For a Banach algebra A and a character φ on A, we introduce and study the notion of essential φ-amenability of A. We give some examples to show that the class of essentially φ-amenable Banach algebras is larger than that of φ-amenable Banach algebras introduced by Kaniuth et al. ['On φ-amenability of Banach algebras', Math. Proc. Cambridge Philos. Soc. 144 (2008), 85-96]. Finally, we characterize the essential φ-amenability of various Banach algebras related to locally compact groups.2010 Mathematics subject classification: primary 43A07, 46H05; secondary 43A20.