Brew Coffee Home's Nespresso Vertuo Up Review

The Nespresso Vertuo Up is ready to brew in a few seconds, which is a noticeable upgrade compared to the Vertuo Pop, which takes close to a minute.

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The Nespresso Vertuo Up's water tank is noticeably larger than the Pop's and can rotate, offering better flexibility for kitchen placement.

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The Vertuo Up's additional settings button makes it easier to understand and access various functions compared to the Pop's single, often confusing, button.

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While some parts like the drip tray and lever are metal, most of the Vertuo Up machine is plastic, and some gaps in the unit are not perfectly aligned, though it doesn't feel flimsy.

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The Vertuo Up produces hot coffee, with temperature measurements reaching around 67 degrees Celsius for a standard capsule and up to 72 degrees Celsius for a larger size.

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The Vertuo Up is noticeably quieter during operation compared to the Vertuo Pop.

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While the Pop might produce more foam initially, the Vertuo Up's foam is finer and maintains its quality for a longer duration after brewing.

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Despite other differences, the overall flavor profile of coffee brewed with the same capsules is essentially the same between the Vertuo Up and Vertuo Pop, with the Up being only slightly lighter.

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The Vertuo Up's used capsule container can hold approximately ten capsules, which is significantly more than the Pop's capacity of five to six capsules.

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The Vertuo Up introduces a Coffee Creations mode for concentrated extractions suitable for milk or iced drinks, and a useful quick rinse feature that helps prevent residue buildup.

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Vertuo Up Water Tank Size and Rotation

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The reviewer observes that the Vertuo Up's water tank is "clearly bigger" than the Pop's and "can rotate," which makes it easier to fit into different kitchen layouts and tighter spaces.

Vertuo Up Dedicated Settings Button

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The reviewer points out that the Vertuo Up has a "separate settings button," a feature the Pop does not have, which makes the machine's functions "a bit easier to understand."

Vertuo Up Build Quality Assessment

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The reviewer notes that the drip tray cover, cup holder, and capsule lever are metal, but most of the machine is plastic. They observe that the fit and finish on their unit looks "just okay," with some gaps not perfectly aligned, but it doesn't feel weak or flimsy.

Vertuo Up Initial Rinsing Cycle Time

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The reviewer demonstrates the first-use rinsing cycle for the Vertuo Up, stating that the entire process takes "around 3 minutes" before the machine is ready to brew.

Vertuo Up Coffee Temperature Measurement

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The reviewer measures the coffee temperature, finding it to be "around 67 degrees" Celsius for a standard cup and "about 72 degrees Celsius" for a larger capsule, concluding that the serving temperature is "quite hot."

Vertuo Up vs. Pop Heat-Up Time Comparison

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The reviewer highlights a significant difference in heat-up time, noting that the Vertuo Up is ready in "just a few seconds," whereas the Vertuo Pop typically takes "close to a minute."

Vertuo Up vs. Pop Footprint and Slimness Comparison

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The reviewer compares the physical footprint, stating that by rotating the Up’s water tank, it can take up "less depth" and appears "just a little slimmer overall" than the Pop, making it more practical for narrow countertops.

Vertuo Up Vertical Capsule Loading Design

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The reviewer points out that the Vertuo Up utilizes a "vertical drop in design" for capsules, which differs from the "horizontal loading direction" found in earlier Vertuo machines like the Pop.

Vertuo Up vs. Pop Lid Opening and Closing Ease

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The reviewer demonstrates that opening and closing the Vertuo Up’s lid is "easier" and can be done "with one hand quite easily," contrasting this with the Pop, where closing often requires "more effort" and sometimes "both hands."

Vertuo Up vs. Pop Noise Level Comparison

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The reviewer states unequivocally that "The Vertuo Pop is obviously louder than the Up when it’s running," indicating the Up operates with less noise.

Vertuo Up vs. Pop Brew Speed Comparison

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In a side-by-side brew test, the reviewer observes that the Pop "started extracting earlier" and was "about halfway through the brew" when the Up "had just started flowing," indicating the Pop begins brewing faster.

Vertuo Up vs. Pop Foam Quality and Longevity Comparison

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The reviewer compares the foam produced by both machines, noting that the Pop initially produced "more foam" which "faded a bit faster," while the Up’s foam "looked finer and lasted longer."

Vertuo Up vs. Pop Coffee Taste Comparison

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Using the same capsule, the reviewer found the "flavor was basically the same on both machines," adding that "If anything, the Up tasted just a little lighter." This suggests overall similar taste profiles.

Vertuo Up vs. Pop Used Capsule Container Capacity

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The reviewer states that the Vertuo Up’s used capsule container is "clearly bigger," capable of holding "ten capsules," significantly more than the Pop’s capacity of "around five or six."

Vertuo Up Coffee Creations Mode Demonstration

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The reviewer explains and demonstrates the new "Coffee Creations mode" on the Up, which delivers "less liquid from the same capsule" for a "more concentrated extraction" designed for milk-based or iced drinks. They note the resulting coffee smells and tastes great.

Is the Nespresso Vertuo Up a significant upgrade from the Vertuo Pop?

The Vertuo Up boasts a faster heat-up time, a larger and rotatable water tank, a dedicated settings button, quieter operation, and a larger used capsule container. However, the reviewer notes that the coffee quality and taste profile are not dramatically different, leading them to question if the higher price point justifies the overall upgrade in coffee experience.

How does the Vertuo Up compare to the Vertuo Pop in terms of design and size?

The Vertuo Up's water tank is notably bigger and can rotate, which allows for a more versatile fit in various kitchen layouts, potentially taking up less depth than the Pop. It also appears a little slimmer overall and features a vertical capsule loading design compared to the Pop's horizontal.

What is the brewing performance of the Nespresso Vertuo Up like, including coffee temperature and foam?

The Vertuo Up delivers hot coffee, with measured temperatures ranging from 67°C to 72°C depending on capsule size. It creates a thick layer of foam, which the reviewer describes as finer and more durable than the foam produced by the Vertuo Pop, even though the Pop may start extraction slightly earlier.

Is the Nespresso Vertuo Up loud during brewing?

In a direct comparison, the reviewer explicitly states that the Vertuo Up is "obviously quieter" than the Vertuo Pop when it is running. The video also provides audio to demonstrate the comparative noise levels.

How easy is it to use and control the Nespresso Vertuo Up?

The Vertuo Up's added settings button makes its functions more straightforward and less confusing than the single-button operation of the Pop. The lid mechanism is also easier to open and close with one hand, contributing to overall user-friendliness.

What is the 'Coffee Creations' mode on the Vertuo Up?

The 'Coffee Creations' mode on the Vertuo Up delivers less liquid from a standard capsule, resulting in a stronger, more concentrated coffee. This is specifically designed to stand up better to the addition of milk or ice, enhancing the flavor of specialty beverages.

Is the Nespresso Vertuo Up easy to clean and maintain?

The Vertuo Up offers a practical quick rinsing feature that helps prevent coffee residue buildup, a common issue with older models. General cleaning involves emptying the capsule container and rinsing removable parts. However, due to its vertical loading design, there might be more leftover water, requiring more frequent emptying, and deep cleaning access might be slightly less convenient than the Pop.