Nespresso Essenza Mini Review
The Verdict:
The Nespresso Essenza Mini Espresso Machine by Breville is a compact, user-friendly espresso machine that delivers quality espresso at the touch of a button. Its small footprint makes it ideal for those with limited kitchen space. The machine heats up in just 25 seconds and offers two brewing options: a single shot of espresso or a lungo.
However, it’s worth noting that the machine’s simplicity comes with limitations. It lacks advanced features like a built-in milk frother and offers no customization options for your brew. Also, the machine uses Nespresso’s Original capsules, which may not appeal to those who prefer freshly ground coffee.
Features:
Compact Design: The Nespresso Essenza Mini is the smallest espresso machine offered by Nespresso, making it perfect for small kitchens or office spaces.
Quick Heat-Up: The machine heats up in just 25 seconds, allowing you to enjoy your espresso without a long wait.
Two Brew Sizes: It offers two brewing options – a single shot of espresso and a lungo, catering to different preferences.
Energy Saving: The machine automatically shuts off after 9 minutes of inactivity, saving energy.
Easy to Clean: With removable parts like the drip tray, capsule container, and water tank, cleaning is a breeze.
Nespresso Capsules: The machine uses Nespresso’s Original capsules, offering a wide variety of flavors and intensities.
Complimentary Gift: Each machine comes with a complimentary starter set of Nespresso capsules.
One-Year Warranty: Nespresso offers a one-year warranty on the Essenza Mini, covering repairs or replacements of defective machines.
Overview
The Nespresso Essenza Mini Espresso Machine by Breville is a compact, yet powerful, espresso machine. Its small size makes it a perfect fit for those with limited space, but don’t let its size fool you. This machine is capable of delivering high-quality espresso quickly and efficiently.
The Essenza Mini operates with a simple one-touch system, offering two brewing options – a single shot of espresso and a lungo. This makes it an excellent choice for those who appreciate both simplicity and variety in their coffee routine.
One of the standout features of this machine is its quick heat-up time. In just 25 seconds, it’s ready to brew, saving you precious time in the morning. Additionally, the machine is designed with energy efficiency in mind, automatically shutting off after 9 minutes of inactivity.
Despite its simplicity, the Essenza Mini doesn’t compromise on the quality of the espresso. It uses Nespresso’s Original capsules, which come in a wide variety of flavors and intensities, ensuring a satisfying cup every time.
Cleaning the machine is also straightforward, thanks to its removable parts like the drip tray, capsule container, and water tank. This ease of maintenance, combined with its performance and compact design, makes the Essenza Mini a strong contender in the world of home espresso machines.
Pros
Compact: Ideal for tight spaces.
Fast Heat-Up: Ready in 25 seconds.
Quality Espresso: Delivers rich crema.
Energy Efficient: Auto-off after 9 minutes.
User-Friendly: One-touch operation, removable tank.
Nespresso Capsules: Consistent, mess-free brewing.
Cons
Limited Capacity: Small water tank and capsule bin.
No Frother: Milk frother not included.
Capsule Cost: Nespresso capsules can be pricey.
No Customization: Limited brew size options.
Plastic Build: May not be as durable.
Compatiblity: Not compatible with vertuoline pods.
Things to consider before buying
Design
The design of the Nespresso Essenza Mini Espresso Machine by Breville is one of its most appealing features. Its compact size, measuring just 4.3″D x 8″W x 12.8″H, makes it a perfect fit for any kitchen, no matter how small. The sleek, piano black color adds a touch of elegance, ensuring it will blend seamlessly with any decor.
Despite its small size, the machine is thoughtfully designed with user convenience in mind. The removable water tank, drip tray, and capsule container make cleaning and maintenance a breeze. The machine’s controls are straightforward and intuitive, with one-touch buttons for brewing a single shot of espresso or a lungo.
The Essenza Mini is not just about functionality; it’s also about style. The machine’s modern, minimalist design is aesthetically pleasing, making it not just an appliance, but a stylish addition to your kitchen. The attention to detail in its design, combined with its performance, makes the Essenza Mini a standout in its category.
