Breville Nespresso Essenza Mini Espresso Machine Review

In today’s article, we are going to be taking a look at the Nespresso Essenza Mini Espresso Machine by Breville.

Breville, if you aren’t aware already, is a really special company that is known because of the high level of functionality that its products offer you with. Yes, in most of the cases, the products from the Breville line of products are a little more expensive than the average product out there but it is widely accepted that it is worth the extra price.

Breville is one of those lines of products that has a dedicated base of users who only opt for Breville products and nothing else. And even if you are not one of them, you still must consider at least the Breville Nespresso Essenza Mini Espresso Machine if you are planning to go for a Nespresso machine.

What are the main features of the Breville Nespresso Essenza Mini Espresso Machine


As I remarked earlier, the Breville line of products is noted for the high level of functionality that it provides you with in almost every type of product that it sells. The Breville Nespresso Essenza Mini Espresso Machine is no exception to this and is yet another great product that is really loved by a lot of people. It’s not however their best unit, it’s one of their nicer entry level units.

You can see a comparison of all the Nespresso machines here or read on to take a look at all the features of this model so that you can ensure that it would fit your needs perfectly.

So, the main features of the Breville Nespresso Essenza Mini might be summed up as follows:

  • The First thing about this model is that it has the perfect size. Some models are too small to serve enough people while some are way too large to be placed properly on a table or countertop. However, this model has the perfect dimensions allowing you to properly place it wherever you want and this helps you use it more freely.
  • This machine can also serve in three amounts (also known as cup sizes) and as such these three cup sizes provide you with a level of versatility when it comes to dispensing or serving the espresso. You can choose the exact amount of espresso that you want and you aren’t forced to take more or less than that! So, this is one of the best things about this machine.
  • The Centrifusion Extraction technology that has been used in this machine makes about 7000 spins per minute, ensuring that the delicate flavors are perfectly extracted giving your espresso the perfect aroma and flavor and your adrenalin the perfect push that you’re looking for!
  • VertuoPlus uses an intelligent extraction system that recognizes each capsule, thanks to a barcode on the rim of the capsule. Based on this, the brewing takes place, which ensures that you get the perfect taste that the blend you chose is supposed to give you. This is a really rare thing and is provided to you in this model. This alone is one of the things that makes many people go for this model.
  • The Jet Pressure is of 19 Bars for this machine, and it also heats up really quickly. This machine has been specially designed to quickly heat up within 30 seconds at the touch of a button and that makes this machine really fast.
    This machine is also specially designed for working with capsules. As such, it has the ability to perfectly pierce the capsule as well and this makes the work for you a lot simpler.
  • This machine also has a super handy interface and you can choose between two modes: Espresso and Lunge. This gives this machine a certain level of versatility at the same time!
  • This machine is also known for its Energy-saving nature. The Eco mode for low Energy consumption kicks in after 3 minutes and an automatic energy-saving function switches machine off after 9 minutes of inactivity, ensuring that your electricity bills can easily be kept to a minimum.
  • The water tank is also removable so that you can clean the machine with ease. This makes you free from the hassle of having to clean it through a complicated process.
  • And of course, you also get a complimentary welcome kit, which provides you with several capsules so that you can try them out. If you love one or more from these, you can also order them and you can start having another kind of coffee at the same time, because why not!

What are some of the negative aspects about this model

This model, at the first glance, looks like a perfectly flawless model. However, people who have used it for a while have sometimes reported some minor drawbacks that you must still consider if you plan to go for this model. Because, for some people, these minor drawbacks are often the reason to discard ad model and go for another one that serves their needs more properly.

So, these are the main drawbacks that people have complained about when it comes to the Nespresso Essenza Mini Espresso Machine by the Breville line of products:

  • The first complaint is regarding the quality of the product. Some people complain that their product has leaked. This is a really problematic situation because it happens when you’re not expecting it. So, that’s something you might want to do a little bit of research on before you buy.
  • The next complaint is that this product doesn’t produce enough espresso from each capsule and that the taste is not too good either. While this does somewhat depend on the perspective of the user, that’s something that has been complained about by quite a few people.
  • Another complaint is regarding the fact that this model does not always properly pierce the capsules. While it mostly does it properly, there have been cases when they have not been pierced. And this is a major problem because if you just plan to let it prepare your espresso while you do something else, it makes that impossible.
  • One more thing that some people think could be worked on is the fact that you simply must remove the water tank in order to fill it up again, making it a little tedious when you have to do it a lot of times within a short time.
  • Another thing that you must keep in mind about this model is that it’s available in only one color: Piano Black. And while it does look elegant in that color, you really do not have much choice. So, if you’re one of the aesthetic people who simply need to have it in a preferred color in order to make it fit in with your kitchen, you might want to look for alternatives.

