Top 5 Favorite Premium Entry-Level Espresso Machines of 2021

[@BlackXxScopez]

I just purchased a gaggia classic pro from y'all. For me as a college student, it's the perfect balance of cost, performance, reliability, and longevity. It's a lot of money to drop on anything for me, but hopefully the longevity will lower the amortized cost of the machine.

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Congrats, and thanks for getting your machine from us! If you normally go out to cafes for coffee, it'll pay for itself in no time. By the way, your profile name/picture/etc sent me on a trip. AJ

[@onetstewart1395]

I bought the Silvia in 2005 from WLL. Still have it and works well. No failures, still works great.

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Awesome! The Silvia is a great machine that with proper maintenance can last a very long time AJ

[@ruffypoo]

Im having a very rough time trying to figure out these things!!!! Me and the wife loves coffee. She keeps looking at these cheaper $150 things and the prices go all over the place. From $60 to $5000! I am so lost and she deserves a decent machine for Christmas. I am leaning towards the classic pro because you said its the only one that can do pods. $500 is my limit

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hey r, Compared to the lower cost appliance espresso makers he Classic Pro is a true machine that's built to last. It's capable of a much better espresso than the entry level appliance grade products. ESE pods are convenient but do sacrifice the quality compared to coffee ground fresh right before brewing. But, ESE pods are a good place to start if you do not have a grinder.

[@ruffypoo]

@@Wholelattelovepage thats what I was thinking. She likes simple things. The pods would be a huge plus just for convenience for her.

[@billweaver2549]

Sorry to sound like a coffee snob, but I think you either make good espresso or you make pod coffee; the former takes dedication and practice but reaps much bigger rewards.

[@ruffypoo]

@@billweaver2549 this machine can do both so if she feels the need to be lazy she can be. Welcome to America where she has the choice to do so

[@spencer2294112]

@@ruffypoo sir, this is KZbin

[@paolocardinali3951]

Another great video! I have recently switched from a Silvia (I have sold it on ebay after 15 years) to a Pippa, after watching your reviews and doing some research on some potential ‘design faults’ of the Casa V. I had to get custom made handle and steam wheel as the Pippa (in Australia) comes with horrible cheap black plastic… but I couldn’t be happier with the machine! Paired with a Silenzio grinder the Pippa makes consistent high quality shots and on the weekend I can also have a bit of fun with latte art! Hopefully it will last as long as my Silvia, but Quick Mill has a good reputation and it has been around for decades… I’m not a fan of the name Pippa though, as in italian it means ‘wank’ 😁. Keep making great videos guys!

[@tErMiiNeX]

You got 15 years out of a single machine or you spent 15 years with the brand?

[@paolocardinali3951]

@@tErMiiNeX 15 years with the same machine… I just looked after it very well, never a problem! I also spent 15 years with the Rancilio Rocky as a grinder (I have sold that on ebay as well), I only changed the burrs once…

[@petergoulding2421]

@@paolocardinali3951 I have just ordered a Rancillio EV6 2020 with a Rocky SD is the grinder good?

[@paolocardinali3951]

@@petergoulding2421 the grinder is good but it’s not stepless like the Eureka Silenzio (more expensive) that I have now. There are plenty of adjustments so I don’t think you’ll have a problem finding the right grinding size. In terms of build, the Rocky is a tank (you’ll notice how heavy it is). Depending on your usage, you should remove the burrs every now and then for a “deep clean” as the oil from the coffee tends to make a “gunk” that it’s not always easy to remove. Enjoy your new set up and thousands of coffees!

[@petergoulding2421]

@@paolocardinali3951 Thanks Paolo, We have a Gaggia Carenza Deluxe which is about 10 to 11years old and its being replaced with the Racillio v6.

[@snt080393]

Amazing video, thanks for this!

[@superhero741]

Wow. I discover this channel too late. Love your videos that teach me a lot since i entered the espresso world last year. Still long long way to go. So happy to learn more abt how the mechanics affects my shots. Looking forward the mid-level espresso machine. You did the high-end already. Waiting for more video anyway. Support 👍🏼

[@Wholelattelovepage]

It's never too late! Here's a video on our top 5 favorite heat exchange boiler espresso machines of 2021. This is kind of the "mid-level" between single boiler and dual boiler machines: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mWLEfaKsebCLj6M AJ

[@MsPyper10]

Thank you very much for creating this content so that we who are considering purchasing an espresso machine can make a better educated choice. Truly thank you.

[@Wholelattelovepage]

You're welcome. Thank you for watching and commenting! AJ

[@ChristofferRythen]

Great video! I’ve been using my girlfriends ECM classika for the last five years but now we broke up so goodbye to the ECM. Im into the gaggia classic due to it’s price. Am I gonna be satisfied with it when it comes to taste and feel of the hardware or will I feel like it’s day and night?

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi Rymer, Thanks for the comment! Did you at least get her grinder in the breakup? So there's a +$1,000 USD price difference between the machines. Classika is about as good as it gets in single boiler machines. There will be a different feel to the hardware. But, if looking for value the Gaggia Classic Pro is unbeatable. It is a true machine with commercial size/weight portafilter. Can handle large filter baskets so 18g dosing is no problem. Biggest difference is Classika is PID and GCP is not. So it's more effort to get consistent brew temps on the GCP. But it is doable and produces great shots. Marc

[@lorenzocecchini4420]

Great review, wondering where you would fit the faber pro

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi LC, Have not used that machine. searched it and looks like a ESE Pod machine?

