Nespresso Vertuo Up vs Nespresso Pixie
Quick take: The Nespresso Vertuo Up heats up faster (3 seconds).
| Spec | Nespresso Vertuo Up | Nespresso Pixie |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $229 | $229 |
| Rating | 4.3★ (133) | 4.5★ (707) |
| Type | Pod/Capsule | Pod/Capsule |
| Boiler | Thermoblock | Thermoblock |
| Built-in grinder | No | No |
| Pump pressure | — | 19 bar |
| Water capacity | 47 oz | 24 oz |
| Warm-up time | 3 seconds | 25 seconds |
| Steam wand | — | — |
| Basket type | — | — |
| Best for | Iced coffee fans | Tiny Kitchens |
| Dimensions | 8.7 x 15.4 x 10.1 in | 4.4 x 12.8 x 9.3 in |
| Weight | 9 lbs | 6.6 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 Pixie
- ✓Real 19-bar pump extraction of OriginalLine capsules - proper crema, unlike centrifugal Vertuo machines
- ✓At 4.4 inches wide it squeezes into spots no other pump machine can
- ✓OriginalLine format means cheap third-party capsules from dozens of roasters work fine
- ✓Metal side panels and folding drip tray feel built to last versus plasticky rivals
- ✗Tiny 24 oz water tank empties after about five espressos
- ✗No milk frothing at all - an Aeroccino or separate frother adds $50-100
- ✗Only two cup sizes (espresso and lungo) with no ristretto button
- ✗Costs more than the newer Essenza line while making the same shots