Comparison · Nespresso Original
Nespresso Pixie vs Essenza Mini: the small Original machines compared
The Pixie and Essenza Mini are Nespresso's two smallest Original pod machines. Both are hard to buy new in the UK right now, so here's how they compare and what to buy instead.
If you’re comparing the Nespresso Pixie vs Essenza Mini, you’re looking at the two smallest machines Nespresso has made for its Original pods. Both make espresso and lungo at the press of a button, heat up in about 25 seconds and fit on a crowded worktop. The catch is buying one: on 3 Oct 2026, Krups UK listed both as unavailable, and we couldn’t find either in stock at a UK retailer whose price we could confirm. We haven’t tested this in person. Our verdict is based on Krups UK’s published specs and UK retailer listings checked 3 Oct 2026. Read how we compare.
So this page does two jobs. It compares the two machines, which helps if you find one in a shop or want to know what you’re giving up. It also points you to small Original machines you can actually buy today.
Nespresso Pixie vs Essenza Mini: the short answer
Choose the Essenza Mini if size is everything. Krups describes it as Nespresso’s smallest machine, and lists it at just 8.4cm wide and 2.3kg. It has a 0.6-litre tank, two programmable buttons and a low-energy mode after three minutes.
Who it isn’t for: anyone who makes several coffees a day. A 0.6-litre tank needs frequent refills, especially if you drink lungos.
Choose the Pixie if you’d like a slightly bigger tank and a sturdier build. Krups lists a 0.7-litre tank, metal side panels and a steel handle, plus a sensor that tells you when the used pod container is full.
Who it isn’t for: buyers who want the very smallest footprint. The Pixie is still compact, but the Essenza Mini is the slimmer of the two.
Skip both and buy a CitiZ if you want a small Original machine you can order today. The Krups CitiZ XN741B40 is £174.99 at Currys (in stock, checked 3 Oct 2026). Our Essenza Mini vs CitiZ comparison explains the size difference.
Who it isn’t for: anyone on a tight budget or very short of space. At £174.99 at Currys (checked 3 Oct 2026), it’s a fair outlay, and it’s bigger than either machine here.
What they cost right now
We couldn’t confirm a UK price for either machine on 3 Oct 2026. Here’s what we found:
- Krups UK: both the Pixie XN304T40 and Essenza Mini XN110840 product pages were marked as unavailable, with no machine price shown.
- Currys: neither machine came up in Currys’ search. Its Nespresso Original range was the CitiZ, CitiZ with milk frother, Lattissima One and Gran Lattissima.
- De’Longhi UK: we found an Essenza Mini section on De’Longhi’s UK site but no machine with a price, and no Pixie.
- John Lewis, Argos and Nespresso UK: their pages wouldn’t load for us, so we can’t tell you their stock or prices.
If you find either machine listed, check that it’s new, from a UK retailer and covered by a manufacturer’s guarantee. Here are two small machines that were in stock:
- Nespresso CitiZ by Krups XN741B40: £174.99 at Currys, in stock, checked 3 Oct 2026. See it at Currys
- Nespresso CitiZ by De’Longhi EN167.B: £175.00 at Currys, in stock, checked 3 Oct 2026. See it at Currys
Size and build
The Essenza Mini is the smaller machine. Krups lists it at 204mm high, 330mm long and 84mm wide, and 2.3kg. That makes it narrow enough to tuck beside a kettle or fit in a caravan or office.
The Pixie is built to look a bit more solid, with what Krups calls hammered metal side panels and a polished steel handle. Krups UK doesn’t list its dimensions on the page we checked, so we’re not quoting them. Both have a drip tray with two height positions for different cup sizes.
Who it isn’t for: if your main concern is fitting tall mugs, neither is ideal. Both are designed for espresso and lungo cups.
Coffee and controls
Both machines work the same way. You drop in an Original pod, close the lever and press one of two buttons: espresso or lungo. Krups lists both buttons as programmable on both machines, so you can change how much water each one uses. Both use a 19-bar pump and heat up in about 25 seconds.
Because they take the same pods, the coffee choice is identical. Original pods are made by Nespresso and also by other brands, so you’re not limited to one shop. We couldn’t confirm Nespresso’s own pod prices, so check before you buy.
Who it isn’t for: anyone who wants big mugs of coffee. Neither has a mug-sized setting. For that, a Vertuo machine such as the De’Longhi Vertuo Pop ENV90.B (£99.00 at Currys, in stock, checked 3 Oct 2026) offers more cup sizes; see our Vertuo Pop review.
Tank, pods and energy saving
- Water tank: 0.7 litres on the Pixie and 0.6 litres on the Essenza Mini (Krups UK)
- Used pods: the Pixie has an integrated container with a full-container sensor (Krups UK); De’Longhi lists 11 pods for its version
- Power: 1,260W for the Pixie and 1,200-1,310W for the Essenza Mini (Krups UK)
- Auto off: both switch off after nine minutes by default, and can be set to 30 minutes (Krups UK)
- Low-energy mode: the Essenza Mini drops into a low-energy mode after three minutes (Krups UK)
The 0.1-litre difference in tank size won’t change much day to day. Either way, you’ll be refilling more often than with the 1-litre CitiZ.
Who it isn’t for: households where several people drink coffee. Small tanks run dry quickly.
Milk
Neither machine has a milk system. De’Longhi sells a Pixie bundle with an Aeroccino milk frother in some countries (its New Zealand site lists one), but we couldn’t find a UK bundle. A separate frother does the job; see our Essenza Mini review for more on adding milk to a small machine.
Who it isn’t for: anyone who drinks mostly lattes and cappuccinos. A machine with built-in milk will be less fuss.
Downsides of both
- Hard to buy new. Krups UK listed both as unavailable on 3 Oct 2026, and we couldn’t find either at a major UK retailer.
- Small tanks. 0.6 and 0.7 litres mean frequent refills.
- Two drink sizes. Espresso and lungo only.
- No milk system. You’ll need a separate frother for milky drinks.
Where to go next
FAQ
Which is smaller, the Pixie or the Essenza Mini? The Essenza Mini. Krups describes it as Nespresso’s smallest machine and lists it at 8.4cm wide.
Do the Pixie and Essenza Mini use the same pods? Yes. Both take Nespresso Original pods.
Can you still buy a Nespresso Pixie in the UK? We couldn’t find one in stock at a confirmed price on 3 Oct 2026. Krups UK listed it as unavailable.
What’s the best small Nespresso machine to buy instead? The CitiZ is the easiest small Original machine to find, at £174.99 at Currys (checked 3 Oct 2026). If you’re happy to switch to Vertuo pods, the De’Longhi Vertuo Pop ENV90.B is £99.00 at Currys (checked 3 Oct 2026).