The Nespresso coffee machines series is always a go-to choice when you want something that delivers flavorful coffee in a few seconds. These coffee makers are also the ideal option when you want something slender and sleek that’s super easy to use.
With the many versions of Nespresso machines out there, sometimes picking one can be very difficult. This is especially when you have to choose between two very close models like Nespresso Inissia and Nespresso Pixie.
The two are popular for their smaller, space-saving size, and their basic design means that coffee-making is even easier for novice users.
But when it all comes to deciding which one to buy between the two, you’ll be better off knowing what each of them has to deliver, their pros and cons, and most importantly, their differences, and that’s what this article is all about.
Nespresso Inissia
Nespresso Inissia is a small and light coffee machine that takes up little counter space.
Many coffee lovers enjoy this machine because it has an inexpensive price tag, one of the cheapest Nespresso machines you can find out there. And despite the smaller price tag, there’s still a lot to sell and some amazing brews to make.
Nespresso Inissia uses a robust 19-bar pump much like the Pixie, so you can be confident that it has more than enough strength to guarantee a superb espresso extraction. It also comes with a 24-ounce water reservoir that lets you take a few shots of espresso before you have to refill.
With this coffee machine, you’ll also get quick injection and ejection of the capsule, and it’s also equipped with a built-in capsule holder that makes it easy to handle the capsules used as it can accommodate up to 10 capsules.
There are even more paint choices to pick from for those who want to get a trendy unit that suits their kitchen. And in just 25 seconds, this coffee machine should be able to brew.
However, this Nespresso machine would lack certain fancy features that you will get on other more expensive versions like the Pixie, and one such feature is a warning light that warns you when the water tank is empty and needs a refill.
Pros
Auto shut down for energy conservation.
Quick time for heating
Small footprint
More choices for color
Cons
No empty tank warning light
Nespresso Pixie
Nespresso Pixie is another lightweight unit that often comes with a more sturdy build that combines stainless steel and plastic-like Inissia, making it a bit more durable.
In addition to the lightweight brewing unit, this rig also uses a powerful 19 bar pump to ensure quick and effective extraction of highly flavored shots. And with its 24-inch water tank, you can even make a few cups of espresso before you need to refill.
In contrast with the Inissia, this Nespresso machine also comes with a helpful backlight indicator and water level detection, which helps to warn you when you’re running out of water.
This unit would also come with a folding drip tray to handle bigger coffee mugs and a larger-sized capsule container that can take up to 10 capsules. Check out our article if you want to know what the best Nepresso capsules are.
Although it may be a little bigger and heavier than the Inissia, it’s still a sleek and lightweight coffee machine that follows all requirements.
Pros
Handy empty tank indicator
Simple injection and ejection capsule
Folding drip tray to fit bigger mugs.
Auto power off
Cons
A little thicker and with a comparatively larger footprint.
Nespresso Inissia vs. Nespresso Pixie
Both Inissia and Pixie will not let you down when they make flavorful coffee, and both take up almost little counter space. Still, they’re not all the same and if you’re trying to determine which one of them to buy, here are few important points to have in mind as they’re going to help you with your decision.
Main Similarities
Pressure of pump
You cannot afford to neglect the pump pressure when purchasing an espresso machine. The varieties of Nespresso are also no different, as they still depend on the pressure to remove the coffee.
With these two limited budget versions, they do have more than enough pressure to ensure rapid and effective extraction since they all have 19-bar pumps.
These high-pressure pumps offer barista-quality results as they help you to unlock all the delicate flavors of coffee while you’re brewing and make sure you get a smooth and rich cream at the tip, which is just what you want.
But considering the similarities in pump strain, there’s no edge of a model here, so it’s a tie.
Drink options
Espresso lovers have different tastes when it comes to drinking choices, but a good Nespresso machine is one that will encourage you to pick what you prefer.
Both Inissia and Pixie will offer two coffee size options: regular espresso and lungo, ensuring that you can make a 1.35-ounce shot.
And selecting your favorite drink is also simple with both machines, as they come with some easy-to-use programmable keys.
Reservoir capacity
Given the size of these Nespresso devices, it should be clear that they would also come with relatively smaller water reservoirs.
However, what you get on both versions is bigger than what many users would expect since they will have 24-inch water tanks, which are very large for their size and price range. You can make more than ten cups of espresso with this water reservoir capacity before you need to refill.