Assembly
Setting up the Nespresso Essenza Mini Espresso Machine by Breville is a straightforward process, thanks to its user-friendly design. The machine comes pre-assembled, so there’s no need to worry about complex instructions or tools.
Upon unboxing, you’ll find the machine itself, along with a complimentary starter set of Nespresso capsules. To get started, simply fill the removable water tank, insert your chosen Nespresso capsule into the slot, and select your preferred brew size. The machine will heat up in just 25 seconds, and your espresso will be ready in no time.
It’s worth noting that the machine includes a user guide that provides detailed instructions for first-time use, as well as tips for maintenance and troubleshooting. This makes the assembly process even easier, ensuring you can start enjoying your espresso without any hassle.
Coffee Quality
When it comes to the quality of the coffee, the Nespresso Essenza Mini Espresso Machine by Breville doesn’t disappoint. Despite its compact size, the machine delivers a robust and flavorful espresso that rivals those from larger, more expensive machines.
The Essenza Mini uses Nespresso’s Original capsules, which are known for their quality and variety. These capsules ensure a consistent brew every time, with a rich crema and a depth of flavor that is sure to satisfy any coffee lover. Whether you prefer a strong, full-bodied espresso or a milder lungo, the Essenza Mini delivers.
It’s important to note that the quality of the coffee also depends on the freshness of the capsules and the cleanliness of the machine. Regular maintenance, as outlined in the user guide, is key to maintaining the quality of the brew.
Water Reservoir
The Nespresso Essenza Mini Espresso Machine by Breville features a removable water reservoir with a capacity of 0.6 liters. This is a thoughtful design feature that balances the machine’s compact size with the practicality of not having to refill the water tank after every brew.
The removable nature of the water tank also makes it easy to clean and refill. You can simply detach it from the machine, fill it up at the sink, and then reattach it. This eliminates the need for a water jug or the inconvenience of having to move the entire machine near a water source.
Despite its compact size, the water reservoir is sufficient for several brews. However, if you’re planning to make multiple cups of coffee at once or throughout the day, you may find yourself refilling the tank more often.
Pod Compatibility
The Nespresso Essenza Mini Espresso Machine by Breville is designed to work with Nespresso’s Original capsules. These capsules are known for their quality and come in a wide variety of flavors and intensities, allowing you to customize your coffee experience to your liking.
One of the advantages of using Nespresso’s Original capsules is the consistency they offer. Each capsule is designed to deliver a precise amount of coffee, ensuring a perfect brew every time. This eliminates the guesswork and variability that can come with using ground coffee.
However, it’s important to note that the machine is not compatible with nespresso vertuoline pods pods. This means that you’re limited to the range of flavors offered by Nespresso original line pods. While this range is quite extensive, it may not appeal to those who prefer to use their own coffee or explore other brands.
Brewing
Brewing with the Nespresso Essenza Mini Espresso Machine by Breville is a straightforward and quick process. Once you’ve filled the water reservoir and inserted a Nespresso Original capsule, you simply press one of the two buttons on the top of the machine to select your preferred brew size – a single shot of espresso or a lungo.
One of the standout features of the Essenza Mini is its rapid heat-up time. The machine is ready to brew in just 25 seconds, making it one of the fastest in its category. This is a significant advantage for those who value speed and convenience in their morning routine.
The quality of the brew is consistently high, thanks to the use of Nespresso’s Original capsules. These capsules deliver a precise amount of coffee for each brew, ensuring a robust and flavorful espresso every time.
However, it’s worth noting that the Essenza Mini does not offer any customization options for your brew. The machine is designed for simplicity and ease of use, which may not appeal to those who prefer to have more control over their coffee brewing process.
Ease of Cleaning
Maintaining the Nespresso Essenza Mini Espresso Machine by Breville is a breeze, thanks to its user-friendly design. The machine features several removable parts, including the water tank, drip tray, and capsule container. These can be easily detached for cleaning, making the process quick and hassle-free.
