Nespresso VertuoPlus Deluxe review: the same product positioned as deluxe?

Why choose DeLonghi Nespresso VertuoPlus Deluxe coffee and espresso machine?

The review for Nespresso VertuoPlus Deluxe comes after reviewing other Nespresso machines. All 3 appear rather similar, with some small differences. What they do have in common is the innovation, ease and convenience.

There are some minor ways in which Nespresso VertuoPlus Deluxe is different from Nespresso Vertuo Plus. The main differences are as follows:

• Vertuo Plus comes in a more diversified color palette (white, red, blue), while VertuoPlus Deluxe machines come mainly in shades of black and grey
• Nespresso VertuoPlus Deluxe can have a slightly larger removable water reservoir (DeLonghi 60oz), but can also have a slightly smaller removable water reservoir (Breville 40z)
• A container for 10 used capsules.
• Nespresso VertuoPlus Deluxe is faster to heat up water (15-20 seconds vs 20 seconds for Vertuo Plus).

Who is Nespresso VertuoPlus Deluxe perfect for?

We always strive to be honest in our product reviews. This will be no different for this Nespresso VertuoPlus Deluxe review.

In my opinion, Nespresso VertuoPlus Deluxe is eerily similar to its sister versions, VertuoPlus and Vertuo. Given that the features are extremely similar, we would strongly recommend the least expensive Breville Nespresso Vertuo, which we reviewed thoroughly before. Even with aeroccino (a milk frother), Breville Nespresso Vertuo is still less expensive than either VertuoPlus or VertuoPlus Deluxe.

However, DeLonghi Nespresso VertuoPlus Deluxe can be an excellent choice for the following:

✓ Users of single serve coffee makers who wish to upgrade their machine

✓ A welcome kit with a range of 12 single serve coffee capsules with unique aroma profiles

✓ An innovative machine that uses a barcode system to adjust coffee brewing process

Who is Nespresso VertuoPlus Deluxe NOT perfect for?

I would love to remain honest in this Nespresso VertuoPlus Deluxe review. I think that there are a couple of examples where where Nespresso VertuoPlus Deluxe might not be a perfect choice:

✗ Consumers who are interested in a great price-to-value ration: although the machine is good, there are better machines for the same or lower price

✗ Coffee capsules have limited availability: some can be ordered only from the Nespresso shops at the moment

✗ Standard Nespresso coffee pods are not compatible with this machine

✗ Users who prefer flexibility and ownership in the coffee brewing process

✗ Does NOT use ground coffee

✗ Machine contains plastic, and capsules are aluminium

Nespresso VertuoPlus Deluxe Review and Evaluation 🕵️

→ Appearance

I was excited to test a Nespresso VertuoPlus Deluxe coffee machine. Like with previous Nespresso coffee machines, this unit came with a welcome kit of several different single serve capsules. That was a very nice gesture!

The Nespresso VertuoPlus Deluxe comes in two models:

• Nespresso VertuoPlus Deluxe manufactured by Breville: comes with a rounded top, and a 40oz reservoir.
• Nespresso VertuoPlus Deluxe manufactured by DeLonghi:  comes with a flatter top, and a 60oz reservoir.

VertuoPlus Deluxe models come in four colors: Black, Matte Black, Silver and Titan (grey).

The Nespresso Vertuo Plus looks good on the kitchen counter. It has a modern design with smooth lines and interesting shape.

The pouring outlet sits in the front side of the machine. The container for used capsules is located at the back of the machine, while the removable water tank has an appealing, cylindrical shape and is placed on a mobile stand that can be moved from the back, to the side of the machine.

Located on the top of the machine, the control panel was super easy and straightforward. It featured two controls:

• 1 button to turn on/off brewing, and
• 1 dial to lock or unlock the capsule holder

The on/off button was the only button Nespresso VertuoPlus has, and it is this button that I press when I want to turn the machine on or off, when I want to start brewing, as well as when I want to start the self-cleaning process or the descaling cycle.

→ Features and technical specs

Voltage: Nespresso VertuoPlus Deluxe is made for 120V, and can be used in Canada and the US only.

Basket size: Nespresso VertuoPlus Deluxe uses VertuoLine capsules that come in 3 different sizes and can make 5 different coffee cup sizes. The machine reads the barcode on the rim of the capsule using laser technology, and automatically knows which cup size to brew.

