Nespresso Essenza Plus Review for 2021

Nespresso has manufactured Essenza Plus for coffee lovers who enjoy the experience of making high-quality coffee at home but have limited space.

Two more coffee sizes, an extra hot water nozzle, and a hot water button are the features that distinguish Essenza Plus from its predecessor – Nespresso Essenza.

This device is sold under two other brand names: De’Longhi and Breville. The two variations are practically the same, other than a few slight differences in design.   

Each machine includes a complimentary welcome set of 14 Nespresso capsules with individual aromas to help you find your favorite.

If you’re a fan of creamy cappuccinos, you also need the Aeroccino3 milk frother. Or you can buy Essenza Plus with Aeroccino3, which readily comes with a milk frother. 

The Essenza Plus lets you set your coffee volume. However, if you need more control over your cup, Nespresso Creatista Plus is a better option. It allows you to adjust coffee volume, milk temperature, and froth level.

Most users were satisfied with their purchase because of the machine’s simple functionality, compact design, and excellent coffee taste. It’s usual to find a few complaints on any device, and the Essenza Plus wasn’t an exception. It was challenging to find a significant drawback, though.  

Things to Consider Before Buying a Coffee Maker 

Making a cup of decent coffee doesn’t need much time or effort when you have Essenza Plus. Its simple functionality makes it an excellent choice for beginners or those without much time to spare in the kitchen. 

When investing in a coffee machine, aside from looks, you need to answer a few questions to help you make the right decision:

• Is affordability a priority to you?
• Do you have a small kitchen?
• How large do you need the water reservoir to be?
• Are you okay with spending money on coffee pods?
• Do you prefer simple functionality or sophisticated controls?
• Do you like having control over temperature and texture?

Why You Should Consider Nespresso Essenza Plus

Design

With its compact design 9.4-inch height and 5.3-inch width the Essenza Plus fits any kitchen counter. It’s ideal for small kitchens and limited countertop space.

Essenza Plus comes in two distinctive shapes and three colors to match any interior design: black, white, and cherry red. The machine features a sleek design and glossy finish, making it look elegant and compliment your decor.

Cup Sizes

Essenza Plus offers four different cup sizes, including espresso, lungo, Americano, and Americano XL. You also have a hot water option if you want to fancy a cup of tea instead of coffee.

The removable drip tray allows you to use cups or glasses in various sizes. So, if your cup is too tall, simply remove the drip tray, and you’re ready to go. 

The machine is pre-programmed to deliver the best in-cup results, but you can reprogram your coffee volume according to your taste. To get your drink close to what you prefer, press and hold the coffee button to start brewing and release it when the volume is as you wish. The machine confirms and stores your new settings for the future. 

Ease of Use

You don’t have to deal with complicated settings while working with Essenza Plus. There are only three simple buttons to make your coffee, including the espresso, lungo, and water buttons. Just insert the capsule, push the button, and enjoy your coffee. 

To make an Americano, press espresso and hot water simultaneously. And for an XL Americano, do the same with the lungo and hot water buttons.

Since you don’t have to tweak many settings, you’re pretty much guaranteed to receive the same coffee every time. If it’s your first time working with an espresso machine, the Essenza Plus makes this experience much delightful with its reliability. 

Water Reservoir

The 33.8-oz water tank allows you to make several coffee cups without refilling the tank after each brew. The number of cups depends on the size you choose. Of course, a higher capacity reservoir brings more convenience, but you have to dedicate more space to it. Given the Essenza Plus compact design and the small space it occupies, the water tank is quite generous. 

What’s more, the water tank is adjustable, meaning you can move it around the machine to fit any countertop. When the water is at the back of your coffee machine, the depth is 16.5 inches, but you can reduce it by positioning the tank on the side. 

The removable cylinder-shaped water reservoir has a transparent body that shows the amount of water, so you know when it’s empty and needs a refill.    

Taste

Coffee taste depends on various factors, one of which is the brewing system. The 19 bar pressure pump pierces the pod and releases maximum coffee aroma during extraction. High water-pressure, precise temperature, and exact flow time ensure that you receive a top-notch drink without going to a coffee shop. 

Besides, Nespresso has designed its capsules such that the water flows evenly through ground coffee during the brewing process.   

Although you don’t have complete control over your coffee grinding, temperature, and volume, you’ll receive a delicious espresso with a rich flavor and pleasant aroma.

Descaling Alarm

The descaling alarm shows how much Nespresso cares about your coffee quality and device maintenance. The exact time for descaling depends on your water hardness and frequency of use. Fortunately, the Essenza Plus comes with an LED that blinks to let you know when descaling is necessary. 

Running the process is pretty straightforward, and it takes 15 min to complete. You can use a Nespresso Descaling Solution, which is compatible with all Nespresso machines.

Plus, the user manual includes a tester to test your water hardness and set it under the Nespresso app’s water status. Here’s a video showing you how to do that: 

One-Touch Re-Ordering System

You can reorder capsules with a single touch just by pressing the one-touch order button on the machine. You’ll get your pre-defined capsule order delivered to your doorstep.

To use this feature, first, download the Nespresso app and pair the machine with your smartphone via Bluetooth, then connect your coffee machine to a WiFi network. Now you can set up your order template by choosing your favorite capsule, payment method, and delivery address. 

