When you first look at the Nespresso Evoluo vs VertuoLine you will be left asking yourself, other than the squared-off edges of the Evoluo, are they really different? They are both members of Nespresso’s Vertuo line of coffee machines so they have a number of similarities but they also feature a few differences. In the showdown: Evoluo vs. VertuoLine, think of the Evoluo as the upgraded, better version of the original VertuoLine.
Quick Comparison Chart
Features
Dimensions
Reservoir
Weight
Cup Sizes
Cup Support
Power Heating
Centrifusion
Capsule Capacity
Price
- Quick Comparison Chart
- Why Choose Nespresso?
- Available Models
- Design and Aesthetics
- Cup Sizes
- Ease of Use
- Brewing System
- What is the centrifusion technology?
- Automatic shutoff
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Extras
- The VertuoLine
- How does the 1st generation VertuoLine compare to the VertuoPlus?
- Nespresso Evoluo
- Evoluo vs. VertuoLine: What are the main differences?
- Which one should you choose?
Why Choose Nespresso?
Nespresso brings all of the advantages of espresso without any of the work. Nespresso uses a capsule system, similar to the Keurig K cup system to brew your espresso shot at the touch of a button.
These capsules are essentially small pressure vessels which function in a similar way to the manual operation of an espresso machine The capsule is placed in the Nespresso coffee machine and is pierced by several small needles.
Nespresso machines then force water, heated to 199.4 degrees, through the ground coffee using a high-pressure pump. Pressure of up to 19 bars is forced through the capsule, generating a crema incomparable to other capsule coffee machines.
Available Models
| Vertuo | The timeless retro machine that launched the Vertuo line |
| VertuoPlus | Utilizes an automatic opening feature |
| VertuoPlus Deluxe | The newer, upgraded version of the VertuoPlus |
| VertuoNext | Nespresso’s newest and smallest machine |
| Evoluo | Square topped, improved version of the original Vertuo |
Design and Aesthetics
Both the Nespresso VertuoLine and the Evoluo are single serve coffee makers with a similar design. They both have a removable water tank on the left side that is easily accessible, making refilling, emptying, and cleaning simple and easy. You will want to refill the machines often since neither the VertuoLine or the Evoluo have water filters.
The right side has a container that collects used capsules which will hold up to 14 empty capsules before reaching capacity.
Both machines are similar in size and weight with the vertuo being a little smaller and one pound lighter. When it comes down to it, neither machine will take up a tremendous amount of counter space and will clear your cabinets.
When it comes to basic aesthetics, the Vertuo is rounder in shape while the Evoluo is a bit more squared off so if you prefer straight lines, the Evoluo is going to be right up your alley.
Cup Sizes
Both Nespresso VertuoLine and Evoluo offer a 7.77 ounce coffee size and a 1.35 ounce espresso size but the Evoluo offers a total of 5 cup sizes (1.35 oz., 2.70 oz., 5 oz., 8 oz., and 14 oz.) while the original VertuoLine only offered 2 cup sizes.
Nespresso quickly realized this design flaw with the VertuoLine and allowed for 5 cup sizes when they came out with the VertuoPlus (a newer version of the original VertuoLine).
The cup holder on Nespresso machines is adjustable to accommodate different mug sizes and you can remove it altogether to fit a travel thermos.
Ease of Use
Both machines are designed to offer simple operation. Pop in a capsule and at the touch of a button your coffee will be brewing. You don’t even have to empty the capsule as it will be discarded into the used capsule container on the right side of the machine. The simple to use buttons are also clearly labeled to ensure you know exactly what amount you are brewing.
Brewing System
When it comes to great tasting coffee, a number of factors must be considered. In addition to the quality of the beans, grind size, and water quality, the system used to brew the coffee is a major factor. Nespresso avoids the pump traditionally used by coffee makers and instead uses centrifusion technology to extract the coffee from the capsule.
Consistency in temperature is another key element in brewing and when it comes down to it, the Evoluo beats the original VertuoLine hands down in this department.
