What is the Vertuo Creatista?
Vertuo convenience, with the steam wand from Breville's espresso machines.
The Vertuo Creatista is the first Nespresso Vertuo machine with a proper steam wand. Breville builds it, and it borrows the Auto MilQ wand from Breville's own espresso machines: you set one of three milk temperatures and three textures, put the jug under the wand, and it textures the milk by itself and stops when it is done. The wand purges itself after each use. A stainless steel milk jug and a wand cleaning tool come in the box.
The coffee side is standard Vertuo. Each capsule carries a barcode that the machine reads to set the extraction, and it brews five sizes: Espresso, Double Espresso, Gran Lungo, Mug and Carafe. A double press gives a shortened extraction meant for milk drinks.
Key specs
| Model | BVE850 |
| Capsules | Nespresso Vertuo only |
| Brew sizes | Espresso, Double Espresso, Gran Lungo, Mug, Carafe |
| Milk | Automatic steam wand, 3 temperatures, 3 textures |
| Water tank | 2 litres (67.6 fl oz) |
| Weight | 8.7 kg (19.2 lb) |
| Power | 1,500 W at 120 V |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth and Wi-Fi |
| Auto off | After 2 minutes of non-use |
| Price | $524.95 on breville.com (list $699.95) |
Breville gives the size as 8.98 x 16.41 x 12.64 inches (width, depth, height); Nespresso's manual gives 23 x 33 x 42 cm, which is a taller machine. The two do not agree, so measure under your cabinets before you buy.
The steam wand is the point
Why a wand beats the milk jugs on other Nespresso machines.
Most Nespresso milk machines heat milk in a jug or an Aeroccino whisk. That makes hot foam, but not the glossy microfoam you need for a flat white or latte art. A steam wand injects steam into the milk and spins it, breaking the air into tiny bubbles, which is how a cafe does it. Breville's automatic version senses the temperature and stops on its own, so you get the texture without learning to steam. You can also pour from it; the texture is right for latte art if you want to try.
The trade-off is a jug to wash and a wand to wipe after each drink, which a built-in milk tank would handle for you.
Running costs
The machine is the cheap part over a few years.
Vertuo is a closed system. There are no third-party Vertuo capsules and no reusable capsule, so every cup is a Nespresso pod, which we put at about $1.40 each. Two drinks a day is roughly $1,000 a year in capsules. A bean-to-cup machine costs more up front but brews for a fraction of that; see our bean-to-cup machines. Nespresso does run a free mail-back recycling scheme for the aluminium capsules. Our best Vertuo pods list covers which capsules to buy.
Brewing into a mug or carafe
The drip tray comes out for tall cups.
A small cup support folds into the drip tray for espresso cups, and the whole drip tray lifts out so you can brew straight into a travel mug or Nespresso's carafe. That makes the Carafe size useful: one capsule for a shared pot. The connectivity lets the Nespresso app update the machine, order capsules, and give descaling and maintenance alerts.
Vertuo Creatista vs Creatista Plus
The same steam wand, on two different capsule systems.
The Creatista Plus also has an automatic steam wand, but it takes Nespresso Original capsules, the smaller espresso pods. Original capsules have expired patents, so third-party and reusable pods work, and they cost less. It is listed at $269.95. Choose the Creatista Plus for espresso drinks and cheaper pods; choose the Vertuo Creatista if you want large mugs and carafes of coffee as well as milk drinks.
Vertuo Creatista vs Vertuo Lattissima
A wand against a built-in milk tank.
The Vertuo Lattissima uses an integrated milk tank that makes cappuccinos and lattes at one touch, hot or cold. It is easier and faster. The Creatista's wand makes better milk texture and gives you control, but you steam in a separate jug. If you want a cappuccino with no effort, the Lattissima; if you care about the milk, the Creatista.
Is the Vertuo Creatista worth it?
For Vertuo users who want cafe-style milk, yes.
It is the only Vertuo machine with a real steam wand, and at $524.95 it costs less than most espresso machines with an automatic wand. What it cannot do is lower your coffee costs: you are tied to Vertuo capsules. If you would rather grind beans, Breville's Barista Express Impress costs more but runs on beans. For other options, see our list of stainless steel pod machines.
Who should buy it (and who should not)
Buy it if
- You drink milk coffees and want real microfoam without learning to steam.
- You like Vertuo's large mug and carafe sizes.
- You want a stainless steel machine that looks at home on the counter.
Skip it if
- You want cheap, third-party or reusable pods.
- You want one-touch cappuccinos with no jug to wash.
- You drink several coffees a day and care about running costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Vertuo Creatista have a steam wand?
Yes, an automatic steam wand with three milk temperatures and three textures that purges itself after use.
What capsules does the Vertuo Creatista use?
Nespresso Vertuo capsules only. Original line capsules do not fit.
How much is the Vertuo Creatista?
$524.95 on breville.com when we checked, down from a list price of $699.95.
Can it brew a carafe?
Yes. Carafe is one of its five brew sizes, and the drip tray lifts out to fit a carafe or travel mug.
Does the Vertuo Creatista connect to an app?
Yes, by Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, to the Nespresso app for updates, capsule orders and maintenance alerts.
