Nespresso Essenza Mini by Krups – Compact Capsule Coffee Machine

Nespresso Essenza Mini by Krups – Compact Original Capsule Coffee Machine

The Nespresso Essenza Mini by Krups is one of the simplest ways to add a Nespresso Original capsule machine to a kitchen where worktop space is limited.

At just 8.4cm wide, the XN110840 is particularly compact. It has two programmable drink buttons for Espresso and Lungo, a 0.6-litre removable water tank, approximately 25-second heat-up and automatic beverage stop.

There is no milk system, grinder or menu of speciality drinks. The appeal is much simpler: insert a compatible Nespresso Original capsule, choose Espresso or Lungo and let the machine handle the brewing.

Why Consider the Nespresso Essenza Mini?

The strongest argument for the Essenza Mini is its combination of small dimensions and straightforward operation.

There is very little to configure. The machine has two coffee buttons, heats quickly and uses pre-portioned capsules rather than requiring you to grind, weigh, distribute or tamp coffee.

That makes it fundamentally different from machines such as the Sage Bambino Plus or Gaggia Classic E24.

Those machines provide much greater control over coffee preparation. The Essenza Mini deliberately trades that control for speed, consistency and convenience.

Key Features

• Ultra-compact 8.4cm width – Particularly useful on narrow kitchen worktops.
• Nespresso Original capsule system – Uses Original-format capsules rather than Nespresso Vertuo capsules.
• Espresso and Lungo controls – Two dedicated programmable drink buttons.
• Automatic beverage stop – Stops dispensing at the programmed volume.
• Approximately 25-second heat-up – Designed for quick preparation from startup.
• 19-bar pump – Part of the machine's capsule brewing system.
• 0.6-litre removable water tank – Compact capacity appropriate to the machine's small footprint.
• Used-capsule container – Holds approximately five to six capsules.
• Removable drip tray – Helps with cleaning and accommodating different cup sizes.
• Automatic power-off – Helps reduce unnecessary energy consumption when the machine isn't being used.

How the Essenza Mini Works

Using the machine is deliberately straightforward:

1. Fill the removable water tank.
2. Switch the machine on.
3. Allow it to heat.
4. Lift the lever and insert a compatible capsule.
5. Close the lever.
6. Select Espresso or Lungo.
7. The machine dispenses the programmed amount and stops automatically.
8. Lift the lever afterwards to eject the used capsule into the internal container.

There is no need to choose a grind size, weigh coffee or tamp a basket.

For someone who enjoys those variables, that's a limitation. For someone who specifically doesn't want them, it's the point of the machine.

Espresso and Lungo

The Essenza Mini provides two main drink selections: Espresso and Lungo.

Both buttons are programmable, allowing the beverage quantity to be adjusted to suit your preference.

It's worth understanding that this is a capsule brewing system rather than a traditional portafilter espresso machine.

If you want to experiment with coffee dose, grind size, distribution, tamping, extraction ratio or pressure, a manual or semi-automatic espresso machine is a more appropriate choice.

The Essenza Mini instead aims to make capsule coffee predictable and convenient.

Nespresso Original – Not Vertuo

The Essenza Mini belongs to the Nespresso Original system.

This distinction matters when buying capsules.

Nespresso Vertuo capsules are not compatible with the Essenza Mini.

The Original format also has a substantial ecosystem of compatible capsules from other coffee brands, giving you more choice than Nespresso-branded capsules alone.

Always check that capsules are specifically described as compatible with Nespresso Original machines.

How Compact Is It?

Krups specifies the XN110840 at approximately:

• Width: 8.4cm
• Depth: 33cm
• Height: 20.4cm
• Weight: 2.3kg
• Water tank: 0.6 litres

The narrow width is impressive, but remember that the machine is considerably deeper than it is wide.

It's therefore worth checking the complete dimensions against your available worktop rather than looking only at the front width.

0.6-Litre Water Tank

The compact dimensions inevitably mean a relatively small water tank.

At 0.6 litres, it will need refilling more frequently than larger machines such as the Nespresso CitiZ.

We wouldn't translate that capacity into a fixed number of drinks because consumption depends on the beverage volumes you've programmed and whether additional water is used for rinsing.

The tank is removable, making it straightforward to refill at the sink.

Used-Capsule Capacity

The internal container holds approximately five to six used capsules.

Again, that's modest compared with larger Nespresso machines, but appropriate to the Essenza Mini's emphasis on compact dimensions.

Emptying the container regularly also prevents wet coffee capsules from remaining inside the machine unnecessarily.

What Does the 19-Bar Pump Mean?

Krups specifies a 19-bar pump for the Essenza Mini.

