Nespresso Vertuo vs Original: Which Should You Buy?
Nespresso Vertuo vs Original compared: how each system brews, cup sizes, capsule choice, and milk options across 4 machines, and which one to buy.
By Gary Gray
Updated November 4, 2026
Nespresso sells two capsule systems in the US, and the capsules are not interchangeable. Original machines push hot water through a small capsule with a 19 bar pump, the way a traditional espresso machine does. Vertuo machines use what Nespresso calls Centrifusion: the machine spins a larger capsule, reads a code on each capsule, and sets the brew for that capsule automatically. That difference decides which drinks each system does well.
Quick verdict: choose Vertuo if you drink mostly full mugs of coffee, want iced coffee or Alto-size cups from a capsule, and like one-button brewing with no settings to manage. Choose Original if you drink mostly espresso, lungo, and milk drinks built on espresso, and want a wider choice of capsules, including third-party brands.
This comparison draws on the manufacturer’s published specifications (Breville US product pages for the Breville-built Nespresso machines), the Amazon product listings, and Amazon owner reviews. Where a listing and the manufacturer page disagree, we follow the manufacturer or leave the number out.
The Machines in This Comparison
We picked two machines from each system: an entry model and a model that handles milk drinks. Both systems include other machines, but these four show the range of each line.
Vertuo: Vertuo Pop+ and Vertuo Next
Nespresso Vertuo Pop+ Coffee & Espresso Maker
The Vertuo Pop+ is the compact entry point to the Vertuo line. Breville lists 5 cup sizes: Espresso (1.35 oz), Double Espresso (2.7 oz), Gran Lungo (5.07 oz), Mug (7.77 oz), and Alto (14 oz), plus a side-mounted 25.4 oz water tank. The Amazon listing describes coffees brewed hot or over ice.
Nespresso Vertuo Next Coffee Machine with Milk
The Vertuo Next adds a sixth size: Breville lists Espresso (1.35 oz), Double Espresso (2.7 oz), Coffee in 5 oz, 8 oz, and 12 oz, and an 18 oz Carafe, with a 37 oz water tank. The Amazon listing linked here is a bundle that includes the Aeroccino3 milk frother.
Original: Essenza Mini and Creatista Plus
Breville Nespresso Essenza Mini Espresso Machine
The Essenza Mini is the smallest machine in this comparison: 2 programmable cup sizes (espresso and lungo), a 19 bar pump, and a 20.3 oz removable water tank. Breville’s page for the BEC220 lists an Aeroccino milk frother in the box, while the Amazon listing describes the machine on its own, so check the listing for what is included before you buy.
Nespresso Original Creatista Plus Espresso Machine
The Creatista Plus pairs an Original capsule brewer with an automatic steam wand. Breville lists 3 programmable cup sizes, 8 texture levels and 11 milk temperatures, a 3 second heat-up, a 50 oz water tank, and a stainless steel milk jug in the box. It sits well above the other three machines in this comparison in price.
Vertuo vs Original at a Glance
| Spec | Vertuo line | Original line |
|---|---|---|
| Brewing method | Centrifusion (the capsule spins) | 19 bar pump pressure |
| Capsule recognition | Yes, reads a code on each capsule | Not listed; you choose espresso or lungo |
| Cup sizes on these machines | Espresso (1.35 oz) up to Alto (14 oz) on the Pop+, or Carafe (18 oz) on the Next | Espresso and lungo; the Creatista Plus adds a third size |
| Capsules | Vertuo capsules only | Original capsules, from Nespresso and other brands |
| Iced coffee | Brewed hot or over ice (Pop+ listing) | No dedicated iced mode listed for these machines |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth and Wi-Fi with automatic software updates | Not listed for these machines |
| Milk | Separate Aeroccino3 frother (bundled with the Next listing here) | Aeroccino frother bundles, or a built-in automatic steam wand on the Creatista Plus |
| Spec | Vertuo Pop+ | Vertuo Next | Essenza Mini | Creatista Plus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Line | Vertuo | Vertuo | Original | Original |
| Cup sizes | 5 | 6 | 2 | 3 |
| Water tank | 25.4 oz | 37 oz | 20.3 oz | 50 oz |
| Used capsule container | 8 espresso or 5 mug capsules | 10 espresso or 6 mug capsules | 5 to 6 capsules | 8 to 12 capsules |
| Milk | None in this listing | Aeroccino3 frother in this bundle | Varies by listing | Automatic steam wand |
| Warranty | 1 year limited | 1 year | 1 year | 2 year |
The Difference Between Nespresso Vertuo and Original
Brewing method and the cup
Original machines brew the way espresso machines do, forcing water through finely ground coffee under pump pressure. Vertuo machines spin the capsule instead, and Nespresso describes the result as a cup topped with a layer of coffee foam. Several Original owners compare their shots to traditional espresso, while Vertuo owners often mention the thick crema. If you mostly drink espresso, that difference matters more than any spec.
