Nespresso Essenza Mini Review

Features of the nespresso essenza mini

Nespresso Essenza mini overview

Part of Nespresso’s OriginalLine, the Essenza Mini contains this line’s 19 bar pressure pump system that produces a high-quality, rich cup of coffee every time. The distinction between OriginalLine machines and Nespresso’s newer VertuoLine is that while the former can only make espresso, it has a pump system that brews stronger coffee than the VertuoLine’s centrifusion technology, and it can also use pods from third-party companies.
The Essenza Mini is the most basic out of all of Nespresso’s OriginalLine machines. It has a small size, slim footprint, and offers two cup sizes. However, the coffee quality of this machine is up to par with any other OriginalLine machine as the pressure pump is the same. This machine is also incredibly easy to use and has a one touch system that lets you pick between the two cup sizes.

If you’re a fan of milk drinks, while the Essenza Mini doesn’t come with an in-built milk frother, it is compatible with milk frothers like the Aeroccino4 which you can buy separately. Using the frother can allow you to enjoy delicious lattes and cappuccinos.

Pros

• Compact with a Small Footprint
• Relatively Inexpensive
• OriginalLine Pump System Produces Rich Flavors Consistently
• Easy to Use That Lets You Adjust Brew Sizes with One Touch
• No Pod Scanning Technology – Can be Used with Third-Party Pods

Cons

• May be Less durable than other Nespresso Machines
• Water reservoir is only 20 oz
• Plastic exterior that may wear down
• Not a lot of settings and features

Things to consider before buying an Essenza Mini

Coffee quality

The Essenza Mini is fitted with the OriginalLine’s pressure pump system. This pump is widely considered to be the best in the business and consistently produces a rich, flavorful cup of coffee. Moreover, the Essenza Mini also makes delicious crema to top off your espresso. Since this machine doesn’t have pod scanning technology, it’ll be compatible with a range of different pods and you’ll have a lot of freedom to choose a high quality pod.

Size and design

The Essenza Mini weighs around 5.1 lbs and has dimensions of 3.2” x 12.1” x 8.2”. This makes it the smallest Nespresso brewer – it is lightweight and compact. The slim footprint is a dream for anyone who has issues with counter space.

The Essenza Mini is the classic Nespresso machine in terms of design – it’s sleek and modern looking. The exterior is covered in ABS plastic and some customers have experienced scuffing. The colors available for the Essenza Mini vary depending on if you’re buying a machine from Breville or Delonghi in the US. While Breville offers the Essenza Mini in gray, white, and black, DeLonghi offers it in brighter options of red, green, and black.

Brewing

The Essenza Mini offers two main brew sizes: a 1.35 oz espresso and a 3.70 lungo. This is a pretty limited range of cup sizes but it should be okay if you’re someone who just wants to enjoy a small dosage of espresso every time.

If you’re interested in specialty beverages then you can purchase a milk frother to go along with your Essenza Mini. While this is an extra cost, it’ll enable you to be able to brew lattes and cappuccinos in your machine too.

Programmability

The Essenza Mini has a pretty simple programming system. All it takes is one-touch to get your desired size and brew. All you have to do is insert your preferred capsule, press the brew size you want, and then let go when the machine chooses the size you want. The easy to use interface also gets rid of any chances of being confused about how to operate the machine.

The Essenza Mini is a smart machine and it’ll remember what you chose and you won’t constantly have to choose the same option. Until you reset the machine, it will provide you with the same option. This is great because when you’re in a rush in the mornings, you don’t have to reprogram the machine every single time.

Water Reservoir

The Essenza Mini has a water reservoir capacity of 20 oz. This is much less than a lot of Nespresso machines and if you’re someone who drinks frequent cups of coffee throughout the day, this might be an issue for you. However, considering that the Essenza Mini’s largest serving is a 3.70 oz lungo, you’ll still be able to easily enjoy five servings without having to refill the reservoir.

The reservoir is located at the back of the machine and this can pose a problem as you won’t be able to monitor the water level.

Auto shut off

The Essenza Mini has an Auto-off option that automatically switches off the machine after nine minutes. This is great because it’ll help save a lot of power in the long run.

Cleaning and Descaling

The most helpful factor that helps in cleaning the Essenza Mini is its small size. It’s a super compact machine and its low surface area really makes cleaning an easier job. This machine also comes with a lot of removable pieces like a removable drip tray and water tank.

The Essenza Mini does have a descaling mode and it can be easily accessed by simply pressing both the brew buttons together for five seconds. It can be hard to know how exactly to descale your Nespresso machine but your first step should be to buy one of Nespresso’s descaling kits. The Essenza Mini takes fifteen minutes to descale and you should be descaling your machine either every three months or after every three hundred uses.

