A Breville / Nespresso Vertuo coffee and espresso machine checks all the boxes of an avid coffee lover. This Nespresso Vertuo coffee machine review takes a deep dive into the pros and cons of one of the most popular coffee makers and espresso machines rolled in one.
In this Nespresso Vertuo coffee and espresso machine review you’ll get enough information to help you decide if it’s right for you!
Good News For Coffee Lovers!
Coffee lovers get themselves a coffee machine. Espresso enthusiasts buy themselves an espresso maker.
How about folks like you who like… both?
Or have families where some prefer coffee while others love a latte or cappuccino?
There’s good news.
Among single serve coffee makers the Nespresso BNV250BLK1BUC1 Vertuo coffee and espresso machine can brew delicious espressos as well as more conventional coffee.
It’s a first for the versatile Nespresso brand, a device that’s equally good at both tasks and offers multiple functions to enhance your delight.
No matter your preference for cup sizes, coffee flavors, froth levels or more, the Breville Nespresso Vertuo coffee machine caters to your tastes and delivers on the big promise of delicious, delectable coffee.
Maybe you’re in a hurry, to let’s cut to the chase with 3 big questions about the Nespresso Vertuo coffee and espresso machine.
1. Is there anything seriously wrong with the Nespresso Vertuo coffee and espresso machine?
No, there isn’t anything that may cause you to regret buying the Nespresso Vertuo coffee and espresso machine.
It is a sleekly designed, feature-rich, high quality coffee and espresso machine that brews delicious coffee quickly and easily. If that’s all reassurance you need before buying yourself this coffee machine, you won’t have any reason to regret your decision later.
2. Are there any other coffee makers or espresso machines that are better than the Nespresso Vertuo?
Well, clearly there is always going to be another alternative that may better suit your unique needs and preferences. So rather than go into details, let’s look at other models and brands of coffee makers and espresso machines that might serve you as well as – if not better than – the Nespresso Vertuo coffee machine.
But to brew gourmet espressos as well as traditional coffee using the same machine, there are few choices that work better than the Nespresso Vertuo coffee and espresso machine.
For comparison there are the Nespresso Vertuo Plus and Vertuo Next coffee makers, both closely related models of coffee machine that boast of a few enhancements over the Nespresso BNV250BLK1BUC1 Vertuo. There’s also the Keurig K-Cafe coffee maker.
If what you’re looking for is an excellent espresso maker, then you should consider the Nespresso Inissia Espresso Maker. And for ease of use and convenience over customization and richness, you’d do well with a Keurig Supreme Plus single serve coffee maker.
3. Where to buy the Nespresso Vertuo coffee and espresso machine?
You can go shopping at regular retail outlets like Walmarts, Macy’s, Target or any other neighborhood store that caters to kitchen equipment and stocks a range of coffee machine models.
A more convenient and comfortable way to shop for a Nespresso Vertuo coffee and espresso machine is to order it online from e-commerce portals like Amazon.com
Buy the Nespresso BNV250BLK1BUC1 Vertuo coffee and espresso machine at Amazon.com
You’ll enjoy the convenience of delivery right to your doorstep at no extra cost, as well as periodic discounts and coupon offer deals that save a few dollars on your purchase.
Now to learn more about what makes this device so special, read the longer Breville Nespresso Vertuo coffee and espresso machine review. But first, a word about…
Why you should trust ‘A Barista’s Daughter’
This website came about when we discovered how confusing and difficult it was to find reliable and comprehensive information about buying a coffee maker.
We are not baristas or coffee experts. We are coffee lovers like you. And since enjoying a delicious cuppa begins with brewing one, “A Barista’s Daughter” was created to help people buy a great coffee machine.
We do not accept review samples or payment from any manufacturer or let anyone influence our coffee maker reviews. These reviews are detailed, unbiased and based on extensive research. The aim is to provide you with all that you need to make informed decisions.
If you order one of the coffee machines or espresso machines through links on ‘A Barista’s Daughter‘, we will receive an affiliate commission at no added cost to you. But that will never be the reason why we praise or criticize a coffee machine model or coffee maker brand.
The goal is to give you the facts, collated in one place for convenience, so that you can decide which machine or model is best for your own needs.
Nespresso Vertuo Coffee and Espresso Machine Review
Any detailed Nespresso Vertuo coffee and espresso machine review follows an outline that highlights the pros and cons of a coffee maker and then attempts to match them to a user’s own preferences and requirements.