Watch this video for a step-by-step tutorial: 

Ease of Cleaning

You can’t put any part of your Essenza Plus in the dishwasher, but the cleaning process is pretty quick and straightforward because the parts are removable. 

It’s better to remove and empty the drip tray, drip base, and used capsule container daily. Remove and wash the water tank with a mild detergent or simply rinse it with hot water. 

Like all brewers, you need to clean the coffee outlet and inside your machine with a clean cloth regularly. Watch this video for more information: 

Using the Aeroccino

If you enjoy milk-based coffee, use the Essenza Plus with Aeroccino3 milk frother to widen your drink choices. With hot milk and milk froth preparation options, you’ll have a creamy cup for your coffee.

Fill the jug up to your desired level milk or frothing indicator and press the button. Simply pour the milk into the glass and brew your favorite coffee over the foam. You can also get creative with plenty of milk-based recipes such as cappuccino, latte, and macchiato.

Eco-Friendliness

Essenza Plus includes an eco-mode to reduce energy consumption after two minutes, and the machine will automatically shut off after nine minutes of non-use. So, there’s no need to worry if you accidentally forget to turn it off after preparing your coffee.  

What’s more, Nespresso has a recycling program for its capsules, so you don’t have to feel guilty about throwing away many pods a day. The recyclable pods make you feel better about yourself since you’re reducing your environmental impact.  

Other Features

Used Capsule Container Capacity

Despite its slim design, the Essenza Plus has a large used capsule container to provide more convenience. It holds up to 11 capsules, which means you don’t need to empty it after each use. This feature is especially helpful when making several cups in a row for your guests. 

Cable Length 

The 34.4-inch cord might be too long if you put your device close to the outlet. To adjust the cable length, you can run it around the channel under the machine.

Heat-up Time

The fast heat-up system allows your machine to reach the ideal temperature in 30 seconds, so you’ll have your coffee instantly. 

However, a few users complain about their coffee temperature and believe their drink isn’t hot enough.

Affordability

Essenza Plus isn’t the most affordable brewer on the market, but based on its features, its price tag is very reasonable. It’s a good option for small-budget coffee lovers.

Connectivity 

Nespresso Essenza Plus will give maintenance notifications if you connect the device to your WiFi network and have its companion app installed on your smartphone. You can also customize the pre-programmed recipes. 

However, common complaints about the device include the fact that the Bluetooth connection is weak or that the device can’t connect the machine to a WiFi network. 

Alternatives

If you still have doubts about picking the right brewer, here are two good alternatives you can check before making your final decision:

Nespresso Essenza Mini

This machine is a bit simpler model with only two buttons: espresso and lungo. It works the same way as Essenza Plus, with similar coffee taste and quality. So, if you’re an espresso fan, this machine is a more affordable option.

The difference is that the Essenza Plus offers two more cup sizes: Americano and Americano XL. What’s more, the Essenza Plus features a hot water button for your tea, but the Essenza Mini lacks this option.

Nespresso VertuoPlus

Nespresso VertuoPlus is the number 1 best seller in the espresso machine and coffeemaker combos. It brews a wide range of coffees – 5 oz, 8oz, 14 oz – and espressos single and double. So you have more options compared to the Essenza Plus, and you can have your drink from dark and intense to mild and smooth.

It doesn’t prepare milk-based recipes, but you’ll get a great coffee taste and quality with a creamy texture. If you’re looking for a larger water reservoir, the VertuoPlus is an excellent choice because it comes with a two-liter water tank.  

Things to Know About Essenza Plus

How Do I Make an Americano With Nespresso Essenza Plus?

You can prepare an Americano with 0.85 oz of coffee and 4.2 oz of hot water. If you’re working with an Essenza Plus, simply press the espresso and hot water buttons simultaneously and let the machine do the rest for you.

You can also make an Americano XL with 1.35 oz coffee and 5.4 oz hot water or press the lungo and hot water button on Essenza Plus simultaneously.   

What Does 19bar Mean?

The number shows the pressure used to push water through coffee grounds in espresso machines. When that happens during the brewing process, it extracts the coffee flavor, oils, and aroma. The final result is a high-quality coffee with great taste and flavor released into your cup.

How Do I Do the Factory Reset of My Nespresso Essenza Plus?

To do a factory reset, first, you need to turn the Essenza Plus off by pressing lungo and espresso together. 

Now, press and hold the espresso button for five seconds. The LEDs will blink three times to show you have completed the process correctly. Then the machine turns off automatically.

You can also do the factory reset settings through the Nespresso app on your smartphone.  

Which Essenza Plus Is Better? Breville or Delonghi?

There’s no difference between these two machines because the inside is the same. De’Longhi and Breville are licensing technology from Nespresso, which means they produce the same cup of coffee. So, it doesn’t matter which brand you choose; your coffee will taste the same either way.

However, there are minor differences in color and appearance, which you need to consider. Get the one that looks better in your kitchen and suits your taste more.  

Final Words on Essenza Plus Review

If you need an easy-to-use brewer with simple buttons to make you a great cup of coffee, Nespresso Essenza Plus is there for you. It offers four cup sizes plus a hot water button for making tea: espresso, lungo, Americano, Americano XL.  

It has a compact design for those with limited space. It comes in black, white, and cherry red with two different looks by De’Longhi and Breville to satisfy various tastes.