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Nespresso Pixie Vs Essenza Mini – Comparison Review

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Quick Answer

Nespresso Pixie is larger with a greater water tank and capsule capacity, while Essenza Mini is more compact and lightweight, offering quieter operation. Both machines perform similarly, making the choice depend on your preference for size and design.

Read on for more detail

Choosing a coffee machine can be overwhelming as there are too many options on the market.

But if you start searching for single-serve espresso makers, the top options you will come across will be the Nespresso Pixie and the Nespresso Essenza Mini coffee machines. Which one should you pick?

What is the difference between the Nespresso Pixie and Essenza Mini? These two single-serve espresso makers are similar in terms of their performance. The key differences are that Nespresso Pixie has a larger water tank and capsule drawer capacity, and is slightly bigger and heavier due to the metal casing.

In this article, we have reviewed the two coffee makers to give you the pros and cons of each of them. Read on to learn everything about Nespresso Pixie Vs Essenza Mini espresso makers and decide which one is a better fit for your needs. 

Nespresso Pixie Vs Essenza Mini – What’s the Difference?

Before comparing the two espresso makers, let’s have a look at these coffee machines individually and discuss all their advantages and disadvantages. Reviewing the two espresso makers in detail will help see the key differences between the Nespresso Mini and Essenza Pixie. 

Edit
Nespresso PixieEssenza Mini
Housing MaterialPlastic, metal sidesPlastic
ColorBlack, aluminum sidesBlack, Red, Lime
Dimensions4.4 x 9.3 x 12.8 inches4.3 x 12. x 8 .1 inches
Weight6.17 lbs5.1 lbs
Pump Pressure19 bar19 bar
Water Tank Capacity24 ounces20.3 ounces
Used Capsule Capacity9-115-6
Heat Up Time25 seconds30 seconds
Power Save ModeYesYes
Cup Sizes22
ManufacturerDe’LonghiDe’Longhi
Best FeatureLarge water tank capacityQuiet performance
Current Price Check on AmazonCheck on Amazon

Nespresso Pixie 

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The Nespresso Pixie single-serve coffee machine is a perfect choice if you are on the hunt for a modern-looking compact-sized espresso maker. 

If your coffee choices are limited and you don’t need a cappuccino or latte in the morning, then this coffee maker will certainly cover all your needs. If needed, you can buy a frother that comes in a bundle with this coffee machine at a very good price. 

For such a compact espresso maker, Nespresso Pixie has a relatively big water tank capacity.

Everything about the water tank of this coffee machine is great. It is removable for convenient use. Additionally, the machine has an empty water tank alert. It lights up whenever you need to refill it. 

The 19 bar high-pressure pump and the 25-second heat up time are the secrets to a perfectly made cup of coffee. All you need to do is to put in your favorite capsule and choose the cup size. 

If you choose to brew the Lungo shot, fold the drip tray for convenient use. 

Pros:

  • Elegant design 
  • Folding drip tray for different cup sizes
  • Empty water tank alert
  • Comes with a set of 16 capsules 
  • One-touch control 
  • Energy-saving 

Cons:

  • Heavier due to aluminum sides 

Nespresso Essenza Mini

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If your goal is to find a good-quality, compact, lightweight, and portable single-serve espresso maker, consider the Essenza Mini coffee machine. 

The simple and timeless design of this coffee machine, as well its small footprint that can fit in the smallest of the kitchens, make this appliance a great fit for many buyers. 

You have to buy a frother separately to be able to enjoy a range of other espresso-based drinks. Luckily, the manufacturer offers a good deal for a set of Essenza Mini and a frother.

Essenza Mini is also a good option for people who are energy conscious. It has an eco-mode to turn on after the third minute and an auto shut-off feature. 

As Essenza Mini is on the smaller side, its water tank capacity and used capsules reservoir are obviously smaller too.

The latter holds only 5 to 6 used capsules. If you are an enthusiastic coffee drinker that enjoys three or more cups of coffee a day, you will have to clean the used capsule drawer more often. 

Pros:

  • Compact size
  • Lightweight and portable 
  • One-touch operation
  • Two programmable cup sizes (Espresso and Lungo)
  • Comes with 16 capsules 
  • Eco-friendly energy mode

Cons:

  • Small water tank capacity
  • Used capsule drawer needs to be emptied often

Side-by-Side Comparison

As you can already see, there are both similarities and differences between Nespresso Pixie and Essenza Mini coffee machines. Let’s make a side-by-side comparison considering all aspects of these machines. 