We wouldn't use that number to claim that the machine produces better coffee than a machine with a lower pump-pressure specification.

Pressure figures aren't useful as a simple quality ranking between different types of coffee machine.

The Essenza Mini is engineered as a complete capsule brewing system, so its convenience and compatibility are considerably more relevant buying considerations than comparing maximum pump numbers.

There Is No Milk Frother

The standard Essenza Mini doesn't include an integrated milk system.

If you mainly drink straight Espresso or Lungo, that keeps the machine small and uncomplicated.

If you regularly make cappuccino, latte or other milk-based drinks, you'll need a separate milk frother or another machine with milk preparation built into the setup.

This is where the larger Nespresso CitiZ with Aeroccino bundle becomes an obvious alternative.

Essenza Mini vs Nespresso CitiZ with Aeroccino

Both machines use the Nespresso Original capsule system, but they suit different priorities.

The Essenza Mini prioritises minimal size and straightforward capsule brewing.

The CitiZ with Aeroccino provides a larger water tank and bundled automatic milk frother, making it more convenient for households that regularly prepare milk-based drinks.

If you primarily drink Espresso or Lungo and want the smallest practical footprint, the Essenza Mini has the clearer proposition.

If cappuccinos and lattes are a regular part of your routine, the CitiZ bundle may provide a more complete setup.

Essenza Mini vs Sage Bambino Plus

These machines approach home coffee from completely different directions.

The Essenza Mini uses pre-portioned capsules and requires very little coffee preparation.

The Sage Bambino Plus uses a traditional portafilter. You grind, dose and tamp the coffee yourself, while the machine provides automatic assistance with milk texturing.

The Sage therefore provides considerably more opportunity to experiment with coffee and learn espresso preparation.

The Nespresso is considerably simpler.

Your preference between the two should depend largely on whether you regard the coffee-making process as something you want to explore or something you'd rather minimise.

Running Costs

When comparing capsule machines with ground-coffee systems, consider the ongoing cost as well as the initial machine price.

Every drink requires a compatible capsule.

The cost per coffee therefore depends on which capsules you choose and how often you use the machine.

We wouldn't hard-code capsule prices here because they change, but regular coffee drinkers should consider long-term capsule costs when comparing the Essenza Mini with machines that use bags of whole beans or ground coffee.

Capsules and Recycling

Used capsules create a different waste stream from brewing loose coffee.

Nespresso operates capsule recycling options in the UK, and availability and collection methods can change over time.

If recycling is important to your buying decision, check the current recycling arrangements available for your postcode and the particular capsules you intend to use.

We wouldn't describe capsule coffee as inherently sustainable simply because a recycling scheme exists. Packaging material, collection and actual recycling behaviour all form part of the picture.

Cleaning and Descaling

The Essenza Mini requires relatively little day-to-day maintenance, but it isn't maintenance-free.

Empty the used-capsule container and drip tray regularly, rinse the water tank and keep the coffee outlet and surrounding areas clean.

The machine will also require periodic descaling.

Krups recommends following the instructions supplied for the particular machine, with descaling frequency influenced by usage and water hardness.

Who Is the Essenza Mini Best For?

The Essenza Mini is particularly worth considering if you:

• have very limited worktop space;
• want straightforward capsule coffee;
• mainly drink Espresso or Lungo;
• don't need an integrated milk frother;
• want very little coffee preparation or cleanup;
• prefer the Nespresso Original capsule ecosystem;
• want a compact machine for a small kitchen or office; or
• value repeatability and convenience more than manual brewing control.

Who Should Look Elsewhere?

If you want to grind fresh beans and control espresso extraction yourself, this isn't the right type of machine.

If you regularly prepare milk drinks, consider the additional cost and space required for a separate milk frother or look at a machine with milk preparation included.

If you make several coffees in quick succession, the small 0.6-litre tank and five-to-six-capsule container may become less convenient.

And if you specifically want Nespresso Vertuo capsules and their wider range of drink sizes, you'll need a Vertuo-system machine instead.

Our Take

The Nespresso Essenza Mini doesn't try to replicate the experience of owning a traditional espresso setup.

Its strengths are much simpler: it is exceptionally narrow, heats quickly, has straightforward controls and makes Nespresso Original capsule coffee with very little preparation.

The compromises are equally straightforward. There's no grinder, no milk system, very little control over extraction and both the water tank and used-capsule container are small.

For someone interested in learning espresso, we'd look towards a portafilter machine instead.

For someone who wants a small appliance that makes a predictable Espresso or Lungo with minimal effort, the Essenza Mini fulfils a very different – and useful – role.

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