The Nespresso Vertuo Plus is one of those machines that looks clean, feels convenient, and promises great coffee with almost no effort. I get why people consider it. I have spent years trying, testing, and upgrading home coffee setups, and I understand the appeal of something that claims to take the guesswork out of brewing.
But here is the honest truth. The Vertuo Plus locks you into a system that is expensive, limiting, and produces coffee that cannot compete with a simple home brewer like the Moccamaster.
If you are thinking about buying the Vertuo Plus, here are a few things you should know first.
Though also if you want to just skip this post altogether just...
CLICK HERE AND GET A MOCCAMASTER.
Nespresso controls every Vertuo pod with a barcode system. That means only Vertuo capsules work in the machine. No third party options. No cheaper alternatives. No specialty roasters.
You are completely locked into their flavor options and their pricing. And Vertuo pods cost more per serving than most high quality whole bean coffee.
Vertuo machines use a centrifusion method that spins the capsule at high speed. It produces a big foamy crema that looks impressive at first glance. The problem is that the flavor never matches the appearance.
The coffee often tastes thin or unbalanced because the machine is deciding everything for you.
Once you taste fresh coffee from a good drip brewer or a pour over, the difference is obvious.
No way to change brew temperature.
No way to adjust extraction.
No way to pick grind size.
No way to improve your cup.
The Vertuo Plus reads a barcode and delivers a preset brew. If you care about learning coffee or dialing in a taste you love, the system stops you from doing that.
Even if you recycle the pods, you are still producing a lot of single use waste. One capsule for every cup. Every day. Every week.
Switching to a traditional brewer means you can use fresh beans, paper filters, and almost no plastic waste.
This is where I want to save people money and frustration. For the cost of a Vertuo Plus, you can get a setup that produces dramatically better coffee with the same level of simplicity.
This is the machine I use every day. It’s made in the Netherlands, built to last, and brews coffee that actually tastes like coffee. No gimmicks. No capsules. Just freshly ground beans, hot water, and a gold-standard brewing process.
Here’s why I think it’s worth the investment:
Incredible flavor: The Moccamaster consistently brings out the best in your beans. I’ve used it with dark roasts, light roasts, and everything in between. It’s the kind of machine that lets your coffee shine.
Fast and efficient: It brews a full pot in around 4 to 6 minutes. That’s quick enough for busy mornings, but still slow enough to extract great flavor.
Built to last: Each unit is hand-built and comes with a 5-year warranty. I’ve had mine for years, and it’s still going strong.
Simplicity: There are no complicated menus or buttons. Just switch it on and let it work. It does one thing really well, and that’s brew amazing coffee.
If you want a machine that will actually make you look forward to your morning cup, this is it.
🔗 Click here to explore Moccamaster models on Amazon
The Nespresso Vertuo Plus is convenient, but the convenience comes with tradeoffs. You get higher ongoing costs, lower coffee quality, and almost no control over your brew.
The Moccamaster gives you the simplicity you want with the flavor you actually deserve.
If you want help figuring out a simple and affordable home setup, I can walk you through grinders, brewers, and beans that match your budget. Just tell me what you are thinking about and I can help you dial it in.
And if the Moccamaster feels like too big of a jump right now, there are still better options out there than pod machines. But trust me, once you start brewing fresh coffee the right way, you won’t want to go back.
🔗 Click here to explore Moccamaster models on Amazon
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you buy something through them, I may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. It helps fuel the coffee, the testing, and the writing. Thanks for supporting the work.