The water tanks on both machines can be removed, making refilling and cleaning easier. The tanks for the two coffee makers are made of heavy-duty plastic to ensure optimum longevity.
Main differences
Preheating time
Since you don’t want to sit around for a few minutes in anticipation of your espresso machine to heat up and get ready to brew, it’s always important to check the preheating time of any machine you’re purchasing.
Luckily, like many other Nespresso devices, both of them have some super-fast heat-up time, so you’ll never have to wait long until you can take a shot.
Nespresso Inissia seems to have a small advantage here as it will still be able to make coffee in less than 25 seconds, which is as good as it can get for coffee makers. On the other hand, Pixie often heats up very quickly, but it will take between 25 and 30 seconds in many cases.
Housing material
Since you’re going to use your Nespresso machine every single day, you need to be able to take a pounding to make sure it’s going to serve you well for a long time.
Since these are small budget models, you can not make demands on them as you would on full-size espresso machines, but the good news is that they will last long enough to survive the stress that comes with daily use.
That said, the Inissia seems to fall a little short here, as it is mostly made of plastic materials, and the housing is also mostly plastic. On the other hand, Pixie is a stronger computer that feels more robust. In addition to using a heavy-duty plastic material for the housing, it also has stainless steel components that further improve reliability.
Empty Reservoir Indicator
There is nothing as disheartening as trying to get a quick shot of espresso to find that your Nespresso machine doesn’t have water. Although refilling most models is often fast and simple, this is very inconvenient and can be quite stressful, particularly if you only have a few minutes to spare for coffee.
However, with Nespresso Pixie, you’re never going to get to worry about the brewing water running out without realizing it, as it comes with a few helpful empty water tank indicators. These coffee machines will have red backlights on the machine’s side that will warn you when the water tank is low and needs a refill.
Nespresso Inissia does not have these warning lights, which could be a little inconvenient. However, this unit has a transparent water tank that is easy to see, so you can always say when you’re running out of water.
Weight and dimensions
Nespresso Inissia and Pixie are built to be small and lightweight coffee machines, so weight and height hardly matter.
But although they are both small devices, their weight and height can vary significantly, creating a noticeable difference for certain users.
As it weighs only 5.29 pounds and its dimensions are 12.6 x 4.7 x 9 inches, the Inissia is the more lightweight and smaller machine of the two, ensuring that it has a small footprint.
On the other hand, Nespresso Pixie weighs 6.94 pounds, and its size is 12.83 x 4.33 x 9.25 inches.
Color options
Aside from making great-tasting coffee, a good Nespresso machine would also look great in your kitchen as you require something that goes with the theme or complements the kitchen décor.
Luckily, both Inissia and Pixie have a sleek, modern look and a stylish finish. However, when it comes to color choices, they will be different.
Both of them allow you to choose from a few colors. Nespresso Inissia provides a few more color options than Pixie since you can get it in purple, red, chrome, white, cream, and silver. At the same time, the latter is only available in carmine, electric titanium, and steel.
It all depends on your personal preferences regarding the color choices since tastes vary from one coffee enthusiast to the other, so none of the two coffee makers comes out on top.
Price
As they are intended to be budget models, both coffee makers can sell for under $200, and so if you are looking for an affordable coffee maker that makes some amazing coffee, buying both will be the best decision to make.
However, since it is a more simple model without too many fancy features, the Nespresso Inissia is the cheaper choice of the two, and it is also mainly made of plastic.
You can get the Inissia for even less than $100 at some shopping locations, but in certain places, it’s just around $20 or $30 cheaper than the Nespresso Pixie. Keep in mind that the color you choose could influence the price so that both models have costly and inexpensive color choices.
Conclusion
Nespresso machines such as the Inissia and Pixie are simple and easy to use and provide the ideal way to start making your espresso at home and in the office.
But if you’re in a situation where you have to choose between these two fantastic Nespresso machines, you should have enough knowledge of what they have to offer. And this is just what is provided by our comparison above.
It is obvious from the contrast that the Nespresso Inissia would be the ideal choice for any espresso lover who shops on a very tight budget and for those who are searching for an even smaller and more portable unit. On the other hand, for those who want something stronger and would not mind spending a few extra bucks, Nespresso Pixie is fine.
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Disclosure: No compensation or free products were received in exchange for writing this review.
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