Has Nespresso reinvented pod coffee? It’s healthier, smoother, and better than ever before
Nespresso never fails to impress-o and the Vertuo Up is their latest feat
The latest iteration in Nespresso's line-up, the Vertuo Up is something special. It boasts a 3-second warm up, customisable temperature and size, as well as a flexible design. It's an elite, mid-price option from the brand. If you like Nespresso's pods, this is one of the best machines you can buy.
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Faster, quieter brewing
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Flexible positioning and slim design
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Impressive and sensitive customisation
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Limited to Nespresso pods only
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The Nespresso name is almost synonymous with pod coffee, thanks to years spent leading innovation in this space. Their latest launch, the Nespresso Vertuo Up, is yet more proof that the brand is always pushing to brew better coffee than anyone else.
It’s getting harder to call yourself one of the best coffee machines, with more models offering customisable options, iced functions, and smart technology. And yet, even as a somewhat snobby former barista, I’ve found myself more than impressed with the Nespresso Vertuo Up.
The new model boasts a smoother brewing function, helpful for minimising acid reflux, alongside customisable heat and strength settings and a flexible design. It’s slim, sleek, and affordable, a coffee machine with success brewed into its very core.
Nespresso Vertuo Up Coffee Machine review
- Dimensions: 22 x 39 x 25.5
- Weight: 4kgs
- Pod container capacity: 18 espresso pods or 13 mug pods
- Water tank capacity: 1.4L
- Fits large accessories: yes
- WiFi compatibility: yes
Who would the Nespresso Vertuo Up Coffee Machine suit?
The Nespresso Vertuo Up is best suited to anyone who wants high-quality coffee without the learning curve or price tag of a traditional espresso machine.
There’s a lot to love here. It’s affordable if you don’t want to spend a lot of money, slim enough for compact kitchens, and more customisable than most pod machines we’ve tested. That last point is particularly rare for a machine that prioritises convenience.
At £179.99, the Vertuo Up lands in a sweet spot. It looks and feels premium, with metallic finishes and a robust body, but doesn’t push into luxury pricing. The ability to adjust heat, brewing style, and strength is unusual at this level, so you’re getting more control than you might expect from an affordable coffee machine.
Nespresso has also made the design slimmer and lower than previous models, so it tucks neatly under cupboards while still accommodating a tall glass or travel mug.
The main consideration is the pod system. Nespresso machines only work with Nespresso pods. There’s plenty of variety and consistently good quality, but it does lock you into a specific ecosystem and ongoing cost.
Unboxing the Nespresso Vertuo Up Coffee Machine
Nespresso is consistently impressive when it comes to packaging. Everything arrives well protected, but the materials are minimal, recyclable, and feel considered rather than excessive.
Out of the box, the Vertuo Up immediately stands out for its slim design. I tested the grey, but options range from soft neutrals like white and grey through to bolder black and blue finishes.
Set-up is simple. You fill the water tank and choose whether to position it at the back or side of the machine, which is helpful if you’re working with limited space. You’ll also be prompted to connect to the app.
While you can use the machine without it, I would recommend setting the app up. It took me just a few minutes and opens up far more control over your coffee, allowing you to customise your drink in ways that really make the most of the Vertuo Up’s upgrades.
What is the Nespresso Vertuo Up Coffee Machine like to use?
As with most Nespresso machines, the brewing process is simple. One button handles your saved coffee creations and another starts the brew. The machine reads the pod’s barcode and automatically adjusts settings, selecting from seven cup sizes including Ristretto, Espresso, Double Espresso, Gran Lungo, Mug, XL Coffee, and Carafe.
One of the biggest talking points is the warm-up time and noise. This is claimed to be Nespresso’s quietest machine, while also offering a three second heat-up time. In testing, both claims hold up. It consistently heated in three seconds, even after sitting overnight in a cold space. The sound is much softer than older models, more of a low, smooth hum than a harsh grind.
The lever mechanism for inserting pods is still here, but the lid doesn’t lift as high as before, making it better suited to low cabinets. I tested a wide range of drinks to get a full picture of performance.
An espresso is always my starting point. It tests extraction, flavour, temperature, and pressure in one small cup. Visually, the crema is thick and glossy, although Nespresso’s centrifugal system does create an artificial crema, so taste matters more here.
The result was impressive for a pod machine. The flavour was rich and balanced, with clear notes of nuttiness and chocolate.
Next, I tested an Americano. This is a good indicator of how well the machine handles temperature. It came out hot but still drinkable. You can increase the heat in the app, but I found that pushing it too far risks dulling the flavour. Keeping it at a medium setting gives the best balance.
The Vertuo Up also lets you brew more concentrated coffee for iced or milky drinks, which is genuinely useful. Iced lattes made at home can often taste diluted, but this function prevents that.
For milk-based drinks, you’ll need a separate frother such as Nespresso’s Aeroccino. I’ve tested it and it performs well, but if you want something more design-led, the Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser is a stylish alternative.
The app really comes into its own with iced and cold brew settings. Brewing hot coffee over ice often creates a sharp, acidic taste, but here the machine adjusts the temperature to suit. The result is a well-balanced iced coffee that doesn’t taste watered down.
The cold brew function is particularly interesting. Instead of heat, it uses pressure and a slower extraction to produce a smoother, slightly sweeter coffee. If you’re prone to acid reflux or prefer a softer flavour profile, this is a great option. While it doesn’t replace a dedicated cold brew setup, it delivers a convincing result with far less effort.
Adjusting strength, length, and temperature in the app all works as expected, giving you a surprising amount of control for a pod machine.
Cleaning the Nespresso Vertuo Up Coffee Machine
Cleaning is minimal and straightforward. Used pods collect in an internal bin that holds around ten capsules before needing to be emptied.
Some water can gather at the bottom of the container, so placing a small piece of kitchen towel inside can help absorb excess moisture.
Pods can be recycled through Nespresso’s scheme. It requires a bit more effort than disposing of coffee grounds, but the process is simple enough once you get into the routine.
Beyond that, regular wiping and using filtered water will help prevent limescale and keep the machine running well over time.
How does the Nespresso Vertuo Up Coffee Machine compare?
The Vertuo Up sits in the middle of Nespresso’s Vertuo range. At the entry level, the Vertuo Pop costs around £99. It’s compact and affordable, but offers fewer customisation options and a more basic design.
At the top end, the Vertuo Creatista comes in at around £699 and includes an integrated milk frothing system, along with a more premium, barista-style experience.
At £179, the Vertuo Up bridges the gap. It offers significantly more control and flexibility than the Pop, without moving into the higher price bracket of the Creatista. For most people, it strikes a very practical balance between features and cost.
Should you buy the Nespresso Vertuo Up Coffee Machine?
t’s rare for a pod machine to make me question my full espresso setup, but the Nespresso Vertuo Up comes close.
It combines a reasonable price with genuinely useful customisation, all wrapped up in a slim, well-designed machine. For anyone who wants excellent coffee with minimal effort, it’s a very compelling option.
How we test coffee machines
At woman&home, how we test coffee machines is serious business. I trained as a barista, so can be a coffee snob at the best of times, especially when I’m reviewing coffee machines for you. Of course, I look at the design, price, and maintenance of every machine, but I like to really dive deeply into the details that matter: does it deliver a flavourful espresso? Is the Americano balanced, drinkable, and memorable too? And are the special extra features everything that the promise to be? In essence, every review should cover everything you need to know before you buy a coffee machine, but if you still have unanswered questions, don’t hesitate to email me. I’m always happy to chat about all things coffee.
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