The Nespresso Breville Vertuo review must then address specific questions like whether the specifications offered by a manufacturer really add value to you as a customer, and if the product is worth the asking price.
You’ll find all this information in the Nespresso Breville BNV250BLK1BUC1 Vertuo coffee and espresso machine review below.
What’s In The Box?
- The Nespresso Vertuo coffee and espresso machine
- Milk frother
- 12 coffee pods of various flavors
- Instruction manual
- Warranty and other documents
Pros:
- brews single cups of fresh, delicious coffee
- single-button technology for ease of use
- speedy at preparing your drinks
- different cup sizes can be accommodated
- can choose between espresso and traditional coffee
- rich, delicious coffee, espresso and beverages
- elegant and compact design
- easy to clean up after use
- small footprint, fits even on small counters and spaces
Cons:
- more expensive than many other coffee machine models
- works best only with Nespresso pods, not other brands
- coffee might be a bit too strong for some
What’s Good About the Nespresso Vertuo Coffee Maker?
It looks good. It works well. It’s priced right.
In a nutshell, this is what makes the Nespresso Vertuo coffee and espresso machine so attractive and appealing to potential buyers.
This is a single serve coffee maker that can brew one cup of coffee or espresso at a time. You don’t whip up an entire pot of coffee all at once, and then serve or drink from it over time. Each time you want a cuppa, pop in a pod and press a button.
The nice thing about this is that your coffee is always fresh and delicious. You can also experiment with different flavors without worrying about wasting an entire pot if you don’t like it.
The Nespresso Vertuo line of coffee and espresso machines includes 14 free coffee pods. You can try them out to see which are your favorites before buying replacement packs. The 14 pods span a range of flavors and tastes. You’ll be sure to find at least a few that you love.
Ease of Use
Making coffee or espresso using the Breville Nespresso Vertuo coffee and espresso machine is ever so easy. There’s just a single button controlling the brewing process. No fancy dials to adjust, no complex settings to twiddle, no cumbersome manuals to study and master.
- Just insert a coffee pod.
- Shut the compartment door and lock it by turning the lever to the left.
- Place the appropriate cup under the spout.
- Press a button to start the machine.
- And sit back as Centrifusion begins.
Centrifusion is the coffee making technology Nespresso has perfected for concocting these delicious drinks. It uses centrifugal forces of high speed spinning to extract flavor from your coffee pods.
The pod begins to rotate at 7000 RPM (rotations per minute) and blends the contents of your chosen coffee pod with milk. If you desire froth or cream, the suitable setting can make it happen.
Helpful Features
- The Nespresso BNV250BLK1BUC1 Vertuo coffee and espresso machine has a control panel at the front of the machine. You get started by pushing a button.
- There’s a removable water reservoir that can be readily accessed. Before brewing, make sure the tank contains enough water.
- An Aeroccino milk frother which can be detached for easy cleaning is compatible with this model. So if you like, you can enjoy a creamy smooth touch with your lattes and cappuccinos.
The coffee maker is relatively small considering its power. It weighs just over 10 pounds (4 kilograms) and is 11.9 inches square in profile and 8.3 inches wide. This means it fits comfortably even in smaller counters and kitchens.
Nespresso Vertuo coffee and espresso machines are available in red, black or chrome to match your decor.
The manufacturer’s 1 year warranty safeguards you against faults and defects due to imperfect production or packing. It will not cover accidental or incorrect usage.
Brewing Time
The Breville Nespresso Vertuo coffee and espresso machine is extremely fast at brewing coffee. It takes around 20 seconds for the water in your reservoir to preheat. This is impressive. After that the machine brews your drink in barely a minute.
Even if you’re in a tearing rush, there’s enough time to enjoy a piping hot brew before you leave. And with the user-friendly design that makes the machine intuitive to operate, you’ll find making your daily cup of morning coffee a breeze.
Nespresso Vertuo coffee and espresso machine review : Coffee Quality
Vertuo pods make coffee with great taste. Whether it’s a crema or long black, the output is delicious.
Espresso shots are superb. The coffee machine automatically adjusts water temperature, flow rate, contact time and speed of rotation to whip up the optimal espresso shot with perfect creme on top.
Your coffee may taste a bit stronger, more like espresso than drip coffee. But if you prefer your coffee strong anyway, you’ll love this.
A Range of Cup Sizes
The Nespresso BNV250BLK1BUC1 Vertuo coffee and espresso machine is compatible with different cup sizes.
There’s a default setting of 7.7 oz for coffee and 1.35 oz for espresso.
