Nespresso Vertuo Pop Single Serve Machine - Review 🏆

The Nespresso Vertuo Pop is a single serve coffee machine that delivers barista-style coffee drinks with the touch of a button. It's part of Nespresso's Vertuo line, which uses unique Centrifusion technology to brew each cup with the optimal parameters.

The Vertuo Pop has a sleek, compact design that saves space on your kitchen counter. It can make 5 different cup sizes ranging from espresso to alto, so you can brew a personalized cup just the way you like. The machine reads a barcode on each Nespresso capsule to adjust the settings for that particular coffee blend. This results in a tailored brewing process for exceptional taste in every cup.

Overall, the Vertuo Pop provides an easy and convenient at-home coffee experience. Its simple one-touch operation and automatic capsule ejection make coffee prep fuss-free. The following sections will cover the Vertuo Pop's key features and performance in detail.

Design

The Vertuo Pop combines a bold matte black design with charming retro styling and a unique rounded shape. It has a larger overall footprint than Original Line machines, measuring 12.8 inches tall, 4.7 inches wide, and 12.6 inches deep. But the rounded top and indented sides create an eye-catching silhouette on your countertop.

The machine's plastic exterior shell has a premium feel and resists fingerprints. The top lid flips open to reveal the water tank and used capsule container. The centrally located brew head has one button up top for power and programming. Despite its substantial size, the Pop's 5.2 pound weight makes it easy to move the machine as needed.

Overall, Nespresso aimed for simplicity and sophistication with the Vertuo Pop's aesthetics. While less ornate than some Original Line models, it balances sleek contemporary design with vintage elements like a retro knob. The machine makes a bold visual statement without feeling oversized or obtrusive.

In addition to the Vertuo Pop, the Bosch TAS1002 stands out in the single-serve market for its compact design and user-friendly functionality. This machine features a sleek, modern look that fits seamlessly into any kitchen space. With its quick heat-up time and intuitive button controls, brewing a perfect cup of coffee is effortless. The Bosch TAS1002 also accommodates various cup sizes, making it versatile for different preferences. It's designed for coffee lovers who seek convenience without compromising on quality or flavor.

Beverage Variety

The Vertuo Pop offers an excellent variety of coffee and espresso drinks. It can brew five cup sizes: espresso (1.35oz), double espresso (2.7oz), Gran Lungo (5oz), coffee (7.7oz), and Alto (14oz). This range allows you to make anything from a single shot espresso to a large mug of coffee.

In addition, the Vertuo Pop uses barcode reading technology to recognize each Nespresso capsule and adjust the brew parameters to make that specific coffee or espresso perfectly. So you can enjoy the full flavor of each blend. The machine works with the Vertuo capsule line, which includes over 20 different coffees, espressos, and flavored options.

With the Vertuo Pop, you have the flexibility to make espresso drinks like lattes and cappuccinos or full cups of coffee in sizes to suit your mood and tastes. The variety of options makes this single serve coffee maker quite versatile.

Another great option is the Bosch TASSIMO TAS1104GB, which boasts a wide selection of drinks, including coffee, tea, and hot chocolate. Utilizing T DISC technology, it automatically adjusts the brewing time, temperature, and water quantity for perfect results. With over 40 different drinks available, this machine is perfect for households with varied preferences. Its compact size makes it an excellent fit for any kitchen, providing both convenience and versatility.

Ease of Use

The Vertuo Pop is designed to be very easy and convenient to use. It has a simple one-button interface that makes brewing coffee fast and hassle-free. Once a pod is inserted, you just need to close the lever and press the button. The machine will automatically adjust the brew parameters to suit that particular coffee blend and size.

The water tank is easily accessible from the front of the machine, making refills straightforward. The tank holds a generous 1.7 liters, so you won't need to refill it too frequently. The used capsule container is also located at the front, which slides out neatly when full.

One handy feature is the moveable coffee spout which can be adjusted to accommodate different cup sizes. So you don't need to worry about positioning your cup perfectly. The spout can be lowered to fit small espresso cups or raised for larger coffee mugs.

Overall, the Vertuo Pop delivers on convenience and ease of use. It's intuitive design makes the brewing process quick and fuss-free for any level of coffee drinker.

Brew Quality

The Vertuo system uses centrifugal spinning technology to produce a rich crema for a high-quality brew. The machine reads the barcode on each capsule to adjust the brew parameters to optimize flavor extraction and crema for that specific coffee blend.

Reviewers praise the coffee flavor produced by the Vertuo system. The extraction and micro-foam crema leads to a smooth cup of coffee that brings out the subtle flavor notes. Many reviewers note the coffee tastes fresher and richer compared to other capsule systems like Keurig.

The crema produced is remarkably similar to what you would get from an espresso machine. The coffees have a bold, intense flavor with the familiar velvety mouthfeel that is a signature of fresh espresso. The machine is able to create this quality crema for both espresso and coffee capsules.

