Head-to-heads / Capsule / Breville Nespresso Essenza Mini vs Nespresso Vertuo by De'Longhi

Breville Nespresso Essenza Mini vs Nespresso Vertuo by De'Longhi

Updated November 2, 2026 · Specs from breville.com and the Amazon listings · How we score

The bottom line

It comes down to milk frothing.

Get the Breville Nespresso Essenza Mini if…

you want a separate frother included for milk drinks, or counter space is tight: 34 sq in vs. 110 sq in.

Get the Nespresso Vertuo by De'Longhi if…

you hate waiting: ready in 20 s vs. 25 s, or you want more drinks at one touch: 4 vs. 2.

The Breville Nespresso Essenza Mini is ahead on 1 specs, the Nespresso Vertuo by De'Longhi on 2. We earn a commission if you buy through these links. It never changes a score.

Score by category

Each bar is out of 100. Popularity is how often the machine sells on Amazon compared to all 140 machines.

Breville Nespresso Essenza MiniNespresso Vertuo by De'Longhi

Brewing 25 points, Breville Nespresso Essenza Mini 25 points, Nespresso Vertuo by De'Longhi
Milk 50 points, Breville Nespresso Essenza Mini 0 points, Nespresso Vertuo by De'Longhi
Convenience 33 points, Breville Nespresso Essenza Mini 46 points, Nespresso Vertuo by De'Longhi
Popularity 87 points, Breville Nespresso Essenza Mini 92 points, Nespresso Vertuo by De'Longhi

Why is the Breville Nespresso Essenza Mini better than the Nespresso Vertuo by De'Longhi?

  • Milk frothingSeparate frother included vs. None

Why is the Nespresso Vertuo by De'Longhi better than the Breville Nespresso Essenza Mini?

  • 25% faster heat-up20 s vs. 25 s
  • 100% more one-touch drinks4 vs. 2

Every spec, with its source

Only specs both sides state can win. A “Not stated” never wins or loses.

Milk

Milk frothing

A manual steam wand gives the best microfoam for latte art but takes practice. Automatic systems are easier but less flexible.

Breville Nespresso Essenza Mini Separate frother included breville.com
Nespresso Vertuo by De'Longhi None Amazon listing

Convenience

Heat-up time

How long you wait from switching on until the first shot. Under a minute feels instant, over 15 minutes means planning ahead.

Average: 27 s · lower is better
Breville Nespresso Essenza Mini 25 s Amazon listing
Nespresso Vertuo by De'Longhi 20 s Amazon listing
Water tank

A bigger tank means refilling less often. For two milk drinks a day, about 60 oz lasts several days.

Average: 57.5 oz
Breville Nespresso Essenza Mini Not stated
Nespresso Vertuo by De'Longhi 54 oz Amazon listing
One-touch drinks

Preset recipes such as latte or cappuccino at the push of a button.

Average: 5
Breville Nespresso Essenza Mini 2 Amazon listing
Nespresso Vertuo by De'Longhi 4 Amazon listing

Size and weight

Height

Measure the space under your kitchen cabinets. Many machines need a few extra inches on top to refill the water tank or bean hopper.

Average: 13.4 in
Breville Nespresso Essenza Mini 12.8 in Amazon listing
Nespresso Vertuo by De'Longhi 12.3 in Amazon listing
Counter space

Width times depth, the area the machine takes up on your counter.

Average: 113 sq in
Breville Nespresso Essenza Mini 34 sq in Amazon listing
Nespresso Vertuo by De'Longhi 110 sq in Amazon listing
Weight

Heavier machines stay put when you lock in the portafilter. Lighter ones are easier to move and store.

Average: 11 lbs
Breville Nespresso Essenza Mini 6 lbs Amazon listing
Nespresso Vertuo by De'Longhi 11 lbs Amazon listing

Other

Power

Higher wattage usually means faster heating, but it says nothing about coffee quality.

Average: 1,350 W
Breville Nespresso Essenza Mini 1,255 W Amazon listing
Nespresso Vertuo by De'Longhi Not stated

Highlighted: the better value for that spec. Bars show where a value sits among all 140 machines. Specs neither listing states are left out. How we score

Deal check

Breville Nespresso Essenza Mini · price class $

Around its usual price.

Compared with its own 90-day average and 12-month low on Amazon. The exact price is on Amazon.

See today’s price

Nespresso Vertuo by De'Longhi · price class $

Lowest price in the last 12 months right now.

Compared with its own 90-day average and 12-month low on Amazon. The exact price is on Amazon.

See today’s price

Questions

Which is better, the Breville Nespresso Essenza Mini or the Nespresso Vertuo by De'Longhi?

The Breville Nespresso Essenza Mini scores 33 points, the Nespresso Vertuo by De'Longhi 31. The score weighs grinder, heating system, temperature control, milk frothing and convenience.

Which one heats up faster?

The Nespresso Vertuo by De'Longhi: 20 s vs. 25 s for the Breville Nespresso Essenza Mini.

How do they froth milk?

Breville Nespresso Essenza Mini: separate frother included. Nespresso Vertuo by De'Longhi: none.

Will they fit under my kitchen cabinets?

The Breville Nespresso Essenza Mini is 12.8 in tall, the Nespresso Vertuo by De'Longhi 12.3 in. Standard US upper cabinets hang about 18 in above the counter, so leave room to refill the tank.

Also compared

Higher score · 33Breville Nespresso Essenza MiniCheck price on Amazon