Nespresso Essenza Mini: At a Glance
We took a detailed look at each of the most popular Nespresso coffee maker models in order to provide you with the information you need to make an informed purchase. This is an in-depth review and evaluation of Breville’s Essenza Mini model, which is a small and reasonably priced home appliance.
What is the decision? At a very reasonable cost, the streamlined Essenza Mini coffee maker provides enticing features such as two programmable cup sizes and 19 bars of pressure. It is available in bright colors, can be easily placed on kitchen counters, and produces espresso shots that are delicious and have an impressive amount of crema.
On the other hand, the Essenza Mini is prone to producing varying quality results and can be inconsistent. It does not have the capacity to brew full-sized cups of coffee, and it has a tendency to be rather noisy. In addition to that, the used capsule compartment is on the small side, which is inconvenient. Nevertheless, despite its size and cost, this espresso machine might be exactly what you’ve been looking for.
Nespresso Essenza Mini — A Quick Look
Pros
• Low cost and extremely condensed in size
• Choose between two different sized espressos.
• Generates excellent espresso with a substantial amount of crema
• Simplified and intuitive in its operation
Cons
• Only a few locations
• The fundamental building of plastic
• Some problems with the durability
• Small used capsule chamber
Overall Design
Because of its modest footprint and space-saving design, this espresso machine can be accommodated in even the most cramped of kitchens. It comes in at a light five pounds and features controls that have been streamlined. Given that this is one of Nespresso’s more affordable options, the plastic body does not have a very high-end feel to it; nonetheless, this should not come as much of a surprise.
Both Breville and De’Longhi produce their own versions of the Essenza Mini, each with its own unique design. The Breville model is square and comes in the colors black, white, and gray. In contrast, the De’Longhi model is more rounded and comes in the colors bright red, green, and black. Both models are available.
The water reservoir is located in the back of both versions, which makes it difficult to monitor the water level and inconvenient to refill. Neither model has a front-mounted water reservoir. The capacity of the water tank is only 20.3 ounces, which means that it will need to be refilled somewhat frequently. We were also surprised by how noisy the Essenza Mini was, and some customers have stated that it has durability issues such as leakage and uneven espresso.
Price
One of the more affordable variants offered by Nespresso is called the Essenza Mini. In return for this low price, you get a coffee machine that is simplified, with few settings and fewer additional functions than other models.
Settings
Because it only has two buttons, this coffee maker is ridiculously simple to operate. After inserting the capsule, you can choose between making an espresso or a lungo by pressing the lever down. Holding down the buttons allows you to access a few settings, like as entering the descaling mode or changing the timing for the auto-off function, but other than that, there are not many ways that you may customize your brew.
Coffee Flavor and Aroma
Are you searching for the traditional crema that Nespresso offers? The Essenza Mini will not fail to live up to your expectations in any way. This espresso machine, despite its diminutive size, is capable of producing crema-topped shots of espresso that are robust in flavor and fully loaded with aroma.
Because this model is compatible with Nespresso’s Original coffee capsules, you will be able to sample the whole spectrum of tastes, including the five that we recommend the most. During our evaluation of the Essenza Mini, we were really impressed: the espresso had a nuanced flavor and a velvety texture.
Extra Features
A mode that can be programmed to save energy is available on the Essenza Mini. After nine minutes, the device will turn off by itself, but you have the option to extend it to thirty minutes. In addition to this, you will be required to physically expel used capsules into the collecting tray, which has the capacity to retain anywhere between five and six capsules.
A free pod recycling service is also available through Nespresso. If you order coffee pods directly from the company’s website, you have the option of include a recycling bag at no additional cost. Nespresso will take care of the rest; all you need to do is fill it up with spent capsules and drop it off at UPS. What could possibly be more straightforward than that?
Cleaning
Because it has so many components that can be removed, including the capsule container, the drip tray, and the water tank, this model makes cleaning quite simple. The sleek body is easy to wipe clean, resulting in a sparkling piece of kitchen equipment.
By pushing both of the brew buttons on the Essenza Mini simultaneously, you can engage the 15-minute descaling mode. When performing a thorough cleaning, Nespresso suggests that you make use of a full descaling packet, which can be obtained on the company’s website. After 300–1200 shots of espresso, depending on the hardness of the water where you live, you will need to descale your machine.
Warranty
On the Essenza Mini, Nespresso provides a warranty that is valid for one year. The warranty will either pay to repair or replace faulty computers, and there is a possibility that you will be allowed to borrow a substitute machine while yours is being serviced.
Final Verdict
So, what should we take away from this? Nespresso’s Essenza Mini is a well-built coffee machine that comes at a price that won’t break the bank. This model is an option to consider if you want an easy-to-use espresso maker that won’t break your budget if you’re shopping for one. The Essenza Mini has a lot to offer, including an automatic cleaning program, a remarkably small footprint, and the option to choose between two different amounts of brewed coffee.
Do you prefer to drink coffee from full-sized cups more often? You might wish to take a peek at the VertuoLine that Nespresso offers. Do you want to prepare some lattes? You might want to think about upgrading to a milk frother bundle or to a more expensive model such as the Lattissima.
Questions That Are Typically Asked
Which coffee capsules are available for your use?
The Original series of coffee capsules from Nespresso is compatible with the Essenza Mini. You can choose from a large selection when shopping on Amazon, or you can go directly to Nespresso’s website to set up recurring deliveries.
Is it possible to prepare lattes using the Essenza Mini?
Both yes and no Because it is an espresso maker, you can use the Essenza Mini to prepare the espresso shots that are required for making lattes. Because there is neither a milk frother nor a milk steamer built in, you will probably need to purchase one separately. This can be done in a cost-effective manner by upgrading to the package, which includes the Aeroccino3, which is Nespresso’s stand-alone milk frother.
Is the Essenza Mini safe to use in the dishwasher?
Nespresso does not advise placing any component of the Essenza Mini, including the capsule holder, in the dishwasher.
Does it prepare coffee in the traditional manner?
To be honest, no. Nespresso’s Original capsules are inserted into the Essenza Mini, which then brews espresso shots. You have the option of drawing a regular shot, which is 1.35 ounces, or a long shot (5 ounces). It’s possible that, in order to prepare a full-sized cup of coffee, you’ll need to use numerous coffee pods and pour multiple shots of coffee into the same container.
