Nespresso Vertuo Next vs. Vertuo Plus: Which Should You Buy?

Same Vertuo Capsules, Different Priorities Entirely

Both of these read the same barcode-equipped Vertuo capsules and brew with the same centrifusion process, so shoppers often assume the newer Next is simply an upgrade over the Plus. In practice they trade off in opposite directions — the Next is smaller and smarter, the Plus is bigger and, by most accounts, more dependable day to day. Which one actually fits you depends on which of those two things you'd rather have.

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The Core Difference in One Paragraph

The Vertuo Next is the slimmer, lighter machine — about 5.5 inches wide — with WiFi and Bluetooth for app connectivity, a pop-open lid you twist to unlock, five cup sizes, and the ability to read the 18 oz Carafe pod that the Plus can't. The Vertuo Plus is wider and heavier, with no app connectivity at all, but it adds a motorized head that opens automatically with a tap, a larger repositionable water tank, a metal drip tray instead of plastic, and a noticeably quieter brew cycle.

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Quick Picks

• Best for a tight counter or small apartment: Vertuo Next
• Best for everyday reliability and quieter operation: Vertuo Plus
• Best if you want app control or the 18 oz Carafe pod: Vertuo Next
• Best if you want fewer tank refills and don't want to fuss with an app: Vertuo Plus

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Vertuo Next — Best for Small Spaces and Smart Features

The Next is Nespresso's answer to buyers who want a genuinely compact machine without giving up connected features.

What we like:

• Slim 5.5-inch width fits counters the Plus simply can't
• WiFi and Bluetooth connect to the Nespresso app for order tracking and brew notifications
• Five cup sizes, including the 18 oz Carafe pour-over pod the Plus doesn't support at all
• Built with 54% recycled plastic, if sustainability factors into your decision

Where it falls short:

• Smaller 37 oz tank means more frequent refills than the Plus
• Twist-to-unlock lid is a less convenient daily interaction than the Plus's motorized head
• Has a well-documented reputation for reliability issues — random shutdowns and WiFi dropouts are common enough complaints that they're worth planning around; see the Vertuo Next problems guide before buying if this concerns you
• Plastic drip tray feels less substantial than the Plus's metal one

Price range: $150-200 depending on sales

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Vertuo Plus — Best for Everyday Reliability

The Plus skips the smart features entirely and puts that effort into a machine that's simpler to live with day to day.

What we like:

• Motorized head opens and ejects capsules automatically with a light tap — genuinely more convenient than twisting a lid every cup
• Larger 40 oz tank that repositions to the left, right, or back, adapting to tighter kitchen layouts despite the machine's bigger footprint
• Noticeably quieter brew cycle than the Next
• Metal drip tray holds up better to daily wear than plastic
• Widely regarded as the more dependable of the two, without the Next's pattern of random shutdowns

Where it falls short:

• No WiFi, Bluetooth, or app connectivity at all
• Wider and heavier than the Next, a real consideration in a small kitchen
• Doesn't read the 18 oz Carafe pod, so pour-over-style servings aren't an option
• Only four cup sizes versus the Next's five

Price range: $160-220 depending on sales

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Reliability: The Deciding Factor for Many Buyers

This is where the comparison stops being close. Both machines share the same descaling needs and centrifusion brewing mechanism, but their real-world reliability track records diverge sharply:

• Vertuo Next has documented, recurring reliability complaints — random shutdowns mid-brew, WiFi connectivity dropping, and occasional coffee grounds ending up in the cup. See our Vertuo Next random shutdown guide and Vertuo Next WiFi not working guide if you already own one and are running into these
• Vertuo Plus issues tend to be more ordinary — capsule ejection hiccups or occasional leaking, covered in our Vertuo Plus leaking guide — without the same pattern of unexplained shutdowns

If reliability is your top priority, this alone is reason enough to lean Plus, even setting aside the size and feature differences.

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Is the Next's Smaller Footprint Worth the Reliability Trade-Off?

For someone in a genuinely tight kitchen, the Next's 5.5-inch width can be the deciding factor regardless of everything else — there's simply no substitute if the Plus doesn't physically fit where you need it. But if counter space isn't a hard constraint, the Plus's better track record and quieter operation make it the safer everyday choice for most buyers, smart features aside.

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Can You Go Wrong Either Way?

Coffee quality is essentially identical between them — the difference is entirely in the experience around it. Where people end up disappointed is buying the Next purely for the app and WiFi, then getting frustrated by an unexpected shutdown mid-brew, or buying the Plus assuming "newer must be better" and missing out on features they'd have actually used, like the Carafe pod or app notifications. Weigh reliability against features honestly, and match the width to your actual counter space before deciding.

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FAQ

Is the Vertuo Next really less reliable than the Vertuo Plus?

Based on widely reported user experiences, yes — random shutdowns and WiFi connectivity problems are common enough complaints on the Next that they're a real factor to weigh, not just occasional bad luck. The Plus doesn't share this same reputation.

Which one makes better-tasting coffee?

Neither, meaningfully — both use the same centrifusion brewing process and read the same capsules. Any taste difference you notice is more likely tied to freshness or capsule choice than the machine itself.

Can I use the 18 oz Carafe pod in the Vertuo Plus?

No — Carafe pod compatibility is specific to the Vertuo Next. The Plus doesn't support it.

Is the app connectivity on the Vertuo Next actually useful?

It's a nice-to-have rather than essential — brew notifications and order tracking through the Nespresso app, but nothing that changes the coffee itself. Weigh it against the Next's reliability track record before treating it as a deciding factor on its own.

Which machine is quieter?

The Vertuo Plus, by a clear margin. If you're brewing early before the rest of the house is awake, this is worth factoring in alongside the reliability difference.

Does either machine work with the older OriginalLine capsules?

No — both the Next and the Plus are Vertuo-only machines and read Vertuo's barcode-equipped capsules exclusively. Neither is compatible with OriginalLine pods like Pixie or CitiZ use.

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Related Nespresso Guides

• Nespresso Vertuo Descaling Guide (Pop, Next & Plus) — shared maintenance schedule for both machines
• Nespresso Vertuo Next Leaking Water? 5 Fixes — if you already own a Next and run into leaking
• Nespresso Vertuo Plus Not Working? 5 Fixes — for Plus owners troubleshooting brewing issues