If the water temperature is too hot, the coffee will be over extracted and if the temperature is too cold, the coffee will be under extracted. Either way, the resulting coffee is substandard.
The original VertuoLine had a major design flaw in which the water simply did not get hot enough. Nespresso set out to correct this issue and the Evoluo was born. The Evoluo was designed to address the water temperature issue as well as continue to improve on the original VertuoLine. Since then, Nespresso has continued to develop its machines with the VertuoPlus and the VertuoNext.
What is the centrifusion technology?
Centrifusion technology is the patented system Nespresso machines use to brew their coffee. The word is a catchy combination of “centrifugal” and “infusion” since the machine spins the capsule rapidly in order to infuse the water with the coffee.
The machine reads the barcode printed around the rim of the capsule and then rotates it at around 700 rotations per minute. This rotation is automatically adjusted to the parameters for the particular capsule based on the capsules barcode. The result is gently brewed coffee extracted to perfection.
Automatic shutoff
Both machines have been streamlined and simplified by eliminating unnecessary buttons. Neither machine has an On/Off switch or button which can leave some confused on how to turn the machine off.
Nespresso has programmed all of its espresso machines to turn off after 9 minutes of inactivity in order to save energy automatically. If you would like to turn it off as soon as you are finished brewing (saving additional energy), simply hold down the only button on the machine for three seconds and it will power off.
Cleaning and Maintenance
Unlike other coffee and espresso machines, Nespresso has made cleaning and maintaining your machine simple and almost completely hands off. At the end of each brewing cycle, Nespresso machines automatically eject the spent coffee capsule into a collection box on the side of the machine. The collection box holds up to 13 used nespresso capsules so you only have to empty it once every one to two weeks depending on your coffee consumption.
Nespresso machines also come with a cleaning function. When activated, the machine will pump water from the take to clean the internal system and through the coffee spout. The procedure takes around 5 minutes to complete in total and will repeat 3 times during the 5 minute time period. If you don’t have time to wait the full 5 minutes, the cleaning procedure can be stopped at any time by pressing the start button.
When it is time to descale the machine, the coffee maker will alert you when it is time and prompt you to perform a descaling cleaning. Nespresso does not recommend using vinegar like many machines do. They instead recommend using the Nespresso descaling solution kit to make sure the internal workings of the machine are not damaged and to ensure each cup of coffee is as great tasting as the last.
Extras
Both machines come with a pack of capsules and a milk frother to get you started but we recommend stocking up on extra Nespresso capsules because that pack isn’t going to last very long!
The VertuoLine
The VertuoLine by Nespresso is a great coffee and espresso maker that allows you to make your favorite coffee beverage with no barista skills required. This machine uses patented Nespresso coffee capsules imprinted with a barcode around the rim. Once you insert the capsule into the machine, it reads the barcode and identifies the type of capsule placed into the machine. Nespresso’s technology then adjusts the machine settings to brew the perfect cup of coffee or the perfect shot of espresso.
All VertuoLine coffee makers use Nespresso’s patented Centrifusion technology to brew a great cup of coffee, as well as espresso with a thick, rich crema.
The original VertuoLIne only offers two cup sizes but the newer models have upped the cup size options to 5 different sizes. This machine is fast too. It will brew your favorite cup of coffee in only 15 seconds. Be forewarned, the original VertuoLine had a design flaw that didn’t get the water quite hot enough for some coffee drinkers but the VertuoPlus and the VertuoNext have addressed this water temperature problem.
The coffee maker features a 40 oz. water tank so you can brew several cups between refills and the convenient used capsule container holds up to 13 used capsules. The motorized head will even automatically discard the spent capsules into the drawer for you. It just doesn’t get any easier than that!
The only downside is that the VertuoLine can only use VertuoLine Nespresso capsules due to Nespresso’s barcode technology. There are some third party capsules available but be sure to read the reviews before buying because not all of them work well.
