Nespresso Vertuo vs Original
Two Nespresso systems that don’t share pods. The right one depends on whether you drink espressos or mugs of coffee, and how much you care about pod prices.
Last updated: September 2026
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The short answer
Original if you mostly drink espresso-style coffee and want cheap pods: lots of brands and supermarkets make compatible capsules. Vertuo if you want a big mug of coffee at the touch of a button: the machine reads each pod’s barcode and brews the right size, but only Nespresso sells Vertuo pods.
Side by side
| Original | Vertuo | |
|---|---|---|
| How it brews | 19-bar pump, like espresso | Spins the pod (Centrifusion), reads a barcode |
| Cup sizes | Espresso, lungo (top up for a long black) | Espresso up to a large mug |
| Pods | Nespresso plus many compatible brands | Nespresso only |
| Cost per cup | Lower with third-party pods | Higher (Nespresso pods only) |
| Crema | Espresso-style | Tall and foamy |
| Best for | Espresso and milk drinks | Mug-of-coffee drinkers |
Choose Original if…
- You drink espresso, cappuccino or latte
- You want supermarket or third-party pods
- Running cost matters
Choose Vertuo if…
- You want a large mug of coffee without faff
- You like one-button simplicity
- You're happy buying pods from Nespresso
The machines
- 19-bar pump
- Espresso & lungo
- Compatible with third-party pods
The smallest, cheapest way into Nespresso Original, and compatible with most supermarket pods.
£113.95
- 19-bar pump
- Retro design
- Third-party pods
The longer-running Original machine with a bigger tank than the Essenza Mini.
£174
- Barcode brewing
- Espresso to mug sizes
- Nespresso pods only
The cheapest Vertuo machine, for one-button mugs of coffee.
£98.98Frequently asked questions
Can you use Original pods in a Vertuo machine?
No. Vertuo and Original pods are different shapes and sizes; each machine only takes its own system's pods.
Which Nespresso is cheaper to run?
Usually Original, because supermarkets and other brands sell compatible pods, often for less than Nespresso's own.
Does Vertuo make proper espresso?
It makes an espresso-sized coffee with lots of crema, but it's brewed by spinning rather than pumping. Original is closer to traditional espresso.
Related guides
Nespresso vs bean-to-cup · Descale a Nespresso · Espresso machine vs bean-to-cup · Best coffee machines
How we write these: we don’t lab-test machines. Guides are based on manufacturer manuals and published specifications, and picks on specs, brand reputation and UK availability. How we choose.