Popular articles
Recent discussions on forum
Nespresso Pixie Review
A review outlining the features and benefits of the nespresso pixie espresso maker.
Published January 26, 2022
Select language
Johan Hedlund
Coffee experts@The Coffee Lab
For the 150 million Americans who drink a cup of coffee every single day, you may become bored of your normal routine. If you’re the type who’s always grabbing a cup of joe from a coffee shop, the cost can soon add up. So, if you’ve had enough of spending a fortune but don’t want to compromise on a decent cup of espresso, the Nespresso Pixie may be the answer.
Here we will explore the ins and outs of this coffee machine and how it can be a great fixture to have in your kitchen. Before you make your next cup of espresso, here is an in-depth review of the Nespresso Pixie.
Overview
The Nespresso Pixie is regarded as one of the most compact single-serve coffee makers on the market. In as little as 30 seconds, this machine can heat up and brew fantastic espresso in an additional 30 seconds. When compared to other popular espresso makers, this one is easily the fastest. The Nespresso Pixie is part of the company’s original espresso maker line.
For those seeking a single-serve espresso machine, it’s wise to stick with Nespresso. While the Pixie is not the newest model that nespresso offers, its current line is far quieter when compared to previous versions. The Nespresso Pixie enables you to make both lungo and espresso-sized drinks (depending on your preference).
Benefits and Features
One of the major benefits of the Nespresso Pixie is that espresso lovers can whip up a tasty cup of the good stuff without having to leave the front door. If you’ve grown tired of venturing out to a local coffee shop and paying somebody else to do all the hard work for you, this espresso maker may be perfect for you. What’s more, there’s a lot less mess to worry about, meaning you won’t be spending as much time making your drink as you do cleaning up.
For those who live on their own, this espresso maker is a convenient choice to consider. Known for its compact size, energy efficiency, and high-capacity water tank, it’s easy to see why thousands of people buy Nespresso Pixie coffee machine models every year. Of course, there are dozens of other options available, but if you want assurance, it’s wise to stick with the Nespresso Pixie.
Size
As a homeowner, you’ll have a kitchen that you want to be proud of. This means when you think about adding appliances like a microwave or coffee maker, you don’t want them to stick out like a sore thumb. With the Nespresso Pixie, it only stands roughly 8 Nespresso capsules high and with a 4-inch width, it can be put against the wall and it will blend in perfectly on your kitchen countertop. Because of its small size, you can even house the espresso maker under your kitchen cabinet. For those who work from home, the machine can be placed on your desk too.
The Nespresso Pixie is also lightweight, meaning it can be easily transported from A to B without any hassle. Whether you’re heading on a vacation or going on a business trip, this espresso maker can come along for the ride. Many espresso enthusiasts love how small and lightweight the Nespresso Pixie is, which makes it a convenient option to consider.
Energy Efficiency
Many of us are making lifestyle changes to be more eco-friendly. If you resonate with this, you’ll be glad to know the Pixie takes far less energy to run when compared to other popular espresso and coffee-making machines. This not only makes it easier on the planet, but you won’t have to shell out a fortune in electricity each month too. One of the great things about the Nespresso Pixie is its automatic shutoff which turns off the machine if it’s not been active for nine minutes. This means if you’ve switched the machine on and need to pop out and run an errand, you won’t have to worry about wasting energy.
The Nespresso Pixie is all LED lighting too. This lowers the machine’s overall energy usage. For those who want to go one step further in their quest of being more eco-friendly, simply unplug your machine completely when you’re not using it. This espresso maker uses thermablock technology too, which can heat your machine up in a matter of 30 seconds once it’s been plugged in.
Water Tank
Time is precious for us coffee lovers, so you’ll appreciate the fact that the Pixie features a 24-ounce capacity water tank. This means you won’t have to keep refilling the tank after each use. When you fill up the water tank to its maximum capacity, this should give you roughly 20 espresso shots or about nine lungo shots.
To get the best tasting espresso, Nespresso advises you to use filtered water in their machines. However, you can use tap water if you like. Be warned, for those who frequently use tap water, you may have to descale this espresso maker more regularly. Even if you opt for filtered water, it’s still advised to descale the machine every six months. Doing so will keep the machine in good working order and provide high-quality espresso time and time again.
Drip Tray and Used Capsule Container
When making an espresso, the Nespresso Pixie offers a removable drip tray. This helps to keep any mess contained. There is also a used capsule container that you can use. When your drip tray is down, it can hold a small espresso cup. For those who want to use a bigger cup, simply flip the drip tray up, which allows you to make espresso-based beverages. What’s more, you can empty and clean the drip tray with ease as it slides in and out.
When you’re done brewing your espresso shot, the used capsule container can slide out too. Simply pull the handle up which opens the brew chamber, and you’ll find the used capsule catapults into the used capsule container automatically. The container can hold up to 10 used capsules before it needs emptying. This will lower how many times you have to go to the trash can!
Bar Pressure Pump
Another great feature of this espresso maker is its 19-bar pressure water pump. When compared to other machines that use the typical 9-bar pressure pump, you can be guaranteed you’ll make an excellent espresso shot. For those who are confused about why pressure is so crucial, the answer is simple. The more pressure there is, the more aromas and flavors will be extracted from the coffee.
A huge flaw of single-serve espresso and coffee machines is that the coffee that’s used for them usually tastes watered down. We all want to have a high-quality tasting espresso, so because the pixie has a 19-bar pressure pump, you will get all the flavors and aromas you’re looking for, just like you’d smell and taste in a coffee shop.
Design
If it’s your first time buying a Nescafe Pixie coffee machine, its minimalist design means it’s very easy to get to grips with. You can watch videos online that provide tutorials on how to brew the perfect espresso with this coffee maker. With the Pixie, there are only three buttons to worry about. These are the power button and the buttons to choose either a lungo or small size cup.
Also, the Nespresso Krups Pixie has a water level alert system built in. This means you’ll always know whether you have enough water or not to make the perfect cup of espresso. Gone are the days of having to second guess how much water is in the machine! If the indicator light turns red, this will mean the water level is too low, meaning it’s time to refill.
Brewing and Temperature Instructions
A useful feature of the Nespresso Pixie is that it’s pre-programmed to brew at the desired temperature, which is a vital factor in brewing tasty espresso at home. Whatever capsule you use for the Nespresso Pixie, each one includes a barcode on it. This can be read by the espresso maker and adjusted to get the best flavors possible.
Maintenance
When you buy an espresso machine, you don’t want to be spending hour after hour maintaining it. Thankfully, the Pixie comes with little to no maintenance! Because there aren’t any adjustments or tune-ups to worry about, all you need to do is descale the machine every six months.
It’s very important to descale the Pixie as it will remove calcium deposits which can alter how your coffee tastes, not to mention how it functions. A descale from start to finish only takes 20 minutes too.
When compared to some of the other popular espresso-making machines on the market, the Nespresso Pixie makes a fantastic cup without the added mess. Known for its simplistic design, even a novice espresso drinker can brew a decent drink.
This coffee maker may be the answer to all your prayers, especially if you’re after a great espresso but are not quite ready to shell out for an espresso machine. Espresso enthusiasts all over the country are raving about this coffee maker, and when you read all the above, is it any wonder?
About the author
Johan Hedlund
I´m living in Karlstad, Sweden with my family. Been working the last 25 years with several start ups in the tech industry. Coffee has been an integral part, both professionally and privately. Eager to learn new things and happy to be a member of the era of we community.
Add comment
More on the coffee lab
Sign up and contribute now