Upgrading your espresso machine: from your first machine to your dream machine
The aroma of freshly ground beans, the solid click as the portafilter locks in, and an espresso that flows into the cup like syrup: you have known this moment for a long time. And now the wish for more is growing: for a machine that holds every half degree, a grinder that draws new aromas from your favourite bean, a piece in wood, stainless steel or your favourite colour. Your dream machine is a luxury you treat yourself to, and with your experience you know exactly what you will love about it. So the nicest question to start with is: what are you missing today, in taste or in look?
In short: For an upgrade, we recommend an espresso machine that holds its temperature to half a degree, with a saturated or hybrid group, separate circuits for espresso and steam and, ideally, pressure or flow profiles. A new single-dose or grind-by-weight grinder with larger burrs brings at least as much. Because you buy a machine like this for many years, the nicest choice is to go straight for your dream machine. That is how we advise at Coffee Coaching Club.
Taste or look: where your upgrade begins
Perhaps you would like to taste light roasts more clearly, perhaps you wish for a machine that looks like a piece of furniture in your kitchen. Usually it is both. For taste, what counts is temperature, group, profiles and grinder; for the look, colour and material.
Temperature: the half degree you can taste
Our experience as a roastery: you can taste temperature differences from just half a degree. With PID control and a group that stores its heat steadily, a dream machine holds its brew temperature so precisely that every shot tastes the way you set it. That makes temperature your dial: slightly cooler brings out more aroma in your bean, slightly hotter more body. Ground coffee and espresso go on the scale as you do this, because we brew espresso by weight.
The group: the heart of your dream machine
In the group, water meets coffee, and this is where the character of your espresso takes shape. Our experience: saturated groups deliver the most balanced interplay of aroma and body, for example at La Marzocco and Arkel. Hybrid groups show more aroma and bring some body with them, for example at WPM and Ligre. The E61 is known for its full body, with the aromas stepping a little into the background.
Which character you like is a matter of taste. More in saturated group vs. E61 and in the deep dive on hybrid systems.
Dual boiler: espresso and milk at the same moment
Sunday morning, friends at the table: two cappuccinos, a flat white, a straight espresso. In a dual boiler, every task has its own boiler: the brew boiler holds the temperature for your espresso, the steam boiler delivers powerful steam for silky milk foam, both at the same time. Our deep dive on heating systems shows how they differ. You will find all models among the dual boiler espresso machines, and café technology among the premium espresso machines.
Pressure and flow profiles: your own curve
With profiles, you shape how the water flows through the coffee: start gently with a pre-infusion, increase pressure or flow, let the shot taper off softly. That way every bean gets its own curve. You control it with a paddle, a display with a live curve or quite directly with the lever of a lever espresso machine. In the end, the weight in the cup is what counts; the profile shapes the path there.
You can see how to guide light roasts with flow in flow profiling for light roasts, and in the pressure profiling simulator you can play through your curves in advance.
The grinder: often the biggest leap
In our experience, a new grinder often brings the biggest leap in the cup, because it decides how fine and even your ground coffee becomes. We advise towards single dose or grind by weight. Single dose is a ritual: you weigh out every dose, and because nothing stays in the grinder, you switch from bean to bean. Grind by weight is absolute convenience and consistency: the grinder grinds to the gram by itself.
You will find grinders for both approaches under single dosing and grind by weight, from Weber Workshops, Varia, Option-O and Mahlkönig for example. We are the exclusive importer of Weber Workshops and Varia in Switzerland.
With an upgrade, the burrs often grow too. In our experience, conical burrs bring more aroma, and the larger the conical burr set, the more body. Flat burrs bring more clarity to the aromas, and the larger the flat burrs, the more clearly that clarity comes through. Then there is the speed: the higher the RPM, the more body; the lower, the less. More in burr sizes explained and in our grinder comparison The endgame.
Upgrade burrs: a new character for your grinder
Sometimes the upgrade begins at the heart of your grinder. Many grinders can be fitted with new burrs, from SSP Grinding Solutions for example. Depending on their geometry, they emphasise clarity, sweetness or versatility between espresso and filter. With some grinders from Varia, you swap the entire burr unit in a few simple steps, conical or flat. That way your grinder grows with your taste.
