Nespresso VertuoLine vs Original Line: Which Pod Coffee and Espresso Maker Is Better?

As if choosing a Nespresso machine wasn’t already hard enough, now they’ve added a whole new line, the VertuoLine. So what’s so special about these new models and should one find a place in your home?

This review will dive deep into the details of Nespresso Vertuo vs Original, so you’ll know which pod coffee maker is right for your kitchen.

Nespresso Original

This classic line offers ultra-convenient single-serve coffee makers that produce a ristretto, espresso, or lungo from a hermetically sealed capsule of ground coffee.

Nespresso partners with well-established manufacturers like Breville and DeLonghi to produce a variety of Original espresso machines, and it’s this variety that stands out in this duel. Regardless of your budget, space, or favourite espresso drink, there’s a Nespresso Original coffee machine for you.

Nespresso Vertuo

Nespresso first released the new VertuoLine in 2014. They designed it to appeal to the North American market, where larger coffees are often preferred over espresso.

VertuoLine’s claim to fame uses special barcoded coffee pods and a unique extraction system to produce five drink sizes, from a single espresso to a 415 ml coffee.

The Face-to-Face Showdown

This section will put both lines against each other in a head-to-head battle of Nespresso Vertuo vs Original. Who will emerge victoriously? Keep reading to find out!

In either case, there are some amazing models to choose from.

Types of Drinks

The biggest distinction between Nespresso Original vs Vertuo is the style of drinks they make.

If you only drink espresso or espresso-based drinks, choose an Original. Each machine offers three brew sizes: the 25 ml ristretto, the 40 ml espresso, and the 110 ml lungo.

On the other hand, if you want the option of drinking a larger coffee as well, you’ll be a fan of the Nespresso Vertuo machines. These brewers offer 5 cup sizes: an espresso, an 80 ml double espresso, a 150 ml gran lungo, a 230 ml mug of coffee, or a 415 ml alto XL.

Milk Frothing:

None of the Vertuo models come with built-in milk frothers, but you can bundle them with Nespresso’s popular Aeroccino frother at a discounted price.

On the other hand, two of the Original Nespresso models, the Creatista and the Lattissima, offer built-in milk frothers. However, these are significantly more expensive.

The smaller and more affordable Original Nespresso models are only for espresso, but you can also bundle them with an Aeroccino.

The Capsules

The OriginalLine has a far bigger selection of Nespresso coffee capsules. Because the patent on these cup-shaped capsules has expired, they’re now available from a wide variety of third-party sellers. If you already have a favourite coffee, you might even find it in capsule form. It’s also easier to find variety packs of Original capsules, perfect for large households or offices.

Many reviewers believe the Original capsules come closer to an authentic espresso taste and mouthfeel.

The only downside to the Original capsules is that they come in a single size, so a bigger drink like a lungo will necessarily be more dilute.

The dome-shaped VertuoLine capsules are only available from Nespresso because they require a barcode to be recognized by the Vertuo machine. This means the variety is limited, and you might have a harder time finding what you want.

However, the Nespresso VertuoLine capsules come in three different sizes, so larger drinks can be as powerful as smaller ones. Also, the Vertuo Nespresso capsules produce a thicker layer of crema, even on the larger coffees, for a richer coffee experience.

Extraction Method

These two systems use very different extraction methods, though that might not be apparent from the outside.

Original models use a pressure-based system. The capsule’s top is punctured, and hot water is forced in at up to 19 bars of pressure until the bottom bursts, and a frothy espresso emerges. This resembles how traditional espresso is made.

The VertuoLine coffee machines use a spinning system they’ve termed “centrifusion.” Hot water pumps into the capsule, which is then spun at 7000 rpm to infuse the water before it reaches your cup thoroughly. The centrifugation system yields a thicker crema and is quieter during operation.

Vertuo Line Nespresso pods also use a unique barcode system. Each is printed with a barcode that dictates the ideal brewing conditions for that coffee. The espresso machine scans the barcode and automatically adjusts its settings for perfect brewing; no user input is required.

Variety of Machines

The Nespresso Original Line has eight base models and 12 different products, covering a wide range of sizes and features, from the tiny Pixie to the bean-to-cup Lattissima. This is possible because Nespresso has partnered with other companies, like Breville, DeLonghi, and Kitchenaid, which bring decades of manufacturing expertise.

In comparison, the VertuoLine machines are made in house. There are only three models, the Vertuo, the VertuoPlus, and the Evoluo. And to be honest, they’re all rather similar in appearance and functionality. The VertuoLine is relatively new, so more options are likely forthcoming if the line proves successful.

Price

All three Vertuo Line Nespresso machines have similar prices, while the Original models cover a wide range of budgets.

The least expensive Original models, like the Pixie, Essenza, and Citiz, are cheaper than the Vertuo machines. In contrast, the most expensive, like the Creatista and Lattissma, are at a higher price point.

If you’re on a strict budget, a low-end Original Line model bundled with an Aeroccino is the way to go. But if you like to drink coffee AND espresso, a Vertuo espresso machine will save you needing to buy separate modes to make both.

Another factor is the price of espresso pods. You can find alternative pods for the Original Nespresso machines from competing brands for far less money than the Nespresso brand Vertuo coffee capsules.

The Verdict

If this showdown has taught us anything, it’s that both Original and Vertuo Nespresso coffee machines excel in certain aspects. So with that in mind, here are our recommendations.

Buy a Nespresso Original machine if…

You only drink espresso or espresso-based drinks and don’t make coffee. You’ll pay less for the espresso machine and the Nespresso coffee capsules, and you’ll have way more coffee pod choices. You’re also getting a more authentic espresso experience from the pressure-based extraction.

Buy a Nespresso Vertuo machine if…

You want the convenience of making espresso and coffee from the same machine. With the barcoded capsule brewing system, the VertuoLine makes brewing any style and size of drink foolproof. If you love a rich and thick crema layer on your coffee, you’ll be impressed by the centrifugal extraction.