illy X1 iPerEspresso Capsule Machine vs Nespresso Vertuo Pop Coffee Machine (2026)

✍️ By the 247Verdict Editorial Team📅 Updated 05 October 2026

Which is better? We compared both on score, owner ratings, pros and cons.

illy X1 iPerEspresso Capsule Machine

8.8/10 Great

4.4★ (4,800 owners)

19 bar, illy iPerEspresso capsules, Italian design, 1L tank, Michelin-starred coffee brand.

Full Review

Nespresso Vertuo Pop Coffee Machine

8.7/10 Great

4.5★ (18,400 owners)

Centrifusion, 5 cup sizes, 27-second heat, 5 colours. The entry Vertuo at minimum cost.

Full Review

At a Glance

	illy X1 iPerEspresso Capsule Machine	Nespresso Vertuo Pop Coffee Machine
247Verdict Score	8.8/10	8.7/10
Owner Rating	4.4★ (4,800)	4.5★ (18,400)
Verdict	Great	Great

Quick Verdict

This is a genuine draw — both score within 0.15 points of each other. illy X1 iPerEspresso Capsule Machine: 19 bar, illy iPerEspresso capsules, Italian design, 1L tank, Michelin-starred coffee brand. Nespresso Vertuo Pop Coffee Machine: Centrifusion, 5 cup sizes, 27-second heat, 5 colours. The entry Vertuo at minimum cost. Choose based on your specific needs. Check the current price on Amazon →

Pros & Cons Side by Side

illy X1 iPerEspresso Capsule Machine

illy is the coffee brand of Michelin-starred restaurants worldwide — the quality benchmark
iPerEspresso two-stage capsule extraction produces espresso with genuine professional crema
19-bar pressure matches professional espresso machine extraction standards
Italian design that sits as a kitchen statement piece
illy's 90-year commitment to espresso quality in the most convenient format

Proprietary illy iPerEspresso capsules only — ecosystem lock-in to a premium pod range
Pod costs are premium vs Nespresso — illy positions pods as premium coffee
Less variety than Nespresso's 30+ Original pod range

Nespresso Vertuo Pop Coffee Machine

Most affordable Nespresso machine at under £80
Genuine Centrifusion crema technology identical to Vertuo Next at lower cost
27-second heat-up is one of the fastest in the pod machine category
5 vibrant colours (candy pink, mango yellow, coconut white) suit modern kitchen aesthetics
5 cup sizes from espresso to carafe using the full Vertuo pod range

Smaller water tank (0.56L vs Vertuo Next's 1.1L) requires more frequent refilling
No WiFi — manual operation only vs Vertuo Next's app connectivity
Same proprietary Vertuo pod limitation as all Nespresso machines

FAQ

Which is better, illy X1 iPerEspresso or Nespresso Vertuo Pop?

Is the illy X1 iPerEspresso worth the extra cost?

Yes — illy X1 iPerEspresso Capsule Machine scores higher at 8.8/10 vs 8.7/10.

Who is the illy X1 iPerEspresso best suited to?

19 bar, illy iPerEspresso capsules, Italian design, 1L tank, Michelin-starred coffee brand.

Who is the Nespresso Vertuo Pop best suited to?

Centrifusion, 5 cup sizes, 27-second heat, 5 colours. The entry Vertuo at minimum cost.

What are the main downsides of each?

illy X1 iPerEspresso Capsule Machine: Proprietary illy iPerEspresso capsules only — ecosystem lock-in to a premium pod range; Pod costs are premium vs Nespresso — illy positions pods as premium coffee. Nespresso Vertuo Pop Coffee Machine: Smaller water tank (0.56L vs Vertuo Next's 1.1L) requires more frequent refilling; No WiFi — manual operation only vs Vertuo Next's app connectivity.

Do owner ratings agree with our verdict?

Largely, yes — illy X1 iPerEspresso Capsule Machine sits at 4.4★ from 4,800 verified Amazon owners, and Nespresso Vertuo Pop Coffee Machine at 4.5★ from 18,400.

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