Perk up! Amazon's selling our favorite single-serve coffee maker for $50-off

Any daily coffee drinker knows that the window of time between waking up and inhaling that first whiff of java is, to put it mildly, a challenge. And the fact that we, in our groggy state, have to go through the steps of preparing said cup of coffee before we've been properly caffeinated? In the words of Stephanie Tanner, "How rude!" Of course, grinding one's own beans and fiddling around with filters is one way to do it, but if you're looking for a reliable, no-fuss and, most importantly, speedy method, the Nespresso Vertuo Plus has your name on it. Senior Home Editor Jessica Dodell-Feder named it the "best single-serve coffee maker overall," after putting a slew of popular brands to the test, saying it brews "high-quality cups of drip coffee and espresso in mere minutes." But here's something that'll really wake you up — it's currently on sale for $119 (from $169) at Amazon.

Why is it a good deal? 💰

Upon consulting my price trackers, I determined that this coffee maker is within $9 of its best price of 2025 — and it's only dipped that low a handful of times. Plus, if you're used to spending $4 or more on your morning joe from a café every day, this will save you money in the long run. Dodell-Feder does note: "Keep in mind that Nespresso Vertuo pods (of which there are many delicious variations!) cost more than $1 each, so while using one is cheaper than buying a latte every day, this machine is an investment." It does include a starter set of assorted flavors to try.

Why do I need this? 🤔

According to Dodell-Feder, the Nespresso Vertuo Plus earns high marks in user-friendliness, coffee quality and aesthetics. "The VertuoPlus makes the coffee-brewing experience as easy as possible," she says. "You push just one button to operate it, and there's a mechanism that automatically tosses your used pod into a receptacle inside the machine."

Because it brews one cup of coffee at a time, you and your family members can choose which flavors you'd like, rather than compromising on one pot. "Nespresso VertuoLine coffee machines use pods printed with a bar code that indicates the type of drink it makes," Dodell-Feder explains. "There are espresso pods for shots of espresso, coffee pods for an 8-ounce mug of joe and so on. Pop in the pod you want, and the machine automatically adjusts to brew your desired drink. Note that all Nespresso drinks are brewed with a layer of crema on top — I found it added to each cup's richness, but if that's not for you, you may prefer a machine that uses K-Cups."

Now, looks aren't everything, but if you're going to have a countertop appliance on display at all times, you want it to be attractive. Luckily, Dodell-Feder says this isn't an issue: "I adore the sleek look of the VertuoPlus ... and how compact it is for such a powerful machine. The 40-ounce water tank is movable — you can swing it to either side of the machine or keep it tucked behind it."

As for maintenance? "The VertuoPlus requires minimal upkeep: Just empty the used-pod receptacle, which holds about 10 pods, and descale (aka deep clean) every three months or 300 pods," she notes, adding, "One of my issues with single-serve machines is the amount of waste they produce, much more than a drip coffee maker that uses grounds. Many companies have tried to combat this with a reusable single-serve filter that you fill with grounds, but Nespresso only offers single-use aluminum pods. Not ideal — but at least the company offers a recycling program. You can drop off used pods at 250-plus locations or order free recycling bags with prepaid UPS labels. If you live in NYC or Jersey City, N.J., you can toss used pods in your curbside blue recycling bins."

What reviewers say 💬

More than 13,000 caffeinated Amazon customers are buzzing about the Nespresso Vertuo Plus.

Pros 👍

"I love Nespresso, and it was time for an upgrade from our older model," shared a brand loyalist. "If you haven't tried the Nespresso machines and you love coffee, I highly recommend you consider this one. There is no spillage, you get amazing coffee and it looks sleek, so it will look nice on your kitchen counters."

"I've been using it daily for a few months now, and it still works like new," said a second satisfied sipper. "It feels sturdy and well-made, and the motorized lid is super smooth. ... It's quieter than I expected. You can hear the pods spinning, but it's not loud or annoying at all — perfect for early mornings without waking the whole house. ... It doesn’t take up much space at all. The water tank swivels, which is great for tight counters, and the whole machine has a slim, vertical footprint."

"After vacationing at a resort in Sedona, AZ, and having this Nespresso machine in my room, I bought one immediately upon returning home and never looked back," wrote a wowed wanderer. "Love, love, love this coffee/espresso machine. So easy to use and zero cleanup. The coffee is delicious and [I] love the crema."

Cons 👎

"The taste of this coffee is so much better than the other K-Cup/pod coffee," praised a mostly pleased pourer. "It is so good that I drink the coffee black. The only negative with this machine is that it tops out on the 7.7-ounce pods; it will not do the 18-ounce pods."

"Beautiful design, amazing engineering and fabulous coffee," raved a final fan. "Coffee pods are definitely pricey, but worth it. Very easy to set up and use. Wish they would develop more flavors in decaf coffee, though."

No, this model doesn't have a milk frother (that would be this one), but here's a fun add-on:

If you have Amazon Prime, you’ll get free shipping, of course. Not yet a member? No problem. You can sign up for your free 30-day trial here. (And by the way, those without Prime still get free shipping on orders of $35 or more.)

The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.

Looking for more great Amazon home deals? Check these out:

Vacuums

Home

Kitchen