The Pixie and CitiZ are two of Nespresso's most popular Original-line machines. They brew the same coffee, so the differences come down to size, tank capacity, design and milk options.
The Nespresso Pixie and CitiZ are a close match-up among the most popular capsule espresso machines. Both are part of Nespresso's Original line, both are still sold today, and both brew the same espresso and lungo from the same capsules.
At a glance, these two Nespresso models may seem almost identical in style and functionality, and when doing a once over the product specs it can be really tough to find what sets them apart.
“Same capsules, same pressure, same coffee. The choice comes down to size, tank and whether you want milk drinks.”
There are a few key differences that are worth understanding before pulling the trigger and making the final purchase. This article will help you understand what separates the two models so you can make an informed pick.
The Final Shot: The CitiZ wins this match-up for most people, thanks to its larger water tank and the option to buy it as the CitiZ & Milk bundle with an Aeroccino frother. The Pixie is more compact and usually a little cheaper, so it's the better pick for very small spaces.
I recently purchased a CitiZ for my office because I missed not having access to my Breville Barista Express in the afternoon. I’m a total Nespresso convert now and I’ll explain what I based my decision on a little further on in the article!
Comparing more models? See our guide to the best Nespresso machine.
The Pixie and Citiz offer comparable features representative of the well-known and established Nespresso brand. I didn’t realize this until recently, but while the pod-based machines Nespresso has seen such recent popularity with are pretty new to the scene, Nespresso has been in the coffee business for over 30 years
Both the Nespresso Pixie and Nespresso CitiZ use a 19-bar pump and a fast thermoblock heater that reaches brewing temperature in about 25 seconds.
The Pixie and CitiZ are capsule machines, so brewing is as hands-off as it gets. There's no grinding, tamping or dialing in, just insert a capsule and press a button.
A compact, lightweight design is featured in both the Pixie and Citiz, making them ideal for those who are limited on counter space. They are especially popular in office and college dorm settings.
A removable drip tray is another feature in both models that make them easy to clean.
The one-touch buttons on the machines make it simple and intuitive to program the brew volume and the user can select either Espresso or Lungo for both.
The Pixie and CitiZ also boast a 25 second heat time, which is ridiculously and wonderfully fast.
I like the simplicity of a Nespresso capsule, because it saves you from dosing and tamping, but without sacrificing the great flavor of espresso. This is something I really appreciate at work or when I’m in a time crunch.
The capsules are incredibly simple to use in comparison with the multiple steps involved in brewing freshly ground espresso and are really great for hands-off home baristas who prefer speed to being involved in the process.
Both models come with a limited manufacturer's warranty; check the exact terms where you buy.
Both machines come in several finishes. The Pixie is offered in muted metallic shades, while the CitiZ comes in bolder options such as red, black, white and chrome, plus the stainless steel CitiZ Platinum. Available colors change by retailer and season.
If you are looking to match the espresso machine to the color of your kitchen decor or other appliances, the CitiZ does have brighter and shinier options. The Pixie colors are more muted, but definitely good looking.
This is a smaller consideration, but I get that aesthetics factor into these decisions too, especially when most other factors are equal.
The Nespresso CitiZ is 14.7 x 10.8 x 8.6 inches, while the Pixie measures slightly smaller at 12.8 x 9.3 x 4.4 inches. Overall, the Citiz is 2 inches taller and 1.5 inches wider. I like how the Pixie is a more compact Nespresso machine but delivers the same quality of Grand Cru blend espresso capsules.
This is a pretty negligible point of comparison because the size difference is so small, but if you are working with a limited amount of space, this might factor into your decision-making.
The most notable difference is milk. The CitiZ is sold as a CitiZ & Milk bundle that includes an Aeroccino frother styled to match the machine, while the Pixie is usually sold on its own.
If you want milk drinks with the Pixie, you can buy an Aeroccino separately or look for a bundle. If you're a cappuccino or latte lover, this is an important part of your setup.
Because the Aeroccino is a separate unit, you can froth milk while your espresso brews, and it's quick to rinse clean.
I prefer buying the bundle with the frother included, but if you don't drink lattes or cappuccinos, the standard CitiZ without a frother saves you money.
The CitiZ offers a roughly 34-ounce (1 liter) removable water tank, while the Pixie holds about 24 ounces (0.7 liters). You'd be surprised how many more shots you can pull before refilling.
If you’ve read my other articles, you know I really don’t like refilling the water reservoir, so for me, the CitiZ is a much better pick thanks to the higher capacity.
For those who are less frequent users, either machine will last for multiple brews before the water needs to be refilled. The neat part about the water tank on the Pixie is that the backlit LED indicators show you how much water is left in the tank.
While both espresso machines make it easy to insert and remove Nespresso capsules, the CitiZ makes it slightly easier to drop the capsule into the slot without any moving parts. The Pixie requires you to lift the handle in order to insert or remove the capsules.
The difference isn’t a big one, with the Nespresso Pixie, the lever simply lifts up and pushes the brew head forward to expose the slot. Having to move the lever doesn’t have a significant impact on the user experience, but it’s worth noting.
For used capsules, the Pixie holds 10, while the CitiZ holds 11 – another slight variation that would only make a difference to frequent and especially picky users.
In comparing the Nespresso Pixie to the CitiZ, the Pixie, while more affordable and just a bit slimmer, falls short on a few key features.
Both models do offer the 19 bar high-pressure pump, have a 25 second heat time, use Nespresso pods and allow you to customize the volume for barista-quality results, but the Pixie lacks the integrated milk frother and has that smaller water tank capacity.
Both machines remain long-running best-sellers in Nespresso's lineup, which says a lot about their reliability and value.
Your decision depends on your needs, but I'm a big fan of the CitiZ. The bigger water tank and the matching milk frother bundle made the decision for me, and I like its retro design. If counter space is tight, the Pixie is an excellent, more compact choice.