Quality and Casing 

Compared to the Essenza Mini that has a plastic casing, one may consider the Pixie a better-built model. The Nespresso Pixie has aluminum sides.

However, the aluminum sides make the machine heavy. The Pixie weighs 6.17 lbs, while the weight of the Essenza Mini machine is only 5.1 lbs.

While the heavy weight of Nespresso Pixie may be a drawback for some people, others consider it to be an indicator of durability. 

Size and Capacity

Both the Nespresso Pixie and Essenza Mini are on the smaller side. However, the Essenza Mini is more compact. But this also means that it has a smaller water tank and used capsule capacity.

The water tank capacity of Essenza Mini is 20.3 ounces compared to the 24 ounces of Nespresso Pixie. Additionally, it can hold only 5-6 used capsules while you will have to empty out Nespresso Pixie after there are 9-11 used capsules in the drawer. 

As the overall size of the Essenza Mini coffee machine is smaller, its drip tray is also smaller than that of the Nespresso Pixie. 

Design 

As far as the looks are concerned, both the Nespresso Pixie and Essenza Mini have simple designs with no over-the-top solutions.

But the Essenza Mini comes in a few other fun colors aside from the traditional black. The machine does look sleek in black, though, and will fit nicely into many kitchen interiors. 

The design of the Essenza Mini machine may differ slightly depending on the manufacturer. If the Essenza Mini is manufactured by Breville it has a narrow straight shape.

But don’t get confused. It is only the design that differs. The rest of the features are the same despite the manufacturer. 

The Nespresso Pixie is more modern-looking with its metal details and aluminum sides. While it doesn’t come in different colors, you can change the side panels on the Nespresso Pixie machine whenever you are tired of the plain aluminum exterior.

Performance 

The performance of both espresso machines is similar. They both have 19 bar pump pressure. 

The quality of espresso, which is the key point of consideration for many people, is very much the same. Both machines brew the espresso quickly and make it equally as delicious. 

There is a small difference in the heat-up time, however. Nespresso Mini takes 25 seconds to heat while Essenza Mini requires a few more seconds and reaches the ideal temperature in 30 seconds. 

Usability 

A key difference between the Nespresso Pixie and Essenza Mini coffee machines is that the latter operates more quietly

Both have some type of auto power-off function. The Pixie turns off if you don’t use it within 9 minutes of turning it on. It also gives an empty water tank alert.

The Essenza Mini, on the other hand, goes into an eco-mode after 3 minutes. Similar to the Pixie, the Essenza Mini also turns off 9 minutes after the last use. 

You can choose between two cup sizes with either of these coffee machines. Both coffee makers are compatible only with Nespresso capsules. 

Which One to Buy?

When buying an espresso machine, first decide what are your needs. After that, see if the options you are looking into buying will meet them. 

Both Nespresso Pixie and Essenza Mini are great for beginners. If you want to buy a beginner-friendly coffee machine and save yourself some trips to the local coffee shop and also save money, both options will work well for you. 

De’Longhi is a trusted manufacturer. So, buying either of the two espresso machines will be a success.

The Nespresso Pixie and Essenza Mini are very similar in terms of the result they provide. However, if you are choosing between the two, there are still a few things to consider. 

Firstly, consider the size and capacity. If you have little countertop space, go with Essenza Mini as it is more compact. But keep in mind that the water tank and used capsule drawers are smaller compared to the Nespresso Pixie machine. 

Secondly, if you are one of those people that despises the noise of the coffee machine in the morning, the Essenza Mini is certainly a better pick for you as it operates more quietly. This is not a widespread feature among lower-priced coffee machines. 

Third, consider the design. A coffee machine is something you will be keeping on display. Make sure it fits the aesthetics of your kitchen.

And lastly, consider the price. While there isn’t a huge gap between Nespresso Pixie and Essenza Mini, prices can fluctuate.

If you are buying a single-serve espresso machine just to get started and then level up to more ‘professional’ coffee machines, you might as well start with a purchase you can save money on. 

So, Nespresso Pixie vs Essenza Mini, which is better? It’s really just a matter of preference and probably comes down to the size and capacity you need in an espresso machine. The Nespresso Pixie is larger with a greater capacity. The two machines perform about the same and their espresso quality is about equal.

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