Ligre youn – designer espresso machine
It sits on the counter like an object, not like an appliance – soft edges, anodised aluminium, a shape you want to look at. Four minutes after switching on, it's up to temperature, and while the espresso runs, the milk is already frothing alongside. A machine that shows technology and design don't have to be a contradiction.
What makes the youn special
The Ligre youn works with a hybrid heating system: a thermoblock heats the water from the 1.6-litre tank on demand, and a dedicated 0.8-litre steam boiler supplies steam in parallel. Espresso and milk foam are therefore produced simultaneously via separate circuits. The brass group head measures 58 mm and brings 2.1 kg of thermal mass that keeps a shot steady; a brew takes around 28 to 35 seconds depending on profile and grind size.
The integrated Ligre frother works with an air pump and temperature sensor and offers ten foam levels and three temperature levels – from cool and silky to warm and creamy. In Easy Mode you pull one of three saved profiles volumetrically at the touch of a button. Its design won the iF Design Award and the German Design Award in Gold in 2023.
At a glance
| Brand |
Ligre |
| Heating system |
Hybrid: thermoblock (1.6L tank) + 0.8L steam boiler |
| Heat-up time |
approx. 4 minutes |
| Group head |
Brass, 58 mm, 2.1 kg |
| Milk foam |
integrated frother, 10 foam and 3 temperature levels |
| Operation |
Easy Mode with 3 volumetric profiles |
| Power |
2300 W |
| Housing |
anodised aluminium, silver-beige or matte black |
| Dimensions / weight |
450 × 304 × 401 mm / 18.3 kg |
The feeling behind it
Nobody needs a machine that looks like the youn – and that's exactly where its appeal lies. It's a statement, a piece of design that celebrates the espresso moment instead of just processing it. This decision is emotional, not purely technical, and that's completely fine. If you want it, you know why.
Who it's for
For everyone who wants an uncomplicated, beautiful path to good espresso – with volumetric operation, simultaneous milk foam and a shape that deserves to stand on the counter. To find the machine that fits your everyday life, check out our advisory tool for guidance.
The matching setup
As a design match, there's the matching Ligre siji grinder – you'll find it, along with other models, in our coffee grinders, from affordable to Grind-by-Weight. For dose and yield, a scale from the Normcore Collection or with an app from the Acaia Collection, and barista tools for puck prep in the Normcore Collection.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the youn take to heat up?
Thanks to the thermoblock, it reaches brewing temperature in around 4 minutes. The separate boiler supplies the steam, so espresso and milk foam are possible in parallel.
Can I pull espresso and froth milk at the same time?
Yes. The brew and steam circuits are separate, and the integrated frother works independently with ten foam and three temperature levels.
How much control do I have over the shot?
The youn takes an uncomplicated, volumetric approach with three saved profiles. It's built for repeatability and ease of use, less for manual pressure profiling. What suits you depends on what you're after – our view is one of many.
Can I see the Ligre youn in person before buying?
Yes, in our showrooms in Bern and Zurich. Financing is possible, and a private barista course is included with the purchase. The course is for up to two people from the same household or company attending together and must take place within one month of the machine's delivery – after that, the entitlement expires. Get in touch with us for the course and we'll find a date together.
As a coffee roastery, we see the youn as an inviting way to make the daily ritual beautiful. A full-bodied roast like Cozy Chocolate or Nutty Delight goes especially well with the volumetric profiles. This is our recommendation, one of many.
