After over 1 month of testing and brewing, I have decided which machine wins between Nespresso Pixie vs Essenza. From my experience, Breville Nespresso Pixie is the final winner.
Pixie has an adequate size for single users who live in a small dorm or small apartment without much space. Flavor-wise, it does an excellent job for its price tag, and I find the thick crema layers impressive as well. If you want good espressos and save money from Starbuck, this machine is top-notch.
Essenza is the runner-up not because it brews less tasty coffee, in fact, its espresso flavor has been amazing so far. But, I find it lacks some convenient aspects that I can easily see in Pixie.
Nespresso Pixie vs Essenza: Specs & Features Comparison Chart
Last update on 2024-04-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Nespresso Pixie vs Essenza: Differences
Breville Nespresso Pixie wins 3 to 1 against Breville Nespresso Essenza Mini thanks to its amazingly tasty espresso, foldable drip tray, and sturdy design with the combination of metal and plastic parts. Please find out how these devices work for me below.
Coffee Flavor: Tie
+Heating system
Both models use the same Thermoblock heating system to heat water and brew espressos. But of course, the performance is not the same. In the heating aspect, Essenza wins.
Breville Pixie needs 30-35s to prepare itself for entering brewing mode. And the temperature reaches a warm and slightly hot level. But, from my experience with espressos and coffees, a hotter temperature would be more suitable.
So, in reality, it takes more time to heat up than 35s. I recommend starting up the device 2 minutes prior to brewing time.
With Breville Essenza, the heating time varies from 25 to 35 seconds, and the temperature gets hot. Thus, I find the heating system of Essenza more efficient.
+Brewing technique
In brewing technique, even though both machines use a 19-bars pump pressure system, Breville Nespresso Pixie is the winner here.
Using its 19 bars pressure, Pixie can extract flavorful and strong coffee. What impresses me the most is its consistency in brewing balanced espressos and extracting thick and velvety crema. If you pay a lot of attention to crema, you know that it gives cups of coffee a more full-bodied texture and a mellow touch.
This is what I look for in EVERY espresso machine, good crema, and balanced flavor.
Utilities: Breville Nespresso Pixie
Even though Breville Pixie is a compact machine, it can accommodate taller cups thanks to its foldable drip tray. By flipping the tray upward, we have space to put in a tall glass and later add water to make americano if that’s what you want.
Of course, a foldable tray with a tall glass means that there won’t be anything to catch the extra espresso if it spills. But, I don’t mind this minor inconvenience.
Why? Since the design of capsule machines is supposed to be neat and small, they should save a lot of space. Thus, having a height-adjustable dispenser or double drip tray would defeat the purpose of this type of device.
Cleaning & Maintain: Tie
To clean capsule machines, we need cleaning capsules. Basically, these capsules have the same appearance as a regular coffee one, but they contain washing liquid that will help rinse the entire brew path that coffee runs through.
Design & Material:Tie
Each device has its strengths and weaknesses in terms of design.
For example, Breville Nespresso Pixie boasts of metal and plastic compartments, which means that the machine itself is durable and lightweight at the same time. However, the lever detail is what I don’t like, given that it takes up space when I want to slide a coffee capsule in its place.
As for Breville Nespresso Essenza Mini, it doesn’t have the lever “can opener” design that I see in many similar devices, which I dislike. But, its entire body is made of plastic which gives off a cheap feel. So it doesn’t seem as sturdy as Pixie.
Nespresso Pixie vs Essenza: Similarities
You must wonder what similarities Breville Nespresso Pixie and Breville Nespresso Essenza Mini share. Let’s find out with us below.
Ideal for single users
Thanks to their compact designs, Breville Nespresso Pixie and Breville Nespresso Essenza Mini are absolutely perfect for single users who brews 1 to 2 cups per day. These machines’ footprints are very small and won’t take up much space on a kitchen stand.
Adjustable coffee volume
Both models have adjustable espresso/ coffee volume that users can freely decide. There are two cup sizes: 0.84 and 1.35 oz. So if you want extra-strong espresso, you can pick the smaller size, and if you prefer a smooth and light coffee flavor, a bigger volume will add more water and soften the taste.
Quick Rundown of Breville Nespresso Pixie
- Note: 1)Too coarse a grind, too little coffee, or insufficiently tamping the grounds before brewing can all lead to inadequate pressure for a proper brew. 2)It is important to note that the amount of espresso extracted will vary depending on the grind size and amount and reprogramming may be needed when the size and amount are adjusted
- ESPRESSO MACHINE: Enjoy a full range of espresso coffee with Nespresso. Includes a fast heating time of 25 seconds and energy saving automatic shut off.
- COFFEE SELECTIONS: Brew better coffee at home with two programmable buttons with automatic flow stop for Espresso and Lungo coffee preparations.
- FOR ALL COFFEE DRINKERS: Embody the expertise of Nespresso with a user friendly, classic Espresso machine. The Nespresso Pixie is a compact coffee maker, with a width of only 11 cm, it will fit any kitchen.
- INCLUDES: One Nespresso espresso maker with a compact design that is easy to place and move around in any kitchen.
Last update on 2024-04-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Quick Rundown of Breville Nespresso Essenza Mini
- Note: 1)Too coarse a grind, too little coffee, or insufficiently tamping the grounds before brewing can all lead to inadequate pressure for a proper brew. 2)It is important to note that the amount of espresso extracted will vary depending on the grind size and amount and reprogramming may be needed when the size and amount are adjusted.Please refer to user guide or user manual or user guide (provided below in PDF) before first use
- ESPRESSO MACHINE: Enjoy a full range of espresso coffee with Nespresso.; Includes 25 second heat up and energy saving automatic shut off.
- BARISTA GRADE: Offers an impeccable single-serve coffee or Espresso cup , with this minimalistic beauty that incorporates a compact design with unrivaled quality to create the perfect cup of coffee every time; The Essenza Mini espresso machine brews 2 single-serve cup sizes all with just one-touch of a button.
- FOR ALL COFFEE DRINKERS: Embody the expertise of Nespresso with a user friendly, classic Espresso machine.
- INCLUDES: One Nespresso espresso maker with a compact design that is easy to place and move around in any kitchen.
Last update on 2024-04-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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References:
- Nespresso Pixie Breville: https://www.breville.com/us/en/products/nespresso/bec430.html
- Breville Nespresso Essenza Mini: https://www.breville.com/ca/en/products/nespresso/bec220.html
Felix Hendricks is a skilled barista with over 12 years of experience. He excels in crafting coffee and has a strong foundation in coffee machine mechanics. Felix holds a Coffee Machine Maintenance Certification from the Coffee Equipment Technical Institute, showcasing his ability to diagnose and repair coffee machines. He’s also worked as a quality control specialist, selecting premium coffee beans for optimal flavor. Felix has a diverse work history, including stints at renowned coffee spots like Café Euphoria & Starbucks. His expertise in both brewing and machine maintenance makes him a respected figure in the coffee industry.