The Nespresso Essenza Mini by Breville and De’Longhi are virtually identical in performance, making it a tie in terms of specs and features. Both machines offer a compact and lightweight design, making them ideal for small spaces. They heat up in just 25 seconds, feature a 19-bar pressure pump for high-quality espresso extraction, and have a 0.6L water reservoir. Additionally, both models accommodate up to six used capsules and include an eco-energy mode for power saving. The primary difference lies in aesthetic design—Breville’s version has a slightly wider profile, while De’Longhi’s model is slimmer. Ultimately, choosing between them comes down to personal preference in design rather than functionality.
Nespresso Essenza Mini Breville vs. Delonghi: Differences
Now you know that both machines operate the same way, and the final decision hinges on which design you prefer more. So what does the Essenza Mini bring to the table?
Coffee Flavor & Brewing System
🏆 Winner: Tie
Heating System:
There’s a lot to love about the Essenza Mini, but top of the list should be how quickly it heats up. The Essenza Mini is ready to go in about 25 seconds, which is incredibly quick compared to an average espresso machine that takes about five minutes or longer to heat up.
Once you’ve prepared your cup of Joe, there’s no need to worry about turning off these machines. They automatically enter sleep mode after 9 minutes of inactivity, ensuring energy conservation. It doesn’t get any simpler than that!
Brewing System:
With the strength of a 19-bar pump, the espresso produced is not only delicious but also emerges at the ideal temperature. It is warm, rich, and topped with a creamy head that makes espresso irresistibly appealing. Of course, the specific flavor notes will vary based on the capsules you choose.
Design & Convenience
🏆 Winner: Tie
Dimensions & User Interface:
- Essenza Mini Breville: Dimensions – 12.8 x 8 x 4.8 inches; Weight – 5 lbs.
- Essenza Mini Delonghi: Dimensions – 12.8 x 8 x 4.3 inches; Weight – 5 lbs.
The Essenza Mini truly lives up to its name. It’s so compact that it can easily slide onto a shelf or tuck away in a pantry, almost making you forget it’s there. This nifty little machine is also incredibly lightweight, which makes moving it around a breeze. Whether you want to rearrange your kitchen, take it to another room, or even pack it for a trip, its portability is a huge plus.
- Breville: Rectangular shape with color options of black, gray, or white.
- Delonghi: Rounded shape with color options of black, green, or cherry red.
Both have two buttons, one for espresso and one for lungo.
Cup Clearance:
- Essenza Mini Breville: 4.5 inches.
- Essenza Mini Delonghi: 4.5 inches.
Both have enough space to place a small espresso cup comfortably. If you’re looking to use a standard mug, simply remove the drip tray and place it directly on the counter.
Water Reservoir & Used Capsule Container:
- Essenza Mini Breville: Water Reservoir – 0.6 liters; Used Capsule Container – 6 pods.
- Essenza Mini Delonghi: Water Reservoir – 0.6 liters; Used Capsule Container – 6 pods.
The water tank is on the smaller side compared to other models, meaning if you’re a heavy coffee drinker or share your space with fellow coffee enthusiasts, you’ll find yourself refilling the water tank more often. The silver lining is that refilling the tank is a breeze since it’s removable.
Drink Options & Programmability
🏆 Winner: Tie
Drink Options:
- Essenza Mini Breville: Espresso (40ml), Lungo (110ml).
- Essenza Mini Delonghi: Espresso (40ml), Lungo (110ml).
There are only two buttons for espresso and lungo, nothing more and nothing less. Just press one of the buttons and wait for it to stop flashing, pop a pod into the top of the machine, place your espresso glass under the spout, hit the button again, and a gorgeous espresso shot is ready for you.
Nespresso’s own pods are top-notch, but you’re not limited to them. There’s a pretty good selection of third-party capsules available, as long as they’re compatible with Nespresso Original machines.
If you’re eco-conscious and worried about the environmental impact of coffee pods, there’s good news. Brands like Woken are now making biodegradable Nespresso pods. This is a fantastic option for those of us who cringe at the thought of contributing to landfills brimming with mountains of non-degradable plastic.
Programmability:
- Adjustable Settings: Both models allow you to adjust the length of the espresso (40ml) and lungo (110ml) shots to fit your cup size and preferences. However, you can’t tweak the temperature, but the drink comes out at just the right temperature.