Cup sizes
This is the clearest split. The Original machines here top out at a lungo, which suits espresso drinkers and people who build lattes or Americanos themselves. Vertuo machines brew full mugs directly: Alto (14 oz) on the Pop+ and an 18 oz Carafe on the Next. If you want a large cup of coffee from a capsule with no extra steps, Vertuo is the system built for it.
Ease of use
Vertuo machines read the code on each capsule and set the cup size for you, so there is one button and nothing to program. Original machines ask you to choose espresso or lungo, and you can reprogram the cup volume, which gives more control. Both lines collect used capsules in a container inside the machine.
Capsule choice
Vertuo machines only take Vertuo capsules, and owners mention that those can be harder to find in local stores. Original machines take Original capsules, and owners report using capsules from other brands as well as Nespresso’s own. One Essenza Mini owner notes that Vertuo capsules cost much more than the Original capsules they buy. If capsule cost and variety matter to you, Original gives you more options.
Milk drinks
Neither entry machine steams milk on its own. On the Vertuo side, the usual route is an Aeroccino3 frother, sold in bundles like the Vertuo Next listing above. On the Original side, you can also add a frother, or step up to the Creatista Plus, whose automatic steam wand textures milk at the temperature and texture you choose. For more frothing options, see our best milk frothers and our guide on how to steam and froth milk at home.
Connectivity
Breville lists Bluetooth and Wi-Fi on both Vertuo machines, used for automatic software updates. Breville’s pages for the two Original machines here do not list connectivity.
What Owners Report
Owner reviews for all four machines are mostly positive, with praise for the small footprint, fast brewing, and simple cleanup. The Vertuo listings carry a larger share of one-star ratings than the Essenza Mini listing.
- Vertuo Pop+: owners like the one-button operation and iced coffee. Complaints include a unit that kept flashing a red light after a month or two of use, and the cost of capsules.
- Vertuo Next: owners praise the included frother and the capsule recognition. One owner reports a unit that stopped working after two weeks (Nespresso customer service sent a replacement), and another received a unit that looked like a customer return.
- Essenza Mini: owners describe it as small, sturdy, and easy to travel with. The small water tank means frequent refills, and one owner notes that the machine does not warn you when the tank runs low.
- Creatista Plus: the Amazon data available to us did not include written owner reviews, so we rely on the manufacturer’s specifications for this machine.
Which Should You Choose?
Choose Nespresso Vertuo if you drink coffee by the mug, want iced coffee from a capsule, and prefer a machine that sets each brew for you. The Vertuo Pop+ is the compact pick, and the Vertuo Next adds a larger tank and the 18 oz Carafe size.
Choose Nespresso Original if you drink mostly espresso or espresso-based milk drinks, want to adjust cup volume, and want capsules from more than one brand. The Essenza Mini is the small, simple option; the Creatista Plus suits people who want lattes and cappuccinos with automatic milk texturing.
Skip both if you want to use your own beans, avoid capsule waste, or brew for several people at once. Look at our best super automatic espresso machines for one-touch drinks from whole beans, or our best single serve coffee makers for other pod and single-cup options. For more capsule machines, see our best Nespresso and capsule espresso machines or browse all espresso machines.
Why You Should Trust Us
We do not conduct our own product trials. Our picks draw on published specifications, independent reviews, and Amazon owner ratings.
The CML Score is calculated with the published method on our How We Review page.
Affiliate commissions do not affect our rankings or scores.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you use Original capsules in a Vertuo machine?
No. The two systems use different capsule shapes and brewing methods. Vertuo machines take only Vertuo capsules, and Original machines take only Original capsules.
Which Nespresso system is better for espresso?
For espresso drinkers, Original is the closer match: it uses a 19 bar pump like a traditional espresso machine, and several owners compare its shots to traditional espresso. Vertuo also brews espresso and double espresso, with a thicker layer of foam on top.
Which system makes a large cup of coffee?
Vertuo. Breville lists cup sizes up to Alto (14 oz) on the Vertuo Pop+ and up to an 18 oz Carafe on the Vertuo Next. The Original machines in this comparison stop at a lungo.
Do Nespresso machines come with a milk frother?
Some listings do and some do not. The Vertuo Next listing in this comparison includes an Aeroccino3 frother, the Vertuo Pop+ listing does not, and the Creatista Plus has a built-in steam wand. Check the listing before you buy.
About the author
Covers home espresso machines, from capsule models to semi-automatic setups, for CoffeeMakerLab.