[@lore82lolli]

@@Wholelattelovepage correct, maybe it's too low profile against the others you show but still an expensive one

[@timgerber5563]

While I appreciate the build quality and features ECM have built into their Casa V, I would in the category of single boiler machines always go with a Gaggia Classic Pro. It’s affordable, you can easily mod the machine with a 9 bar spring and PID as your coffee interest grows and once you‘ve grown out of it sell it again for a good price as there is a market for it (although you might get more for an ECM as they are also very price stable). This beauty in white matched with a white Eureka Mignon looks fabulous and is a really good set-up for anyone who is just getting into espresso and coffee.

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi Tim, Thanks for sharing your thoughts. While I personally would not modify the machine I know some do. No doubt, the Gaggia Classic Pro is the best value in premium grade entry-level espresso machine. And, now it's available in 6 colors and with 5 species of custom wood accessories. Used with good coffee and technique it's capable of producing shots on par with higher priced prosumer and commercial machines. Marc

[@timgerber5563]

As an addition: Of course I would only mod the machine once warranty/guardantee has run out. No point in voiding it unnecessarily.

[@jillisderks1577]

Always a pleasure watching your channel videos. Still not sure what to buy though. At home we like lattes, I like cappuccino, my wife a latte. On time we drink espresso and visitors even a americano. So what’s the best machine to bye? Profitec pro 300, Bezzera BZ 10 or even better BZ13, a Ascaso steel Duo PID ‘22? I also can’t find the Gaggia Classic Prestige here in the Netherlands. Could it be it doesn’t get sold over here?

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi Jilis, the Gaggia Classic Prestige is exclusively sold by Whole Latte Love, however it is just a Classic Pro bundled with premium upgrades and some wood components. Of your options, I would personally go with the BZ13. AJ

[@davidchianese9798]

I see a lot of the quick mill products have T.E.A coated boilers to reduce leaching. Is that something included on the pippa?

[@rodrigocartens7563]

If I would like to open a small business, (For example: A pastry shop that also gives out coffee from time to time), what machine for expresso would you recommend to me? I know there are tons of factors that need to be considered, but just a quick word on the matter Will really help us. Thank you! By the way, I am a súper fan of all your videos.

[@davidfuller581]

You need a commercial machine for that. None of these are even remotely suited to that. You'd best look at La Marzocco, Rancilio professional, Faema, and others that can be plumbed in

[@rodrigocartens7563]

@@davidfuller581 Thank you very much. I was actually looking at La Marzzoco, Rancilio Professional, Faema and Cimbali. Thanks for the accurate comment.

[@sebaba001]

If those options are out of your budget, please consider La Spaziale. Smaller portafilter and what not but they do make commercial machines starting at 2k and I've seen plenty of quite busy coffee shops use LS. So for a small pastry shop should be way more than enough. Espresso won't taste different to a 6k machine and if you get the plumbed version even if you had 100 customers in a row you will be fine, just less accesories becuase no 58mm portafilter, so less custom baskets and tampers an all that.

[@SimonLeeds]

Get a second hand version one of those. Don’t bother with the La Marzocco unless you can get one cheap. The others do a good enough job. Just get an engineer to service it over once you get it, or buy one from a company that refurbs them. Your use and skills won’t warrant a 5-10k machine- unless your pastry shop will take it in or your budget is super high and you want to show off the machine I wouldn’t bother. Show off with your pastries and skills instead.

[@sebaba001]

@@SimonLeeds Agree. People insist on big commercial machines... I've seen Silvia Pros on small cafés inside an ice cream shop chain. Works just fine. There are some cafés running on Flair 58s. Not eveyone needs or can afford a GS3. Customers buying coffee in non coffee shops can wait 2 minutes.

[@karligerber5740]

I need help! Is there any bean to cup coffee machine, I can buy in America, that allows for a dual bean container? Where I can load two types of beans? I drink decaf and my husband drinks regular. I saw one was made Melitta but it seems to be hard to get shipped here and the videos show the menu is in a different language. I am wondering if there is another one out there that has a dual bean container??? Thanks in advance.

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi Karli, Thanks for the question. There are 2 machines I'm aware of with dual grinders. Both are made by Jura and exist at the Professional/Luxury end of of their product lineup. There's the GIGA 6: www.wholelattelove.com/collections/super-automatic-espresso-machines/products/jura-giga-6 And the GIGA X7 Professional: www.wholelattelove.com/collections/super-automatic-espresso-machines/products/jura-giga-x7-professional Another option... Most all bean to cup machines have pre-ground coffee bypass dosers. Those are often used to make decaf using preground coffee. Not the same quality in cup as whole beans ground fresh but a less expensive option. Here's an in-depth video on the Jura GIGA 6: kzbin.info/www/bejne/boO5ZnR-ft2jepo Hope that helps! Marc

[@karligerber5740]

@@Wholelattelovepage thank you for your input!

[@innerlocus]

The Solis Barista Perfetta Plus Espresso Machine is my first, and it arrives this Sunday.

[@mr_knight4701]

Hello Which is the best model in terms of coffee quality among these 5?

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hey mr k, Honestly these all do well in the right hands. The ECM Casa V has externally adjustable brew pressure and brew pressure gauge which might help you tune your extractions a bit. But, Check out our top 5 Premium Entry-Level of 2022: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eXe3pn57e6qKkMU In that group is the New Profitec GO. It's based on the Casa V (made by the same company - ECM/Profitec are sister companies) but adds PID temperature control. Brew temperature control seriously helps get the best out of specialty coffees and easy to set using roast level as a starting point. Cooler for darker roasts and hoitter for lighter roasts. Profitec GO: www.wholelattelove.com/products/profitec-go-espresso-machine-black Hope that helps! Marc

[@mr_knight4701]

@@Wholelattelovepage Thank you for answering me. I saw the model you mentioned, but it is a bit expensive for me. I can pay up to 600-700 dollars. What is important for me is that the quality of the coffee maker is very good and that it is made in Italy or Germany. I don't accept Chinese manufacturing at all I want the heater nozzle used for milk foam to be one piece. Because it makes a better floor and also have a portafilter without pressure It is better not to have a grinder because it increases the wear of the device and eventually causes damage if it is used a lot I have heard the description of the Bezzera New Hobby model within my own budget and I think it is suitable. If you can introduce a better model, I would appreciate it

[@Wholelattelovepage]

@@mr_knight4701 The Bezzera Hobby sounds like a perfect choice for your needs!

