If you are looking for a durable and reliable machine, Nespresso is the right choice for you. The coffee machines are very compact and can be adapted to any kitchen environment. They have a lot of fans all over the world because they provide exactly what users need. Nespresso coffee machines are many people’s secret to starting the day right.
Today we’re going to compare some of the best Nespresso coffee machines and compare their key features. When you know everything about these coffee machines, you will know everything you need to know to make a good decision. A good decision will make you happy in the long run. With coffee machines, it is the one who will prepare a cup of coffee for you based on your personal tastes and preferences, and you will be completely satisfied. So let’s dive in and see which one for you is the winner in the Nespresso Inissia debate against pixie.
Table of Contents
Nespresso Inissia Overview
The Inissia is one of the entry-level espresso machines from Nespresso. It takes pre-measured espresso capsules and pumps hot water through them at a pressure of up to 19 bars to produce a delicious and complex shot of espresso. No separate milk frother and you can choose between two different recordings: espresso and lungo.
What It’s Good for/When to Choose
The Inissia is the cheapest Nespresso machine on the market. So if you are looking for an easy access point to the world of espresso at home, the Inissia is your best option. The price is less than $ 100, and after that, only the running costs for the coffee pods are incurred.
Inissia’s low price can be achieved as it is made from cheaper plastic parts. It’s lighter and only slightly smaller, but the plastic parts make it less durable. The Inissia is a very affordable espresso machine that you don’t mind sacrificing a little on durability. She is a good choice for you.
This machine is available in several colors and looks more modern and less industrial. With your new espresso machine for other appliances or decorations in your kitchen, the Inissia has some customization options to help you do that.
While it doesn’t change your experience significantly, the Inissia doesn’t have its own on / off switch. Two buttons, one for each of the different shots you can take. After all, the Inissia does not have a low water level indicator. You must remember to fill the water tank regularly if you choose this machine.
Nespresso Pixie Overview
The Pixie machine works just like the Inissia: it pumps compressed hot water through a pre-measured coffee capsule to make an espresso or lungo. The pressure capacities are the same (19 bar) and are also sold with or without a milk frother, depending on beverage preferences and budget.
What It’s Good for/When to Choose
The Pixie is almost identical to the Inissia in function and capacity, but the main difference is in the quality of the materials used in its construction. The Pixie is a higher quality, high-end model made from durable materials, including stainless steel.
Because of these differences in quality, the Pixie will likely last longer than the cheaper Inissia model. However, with the higher quality of the materials comes a higher price. The Pixie is almost twice as expensive as the Inissia, and while you get a more durable machine that will last longer, you pay more for that quality. If you are someone who is looking for a solid and sturdy machine that will prove its quality and it doesn’t mind paying more for it. The Pixie suits you better.
This machine is essentially only available in one color: gray. However, you can choose between two different colors. Pixie offers fewer customization options in this regard and the look of the machine is more industrial due to the metal and sleek blue. However, the look is of higher quality, so the pixie will suit you better if you prefer a more expensive machine. The Pixie has a dedicated power switch and low water indicator. It will conveniently remind you when to refill the water tank.
Main differences Between Nespresso Inissia & Pixie
Preheating time
Since you don’t want to sit for a few minutes before your espresso machine heats up and is ready to brew, it is always important to check the preheat time of any machine you buy. Luckily both devices have super-fast heat-up times, so you never have to wait long to get a drink.
Nespresso Inissia seems to have a slight edge here as you can still be making coffee in less than 25 seconds, which is better than it can be for computers. Pixie, on the other hand, often heats up very quickly, but in many cases, it takes 25-30 seconds.
Housing material
Since you will be using your Nespresso machine every day, you need to be able to meet it to make sure it will serve you well for a long time.
Since these are low-budget models, you can’t ask for anything. Like full-size espresso machines, but the good news is that they last long enough to get you through the stress of everyday life.
Apart from that, the Inissia seems to be neglected here, as it is mainly made of plastic and the housing is mainly made of plastic. On the other hand, the Pixie is a stronger computer that feels more sturdy plastic material for the case; it also has stainless steel components which further improve reliability.
Empty Reservoir Indicator
Nothing is as daunting as trying to take a quick sip of espresso to find out that your Nespresso machine is out of water. While refilling is usually quick and easy on most models, it is very inconvenient and can be very stressful, especially when you are alone.
With the Nespresso Pixie, however, you’ll never have to worry about the brewing water accidentally draining, which comes with some useful features that indicate an empty water tank. They have red backlighting on the side of the machine that notifies you when the water tank is low and needs topping up.
