Nespresso Essenza Plus Review

Nespresso Essenza Plus
Overall Rating
90
Coffee Quality (40%)
88
Design & Features (20%)
88
Durability (20%)
90
Ease of Use (10%)
95
Brand Reputation (10%)
92
The Bottom Line
A hair larger than the Essenza Mini, the Essenza Plus offers a similar espresso experience with a larger 34 oz reservoir and a handy one-touch capsule ordering button right on the machine.
The Coffee Maven's editors select and review products independently. We may receive a commission if you purchase through one of our links at no additional cost to you.

Key Features of the Nespresso Essenza Plus

Key Features of Nespresso Essenza Plus

  • Product Line: OriginalLine
  • US/CA Partners: Breville, DeLonghi
  • UK Partners: Krups, Magimix
  • Brew Sizes: 1.35 oz espresso, 3.70 oz lungo, 5.05 oz Americano, 6.75 oz Americano XL
  • Water Reservoir: 34 oz
  • Milk Container: None
  • Pressure: 19 bars
  • Frother: Sold separately
  • Spent Capsules: 6 capsules
  • Wireless Connectivity: Yes
  • External Material: ABS plastic
  • Dimensions: 4.7"W x 15.6"D x 10.0"H
  • Weight: 7.9 lbs
  • Watts: 1270W
  • Other Features: Auto-Off after 9 minutes

Nespresso Essenza Plus 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 Nespresso Essenza Plus is designed for a no-frills, compact Nespresso experience. At just 4.7" wide it's a hair larger than the 3.2" Essenza Mini, but the Plus offers three notable upgrades:

  • 4 pre-programmed cup sizes (instead of 2) including the 5.05 oz Americano and 6.75 oz Americano XL
  • 34 oz water reservoir (instead of 20 oz)
  • One-touch Nespresso capsule ordering through the Nespresso app

Those features give the Essenza Plus a little extra convenience and luxury than its bare-bones predecessor while still retaining the Essenza Mini's compact design.

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 design with decent 34 oz water reservoir
  • Wireless connectivity
  • One-touch sizing system lets you adjust brew size by pressing and holding brew buttons
  • Can used 3rd-party capsules
Cons
  • Stated 19 bars is inconsistent
  • ABS plastic scuffs a little easily

Is the Nespresso Essenza Plus for you?

Are Nespresso Essenza Plus for you?

The Essenza Plus is great if you're looking for a sleek, compact espresso experience with a little more flexibility than the Essenza Mini.

If you don't need the larger reservoir, Americano brew sizes, or capsule-ordering functionality, the Essenza Mini is a tried-and-true way to get the same great espresso in a smaller, less expensive package.

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

Nespresso Essenza Plus Review: An In-Depth Look

Check out the Nespresso Essenza Plus!

Check out Nespresso Essenza Plus!

Nespresso Essenza Plus
A hair larger than the Essenza Mini, the Essenza Plus offers a similar espresso experience with a larger 34 oz reservoir and a handy one-touch capsule ordering button right on the machine.

More Nespresso Reviews From The Coffee Maven

Nespresso Scuro Capsules (VertuoLine)

Nespresso Scuro Capsules (VertuoLine)
Overall Rating: 89
Scuro (Double Espresso, Intensity: 8) is a blend of Arabica and Robusta coffees from Central America and features a smoky profile with hints of sweet chocolate and vanilla.

Nespresso Odacio Capsules (VertuoLine)

Nespresso Odacio Capsules (VertuoLine)
Overall Rating: 91
Odacio (Coffee, Intensity: 7) is bolder than the typical light and fruity single-origin African roasts we usually prefer, but it does have a blend of Nicaraguan and Ethiopian coffees for a complex profile.

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.
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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