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There are plenty of coffee machines that come with bells and whistles—for some of us, it’s just too much and we want an easier option. So, for those who want all the rich flavor of a Nespresso from a stylish coffee machine and zero fuss, we have two great options to compare.
We are going to look at the Nespresso CitiZ vs Essenza Plus. There are two versions of the Nespresso Essenza, the Mini and the Plus. We chose the Nespresso Essenza Plus as it was a fairer comparison. After discussing all of the specifications, like the coffee machine design and brewing capabilities, there will be a side-by-side for a quick overview, some pros and cons, and our final verdict.
There are a couple of similarities between the Nespresso CitiZ and the Nespresso Essenza Plus. We will start with these.
Nespresso CitiZ vs Nespresso Essenza Plus – Similarities
Quick Glance
The comparison chart below reviews the specifications of the Nespresso CitiZ and the Nespresso Essenza Plus.
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5.1 x 14.6 x 10.9 inches
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4.5 x 15.63 x 10 inches
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7.3lbs
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7.9lbs
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Black
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Black
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19 bar
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19 bar
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1.35oz espresso or 3.7oz lungo
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0.85oz ristretto, 1.35oz espresso, or 3.7oz lungo
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Nespresso Original
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Nespresso Original
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9-11 capsules
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11 capsules
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2 buttons
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3 buttons
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34oz
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34oz
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25 seconds
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N/A
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From 9 to 30 minutes
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9 minutes
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Removable and pop out cup tray
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N/A
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Starter set of capsules and a one-year warranty
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Starter set of capsules
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- OPTIONS: Nespresso Essenza Plus is always there when you need it. Whether it be for an espresso, a lungo, an americano or even tea, it’s here for you, and anybody else you want to treat
- SMART SYSTEM: It features a smart reordering system that's activated at the touch of a button. That way, you'll never run out of your favorite capsules
- PERFECT RESULTS: Fast heat-up time and 19 bar pump ensures perfect results
- SENDS ALERTS: To show you how much it cares about your coffee, it even sends out an alert when it needs descaling. A little plus, which might just be essential
- DESIGN: Featuring a stylish design, this machine fits into any kitchen seamlessly
Pressure
At 19 bars of pressure, the Nespresso CitiZ and the Nespresso Essenza Plus brew coffee quickly and efficiently.
Capsule Compatibility
The Nespresso CitiZ and the Nespresso Essenza Plus use the Nespresso Original Capsules. There are dozens of flavors to choose from and they are organized into different categories. Options include the Limited Editions, Ispirazione Italiana, Master Origins, Espresso, World Explorations, and Barista Creations. If it’s too hard to select, pick one of the discovery packs with a selection of coffees.
Capsule Container
Once the coffee has been brewed, the capsules are ejected into a container. The Nespresso CitiZ and the Nespresso Essenza Plus containers hold a maximum of 11 capsules.
Water Tank
The water tanks of the Nespresso CitiZ and the Nespresso Essenza Plus hold 34 ounces. They are removable for easy refilling.
There are plenty more differences between the Nespresso CitiZ and the Nespresso Essenza Plus, which we will go over now.
Differences Between Nespresso CitiZ and Nespresso Essenza Plus
Appearance
Both the coffee machines are black but slightly different in size.
Nespresso CitiZ
It measures 5.1 x 14.6 x 10.9 inches and weighs 7.3 pounds.
Nespresso Essenza Plus
At 4.5 x 15.63 x 10 inches, it’s very similar but the shape is more triangular. The weight is almost the same at 7.9 pounds.
The Winner Is—A Tie
Read next – Nespresso Creatista Uno vs Creatista Plus: Which Breville’s Espresso Machines are Better?
Coffee Sizes
The Nespresso Capsules come in different sizes and the coffee machines just need a touch of a button to select the right size.
Nespresso CitiZ
You can make a 1.35oz espresso or a 3.7oz lungo.
Nespresso Essenza Plus
As well as the espresso and lungo sizes, you can make a 0.85oz ristretto.
The Winner Is- The Nespresso Essenza Plus
Controls
On top of the coffee machines, there is the level for your capsules as the control buttons.
Nespresso CitiZ
There are just two buttons on top of the coffee machine and these buttons are to choose between the coffee sizes. The buttons have lights to indicate potential problems.
Nespresso Essenza Plus
The lit buttons are the same but instead of just the coffee size selectors, there is a third button for hot water, just in case you want to make tea instead of coffee—which is a feature that a lot of users love.
The Winner Is—The Nespresso Essenza Plus
Heat Up Time
One of the main advantages of these coffee machines is the speed at which your coffee can be prepared. This is helped by the fast heat-up times.
Nespresso CitiZ
It takes just 25 seconds for the coffee machine to heat up.
Nespresso Essenza Plus
There is no information on the heat-up time. We can assume it is similar because most of the Nespresso machines in the Original Line take this long.
The Winner Is—The Nespresso CitiZ
Auto Switch Off
The auto switch-off feature is nice for safety and saving on energy consumption.
Nespresso CitiZ
The machine will automatically switch off after 9 minutes of not being used. You can actually change this for up to 30 minutes if you prefer.
Nespresso Essenza Plus
After 9 minutes of not being used the coffee machine will switch off. There is no option to change the time on this model.
The Winner Is—A Tie
Drip Tray
A quality drip tray helps to keep things clean when brewing coffee.
Nespresso CitiZ
It has a removable drip tray as well as pop-out cup support for those smaller coffee sizes.
Nespresso Essenza Plus
The drip tray can be removed for cleaning but doesn’t move up or down.
What’s Included
We know that as you receive your Nespresso machine, you will want to be able to start using it.
Nespresso CitiZ
It comes with a starter set of coffee capsules. There is a one-year warranty. Go to Nespresso’s CitiZ manual for more information.
Nespresso Essenza Plus
A starter pack of coffee capsules is included. There is also a one-year warranty. Here’s more information about the warranty and a link to the Essenza Plus manual.
The Winner Is- The Nespresso CitiZ
Pros and Cons
And finally, the pros and cons of the Nespresso CitiZ and the Nespresso Essenza Plus will help to highlight any further differences.
Nespresso CitiZ
Pros:
- It makes lovely creamy espressos
- Great for everyday use
- It’s a low maintenance coffee machine
Cons:
- The cup vibrates a little on the pop-out cup tray
Nespresso Essenza Plus
- Great value for money
- Much more versatile with the hot water button
- The design is a quite stylish
Cons:
- The pressure isn’t always consistent
The Final Verdict
In many ways, the Nespresso CitiZ and the Nespresso Essenza Plus are similar. They take the same Nespresso Original capsules, the water tanks have the same capacity, and they are a similar size. The best coffee machine is the Nespresso Essenza Plus. Despite lacking some of the specifications, you can make an extra size coffee and the hot water button means you can make more than just coffees. On top of this, the Nespresso Essenza Plus is cheaper, so even better value for money. However, if you prefer the look of the CitiZ—and only don’t need the added features—it too is a great choice.
- OPTIONS: Nespresso Essenza Plus is always there when you need it. Whether it be for an espresso, a lungo, an americano or even tea, it’s here for you, and anybody else you want to treat
- SMART SYSTEM: It features a smart reordering system that's activated at the touch of a button. That way, you'll never run out of your favorite capsules
- PERFECT RESULTS: Fast heat-up time and 19 bar pump ensures perfect results
- SENDS ALERTS: To show you how much it cares about your coffee, it even sends out an alert when it needs descaling. A little plus, which might just be essential
- DESIGN: Featuring a stylish design, this machine fits into any kitchen seamlessly