Our Coffee Machine Review: DeLonghi Essenza Mini
Before you head out to buy a new single-serve coffee maker for your home, check out this review to see if the DeLonghi Essenza Mini will meet your needs.
I’m excited once again to have traveled somewhere new in Italy, this time Milan, and had a chance to test out a new coffee maker. These B&Bs usually offer a capsule coffee maker and a limited supply of capsules, so we are in the habit of buying our own and giving it a test drive.
The model we are looking at today is a DeLonghi Essenza Mini, model EN85R. It is quite similar to the Krups coffee maker we reviewed earlier in the year, but more on that later. These are generally selling for under €200 online, but you can find them for under €80 if you look hard enough.
This is a single serve capsule machine, so it is best suited for small groups, like 1 or 2 people, otherwise you will be standing around waiting for your turn. It is definitely for home use and not suited for an office setting.
First Impressions With No Unboxing
Since this was already set up, I didn’t have the pleasure of unboxing it. My first impression was that I liked the red color on the machine. Many are all black, and this splash of color was a nice touch. Also, there was a little confusion with the buttons. While the labels were obvious (large and small) there were moments that both lights were flashing and I couldn’t figure out if I needed to press one or both. It is possible that sleep deprivation might have caused the confusion.
The design is very similar to the Krups machine we already reviewed, which was sturdy enough. It sat quietly in the corner until it was time to use it, so I refilled the reservoir on the back and started brewing my first cup of the day.
Features And Specifications
This is a pretty simple machine, at least for the user. Here are the highlights of what you might care about:
- Capsule Compatibility: This is a Nespresso capsule machine.
- Water Tank & Capacity: The tank holds 0.6L (20.3 fl oz) of water.
- Milk Frothing Capability: None, it only makes capsule style espresso.
- Customization: Two options for cup size are your only options.
- Ease of Maintenance: I didn’t clean the machine, apart from emptying the used capsule container, but from the user manual, it looks easy.
Performance And Coffee Quality
The machine heated the water and brewed the cup in only a couple minutes. This is consistent with the other machines of this type and level of complexity. It did create some Crema, which is also consistent with Nespresso-style machines, unlike the Keurigs. The coffee was OK, but as I’ve expressed in other reviews, I feel like capsule machines produce a watery cup that I am not a fan of.
The experience wasn’t bad. It was a fairly quiet experience, which is good so that it doesn’t wake the entire apartment. It was simple to use and not very different from the other machines of this style and quality level. It takes up a very small foot print on the counter, which is good for space savings, but the used capsule container is very small, requiring frequent emptying.
Price & Value For The Money
This is an entry-level machine, and the prices (under €80) reflect that. This isn’t a long-term test, so I’m not in a position to judge the durability, but I do have two clues:
- If a B&B chose it, they probably don’t want to deal with breakdowns so I’m assuming it holds up under typical use in a two-bedroom apartment.
- The machine has a very simple design, so not much can go wrong with the internals. Assume it can hold up to typical usage.
- The only cost concern is the capsule expenses, but since you can use any Nespresso compatible capsules, it is really up to what you choose.
Final Verdict: Is The Nespresso Essenza Mini Any Good?
This inexpensive and simply designed machine does not bring with it any surprises. It is entry-level and the cost and coffee reflect that. You won’t be disappointed buying one, as long as you set your expectations at the right level.
This is best suited for a small apartment of one or two people. It doesn’t crank out the coffee quickly and the need to dump the used capsules frequently under heavy use can be a pain. People love the convenience and minimal clean-up required with these, and if that is what you want, you should buy one.
For me, I prefer a stronger cup of coffee and these capsule machines don’t deliver the level of quality I want. This isn’t for me because I prefer the coffee that comes from my Moka, but that is definitely a personal choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are DeLonghi And Krups The Same Company?
When you consider how similar the two versions of the Essenza Mini are, it is a good question to ask.
As for the differences between the two products, according to Nespresso, who licenses the technology to both DeLonghi and Krups:
Those two coffee machines have only different designs of some parts, like the coffee buttons position, color, drip grids and coffee outlet. Both the coffee machines are manufactured by one (assuming Chinese) manufacturer, so there is no difference in their functions or quality.
What Type Of Coffee Capsules Can You Use?
The DeLonghi Essenza Mini works with Nespresso’s first version of coffee capsules. You can buy a wide range of brands of coffee in the store and online because these capsules are the most popular around.
Can You Use Third-Party Capsules?
Yes, because they license the Nespresso types of capsules, you can find almost all of your favorite brands offering capsules in the Nespresso format. It is very popular and is available online and in most grocery stores. Be careful because there is a second Nespresso format of capsule that is not compatible with the first version that this machine uses.
Can The Delonghi Essenza Mini Make Lattes?
No, not by itself. The DeLonghi Essenza Mini is a single-serve espresso maker, so you can use it to make the espresso shots. Because of the simplicity of the coffee machine, there is no built-in milk frother or steamer.
How Do You Clean The DeLonghi Essenza Mini?
In the user manual that comes with it (or that you can download) there are instructions for disassembling the machine and hand washing the individual pieces. There are also recommendations for descaling the machine if needed.
Does It Make American-Style Coffee?
Not in one step. You can brew an espresso shot and then dilute it with hot water from a kettle. This is about as close to a US style drip coffee as you can get.
More Italian Coffee Make Information
If you want to read more reviews of Italian coffee makers that you can use at home, here are some articles that get into the types to consider, as well as some reviews of types that we have evaluated hands-on:
- Our Krups Coffee Machine Review: Nespresso Essenza Mini
- Skip The Bialetti Mini Express 2-Cup Stovetop Coffee Maker.
- Moka Express Review: Is This The Best Espresso Maker Ever?
- Bialetti Brikka Review: Is The Coffee Crema Worth It?