You can adjust this up as you desire, with three options of pouring heights available.
- Small – for the tiny espresso cups
- Medium – for regular sized coffee mugs
- Large – for travel mugs and thermos flasks
The compatibility of different size cups means that you won’t need to worry about creating a mess from spilling fluid around the machine.
Easy Clean Up
When you’re finished making your coffee, this machine is easy to clean.
A thorough cleaning of the entire machine is recommended once in 4 to 6 months. A descaling alert reminds you when this is due. You can use a Nespresso descaling kit for this purpose.
The milk frother will however need cleaning after every use, but is quick and simple.
Used Pods Are Recycled
The pod is automatically ejected once your coffee has brewed. The device can hold upto 12 empty pods before it needs to be cleared. So you can schedule maintenance at your convenience. Just don’t forget to empty the trash occasionally!
Used pods are recyclable. In the US, Nespresso has partnered with UPS to collect empty pods in pre-paid bags to return to a depot where it will be recycled. The issue of introducing that much waste into the environment is a bugbear for some users.
What Buyers Don’t Like About It
Even though the Nespresso Vertuo coffee and espresso machine is a desirable product, there are some aspects of it buyers won’t be thrilled about.
Higher Cost
At this price range the Breville Nespresso Vertuo coffee and espresso machine costs more than many other models and brands.
But then you don’t simply rush out to pick this up on a whim.
As long as it offers all the features you want from a combined espresso and coffee machine, the price won’t seem excessive. After all you’ll have to get two separate coffee makers to indulge your taste for espressos and traditional coffee otherwise.
The other ‘hidden’ expense you should factor in while buying this machine is the cost of coffee pods to replenish your stock. While you’ll buy coffee beans or grounds anyway, the replacement pods do tend to be more expensive.
But then you get to enjoy the variety offered by pods on every single cup of coffee, so the $2 per cup average cost may seem worthwhile.
Nespresso Vertuo coffee and espresso machine review : Replacement Coffee Pods
Some owners of the Nespresso BNV250BLK1BUC1 Vertuo coffee and espresso machine don’t like that they are locked in to getting only Nespresso pods. You can order replacement pods from Amazon or directly from Nespresso.
The machine is not compatible with other brands of coffee pods.
On the positive side, there’s a rich and wide range of nearly 150 distinct flavors and blends for Nespresso coffee pods. You can choose from flavors like
- hazelnut
- vanilla
- bourbon
- or other
And pick from
- light roasts
- dark roasts
- espresso
- double espresso
There are even decaffeinated pods for those who can’t stand the constant coffee buzz.
Of course you can try making coffee with other kinds of pods. But this doesn’t work as well and the coffee won’t taste very nice.
The reason lies in how the machine operates. There’s a bar code reader which senses the kind of pods inserted. If the reader finds a pod it cannot recognize, the brewing process goes haywire.
But the advantage when you use Nespresso pods is that without any programming on your end, you get the correct espresso, latte or basic cup of coffee. You’ve got this invisible little barista right there inside your coffee machine, working for you!
Is the Nespresso BNV250BLK1BUC1 Vertuo Worth Getting?
Eventually a Nespresso Vertuo coffee and espresso machine review has to squarely address this question. The answer of course will vary from person to person.
This Nespresso machine is quite an investment. So it’s worth pausing to ask if you feel it will be worth the money. If you love good coffee, it probably is. And if cost is a serious concern, watch out for special sales when you can get sizable discounts.
So let’s reframe the question into which kind of buyer will find the Nespresso Breville Vertuo coffee and espresso machine worth buying.
This may not be the most feature-loaded, programmable gourmet coffee maker in the world. But if you’re looking for a good, affordable single-serve coffee machine that can make both traditional coffee and espresso, then this is a good option.
You won’t waste grounds or beans because the Nespresso BNV250BLK1BUC1 Vertuo coffee and espresso machine runs on coffee pods.
You can choose between brewing espresso or coffee. You can add on froth to your espresso, or opt for black coffee.
It’s quick and convenient to operate, requires little maintenance, and is compatible with a wide range of coffee pod flavors from Nespresso. It is neat, reliable and makes delicious beverages. The price and environmental impact might make you pause, though.
But given these solid advantages, the Breville Nespresso Vertuo coffee and espresso machine is an excellent choice for coffee and espresso machine combos.
Buy the Nespresso BNV250BLK1BUC1 Vertuo coffee and espresso machine from Amazon.com