The design of the coffee maker is just as sleek as its performance. The compact machine is small enough to fit almost anywhere and the sophisticated, modern design is versatile enough to blend in to virtually any decor.
Pros
- Consistent coffee and espresso every time
- Automatic Shutoff
- Multiple coffee drink options
- Easy to use
- Easy to clean and maintain
- Energy saving
Cons
- Must use VertuoLine capsules
- The original VertuoLine doesn’t get hot enough but the newer models have fixed that problem
How does the 1st generation VertuoLine compare to the VertuoPlus?
Both the original VertuoLine and the VertuoPlus are members of the Vertuo line of Nespresso machines and therefore have a number of similarities. They are both about the same size, they both use Nespresso Vertuo capsules exclusively, and they both use Nespresso’s patented Centrifusion technology.
Two of the main differences are the temperature control and cup size options The VertuoPlus fix the defect in the original VertuoLine that prevented the water from getting hot enough for some coffee drinkers and the VertuoPlus also extended the cup size offerings from 2 sizes to 5 different sizes.
Other differences are the Vertuo holds up to 13 spent capsules in the discard drawer while the VertuoPlus only holds up to 10 and the VertuoPlus is slightly more energy efficient, using only 1300 watts compared to the original VertuoLine’s 1350 watts.
Nespresso Evoluo
Evoluo vs. VertuoLine: What are the main differences?
While the Evoluo and the VertuoLine are both members of Nespresso’s Vertuo series of coffee makers, the Evoluo has improved upon the original VertuoLine. Think of it as the VertuoLine 2.0.
Power Heating System
The Nespresso VertuoLine has a major design flaw. Although it comes equipped with a 1350 watt heating element, many customers complained that it will brew warm coffee but NOT hot coffee. The Evoluo addressed this issue head on by increasing the wattage of the power heating system from 1350 watts to 1600 watts, producing a piping hot cup of coffee.
The Evoluo also decreased its brewing time. While it still takes about 45 seconds to warm up, it can brew a cup of coffee in only 15 seconds as opposed to the Vertuo’s 20 seconds.
Increased water capacity
The Evoluo also increased its water capacity. No one wants to have to refill the water reservoir after every few cups of coffee. A larger water reservoir simply saves you time and in today’s world, time is money! The Evoluo has a water reservoir that holds 54 ounces of water compared to the VertuoLine’s 40 ounces. While this may not seem like a lot, but it equates to 2 extra mugs of coffee, saving you time with fewer refills.
Motorized head
The VertuoPlus, an upgraded version of the original VertuoLine offers a motorized head that opens and closes the machine at the push of a button. This motorized head also punctures the capsule automatically, meaning you no longer need to manually force the lid down to puncture the capsule. While this feature has no effect on the quality of the coffee, it is a convenient feature that is nice to have.
Larger automatic capsule disposal
The Evoluo continues to save you time by offering a larger automatic capsule disposal drawer. The VertuoLine’s disposal drawer is quite generous, holding up to 13 spent capsules, but the Evoluo will hold up to 17. If you have a large coffee consumption habit, this feature is something to consider since you get 4 extra cups before you need to empty the drawer.
Better mug size versatility
The mug support on the VertuoLine offers three different positions to accommodate different mug sizes but the Evoluo once again outdoes the Vertuo with 4 separate positions and you can even remove the support to accommodate a travel mug. If you use the exact same cup each day, this feature may not matter but if you have coffee mugs in various sizes or use a travel mug frequently, this feature alone may edge out the VertuoLine.
Price
The price of each machine varies greatly depending on which retailer you choose to purchase from but in general, the Evoluo is going to be slightly more. This increased price however, comes with more cup sizes, more mug size versatility, more power, and hotter coffee that brews a little faster.
Which one should you choose?
The final verdict between the Evoluo vs. VertuoLine? The Evoluo is our winner
If you are on a tight budget and don’t mind coffee that is not super hot, the VertuoLine is still a great machine but if you can afford to spend a little extra, we think the Evoluo is well worth the price.
