It’s time for another one of our Top 3 of the Year lists for 2024 - today we’re discussing semi-automatic espresso machines over $1,500! We’ve got our choices for fan favorite, best features, ultimate pick, and an honorable mention. This is one of our most exciting categories of the year, so let’s jump in!
Fan Favorite - Rocket Espresso Appartamento TCA
This first machine is a fantastic update of one of our all-time favorite machines. The Rocket Espresso Appartamento TCA takes the classes Appartamento concept of offering a high-quality heat-exchanger with classic Italian styling and some excellent fit and finish to the next level. For starters, this machine’s upgraded case and frame squeeze a few more style points out of the Italian espresso machine concept while maintaining the iconic look of the Appartamento. This upgrade also offers even sturdier construction, and comes with a new control board, brew group, knobs, and portafilter as well. These design elements are all great new additions to what was already an exceptional machine, but they’re not the only thing the TCA adds to the package.
Those letters stand for “temperature control adjustment.” This feature lets you adjust both the temperature of the water and the boiler pressure with a unique hybrid PID controller design that we really haven’t seen before. Adding a PID and adjustability is the last piece of the puzzle that the original Appartamento has been missing, so it’s very welcome here. Of course, the Appartamento TCA also offers excellent brewing and milk frothing quality right from your home countertop. To top it all off, this machine has a couple of different finish options to match the style in your kitchen!
Best Features - LELIT Bianca
LELIT’s Bianca has really taken the espresso world by storm this year, and we can understand why. While this is by no means a cheap espresso machine, it offers a set of features that are often reserved for the very high end of the home espresso spectrum. The first of these features is its flow control paddle. This paddle gives you fine control over the brew pressure, giving you a wide range of options for ramping pressure to brew your shots. If this sounds confusing, it’s because it is indeed a very advanced feature. That said, learning to use flow control can elevate your home coffee game and open up some incredible and unique flavors in your brews. What’s more - you can set up repeatable shot parameters using the LELIT Control Center app, allowing you to program your shots precisely without having to manually operate the paddle.
Another major feature of the Bianca is its rotary pump. Many home espresso machines use a vibratory pump, which can’t stand up to the constant pressure from a water line connection. The Bianca, on the other hand, uses a commercial style rotary pump, meaning that you can plumb it into a water line and never worry about refilling the tank again. Finally, this machine offers some beautiful case styling and wood accents, never forgetting that if you’re going to spend this kind of money on an espresso machine that you want it to look great too.
The LELT Bianca is loaded with incredible features and we are sure that any advanced user will find a lot to love with this machine!
Ultimate Pick - Ascaso Steel Duo
The Ascaso Steel Duo has been such a huge hit this year that it blew right past our fan favorite category and into our ultimate pick slot. This machine really has it all - PID controlled temps, a unique dual-thermoblock design, programmability for preinfusion and dwell time, a shot timer, volumetric programming, and a slick finish. Tying all of this together is a fantastic price, making it one of the very best values in home espresso.
It’s for all of these reasons that the Steel Duo has been flying off of our shelves! People are hungry for this machine, which we can confidently say represents one of the very best upgrade choices for you this year. In fact, we feel the Steel Duo could even be a great “one and done” machine for someone who wants to start their home espresso journey with a showstopper. Be sure to grab this one while you can when you see it in stock if you’re in the market!
Honorable Mention - Diletta Alto
We worked closely with our engineering partners on this new entry from Diletta, so we felt we couldn’t close this list without at least shouting out the Alto. This machine is a PID-controlled dual boiler powerhouse that offers some of the best temperature management around. It may look simple on the outside, but with easy-use steam paddles, front mounted temperature controls, a shot timer, an easily adjustable OPV, and low-powered eco options the Diletta Alto is anything but.
Each Alto is also built by hand in Milan, making every single machine on the line a masterpiece of engineering and performance. Add this one to your list if you’re looking for lasting great performance across your milk frothing and espresso brewing needs.