Nespresso VertuoLine vs OriginalLine

Nespresso makes two lines of coffee machines: OriginalLine which brews espresso drinks only and VertuoLine which brews both espresso and coffee. Each line requires different capsules so it's important to note that when you buy a Nespresso machine you aren’t just buying the machine, you’re also buying the Nespresso capsule experience. If you are a techie, think open source (OriginalLine) vs close source or proprietary (VertuoLine).

Before you commit to a machine make sure you know the pros and cons of each system. In our opinion these include:

• Costs
• Varieties
• Health & Environment

COST

 If you plan to drink mostly espresso base drinks expect to pay up to 20% more for the same coffee with a VertuoLine machine. 20% might not sound like much but it adds up quickly and it’s exactly the same coffee just in a different container. Furthermore, the difference is more than 50% if you take into account the fact that VertuoLine is a close system meaning you can only buy VertuoLine capsules from Nespresso and no one else.

The table below shows the average annual cost for Nespresso OriginalLine, VertuoLine and OriginalLine Alternative capsules compared to a daily coffee at your local coffee shop.

VARIETIES

VertuoLine Capsule (left) available from Nespresso. OriginalLine capsule (right) available from Nespresso as well as hundred of other vendors worldwide. 

The selection of capsule for VertuoLine is minuscule at best compared to the OriginalLine capsules produced by not only Nespresso but also other third party companies. It almost seems like a new company enters the Nespresso compatible maker every day with a new line of alternative capsules. Nespresso's approach with the VertuoLine is very similar to the approach taken by Keurig Green Mountain's Brewer 2.0 after the public was disenchanted with the 2.0's new technology to lock out "unauthorized" single-server coffee pods - in other word, pods from companies without a licensing deal with Keurig. On this fact alone it's no wonder most consumers are sticking to the OriginalLine over VertuoLine even when Nespresso is practically giving away these machines.

HEALTH & ENVIRONMENT

Lastly but certainly not least, VertuoLine capsules are NOT Organic, Fair Trade or NON-GMO verified. If you purchase a VertuoLine machine and want organic coffee you are simply out of luck. At the time of this writing there are more than ten third party companies producing organic capsules for Nespresso OriginalLine machines worldwide.

* Organic, Fair Trade, UTZ and NON GMO Certified coffee are not available from Nespresso ;however, they are available from 3rd party Nespresso compatible capsules producers such are Artizan Coffee.

In conclusion, if you are an early adopter of new technology and are an avid coffee drinker, you’ll likely find the VertuoLine to be a welcome addition to your collection. With this said, there are a few very important factors to consider such as cost, variety and healthier coffee options.