Regular cleaning is essential to ensure the longevity of the machine and the quality of the brew. The user guide provides detailed instructions on how to clean and descale the machine, ensuring you can keep it in optimal condition with minimal effort.
One of the advantages of using Nespresso’s Original capsules is that they are self-contained, reducing the mess associated with ground coffee. Once a capsule has been used, it is automatically ejected into the capsule container, which can hold up to six used capsules before needing to be emptied.
Price
The Nespresso Essenza Mini Espresso Machine by Breville is competitively priced, making it an excellent choice for those seeking a high-quality espresso machine without breaking the bank. Despite its affordable price, the machine doesn’t compromise on quality or performance, delivering a robust and flavorful espresso that rivals those from more expensive machines.
It’s worth noting that the cost of the machine is just one part of the overall expense. The ongoing cost of Nespresso’s Original capsules should also be considered. While these capsules offer convenience and consistency, they are more expensive than using ground coffee. However, for many, the convenience and quality of the brew justify the cost.
Environmental Impact
When considering the environmental impact of the Nespresso Essenza Mini Espresso Machine by Breville, there are a few key factors to consider. The machine itself is energy-efficient, with an automatic shut-off feature that turns off the machine after 9 minutes of inactivity, reducing unnecessary energy consumption.
However, the use of Nespresso’s Original capsules does raise some environmental concerns. These capsules are made of aluminum, which is recyclable, but they also contain coffee grounds, which need to be separated from the aluminum before recycling. Nespresso does offer a recycling program for their capsules, but the process requires effort from the user and access to appropriate recycling facilities.
Moreover, the production of aluminum capsules is energy-intensive and contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. While Nespresso is taking steps to offset these emissions, the environmental impact of the capsules is a consideration for those seeking a more sustainable coffee solution.
Warranty
The Nespresso Essenza Mini Espresso Machine by Breville comes with a 1-year warranty, providing coverage for any manufacturing defects that may occur during this period. This warranty is standard for most espresso machines in this price range and offers peace of mind to the user.
It’s important to note that the warranty only covers defects that occur under normal use and does not cover damage caused by misuse, neglect, or unauthorized modifications. Regular maintenance, such as cleaning and descaling, is also the responsibility of the user and is not covered by the warranty.
In the event of a defect, Breville offers customer support to troubleshoot the issue and, if necessary, arrange for repair or replacement of the machine. This commitment to customer satisfaction further enhances the value of the Essenza Mini.
Should you buy a Nespresso Essenza Mini?
Deciding whether to purchase the Nespresso Essenza Mini Espresso Machine by Breville depends on your specific needs and preferences. If you’re seeking a compact, easy-to-use machine that delivers high-quality espresso at the touch of a button, the Essenza Mini is a fantastic choice. Its sleek design, quick heat-up time, and the convenience of Nespresso capsules make it a standout option for espresso lovers with limited space or time.
However, if you’re concerned about the environmental impact of aluminum capsules or prefer the flexibility to use your own coffee grounds, you might want to consider other options. Additionally, while the machine is competitively priced, the ongoing cost of Nespresso capsules can add up over time.
Alternatives:
De’Longhi Nespresso Inissia:
De’Longhi Nespresso Inissia machine is another compact option for espresso lovers. It offers a similar quick heat-up time and uses Nespresso capsules for convenience. However, it also features a folding drip tray for larger cup sizes, adding a bit more versatility.
Keurig K-Cafe Coffee Maker:
If you’re looking for more variety in your coffee options, the Keurig K-Cafe might be a good fit. It can brew coffee, lattes, and cappuccinos using K-Cup pods. It also includes a built-in milk frother, allowing you to customize your drinks further.
Breville Barista Express:
For those who prefer a more hands-on approach to their coffee, the Breville Barista Express is a semi-automatic espresso machine that allows you to grind your own beans and manually control the extraction process. It’s a larger and pricier option, but it offers a more authentic barista experience at home.
