Nespresso DELONGHI Essenza EN85 Coffee Machine Review: The Pint-Sized Powerhouse for Perfect Espresso

There’s a universal moment of truth every morning: that first, soul-stirring sip of coffee. For years, I chased that perfect cup at home. My journey was a familiar one, filled with bulky drip brewers that produced gallons of mediocre coffee, French presses that left a trail of grounds and required a meticulous cleaning ritual, and even a brief, expensive flirtation with a semi-professional espresso machine that demanded more counter space than my microwave and more attention than a toddler. The dream was simple: to replicate the rich, aromatic espresso from my favourite local café without dedicating half my kitchen to a chrome behemoth. The reality was a compromise between quality, convenience, and space. This is the dilemma the modern coffee lover faces – how to get an authentic, high-pressure espresso experience quickly and cleanly, especially when every square inch of counter space is precious real estate.

What to Consider Before Buying a Single Serve Coffee Machine

A single-serve coffee machine is more than just an appliance; it’s a key solution for reclaiming your morning routine. It promises consistency, speed, and simplicity, delivering a perfect portion of coffee on demand without the waste or cleanup of traditional methods. By using sealed capsules, these machines eliminate the variables of grinding, tamping, and measuring, ensuring that the last cup of the month tastes just as incredible as the first. The main benefits are profound: a significant reduction in preparation time, zero coffee grounds to clean up, and access to a vast world of coffee blends and single-origin beans, all from a device that often takes up less space than a toaster.

The ideal customer for this type of product is someone facing the daily rush, the small-apartment dweller, the student in a dorm, or the office worker looking for an upgrade from instant coffee. It’s for the person who values both quality and efficiency. If you’re a household of one or two, a single-serve machine is perfectly scaled for your needs. Conversely, it might not be suitable for those who host large groups frequently or who enjoy the hands-on ritual of manual brewing as a hobby. If you need to make six or more cups of coffee simultaneously, a large-capacity drip coffee maker would be a better, albeit less nuanced, alternative. For the purist who loves the craft, a high-end grinder and a manual espresso maker or pour-over kit remain the gold standard.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Dimensions & Space: This is paramount. Before you fall in love with a machine’s features, measure your available counter space, including height clearance under any cabinets. Some machines are deceptively deep or tall. A compact model like the Essenza Mini is specifically designed for tight spaces, making it a viable option for even the most cluttered of kitchens.
• Capacity/Performance: Look beyond just the coffee. Consider the water tank capacity. A smaller tank means a smaller machine, but also more frequent refilling. Performance is dictated by pump pressure, measured in bars; for true espresso, 15 bars is the minimum, and the 19-bar standard used by Nespresso is a hallmark of quality extraction, ensuring a rich crema and full-bodied flavour. Also, consider heat-up time – a faster machine gets you out the door quicker.
• Materials & Durability: The machine’s housing is typically high-grade plastic, which is lightweight and easy to clean. Internally, look for durable components. Brands with a long history in coffee, like De’Longhi, have a reputation for reliable engineering. A solid lever mechanism and robust internal heating elements are signs of a machine built to last.
• Ease of Use & Maintenance: The best machines are intuitive, often featuring one-touch buttons for different coffee sizes. Think about the long-term care. How easy is it to clean the drip tray and the used capsule container? Does the machine have an automated alert for descaling? A simple, user-friendly maintenance process ensures your machine continues to produce great coffee for years.

Keeping these factors in mind, the Nespresso DELONGHI Essenza EN85 Coffee Machine stands out in several areas, particularly its fusion of a high-performance pressure system within an ultra-compact body. You can explore its detailed specifications here.

While the Nespresso DELONGHI Essenza EN85 Coffee Machine is an excellent choice, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:

First Impressions: A Splash of Colour in a Tiny Package

Unboxing the Nespresso DELONGHI Essenza EN85 Coffee Machine is a lesson in minimalist efficiency. The packaging is compact and secure, and right away, the machine’s diminutive size is striking. We tested the vibrant red model, and the colour is a deep, glossy cherry that adds a welcome pop of personality to the kitchen counter without being garish. Measuring a mere 11 cm wide, it’s even slimmer in person than pictures suggest; placing it next to a standard 2-litre water bottle, as one user photographed, truly puts its space-saving design into perspective.

Lifting it from the box, the 2.8kg weight feels substantial enough to be stable, yet light enough to be easily moved for cleaning. The build, a partnership between Nespresso’s coffee system and De’Longhi’s manufacturing expertise, feels solid. The lever action for inserting the capsule is smooth and reassuringly mechanical. Setup is virtually non-existent: you rinse the 0.6-litre water tank, fill it, plug the machine in, and you’re ready to prime it by running a cycle without a capsule. The inclusion of a starter pack of 14 Nespresso capsules is a thoughtful touch, allowing you to immediately start exploring different roasts and flavours.

