Mazzer Mini / Mini E, Macap M4 / M4 Stepless, Cimbali Junior

One of the most important selections of your equipment ensemble is the coffee grinder. It's tempting to overlook the grinder and focus on the espresso machine. Don't fall into this trap. Let's review six of the top espresso grinders: Mazzer Mini, Mazzer Mini Electronic Doserless - Type A & B, Cimbali Junior, Macap M4, and Macap M4 Stepless. More...

Scace Thermofilter Temperature Device

What is this thing called again? The Greg Scace Device? The Scace Portafilter Thermometry Device? Whatever you call it, guest reviewer Bob Yellin led the discussion of this device, which is a "snap-in" basket for an espresso machine bottomless portafilter and measures the temperature of water directly out of the brew head. Thanks to EspressoParts NW for supplying "the device" to HB. More...

Buyer's Guide to the La Spaziale Vivaldi II

Home-Barista.com reviewed the La Spaziale S1 when it was first released back in April 2005. By all accounts, the La Spaziale S1 was a very successful espresso machine with Chris' Coffee Service selling over 500 units before introducing the Vivaldi II.

Over the years, Chris' Coffee Service has worked closely with La Spaziale to refine the product line based on feedback from consumers. These incremental changes in conjunction with the recent additions of programmable preinfusion and programmable temperature offset differential prompted us to update the buyer's guide with a fresh look at the La Spaziale Vivaldi II. Guest reviewer Ian Stewart revisits the original review, including comparisons with a representative espresso machines typically on an aficionado's short list. More...

Buyer's Guide to the Vibiemme Domobar Super

Beginning with the specifications, the standout features of the Vibiemme Domobar Super include original E61 grouphead, choice of semi-automatic and electronic (automatic) volumetric dosing, three position power switch, and 2.7 liter boiler and a huge 3.8 liter water reservoir. That's a lot of steaming power! This review will look closely at the characteristics that separate the E61-based competitors to help you decide if the Vibiemme Domobor Super is right for you. More...

Buyer's Guide to the Quickmill Alexia

Based on the time-tested design of the E61 brew group, the Alexia is forgiving of minor errors in barista technique. As a single boiler espresso machine, it also offers simple brew temperature management. With the addition of an optional electronic brew temperature control, it can reliably and easily pinpoint the desired brew temperature over a range, an enticing option for those who wish to fully explore the effects of brew temperature changes on the coffee's flavors. Is it the choice for the espresso purist? A beginner? Or latte lover? Let's find out. More...

Buyer's Guide to the Gaggia Achille

What is it about lever espresso machines that draws our attention? Is it the lever espresso machine's elegant design, or the unique qualities of the beverage it produces? Perhaps it is the barista's moment of Zen with the extraction process.

Prompted by the popularity of the Lever Espresso Machines forum, HB's Dave Stephens began his research of the unusual Gaggia Achille. What makes it different is not only its attractive styling, but also its unique heat exchanger design. No more "too hot after three espressos" for this lever!

As the first evaluation of a lever espresso machine on Home-Barista.com, this guide will share not only the unique characteristics of the Gaggia Achille, but the unique experience of an espresso prepared literally by hand and muscle. More...

Buyer's Guide to the Elektra Microcasa Semiautomatica

Over twenty years after its introduction, the Semiautomatica has remained unique. As the market for home espresso matured, other companies also produced home heat exchanger machines, but these were derived from small catering machines and looked far more conventional than the Elektra. If one imagines espresso machines as cars, they would range from subcompact little home machines to Mack truck four groupers. The Elektra Semiautomatica doesn't fit anywhere along this continuum, because it's the motorcycle of espresso machines.

Join Jim Schulman as he unravels the mystery behind the Elektra Semiautomatica, the ravishingly beautiful espresso machine that delivers surprising results with equally surprisingly ease. The Semiautomatica does this all while bucking the trend of ultra-flat brew temperature profiles. How did they do that?!? More...

La Marzocco GS3 - A Pro's Perspective

Known in the coffee world as simply the "La Marzocco Home Machine" for more than a year, the long-rumored "dream machine" has finally become reality.

Chris Tacy leads you through a grueling review of the GS3 prototype in his third Pro's Perspective. The La Marzocco GS3 espresso machine has been long anticipated as a breakthrough combination of compact size and phenomenal temperature stability. Is this the birth of a new legend, or only marketing hype? More...

Buyer's Guide to the Quick Mill Vetrano

Shhh-h! Did you hear that?

