Review · Pod machines
Nespresso Essenza Mini review: the small Nespresso machine, and its limits
The Essenza Mini is Nespresso's smallest Original pod machine. Here's what you get, what the tiny size costs you in daily use, and why it's hard to price in the UK right now.
This Nespresso Essenza Mini review covers the XN110840, the Krups-made version of Nespresso’s smallest Original pod machine. It does two things, espresso and lungo, in a body just 8.4cm wide across. We haven’t tested this in person. Our verdict is based on Krups UK’s published specs and our own UK price checks on 3 Oct 2026. Read how we compare.
The short version: if space is your biggest problem and you drink short black coffee, the Essenza Mini makes a lot of sense. If you want milky drinks, big mugs or lots of cups a day, its small size starts to work against you.
Nespresso Essenza Mini review: the short answer
Buy the Essenza Mini if worktop space is tight and you mostly drink espresso or lungo. Krups UK lists it at just 8.4cm wide and 2.3kg, so it’ll fit in spots where most coffee machines won’t, and it’s light enough to put away in a cupboard after use.
Who it isn’t for: anyone who makes several drinks a day. The 0.6-litre tank and small pod bin mean frequent refilling and emptying.
Choose a bigger Original machine instead if you’ve got the room and want fewer trips to the tap. Our Nespresso CitiZ review covers the larger, retro-styled machine that uses the same pods. Nespresso CitiZ: See it at Currys for Nespresso CitiZ (opens in a new tab)
Who it isn’t for: anyone who wants coffee shop-style lattes at the press of a button. Neither the Essenza Mini nor the CitiZ has a built-in milk system.
Skip it if you want a large mug of coffee from a pod. A Vertuo machine is built for that; see our Vertuo Pop review. Nespresso Vertuo Pop: See it at Currys for Nespresso Vertuo Pop (opens in a new tab)
Who it isn’t for: anyone who already owns a stash of Vertuo pods. They won’t fit an Original machine.
What it costs right now
- Nespresso Essenza Mini: Check current price. We couldn’t verify a price at a major UK retailer on 3 Oct 2026. Currys didn’t list the Essenza Mini when we searched, the Nespresso UK and Argos pages wouldn’t load for us, and Krups UK’s product page didn’t show a machine price. See the Essenza Mini specs at Krups UK
- Spare parts: for a replacement water tank or capsule container, check price at Krups UK.
Because the machine is thin on the ground at the big UK retailers right now, take extra care if you find one. Check who’s actually selling it, that it’s a UK-plug model, and what the returns policy is.
Who it isn’t for: anyone who wants to buy today from a big-name UK shop at a price they can compare. That’s harder with this machine than with most Nespresso models.
Size and design: the main reason to buy it
Size is the whole pitch. Krups UK gives the Essenza Mini’s dimensions as 204 x 330 x 84mm (height x length x width), with a weight of 2.3kg. In practice, that means it’s low and very narrow, but still around 33cm from front to back, so it needs a bit of depth rather than width.
Krups UK lists three colours: piano black (XN110840), grey (XN110B40) and white (XN110140). It also lists Essenza Mini bundle versions under separate model codes. The drip tray is removable and adjustable on two levels, according to Krups UK, which helps if you want to fit a taller cup under the spout for a lungo.
Who it isn’t for: anyone with plenty of space. If worktop isn’t a problem, a larger machine with a bigger tank will be easier to live with.
Drinks, tank and everyday use
The Essenza Mini makes two drinks, espresso and lungo, each on its own programmable button. Krups UK says you can set the volume of each to suit your cup, and that the machine stops automatically once it’s poured. It lists a 19-bar pump, power of 1,200 to 1,310W and a heat-up time of 25 seconds.
The limiting factor in daily use is capacity. Krups UK lists a 0.6-litre water tank, and its spare-part listing says the used-capsule container holds 5 to 6 capsules. A lungo uses noticeably more water than an espresso, so a couple who each drink two longer coffees a day will be topping up the tank and emptying the pod bin often.
There’s no milk system at all. If you want a flat white or latte, you’ll need a separate frother; our best milk frothers guide covers the options.
Who it isn’t for: families or shared offices where the machine runs all day. The small tank and pod bin will soon become a chore.
Pods: Nespresso Original, including supermarket compatibles
The Essenza Mini uses Nespresso Original capsules, the smaller pod system that’s been around for years. That matters for running costs, because Original isn’t limited to Nespresso’s own pods. Many UK supermarkets and coffee brands sell capsules made to fit Original machines, so you can shop around. Check that the packet says it’s compatible with Nespresso Original machines, not Vertuo.
We haven’t priced pods for this page, because Nespresso UK’s site wouldn’t load for us on 3 Oct 2026. Pod prices change often, so compare the cost per capsule before you commit to a brand.
Who it isn’t for: anyone tied to Vertuo pods. The two systems aren’t interchangeable.
Energy saving and auto-off
Krups UK says the Essenza Mini drops into a low-energy mode after 3 minutes and switches itself off after 9 or 30 minutes, depending on how you set it. It lists off-mode consumption of 0.1W. That’s handy if you’re the sort of person who forgets to switch things off at the wall.