[@mr_knight4701]

your first choice between this 5 ? coffee maker was caggia pro ?what is the second one

[@christianrouan550]

Hello from France what do you think of the lelit brand it is a very present brand with rancilio, gaggia and more particularly the lelit victoria pl91T

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Bonjour! Lelit is a popular brand, but not one that we carry. I don't have any first-hand experience with the Victoria, sorry! AJ

[@Santiago_1122]

lelit victoria pl91T 💯🥇

[@purinscoffee]

i'm using victoria for 5 months now, it have several shortcomings but overall great machine, especially if you make milk drinks.

[@kossac2492]

how do these machines compare to say Sunbeam dual boilers as such. noting that the 5-7 minute time to warm up is a Long time compared to my dual boiler sunbeam machine which is like 1 minute tops? (obviously other factors involved!) please share your thoughts! (my personal machine is an Em7000)

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi K, Thanks for the question. While I have not used the Sunbeam EM7000 I know it uses thermoblock boilers which heat water on demand. Products using thermoblock boilers generally fall into the appliance grade category. Appliance grade products have a shorter lifespan compared to the machine grade products in this video. Products with thermoblock boilers do not have the same thermal stability as machines using true boilers. Very few thermoblock systems heat the group head or portafilter resulting in inconsistent brew temperatures. Appliance grade usually means use of lower grade proprietary components and construction techniques resulting in low repairability.

[@ladyluck2607]

Excellent video! thank you

[@Wholelattelovepage]

You are welcome!

[@izwizz520]

Hi, can you do a more in depth video for the Quick Mill Pippa? There's very little information on it out there. Thanks

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi IzWizz, here's a full review video I made on the Pippa: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z3OudnSbbdqfapY AJ

[@ishantsingh3366]

Brew pressure gauge is a must...it's very convenient to understand what's going on inside

[@Wholelattelovepage]

I agree that the gauges are certainly helpful! AJ

[@gvatougios]

How do these compare to the Lelit Anna PID or the Lelit Glenda?

[@chernowitz]

Whole latte love doesn’t like Lelit products despite the fact that Lelit makes good machines. Lelit Victoria beats pretty much every machine on this list but they didn’t even give it a mention. Coffee people shouldn’t behave like that.

[@JustinHEMI05]

@@chernowitz why is that? I'm looking to buy my first machine and am relying on videos like this to help me make a decision. However, I had to find out about the victoria myself. What does WLL have against them? Do you have the victoria?

[@chernowitz]

@@JustinHEMI05 I don’t know why Whole Latte Love doesn’t like and doesn’t carry Lelit. Lelit Anna and Glenda are 57mm portafilter, I suggest you get the Victoria because of it’s larger 58mm portafilter. Also it has PID and a pressure gauge which made my decision much easier. It’s not as well built as ECM Casa V but nonetheless it really packs a serious punch. Espresso tastes great every time.

[@JustinHEMI05]

@@chernowitz thank you very much Michael.

[@DCLayclerk]

@@chernowitz I love my Le'lit Anna, it heats up fast, has excellent steam power and is solidly built, all stainless steel housing with 0 plastic. I used to have a Gaggia Classic, and it was a great machine. I just happen to prefer the Anna.

[@dashrando7892]

What color is the prestige at 6:49? Is that Thunder Black or Industrial Grey?

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hey DR, it's Thunder Black: www.wholelattelove.com/products/gaggia-classic-prestige-in-thunder-black

[@purvaandoshi9398]

Hi I’m planning to buy a machine and upgrade from my current tecnora . I generally make flat whites and lattes . Will the gaggia classic pro be the best option ? Prestige version is not available in my country . Can you guide with the accessories we can buy to take the pro a level up ?

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi PD, Here's a video with upgrade accessories to consider for the Gaggia Classic Pro: How to Trick Out a Gaggia Classic Classic Pro Espresso Machine: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aZ2tYWOIoN2ea68 Marc

[@goranr3846]

I am noticing some water leaking from my steam wand, both in the tip and upper section...any recommendations to fix? I have a gaggia classic pro which I bought from WLL.

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi Goran, more often than not, that's just residual water in the wand being forced out by heat expansion. If this is the case, a quick purge by opening your steam valve and dispensing the trapped water into a cup or rag will resolve the issue. Check out this video on the subject for more info and a test to see if there actually is a leak: kzbin.info/www/bejne/m6e2eYGrnLSAqtE AJ

[@goranr3846]

@@Wholelattelovepage opened up my machine and noticed that the leaking is coming from the steam knob, not the steam wand...when i open the knob, it leaks down the hole along the steam wand

[@raymonddery7101]

Hi Goran, I have a two year old Gaggia Classic Pro with a similar problem; it leaks from the steam knob. The leak is small but becomes large if I use it for hot water. I would change the steam valve if I could get hold of a replacement part.

[@Boutit031]

Shame the Pippa's not available in South Africa - would definitely be my pick of the lot. Those switches are everything. Guess I'm going with the ECM as a very close second.

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi B, Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

[@LaRuta-sk8rr]

It’s hard to beat the GCP value. It makes great espresso, better than most cafes. For someone who doesn’t make too many milk based drinks there really isn’t a better option.

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hey LaRuta, Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the GCP!