Yes, that is the sound of greater tranquility in the morning—the sound of the new whisper-quiet rotary pump E61 espresso machine by Quick Mill (alas, if only grinders could be so quiet). In addition to accepting a water hookup, its driptray optionally converts to direct-drain with minimum hassle. Once you've become accustom to the convenience and quiet of a plumbed-in espresso machine, you'll never go back to filling water reservoirs again! More...

Buyer's Guide to the Expobar Brewtus

Whole Latte Love introduces the Expobar Brewtus espresso machine. It features dual boiler, E61 group, and innovations like preheated incoming brew water that promises to redefine the limits of temperature stability at its price point.

In his first Buyer's Guide on HB, Abe Carmeli reviews the Expobar Brutus espresso machine, which enjoys a fervent owner fan base, thanks to its electronically temperature controlled dual boiler, attractive pricing, and kitchen-friendly dimensions. More...

Buyer's Guide to the Elektra A3

Functionally, the model A3 is a no-nonsense heat exchanger espresso machine destined for small cafés. But the Elektra Sixties model A3 espresso machine's distinct styling is an attention magnet to anyone who enters the room. Is this machine a little over the top for your average espresso lover? You bet! For that reason alone, the idea of reviewing Elektra's one-group offering was enticing and nicely consistent with the site's motto, "Your Guide to Exceptional Espresso." So began the Elektra A3 espresso machine's intensive review process. More...

Grimac Mia - A Pro's Perspective

Chris Tacy has been a professional barista for years, but has never owned a home espresso machine. So we thought it would be fun to introduce him to how the "other baristas" sweat the details of coffee. He'll compare a semi-commercial to the machines he knows best, namely top-end commercial espresso machines. Unfair? You bet! It promises to be an atypical perspective with a couple surprises too. Thanks to espressoParts.com, his journey into home espresso-making begins with one of the newest machines on the US market—the Grimac Mia. More...

Fiorenzato Bricoletta - A Pro's Perspective

This is an "old school" espresso machine; stylistically, it is modeled on the classic Art Deco Faema and Gaggia machines of the late '40s and early '50s. The enormous exposed E61 group dominates its front profile. The Bricoletta also features a rotary vane pump and direct plumbing option.

Chris Tacy takes it through the paces in his second Pro's Perspective review, commenting that he continues to be impressed by the state of the home espresso market, and in particular the Fiorenzato Bricoletta. More...

Buyer's Guide to the LaCimbali Junior DT1

For espresso aficionados throughout the world, LaCimbali means uncompromising quality of materials and workmanship, and unparalleled temperature stability among heat exchanger espresso machines.

Given the Cimbali Junior DT1's reputation and its ardent followers who expect in-depth treatment for their hero, this espresso machine review goes to greater lengths than the previous reports, featuring a side-by-side group taste comparison, hosted by Counter Culture Coffee, against another espresso industry icon, La Marzocco. More....

Buyer's Guide to La Valentina

I've owned the La Valentina espresso machine by Ala di Vittoria for two years. The notes that I jotted down a few months after purchasing it still hold true today: "I still can't come up with a better way to say it beyond my day-one impression: wow. It's worth saying again: wow."

This guide introduces La Valentina, an E61 home espresso machine with innovative styling, good ergonomics, and compact size. More...

Buyer's Guide to the La Spaziale S1

The La Spaziale S1 double boiler espresso machine is the first of the Buyer's Guide series. The S1 was conceived for light commercial and home use. It has one 2.5-liter boiler dedicated to steaming and second 450-milliliter boiler dedicated to brewing. It also has other electronic convenience features.

To help you better appreciate what distinguishes it from other choices, the review covers two other home espresso machines that have fundamental differences in design. As you will learn, these distinctions can influence both the result and the means of preparation. More...

Buyer's Guide to the Andreja Premium

This review will focus on one of the most popular espresso machine designs among home enthusiasts—the venerable "E61," exemplified by the Andreja Premium by Quick Mill, older sister of the Quickmill Anita. This article will explain why the E61 is something special.

Three home espresso machines are considered as part of an overall review, much like you do yourself when shopping online. If you're shopping for an E61-type espresso machine but your short list doesn't include these three particular models, this review can help you decide what criteria is worth considering in similar products. More...

Isomac Amica / Zaffiro Flash Review

An E61 single-boiler home espresso machine, the Amica / Zaffiro twins vie for the title of "espresso purists' choice." But what about rumors of unusual thermostat failure rates? More...

Rancilio Silvia Flash Review

Silvia has lots of fans and with good reason. With her help, you'll enjoy as good or better espresso in your home than you'll likely find at many cafés. But this review reveals this home espresso machine also has a fussy side. More...