The Vertuo Pop sits at the bottom of Nespresso’s Vertuo range. Larger Vertuo machines add bigger water tanks and more premium finishes, while the Original line from Nespresso uses different, smaller pods and is designed around a shorter, more traditional espresso. The Pop trades size and finish for price and compactness.
New to home espresso? Start with our first home espresso setup guide.
Beyond pods, the usual alternatives are a bean-to-cup machine, which costs far more and takes up more room, or a manual espresso machine, which needs skill and a separate grinder. If you want the widest choice of coffee and lower cost per cup, those routes win. If you want speed, no mess and the smallest footprint, the Pop is hard to beat. Our best pod coffee machines UK 2026 guide compares the field, and our best bean-to-cup machines for a busy household guide covers the step up. For a manual alternative, see our Sage Barista Express vs Touch comparison: https://www.kitchen-kit.co.uk/sage-barista-express-vs-touch/
Design and size: the reason most people buy it
This is where the Pop earns its place. It is narrow and short, so it fits into gaps where other machines simply will not. It is light enough to move, and the lightweight plastic body comes in a range of bright colours, so it can look like part of the room rather than a piece of kit.
Operation is as simple as it gets. Pop a pod in, close the lid, press the single button. The machine reads a barcode on the pod and adjusts the brewing to suit that blend, so there are no settings to learn. Amazon lists a heat-up time of about 30 seconds, which suits a busy morning.
- Footprint: among the smallest full-featured pod machines you can buy.
- Controls: one button, barcode-reading pods, no menus.
- Colours: several bright options, sold as separate listings.
- Trade-off: the water tank is small, so expect to refill it more often than on larger Vertuo machines.
In the cup: coffee quality and crema
Vertuo machines spin the pod at speed to brew, which produces a thick layer of crema. In the cup, that means smooth, foamy, longer drinks, and it is where the Pop is at its best. Mugs of coffee and larger drinks taste good and look the part, with a generous crema layer.
It does not make a true, tight, short espresso the way the Original Nespresso system does. Vertuo espresso-sized drinks are gentler and airier than the punchy ones you get from an Original machine or a traditional espresso machine. If a short, intense shot is what you love, this is the wrong system for you.
Amazon lists the machine as brewing up to six cup sizes, with pods identifying the right size automatically. Milk drinks are possible by adding your own frothed milk, though the Pop does not have a steam wand or built-in frother. Some retailers sell it in a bundle with a separate milk frother, which is worth considering if you like lattes.
Pods and running costs
This is the honest downside. The Pop only works with Nespresso Vertuo pods, and those are more expensive than many third-party pod alternatives and far more expensive than buying beans. Nespresso sells a wide range of blends, with over 30 available, and you can order them directly or find them in shops, but you cannot shop around for cheaper compatible pods in the way you can with some other systems.
Think about the true cost of ownership, not just the machine price. A cheap machine paired with pricey pods costs more over a couple of years than a more expensive bean-to-cup machine bought to run on beans. If you make one or two coffees a day, the convenience may be worth it. If you make four or five, do the sums first. Pods are recyclable through Nespresso’s collection scheme, which is a plus, but it does require a small effort from you.
- Best for: light to moderate coffee drinkers who value convenience.
- Less suited to: heavy drinkers and anyone counting the cost per cup.
Living with it day to day
The Pop is simple to live with. Filling the tank, dropping in a pod and pressing a button becomes second nature. Used pods drop into an internal container, which needs emptying every so often. The machine is light and made largely of plastic, so it feels less premium than pricier Vertuo models, but it is fine for what it costs.
Descaling is needed periodically, as with any machine that heats water. The small tank is the main day-to-day irritation, particularly in a household where several people drink coffee. It is also worth noting that stock and colour availability move around, so if you have your heart set on a specific colour, check the listing.
- Pros: tiny footprint, one-touch operation, generous crema, quick heat-up, colourful.
- Cons: not a true espresso, Vertuo pods only, small water tank, pods cost more than beans or third-party pods.
Is the Nespresso Vertuo Pop worth it?
Yes, for the right person. If you live in a flat, have a cramped kitchen or simply want the least effort between you and a decent mug of coffee, the Pop is one of the easiest recommendations we can make. The machine itself is affordable and it looks good.
It is not for espresso purists, people who want to keep running costs low, or anyone who dislikes being tied to one brand’s pods. If that is you, look at a bean-to-cup machine or a manual espresso machine instead.
Nespresso Vertuo Pop (ENV90.B, Black)
The listing we checked is the black Vertuo Pop made by De’Longhi for Nespresso, model ENV90.B, with a 12-pod discovery box included. It was in stock at about £69 with a 4.1 star average from 799 ratings. Colours and bundles are listed separately and prices vary, so check the live listing.
FAQ
Does the Nespresso Vertuo Pop make real espresso?
Not in the traditional sense. It makes crema-topped, gentler Vertuo-style drinks rather than a short, tight espresso like the Original Nespresso system.
Can I use Original Nespresso pods in the Vertuo Pop?
No. The Vertuo Pop only works with Nespresso Vertuo pods, which are a different shape and size from Original pods. Third-party reusable adapters exist, but we would not rely on them.
How much do Vertuo pods cost?
Pod prices vary by blend and by how many you buy, and they are more than many third-party pods. Check Nespresso’s current prices before working out your cost per cup.
Is the Vertuo Pop good for small kitchens?
Yes. That is its main selling point. It is narrow and short enough to fit into the corner of a small worktop.
Can the Vertuo Pop make milky coffees?
Not by itself. There is no steam wand or frother, so you will need to add warmed or frothed milk separately, or buy a bundle that includes a frother.