Beverage size: An in-built laser technology detects the type of a capsule and brews an appropriate size, accordingly. The VertuoLine capsules can make 5 different coffee and espresso cup sizes:

• espresso (1.35oz/40ml)
• double espresso (2.7oz/80ml),
• gran lungo (5oz/150ml),
• mug (7.77oz/230ml), and
• alto (14oz/414ml).

However, these sizes can be modified and reprogrammed to fit the user’s desired cup size. To reprogram a certain cup size, I just need to put a capsule in the machine, press the on/off button and keep pressing until the desired coffee quantity has been poured in my cup.

Weight: Nespresso VertuoPlus Deluxe weights about 10 lbs, which makes it quite easy to lift and to handle. However, since all the controls and both the water and the capsule containers are located either on top or on the sides of the machine, it is highly unlikely that the Nespresso Vertuo Plus will need to move a lot.

Unit size: Depending on the model, VertuoPlus Deluxe can have slightly different dimensions. While the height remains the same at 12.8 inches, width and depth can change.

• With the water reservoir on the side, this machine can have a width of either 8.7in or 9.1in, and a depth of either 12.7in or 13.2in (33.5cm).
• On the other hand, with the water tank located at the back, the width is reduced by 3in, but the depth increases by about 4 inches.

The lid of the machine also needs some extra space to open, which takes an additional 2 inches in height.

Milk frother: The machine I got for this Nespresso VertuoPlus Deluxe review did NOT come with a milk frother known as the aeroccino.

Pressure / pressure gauge: Nespresso Vertuo Plus has a pressure pump with a capacity of 19 bar, which helps the machine create coffee that is both rich and creamy.

Water reservoir: Nespresso VertuoPlus Deluxe offers 2 different sizes of water reservoirs. The Brevilles’s VertuoPlus Deluxe offers a 40oz water reservoir. The DeLonghi’s VertuoPlus Deluxe comes with a larger 60oz water reservoir. In either case, the water reservoir is easily removable. In case I wanted to clean or fill the reservoir with water, I was able to easily detach it by pulling upwards. The water reservoir has a cylindrical shape and lies on a mobile platform that allowed me to change its position from the back of the machine, to the side of the machine.

Additional perks: The additional perks are eerily similar across all Nespresso Vertuo machines. Just like its cheaper versions, Nespresso VertuoPlus Deluxe appears to have the same core features:

✓ Nespresso VertuoPlus Deluxe automatically detects your desired coffee blend and adjusts brewing accordingly. the machine uses laser technology and barcode reading system to recognize the cup size and the coffee blend of each capsule. The Nespresso Vertuo Plus is a laser class 1 product.

✓ Ability to extract coffee fully by blending water and coffee through a patented centrifusion technology. Nespresso Vertuo Plus coffee and espresso machine uses Centrifusion, a patented extraction technology developed by Nespresso, which means that during the brewing cycle capsules spin inside the machine with 7000 rotations per minute, which ensures that water and coffee are completely blended, and which also produces the perfect crema on top of my coffee.

✓ Though a cup size is detected automatically, I was still able to adjust water and coffee volume to my liking. Despite pre-set water and coffee volumes, I was able to program according to my own preference. All I have to do is insert a capsule inside the machine, press the on/off button and keep pressing until the desired amount of coffee has been poured in my cup. From this moment on, every time I introduce this type of capsule in the machine, I will get the same amount of coffee.

✓ Great features for ecologically mindful users. – Automatic power off after 9 minute. The machine turns itself off after not being used for 9 minutes in a row, in order to save energy.

✓ The container can store up to 10 large empty capsules. Though this machine is slightly larger than Nespresso Veruto, it can actually store FEWER used capsules.

✓ Coffee capsule recycling program. Nespresso sends its customers UPS bags that can be filled with the used capsules and dropped for free at any UPS centre in order to be sent back to Nespresso for recycling.

→ Performance

Brewing time: The water heating time is rather short. It takes between 15 to 25 seconds to heat up water. The brewing time itself takes under one minute.

Flavor: I brewed multiple cups of coffee for this Nespresso VertuoPlus Deluxe review. My coffee was quite rich and strong.

Temperature: In my tests, Nespresso VertuoPlus Deluxe yielded temperatures below 195 degrees. I registered temperatures of around 170 degrees F (vs 195 – 205 F degrees).

