Nespresso Pixie by De’Longhi Review
Nespresso Pixie by De’Longhi ReviewJennifer’s Rating: 4.6 Stars
Updated: 04/13/2023
When updating this article in 2023, the Nespresso Pixie no longer comes with a Milk Frother but is still a great machine.
The Nespresso Pixie Espresso maker unit is a premium quality single-serve coffee maker made with gourmet beverages in mind. It uses the Nespresso line of gourmet beverage capsules; it no longer includes the standalone milk frother shown in the photo but still represents great value with its latest pricing.
It’s small and compact for what it does; for all of its features, this is probably not the unit for just “regular coffee drinkers.” In this review, the main target demographic is certainly espresso and cappuccino lovers seeking an elegant, compact approach to their favorite hot beverages.
When nothing less than gourmet will do, we hope this review will set the record straight and enlighten you about what is in store for you if this machine becomes yours.
Product Dimensions
The manufacturer site and Amazon dimensions are listed as 4.4″ in width, 12.8″ in depth, 9.3″ in height, and a weight of 6.6 lbs.
Ergo, the Nespresso Pixie is a real lightweight, that is for sure.
What’s Included?
In addition to the unit itself, the Nespresso Pixie has a sample pack (16 total) of coffee pods and recipes as well.
There is an opportunity to receive a credit for a future Nespresso purchase (if you register your unit), and a 1-year warranty for this machine which covers materials/construction issues.
Nespresso Pixie C60 Compatible Accessories
- The Nespresso capsules-They resemble large gumdrops in appearance and come in varying flavors and quantities, including various packs.
- Mind Reader Coffee Pod Storage Drawer for up to 50 Nespresso Capsules
- SealPod Reusable Stainless Steel Nespresso Capsules
Features
The inner construction of the Nespresso Pixie C60 involves a 19-bar pressure pump, as is the industry standard for genuine espresso equipment – so the gourmet espresso experience can be right there in your kitchen simplified via the capsule system.
The main features of the Nespresso Pixie are a backlight and programmable options for different drink functions and the detection of low water levels. Auto shut-off takes place after a short 9-minute period of inactivity. The “standby” mode kicks in after half an hour, so you can be assured of a worry-free operation on those busy, hectic days.
The bottom tray is collapsible for taller cups, whether you are hoping to include more “regular” drinks like “lungo” in your repertoire or smaller ones.
Short preheat interim only takes half a minute for the brew cycle before adding the milk part. The electric cord tucks away neatly when not in use.
Nespresso Pixie Color Choices
Color choices include Black, Chrome, Dark Red, and Black/panel (which resembles yellow). Constructed of titanium/aluminum, this beauty is made in Switzerland. Colours are getting harder to find the standard Chrome is the most common.
Milk Frother
The Nespresso Pixie no longer includes the stand-alone milk frother. However, you can still get as a package here.
Alternatively, it can be purchased stand-alone here.
Both of the above are the updated models of the Aeroccino.
The Nespresso Pixie used to include a stand-alone milk frother known as the “Aeroccino” which resembles a German beer stein, an essential tool for making creamy beverages. Some drinks use cold froth, and others warm.
Reservoir
The water reservoir holds up to 24 oz; it is more visible from the back of the unit to get a look at. It has a semicircular shape to it and a hinged lid for easy refilling. As I understand, its backlight feature includes a low water level alerting the user when it is time to refill.
Buttons and Controls
Only two buttons are on top of the unit just beyond the water tank – the selector size buttons for “Single” and “Double” shots. Once you have your glass/cup set up and inserted into the capsule of choice, all you would do next is push either of these buttons, and it goes to town – that’s it, no “brew” button or anything.
One thing for sure is that the Nespresso Pixie has got a very compartmentalized approach – which is easy to expect due to its size. The folding tray sits right in front of the used capsule bin inside the unit. The lever that you raise to insert pods also doubles as a handle. It is pushed down and closed so brewing can occur, but when you retrieve your beverage and raise the lever back up, the used capsule will drop into the bin. I really liked seeing it in action.
Ease of Use
The use of the capsules is pretty flawless; backlighting is helpful when preparing in a dimly lit environment,
The basic procedures and the method of descaling are a bit more sophisticated than the average single-cup machine used, as this page and videos from the manufacturer’s site show. You will definitely get a feel for how well it will perform and an impressive look at the nice little-sized unit too!
Pods are easily inserted/replaced; the included bin will hold up to 10 used capsules. (It would be a good idea not to neglect the bin, as used capsules have been known to cause future problems for the unit in general.) Because there is no drip tray, any dispensing runoff goes into that bin too.
The Nespresso Pixie does not have temperature adjustment. This is because it is pre-programmed to meet espresso standards, meaning that considerations like milk are factored in.
Nespresso Pixie Reviews and Ratings
I’ll be honest with everyone here; I saw many good reviews, and the dissatisfied were in the minority. Those with a faulty mechanism could successfully obtain a replacement or good advice for troubleshooting. When ranked on such variables as usability, quality, and ease of use, most Pixie owners claimed that their machine was minimal in hassle, didn’t take long to preheat or brew, and was easy to clean. Also, the backlight feature was a nice touch; they could grab a cup without fumbling too much in a poorly lit room, and the light feature turned red when the water level was low.
A little noisier than expected? Some owners agreed. Not unbearable, considering that it functions quickly and the product is as good as any local coffee shop, if not better. When listening, it is more of a vibrational kind of hum from the 19-bar pump, which is considered good as it uses steam pressure to work, and this is to be expected.
The quality of the coffee pods is superb, consumers reported.
Pros
Nespresso gets a highly favorable opinion on behalf of their customer service department should you run into any sticky situations. In general, this product is cited well for these benefits:
- The Pixie is portable and durable enough to take with you places, as indicated by its overall weight and built-in carrying handle/operation lever.
- The movable tray accommodates different size cups easily
- Auto-shutoff feature and standby modes
- The capsules are attractive in appearance and recyclable
- Fairly expedient operation – 25-second preheat time
- Its size overall; not causing that much of an electronic footprint in the kitchen or other proposed locations.
- Versatile in making many different gourmet-style coffee drinks and iced drinks.
Cons
A few minor negatives, which are:
- This is not an “open platform” machine; you can only use the Nespresso capsules brand for everyday use
- It may be trickier to locate the proprietary capsules
- It’s a tad on the pricey side
Price
A tad pricey, but for all it does, many owners agree that this product is “the bomb†when it comes to making gourmet drinks. It contains espresso equipment which costs more across the board, so when you consider that you are getting the real deal in a fast, compact machine, I think it’s pretty fair as far as price goes.
Aside from the unit itself and the respective accessories, like the frother, the other expense would be the capsules which run a little more than the competition (by about 20 cents), but there is one workaround, and that is the reusable capsules that you can fill with your own grounds that I mentioned in the Accessories section.
Conclusion
Well, this is a pretty sweet deal regarding quality, craftsmanship, and durability. And did I say portability as well? You can take this lightweight bad boy with you on trips anywhere there is a standard outlet; something that can accompany us with so many on-the-go lifestyles is a boon for sure.
I’m not an espresso junkie by any stretch of the imagination, but I almost want one of these now after my research, or perhaps a creamy mocha drink 🙂
Well, in this regard, you get what you pay for may very well prove to be true with this unit.
