[summary] Best pod coffee machine under £100 by some distance Makes a proper crema without any effort on your part The pods cost more than ground coffee — that's the trade-off [/summary]
What we tested
Two weeks, two households. One tester who drinks three coffees a day and has strong opinions about crema. One who just wants caffeine in the morning without thinking about it. Both came away impressed, which is not always the case with pod machines at this price.
The Vertuo Pop is Nespresso's entry-level Vertuo machine. It uses centrifusion technology — the pod spins at up to 7,000 rpm while water is forced through it — rather than the high-pressure system used in the Original line. The result is a thicker crema and a rounder cup than you'd expect at this price.
Coffee quality
Better than it has any right to be for under £100. The crema is thick and consistent. The espresso shots are smooth without being flat. The larger cup sizes — alto and mug — hold up reasonably well, which is more than you can say for most pod machines when you push them past a double.
It only works with Vertuo pods, which are more expensive per cup than Original line pods or ground coffee. That's the honest trade-off. If you drink a lot of coffee, the ongoing cost adds up. If you want good coffee with zero effort, it's worth it.
Speed and ease of use
Ready in 30 seconds from cold. One button. The machine reads the barcode on the pod and adjusts everything automatically. You put the pod in, press the button, drink the coffee. There is genuinely nothing else to learn.
The drip tray is easy to remove and clean. The water tank holds 560ml, which is on the small side if you're making multiple cups, but fine for one or two people.
Design and size
Small enough to fit on most kitchen counters without dominating them. The Pop comes in several colours, which is either a selling point or irrelevant depending on how you feel about kitchen aesthetics. Build quality is decent for the price — it feels solid, not cheap.
The cord is short, which is annoying if your plug socket isn't close to your counter. Minor complaint, but worth knowing.
Should you buy it
If you want good coffee quickly and don't want to learn anything about coffee, yes. The Vertuo Pop is the easiest entry point into genuinely decent pod coffee.
If you already own a Nespresso Original machine, there's no reason to switch — the pod ranges aren't compatible and the Original pods are cheaper.
If you're a coffee purist who wants full control over grind, extraction time, and temperature, this isn't for you. But you already knew that.