Nespresso Vertuo Next Coffee and Espresso Maker by De'Longhi

Reviewed from 2820 Amazon customer reviews

★★★★★ 4.1/5 on Amazon

Nespresso Vertuo Next coffee and espresso maker by De'Longhi in matte black with coffee cup

✅ PROS

Brews both 7.7oz coffee and 1.35oz espresso with a single touch — no pod flipping or manual size switching
Centrifusion extraction produces a thick, barista-style crema that rivals machines twice the price
Compact footprint at just 5.5 inches wide; fits under standard kitchen cabinets with room to spare

❌ CONS

Connectivity features are finicky — Bluetooth pairing and app setup frustrate many users
Proprietary Vertuo pods only; you're locked into Nespresso's ecosystem at roughly $1–$2 per cup
Reported leaking and descaling issues in some units; build quality feels lighter than older Vertuo models

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Based on real Amazon reviews— we analyzed 2820 verified customer ratings to bring you this verdict.How we review →

The Verdict

The Nespresso Vertuo Next is the machine that finally makes single-serve coffee and espresso actually good. But at $160, it’s not the cheapest pod brewer on the shelf — and it’s not without quirks. Here’s the real story after digging through 2,800+ Amazon ratings and testing the specs.

What You Actually Get

Out of the box: the machine itself (matte black or white), a starter pack with 12 assorted Vertuo capsules, a 40-ounce removable water tank, and an instruction manual that reads like it was translated three times. The drip tray is adjustable for tall mugs, and the used-capsule bin holds about 10 spent pods before needing a dump.

How It Performs

The headline feature is Centrifusion — the machine spins the pod at up to 7,000 RPM while injecting water, which creates that thick crema layer you normally only get from a $500+ espresso machine. It works. The coffee comes out hot (around 160°F), and the crema is genuinely impressive for a pod system. As one verified buyer put it: “I’ve owned three Keurigs and this crushes them on taste. The crema is legit — my wife thought I bought a real espresso machine.”

Brew sizes range from 1.35oz espresso shots to 7.7oz coffee and even a 14oz alto for cold brew. You switch sizes by rotating the pod holder — no buttons to fiddle with. It’s intuitive, and the one-touch operation is genuinely convenient for morning grogginess.

Heat-up time is about 25 seconds. That’s respectable, though not class-leading — some competitors hit 15 seconds. The 40-ounce tank is generous for a compact unit, and the machine itself is only 5.5 inches wide, so it’ll slide into tight kitchen corners.

What Buyers Praise

The crema quality comes up constantly in positive reviews. So does the variety — Vertuo has over 30 pod types, from light roasts to double espressos. Multiple reviewers noted the machine replaced their drip coffee maker AND their espresso machine. One wrote: “I sold my old espresso setup. This does 90% of what it did with zero cleanup.”

The Bluetooth and app control (for custom brew sizes and firmware updates) is a nice idea, but honestly, most users ignore it. The machine works fine without the app.

Where It Falls Short

Here’s the honest part. The most common complaints in the 1- and 2-star reviews cluster around three issues:

1. Leaking. Some units develop leaks from the base after a few months of use. It’s not universal, but it’s frequent enough to notice in the review pattern. If you get a lemon, Nespresso’s warranty covers it, but that’s a hassle.

2. Connectivity quirks. The Bluetooth pairing is finicky. The app requires account creation and firmware updates before you can use custom settings — and if pairing fails, you’re stuck with default sizes. Not a dealbreaker, but annoying if you bought it for the smart features.

3. Pod lock-in. This machine only takes Nespresso Vertuo pods, which run $0.90–$2.00 each depending on the blend. No third-party pods exist (the barcode system prevents them). Over a year of daily use, that’s $350–$700 in pods alone. The machine is the cheap part — the subscription is the real cost.

Also worth noting: some buyers report the descaling cycle is finicky and the machine can “brick” if you don’t descale exactly per instructions. Set a reminder.

Who Should Buy This

Buy it if: You want café-quality coffee and espresso at home without learning espresso technique. You drink one or two cups a day, value convenience over everything, and don’t mind proprietary pods. It’s ideal for small kitchens, offices, or RVs where counter space is tight.

Skip it if: You drink 4+ cups daily (the pod cost will hurt), you want to use your own ground coffee, or you’re on a tight budget — the $99 Vertuo Pop does 80% of what this does for $60 less. Also skip if you expect reliable smart features; treat the Bluetooth as a bonus, not a selling point.

FAQ

Q: Does this make real espresso? It makes espresso-style coffee with genuine crema, but it’s not true espresso in the traditional 9-bar pressure sense. It uses centrifugal force instead. Most people can’t tell the difference in taste, but purists will.

Q: How loud is it? Noticeably loud — the spin cycle sounds like a mini jet engine for about 10 seconds. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it’s not silent like drip brewers.

Q: Can I use my own coffee grounds? No. The Vertuo system requires proprietary pods with barcodes. There are no refillable alternatives that work reliably.

The Verdict

Rating: 4.1/5 — The Nespresso Vertuo Next delivers genuinely excellent coffee and espresso in a compact, stylish package. The crema quality is the best in the pod category, and the one-touch operation is flawless. But the proprietary pod lock-in, occasional quality control issues, and the $160 price tag (for what is essentially a plastic pod machine) keep it from being a slam dunk.

Buy it if you value taste and convenience and accept the ongoing pod cost. Skip it if you want budget-friendly brewing or plan to use third-party pods. This is a great machine for the right person — just know what you’re signing up for before you pull the trigger.