Nespresso XN110840 Single Serve Machine - Review 🏆

The Nespresso Essenza XN110840 is a compact and stylish single-serve espresso machine that uses Nespresso coffee capsules to brew barista-quality espresso and coffee beverages at home. This entry-level model in the Nespresso Original line provides an affordable and convenient way to enjoy premium coffeehouse drinks from the comfort of your kitchen.

The Essenza features a 19-bar pressure pump which allows for fast heat up and high-pressure extraction to capture the pure and intense aromas of each Nespresso Grand Cru coffee capsule. The slim profile and minimalist design with smooth lines make this an attractive and space-saving addition to your countertop. With the ability to brew ristretto, espresso and lungo beverages at the touch of a button, this single-serve machine simplifies the process of making an exceptional cup of coffee.

Design and Build Quality

The Nespresso Essenza features a sleek and compact design that doesn't take up much counter space. It has a sturdy plastic exterior housing available in black or white. While mostly made of plastic, the water tank lid, drip tray, and capsule receptacle are metal for increased durability.

Despite its small size, it feels quite solid and substantial when holding it. Weighing only 5.1 pounds, the Essenza is lightweight enough to move around easily. The compact footprint makes it convenient for small kitchens, offices, and college dorms.

The 30.5 x 12.6 x 22.9 cm dimensions allow it to tuck under cabinets nicely. It's an ideal single-serve coffee maker for those wanting portability and small storage space. The slim shape can slide into tight areas that a larger machine wouldn't fit.

Overall, the durable yet lightweight plastic and metal design makes the Essenza a nicely built machine with a smart, space-saving layout.

The Essenza's sleek and compact design contrasts with the more robust build of the Krups Dolce Gusto KP170140. While the Essenza focuses on portability, the Krups prioritizes power and performance. The Krups has a taller, bulkier body made mostly of black plastic with stainless steel accents. It takes up more counter real estate with its 17.1 x 31.7 x 22.8 cm footprint. However, the larger size accommodates a more advanced thermoblock heating system and 15-bar high-pressure pump. This allows it to deliver piping hot coffee drinks with thick, frothy crema. The Krups also has a removable drip tray to accommodate taller travel mugs.

The Essenza aims for simplicity and compactness. But the Krups offers more power and customization for specialty coffee drinks. The Krups produces cafe-style cappuccinos and lattes. While the Essenza focuses on quick convenience. The choice comes down to available space versus performance. Those wanting easy portability and storage should consider the Essenza. But the Krups is better for coffee aficionados wanting to recreate complex cafe beverages.

Ease of Use

The Nespresso Essenza coffee machine features three programmable cup size buttons - Espresso (1.35 oz), Lungo (3.7 oz), and Ristretto (0.75 oz). These preset options make it simple to get the desired amount of coffee with just a single press of a button.

The water tank is easy to access and fill. Loading the Nespresso coffee pods into the top of the machine is a straightforward process - just lift the lever, insert the pod, and close the lever to lock it into place. The pod then drops down into the brewing chamber automatically.

Beyond the preset volumes, you can also manually program the brewing amount in 0.7 oz increments by holding down the Lungo button. This provides more customization for getting your perfect cup size. The used pods are automatically ejected into an internal receptacle that needs to be emptied periodically.

Overall, the Essenza's streamlined controls and automatic features make the brewing process incredibly simple and hassle-free for both espresso-based drinks and longer coffee. The pod system avoids any mess or fuss with grinding, measuring, or tamping ground coffee.

If you're looking for even more simplicity in a single-serve coffee maker, check out the Keurig K-Express. This machine takes away the guesswork by using K-Cup pods containing pre-measured coffee grounds. Just insert the pod, close the lid, and press the brew button. The K-Express heats the water and brews the coffee automatically based on the pod chosen. The brew size cannot be adjusted, but the upside is there are zero settings or programming required.

The water reservoir of the Keurig K-Express holds up to 10 ounces, enough for a single large coffee. A removable drip tray accommodates travel mugs up to 7 inches tall. Used K-Cups are ejected into an internal bin that holds up to 9 pods before needing emptying. For the ultimate in no-fuss coffee brewing, the K-Express delivers on simplicity.

Both the Nespresso Essenza and Keurig K-Express provide easy to use single-serve coffee experiences. The Essenza offers more flexibility with its programmable buttons and manual shot size adjustment. But the K-Express takes away all control in favor of brainless brewing. Just pop in a pod and get coffee. It's the simplest option if convenience is your top priority.

Beverage Quality

The XN110840 produces espresso with a balanced, rich taste and a nice layer of crema on top. The 19 bars of pressure extract the flavor well from Nespresso capsules to deliver a high-quality shot of espresso.

The temperature of the espresso is ideal - hot enough to bring out the flavors but not scalding. Each cup is brewed fresh when you make it, instead of sitting in a carafe, so the temperature is always perfect.

The crema produced on top of the espresso has a creamy, hazelnut color and a frothy texture. It's dense and lingers for a while, which is an indicator of properly extracted espresso. The crema adds a smooth mouthfeel and enhances the experience of sipping the coffee.

Overall, the espresso and lungo drinks I've had from the XN110840 have tasted rich, balanced, and flavorful with no bitterness or sourness. Nespresso has engineered both the machine and capsules to work together to produce a high-quality cup of coffee with thick, lasting crema every time.

