BUYING GUIDE

Buying Guide: Frequently Asked Questions

Buying equipment isn't a technical decision. It's a question of lifestyle. What kind of coffee do you want to drink? How do you want to prepare it? What brings you joy? What you read here is our opinion, one of many in the coffee world. There is no ultimate truth when it comes to choosing equipment. Everyone has to find out what works for them. The only thing that matters: The coffee has to taste good to you.

Before you delve deeper: In our sensory world with interactive simulators, you can risk-free try out how machines, grinders, water, and other variables affect your coffee. Playful, sensory, understandable. This is often the quickest way to figure out what you really want.

Which espresso machine is right for me?

The honest answer: The one that makes you happy to turn it on every morning. An espresso machine is more than a kitchen appliance. It's part of your daily life, your ritual, your kitchen. Before you think about technical data, ask yourself a different question: What kind of coffee moment do you want to have?

Do you want to calmly pull a deliberate espresso in the morning, where you control every step yourself? Then a manual machine from Flair Espresso might be just right. The ritual with the lever, the deceleration, the craftsmanship.

Do you want consistently great espresso and cappuccino at the push of a button, without much thought? Then check out machines from Profitec, ECM, or Rocket. Solidly built, proven, they simply do their job.

Do you want to extract the maximum sensory potential from every bean, with full control over temperature and pressure? Then the path leads to machines from La Marzocco or Arkel. Their saturated group heads deliver a flavor profile that is more refined and complex than what a classic E61 group head produces, regardless of whether it is installed in a single boiler, heat exchanger, or dual boiler.

Or do you just want a beautiful machine that sits in your kitchen and makes you happy even before you drink the first coffee? That's also a perfectly good reason. Try our simulators or visit our showroom in Bern or Zurich and find out which machine feels right for you.

What is the difference between single boiler, heat exchanger, and dual boiler?

Single boiler, heat exchanger, and dual boiler describe how the machine heats its water. This affects the workflow, but it says little about whether you'll like the coffee in the end. A single boiler isn't worse than a dual boiler. It's different. And a dual boiler doesn't automatically make you a better barista.

A single boiler has one boiler. You switch between brewing and steaming. This takes a moment longer, but some appreciate precisely this deliberate, sequential process. A heat exchanger allows simultaneous brewing and steaming via a heat exchanger. Practical if you regularly prepare milk drinks. A dual boiler has two separate heating systems for maximum temperature control.

But here's the point that is often overlooked: The group head influences the taste more than the heating system. A machine with a saturated group head, like those used by La Marzocco or Arkel, delivers a refined, aromatic result. This is due to the thermal mass and stability of the group head itself. A classic E61 group head, whether in a single boiler, heat exchanger, or dual boiler, has a different character. Not worse, just different. Learn more in our deep dive into heating systems and our group head comparison. These are our observations; others see it differently, and that's equally valid.

Which coffee grinder is right for me?

Again, it's less about specifications and more about how you experience coffee. A grinder needs to fit into your daily life and bring you joy. Whether you meditate over hand grinding in the morning or want ready-to-use grounds in three seconds at the push of a button, both are correct.

Hand grinders from Comandante, Timemore, or Varia are quiet, compact, and deliver excellent grind quality. The process of grinding becomes part of the ritual. For many, that's precisely the appeal. And for travel, a hand grinder is unbeatable.

Electric grinders from Eureka, Mazzer, Fiorenzato, or Mahlkönig offer convenience and speed. Ideal if you prepare multiple drinks in the morning or simply want no hassle. Those who are passionate about design and sensory experience will find grinders from Option-O and Weber Workshops that are both precision instruments and design objects.

Our honest recommendation: Spend at least as much on the grinder as on the machine, if not more, that's a bit exaggerated :) The grinder has an enormous influence on the taste in the cup. But that's our experience, not a law. In our grinder simulators, you can playfully understand how grind size and particle distribution change the taste. Or come by and grind some beans with different grinders in our showroom. You will taste and feel the difference.

Do I really need a separate coffee grinder?

Yes, and this is perhaps the only point on which we are truly convinced. Pre-ground coffee loses a large part of its aromas within minutes. What comes out of the package has already lost significant complexity and vibrancy. A separate grinder changes everything: the aroma during grinding, the freshness in the cup, the ability to adjust the grind size to each bean and each day.

Machines with integrated grinders are a possible starting point. But once you've experienced the difference a separate grinder makes, you won't want to go back. Our coffee grinder assortment covers the entire spectrum, from compact hand grinders to precision instruments.

What does a good home barista setup cost?

There's great coffee in every price range. The most expensive setup isn't automatically the best for you. It's about what fits your life.

A manual machine from Flair Espresso and a hand grinder from Comandante or Varia already deliver excellent espresso. The experience is conscious, handcrafted, unhurried. Perfect if you love the ritual.

A machine from Profitec, ECM, or Rocket with an electric grinder from Eureka or Fiorenzato brings you daily consistency and convenience. Reliable espresso and cappuccino, every morning.

Machines from La Marzocco or Arkel combined with a grinder from Option-O or Weber Workshops offer maximum sensory control and equipment that is also a design object. For all who are passionate about it.

Each of these paths is equally valid. What matters is not the price, but whether the coffee tastes good to you and the process brings you joy. Try our simulators to experience how the different components interact. Or book a consultation appointment in the showroom.

Hand grinder or electric grinder?

This is not a question of better or worse. It's a question of your daily routine and your preferences.

A hand grinder from Comandante, Timemore, or Varia is a conscious ritual. You grind for 30 to 60 seconds, you feel the bean, you smell the grounds. For many coffee lovers, this is the best part of the day. Additionally: In the same price range, hand grinders often deliver more consistent grind quality than electric grinders. And for travel, they are unbeatable.

An electric grinder from Eureka, Mazzer, or Varia is convenience. Beans in, press a button, done. Ideal if you need three cappuccinos in a row in the morning or simply don't want to grind by hand. That's also a perfectly good reason.

The best thing is to try both. In our showrooms in Bern and Zurich, you can compare hand grinders and electric grinders side by side, with the same grind, the same bean, and experience the difference directly in the cup. You can find a detailed grinder comparison here.

Can I see equipment before buying?

Yes, that's exactly what our showrooms are for. Espresso machines and coffee grinders are available at the Coffee Coaching Club Bern (Gerberngasse 44) and the Zurich Oerlikon Showroom (Hagenholzstrasse 50b).

As a coffee roastery, we use the same machines and grinders ourselves daily. We advise you based on our own experience. If you want to see a specific model, please contact us briefly beforehand to ensure it's currently in the showroom.

Do you offer barista courses?

Yes. Our workshops are for everyone who wants to dive deeper into the world of coffee, from beginners to experienced home baristas. We offer private barista workshops as 1-on-1 training, team events for companies, coffee tastings for sensory training, and latte art courses. All formats are available in German and English. Upon request, we can also come to you and conduct the workshop with your own equipment.

How quickly is delivery?

Delivery within Switzerland and to Liechtenstein usually takes 2 to 4 working days. Shipping is free for orders over CHF 60. You can find more details in our service section.

More questions? Discover our other FAQ areas: Preparation and Troubleshooting | Brands and Products | Service and Shipping. Or try our interactive simulators.