The Nespresso Essenza Mini is a capsule espresso machine from De'Longhi, model EN85B. It suits anyone who wants espresso from a small machine. De'Longhi lists a 19 bar pressure system, a 40 ml Espresso button and a 110 ml Lungo button De'Longhi.
Essenza Mini at a glance
19bar
Pump pressure
20.29oz
Water tank
84mm
Body width
After 9 minutes
Auto shut-off
These numbers come from De'Longhi's US page for the EN85B and from the Nespresso Essenza Mini user manual De'Longhimanual.
Pump pressure
19 bar (1.9 MPa)
Water tank
20.29 oz (0.6 L)
Body width
84 mm, about 3.3 in
Auto shut-off
After 9 minutes
Eco mode
3 minutes after the last brew
Cup sizes
Espresso 40 ml, Lungo 110 ml
Both sizes programmable
Yes
Heat up time
40 seconds
Used capsule container
6 capsules
Measurements listed by De'Longhi
4.3 x 12.8 x 8.1 in
Height and depth in the manual
204 mm and 330 mm
Weight
About 2.3 kg
Input power
1200 W
Voltage
120 V, 60 Hz
How wide is the Essenza Mini?
The manual puts the body at 84 mm across, which is about 3.3 inches by our maths (84 / 25.4) manual. De'Longhi describes the design as 8.4 cm wide, 20.4 cm high and 33 cm long. The spec table on De'Longhi's US page lists the measurements as 4.3 x 12.8 x 8.1 inches De'Longhi.
How much water does the tank hold?
The tank holds 0.6 litres, which De'Longhi lists as 20.29 oz De'Longhi. The manual shows the same 0.6 L figure, and the tank lifts out with its lid manual. By our maths that is about 15 Espresso cups of 40 ml.
How heavy is the Essenza Mini?
The manual lists the machine at about 2.3 kg manual. That is about 5.1 lb, by our maths (2.3 x 2.205).
Essenza Mini or Essenza Mini with Aeroccino?
Both machines brew the same two coffee sizes at 19 bar. The EN85BAE version adds the Aeroccino milk frother in the box, for frothed milk De'Longhi.
→You want frothed milk in the box: pick the Essenza Mini with Aeroccino De'Longhi.
→You want a 23.67 oz tank and a 25 second heat up: pick the Pixie De'Longhi.
→You want a 33.81 oz tank and a cup support for tall glasses: pick the CitiZ De'Longhi.
Good to know before you buy
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De'Longhi's US page lists the machine at 120 V and 60 Hz. The manual says to check that the power source matches the rating plate. A wrong connection voids the guarantee, so buy the version for your country's sockets De'Longhimanual.
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The machine is designed for Nespresso coffee capsules. The manual says those capsules come from the Nespresso Club or a Nespresso authorized representative. It also says never to use a used, damaged or deformed capsule manual.
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The used capsule container holds 6 capsules. The manual says to empty the drip tray, drip base and capsule container every day De'Longhimanual.
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The box holds the machine, a welcome folder and a capsule tasting gift. De'Longhi lists a welcome set with 14 Nespresso capsules. A milk frother comes with the EN85BAE version instead manualDe'Longhi.
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De'Longhi's US page lists a 3 year warranty, and the manual's limited warranty runs two years. Keep your receipt and the paperwork from the box De'Longhimanual.
Before you start
Never put the machine or any part of it in a dishwasher, and never put it in water manual.
How the Essenza Mini compares
Essenza Mini vs Pixie
The Essenza Mini is the narrower machine, at 84 mm across the body. De'Longhi lists the Pixie at 11 cm wide, with a bigger tank and a 25 second heat up De'Longhi.
The Essenza Mini is the smaller machine on the counter, with the same 19 bar pump. The CitiZ holds 33.81 oz of water and heats up in 25 seconds. Its cup support has two positions, one for latte macchiato glasses De'Longhi.
Nespresso sells the Essenza Mini built by two makers, and both brew Espresso and Lungo from the same capsules. De'Longhi's EN85B page lists the 19 bar pump and the shut-off times. Breville's BEC220 page lists the body at 3.3 by 13 by 8 inches, in metal and plastic Breville.
Tasting box of Nespresso capsules and Aeroccino milk frother
Both makers print the same specification page in the Essenza Mini manual. That page lists the 0.6 L tank and the 19 bar pump manualBreville manual.
Does the Essenza Mini make espresso?
Yes, De'Longhi lists a 19 bar high-pressure pump and a 40 ml Espresso button De'Longhi. The manual explains that every Nespresso machine uses an extraction system that guarantees up to 19 bar of pressure manual.
The coffee comes from a sealed capsule, so there is no grinder and no tamping. The machine pierces and brews the capsule once you close the lever De'Longhi.
Can I set my own cup size?
Yes, De'Longhi lists two customizable recipes, and the manual gives the steps De'Longhi. Hold the Espresso or Lungo button, then release it when your cup is full. The light blinks fast 3 times, and the new volume is stored manual.
Does the Essenza Mini froth milk?
No, De'Longhi lists the Aeroccino milk frother with the EN85BAE version of the machine De'Longhi. For milk drinks, pick that version, or add a frother later.
What the Essenza Mini is made of
The manual's machine overview names every part you handle manual:
Two coffee buttons, for Espresso and Lungo
The lever, for loading and ejecting capsules
The coffee outlet
The water tank and its lid
The used capsule container, for 5 to 6 capsules
The drip tray, drip grid and drip base
De'Longhi lists the body as plastic, and lists the water tank as removable for cleaning De'Longhi. That part list holds no water filter, so fill the tank with cold, fresh drinking water manual.