Milk Frothing

The Nespresso Essenza Mini is equipped with an Aeroccino milk frother to help you prepare cafe-quality milk beverages like cappuccinos and lattes. The frother has a rapid one-touch operation, allowing you to simply press a button and have perfectly frothed hot or cold milk in just over a minute.

The Aeroccino uses a fast spinning whisk to create airy, silky microfoam that smoothly integrates into the coffee. The stainless steel exterior looks sleek and the non-stick interior makes cleanup easy. It will heat or froth around 130ml of milk at a time, suitable for 1-2 coffee drinks.

In testing, the frother consistently produced milk with a rich, velvety texture. The foam was dense yet airy, similar to what you would get from a cafe. It folded smoothly into the espresso without separating. The Aeroccino is also whisper quiet compared to some frothers.

Overall, the steam wand and milk frothing performance of the Aeroccino delivers exceptional results. It's simple to use and makes it easy to create cafe-style milk drinks at home. The automatic operation and fast preparation is very convenient.

Cleaning and Maintenance

The Nespresso XN110840 Essenza Mini requires some periodic cleaning and maintenance to keep it operating at peak performance. Here are some key things to consider:

• Cleaning Frequency: The drip tray and capsule container should be emptied and rinsed daily. The water tank should be cleaned weekly with a gentle cleanser to prevent mineral buildup. Plan to wipe down the exterior about once a week to keep it looking its best.

• Descaling: Hard water can cause mineral deposits to build up inside the machine over time and negatively impact flavor. Nespresso recommends descaling every 3-4 months with their proprietary descaling solution. This process takes about 15 minutes. Neglecting to descale regularly can impact the machine's lifespan and void the warranty in some cases.

• Part Replacement: The main parts that may need replacement due to wear are the filter and seals. The water filter should be replaced every 3-4 months to maintain water quality and prevent scale buildup. The seals around the capsule insertion area, water tank, and frothing nozzle should be inspected and replaced as needed if leaking occurs, about every 1-2 years with regular use. Replacement parts are readily available from Nespresso.

Coffee Variety

The Nespresso Essenza Mini can use any of the Nespresso Original line pods, which offers a wide range of coffee varieties to choose from. Nespresso offers 24 different Grand Cru coffees from around the world, representing a diverse range of flavors and aromas.

Some of the coffee options include:

• Light and refreshing coffees like Volluto, Voluto Decaffeinato, and Vivalto Lungo
• Balanced and smooth coffees like Arpeggio, Roma, and Livanto
• Rich and intense coffees like Kazaar, Ristretto, Dharkan, and Napoli
• Floral and fruity coffees like Vanilio, Ciocco, and Caramelito

In addition to the core range, Nespresso frequently releases limited edition seasonal blends. So there is always something new to try from the Nespresso range.

The variety allows you to tailor the coffee to your tastes and moods throughout the day. You can start with a milder coffee in the morning and move to more intense flavors for an afternoon pick-me-up. Having so many options at your fingertips is a major advantage of the Essenza Mini.

Cost Considerations

The Nespresso Essenza Mini is priced affordably compared to other single-serve coffee machines, usually costing around £100. This makes it a great entry-level option if you're new to Nespresso or want good espresso on a budget.

However, using Nespresso involves an ongoing cost for the coffee pods. The pods are more expensive than ground coffee on a per cup basis. The official Nespresso pods range from around £0.33 - £0.60 per pod depending on variety.

Third party compatible pods are available for less, around £0.20 - £0.30 each, but the quality can be inconsistent. Even with cheaper pods, you'll likely spend around £0.25-£0.50 per coffee over time.

For moderate coffee drinkers this ongoing pod cost is reasonable. But for multiple daily coffees it can add up compared to using your own ground beans.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Compact, sleek design takes up minimal counter space
• Simple one-button operation is easy to use
• Fast 25 second heat up time
• 19 bars of pressure extract flavorful espresso shots
• Removable water tank for easy filling
• Energy saving mode automatically turns off after 9 minutes
• Accommodates tall travel mugs up to 4.4 inches high

Cons

• Small 37 oz water tank requires more frequent refilling
• Only makes espresso and lungos, no option for regular coffee
• Milk frothing requires a separate purchase of the Aeroccino milk frother
• Pod-based system generates more waste compared to ground coffee machines
• Coffee variety is limited to Nespresso brand pods

Conclusion

The Nespresso Essenza Mini is an excellent option for those looking for convenient, delicious espresso drinks at home. Its compact size makes it perfect for small kitchens or offices. The one-touch operation allows you to brew Espresso and Lungo with the push of a button.

The Essenza Mini heats up quickly and produces high-quality, authentic espresso with a beautiful crema using Nespresso's wide variety of coffee capsules. The used capsules are neatly ejected into a holding tank for easy disposal.

While the Essenza Mini lacks a milk frother, its focus is on serving up rich, bold espresso. For those who enjoy milk-based drinks, Nespresso offers a version with an Aeroccino milk frother.

Overall, the Nespresso Essenza Mini is ideal for espresso purists who want the convenience of single-serve coffee drinks at home or work without sacrificing quality. Its compact footprint and easy maintenance also make it a great choice for busy individuals. The Essenza Mini delivers an excellent espresso experience without taking up much space.