Description
The Nespresso VertuoPlus Deluxe, built by Breville, is the step up from the standard Vertuo and the differences are all about how the machine fits a kitchen rather than how it makes coffee. Nespresso lists Centrifusion extraction with capsule specific barcode brewing, a motorized brew head, a movable water tank, an extra large water tank on the deluxe version, a 10 capsule used pod container, a 25 second heat up and automatic shut off. The machine measures 17 inches wide, 6 inches deep and 13 inches high and weighs 10.14 pounds.
The Movable Water Tank
This is the feature that solves a real kitchen problem. Most capsule machines have the water tank fixed at the back, which sets the depth of the machine and puts the fill point against a wall or a backsplash. Filling it means pulling the whole machine forward.
Nespresso allows the tank to be repositioned to suit the available counter space, which is why this machine measures only 6 inches deep and 17 inches wide: the tank has been moved to the side rather than the back. On a shallow counter or under a wall cabinet, that is the difference between a machine that fits and one that does not.
The deluxe version carries an extra large tank, which the feature bullets give as 60 ounces against the 40 ounces on the standard Vertuo. That is half again as much water between refills.
The Motorized Brew Head
On the standard Vertuo the brew head is opened and closed by hand with a lever. On the VertuoPlus it opens and closes under motor power at the press of a button.
Whether that is worth paying for depends on the user. For most people it is a convenience. For someone with limited hand strength, arthritis or restricted grip, a machine that does not require a lever to be worked several times a day is a genuine accessibility improvement rather than a luxury, and that is the honest case for the feature.
Centrifusion and the Capsule System
The brewing technology is the same across the Vertuo range. Rather than forcing water through packed coffee under pressure, the machine spins the capsule at up to 7,000 rotations per minute, using centrifugal force to blend the grounds with water. That produces crema even on a large cup, which pressure extraction struggles to do at volume.
Each capsule carries a barcode that the machine reads to set water volume, temperature, spin speed and infusion time for that specific blend. There is no cup size button: the capsule determines the drink. That is excellent for consistency and restrictive for anyone who wants to vary strength or volume.
The system is closed. Vertuo machines take Vertuo capsules and will not take Nespresso Original capsules, which are a separate system sold alongside. That is a long term supply commitment rather than a one time purchase decision.
Highlights
- Motorized brew head opening and closing at the press of a button.
- Movable water tank to suit different counter layouts.
- Extra large water tank on the deluxe version, given as 60 ounces.
- Centrifusion extraction at up to 7,000 rotations per minute.
- Capsule specific brewing set by barcode reading.
- 10 capsule used pod container.
- 25 second heat up with energy saving automatic shut off.
- Complimentary welcome set of Vertuo capsules included.
- 17 by 6 by 13 inches, 10.14 pounds.
- Average rating of 4.6 out of 5 from nearly 8,000 ratings.
Things To Consider
The listing contradicts itself on cup sizes, and it does so more sharply than the standard Vertuo listing does. The written description states the machine makes two cup sizes: 8 ounce coffee and 1.35 ounce espresso, using two different capsule sizes. A feature bullet states four cup sizes: 5 and 8 ounce coffee plus single and double espresso. Those cannot both be right, and the listing does not resolve which applies to this specific model. Anyone buying for a particular cup size should confirm it with Nespresso first.
The voltage is given as 110 volts, while the standard Vertuo listing gives 120 volts. Nominal North American supply is 120 volts and both figures describe the same domestic outlet loosely, but no wattage or amperage is published on either listing.
The country of origin is given as China here and USA on the standard Vertuo listing, which is inconsistent source data across two closely related products.
The used capsule container holds 10 capsules against 13 on the standard Vertuo, so it needs emptying slightly more often despite the larger water tank.
The closed capsule system is the main long term consideration, as described above, and it carries both an ongoing cost and an ongoing waste stream.
A motorized brew head is also a moving powered assembly rather than a simple lever, which is one more component that can eventually need attention.
There is no milk system either. Cappuccinos and lattes need milk frothed separately, and Nespresso sells machines with integrated milk systems higher in its range, such as the Vertuo Lattissima, for buyers who want that in one appliance.
Finally, at 17 inches wide this machine is broad even though it is shallow. The movable tank trades depth for width, which suits a long counter run and does not suit a narrow gap between other appliances. Measure the width as carefully as the depth.
Who It Suits and Who Should Look Elsewhere
This suits a kitchen where counter depth is the constraint, given the 6 inch depth made possible by the movable tank, and a household that will appreciate not working a lever several times a day. The larger tank means fewer refills, the Centrifusion system produces crema on large cups that pressure machines cannot match, and nearly 8,000 ratings at 4.6 out of 5 is the highest average of the Nespresso machines here.
It is the wrong machine for anyone who wants control over strength and volume, or who wants a wide choice of capsule suppliers. Buyers who want manual brew size selection and a much larger reservoir should compare the Keurig K155 OfficePRO, those wanting a simpler machine should look at the single serve brewer range, and anyone who would rather brew a full pot should look at the coffee machine category.
