SOME MORE Comparison · Nespresso
Nespresso Original vs Vertuo: one brand, different coffee
Both machines say Nespresso on the front and the capsules look vaguely similar, so for a while I assumed Vertuo was just "newer." It isn't the same thing at all, and once I understood how each one works the difference in the cup made sense.
How they actually brew
Original pushes hot water through the capsule at high pressure — the classic espresso method. You choose the volume (ristretto, espresso, lungo) and it forces water through a fixed puck.
Vertuo spins the capsule fast while injecting water, and reads a barcode around the rim to set the volume for that specific coffee. That spin is why a Vertuo cup has a thick layer of crema even in a big mug: it's whipping in air, not just pressing.
In the cup
| Original (espresso, 40 ml) | Vertuo (230 ml) | |
|---|---|---|
| Aroma | 4 | 3 |
| Acidity | 4 | 3 |
| Body | 4 | 3 |
| Finish | 4 | 3 |
| Total | 16 / 20 | 12 / 20 |
The Original espresso is more intense — the flavour is concentrated into 40 ml and the crema is tight and dark. It tastes like a small strong coffee should. The Vertuo is smoother and rounder but also more diluted; it's a lovely big morning cup and a poor after-dinner espresso. The foam is prettier and, to my taste, slightly papery when it's very thick.
Short version: Original when I want espresso, Vertuo when I want a mug to hold. Scoring them on one scale is almost unfair — they're aiming at different cups.
Small things I noticed
- Vertuo capsules are bigger and there are fewer third-party refillable options, so you're more locked in.
- The Original warms up faster and is quieter. The Vertuo's spin-up is a distinct whir.
- Reheating a cooled Vertuo cup in the microwave ruins it; the Original espresso is meant to be drunk immediately anyway.
If someone could only have one and mostly drinks long black coffee, I'd point them at the Vertuo. For anyone who wants actual espresso, the Original wins and it isn't close.