Your channel videos are nice and in many cases useful. But it looks like you only rank and talk about items you directly sell and no other (nothing bad with that). So maybe just mention it during video, in the intro. Just say these are the 5 best machines we carry, or you can buy at our store or whatever. Otherwise it comes off as shill and dishonest with every video you make.

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi Roman, thank you for the constructive feedback. Will definitely take that into account for the next video of this type. AJ

[@davidd9045]

100% this.

[@Robbiez234]

This is an FCC violation 😮

[@sgddfgfghfgh]

I mean they are the best ones on the market, so while I get your point, it makes sense. Why stock rubbish?

[@NoKidding66]

I've had a Silvia for over 25 years and bought it when I lived in Seattle. Now I'm in New Mexico and this past week my Silvia stopped heating water. In addition, the bottom of the water tray is very rusty and it's difficult to remove the tray to empty it. In spite of these problems I love this machine but it may be time to replace it. Watched you eval of the 5 machines and the Bezzera Hobby appealed to me for it's fast warmup and small size. So I'm sure I could get the Silvia repaired in Albuquerque (I live in Santa Fe 60 miles away) but what do you think of replacing it?

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Wow, 25 years! I believe the Silvia was released in 1997 so you must have one of the first production units. In my opinion, if you love the Silvia, I'd just buy a new Silvia! You clearly know how to treat it well, and the newer models have several upgrades over previous versions, including a stainless steel frame that shouldn't rust the way yours did. AJ

[@NoKidding66]

@@Wholelattelovepage So will the Gaggia Classic Pro rust? Stainless will rust given the right environment so even though the Rancillio folks painted the stainless doesn't guarantee it won't eventually rust. Besides what I paid for the Silvia long ago isn't even close to what I'd pay now. I won't live long enough to get that kind of value again.

[@Sourpusscandy]

You have a lot of great machines. Why don’t you sell and ervice La Pavoni? That’s a great brand too. Why do you sell pod machines? That seems like quite a disconnect with your greater mission of selling and servicing high end machines.

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi SoS, we do have a few La Pavoni on the site but they're currently out of stock. You're right that our greater mission is to steer people away from pods/capsules, however there is still a market for customers who want them - whether it's the price, convenience, etc. We want to provide a wide range of machines for all coffee-drinkers, while providing education to try and get people the best equipment and results. AJ

[@tb7965]

Went through 2 Gaggia classics over 10 years despite regular descaling. They would get clogged up. Heartbroken that I threw them bot h out. Drinking pressed coffee now, but it's not the same.

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi TB, You must have had really hard water! Filtering water to reduce calcium level would likely prevent the issue. We like BWT Water and More filtering options for that. Used as directed no scaling and proper mineral level provided by magnesium for good flavor. Too bad you threw them away. They are very rebuildable for those that have basic mechanical skills. Might have been worth something used even if severely scaled. Replacement boiler and other parts are low cost and easy to acquire. Marc

[@natetrussel1211]

Kinda a bummer video I felt not good enough with my dream to have enough money for an appliance let alone the machines that are so much better haha

[@empoweredbychrist777]

Hi there 👋🏼 could you please do a video on how to warm up machine and pull an espresso and steam milk on the Pippa? I just bought one and am so confused as to when to know it’s hot enough and don’t want to ruin the machine

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi Josh, congrats on the new machine and sorry for the confusion! We may do a specific video on that in the future, but in the meantime, the Pippa is usually up to brewing temperature in about 10 minutes. Make sure to leave the portafilter locked in during that time so that it gets heated as well. If you don't want to wait each time, you can leave the power switch flipped on and plug it in to a smart outlet or wall timer. Here are a couple other videos that may help with your specific machine: Review: Quick Mill Pippa Espresso Machine: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z3OudnSbbdqfapY Tips and Tricks for Single Boiler Espresso Machines: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hZW4n2VvmMxlq5Y How to Fix Espresso Extractions: Timing, Taste & More: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aWGpYqF_e5ZgrJo How To: Beginner's Guide to Easy Success with Semi-Automatic Espresso Machines: kzbin.info/www/bejne/emfPfYydrZaCrZY AJ

[@ericmuncy]

Would have been a perfect video if you had given a approximate price at time of filming

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi Eric, I hear you. Thing is prices changed and there are links to all the products with current pricing and special offers in the video description.

[@woroud3823]

What do you think of ascaso duo?

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi W, Unfortunately I have not used that machine so no opinion.

[@woroud3823]

@@Wholelattelovepage hi mark 1. I want something that looks good on my counter because the machine will be on my living room where I host my guest there 2. Easy to use 3. I can steam the milk and the make the espresso at the same time dual boilers.. I love milk drinks and my partner loves Americano. Any recommendations? Appreciate your help

[@Wholelattelovepage]

@@woroud3823 Hi W, For simultaneous brew and steam you can go with a machine using a heat-exchange boiler. Good looks are subjective but I'd take a look at the Profitec Pro 400. It's a compact HX boiler machine with a more contemporary look than traditional Italian machines. It performs very well and is easy to use. It's PID controlled for better temperature accuracy but rather than degree by degree temperature setting it has a switch to choose between cooler brew temps for dark roasts and higher ones for lighter roasts. Switch has a third postion to kick up some extra steaming power for those who want it. Here's my full video on the machine: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZqamZ5yHpKiKias The Pro 400 is available with or without flow control. Flow control is useful for those into speciality coffee like lighter roasted, very fresh single origins. Another consideration is the Bezzera BZ13 PM. It's also a heat exchange boiler. It's full PID and has an electrically heated group so warms up and is ready to use in

[@woroud3823]

@@Wholelattelovepage compared to ECM, is ECM more luxurious? Are you doing a comparison between profitic and asasco steel due? I want my machine to have a woody details

[@Wholelattelovepage]

@@woroud3823 ECM and Profitec are sister companies with ECM being the more luxurious of the 2 with higher level of finishing details. Their Heritage Edition Mechanika VI Slim is similar to the Pro 400 with higher level finishing details: www.wholelattelove.com/collections/semi-automatic-espresso-machines/products/ecm-mechanika-vi-slim-espresso-machine-heritage-line

[@TheMarkalope]

Just curious, with these being “entry-level” what type of machine would be considered the next level up from these? Is it straight to the dual boilers?