Nespresso Inissia does not have these warning lights, which can be a minor inconvenience. However, this device has a clear water tank that is easy to spot so you can always tell when you are running out of water.
Color Options
A good Nespresso machine should not only make great-tasting coffee, but it should also look good in your kitchen, as you want something that goes with the theme or complements your kitchen furnishings.
Fortunately, both Inissia and Pixie look sleek, contemporary, and with a modern twist. However, they differ in the color options. In both cases, you can choose from several colors.
The Nespresso Inissia has a few more color options than the Pixie, as you can get it in red, white, black, chrome, cream, and silver, while the latter is only available in electric titanium, crimson, and steel.
This mainly depends on your specific preferences, as tastes vary from coffee fanatic to coffee lover, so no coffee machine can come out on top
Price
These coffee makers will retail for under $200 as they are designed to be budget models, and so if you are shopping for an inexpensive coffee maker that makes some amazing coffee, both will be a perfect choice.
However, the Nespresso Inissia is the cheaper option of the two as it is a more basic model without too many fancy features, and it is also mostly made from plastic.
In some retail sites, you can get the Inissia for even under $100, but in many places, it will only be around $20 or $30 cheaper than the Nespresso Pixie. But, also keep in mind that the color you choose often affects the price, and so both models will have both expensive and affordable color choices.
Similarities between Nespresso Inissia and Nespresso Pixie
As I said, these two models have very similar characteristics, but if you look at them from the outside, you will find that they don’t look the same and that you can easily tell them apart.
Pump Pressure
You can’t afford to overlook pump pressure when buying an espresso machine, and the Nespresso types are still no exception as they also rely on pressure to extract the coffee.
On a budget, they still have more than enough pressure to extract the coffee. They ensure quick and efficient suction, as both have 19 bar pumps.
These high-pressure pumps deliver barista-quality results as they allow you to unlock all those delicate coffee flavors as you brew, and also ensure you get a rich crema above what exactly is what you want.
However, given the similarity in pump pressure, neither model has an advantage here, so it’s a tie.
Drink Options
Espresso lovers have different preferences when it comes to beverage options. So, with a good Nespresso machine, you can choose the one that you prefer.
Both Inissia and Pixie offer two drink size options, namely a standard espresso and a lungo meaning you can make a 1.35 or e3.7 ounce drink.
Choosing your favorite beverage is easy with both machines too, as they have a few easy-to-use programmable buttons.
Reservoir Capacity
Given the size of these Nespresso machines, it should be obvious that they also come with relatively smaller water tanks.
What you get in both models, however, is bigger than many users might think, as they come with 24-ounce water tanks, which is quite the capacity of the water tank, which allows you to have more than ten shots of espresso before you need to refill.
The water tanks on both machines are also removable, which makes filling and cleaning easier. The coffee machines are made of thick plastic to ensure maximum durability.
Nespresso Inissia Pros & Cons
Nespresso Pixie Pros & Cons
Features | Nespresso Inissia | Nespresso Pixie |
Pump Pressure | 19 bars | 19 bars |
Preheating Time | 25 seconds | 25 to 30 seconds |
Housing Material | Mostly plastic | Plastic and stainless steel |
Empty Reservoir Indicator | No | Yes, red blinking light |
Color Options | Red, white, black, chrome, cream, and silver | Electric titan, carmine, and steel |
Drink Options | Espresso and lungo | Espresso and lungo |
Home Use | ✓ | ✓ |
Extra Features | Light-weighted machine with an array of fashionable colors | Compact machine with aluminum siding |
Energy Saving Mode | 9 min | 9 min |
Reservoir Capacity | 24 oz | 24 oz |
Weight and Dimensions | 5.29 lbs, 12.6” x 4.7” x 9” | 6.94 lbs, 12.83” x 4.33” x 9.25” |
Conclusion
As I said, there are many similarities between the Inissia and the Pixie; they have many features in common, mainly functionality and performance. However, most of the differences are minor or in design. So we advise you to remember that the Pixie is more compact while the Inissia weighs less. Another key difference is that the pixie has a flashing red light. This is to warn you that the tank is empty. On the other hand, Inissia doesn’t have one. Still, Inissia has a higher output of 1200 watts, while Pixie has a little less (1160 watts).
Ultimately, the final decision is yours. Choose the coffee maker that best suits your needs and make your purchase. With Nespresso coffee machines, the chance of a mistake is kept to a minimum.
FAQ’s