Krups Nespresso Eco Essenza XN212040

The Krups XN212040 is another one of the German manufacturer’s range of Essenza Nespresso capsule machines.

It differs from the Krups XN2003 mainly in that it has a stainless steel attachment and a water tank made from the same material, making the whole appliance look and feel a lot sturdier and more high-end.

It is bigger than the XN2003, however, and generally feels like a bit of an upgrade rather than just another revamp. There is an energy-saving mode, and an adjustable drip tray for espresso-based long drinks (lungos), as well as the aforementioned stainless steel water container.

Krups aren’t really well-known for their stylish designs, and this one won’t win many awards for its appearance, either, but there’s something futuristic, and even daring, about the slightly pyramid shape.

The Nespresso Eco Essenza XN212040, despite its main parts being comprised mostly of plastic, feels solid enough and emits little noise during coffee production. It does seem to vibrate around a bit, but not to an extent where you have to pen it into the space between the toaster and the bread bin.

The usual reservations around Nespresso capsules (price, environmental friendliness) persist, but if you can afford the former, and have a recycling site within reasonable reach, there is very little to stop you from acquiring one of these machines. Also, Nespresso’s customer service is reliably helpful, so if you do find yourself looking at a plume of smoke emerging from your machine, assistance is not far away.