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi, In between these machines and dual boilers are machines with heat-exchange boiler. Like dual boilers, they can brew and steam simultaneously. Check out 5 of our favorite HX boiler machines of 2021 in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mWLEfaKsebCLj6M

[@cs5250]

I wouldn't call these entry level at all. These are more pro-consumer for people wanting to dive deeper into espresso who already have some sort of understanding. I think entry level are the plasticy machines under $300.00 that use pressurized baskets. These machines in the video all require good quality grinders to get the beans to a grind fine enough to extract espresso under the pressure they are producing. These are just under mid-level.

[@dnice4441]

What are your thoughts on the ascaso machines? Drea, Steel uno, acne steel duo?

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi Dennis, Not machines I have much contact with so can't offer opinion - sorry! Marc

[@irisjerkovic97]

What do you think about Sage espresso machine, The Barista Express? Thanks in advance

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hey Achilleas, the Barista Express is a solid product, and we do carry the Breville version of it, however it's not really in the same class as the rest of these. It's more of an "appliance" - lots of plastic, and far less user serviceable. Plus a smaller, lighter, 54mm portafilter. AJ

[@ElectroMac74]

a pro review great job

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Thank you! AJ

[@maximumacannona]

Does the Gaggia Prestige have a ball joint on the steam wand or just a swivel?

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi MC, The steam wand is on a swivel.

[@snowflake012083]

I have owned Gaggia classic for over 8 years. I have a really nice grinder too. Recently my Gaggia is producing concistently SUPER BITTER shots. I spent lots of time and money on changing coffee, cleaning the machine, trying to figuer out what is the problem....but no success. I need your help to get a better and more intuitive machine please. Please advice.

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi Ivanna, These types of machines tend to have pretty wide temperature swings which can have an effect on flavor shot to shot. Check out this video for tips on how to temperature surf and achieve more consistent results, as well as some other tricks like pre-infusion that can help with extractions: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hZW4n2VvmMxlq5Y The next step would be to upgrade to something with a PID, which will be more intuitive and provide more consistent temperatures without the need for surfing. If you like the small footprint of your Classic and don't make milk drinks, I'd recommend taking a look at the ECM Puristika. It's an espresso-only machine with a PID, beautiful design, and incredibly consistent results: www.wholelattelove.com/products/ecm-puristika-single-boiler-espresso-machine If you do make milk drinks, it may be time to step up to either a heat exchanger (HX) machine or a dual boiler machine. These will drastically simplify the brewing/steaming process and also allow you to do both at once without having to wait for the machine to heat up or cool down between. We'll be releasing our choices for the top 5 HX and DB machines of 2022 in the next couple months, but in the meantime, here are our videos covering our picks from last year, which are all still great choices! Top 5 HX machines of 2021: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mWLEfaKsebCLj6M Top 5 Dual Boiler machines of 2021: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fHTQZHiMlpKre5o AJ

[@snowflake012083]

@@WholelattelovepageHi AJ! Thank you for your great advices. I did try all kinds of beens, including fresh local ones. My Gaggia was fine for about 5 first years or even more. I cleanned it well (vinegar or special solution). The coffee it is making these days is not only bitter, it is disgusting.... Very very harsh. And even with tons of milk in it, it tastes so BAD. We often go to Italy and I am trying to achieve the same taste here. I even used beens purchaced in the bar in italy (roasted the day before). No difference with Gaggia. So yes my problem is in the machine itself. And I do not want to service it. I will sell it to a handy person that can ajust preasure or temperature and will love it. By the way, Breville Bambino sound like a very attractive choice. What to you think about? What bothers me that it is made in China. And also, how about Pippa? It looks cute, not much reviews and comparisons available. And I do like milk drinks (especially because my Gaggia espresso never tasted good by itself.) So doal boiler or heat exchanger are good options for me too. i tried to make 4 or 5 capucinos in a row for my friends and it was not easy. The last ones were too cold and no froth on the milk (but it is a different story). Thanks a lot.

[@alexraikhman9527]

Hello, would any of these machines be a noticeable upgrade to my five year old Gaggia Classic (older than current model)? I had a few issues with the steam valve but otherwise it has been solid. I'm looking for the best quality machine, something that will not make me talk to the service department ever (if possible). Thanks!

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hey Alex, there are several upgrades in the Gaggia Classic Pro from previous models (depending on the specific one you have) - three-way solenoid valve, variety of colors, improved housing design, but the most noticeable will be the commercial-style steam wand vs the pannarello wand from previous models. If you're handy and never want to talk with the service department, I'd recommend the Gaggia Classic Pro or Rancilio Silvia. Both have a long, proven history of reliability and massive online communities of DIYers for upgrades, troubleshooting, and bouncing ideas off of, if you want - Reddit, Coffeeforums.co.uk, and Home-Barista are all good resources with tons of info and user experiences. AJ

[@kdabbey]

just keep what you have, not worth an upgrade

[@rickytb15]

A bad thing of this coffee machine is that there is a space between the water tank and the top of the machine. Is an open space that bugs, flies or little animals like ants can get acces. I used one and i sent back to the Gaggia Company for that reason. They can do completly close but i dond understant why they let that space.

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi ricky, thanks for sharing your thoughts. Very few semi-automatic machines have sealed water reservoirs. If water open to air is a concern I suggest you look at machines which plumb directly to a waterline.

[@Jaroslav.]