While personal preferences will vary, most reviews mention the Nespresso Vertuo coffee tastes exceptionally good. The flavors are robust and fresh, and the crema adds richness and texture. This brew quality stems from the blend of the capsules as well as the technology of the Vertuo system itself. For coffee enthusiasts focused on flavor, the Vertuo line consistently produces an exemplary cup.

Capacity

The Vertuo Pop has a 37oz water tank which allows you to brew multiple cups before needing a refill. The used capsule container can hold up to 13 spent capsules before needing emptying. This is a decent capacity for a single serve machine, though higher-end models may have larger reservoirs and spent capsule bins.

The water tank and capsule container are easily removable for cleaning and filling. The water tank has a hinged lid which allows you to refill it without fully removing it from the machine. The capsule container slides out from the back.

Overall, the Vertuo Pop offers adequate capacity for most home use. You can brew 3-4 coffees before needing a water refill, and the used capsule bin won't need emptying too frequently either. This saves you time and makes the machine more convenient to use daily. For heavier usage, look for a model with a larger 50+ oz water tank. But for most households, the Vertuo Pop's capacities are sufficient.

Technology

The Vertuo Pop utilizes Nespresso's innovative Centrifusion technology to produce an exceptional coffee drinking experience. This system spins the coffee capsule at up to 7,000 rotations per minute during the brewing process, blending ground coffee with water to extract the optimal flavor.

The machine reads a barcode on each Grand Cru capsule to adjust the brewing parameters like temperature, volume, brew time, and more to match that specific coffee blend. This allows for precise customization and consistency with each cup. The Vertuo line can brew 5 different coffee cup sizes from tiny Espresso to large Alto capsules.

Other tech highlights include a fast 25 second heat up, automatic capsule ejection after brewing, and energy saving features that turn the machine off after 9 minutes of inactivity. The removable 54 oz water tank simplifies refilling.

Accessories

The Nespresso Vertuo Pop comes with a welcome set that includes 12 Nespresso Vertuo capsules to get you started. The capsules include well-known blends like Stormio, Odacio, Melozio, and Altissio. This allows you to sample some of Nespresso's most popular coffee blends right out of the box.

The welcome set is a nice added touch that lets you experience the range of flavors and roasts that Nespresso has to offer. It's a great way for new Nespresso owners to get acquainted with the system. Some other single serve coffee makers just include starter packs of their regular house blend. The variety in the Vertuo Pop's welcome set makes the initial experience with the machine a bit more exciting.

In addition to the 12 capsule welcome set, the Vertuo Pop includes the standard accessories like the water tank and used capsule container. The water tank has a 40oz capacity which allows you to brew multiple cups before needing a refill. The removable used capsule container can hold up to 9-11 used capsules at a time before needing to be emptied. This is on par with other leading single serve coffee makers on the market.

Overall, the included accessories are sufficient for getting started and keeping things tidy. The welcome set adds nice value on top of the essentials.

Pros and Cons

The Nespresso Vertuo Pop offers users several advantages along with some downsides to consider:

Pros

• Simple one-touch brewing with automatic capsule ejection and barcode reading
• Makes both coffee and espresso with a rich, bold crema
• 40+ Grand Cru coffee and espresso capsule varieties
• Fast 25 second heat up time
• Compact, lightweight, and stylish design fits anywhere
• Energy efficient with automatic shut off after 9 minutes

Cons

• More expensive than original Nespresso Vertuo line machines
• Small 37 oz water tank capacity requires frequent refilling
• Used capsules collect in an internal container instead of neat ejecting into a tray
• Requires Nespresso brand capsules instead of supporting third-party or refillable options
• Single cup brewing is less eco-friendly and produces more waste than a carafe machine

The Vertuo Pop offers convenient, quality coffee drinks in a compact package but at a premium cost with some design limitations compared to other single serve brewers. Consider your beverage habits and budget to decide if the features warrant the higher price and capsule waste.

Conclusion

The Nespresso Vertuo Pop is a solid single serve coffee machine that produces high quality espresso and coffee drinks. The capsule-based brewing system makes it incredibly easy to use - just pop in a capsule and press start. The machine heats up quickly and can brew cups in under a minute.

The Vertuo line uses unique barcode reading technology to automatically adjust the brewing parameters based on the specific Grand Cru capsule inserted. This helps extract the optimal flavor from each capsule. The Centrifusion extraction process also produces a beautiful crema on the coffee drinks.

In terms of beverage variety, the Vertuo Pop can brew 5 different cup sizes ranging from espresso to alto. It can make both coffee and espresso drinks by utilizing different capsules. The water tank capacity is decent at 0.8L, allowing you to brew multiple cups before refilling.

Some downsides are the inability to brew taller travel mugs and the need to use Nespresso's proprietary capsules. The machine itself also takes up a fair bit of counter space.

Overall, the Nespresso Vertuo Pop is an excellent single serve machine for those seeking fast and convenient espresso and coffee with minimal effort. The technology built into the brewing process helps maximize flavor while the capsule system simplifies preparation. For households that frequently enjoy quality espresso and coffee, the Vertuo Pop is easy to recommend.