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

Vertuo Next or Vertuo Pop: What Actually Differs

Inside, the Vertuo Next and the Vertuo Pop are the same machine: Nespresso covers both in one manual, with the same one-button controls, light signals, reset and descaling steps. Choose on capacity. The Next holds a 1.1 L (37 oz) tank and brews the Carafe size. The Pop holds about 0.56 L (19 oz), and Nespresso says the Carafe and XL sizes aren't suitable for it.

So the question isn't which one brews better coffee. It's how much you brew between refills, and whether you ever want an 18 oz carafe.

Not the Pop+. The Vertuo Pop+ is a different machine with its own manual and a 0.75 L tank. If that's the one you're weighing, see Vertuo Next vs Vertuo Pop+ or Vertuo Pop vs Pop+.

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Side by Side

Weights, dimensions and container capacities come from Nespresso's own comparison FAQ. Tank sizes, codes, power and connectivity come from the manuals' specification tables.

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What's the Same (More Than Most Comparisons Admit)

Nespresso's combined manual groups the two machines together, and its troubleshooting rows are shared. In practice that means:

• Same lights. White and orange only. Steady white is ready, orange on 1.5 seconds and off 0.5 seconds means the tank is empty, and two quick orange blinks then a long pause means an error. There's no red light on either.
• Same factory reset. With the machine plugged in, open and close the head, leave the lever unlocked, then press the button 5 times within 3 seconds. Orange blinks 5 times in 10 seconds to confirm.
• Same auto off. Both switch off after 2 minutes of non-use. Hold the button 3 seconds to switch off by hand.
• Same cool-down. After heavy use, an orange light fading down and up means cooling. Switch off and on, then wait about 20 minutes.
• Same capsule system. Both read the barcode on each Vertuo capsule and set the brewing parameters themselves.

If a review tells you one brews hotter or stronger, it isn't from the manual. Neither manual prints a brew temperature or a pressure.

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Capacity: The Real Difference

The tank. The Pop's tank is about half the Next's. If you brew Mug-size coffees (230 ml / 7.8 oz), a full Pop tank covers about two before you refill, while the Next covers about four. That's simple arithmetic from the tank sizes, before allowing for the rinse water the machine uses.

The Carafe. Nespresso's own FAQ says that, because of the Pop's minimal design, "Carafe and XL accessories are not suitable with the machine," so Carafe Pour-Over Style, XL and Cold Brew coffees aren't convenient on it. The Next brews the Carafe size (535 ml / 18 oz).

Counter space. The Pop is 6 mm narrower and 64 mm (about 2.5 in) lower. Depth is almost identical, so check the height under your cabinets more than the width.

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Living With It: Upkeep Is Identical

Both machines are maintained the same way, so neither saves you time:

Descaling uses 0.5 L (17 oz) of water plus 1 unit of Nespresso descaling liquid, and a container of at least 1 L (34 oz). With the lever unlocked, hold the button at least 7 seconds. You then have 45 seconds to lock and unlock the lever and hold the button 7 seconds again. Full steps: Vertuo descaling guide.

Don't ignore the descale alert. The Pop+ manual, which uses the same alert, says the machine can be used "only a few times" after the descaling alert appears before descaling becomes necessary.

The Pop's smaller tank does mean more refills, and an empty tank is the most common "orange light" on a Pop.

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When Something Goes Wrong

The troubleshooting list is shared, so the fixes are too:

If it persists, the manuals say to call Nespresso. USA: 1-800-562-1465, Canada: 1-855-325-5781. The US Vertuo Next manual gives a one-year warranty. The combined manual covering the Pop doesn't print one, so check the paperwork in your box.

Water under the machine? The shared leak row says to check the tank is well positioned, then descale if needed. Neither manual lists an owner-replaceable seal or internal part, so if it keeps leaking or keeps showing the error after these checks, stop using it and call Nespresso.

More: Vertuo Pop not working · Vertuo Next lights explained.

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Which Should You Buy?

• Choose the Vertuo Next if you brew Mug-size cups for two or more people, want the Carafe size, or want fewer refills. In the US and Canada it also has Wi-Fi as well as Bluetooth.
• Choose the Vertuo Pop if it's mostly one person, Espresso to Mug sizes, and you need the lower height.

We haven't compared prices; they vary by color and retailer. Nothing in the manuals suggests one is more reliable than the other.

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FAQ

Is the Vertuo Pop smaller than the Vertuo Next?

Yes, but mainly in height and tank size. Nespresso lists the Pop at 136 × 426 × 250 mm against 142 × 429 × 314 mm for the Next. They're nearly the same depth.

Can the Vertuo Pop make a carafe?

Not conveniently. Nespresso's FAQ says the Carafe and XL accessories aren't suitable for the Pop because of its design. Carafe Pour-Over Style, XL and Cold Brew coffees are better on the Next.

Do the Next and Pop use the same capsules?

Yes, both use Vertuo capsules, which they recognise by barcode. The Pop just isn't suited to the Carafe and XL sizes.

Does the Vertuo Pop have Wi-Fi?

Nespresso's combined manual lists Bluetooth for the Pop. Wi-Fi is documented for the US/Canada Vertuo Next, and for the Pop+, a different machine.

Is the factory reset the same on both?

Yes. Lever unlocked, then press the button 5 times within 3 seconds. The Vertuo Plus is the one Vertuo with a different reset.

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Related Vertuo Guides

• Vertuo Next vs Vertuo Pop+: if you're also looking at the Pop+
• Vertuo Up vs Vertuo Next
• Vertuo Pop Not Working?
• Nespresso Vertuo Descaling Guide
• Vertuo Pop vs Vertuo Up

Sources: Nespresso user manual for the Vertuo Next, Vertuo Pop and Vertuo Plus (combined); Nespresso Vertuo Next US user manual; Nespresso Vertuo Pop+ user manual; Nespresso customer FAQ "What are the differences between Vertuo Next and Vertuo Pop?".