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If you like coffee, they tell you to buy a coffee maker. If you like espresso, they tell you to buy an espresso maker.
But what if you like both?
Nespresso VertuoLine is a single-serve coffee maker that can be used to brew gourmet espressos and traditional coffee.
You've probably heard of the Nespresso brand, but this is the first time that they've designed something so dual-natured and multi-functional.
They've also pumped up their features to make sure that their units can deliver customized cups of all sizes, flavors and froth levels.
Nespresso VertuoLine Review - Updated 2020
So what are the exact specs of this miracle machine? Is the price tag worth it? What should you expect when you take it out of the box?
Let's do an in-depth review of the Nespresso VertuoLine.
If you're in a hurry, jump straight to our Verdict section.
The Good
With a nice variety of features and a sleek, modern design, the Nespresso VertuoLine will look great on your countertop and function twice as well.
Let's get the basics out of the way first:
The Nespresso VertuoLine is a single-serve machine that makes one cup of java at a time. Instead of brewing an entire pot, you simply stick in a "pod" for making either coffee or espresso.
Each purchase of the Nespresso VertuoLine comes with 14 complementary pods, and they offer a range of flavors, textures and aromas.
One of the benefits of a single-serve coffee maker is that you can experiment with different blends without worrying about the possibility that you'll hate something and waste an entire pot on it.
The design of the Nespresso VertuoLine is very simple.
There's a compartment for the pods and a front-facing button for getting your brew started.
It has a removable water tank that can be easily accessed for filling, emptying and cleaning.
Some models come with a detached milk frother that can be used in conjunction with the machine.
Cup Sizes
The default settings on the Nespresso VertuoLine are 7.77 ounces for coffee and 1.35 ounces for espresso, but you can adjust these on a 0.3 - 17.0 oz scale depending on how desperately you need some caffeine at the crack of dawn. As a bonus, you can also adjust the unit for three different pouring heights:
- Small for delicate espresso cups
- Medium for regular coffee mugs
- Large for supersized travel thermoses
Never again drip coffee all over the place because your mug doesn't fit under the machine!
Utility
One great thing about the Nespresso VertuoLine is that you won't have to wait around all day for your morning brew.
It preheats in less than 20 seconds, so even if you're running around in a mad dash to get to work on time, you can still grab a cup of coffee before heading out the door.
As for actually brewing that coffee, you're in luck. The Nespresso VertuoLine is ridiculously easy to use.
Everything is done through a single button, so there are no fancy controls or high-tech menus that you need an entire manual to decipher. Just insert the pod, close the compartment and let the Centrifusion process take over.
What's Centrifusion?
Don't worry; we had to look it up too.
It's the name of the technology that Nespresso uses in their coffee makers, and it's actually pretty impressive.
Once you hit the button, the machine starts spinning the pod at 7,000 rotations per minute (RPM) to blend your mixture to perfection. It will even produce crema if you told the unit to do so. All in all, it's a great layer of technology for an amateur, at-home coffee maker.
Machine Size
You might be surprised that a small-ish machine can pack such a punch, but it's true. Measuring 11.9 x 8.3 x 11.9 inches and weighing a little more than 10 pounds, the Nespresso VertuoLine isn't one of those monstrous coffee makers that takes up all of your counter space. You can just slot it into whatever available room that you have between your toaster and blender.
As for style, the Nespresso VertuoLine is available in red, black and chrome, so you can buy the specific color that complements your kitchen design.
Bonus Features
Did we mention that some models of the Nespresso VertuoLine also come with their own milk frother? Add crema to your cup to give it that rich flavor and lusciously smooth texture. It can be made hot or cold, to the sky is the limit when it comes to a personalized cup of coffee.
The Nespresso VertuoLine is also a breeze when it comes to clean-up. The pod will automatically eject itself from the machine after your brew is finished, and your unit can hold a dozen empty pods before they need to be removed. This gives you a little leeway when it comes to maintenance. You don't have to clean up after yourself every single day.
If you need instructions for getting started, the Nespresso VertuoLine takes care of that too. Here's everything that you'll unpack when you open the box:
- Coffee maker
- Milk frother
- 12 pods
- Instruction booklet
- Information folder
If you have any questions before or after your purchase, you can contact Nespresso's customer service hotline at 1-877-964-6299.
At a Glance
In short, here are the perks that you'll enjoy when you buy the Nespresso VertuoLine:
- It will brew single cups instead of giant wasted pots.
