Review: DeLonghi Nespresso Essenza Mini espresso machine – updated 2024

If you like your espresso in the morning without a lot of fuss, you’ll like this machine. DeLonghi has updated its super-popular Nespresso Essenza Mini with a new design for 2024. I reviewed the original a few years ago and it’s been my go-to machine. So what’s new with the new version? I’ll tell you about my experience with it, what it can do, how it works and the pros and cons after having it in my home for two weeks.

What’s new?

By all accounts this appears to be exactly the same machine as its previous version; the only thing that’s been updated is a little bit of a slicker design. With a shiny piano finish, and a flat top now, the machine appears much more compact and a little more elegant.

New DeLonghi Nespresso Essenza Mini review

I chose the Essenza Mini because it’s small and unobtrusive, and because it offers two sizes of coffee. I don’t add milk to my coffee so all I wanted was something fast and easy, for straight up espressos.

Set up: DeLonghi Nespresso Essenza Mini

The set up of this machine is virtually non-existent; plug it in and power on. It’s ready to go immediately. The kit I bought also included a sample pack of Nespresso capsules, which was a nice way to try some new roasts.

The original design.

When it comes to the specs, this machine gives you 19 bars of pressure from its high pressure pump and has a 20 ounce water tank. It’s super small and weighs almost nothing (about 5 pounds).

Nespresso coffee & pods

We could get into a whole thing here about the environmental impact of pods. For the most part neither aluminum Nespresso pods, not plastic Keurig K-cups are recyclable in a lot of city’s recycling programs; they’re just too small. But I will say this about Nespresso; they encourage you to recycle the aluminum pods by including a pre-paid return bag with your order.

When it comes to the coffees and their taste, there’s lots to enjoy. I find the coffees, packaged in their little cups to be fresh, and with the stunning number of different roasts, tastes, flavours and options, you’re bound to find some you like. I have a list of a few favourites already. Bottom line here, the coffee is good.

Nespresso Pod cost

Let’s talk about what it costs to brew your morning espresso. Nespresso pods can be had on the Nespresso website for about 70 cents to $1.25 per pod. Compared to the cost of a coffee shop espresso, that’s a bargain. Depending on what kind of espresso beans you might be buying now that may or may not be cost effective. I have also, by the way seen reusable Nespresso capsules so you can use your own coffee too. Either way, I’m perfectly happy paying about a buck for my morning espresso.

Coffee brew quality: DeLonghi Nespresso Essenza Mini

Brewing a coffee is as simple as turning it on and waiting for it to heat up, which takes less than 30 seconds. I’m impressed with how fast this is. Then you pop in a capsule, close the lid and choosing your size. My single shot brews in about 30 seconds and the double in about 45.

One of the things I like about the Essenza Mini is that the espresso comes out nice and thick, it’s not watery. It ends up with a nice crema on top, and it’s actually really hot, definitely hot enough for me. While you can’t adjust the water temperature (it comes from the factory set to about 83-86 degrees, says Nespresso). Nespresso says it’s supposed to be at a hot but drinkable temperature so you can have the espresso right away, and recommends if it’s not hot enough, to pre-heat your cup.

Some folks might not appreciate that you can’t adjust the water temperature, but I was definitely okay with the factory setting.

The DeLonghi Essenza Mini has some handy features; the energy saver feature shuts it off in 9 minutes if it’s not used again and you can now set that to wait up to 30 minutes if your prefer. The water tank holds more than enough water for 10 doubles before it needs to be refilled (20 oz), you can use the cup riser or remove it to brew a bigger cup, and there’s a small pod bin that holds about 4-5 discarded pods. All the removable pieces are dishwasher safe.

DeLonghi Nespresso Essenza Mini is very quiet!

I’ve tried some Nesprersso machines that make a loud annoying buzzing noise, but this machine, like the original Essenza version is so quiet! I definitely don’t need to worry about waking anyone in the house up when I make my espresso.

Overall review: NEW DeLonghi Nespresso Essenza Mini

Overall the newly redesigned DeLonghi Nespresso Essenza Mini is exactly the same as the older version—same specs, same results, just with a refreshed look.

New flatter top.

This has been and continues to be my favourite Nespresso espresso maker. It’s super small, and takes up hardly any space in my kitchen. The coffee it makes is delicious, hot, thick and with a beautiful crema, and I love that I can customize the sizes so it’s perfect for me. The water tank is plenty big enough so that I don’t feel like I’m refilling it constantly. For those who want a bigger water tank, there are larger machines out there with more features.

If there are any downsizes to this machine, for some it might be that you can’t adjust the water temperature, but for me this was not an issue. Others may point to the environmental impact of aluminum pods.

Overall, I am in love with this machine. It’s been an awesome addition to my coffee routine and I can definitely recommend it for you. The DeLonghi Nespresso Essenza Mini sells for about $179USD and you can get yours as I got mine through Amazon. You can also check out a Nespresso machine that does more including let you make milk-based espresso drinks, or see what the difference is between Nespresso original and its Vertuo line.

Watch my original review of the 2020-era Essenza Mini

Also Read:

1. How to Choose: Nespresso Original versus Nespresso Vertuo
2. Nespresso Essenza Mini vs Nespresso Inissia
3. How to Choose the Best Nespresso Machine for Your Home

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