Nespresso Vertuo Up vs Nespresso CitiZ
Quick take: The Nespresso Vertuo Up costs $20 less; the Nespresso Vertuo Up heats up faster (3 seconds).
| Spec | Nespresso Vertuo Up | Nespresso CitiZ |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $229 | $249 |
| Rating | 4.3★ (133) | 4.5★ (979) |
| Type | Pod/Capsule | Pod/Capsule |
| Boiler | Thermoblock | Thermoblock |
| Built-in grinder | No | No |
| Pump pressure | — | 19 bar |
| Water capacity | 47 oz | 34 oz |
| Warm-up time | 3 seconds | 25 seconds |
| Steam wand | — | — |
| Basket type | — | — |
| Best for | Iced coffee fans | Design-Conscious Espresso Drinkers |
| Dimensions | 8.7 x 15.4 x 10.1 in | 5.1 x 14.6 x 10.9 in |
| Weight | 9 lbs | 7.5 lbs |
| Warranty | 1 year | 1 year |
Pros & cons
Nespresso Vertuo Up
- ✓Ready to brew in about 3 seconds - among the fastest startups of any capsule machine
- ✓Coffee Creations button brews a more concentrated shot designed to stand up to ice
- ✓47 oz water tank rotates to the back or either side to fit tight counters
- ✓App lets you tweak cup size and temperature per capsule, a first for entry Vertuo machines
- ✗Centrifugal spinning instead of a 19-bar pump - frothy crema, not true espresso
- ✗At $229 it costs nearly double the Vertuo Pop+ for the same core brewing
- ✗Locked into Nespresso's pricier Vertuo capsules with no third-party options
- ✗No milk frothing on board - lattes require a separate Aeroccino or frother
Nespresso CitiZ
- ✓Real 19-bar pump extraction of OriginalLine capsules delivers proper crema-topped espresso
- ✓34 oz water tank brews roughly ten shots between refills - noticeably more than the Pixie
- ✓Folding cup tray fits tall latte glasses under the spout, rare for a slim pod machine
- ✓OriginalLine format accepts cheap third-party capsules from dozens of roasters
- ✗No milk frothing built in - the Aeroccino bundle pushes the price near $300
- ✗Only two cup sizes (espresso and lungo), so no barcode-style automatic drink variety
- ✗Drip tray area stains and shows spills quickly on the glossy finish
- ✗Costs more than the Essenza Plus while making functionally identical shots