Another important change to the Silvia V6 is a new stainless steel frame.

[@PaulLemars01]

Can you verify the Silvia V6 frame really is stainless even though it's painted black? Rusty Silvia frames are a real turn off for me and that could be a game changer.

[@Jaroslav.]

I've verified this with Rancilio. Hope that helps!

[@Wholelattelovepage]

I wasn't aware of this change and it's hard to tell just from looking since it's painted, but that would be great! AJ

[@PaulLemars01]

@@Wholelattelovepage Test it with a magnet. SS is non magnetic.

[@Jaroslav.]

@@PaulLemars01 Magnets stick to stainless steel too.

[@jacksmith-ok8tx]

Hi guys I wanna order one of the hobbys what else would you reccomend getting for it I've seen your site sells a few tempers would a bottomless one be decent? Thanks

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi Jack, a bottomless portafilter can help with diagnosing channeling or other issues with extractions and puck prep. Here's one that will fit the Hobby: www.wholelattelove.com/products/bezzera-logo-bottomless-portafilter I would also recommend a tamper upgrade since the plastic one that comes with the machine is not great. Here's a video outlining different tamper/distributor options and their benefits: kzbin.info/www/bejne/m3y7mWVjabSDiqs AJ

[@johnmknox]

I would love to know what machines you would recommend for light roast? Would any of these be suitable or would I need to spend more?

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi John, light roasts generally benefit from a slightly hotter brew temperature. You'll have the most control of this using a machine with a built-in PID. That said, all of these machines are suitable, you may just need to use a couple "hacks" to get the best out of your beans, such as temperature surfing and pre-infusion. Here are a couple videos describing how you would do those on a single boiler. kzbin.info/www/bejne/fmTShWice5aar5I kzbin.info/www/bejne/d6C9poyXedZor8U AJ

[@GaryHuntPianoman]

which one is best for 10-15 drinks per hour

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi Gary, Thanks for the question. While it's technically possible these machines could produce 1 drink every 6 minutes it will not be a pleasant experience in the long term. First, they cannot brew and steam simultaneously. Second, with constant use you may experience fluctuations in brew temps. For that level of service I recommend going with a dual boiler machine. They can brew and steam at the same time which is a huge improvement in workflow. Also, in a dual boiler the brew water and steam production are isolated so temperature of one has no impact on the other. You'll get much better steaming performance as well. For high volume use a machine with a rotary pump is more reliable and definitely consider plumbing the machine direct to waterline so you're not filling water reservoirs all the time and can esily install a quality water filtration system for best flavor and to protect the machine from limescale deposits. The Profitec Pro 700 is a dual boiler machine which checks all those boxes: www.wholelattelove.com/products/profitec-pro-700-dual-boiler-espresso-machine See the Pro 700 in this video as well as 4 other dual boiler machines: studio.kzbin.infoUBxIfjT3wj0/edit?o=U Hope that helps!

[@GaryHuntPianoman]

@@Wholelattelovepage Thank you so much for the explanation that is so awesome

[@NorthSea-xb7jk]

any changes for 2023 list?

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi NS, nothing new for 2023 yet. But in late 2022 we had some returning champs and the new Profitec GO: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eXe3pn57e6qKkMU

[@cr9389]

Do you know when the prestige will be back in stock?

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi CR, Thanks for the question. Which Prestige? A bunch of Gaggia models in Prestige trim like Anima, Velasca, Magenta, Cadorna

[@cr9389]

@@Wholelattelovepage The one mentioned in the video :) when I click on the link it’s out of stock

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Oops, sorry! We're expecting the Classic Prestige packages to be back in stock in May. In the meantime, we just received in our own custom-produced wood portafilter handles and knobs for the Classic Pro that we will be selling with a variety of wood species. Expecting those to be available on the site on Friday or Monday. AJ

[@BigPoppa-t3z]

ECM PURISTICA. do a vid if I get model. Expansion valve interesting.

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi Big P, We will have a video on the Puristika. Currently have one in the house and putting it through its paces - stay tuned! Marc

[@Wholelattelovepage]

We have a Puristika in the studio right now that we've been playing with a bit. Will likely do a video at some point. AJ

[@justinbouchard]

Three of those have to me the exact same steam wand and I cannot for the life of me find where to buy one of them individually.

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi Justin, Although they look similar, 3 of the machines here do not have the same wand. If looking for the wand for a Gaggia Classic Pro it's available here: www.wholelattelove.com/products/gaggia-classic-pro-full-steam-wand-assembly We may have wands for other machines manufacturers. Contact customer care here for availability: www.wholelattelove.com/pages/contact-us

[@justinbouchard]

@@Wholelattelovepage omg, you guys are unreal lol!!! Thank you!!! I'm sure like many others I am binge watching your channel while doing my daily duties as a full time house dad that loves lattes :) massive love from Canada xoxo

[@khristiansrodriguez775]

Rancilio Silvia would be good to work in a business where there is movement at a medium level in coffee sales, where can I make the coffee and vaporize the milk with speed? taking into account that at that time I am going to make several cafes

[@Wholelattelovepage]

No, the Silvia would not be a good fit for that (nor would any other machine in this video). You want a commercial machine, or at the very least one that's NSF/ETL certified for commercial use. For a very low volume cafe, at the bare minimum you could likely get away with a Bezzera BZ13 or one of the Crem ONE models. If you'll have any sort of larger volume, or want to move people through more efficiently, you're looking for a multiple-group commercial machine, such as something from the Dalla Corte lineup. Links to all of those options below, and we have videos on this channel for each. BZ13: www.wholelattelove.com/products/bezzera-bz13-pm Crem ONE: www.wholelattelove.com/collections/crem Dalla Corte: www.dallacorte-usa.com/ AJ

[@sergiubogdan379]

Hi, where I can find to buy Bezzers Hobby in Europe? Thanks!