- One-button technology makes it easy to use.
- You can adjust everything from its cup size to its brewing type between coffee and espresso.
The Bad
With a higher price tag than the competition, some of the flaws of the Nespresso VertuoLine might give you pause.
While the Nespresso VertuoLine is a solid coffee maker all around, it isn't without its drawbacks, and you should consider them before investing in such an expensive machine.
Cost
Yes, we said "expensive." Retailing at anywhere from $150 - $200 depending on the store, the Nespresso VertuoLine isn't the kind of product that you buy on a whim. You'll need to be sure that it has the functions and features that you desire in a coffee maker before whipping out your credit card.
You'll also have to buy new pods to replenish your machine whenever you run out. This is no different than having to buy new beans for a regular coffee maker, but it's still something to keep in mind, especially if you're a fan of buying big multi-packs of flavor pods. While the individual pods are only $1 - $2, the multi-packs can cost you as much as $50.
Locked-In Brand Loyalty
Another disadvantage of the Nespresso VertuoLine is that it only accepts Nespresso-brand pods. You won't be able to use it with coffee and espresso pods made by other companies. While nothing will actually stop you from inserting a strange pod into your machine and turning it on, it won't brew correctly and won't be worth the effort of even licking your finger to taste it.
How are we so sure that the pods won't brew correctly?
Well, the Nespresso VertuoLine comes with barcode-reading technology that automatically recognizes its individual pods. It's a great feature for brewing specific flavors to perfection, but it means that the coffee maker just won't know what to do with any "unrecognized" or "unauthorized" pods.
At a Glance
Here are the general flaws of the Nespresso VertuoLine:
- Its price tag is on the higher end of the scale.
- It can only be used with brand-specific coffee and espresso pods.
The good news is that there are plenty of flavors and aromas to keep you occupied. Nespresso offers more than 150 pods for the VertuoLine, including ones that taste like vanilla, hazelnut and bourbon. There are also decaf pods available.
Nespresso VertuoLine Video Review
The Verdict
Is the Nespresso VertuoLine really worth the purchase?
While the Nespresso VertuoLine might not be the fanciest coffee maker on the market, it's more than enough for people who just need a good cup of coffee to get them going in the morning.
It offers single-serve technology, so you'll never waste any beans or grounds with an overly-large pot.
It can be adjusted to brew coffee and espresso, so you'll always be able to create the exact beverage that you want. Whether you're craving a frothy, milky espresso or some black get-me-through-this-meeting sludge, the Nespresso VertuoLine will provide.
The Nespresso VertuoLine does come with a few flaws, but what coffee maker doesn't? If you're a fan of Nespresso, you don't even need to buy off-brand products. Just stick with the label that you like. They certainly offer enough pods to keep your morning tastes exciting and diverse.
Our Rating: 4.5/5
All things considered, we'd give the Nespresso VertuoLine a solid thumbs up. It might not change your life, but it'll wake you up in the mornings and allow you to create customized cups of coffee depending on your mood. At the end of the day, that's all you can ask of a coffee maker.
Just delivered and though the taste of the coffee is excellent, it’s not as hot as I’d like.
Instruction manual has thin small print with a lot of white space. Stylish, perhaps, but annoyong and very difficult to read.
Bought the vertuo after Christmas, cups were hard to find and expensive. we purchased the unit at Targets but they didn’t sell the proper cups. Tried refillable cups they seemed well built but did not work at all. From the very first time used there was leakage, we ignored it because the coffee samples were so good. By April the machine started malfunctioning, we sometimes had to run it twice or unplug then replug before it would operate. Then we started getting an orange then eventually a red light. It is way too early to start considering descaling, and are water in New York is fine. Nespresso is only offering a 25 dollar refund, Target nothing and we just ordered 30 dollars worth of vertou coffee cups. Verdict, coffee = good, machine = bad.
Big problems with Vertuoline machines. I decided to replace my 5yr-old machine with a new one, but the smell and taste of the output was so bad I returned it. I tried FIVE different Vertuoline machines and ALL had the same issue. Water output from a flushing cycle smelled like a swimming pool – strong plastic chlorine like smell. It did not go away after many many cycles even with vinegar and water, lemon juice, descaler or making coffee. Nespresso never admitted to the issue and gave me a refund.
I sent a letter to Nespresso 3 months ago with no reply. I have since switched to Delonghi and love it! Sorry, George, but I am on team Brad now….