Puck prep and accessories: refining the ritual
With the new machine, the joy of the steps before the shot grows too. A WDT tool, a tamper that sits snugly in the basket, a puck screen and a precision basket make every shot even, sweet and clear, and a bottomless portafilter shows you how beautifully your espresso flows. You can see what belongs in the basic set-up in espresso accessories for beginners, and the finer points in our guide puck prep accessories. We are the exclusive importer of Weber Workshops and Normcore in Switzerland.
Look and design: your dream machine as a piece of furniture
Your dream machine deserves to be seen. A sunny yellow, a deep blue, calm matte black or gleaming stainless steel that catches the morning light: you will find many colours at La Marzocco, for example. Wood on the portafilter, steam valve and valve knobs brings warmth to your coffee corner, and a new portafilter handle adds an accent of its own. When machine and grinder go together, everything looks all of a piece.
At a glance
| Upgrade | What changes | Right for you if |
|---|---|---|
| Stable temperature | every shot just as you set it | you want to dial in your beans to half a degree |
| Saturated group | the most balanced interplay of aroma and body | you love aroma and body in fine balance |
| Hybrid group | shows more aroma and brings some body with it | you love plenty of aroma |
| Dual boiler | espresso and milk foam at the same time | you often make cappuccino for several people |
| Pressure and flow profiles | every bean gets its own curve | you like to play with your espresso |
| New grinder | more aroma, body or clarity, depending on the burrs | you are looking for the big leap in the cup |
| Upgrade burrs | a new character for your grinder | you love your grinder |
| Puck prep and accessories | more even shots, a lovelier ritual | you enjoy the steps before the shot |
| Look and design | colour, wood or stainless steel as a statement | your kitchen can feel a little like a café |
Thinking long term: a machine for many years
You buy an espresso machine for many years. That is why, when you upgrade, the nicest choice is to go straight for your dream machine. So that it runs like on the first day, our own service workshop takes care of servicing and repairs, and we accept your machine in Bern and in Zurich. And your first machine may find a lovely second home: in the office, in a holiday flat or with friends who are just starting out.
Our machine advisor shows which machine suits you, and Jackson, our AI advisor, answers your questions around the clock. If you buy a new machine and a new grinder together, we add up to CHF 150 in shop credit* with the bundle bonus. You will find the basics in espresso machine for beginners, coffee grinder for beginners and coffee beans for espresso machines.
You can also find us in person
In Bern at Gerberngasse 44 and in Zurich Oerlikon at Hagenholzstrasse 50b, many machines and grinders are set up and in operation, and in the café they make coffee for our guests all day long. Drop by for an espresso and see your dream machine live. If you would like to test several machines and grinders side by side, there is the espresso machine and grinder comparison.
Frequently asked questions
Is upgrading your espresso machine worth it?
Yes, if you are looking for more aroma, more room to play or a new look. Stable temperature, a saturated or hybrid group and a good grinder show you new sides of your favourite bean. Because you buy it for many years, the nicest choice is to go straight for your dream machine.
Machine or grinder first?
In our experience, the grinder often brings the biggest leap in the cup, because it decides how fine and even your ground coffee becomes. The nicest choice is to pick both together; then your coffee corner looks all of a piece, too.
What does a saturated group bring?
In our experience, saturated groups deliver the most balanced interplay of aroma and body. Hot water from the boiler constantly flows around the group, so it holds its temperature very steadily. Hybrid groups show more aroma and bring some body with them; the E61 is known for its full body, with the aromas stepping a little into the background.
What is the difference between a saturated group and a dual boiler?
The group is where water meets coffee; the dual boiler describes the heating system with two separate boilers for espresso and steam. Many dream machines combine both: a dual boiler with a saturated group.
What do pressure and flow profiles bring?
With profiles, you shape how the water flows through the coffee: start gently, build up, let it taper off softly. That way every bean gets its own curve, especially beautiful with light roasts. You still brew by weight.
Are upgrade burrs worth it?
Yes, if you love your grinder and would like to give it a new character. Burrs from SSP, for example, emphasise clarity, sweetness or versatility depending on their geometry. Which grinders a set fits is stated in its description.
How do I find the right dream machine?
Start with your wish: what are you missing today, in taste or in look? Our machine advisor shows you machines that suit you, and Jackson, our AI advisor, answers your questions around the clock.
* Bundle bonus: when you buy a new espresso machine and a new coffee grinder in one order paid by advance payment; amount depending on the purchase value; valid for 60 days. You will find all the conditions on the bundle bonus page.
Written by Yalcin Akpinar, qualified food chemist and coffee roaster at Coffee Coaching Club. Updated: October 2026.
