Johnny Loftus, writing for AllMusic, noted the compilation's similarity to the band's 2002 compilation Classic Masters, but felt that like its 2002 predecessor, The Essential fails to "adequately replace" the 1996 compilation Recollection: The Best of Concrete Blonde. Loftus noted the omission of tracks from the band's 1993 album Mexican Moon and also the lack of any unreleased material. He concluded it was "a pretty satisfactory overview of Concrete Blonde's IRS output" and "probably OK for the casual fan".[1]PopMatters described The Essential as "very good, if flawed overview of these cult darlings". They also noted the lack of any songs from Mexican Moon and also questioned whether the inclusion of "Little Wing" and "Roses Grow" can be considered essential.[2]
