Summary
Highlights
The video introduces a comparison of five espresso machines: Lelit MaraX (£999), Rocket Appartamento (£1,225), Profitec Pro 500 (£1,399), Rancilio Silvia Pro (£1,320), and Sage/Breville Dual Boiler (£1,199). The host explains that these machines were selected via a poll of Patreon supporters and are popular, globally available choices. The review process will examine build quality, aesthetics, features, espresso performance, and steaming capabilities.
The video distinguishes between heat exchanger and dual boiler machines. Heat exchangers (Lelit MaraX, Rocket Appartamento, Profitec Pro 500) use a single boiler for steam and hot water, with heat exchanged for brew water, meaning brew temperature and steam pressure are interlinked. Dual boiler machines (Rancilio Silvia Pro, Sage Dual Boiler) have separate boilers, allowing independent control of brew water temperature and steam pressure. The host notes that all machines will be tested as factory-set, except for replacing stock baskets with VST 18-gram baskets for consistency.
The Rocket Appartamento is praised for its aesthetics, compact feel, and solid stainless steel build, though it attracts fingerprints. A minor complaint is the portafilter's forward-facing spouts, which are deemed inconvenient. The machine features a standard E61 control lever for brewing. A notable limitation is the lack of direct temperature control and access to adjust pump pressure without voiding the warranty. The machine also has a lengthy 30-minute heat-up time, and its single steam pressure gauge offers limited insight into performance. However, it boasts a cool-touch steam wand for safety.
The Lelit MaraX is highlighted as the smallest and cheapest machine in the lineup. Despite its compact size, it shares similar clutter around the group head as other heat exchangers. The design is described as slightly disproportionate, and the small rubber feet make it awkward to move. It features lights for heating and water level. A switch under the drip tray allows for low, medium, and high temperature settings, which control both brew temperature and steam pressure. The unique portafilter design, while potentially aiding espresso flow, is considered awkward to clean. The machine thankfully includes both steam and brew pressure gauges, offering more insight into its operation.
The Rancilio Silvia Pro, a dual boiler machine, is noted for its substantial size and somewhat basic aesthetics. The host criticises the inconsistent behaviour of its rocker switches; some stay down, while others bounce back. The machine's PID display acts as a shot timer and shows live boiler temperature, but its programming interface for features like timed wake-up is not intuitive. A significant complaint is the drip tray's design, which has an awkward lip, making it difficult to gauge fullness and likely to cause spills when removed if too full.
The Profitec Pro 500, the most expensive heat exchanger, is described as having a substantial, boxy, stainless steel build that looks and feels like a professional machine. The water tank is inconveniently located under the cup warming tray. It features both steam and brew pressure gauges, and temperature control (for the steam boiler) is accessible under the drip tray. The menu for programming is convoluted. Like other heat exchangers, it has a long heat-up time (30-40 minutes). The host noted a singular instance of thermosiphon stall, a common heat exchanger issue, which caused low brew temperatures until corrected.
The Sage/Breville Dual Boiler is praised for its extensive feature set, including dual boilers, precise temperature control, a clock with programmable wake-up/shut-down times, and adjustable pre-infusion. This machine offers more features at a mid-range price point compared to others. However, its build quality feels less substantial and weighty than the other 'pro-sumer' machines, feeling more like a consumer-grade appliance. The portafilter is slightly different, preventing the use of a standard Scace device for pressure and temperature testing, but the gauge indicates high brew pressure (10-11 bars), which is not ideal. Despite this, its compact depth is appreciated for kitchen spaces, and it is highly modifiable for espresso enthusiasts.
The Rocket Appartamento's espresso performance is mixed. While the coffee produced is generally liked, testing with a Scace device revealed a high pump pressure of nearly 13 bars, which is higher than the desired 9 bars, leading to potential bitterness and channeling. The host expresses frustration that this is a factory setting issue. Brew temperatures were stable between 92-94 degrees Celsius. The machine lacks a shot timer, requiring external timing. Overall, it's capable but needs pump pressure adjustment for optimal performance, especially for those brewing various roast levels due to limited brew temperature tuning.
The Lelit MaraX exhibits a slow ramp-up to brew pressure. Both its internal gauge and a Scace device show brew pressure slightly above 9 bars, about 1.5 bars higher than ideal. Brew temperatures are consistently around 92 degrees Celsius, which is suitable for espresso. Despite the high pressure, shots are described as very good with good extractions, though the high pressure can contribute to bitterness. The host is frustrated by the factory pressure setting being too high, stating that customers shouldn't need to fix such issues.
The Rancilio Silvia Pro surprisingly performs as expected right out of the box concerning temperature and pressure. It delivers consistent temperatures in the 94-degree Celsius range and maintains appropriate pump pressure (around 9 bars via a Scace device). The host applauds its correct factory settings. Espresso quality is excellent, reliably producing good results when paired with quality beans and grinding. It's a solid performer without significant complaints regarding espresso brewing.
The Profitec Pro 500, similar to many others, suffers from excessively high pump pressure at factory settings, reaching around 10 bars on the gauge. Despite this, the host finds the espresso generally good, with the higher brew temperature being a positive. The taste is noted to be slightly 'high-pressure-y,' suggesting an undeniable impact from the elevated pressure. The host reiterates frustration that a machine at this price point requires user adjustment of the OPV. Performance for home use is satisfactory, only declining in temperature under heavy, consecutive usage.
The Sage/Breville Dual Boiler's brewing experience feels less advanced than some cheaper models, particularly regarding steam. It offers a 7-second pre-infusion, but pump pressure is recorded at 10.5 bars, dropping to 9. The host expresses continued frustration about not achieving the desired pressure settings from the factory, which results in slightly harsher tasting shots. However, the machine is highly modifiable to address these issues. Despite the pressure concerns, it consistently brews good espresso with reliable temperature.
The Rocket Appartamento offers quick and easy steaming, producing excellent texture despite having a single-hole steam tip. The Lelit MaraX's steaming performance is interesting; steam pressure varies depending on brew water usage due to its temperature control mechanism, but textures are consistently good regardless of pressure. The Rancilio Silvia Pro provides lovely, easy steaming with ample pressure and controlled flow, allowing for precise texturing. The Profitec Pro 500 also offers very nice steaming, balancing good pressure with moderate flow, making it easy to create good microfoam. The Sage Dual Boiler's steaming is straightforward with plenty of pressure and controlled flow, ensuring ample time for milk texturing.
The host summarises each machine: the Lelit MaraX is good value, compact, and good at espresso; the Rocket Appartamento is well-built but lacks features for its price; the Profitec Pro 500 offers the best performance and features among heat exchangers; the Rancilio Silvia Pro excels in espresso and steaming but has user interface quirks; and the Sage Dual Boiler has unparalleled features but feels less robust in build. The host feels torn between the Rancilio Silvia Pro and the Profitec Pro 500 as personal picks, acknowledging that all machines are capable of excellent espresso if users are willing to adjust factory pressure settings. The host encourages viewer feedback on their experiences and insights regarding the pervasive pressure setting issues.