This is my review of the Nespresso Vertuo Next vs Vertuo Plus, two of the most popular Nespresso Vertuo machines.
I own both machines and spent half a day testing them out against each other, as well as looking at other users’ verdicts of the machines on YouTube and on the Nespresso subreddit.
I’ll be comparing the machines across four parameters. They are:
- Quality of Coffee
- Functionalities
- Ease of Use
- Size and Aesthetics
Let’s get started.
Should I Buy the Nespresso Vertuo Next or the Nespresso Vertuo Plus (Quick Verdict)?
You should buy the Nespresso Vertuo Plus over the Vertuo Next. The Vertuo Plus makes a better coffee due to its longer brewing times and higher brewing temperature. The Vertuo Plus is also better designed and therefore easier to use than the Vertuo Next.
One big advantage that the Nespresso Vertuo Next has over the Vertuo Plus is that it can be connected to the Nespresso app.
This means that the Next’s software will update to make it compatible with any new coffee type releases that Nespresso makes. The Plus will not update in this way.
At the moment the Next can only make one more coffee type than the Plus, however, this number may increase in the future, meaning that the Plus will become outdated faster than the Next.
If you are buying a Nespresso machine to try as many of their different types of coffee as possible, then the Nespresso Vertuo Next will be a better option for you.
Overview of Machines
The table below shows the key specifications and features of each machine:
| Specification | Nespresso Vertuo Plus | Nespresso Vertuo Next |
| Width x Depth x Height | 8.7 inches x 12.7 inches x 12.8 inches (tank on the side) 5.6 inches x 16.0 inches x 12.8 inches (tank on the back) | 5.5 inches x 16.9 inches x 12.4 inches |
| Maximum Height with lid up | 15.75 inches | 16.25 inches |
| Maximum cup clearance | 5.75 inches | 6 inches |
| Reservoir capacity | 42 oz | 35 oz |
| Adjustable reservoir position | Yes | No |
| Number of used pods it can store | 10 | 6 |
| Serving sizes available | Espresso, Double Espresso, Gran Lungo, Mug, Alto | Espresso, Double Espresso, Gran Lungo, Mug, Alto, Carafe |
| App compatibility | No | Yes |
The main differences between these two machines are:
- The Plus brews more slowly and at a higher temperature than the Next
- The Next receives software updates via the Nespresso App. The Plus does not.
- The Next can make carafe-size coffees, The Vertuo Plus cannot.
- The Plus has an electronic system for opening/closing its lid. The Next has a manual system for doing this
- The Plus is slightly more compact than the Next
Let’s now take a closer look at how these differences affect the quality and usability of the machines.
Quality of Coffee
The Vertuo Plus makes better coffee than the Vertuo Next due to its longer brewing times and higher brewing temperatures.
Ideally, espresso-style coffee should be brewed at 195 degrees Fahrenheit and for 30 seconds.
Filter coffee brewed by percolation (as Nespresso coffees are) should be brewed at 205 degrees Fahrenheit and for 120 seconds.
The table below shows the brewing times and temperatures for the Nespresso Vertuo Plus and Vertuo Next. Please note that I tested filter coffee brewing with a mug-size pod (the Vertuo Colombia to be precise).
Brewing time refers to the time between the first drop of coffee leaving the machine and the last drop, reflecting how long the water is in direct contact with coffee grounds for.
Overall time refers to the time it takes between me pressing the brew button and the machine stopping brewing.
| Serving size | Nespresso Vertuo Plus | Nespresso Vertuo Next |
| Filter coffee brewing time (Mug size – 7.8 fl oz) | 89 seconds (108 seconds overall) | 81 seconds (108 seconds overall) |
| Filter coffee brewing temperature (Mug size – 7.8 fl oz) | 151 Fahrenheit | 133 Fahrenheit |
| Espresso brewing time (Espresso size – 1.35 fl oz) | 29 seconds (60 seconds overall) | 31 seconds (48 seconds overall) |
| Espresso brewing temperature (Espresso size – 1.35 fl oz) | 145 Fahrenheit | 138 Fahrenheit |
Please note that the brewing temperature was measured by taking the temperature of the coffee as it entered the cup. This is generally around 10-15% cooler than the actual temperature that the machine brews at.
These longer brewing times and higher brewing temperatures were noticeable in the coffees, with the Vertuo Plus producing bolder and better-flavoured coffee than the Vertuo Next.
This was consistent over all the different coffee sizes that I tested.
