Nespresso Essenza Mini Review

Nespresso Essenza Mini
Overall Rating
84
Coffee Quality (40%)
85
Design & Features (20%)
75
Durability (20%)
80
Ease of Use (10%)
95
Brand Reputation (10%)
92
The Bottom Line
At just 3.2" wide and weighing just 5.1 lbs, the Essenza Mini is Nespresso's smallest single-serve espresso machine and a fantastic value. Brew 1.35 oz espresso up to 3.70 oz lungo at the push of a button.
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Key Features of the Nespresso Essenza Mini

Key Features of Nespresso Essenza Mini

  • Product Line: OriginalLine
  • US/CA Partners: Breville, DeLonghi
  • UK Partners: Krups, Magimix
  • Brew Sizes: 1.35 oz espresso, 3.70 oz lungo
  • Water Reservoir: 20 oz
  • Milk Container: None
  • Pressure: 19 bars
  • Frother: Sold separately
  • Spent Capsules: 6 capsules
  • Wireless Connectivity: No
  • External Material: ABS plastic
  • Dimensions: 3.2"W x 12.8"D x 8.1"H
  • Weight: 5.1 lbs
  • Watts: 1310W
  • Other Features: Auto-Off after 9 minutes

Nespresso Essenza Mini Overview

Nespresso has two lines of capsule-based espresso machines:

  • OriginalLine: Their original line (duh) that used a 19 bar pump to extract shots from capsules
  • VertuoLine: Their new line that uses Centrifusion (rapid capsule spinning) to extract shots from barcode-enabled capsules but also brews standard coffee up to 17 oz

For our money, OriginalLine machines are better than VertuoLine machines because their pump produces more authentic espresso, the coffee tends to be hotter, and there's no barcode scanning system meaning you can find less-expensive third-party capsules.

The smallest and most basic Nespresso machine available, the Essenza Mini pulls the same high-quality shot as the other OriginalLine models in a much smaller package.

At only 5.1 lbs it’s one-third or one-half the weight of many other OriginalLine models, and it has a minuscule 3.2″W x 12.8″D base to limit its footprint on your countertop.

Capable of brewing shots from 1.35 oz to 3.70 oz, the Essenza Mini has two programmable brew buttons that easily allow you to customize your shot size. Here's how it works:

  1. Insert a capsule
  2. Press and hold the brew button (either one) until your desired shot volume is reached
  3. Release the button

The machine will remember that brew size for every future brew (until you reset it).

While the Essenza Mini doesn't come with a preset button for Americanos (espresso + hot water, like a regular coffee) like the Essenza Plus does, you can easily use the programmable buttons to set up your own Americano system:

  1. Set one button to be your preferred shot size
  2. Set the other button to be your preferred hot water volume

In between pressing both buttons, just eject the capsule.

If you'd like to brew specialty beverages (like cappuccinos and lattes), you could always upgrade to the bundle or purchase the Aeroccino4 milk frother separately for your own home barista setup.

Pros
  • Actual pump pressure is better than VertuoLine Centrifusion
  • Compact, lightweight, and inexpensive
  • One-touch sizing system lets you adjust brew size by pressing and holding brew buttons
  • Solid internal construction means it won't break down quickly
  • Can used 3rd-party capsules
Cons
  • Stated 19 bars is inconsistent
  • Small 20 oz water reservoir
  • ABS plastic scuffs a little easily

Is the Nespresso Essenza Mini for you?

Are Nespresso Essenza Mini for you?

Generally the cheapest Nespresso machine, the Essenza Mini is ideal for those looking for a low-cost introduction to the Nespresso universe. And because of its small size it’s great for those without a lot of extra room in their kitchen, dorm room, or office.

If you're looking for something a little larger, check out the Nespresso Inissia. It has a slightly larger reservoir (24 oz) and spent capsule capacity (10) with just 1.5" extra width.

If you're looking for something a little more modern or feature-rich, check out the Essenza Plus. It's the same design as the Essenza Mini but has a 34 oz reservoir, preset brew sizes for Americanos, and is WiFi compatible for easy capsule reordering through the Nespresso app.

If you're looking for a VertuoLine machine that can brew standard coffees up to 17 oz, check out the Evoluo.

Nespresso Essenza Mini Review: An In-Depth Look

Check out the Nespresso Essenza Mini!

Check out Nespresso Essenza Mini!

Nespresso Essenza Mini
At just 3.2" wide and weighing just 5.1 lbs, the Essenza Mini is Nespresso's smallest single-serve espresso machine and a fantastic value. Brew 1.35 oz espresso up to 3.70 oz lungo at the push of a button.

More Nespresso Reviews From The Coffee Maven

Nespresso CitiZ & Milk

Nespresso CitiZ & Milk
Overall Rating: 89
Notable for its 34 oz reservoir, the largest among mid-range Nespresso OriginalLine machines, the CitiZ & Milk is a compact, durable, and reliable brewer with a powerful boiler and integrated Aeroccino3 frother.

Nespresso Alto Intenso Capsules (VertuoLine)

Nespresso Alto Intenso Capsules (VertuoLine)
Overall Rating: 88
Alto Intenso (Alto, Intensity: 7) features a blend of Costa Rican coffee with a washed Robusta bean from Guatemala, which you won’t find in any other Nespresso capsule, for a bold, woody flavor with hints of caramel.

Nespresso VertuoPlus

Nespresso VertuoPlus
Overall Rating: 84
Designed for flexibility to brew short espresso to tall coffee, the VertuoPlus is one of Nespresso's 5 VertuoLine models that brews 5 types of capsules for coffees from 0.3-17 oz. Finally, a Nespresso machine for everyone!
About The Coffee Maven
bryan de luca
Bryan De Luca

I'm Bryan but most people know me as The Coffee Maven. I grew up outside Boston, Massachusetts and received my Bachelor's degree in Biochemistry from Providence College. My first introduction to coffee was during my college days, when I used it as a source of caffeine to fuel late-night study sessions, but soon I became obsessed with the chemistry of coffee. How did changes to water temperature or contact time affect its taste? Why do beans from Africa taste fruity while beans from Indonesia taste spicy? I launched The Coffee Maven in February 2017 to explore these questions and help others brew their perfect cup. Welcome to my site, and thanks for reading!

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