How the energy saving mode works
The machine drops into Eco mode 3 minutes after the last brew, then switches itself off after 9 minutes De'Longhi. You can change the shut-off to 30 minutes manual.
How do I change the shut-off time?
Switch the machine off.
Press and hold the Espresso button for 5 seconds. It blinks to show the current setting.
Press Espresso once for shut-off after 30 minutes.
Press it once more for shut-off after 9 minutes.
Read the blinks: one blink is the 9 minute mode, two blinks is the 30 minute mode.
To leave energy saving mode, hold the Lungo button for 5 seconds manual.
How do I turn it off by hand?
Press the Espresso and Lungo buttons together manual. That switches the machine off before the automatic shut-off.
How to set up and use it
Read the safety pages in the manual first. These steps come from the first use and coffee preparation pages manual.
Rinse the water tank, then fill it with potable water.
Put a container of at least 1 litre under the coffee outlet.
Plug the machine into an earthed socket.
Press Espresso or Lungo to switch it on. Blinking lights mean it is heating up.
Wait for steady lights, which mean it is ready.
Press Lungo to rinse the machine. Repeat 3 times.
Lift the lever fully and drop in a capsule.
Close the lever and put your cup under the outlet.
Press Espresso for 40 ml or Lungo for 110 ml. The flow stops by itself.
Press the button again to stop the flow early, or to top the cup up.
Take the cup away. Lift and close the lever to drop the capsule into the container.
Tip
During heat up you can press a blinking coffee button. The coffee then flows on its own once the machine is ready manual.
Care and quick fixes from the manual
How to clean it
Unplug the machine and let it cool.
Empty the drip tray, the drip base and the capsule container. Do this every day.
Lift out the water tank with its lid.
Wash those parts with odorless detergent, then rinse with warm water.
Dry them with a clean towel or paper, then put them back.
Wipe the coffee outlet and the inside of the machine with a damp cloth manual.
The manual says to skip strong cleaning agents, solvents, sharp objects, brushes and abrasives.
How to descale it
The manual puts the job at about 15 minutes manual.
Lift and close the lever to eject the capsule.
Empty the drip tray, drip base and capsule container.
Pour 1 Nespresso descaling sachet into the tank. Fill it to the 0.6 L line with potable water.
Put a container of at least 1 litre under the outlet.
Switch the machine on, then hold Espresso and Lungo together for 5 seconds. Both lights blink.
Press Lungo and wait until the tank is empty.
Refill the tank with the used solution from the container, and run it through again.
Empty and rinse the tank, then fill it with fresh potable water.
Run the rinse twice.
Hold Espresso and Lungo together for 5 seconds to leave descaling mode.
Empty the drip base.
How often you descale depends on your water. The manual counts cups of 40 ml:
Hard water, 36 fH: descale after 300 cups.
Medium water, 18 fH: descale after 600 cups.
Soft water, 0 fH: descale after 1,200 cups.
Before you start
Descaling solution can be harmful. Keep it off your eyes, your skin and your surfaces manual.
How to reset it to factory settings
Switch the machine off.
Press and hold the Lungo button for 5 seconds.
Watch for the lights to blink fast 3 times.
Wait for steady lights, which mean the machine is ready manual.
The reset returns the factory settings. Those are a 40 ml Espresso, a 110 ml Lungo and shut-off after 9 minutes.
If there is no coffee and no water
On first use, fill the tank with warm water at 55 C or less, and run it through the machine.
Flow speed depends on the coffee variety, so the manual's first step is to descale if needed manual. For coffee that is not hot enough, preheat the cup, then descale if needed.
If water sits in the capsule container
Put the capsule in again, lined up correctly manual. Call the Nespresso Club if the leak carries on. The manual also notes that water can flow around a capsule the blades have not pierced.
If the lights blink oddly
Irregular blinking means the machine needs service manual. Send it for repair, or call the Nespresso Club. With no light at all, check the mains, the plug, the voltage and the fuse.
If a capsule sticks in the machine
Switch the machine off and unplug it before you do anything else manual. Then call the Nespresso Club or a Nespresso authorized representative.
How to empty it before a trip
Press Espresso and Lungo together to switch the machine off.
Take out the water tank and open the lever.
Put a container under the coffee outlet.
Hold Espresso and Lungo for 5 seconds. Both lights blink in turn.
Let the emptying run. The machine switches off on its own at the end.
Close the lever, then empty and clean the capsule container, drip tray and drip base manual.
The manual asks you to do this before a long break, for frost protection, or before a repair.
Essenza Mini FAQ
How long does the Essenza Mini take to heat up?
De'Longhi lists a heat up time of 40 seconds De'Longhi. The lights blink while it heats, and hold steady when it is ready manual.
Can I use it in an office?
The manual lists household use and similar settings manual. Those settings include staff kitchens in shops and offices, farm houses, hotels and bed and breakfast rooms. The guarantee does not cover commercial use.
What color does De'Longhi sell in the US?
De'Longhi's US store lists the EN85B in black De'Longhi. The Aeroccino version, EN85BAE, is also listed in black De'Longhi.
How much is the Nespresso Essenza Mini?
See today's price with the link above.
Where can I find the Essenza Mini manual?
Nespresso posts the Essenza Mini user manual as a PDF manual. De'Longhi also links the instructions for use on its support page for the EN85B De'Longhi support.
The verdict
4/4 PASS
No. 013 · Nespresso Essenza Mini
Real espresso in the smallest counter space.
The Essenza Mini suits a small kitchen, an office corner or a second coffee spot. De'Longhi gives it the same 19 bar pump as its larger Nespresso machines. The manual lists the body at 84 mm across, with two buttons and two cup sizes you set yourself.
4/4 PASS