A Deep Dive into the Nespresso DELONGHI Essenza EN85 Coffee Machine’s Performance

A coffee machine can look great and fit on the counter, but its true value is measured in the cup. After weeks of rigorous testing, putting the Essenza EN85 through its paces with morning espressos, afternoon lungos, and everything in between, we can confidently say it punches far above its weight class. This isn’t just a coffee maker; it’s a dedicated espresso machine that has been cleverly miniaturised without sacrificing the core technology that defines the Nespresso experience.

Compact Design Without Compromise: The Art of Miniaturisation

The single most celebrated feature of the Nespresso DELONGHI Essenza EN85 Coffee Machine is its size, but to call it merely “small” is an understatement. It represents a paradigm shift in home espresso. At only 11 cm wide and 20.5 cm tall, its footprint is laughably tiny. We were able to slot it into the narrowest of gaps on our kitchen counter, a space previously relegated to a lonely utensil holder. This is the machine for the modern home where space is the ultimate luxury. As several users confirmed, it’s perfect for those with limited kitchen real estate, fitting into any “angolino della cucina” (corner of the kitchen). This compact nature also makes it surprisingly versatile. We could easily see this machine being taken on holiday to a self-catering cottage or becoming a permanent fixture on an office desk, as noted by one user who described it as perfect for “der kleine Kaffee zwischendurch” (the little coffee in between). The trade-off, of course, is the 0.6-litre water tank. We found it holds enough for about three to four lungo shots or five to six espressos before needing a top-up. For a one or two-person household, this is perfectly manageable and a small price to pay for the enormous space savings.

The 19-Bar Pressure System: The Heart of True Espresso

Beneath its minimalist plastic shell lies the engine that makes all the difference: a high-performance 19-bar pressure pump. This isn’t just a technical specification; it’s the secret to its success. This level of pressure is essential for forcing hot water through the finely ground coffee in the capsule at the optimal force and speed. The result is a proper extraction that unlocks the full spectrum of aroma and flavour from the beans, producing a consistently rich, dense, and stable crema. We compared shots from the Essenza EN85 to those from much larger, more expensive machines, and the quality was remarkable. The coffee emerges hot, full-bodied, and aromatic, filling the room with a scent that one user delightfully described as being “like a roastery.” Our findings were echoed by users across the board, with one Italian coffee lover stating the result is “fantastico: morbido, corposo e proprio come un espresso di qualità al bar” (fantastic: smooth, full-bodied and just like a quality espresso at a café). This is the key differentiator from many other pod systems that operate at lower pressures; the Essenza EN85 delivers an authentic espresso experience, not just strong coffee. Whether using original Nespresso capsules or high-quality compatibles, the machine consistently performed, delivering a superb cup every time.

Speed and Simplicity: From Sleep to Sip in Under a Minute

In the morning rush, every second counts. The Nespresso DELONGHI Essenza EN85 Coffee Machine is a champion of speed and efficiency. From a cold start, the machine’s thermoblock heating element brings the water to the ideal brewing temperature in a blistering 25 to 30 seconds. The two buttons on top—one for espresso (40 ml) and one for lungo (110 ml)—start blinking to indicate it’s heating up, and become steady when it’s ready to brew. The entire process is breathtakingly simple. Lift the chrome lever, drop in a capsule, close the lever, place your cup, and press a button. A few moments later, you have a perfect coffee. The simplicity is a huge plus, with one French user noting they didn’t even need to read the instruction manual. We also appreciated the programmable nature of the buttons. If you prefer a slightly shorter or longer shot, you can simply press and hold the button during brewing until you reach your desired volume, and the machine will remember it for next time. Adding to the convenience is the eco-mode, which puts the machine into a low-power state after 3 minutes of inactivity and shuts it off completely after 9 minutes, providing both energy savings and peace of mind. For those who want their coffee even hotter, we tested a tip from one user: run a blank shot of hot water into your cup first to pre-heat it. The result was a noticeably hotter final beverage, perfect for those who add cold milk.

Thoughtful Engineering and Effortless Maintenance

A great user experience extends beyond brewing, and De’Longhi’s design excels in its thoughtful, user-friendly details. Cleaning is remarkably straightforward. The machine is designed with three distinct, removable parts: the drip tray for catching spills, the internal container that catches the used capsules (holding up to 6), and a small basin beneath that which collects any residual water. All three parts slide out easily for a quick rinse. This compartmentalised system prevents the messy build-up found in less sophisticated machines. The water tank also detaches completely, making refilling at the tap a breeze. We were particularly impressed by the quietness of the operation. As one user who had an older model at their workplace pointed out, this machine is “plutôt silencieuse” (rather quiet). There’s no rattling or excessive buzzing, just the gentle hum of the pump during extraction. While the machine is generally reliable, it’s worth noting one user’s experience with reprogramming the water volume after a descaling cycle, which can sometimes require a reset. This highlights the importance of following the descaling instructions carefully to maintain optimal performance. Overall, the maintenance is as minimal and efficient as the machine’s design itself. If you’re looking for a device that delivers consistently brilliant coffee with almost no fuss, the Nespresso DELONGHI Essenza EN85 Coffee Machine is an outstanding contender.