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Here's a list of Bezzera's distributors around the world: www.bezzera.it/?p=distributori&lang=en AJ

[@maxwellyedor7610]

Noob question, but why would being fresh ground make a difference when using a non pressurized basket? I can understand the flavor difference, but at a certain point aren’t grounds grounds? Upgrading my well used Delonghi soon but this part has me a bit confused

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi Maxwell, good question. Essentially, pre-grinding speeds up the aging of your grounds. As coffee ages, it falls victim to oxidation which results in flavor loss and change. Grinding beans rapidly speeds up this process, and the longer time between grinding and brewing, the more oxidation occurs. Even if using a non pressurized basket, this will lead to weaker, more stale-tasting coffee. Additionally, pre-grinding allows more CO2 to escape, which will affect your crema. AJ

[@sonjoseph]

song name at 8:17 for the Silvia?

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi sj, sorry don"t know the name. Believe it's a track from Adobe stock.

[@pn-nu7pd]

those panning shots :O

[@Evil.Turkey]

Could you guys please make a video about the best cappuccino maker?

[@Wholelattelovepage]

If you're looking for one-touch cappuccinos, check out our video on the top 5 automatic espresso machines of 2021: kzbin.info/www/bejne/r6TRlYCrl8xnmtU If you want a more manual process, the best cappuccinos will generally come from the highest quality machines. While this videos focuses on single boiler/dual use machines, heat exchanger or dual boilers will allow you to brew and steam at the same time. Here's our top 5 favorite dual boilers of 2021: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fHTQZHiMlpKre5o AJ

[@achilleasmanousakis4622]

All of them are fully capable of making cappuccino

[@mikesixel8864]

I wish some more came with the water on the side or front....I keep my maker (which is leaking like a sieve the last few months) in a cupboard....and need to replace it.

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi mike, Sounds like the perfect solution for you is a plumbed machine! I often say never filling a reservoir again is a life changing experience! Machines with water line connection cost more but you also get capabilities like simultaneous brew and steam, shot timer, E61 group, etc. The Crem One HX is a best value machine with all those qualities: www.wholelattelove.com/products/crem-one-hx-espresso-machine

[@themantrevor]

Which machines came to brew temp the fastest?

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi Trevor, I didn't specifically test that, but ECM advertises that the Casa is brew-ready in 5-7 minutes, which is incredibly fast for this kind of machine. AJ

[@ericwu156]

Is the gaggia classic drip tray and water tank dishwasher safe?

[@Wholelattelovepage]

I'm not sure, but I'd say it's safer to hand wash. A quick rinse should clean these pretty easily. AJ

[@i_love_blueberrytest1194]

nice video

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Thanks for the visit

[@lucjanpetroniusz4970]

Your vids are very pro but you are changing them into ad. Should make more criticism on it! But quality of vids is really pro

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hey Lucjan, thanks for the feedback AJ

[@sarfios]

Can't find the Classic pro in Europe

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi s, Name might be a little different like Gaggia Classic 2020. If it has the manual steam wand then it's essentially the same machine as the Classic Pro. In the past for a few years the EU and North American version of the Classic were a little different. For a time the EU version did not have a 3 way solenoid valve. If you see a Classic made in the last couple of years in the EU it's the same as the North American to the best of knowledge.

[@sarfios]

@@Wholelattelovepage Thank you so much for the detailed information, I'll try to buy it now with more confidence!

[@layas8690]

Any reason why there is a big difference between steam ready time you got and the time Marc got in his video about the Bezzera 48s Vs 84s?

[@Wholelattelovepage]

That’s a good question… my best guess is that Bezzera might have tweaked something internally on the newer machine since Marc did his testing and video over two years ago. Other things like ambient room temperature will have an effect, but that is a pretty significant difference. AJ

[@newtonalvarez4351]

Out of the 5 Which one is the most reliable and break less.

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi NA, ECM machines are extremely well made. That said all machines here are reliable so long as users perform routine maintenance.

[@basboybas]

Does anybody have any opinions on Belezza as a brand? Looking at the Belezza Chiara right now. Amazing features for the price, but is the quality any good?

[@basboybas]

In short, A PID controller HX machine with shot timer and E61 group. For around 1050 eur

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hey Barz, I've never worked with Belezza, sorry! AJ

[@ThomsonVarghese22]

Is Breville Barista Express not considered here because it is considered an Appliance and not a Machine?

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Correct. Nothing wrong with the BBE, but the build quality and serviceability isn't up to par with the others on the list. Additionally, the built-in grinder has only 16 stepped grind settings, giving less control over grind size compared to using most separate grinders. It also uses 54mm portafilter, smaller than the commercial standard used on all of the machines in the video. Here's a review video we made on the BBE back in 2013: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qmfaeIybg9yVq9U AJ

[@jakobw135]

I don't understand your logic regarding pre-ground coffee and a pressurized basket and home ground coffee in a non-pressurized basket. In both cases you have ground coffee supposedly to the right setting - why would there be a difference?

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi J, Well, as soon as the coffee is ground aromatics (flavor) evaporates from the coffee.

[@willo7979]

Despite its attractive skin, Breville, unfortunately, imho, falls under “appliance” group. For instant, it goes from fully cast metal body many years ago, to sheet stainless steel cladding wraps on plastics, eg. BES9xx Dual Boiler series, and, all tubings inside are plastics, not long lasting copper tubings.

[@zachsheffee8458]

I had a Mr. coffee espresso machine for $40! It had the standard type wand and the standard type basket!! It didn’t over extract the coffee and it didn’t cost a fortune!!

