Nespresso Essenza Mini review: a simple pod coffee maker you can rely on

I've been using the Nespresso Essenza Mini for many years. It's currently the lowest-entry model in the Original range of coffee makers, meaning it's the most basic Nespresso machines you can get.

Nespresso is one of the biggest names in the world of at-home coffee making. In 1986, Nespresso released the first ever pod coffee machine after a Nestlé engineer wanted to recreate the dynamics of an espresso machine in a simple format for home use.

Now, the Swiss brand has an ever-growing collection of pod brewers, some of which are considered among the best single-serve coffee makers available. They also have two ranges: the Original Line and the newer Vertuo Line, which offers a completely new method of pod brewing. 

So, how does it compare to the best espresso makers? Like all Nespresso machines, the Essenza Mini uses pods to brew espresso-like coffees at the touch of a button. And as it's more affordable than most, it could be one of the easiest ways to bring Nespresso brewing into your home.

I can confidently say that the Essenza Mini is a capable coffee machine, as I've been using it for so long, but I've run through everything it can and can't do to help you decide whether it's right for your kitchen counter. 

Dan Fauzi

Dan has tested coffee from all sorts of machines, including pod brewers, bean-to-cup, and espresso machines. The Nespresso Essenza Mini is the primary coffee maker in their home and has been for some time, meaning this review is not just an out-of-the-box experience.

Nespresso Essenza Mini: Key specs

Nespresso Essenza Mini: Setup

My first impressions of the Nespresso Essenza Mini date back to February 2019. It was the main coffee machine at home when I lived with my parents, even before I started enjoying coffee like I do now.

I've always appreciated the pod brewer's simplicity. Making coffee, clearing out used pods, and cleaning the machine are all easy tasks, and from the countless types of Nespresso pods I've tried, I've yet to find one that doesn't taste good.

The coffee machine was handed down to me in 2022, and since then, it has been the primary coffee maker in my home (aside from when I'm testing other machines). This is truly a testament to its durability and the variety of flavors from Nespresso from such a simple machine.

Nespresso Essenza Mini: Price & availability

The Nespresso Essenza Mini retails for $179. You can find it online at Nespresso, Amazon, Wayfair, and Sur La Table for around $179, or extra if you add a milk frother (such as the Aeroccino XL for just $109 on Nespresso) with the machine. This means several milky brews like latte and cappuccino are easy to make at home in no time.

If the triangular design isn't for you, the Essenza Mini is also available in a sleeker, rectangular model. Both are identical in specs but have different aesthetics (and the rectangular design is twice as heavy). This alternative model retails for $179 and can be found at Nespresso, Breville, Amazon, Williams Sonoma, and Target. 

It's one of the most affordable coffee machines from Nespresso: only the Vertuo Pop+ and the VertuoPlus are cheaper. It's the cheapest model in Nespresso's Original range, yet the coffee maker still has the same core functions as most Original models. 

Score: 4.5 out of 5

Nespresso Essenza Mini: Design

Emphasis on the 'mini' here: this is a compact coffee machine. It's 4.3 inches wide and 12.8 inches deep, and I know from years of experience that it takes up such little space on the kitchen counter that it's hardly noticeable when you're not using it. 

This is ideal for anybody with limited space or a cleaner kitchen counter. It's available in black, red, or green (and the rectangular model comes in grey, white, or black), so you can find one that'll suit your kitchen's décor.

The Essenza Mini has two brew options: espresso and Lungo. Essentially, this means you choose between small or large cups by pressing one of the two buttons on top of the machine. 

Turning the machine on also involves pressing either of the buttons. The button lights will flash for a minute or so as the coffee maker heats up. Once the lights stop flashing and are permanently on, the machine is ready to brew. After nine minutes of inactivity, the Essenza Mini will power off itself.

The 20.3-oz water tank is removable and can hold three to five cups before needing to be refilled. In response to a review on their website, Nespresso recommends filling the tank with warm water as the machine doesn't guarantee a certain temperature—but I've never personally noticed this inconsistency.

Loading pods is as simple as the rest of the machine. When you lift up the flap, the previously used pod is released. The pod holder and drip tray slide right out and can hold six pods before they need emptying.

Score: 4.5 out of 5

Nespresso Essenza Mini: Performance

Simplicity

The key benefit of the Nespresso Essenza Mini is its simplicity. It's easy to use, clean, and empty, and it brews coffee at an impressive speed. Because of this, it's likely one of the most convenient coffee machines you could own. However, with that comes a lack of customization, as it doesn't do much else.

