This video reviews five espresso machines priced under £1500, selected via a Patreon poll. Hoffmann compares heat exchanger and dual boiler machines, analyzing aesthetics, espresso brewing performance, steaming capabilities, and overall user experience to determine the best option.
The key difference lies in the boiler system. Heat exchanger machines use a single boiler to heat both brewing water and steam, with the brew water's temperature being indirectly affected by the steam boiler's temperature. Dual boiler machines have separate boilers for brewing water and steam, allowing for independent temperature control of each. This independence means you can adjust brew temperature without affecting steam pressure, and vice-versa.
James Hoffmann criticized several design flaws across the machines. These included:
Rocket Appartamento: Poorly positioned portafilter spouts and a cumbersome shield cover that hindered cleaning. Cluttered placement of the hot water tap and spout near the brew lever. Lack of control over brew temperature and pump pressure. A long heat-up time (30+ minutes).
Lelit MaraX: Poorly designed feet, making the machine difficult to lift and move. An unusual and difficult-to-clean portafilter design. A lack of transparency in terms of machine operation and temperature settings.
Rancilio Silvia Pro: Inconsistent and confusing rocker switches. A drip tray with a lip that obscured the fill level and made removal difficult. A somewhat inelegant overall design.
Profitec Pro 500: Water tank placement beneath the cup warming tray requiring the removal of cups to access the tank. Cluttered placement of the brew handle and hot water tap. A convoluted temperature control interface.
Sage Dual Boiler: While praising its features, he noted that the build quality felt inferior to the other machines; it felt lighter and less substantial. The portafilter lugs were a different size, preventing the use of a Scace 2 device for pressure testing.
Many machines also suffered from factory-set pressure issues, delivering higher than ideal brew pressures. While not a design flaw per se, this required user intervention and modification to correct.
James Hoffmann did not definitively choose one machine as the "best" overall. He was torn between the Profitec Pro 500 and the Sage Dual Boiler. He stated that the Profitec made better espresso, but he preferred the user experience and aesthetics of the Sage. Ultimately, his decision would hinge on factors like the availability of a good deal, after-sales support, and which machine would better fit his kitchen. He expressed disappointment that most machines required user adjustment to achieve optimal pressure settings.