[@Wholelattelovepage]

What model do you have? As far as I know, all Mr. Coffee espresso appliances come with undersized portafilters, pressurized filter baskets, and/or autofrothing wands. AJ

[@zachsheffee8458]

@@Wholelattelovepage It was from five years ago. What’s a Porta filter? It had the same kind of normal unpressurized basket that come in professional machines. It had a water tank in the back and a glass with a black plastic handle to catch the coffee. It was $42 including tax! That proves that cheap espresso machines are better than other machines until you get into the really high prices.

[@zachsheffee8458]

They still make a similar machine.

[@12alocin]

How did making a coffee so expensive and complicated?

[@denyhoudy2085]

welcome to the world of coffee my friend. Its like a wine . you either drink from a box or at the vineyard

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Well put, Deny. It's a blessing and a curse to have SO many options, but I love how there is such a huge range of equipment for every level of coffee lover. AJ

[@andrew8992]

None of these machines address the key issue of temperature stability.

[@SimonLeeds]

That’s user skill. I owned a gaggia classic for years. You know when it’s heated up and ready to use. Then again the only time you’d need to bother with stability is if you’re banging out a few coffees at a time. And for you to get stability you’re on about jumping up spending and space to a big boiler machine.

[@q1joe]

Thats a money game, more money, more control

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Sure, these machines will have less temperature control and stability than more expensive PID machines with larger boilers. As Simon mentioned, the way to mitigate this is technique. Wether that's waiting a little longer between shots or temperature surfing, consistent results are definitely achievable. AJ

[@andrew8992]

@@Wholelattelovepage I just think that for $800+ an espresso machine should have great temperature control out of the box. You should not need to fiddle with temperature surfing to overcome the shortcomings of the machine. This is not a “user skill” it’s a work around. Nor should you have to hot wire in some after market box of tricks. I don’t want to invest in a more expensive heat exchanger or dual boiler machine, I don’t make milk drinks, just straight espresso. Why can’t manufacturers a make single boiler machines with good temperature control?

[@VoidEridan]

@@andrew8992 lelit anna pl41tem

[@davidfuller581]

I'll be honest, the Gaggia should be crossed right off the list. My experience with it as a beginner was horrid. Selling it and getting something with better temp stability was a huge boon. I bought a used Breville Dual Boiler and it's a far better experience.

[@billyruben6540]

I don't completely agree. The Gaggia is, no doubt, frustrating at times. I got incredible shots out of it. But I stopped using it because of its steaming. But the aftermarket options such as PID kits and steam arm are make it a very attractive option for people who don't necessarily have the money to shell out up front for a more expensive machine. These upgrades would make it comparable to everything else on this list, which are almost twice the price. If someone only had $500 to spend on a machine, I would have no problem recommending the Classic to them.

[@davidfuller581]

@@billyruben6540 right, but recommending it as stock? Terrible idea especially for a beginner. I'd much rather get something like a Breville Infuser or Bambino Plus as an entry machine.

[@AnonYmous-wf1oz]

@@davidfuller581 the problem with those machines is you cant grow them. You got bored with the GCP? Adjust the pressure to 9 bars. Still not enough? Add a PID. The GCP is a machine you can grow with as opposed to the lower model Brevilles.

[@davidfuller581]

@@AnonYmous-wf1oz I guess. The Gaggia's boiler is small enough that it has the worst part of both thermoblocks (poor temp stability during a shot and mediocre steam) and boilers (longer heat up times).

[@Blocoholi]

I absolutely love my gaggia, got it a year ago as a starter and have been upgrading and tweaking it since. Next machine will be a LMLM.

[@connatser89]

Somebody is a Led Zeppelin fan 🤣🤘🏻

[@Wholelattelovepage]

The inspiration!

[@MrMarki134]

Literally only one machine more than last year's comparison.

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hey MrMarki134, there's one new machine, plus changes to all four others since we last did a similar video over two years ago. AJ

[@thijswekker7568]

Quickmill 820 😅🎉

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Thanks for the vote

[@igordragicevic0606]

Too bad they are all made for small cups...

[@jellyd4889]

All extremely inefficient. According to the professionals u have to leave them on for 20 mins for warming up. Makes each espresso very expensive. Buy a delonghi.... wait two minutes... drink espresso... or cappuccino 1 minute later.

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Sure, superautos will get you your drink faster at the cost of quality and control. That tradeoff is fine for some people, nothing wrong with that. 20-25 minutes may be required for heat-up on E61 group machines, but the ones in this video should be faster than that. AJ

[@golfchvse]

You should take a look at a nespresso machine.

[@apexlegend5830]

What’s wrong? I can’t watch this video,

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hey Apex, the video will be premiering at 11am EST. Marc and I will be in the live chat during the premiere to answer any questions! AJ

[@ArthriticAngler]

Silvano

[@achilleasmanousakis4622]

Where is breville barista express?

[@princediesel1]

Breville builds appliances not machines

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hey Achilleas, the Barista Express is a solid product, and we do carry them, however it's not really in the same class as the rest of these. As Jonathan mentioned, it's more of an "appliance" - lots of plastic, and far less user serviceable. Plus a smaller, lighter, 54mm portafilter. AJ

[@ma.1749]

Gaggia isn’t affordable at all

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi MM, I guess that depends on your perspective. It is the lowest cost option of the machines featured here and past winner of Consumer's Digest Best Buy award.

[@trubadyr99]

"Premium entry-level" - this is nonsense. It's either premium or entry-level, never both.

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi NN, No nonsense at all! These machines all have real boilers, commercial size and weight portafilters with little to no plastic used in construction. Compare that to entry-level sub $200 espresso makers. Those use thermoblock water heaters, undersized lightweight aluminum portafilters, pressurized filter baskets, lots of plastic in construction and generally are not worth repairing should they have a problem.

[@golfchvse]

@@Wholelattelovepage dont feed the troll.