You can only brew two cup sizes, and neither of them is that large. Nespresso started as a company that produces pod-based espresso machines, so the two drinks offered are essentially an espresso or double espresso. To make a fuller cup of coffee, you'll have to heat your milk and add it yourself (or top it off with hot water, but I've found that this can make the coffee quite weak).

Using Nespresso coffees as the foundation for more varied drinks isn't too difficult. I brewed 8 easy barista coffees with this Nespresso machine using a milk frother, and there are ways to froth and heat your milk without a dedicated device.

Drip tray & pod holder

The drip tray seems designed for espresso cups, as there's very little space to accommodate anything larger than that. This isn't a problem if you're only planning on using the coffee machine for espressos and lungos, but if you're ever brewing a full cup with added water or milk, you'll need to remove the drip tray every time you want a coffee.

This isn't a big or time-consuming issue, but it's worth noting that removing the drip tray every time can result in frequent wiping of your countertop, as the machine drips a lot after pouring a cup. Over time, however, it's easy enough to time it so that this doesn't happen (as often, at least).

Nespresso pods

It's no secret that coffee pods can have a damaging environmental impact. If you live in New York City, your Original and Vertuo pods can be recycled curbside in your blue bin. Alternatively, you can order recycling bags with your subscription to Nespresso or drop them at your nearest Nespresso Boutique.

This is a great step, but as with any recycling, it depends on people's efforts. So, until curbside recycling is widely available, many will inevitably end up in landfills.

Score: 4 out of 5

Nespresso Essenza Mini: Taste test

At this point, I've made countless coffees with the Essenza Mini. I often buy the Nespresso assortment packs to mix up my morning coffees.

After using a Nespresso machine for years, I can confidently say that the pods produce good coffee. There are currently more than 40 different types of Original coffee pods (and 30+ Vertuo pods), and I'm yet to find one that doesn't taste like good-quality coffee.

Of course, with such a vast range, there are some pods that I've found to be a little too weak or strong to my liking, but they never taste poor quality. To me, this makes Nespresso stand out as a pod coffee brand. They source coffee beans from around the world, offering a variety of strengths that all taste great.

I'm not a big espresso drinker, so I often heat milk in the microwave for around 40 seconds before brewing the Nespresso coffee. I've found this an easy way to get fuller cups of coffee from a machine that exclusively brews espressos and lungos. 

And, if you're a fan of more indulgent coffees, you can use the machine's espressos as the foundation for milkier drinks like lattes, flat whites, and cappuccinos. I used a milk frother from the JURA GIGA 10 to brew my drinks, but you can also froth and heat milk at home with a microwave and a glass jar. 

Thanks to the quality of the espresso poured by the pods in the Essenza Mini, these coffees tasted similar to those you'd get at a coffee shop. The coffee never tastes weak when combined with milk, even with drinks like the latte macchiato, which is mostly milk. 

Should you buy the Nespresso Essenza Mini?

 Buy it if… 

 Don’t buy it if…  

How does the Nespresso Essenza Mini compare?

The Essenza Mini is a strong coffee maker because it can do what most Nespresso Original machines can for a fraction of the price. More expensive Original machines offer bigger water tanks and milk frothers, but you have to get towards the top of the range to find models that can brew more than espressos and lungos. 

Thanks to the milk frother, the Nespresso Lattissima One can brew cappuccinos, latte macchiatos, espressos, and lungos. The Creatista Plus has a steam wand for latte art and offers more machine flexibility. Both of these alternatives cost $100s more, and you can achieve similar results for a lot less by investing in your own milk frother and steam wand. 

Conversely, the best Keurig coffee makers are much cheaper than their Nespresso counterparts. They generally offer more cup-size options, but they don't often get praised on flavor as much as Nespresso machines do. The K-Slim is a more affordable alternative, and the K-Duo can brew cups and coffee carafes for a similar price.

How I tested the Nespresso Essenza Mini

• Tested intermittently for over three years, then used as the primary coffee machine for over a year
• Tested using a wide variety of Nespresso coffee pods

The Nespresso Essenza Mini was the primary coffee machine in my family's home for three years, during which time I used it on and off whenever I drank coffee there.

It has been my home's primary coffee machine for almost two years, where I usually make one or two coffees a day.

Read more about how we test.

• First reviewed: January 2024