Nespresso Essenza Mini: Technical data
Cup capacity: express, long
Size: 12.8 x 8 x 4.8 inches
Libra: 5 lbs/ 2.3 kg
Pod type: Original line
Automatic capsule detection: NO
Centrifuge brewing: NO
Removable water tank: Yes
Milk frother: NO
Strength settings: NO
Iced coffee: NO
Nespresso coffee capsules make it basic to make your morning coffee. There are many models available, but the Nespresso Essenza Mini is the most compact option currently on offer. So if you’re tiny on space or just want to keep your countertops neat and tidy, this model is worth considering.
It’s a miniature, affordable coffee maker with just two buttons for making espresso or lungo coffee. The straightforward setup makes it an ideal machine for beginners. Don’t expect it to froth milk or dispense boiling water, though, as this is a no-frills option.
We put this Nespresso machine to the test to see if it’s up to the task despite its miniature size. Scroll down to read our full review of the Nespresso Essenza Mini and see if it’s one of the best. the best Nespresso machines.
Nespresso Essenza Mini Review: Price & Availability
The Nespresso Essenza Mini is a bargain at $179/£90. It’s available directly from Nespresso or through Amazon, as well as a number of other retailers both online and in-store. It’s one of the cheapest Nespresso machines you can buy, and it’s also one of the smallest. So whether you’re on a budget or space-conscious, this could be the Nespresso that suits you.
It uses Nespresso Original capsules, which start at $0.80 per espresso, or 39p if you live in the UK. The capsules are readily available online, you can order them directly from Nespresso, as well as from many other retailers, such as Amazon and Walmart in the US.
Nespresso Essenza Mini Review: Design
The Nespresso Essenza Mini comes in grey, white or black. These subdued colour options, combined with its miniature size, make this model a cautious and subtle addition to your kitchen counter. In fact, it’s so miniature that it can fit on a shelf or in the pantry without you even noticing it’s there. And at just 5 pounds, it’s super featherlight and basic to carry, much friendlier to miniature spaces than many top-of-the-range espresso machines.
Effortless to operate, it has only two buttons – one for espresso and one for lungo. So you don’t have to spend hours reading instructions to understand how to operate it. It’s designed to be straightforward and intuitive.
On the back of the unit is a removable 20-ounce water tank. Lifting the lid releases it from the base and allows you to take it to the sink for cleaning or refilling. Note that there’s no handle, but since the unit is so miniature, a handle isn’t really necessary. The clear plastic design makes it basic to check the water level at a glance, and the maximum fill line is only apparent once you remove it.
The miniature drip tray is removable, which is useful because there’s only room for cups up to 3.5 inches/9 cm statuesque. This is fine for miniature espresso cups, but for larger ones, like a standard mug, you’ll need to remove the drip tray and place the mug directly on the counter. This provides room for cups up to 5 inches/13 cm.
The used capsule container is located just behind the drip tray and sits on top of another drip tray to allow excess water to drain from the capsules. It may not be the most solid solution for used capsules, but it is compact, does the job, and is basic to fold.
Nespresso Essenza Mini Review: Performance
Even though the Essenza Mini is a compact and straightforward machine, its performance is comparable to similar models such as Nespresso Pixie. Once switched on, it heats up and is ready to operate in about 28 seconds. Espresso pouring times varied slightly between capsules, but averaged about 22 seconds, while the lungo took about 37 seconds. Regardless of the size of the brew, the coffee will be in your cup about a minute after you turn on the coffee maker — convenient on busy mornings.
The coffee temperature is around 151°F for espresso and 157°F for lungo, which is typical for most original Nespresso machines. And with a maximum reading of 70 dB on my noise meter, it’s one of the quietest Nespresso models I’ve reviewed recently.
Energy consumption is 0.005 kWh per espresso, but if you include the energy used for heating, the total is 0.012 kWh. Again, this is fairly typical for the entire Nespresso range. In addition, the machine goes into sleep mode after 9 minutes of inactivity to save energy.
The taste of the coffee largely depends on the capsule you choose, and the consistency of the crema can also vary depending on the capsule and the width of the cup. Generally, the crema is not bulky, velvety, and powerful in the same way you might get it from a barista-style machine. But even so, I don’t think you’re buying a gourmet coffee machine. What it does well is provide a brisk, consistent cup of coffee every time, without any mess or hassle.
Nespresso Essenza Mini Review: Effortless to Employ and Pristine
Since there’s no milk frother, the controls are confined to just two cup sizes, making this machine straightforward and basic to operate. Pressing either of the two buttons wakes it up, and both buttons flash as it heats up. They then remain lit steadily when it’s ready to brew coffee.
The lever makes it basic to add capsules, while also emptying used capsules into the container. The used capsule container only holds six capsules, so it needs to be emptied frequently. However, it could be argued that when buying such a compact machine, it would be unrealistic to expect more space. Similarly, the drip tray doesn’t have a enormous capacity, so it’s worth emptying it along with the used capsules. Since they slide out of the front of the machine together, it makes sense to empty and immaculate both at the same time.
There is a maximum fill line on the water tank, but no minimum fill line, but the clear plastic makes it basic to see when the water is low. If you forget to check the water level and try to pour coffee when the tank is empty, the machine will still try to make coffee, but nothing will come out. Keep in mind that there is no alert or indicator to warn you that the tank is low on water, so you need to keep an eye on that.
Also, there’s nothing in the instructions to indicate that the removable parts are dishwasher unthreatening. However, because all the parts are so miniature, washing them by hand with sizzling, soapy water is a quick process.
The only other maintenance item is the descaling process, which you’ll need to do every 300 espressos if you live in a demanding water area. The descaling process cleans and descals the internal mechanisms of your coffee machine and is automatic. Simply add the descaling solution to the water tank and follow the instructions in the manual for the button combination that starts the process. It’s straightforward and crucial to keeping your machine in tip-top shape. Unfortunately, there’s no alert or indicator to remind you when it’s time to descaling, so instead you’ll need to set up a reminder on your calendar.
Nespresso Essenza Mini Review: The Verdict
The biggest selling point of the Nespresso Essenza Mini is undoubtedly its space-saving design, followed by its wallet-friendly price. It’s one of the smallest coffee machines I’ve ever reviewed—perfect for miniature homes or cluttered kitchens. In fact, it’s so miniature that your stash of coffee capsules will likely take up more space than the machine itself.
However, with the miniature size comes some compromises – like a miniature used capsule container, as well as a miniature water container. But these are minor niggles that are to be expected. Like many Nespresso machines, it doesn’t deliver the highest quality barista espresso, but it’s good quality considering it’s made from capsules. Plus, you get a quick and basic coffee experience from a machine that won’t take over your kitchen.
The Nespresso Pixie is similar in size and comes in at a slightly higher price of $229. There’s not much difference in performance, but the metal side plates make it more tough. Alternatively, Breville Nespresso Creatista Plus worth checking out if you want a built-in milk frother. We found that it creates the perfect frothy milk consistency.