While the Nespresso Essenza Mini Breville and Delonghi models have different designs, they both offer the same impressive functionality, making them excellent choices for a compact and efficient espresso machine.
Quick Rundown of Breville Nespresso Essenza Mini
Breville BEC220BLK1AUC1 Nespresso Essenza Mini Espresso Machine, 15.25 x 5.5 x 12.25 in, Black
The Breville Nespresso Essenza Mini is a sleek and compact espresso machine designed to deliver barista-grade coffee at home. It combines a minimalist design with exceptional functionality, making it an excellent choice for coffee enthusiasts.
Key Features:
- Espresso Machine: Enjoy a full range of espresso coffee with Nespresso. The machine heats up in just 25 seconds and includes an energy-saving automatic shut-off.
- Barista Grade: Offers an impeccable single-serve coffee or espresso cup, incorporating a compact design with unrivaled quality to create the perfect cup every time. It brews two single-serve cup sizes with just one touch of a button.
- For All Coffee Drinkers: Embody the expertise of Nespresso with a user-friendly, classic espresso machine.
- Compact Design: Easy to place and move around in any kitchen.
Pros:
- Heats up fast.
- Compact and lightweight size.
- One-touch operation.
- Eco-energy mode.
- Not expensive.
Cons:
- Smaller water tank and used capsule box.
- No milk frother.
The Breville Nespresso Essenza Mini stands out for its rapid heating time, ease of use, and compact design, making it a convenient and efficient option for enjoying high-quality espresso at home. Despite its smaller water tank and lack of a milk frother, it offers great value for its price.
Quick Rundown of Delonghi Nespresso Essenza Mini
Nespresso Essenza Mini Coffee and Espresso Machine by De’Longhi, 1150 watts, 110ml, Black
The Delonghi Nespresso Essenza Mini is a compact and efficient espresso machine designed to deliver barista-style coffee in the comfort of your home. Its minimalist design and powerful features make it a fantastic option for coffee lovers.
Key Features:
- Compact Design: Offers 2 programmable cup sizes: Espresso (40ml) and Lungo (110ml).
- High Pressure Pump: Equipped with a 19-bar high-pressure pump for barista-style flavor and aroma.
- Fast Heat-Up System: Reaches the ideal temperature in just 25 seconds.
- Automatic Shut-Off: Features an automatic shut-off 9 minutes after the last use to save energy.
- Compatibility: Compatible with Nespresso Original espresso capsules.
Pros:
- Heats up fast.
- Compact and lightweight size.
- One-touch operation.
- Eco-energy mode.
- Not expensive.
Cons:
- Smaller water tank and used capsule box.
- No milk frother.
The Delonghi Nespresso Essenza Mini is a great choice for those who appreciate a quick and easy coffee-making process. Its compact design and efficient performance make it a convenient and cost-effective option for enjoying high-quality espresso at home.
Conclusion:
In the comparison between the Nespresso Essenza Mini Breville and Delonghi models, it is evident that both machines offer similar performance and functionality. The main difference lies in their external design.
The Breville Nespresso Essenza Mini features a sleek, triangular shape, while the Delonghi Nespresso Essenza Mini boasts a compact, boxy form. Despite these design differences, both machines deliver the same high-quality coffee experience. They heat up quickly, are easy to use with one-touch operation, and brew coffee with a powerful 19-bar pump.
- Performance: Both machines heat up in about 25 seconds and automatically enter sleep mode after 9 minutes of inactivity, ensuring energy conservation.
- Brewing System: With a 19-bar pump, both models produce delicious espresso at the ideal temperature, topped with a creamy head.
- Design & Convenience: Both models are compact, lightweight, and easy to move around. They have identical dimensions and weight, making them suitable for small spaces.
- Drink Options & Programmability: Both machines offer two programmable cup sizes (espresso and lungo) and allow for adjustment of shot length to fit your preferences. However, neither model allows for temperature adjustment.
The choice between the Nespresso Essenza Mini Breville and Delonghi ultimately comes down to personal preference in design. Both machines offer excellent performance, convenience, and value for money. Whether you prefer the sleek design of the Breville or the classic look of the Delonghi, you can expect a delightful coffee experience with either machine.