The VertuoPlus suits busy households with its bigger tank and quicker heat-up, while the Vertuo Pop+ suits small kitchens. Here is how they differ.
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| Product | Price tier | Pod system | Milk frothing | Water tank | Width |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nespresso VertuoPlus | mid-range | Vertuo | None built in | 40 oz | 5.6 in |
| Nespresso Vertuo Pop+ | budget | Vertuo | None built in | 25.4 oz | 8.6 in |
Price tiers compare products within this guide. Specs come from manufacturer pages, or from reputable retailers where a maker publishes none.
Best for households that brew every day
A much larger water tank, quicker heat-up and a motorized head that opens at the press of a button. Worth the step up if more than one person drinks coffee at home.
Best for small kitchens and solo drinkers
Brews the same Vertuo pods in a shorter, lighter body that costs less. The better pick if you live alone and counter space is tight.
Most people should buy the Nespresso VertuoPlus. Its water tank holds far more, it heats up faster and its motorized head makes daily use a little easier. Buy the Nespresso Vertuo Pop+ if you live alone, have little counter space or want the lowest cost way into Vertuo.
Both are Vertuo machines. They take the same dome-shaped Vertuo pods and do not accept the small Original pods sold for machines like the Essenza Mini.
We compared the manufacturer specs for both machines, then read expert reviews and long-term owner feedback to see how they hold up in daily use. We did not run our own hands-on tests.
This is the biggest practical difference. The VertuoPlus holds 40 oz of water, enough for several mugs before a refill. The Pop+ holds 25.4 oz, which means a trip to the sink every day or two in a house with two coffee drinkers. The VertuoPlus tank can also be moved to the side or back of the machine, which helps in awkward corners.
The VertuoPlus is ready in about 20 seconds. The Pop+ takes about 30. That gap is small for one cup, but it adds up on busy mornings when several people brew back to back.
The Pop+ is the smaller machine. It stands 10.4 in tall and weighs just under 8 lb, so it fits under low cabinets with room to lift the lid. The VertuoPlus is 12.8 in tall and heavier. It is narrow but deep, so measure the height under your cabinets before you choose it.
The VertuoPlus opens and closes its brewing head with a motor at the press of a button. On the Pop+ you lift the lid yourself. Neither is hard to use, but the VertuoPlus takes one less step every morning.
Breville lists five sizes for the Pop+, from a single espresso up to the 14 oz Alto, and the machine connects over Bluetooth and Wi-Fi for automatic updates. Breville’s page for the VertuoPlus lists four sizes, up to an 8 oz coffee. If you want the largest Alto mugs, check the listing for the exact VertuoPlus model you buy.
Both machines use Nespresso’s Centrifusion system, which spins the pod and reads a barcode on its rim to set the water volume, temperature and spin speed for each blend. That is why the coffee from both tastes much the same. Only Nespresso makes Vertuo pods, so you pay more per cup than with Original machines, which take pods from many brands. Neither machine froths milk, so you need a separate frother for lattes. For other options, including Original machines and models with milk systems, see all our Nespresso machine picks.
Get the VertuoPlus if two or more people drink coffee at home, you brew several cups a day or you want the fewest refills and the quickest start.
Get the Vertuo Pop+ if you mostly brew for yourself, your kitchen is small, you like its bright colors or you want to spend as little as possible on a Vertuo machine.
For most households, yes. The larger tank, faster heat-up and motorized head make it easier to live with every day. If you brew one cup a day, the Pop+ makes coffee that is just as good.
No. Both machines only take Vertuo pods. Original pods are a different shape and size and fit only Original machines, which brew with high pressure instead of spinning the pod. If you want cheaper third-party pods, look at an Original machine instead.
Not on its own. Both brew espresso and coffee only. Nespresso sells both in bundles with the Aeroccino frother, or you can add any separate milk frother and pour the foam over a Vertuo espresso.
Coffee Tested editors
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We read the reviewers who test coffee gear for a living, compare the specs that change your daily routine and dig through years of owner feedback before recommending anything.
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