Quality of Coffee Winner: Nespresso Vertuo Plus
Functionalities
The Vertuo Next can currently make one more coffee size than the Plus. This gap may widen in the future because the Next will automatically update to be compatible with any new Vertuo pod that Nespresso releases. The Plus will not update in this way.
The Vertuo Next can be connected to the Nespresso app. This means that the software in the Next will update to accommodate any new coffee types that Nespresso produces.
Currently, Nespressso has only released one new coffee type since the Plus came out, namely their carafe pods.
Carafe pods are therefore compatible with the Next but not the Plus.
The table below will show you all the coffee types that are currently compatible with each machine:
| Serving size | Vertuo Plus | Vertuo Next |
| Espresso (1.35 fl) | Yes | Yes |
| Double Espresso (2.7 fl) | Yes | Yes |
| Gran Lungo (5 fl) | Yes | Yes |
| Mug (7.8 fl) | Yes | Yes |
| Alto (14 fl) | Yes | Yes |
| Carafe (20.6 fl) | No | Yes |
It’s worth reiterating that although the Next only has one more coffee type over the Plus currently, any new coffee type will be available with the Next but not the Plus as the Next can be synced with the app to get software updates.
Therefore the Plus will likely become outdated quicker than the Next.
Functionalities winner: Nespresso Vertuo Next
Ease of Use
The Vertuo Plus’s electric-powered lid makes it easier to open and close than the Next. The Plus’s pod storage compartment is also much better designed than the Next, making it far easier to empty.
Both machines are, like all Nespresso machines, very convenient to use.
The Plus edges out the Next as far as ease of use is concerned for two reasons: a better-designed lid lever and a better-designed used pod storage system.
Opening the Lid
Firstly, the Plus uses an electronic mechanism to open its lid. This means you just need to tap the lip of the machine’s lid to open and close it.
The Next on the other hand opens and closes with a manual twisting system. This mechanism is quite stiff and I would imagine that if I had limited strength or dexterity in my hands then I would struggle with it.
Used Pod Storage
When a Nespresso machine uses a pod, it keeps the drained pod in a container in the machine so you can throw it out at your own convenience.
The Next’s pod storage unit is very flimsily built and opens out at the left side of the machine.
This is not only fiddly to use, but it also makes it awkward to remove if your Vertuo Next is direct to the left of another appliance. You will either have to move the other appliance or pull your machine forward.
The Plus’s pod storage can be removed from either side of the back of the machine. This makes it much easier to remove and reattach compared to the Next.
Other than this, the two machines are identical as far as their ease of use is concerned.
Ease of Use Winner: Nespresso Vertuo Next
Size and Aesthetics
The Nespresso Vertuo Plus is slightly smaller and has a sleeker design than the Next. The adjustable positioning of the Plus’s reservoir makes it better suited for countertops with limited space.
You can find the dimensions of these two machines below:
| Dimension | Vertuo Plus | Vertuo Next |
| Width x Depth x Height | 9.1 inches x 14.1 inches x 12.8 inches (tank on the side) 5.6 inches x 16.7 inches x 12.8 inches (tank on the back) | 5.5 inches x 16.9 inches x 12.4 inches |
| Lid up Height | 15.75 inches | 16.25 inches |
| Cup clearance | 5.75 inches | 6 inches |
| Water reservoir volume | 42 oz | 35 oz |
There is very little difference between the sizes of the two machines.
However, the Plus is more space friendly than the Next due to the fact that you can adjust the Plus’s reservoir positioning so it either sits at the back or two the left of the machine.
This is great for kitchens with limited countertop space as you can make the machine less deep if you need more workspace at the front of your counter, or make the machine less wide if you are struggling with space at the back of your counter for appliances.
The Vertuo Plus is, in my opinion, a better-looking machine than the Next due to the simplicity of the former’s design.
You can find a side-by-side shot of these two images below.
Both machines are sold in black, white, gray or red on Nespresso’s website.
The availability of colors on Amazon may vary for both machines.
Size and Aesthetics Winner: Nespresso Vertuo Plus
Final Verdict
I would recommend the Nespresso Vertuo Plus over the Vertuo Next, mainly because the Plus makes better coffee than the Next.
The Plus is also just a more user-friendly machine than the Next, especially if you are going to be keeping the machine on a crowded countertop with a lot of other appliances.
The fact that the Vertuo Next receives software updates means that if Nespresso brings out new types of pods, the Vertuo Plus may end up being incompatible with a large number of coffee types.
If you constantly like trying new Nespresso pods, then the Vertuo Next might be a better option.
For more information on how Nespresso VertuoLine machines compare against other Nespresso machines please see my comparison of Nespresso Vertuo vs Original.