Who it isn’t for: anyone who wants the machine to stay hot all morning. It’ll go to sleep and need its short heat-up again.
Small Nespresso machines compared by size
If you’re searching for a small Nespresso machine, width is usually the deciding measurement. These are the published dimensions we could find (height x width x depth):
- Essenza Mini: 204 x 84 x 330mm and 2.3kg (Krups UK). The narrowest Nespresso machine we’ve covered.
- Vertuo Next (De’Longhi model): 314 x 142 x 429mm (Currys). Slim, but the deepest here. Nespresso Vertuo Next: See it at Currys for Nespresso Vertuo Next (opens in a new tab)
- CitiZ (XN741B40): 318 x 181 x 396mm (Currys).
- Pixie: Krups UK’s Pixie page didn’t list dimensions when we checked, so measure against the retailer’s listing.
The Essenza Mini is also the lowest of the three with published figures, so it’s the one most likely to fit under wall cupboards. See Nespresso Pixie vs Essenza Mini and Essenza Mini vs CitiZ for full head-to-heads.
Who it isn’t for: anyone with a shallow worktop. Every machine here is at least 33cm deep.
How it compares with the CitiZ and Vertuo Pop
This page is about the Essenza Mini on its own, but two rivals come up often.
The CitiZ uses the same Original pods and also makes espresso and lungo, but it’s a bigger, heavier machine with a larger tank. For a full side-by-side on size, tank and price, see our Essenza Mini vs CitiZ comparison.
The Vertuo Pop is a different system. It reads a barcode on each Vertuo pod and can brew much larger cups, but it can’t take Original pods or the supermarket compatibles that suit the Essenza Mini. Our Vertuo Pop review explains its pros and cons.
Who it isn’t for: anyone still undecided between pod systems. Pick the system first, then the machine.
Downsides
- No verified UK price: we couldn’t confirm a price at a major UK retailer on 3 Oct 2026.
- Small tank: 0.6 litres, according to Krups UK.
- Small pod bin: 5 to 6 used capsules, per Krups UK’s spare-part listing.
- Two drinks only: espresso and lungo, with no large-mug option.
- No milk system: you’ll need a separate frother for milky drinks.
Independent reviews: T3 has published a review of the Krups Essenza Mini (XN110B40), and Tom’s Guide has a review of the Nespresso Essenza Mini. We haven’t summarised their findings here.
FAQ
Is the Nespresso Essenza Mini the smallest Nespresso machine? Krups UK describes it as Nespresso’s smallest machine, and at 8.4cm wide it’s very compact.
What pods does the Essenza Mini use? Nespresso Original pods, including compatible capsules from supermarkets and other brands. It doesn’t take Vertuo pods.
Can the Essenza Mini make a latte? Not on its own. It has no milk system, so you’d need a separate frother.
How big is the water tank? Krups UK lists 0.6 litres.
Where can I buy the Essenza Mini in the UK? We couldn’t verify a price at a major UK retailer on 3 Oct 2026, so check current price and stock before you buy, and make sure it’s a UK-plug model.
For more pod machines, including models with built-in milk systems, see our pod machines hub.
Verdict
Nespresso Essenza Mini by Krups XN110840 pod coffee machine (piano black)
A genuinely tiny, simple Original pod machine that makes two drinks well on paper and takes up almost no worktop. The trade-offs are a small tank, no milk system and, right now, a machine that's hard to find at a verified UK price.
Pros
- Pro: Very compact: Krups UK lists 204 x 330 x 84mm (H x L x W) and 2.3kg
- Pro: Two programmable buttons for espresso and lungo
- Pro: 25-second heat-up and a 19-bar pump, according to Krups UK
- Pro: Takes Nespresso Original pods, including compatible supermarket capsules
- Pro: Low-energy mode after 3 minutes and auto-off after 9 or 30 minutes
Cons
- Con: Small 0.6-litre water tank, according to Krups UK
- Con: Only two drink sizes and no milk system
- Con: Used-capsule container holds 5 to 6 pods, per Krups UK's spare-part listing
- Con: We couldn't verify a UK price at a major retailer on 3 Oct 2026
- Best for
- Espresso and lungo drinkers with very little space: small flats, desks, offices, holiday lets and second homes.
- Who it isn't for
- Busy households, milky-coffee lovers and anyone who wants big mugs of coffee.
See it on the maker's site: Krups's UK page for the Nespresso Essenza Mini by Krups XN110840 pod coffee machineLink: Krups's UK page for the Nespresso Essenza Mini by Krups XN110840 pod coffee machine. Not an affiliate link.
Sources
- See the Essenza Mini specs at Krups UK (krups.co.uk)
- review of the Krups Essenza Mini (t3.com)
- review of the Nespresso Essenza Mini (tomsguide.com)
Related
- Nespresso Essenza Mini vs CitiZ
- Nespresso Pixie vs Essenza Mini: the small Original machines compared
- Nespresso Inissia vs Essenza Mini: which small Original?
- How to descale a Nespresso Essenza Mini step by step
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