted machine is not automatically a bargain. A low upfront price can be perfectly sensible if you value Vertuo convenience, but it should be evaluated as entry into a capsule ecosystem rather than as a one-time appliance purchase.

Cleaning, Descaling, and the Ownership Routine

The VertuoPlus reduces brewing work, but it is not maintenance-free. Nespresso provides cleaning, descaling, system-emptying, and factory-reset procedures in its current VertuoPlus support documentation. Owners should expect to rinse and clean removable components, empty the used-capsule container, wipe the brew area, and descale periodically according to water hardness and machine prompts.

Descaling matters because mineral buildup occurs inside the water path even when the outside of the machine looks clean. Using very hard tap water can increase scale accumulation. If your water is mineral-heavy, filtered water that remains suitable for coffee can reduce some of that burden, although filtration does not eliminate the need to descale.

The used-capsule container is another practical maintenance point. Nespresso lists capacity for about 10 mug capsules on the current standard VertuoPlus support page. Emptying it before it is completely packed helps prevent stale liquid and coffee residue from sitting inside the machine.

Nespresso VertuoPlus Specifications

Specification note: VertuoPlus and VertuoPlus Deluxe configurations can vary by retailer and production version. Always verify the exact machine listing before purchasing.

VertuoPlus vs Vertuo Pop+: The Older Machine Still Wins Some Daily-Use Battles

The Pop+ is the more modern platform. It supports Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, has a shorter body, and Nespresso’s current U.S. material gives it a 12-ounce XL coffee format. Its standard model also uses a smaller water tank than the VertuoPlus.

The VertuoPlus answers with physical convenience. The motorized head reduces manual handling, the standard reservoir is larger, and the movable tank can solve counter-placement problems that a fixed rear reservoir cannot. Those are not glamorous features, but they are features you interact with every day.

Neither machine is universally better. The Pop+ is more compelling when current connected features, a 12-ounce drink, and lower height matter. The VertuoPlus is more compelling when several people use the machine, refilling is annoying, or the countertop layout benefits from the swiveling tank. For the full side-by-side analysis, read Nespresso Vertuo Pop+ vs VertuoPlus.

Who Should Buy the VertuoPlus in 2026?

The VertuoPlus makes the most sense for buyers who value an easy physical workflow more than connected features. If the machine will be used repeatedly throughout the day, the combination of a larger standard reservoir, motorized head, automatic capsule handling, and adjustable tank position still feels thoughtfully designed.

It is also a reasonable fit for someone who drinks both espresso-size beverages and standard coffee-size Vertuo drinks but does not need the Pop+’s current 12-ounce XL positioning. A buyer who dislikes apps and simply wants a coffee appliance may even prefer the older design philosophy.

The machine is a weaker fit for someone who wants inexpensive third-party capsules, traditional espresso technique, a built-in milk system, or the newest connected Vertuo features. Those buyers should consider Nespresso Original, a dedicated espresso machine, the Vertuo Lattissima family, or the newer Pop+ depending on which limitation matters most.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Nespresso VertuoPlus discontinued?

No. Nespresso continues to maintain a current U.S. VertuoPlus product page and support documentation, and the machine remains part of the Vertuo lineup.

Does the VertuoPlus make regular coffee?

Yes. The Vertuo system includes coffee-size capsules as well as espresso-size formats. The result is Vertuo-style capsule coffee rather than conventional drip coffee.

Can you use third-party pods in the VertuoPlus?

Vertuo capsules use Nespresso’s proprietary barcode-based system, so the broad third-party capsule market available for Nespresso Original does not exist in the same way for Vertuo.

How big is the VertuoPlus water tank?

Nespresso’s current U.S. support page lists the standard VertuoPlus removable reservoir at 37.1 fluid ounces. Other official manuals cover larger VertuoPlus configurations, so check the exact model and retailer listing.

Is the VertuoPlus better than the Vertuo Pop+?

They prioritize different things. The VertuoPlus offers a larger standard reservoir, motorized head, and adjustable tank position. The Pop+ is newer, connected, shorter, and supports Nespresso’s current 12-ounce XL format. The better fit depends on your routine.

Sources and Further Reading

Specifications and feature descriptions were checked against Nespresso USA’s current VertuoPlus product page, VertuoPlus support documentation, and Nespresso’s official VertuoPlus user manual. Exact specifications can vary by model and market.