Nespresso Vertuo vs Original: Which System Should You Choose?

If you have been looking at Nespresso machines and wondering "Vertuo or Original — which one should I buy?", you are not alone. These two lines share the Nespresso brand, but they use different capsule shapes, different extraction technologies, and excel at making very different styles of coffee.

Choosing the wrong system is a decision you cannot undo without buying a new machine. This article explains the differences in full, so you can choose confidently.

The Most Important Thing to Know First: Capsules Are Not Compatible

The single most important fact about these two systems is that Vertuo and Original capsules are completely incompatible. A Vertuo machine only accepts Vertuo capsules. An Original machine only accepts Original capsules. There is no workaround, and this cannot be changed after purchase.

Everything else — extraction method, coffee sizes, pricing — is secondary to this. Choose your system before you buy, because switching means starting over.

How the Two Systems Extract Coffee

Original System: High-Pressure Pump

The Original system uses a 19-bar pump to force hot water through the capsule at high pressure — the same principle as a traditional espresso machine.

• Extracts concentrated espresso in 25–30 seconds
• Produces a rich crema (espresso foam) on top
• Designed primarily for espresso and lungo (two sizes)
• All capsules are the same physical size

Vertuo System: Centrifugal Extraction (Centrifusion)

Vertuo uses a proprietary technology called Centrifusion. The machine reads a barcode on each capsule and automatically sets the extraction parameters — no manual adjustment required.

• Spins the capsule at high speed while injecting water (centrifugal extraction)
• Barcode on each capsule tells the machine exactly how to brew it
• Supports 5 sizes: espresso 40ml through mug 414ml
• Five different capsule sizes, one for each brew volume

Representative Machines Compared

Vertuo System: Vertuo Next

The Vertuo Next is the current standard Vertuo machine. It supports all five cup sizes: espresso 40ml, double espresso 80ml, gran lungo 150ml, coffee 230ml, and mug 414ml. This range makes it genuinely versatile — capable of producing both a concentrated espresso shot and a full mug of filter-style coffee.

The barcode-based automatic extraction keeps the operation extremely simple. Insert a capsule, press a button, and the machine handles everything else.

Vertuo System: Vertuo Pop (Entry Model)

The entry-level Vertuo machine. Functionality is equivalent to the Next, but at a lower price with a more compact footprint and more color options. If you want to try the Vertuo system without committing to the higher-end model, the Pop is the natural starting point.

Original System: Essenza Mini

The smallest machine in the Original lineup. Despite its size, it delivers proper 19-bar espresso with a well-formed crema. Ideal for daily espresso drinkers and anyone with limited counter space.

The grey colorway of the Essenza Mini. The muted finish integrates easily into most kitchen aesthetics and makes a practical gift option.

Capsule Selection and Cost

	Vertuo	Original
Capsule price (each)	approx. ¥90–130	approx. ¥80–120
Per box (10 capsules)	¥900–1,300	¥800–1,200
Number of varieties	40+	60+
Third-party capsules	Not available (official only)	Some available

Original has a longer history, which translates into more capsule varieties and slightly lower prices. Third-party compatible capsules also exist for the Original system, expanding your choices further.

Vertuo's Centrifusion mechanism makes producing compatible third-party capsules technically difficult, so the system is effectively official-only. If capsule variety matters to you, Original has a clear advantage.

Which System Should You Choose?

Choose Vertuo if:

• You typically drink American-style coffee or prefer a larger mug
• You prefer something closer to filter coffee than concentrated espresso
• You want the simplest possible operation with no adjustment required

Choose Original if:

• You love espresso, cappuccino, or lattes
• You want a wider selection of capsule flavors
• You want to keep machine costs low

Summary Comparison

	Vertuo	Original
Extraction method	Centrifusion (centrifugal)	High-pressure pump (19 bar)
Strengths	Full range from espresso to mug	Espresso and lungo
Capsule cost	Slightly higher	Standard
Capsule variety	40+ varieties	60+ varieties
Machine price	¥15,000–30,000	¥7,000–20,000
Third-party capsules	Not available	Some available
Ease of use	Fully automatic	Simple

If you already know what kind of coffee you enjoy most, the decision is straightforward. Espresso drinkers should choose Original. Those who prefer a larger, filter-style cup should choose Vertuo. Start from that preference and everything else follows.