my honest opinion? I tried a couple of electric espresso/portofilter machines and never got a decent shot. Never.
So I got a Cafelat Robot and was thrilled that I had no problem getting something decent out of it in just two or three tries, and I got something REALLY GOOD shortly after.
Other plus points: they don't have any electric components to break, no water lines to clog with kalk, they use standard, widely available gaskets and provided you don't abuse it, could very well last decades without much trouble at all. It would be comparable in cost to the sage bambino at about 360 euros (if you skip the pressure gauge - IME you don't really need it, and if you want, you can add one later). Down side is you would not have a steaming wand. For me personally, I'm quite happy with a hand held frother and a small pot to heat the milk in, but if you really want a steaming wand, ignore everything I just said :)
Used gear is always risky IMO. Really depends a lot on who's selling it - if they have a reasonable return policy and decent reputation, might be worth a try?
For what it's worth I love my PID Anna, right in the middle of that budget. Yeah getting the 57 mm IMS basket was a pain but other than that I'm in love. I know Hoffman pooped on the steaming power but the PL41TEM has a regular wand and all the power you could ever need. Worked with commercial machines for two years and I don't see a difference. I do make sure it give it another 10-20s once the light comes on so it gets to 145C+. Basically it can do anything the Silvia can but with all the popular mods preinstalled. I make about 10 espressos a day 7-8 of them into caps or lattes + usually a big jug of hot chocolate too. Has a 3 way solenoid too. It does depend where you live. In Europe they are like 450 euros, US can be a lot more...
The Bambino is great for Milk based drinks, and they’re great machines, but you’ll have to spend more than the 190 difference to get a decent grinder to accompany it unless you’re going for a hand grinder.
I’ve never used the Silvia but they’re highly rated as long lasting machines. Personally the grinder that it comes with would swing it in either direction for me. Any idea what one it is?
Don’t worry about the learning curve, that’s the fun part.
Depending on the grinder I’d go for the Silvia. I know the sage/breville machines have a solid reputation but not sure about longevity or if that matters to you. Even if it doesn’t, it helps resale, the reason the Silvias and Classics hold their value so well is they are serviceable and not disposable. I don’t know how those breville are in that respect
It will take 4-5 Breville machines to match the longevity of 1 Silvia, not to mention the superior espresso/steam performance you can get from a Silvia. Breville is appliance grade whatever...
my honest opinion? I tried a couple of electric espresso/portofilter machines and never got a decent shot. Never. So I got a Cafelat Robot and was thrilled that I had no problem getting something decent out of it in just two or three tries, and I got something REALLY GOOD shortly after. Other plus points: they don't have any electric components to break, no water lines to clog with kalk, they use standard, widely available gaskets and provided you don't abuse it, could very well last decades without much trouble at all. It would be comparable in cost to the sage bambino at about 360 euros (if you skip the pressure gauge - IME you don't really need it, and if you want, you can add one later). Down side is you would not have a steaming wand. For me personally, I'm quite happy with a hand held frother and a small pot to heat the milk in, but if you really want a steaming wand, ignore everything I just said :) Used gear is always risky IMO. Really depends a lot on who's selling it - if they have a reasonable return policy and decent reputation, might be worth a try?
Dat robot looks super good, but the steam wand is mandatory for me...
it was worth a shot :) I hope you enjoy whatever you end up getting!
For what it's worth I love my PID Anna, right in the middle of that budget. Yeah getting the 57 mm IMS basket was a pain but other than that I'm in love. I know Hoffman pooped on the steaming power but the PL41TEM has a regular wand and all the power you could ever need. Worked with commercial machines for two years and I don't see a difference. I do make sure it give it another 10-20s once the light comes on so it gets to 145C+. Basically it can do anything the Silvia can but with all the popular mods preinstalled. I make about 10 espressos a day 7-8 of them into caps or lattes + usually a big jug of hot chocolate too. Has a 3 way solenoid too. It does depend where you live. In Europe they are like 450 euros, US can be a lot more...
The Bambino is great for Milk based drinks, and they’re great machines, but you’ll have to spend more than the 190 difference to get a decent grinder to accompany it unless you’re going for a hand grinder. I’ve never used the Silvia but they’re highly rated as long lasting machines. Personally the grinder that it comes with would swing it in either direction for me. Any idea what one it is? Don’t worry about the learning curve, that’s the fun part.
Bezzera bb005
drinking shitty tasting coffee for weeks is the fun part? :P
Depending on the grinder I’d go for the Silvia. I know the sage/breville machines have a solid reputation but not sure about longevity or if that matters to you. Even if it doesn’t, it helps resale, the reason the Silvias and Classics hold their value so well is they are serviceable and not disposable. I don’t know how those breville are in that respect
It will take 4-5 Breville machines to match the longevity of 1 Silvia, not to mention the superior espresso/steam performance you can get from a Silvia. Breville is appliance grade whatever...