The Economic Factor Considered

As I remarked earlier, the Breville line of products provides you with a lot of functionality. However, the cost is mostly a little more than the average cost for the product out there. However, that doesn’t mean that it’s not justified. So, let us consider the justification of the price for this model.

This model provides you with a really high level of functionality and so this model deserves to be priced a little higher. At the undiscounted price in Amazon, this model can still be treated as worth it. However, if you’re planning to buy this model and have a little time, you might want to hold on for a little while since there are sales all the time!

So, if you have made up your mind to go with this model and see this on a sale, then you must know that it’s the perfect time to buy it because that’s when the price is actually less than the utility that you receive, making it a really smart deal!

My Recommendation: Go for it!

After all considerations, one can easily see that this model si actually a pretty nice model and it’s still actually, pretty affordable. This model gives you with not only a lot of functionality and versatility but also a pretty nice look and a perfect size that allows you to put it wherever you want to.

Besides these, this machine also gives you the automatic capsule piercing feature and a really perfect drip tray that ensures that you don’t have to go through the hassle of having to clean up the counter-top after every single serving.

So, all in all, this machine can easily be treated as worth the undiscounted price as well. However, as I remarked earlier, this machine is rarely seen at that price because it’s often available in sales owing to its popularity and that is the perfect time to go for it if you’re planning to buy it. Just makes sure that this machine would serve all your needs perfectly before you actually go out and buy this machine, because that is the right course of action that any and every smart buyer should follow in order to make the investment a smart and successful one.

How to choose the right model

Choosing the right model is something that a lot of people face troubles with. I believe that this is because they do not really understand how to properly judge models. The first thing that one must do is understand what they are actually looking for.

Once you know what you are looking for, it becomes surprisingly easy to judge models based on your needs. And your specific needs guide you towards the model that is perfect for you. Know that the bestselling model isn’t always importantly the best one for you. The best model for you is the model that serves all your needs at the most affordable price.

As long as you keep this in the back of your mind, you will be able to judge the models according to your needs and choose the perfect one for yourself. Just remember not to worry too much and not to stop thinking when the time to act comes. It’s really simply and choosing the right model is the best way to ensure that all your needs will be served. So, are you ready to go shopping for the right model for yourself?

The main competing models for the model

While the Breville Essenza Mini Espresso Machine surely a marvelous product, that does not mean that it does not face any competition at all. In fact, all the models that are near the bestselling position and really loved and really special and as such they are all competitors to one another.

Anyway, the main competing models for the Breville Essenza Mini Espresso Machine are as follows:

  • Nespresso Inissia Espresso Machine by De’Longhi: De’Longhi, one of the most loved brands out there, brings to you the Nespresso Inissia Espresso Machine to cater to this love of yours for the perfect Espresso! This is naturally one of the main competitors for the Breville Essenza Mini Espresso Machine.
  • Nespresso Expert Espresso Machine by De’Longhi: Next is the Nespresso Expert Espresso Machine by De’Longhi, that De’Longhi claims is one of its most special and bestselling products, you just might want to check it out regardless of the fact that you might have already decided on another model, because this model doesn’t take time to change your mind!
  • Nespresso Vertuo Coffee and Espresso Machine by Breville: Yep, this is another product from the same line of products. However, it is still a competitor because it also provides you with the same amount of functionality! However, there are naturally some differences that you might also want to check out.

So, at the end of the day, these are the main competing products for the Breville Nespresso Essenza Mini Espresso Machine and these are the ones that you must also check out before you finally settle on the Breville Essenza Mini Espresso Machine, even if it seems lucrative enough to buy right now!

We here at Gamble Bay Coffee always strive to find the best things for you and guide you in the right direction to make the best purchases, and we wish you best of luck for your potential future purchase!

Brian Mounts

Head blogger, editor, and owner of "Top Off My Coffee", a website that has been educating readers about coffee brewing techniques and equipment since 2012.

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