Price

The Essenza Mini is currently priced at around $169. It is undoubtedly among the cheapest Nespresso machines. This machine is considered to be the perfect bang for your buck Nespresso machine – it makes a consistently great cup of coffee at an affordable price. If you’re a novice to the coffee machine world and you want to make sure you’re making the right decision, then the Essenza Mini is the perfect starter machine as it does not leave too much of a dent in your bank account.

The Essenza Mini also comes with a one year warranty so if your machine malfunctions or is damaged, then Nespresso has you covered. Moreover, if your machine is being repaired by Nespresso then there’s also a chance that you’ll get another machine to use for that time. These features should encourage you to feel secure when purchasing a Nespresso product as the company wants to make sure it’s giving you a reliable product.

Environmental impact

If you’re an environmentally conscious customer, you’ll be interested to note that Nespresso has a pretty easy to access pod recycling programme. When you order coffee pods from Nespresso themselves, you’ll have the option to add a free recycling bag – you can use this bag to mail back your used coffee pods to Nespresso so they can be recycled.

Sending your used pods is a pretty simple process: all you have to do is drop the bag off at your nearest post office. If you live near a Nespresso boutique then you can drop your bag of used capsules there as well. The process is pretty easy and Nespresso have made it as stress-free as possible to help you do your part in improving sustainability.

Should you buy Nespresso’s Essenza mini?

The Essenza Mini is great if you’re looking for a starter machine into the world of Nespresso. It’s one of Nespresso’s cheapest machines, takes up limited space, and is also incredibly simple to use. The machine comes with two cup sizes – a 1.35 oz espresso size and a 3.70 lungo size. While the water reservoir can hold only 20 oz, this model is still a product with amazing value. If you’re a coffee machine novice and want to dip your toe into that pond, the Essenza Mini is definitely worth a try.

Alternatives for the Essenza Mini

Following are the alternatives to Nespresso Essenza Mini

Nespresso Essenza Plus

The larger and more advanced version of the Essenza Mini, the Essenza Plus is a bit more expensive, features four cup sizes, has a water tank capacity of 34 oz, and is pretty compact. This machine is part of the OriginalLine and features the amazing pressure pump system associated with this line.

Nespresso Inissia

While slightly heavier than the Essenza Mini, the Nespresso Inissia is another one of Nespresso’s cheaper and slimmer models. With a water reservoir capacity of 24 oz, two brew sizes, and a fast heat-up time of only 25 seconds the Inissia is a great machine for those who value an easy to use, efficient cup of coffee everyday. This machine is part of the OriginalLine and features the amazing pressure pump system associated with this line.

Nespresso Pixie

The Pixie is slightly larger and more expensive than the Essenza Mini. Its water tank is also 4 oz larger than the Essenza Mini’s 20 oz tank. It has one of the quickest heat up times and takes only 25 seconds. This machine offers two main cup sizes – a 1.35 oz espresso size or a 3.70 lungo size. Since it is part of the OriginalLine, it can use third-party capsules and you’ll be spoilt for choice.

FAQs

Does Nespresso Essenza make regular coffee?

No, the Essenza Mini does not make regular coffee. Since it is part of Nespresso’s OriginalLine, the Essenza Mini can only brew espresso. However, the Essenza Mini is compatible with milk frothers so if you purchase one of these you’ll be able to make milky drinks with your machine.

What coffee capsules can you use in Nespresso Essenza Mini?

The Essenza Mini is part of the OriginalLine and therefore has no barcode scanning technology. This means you can use external coffee capsules with the Essenza Mini and you don’t have to use only Nespresso brand pods.

Can the Essenza Mini make lattes?

Without a milk frother, the Essenza Mini cannot make lattes. However, the machine is compatible with the Aeroccino milk frother and if you purchase this separately, then your Essenza Mini will be able to make lattes.

What pods does the Essenza Mini take?

The Essenza Mini is part of the OriginalLine and therefore has no barcode scanning technology. This means you can use external pods with the Essenza Mini and you don’t have to use only Nespresso brand pods.

What is the difference between Pixie and Essenza Mini?

The Essenza Mini is more compact, less heavy, and less expensive than the Pixie. The Pixie has a slightly larger water tank of 24 oz in comparison to the Essenza Mini’s 20 oz. The Pixie may also have a slightly quicker heat up time and is considered to be one of the most efficient Nespresso machines. Both machines only offer two brew sizes.