Noise levels: There were no remarkable noises coming from the machine. It performed similarly to others. There was a small winding noise, but this was nothing unusual.

Cleaning: Cleaning of Nespresso VertuoPlus Deluxe is rather simple. The machine dumps the used capsules in the capsule container after each use. All I have to do is to lift the cover of the capsule chamber. I recommend taking the capsules out of the capsule chamber each time after the brewing is over.

The machine surfaces should be cleaned regularly with a damp cloth, while the capsule container and the drip tray should be washer regularly with water (they should never be put in the dishwasher).

The machine has an automatic self-cleaning feature that can be started by pressing the on/off button 3 times over a 2 seconds period. The orange light will blink throughout the cleaning cycle, which can take up to 5 minutes. The cleaning cycle can be stopped at any time by pressing the on/off button once.

During this cleaning cycle, the machine runs clean water through its inner system and then throws it out through the pouring outlet. I have to make sure that I have placed a recipient under the pouring outlet during this process, so that the dumped water could be collected.

The machine is also equipped with a descaling alert. The light will become green and light simultaneously. The machine can only be used a few more times after the alert comes on and before the descaling becomes mandatory. To descale the Nespresso VertuoPlus Deluxe, I just need to follow the steps described in the user’s manual. It is recommended to use only descaling solution and to never use vinegar for descaling this machine.

Customer-reported technical issues

This Nespresso VertoPlus Deluxe review comes only after a couple of weeks of testing this product. I have personally not encountered any challenges or problems with the unit. The machine comes with 1-year warranty, which appears to be a standard these days.

One of the main issues consumers report about this machine is water or coffee leaking from under the machine.

→ Health and safety

I was rather very disappointed about DeLonghi Nespresso VertuoPlus Deluxe. There was very little about  chemicals, materials and plastics used in this machine. I went through instructions, manuals, user guides, and Amazon’s product page.

That being said, I do not know whether this machine is BPA-free. I am not sure whether this machine uses other types of plastic, such as BHPF (fluorene-9-bisphenol), TPP (triphenyl phosphate), and bisphenol S (BPS).

What I do know is that DeLonghi Nespresso VertuoPlus Deluxe contains a lot of plastic. Therefore, I will be reaching out to DeLonghi to inquire about the materials used in this coffee maker.

Further, what I do know is that this machine utilizes aluminium pods. Thus, I strongly recommend that anyone who thinks about purchasing a machine that uses coffee pods should first do a thorough research on the health and environmental concerns that have been associated with the use of coffee pod brewers over the years.

→ Price to value: is Nespresso VertuoPlus Deluxe worth the money?

Nespresso VertuoPlus Deluxe sells anywhere between mid-$$$ to high-$$$$ price point. The price depends on the manufacturer (DeLonghi vs Breville).  In my opinion, Nespresso caused a lot of confusion around its 3 (or, as it turns out, 4) models: Nespresso Vertuo, Nespresso Vertuo Plus, and Nespresso VertuoPlus Deluxe (by Breville and DeLonghi).

The machines sell at different prices, but they appear to be virtually the same. They come with a slightly different design and sizes. However, the core features remain the same.

Should I buy Nespresso VertuoPlus Deluxe? Owly’s verdict! 🔨

When I purchased this product, I was interested in how I could benefit from paying more for this deluxe Nespresso machine. Would it offer a faster brewing time, better coffee extraction technology, perhaps coffee grounds?

As I attempted to show in this Nespresso VertuoPlus Deluxe review, though the coffee machine is rather attractive and well-designed, we did not find any incremental value in it, when compared with a more affordable Nespresso Vertuo.

In my opinion, Nespresso VertuoPlus Deluxe is eerily similar to its sister versions, VertuoPlus and Vertuo. Given that the features are extremely similar, we would strongly recommend the least expensive Breville Nespresso Vertuo, which we reviewed thoroughly before. Even with aeroccino (a milk frother), Breville Nespresso Vertuo is still less expensive than either VertuoPlus or VertuoPlus Deluxe.

Will you get Nespresso VertuoPlus Deluxe? Are you also confused about the Nespresso Vertuo line? What was your experience with Nespresso VertuoPlus Deluxe? Do you love coffee brewed from capsules? Let us know your thoughts in the comments, under this Nespresso VertuoPlus Deluxe review!