Nespresso vertuoPlus
Weight: 4.6kg
Water tank capacity: 1.8 litre
Dimensions: W14.22cm x D32.51cm x H42.34cm
Cable length: 74cm
Colours: Piano black, titan (dark grey), silver
Guarantee: Two years
Design and featuresThe Nespresso vertuoplus is a sleek affair, available in three colourways and compact enough to fit into most kitchen spaces. The moveable water tank is useful in this sense too, as well as making it easier to access for filling.
The vertuoplus is designed to be extremely easy to use, and features just two buttons – one to open and close the electrical opening top, and one to brew the coffee. This button is also used for cleaning the machine at set-up.
At the back of the machine, there is a compartment to collect the waste capsules, which are ejected automatically and has capacity for ten large capsules. The front of the machine is trimmed with chrome accents and features an adjustable cup support / drip tray with three positions for splash-free pouring whichever beverage size you opt for.
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The key selling point of the vertuoplus is that the machine allows for a choice of cup sizes – espresso, double espresso, gran lungo (150ml), mug (230ml), and alto (414ml) – which the machine will detect automatically via the barcode on the chosen pod, rather than the user having to add extra water or coffee. This is what Nespresso mean by their “centrifusion technology”, and allows for 26 different flavours and varieties to be made by the machine – though importantly, only Nespresso’s own vertuoplus pods are compatible with the machine. Nespresso also say this machine has a super-fast heat up time, and will auto shut off after nine minutes of inactivity.
PerformanceAs we mentioned before, one of the key selling points for any Nespresso is its ease of use: no faffing about with beans or twiddling knobs. And indeed, this is the case for the ultra-modern vertuoplus model; once the first clean is performed, which takes five minutes and one 400ml container, you’re off. Coffee is produced uniformly and at the touch of one button, with a plethora of pods to choose from.
The coffee is the divisive thing: we’ve already mentioned that you’re bound to Nespresso with the purchase of this machine (for now at least), and it really depends on whether you’re a fan. Nespresso say that their coffee is fully sustainable, requiring 75,000 farmers, 440 agronomists an 40 partners working across 12 countries to supply their specialist pods but for some coffee lovers this – and the flavour – still falls short.
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If you’re into proper barista level speciality coffee, a Nespresso or many pod machines will not be for you, but for a busy working day a cup of stormio, intenso or even hazelnut muffin that you don’t have to think about making may be just the ticket. Taste-wise, there’s sure to be a capsule you enjoy; just don’t expect it to compare to the highly-rated independent stuff.
Aside from this, in terms of ease of use, cleanliness and convenience, it’s hard to fault the Nespresso vertuoplus. Coffee is delivered hot and perfectly brewed in mere seconds, without any thought or mess, and with plenty of choice of brew styles – though you might want to rethink your purchase if you’re a cappuccino or latte devotee. Functioning is quiet, and the water tank holds enough for at least four large coffees. Some may find the cord length falls short, but for most kitchen set-ups it should be fine.