What Other Users Are Saying

Across hundreds of reviews, a clear consensus emerges. The overwhelming majority of users are thrilled with the Nespresso DELONGHI Essenza EN85 Coffee Machine, frequently awarding it top marks for its core strengths. An Italian user perfectly summarised the general sentiment: “I’m really satisfied with my Nespresso coffee machine! The coffee tastes fantastic: smooth, full-bodied and just like a quality espresso at the bar. The machine is easy to use, heats up quickly and is also elegant.” Another common point of praise, highlighted by a French reviewer, is its quietness, a significant improvement over older, noisier models which would “announce to all your colleagues that you were making coffee.”

However, the feedback isn’t without its criticisms, which are just as consistent. The most common drawback mentioned is the small water tank. A user from Spain cautioned that you’ll “have to be filling it constantly” as it’s only good for a few coffees. This is almost universally accepted as the necessary compromise for the machine’s ultra-compact size. A more practical frustration for some UK-based buyers was receiving a model with a “weird 2 pin to 3 pin conversion plug,” which, while functional, is less elegant than a native UK plug. Finally, a handful of users reported receiving packages that were not in pristine condition—some with damaged boxes, signs of being previously opened, or even expired coffee capsules included. While these are seller or fulfilment issues rather than flaws in the machine itself, they are worth being aware of when making a purchase.

How the Nespresso DELONGHI Essenza EN85 Coffee Machine Compares to the Alternatives

The Essenza EN85 is a formidable machine in the compact category, but it’s important to understand where it sits in the broader market. Depending on your specific needs for milk-based drinks, portability, or brand preference, other options might be a better fit.

1. Nespresso Essenza Mini Coffee Machine

This is the most direct competitor to our reviewed model, and in many ways, it’s the same machine in a different shell. Made by Krups instead of De’Longhi, it shares the exact same core specifications: 19-bar pressure, 0.6L water tank, rapid heat-up, and two programmable buttons. The primary difference lies in the exterior design. While the De’Longhi EN85 has a more rectangular, angular shape, the Krups XN110840 model features a slightly more rounded, trapezoidal form. The choice between them often comes down to aesthetics, brand loyalty, or which one is available at a better price on any given day. If you love the performance profile of the Essenza Mini but prefer a slightly different look, the Krups version is an equally excellent choice.

2. Nespresso Gran Lattissima Coffee Machine with Milk Frother

If your coffee ritual regularly involves lattes, cappuccinos, or flat whites, the Gran Lattissima represents a significant step up. This is an all-in-one solution designed for milk lovers. It features an integrated, detachable milk frother that automatically prepares milk for a variety of recipes at the touch of a button. It eliminates the need for a separate Aeroccino or other frothing device. This convenience, however, comes with a much larger footprint and a higher price tag. This machine is for the user who prioritises one-touch milky coffee convenience and has the counter space and budget to accommodate it. It’s a different class of machine, moving from a pure espresso focus to a complete coffee bar experience.

3. WACACO Nanopresso Barista Kit Espresso Accessory

This product is in a category of its own and isn’t a direct competitor so much as an alternative philosophy. The Nanopresso Barista Kit is an accessory for the Nanopresso portable, manual espresso maker. It’s designed for coffee on the go—camping, hiking, or travelling. It requires you to provide the hot water and the muscle power (via hand-pumping) to generate pressure. It offers unparalleled portability but sacrifices all of the convenience, speed, and automation of a machine like the Essenza EN85. This is the perfect choice for the adventurous coffee enthusiast who wants to brew a great espresso anywhere, but it is not a suitable replacement for a daily-use kitchen countertop machine.

Our Final Verdict: Is the Nespresso DELONGHI Essenza EN85 Coffee Machine Worth It?

After extensive testing and analysis, our conclusion is clear: the Nespresso DELONGHI Essenza EN85 Coffee Machine is a triumph of engineering and design. It successfully distils the essence of a high-quality espresso experience into the smallest possible package. It is the undisputed champion for anyone whose primary constraints are counter space and time, but who refuses to compromise on the quality of their coffee. Its 19-bar pressure system delivers authentic, crema-rich espresso that rivals machines five times its size, and its lightning-fast heat-up time means you’re never more than a minute away from a fantastic cup.

It’s not for everyone; large households or those who primarily drink large milky coffees will be better served by a bigger, more feature-rich machine. The small water tank is a real limitation that requires acceptance from the outset. But for its target audience—the individual, the couple, the student, the city-dweller—it is practically perfect. It’s a stylish, reliable, and remarkably capable machine that delivers on its promises. For the price, it offers phenomenal value and a gateway to consistently excellent coffee at home.

If you’ve decided the Nespresso DELONGHI Essenza EN85 Coffee Machine is the right fit for your kitchen and your lifestyle, you can check its current price and purchase it here.