Coffee machines and grinders comparison & advice
Find your machine –
Without the guesswork
The market is full of options. We strive to focus on what matters most. Here you'll find honest comparisons of our top machines and grinders, based on sensory evaluation, chemistry, and everyday usability.
Would you like more such comparisons? Write to us.
Still unsure where to start? Our machine advisor and grinder advisor ask about taste, look and everyday life rather than the spec sheet – and suggest suitable models (currently in German). After that, we're happy to help you further in person.
La Marzocco: Micra vs. Mini R vs. GS3
The ultimate comparison of Florentine icons. Which dual boiler suits your workflow? We analyze temperature stability, heat-up time, and features like Brew-by-Weight.
Varia Battle: VS3 vs. VS4 vs. VS6
Conical vs. Flat Burrs. Which grinder delivers more body, which more clarity? A deep dive into the world of single dosing for beginners and enthusiasts.
The Endgame: Weber EG-1 vs. Lagom P80 vs. Lagom 01
When budget is no object and only taste matters. 80mm flat burrs in a direct duel. Who delivers the purest extraction and the sweetest espresso?
Brew Group Technology: E61, Saturated & Hybrid
How the brew group influences your espresso – from the soft E61 body to the surgical precision of saturated groups and the fast hybrid systems from Arkel, WPM, and Ligre.
Heating Systems: Single Boiler, Heat Exchanger, Dual Boiler
Discover the strengths and weaknesses of the systems – from the compact single boiler to the dual boiler with a saturated brew group. With concrete machine recommendations.
Water: The Underestimated Factor
Apax Lab Profiles in comparison. How Tonik, Jamm, and Lylac change your coffee and why tap water is often the enemy of fruitiness.
Why our comparisons are different
Many comparisons online are based on datasheets. We compare based on sensory evaluation. We're not just interested in how many watts a heater has – we're interested in whether it gives the espresso more body or makes the fruitiness more vibrant.
Feel free to visit our showrooms in Bern (Gerberngasse 44) or Zurich (Hagenholzstrasse 50b) – or start with our machine advisor. And if you'd like to test espresso machines and grinders directly side by side in the showroom, there's our Espresso Machine and Grinder Comparison for that.
Further Comparisons
For anyone who wants to dive deeper into individual brands or categories, here you'll find more comparisons from our series – from espresso machines to hand grinders, right through to the fundamental question of super-automatic or portafilter machine. As with the rest of this page: our observations are one perspective among many, you know your everyday life best.
Zuriga E2 vs. La Marzocco Linea Micra
Two compact portafilter machines for the kitchen, compared directly – different philosophies, different character, both with their own presence on the counter.
ECM vs. Rocket vs. Profitec
Three names you'll find in almost every specialty shop. We look at brew group, build quality, and workflow, so you can find the brand that fits your ritual.
Arkel Coast vs. Tide
Two dual boilers from Porto with a saturated brew group – the difference lies, among other things, in the pump. We show you what that means for your espresso.
ECM Puristika – The Espresso Machine Without Steam
A single boiler with no steam generation at all – reduced to the essentials and entirely focused on espresso. We show you who this concept is made for.
Comandante vs. Timemore – Hand Grinders Compared
Two of the best-known hand grinders, compared directly – for anyone who wants to grind their coffee by hand, whether on the go, at the office, or at home at the kitchen table.
Super-Automatic Machine or Portafilter Machine?
The fundamental question before any purchase: the push of a button, or your own hand on the lever? We break down what both paths mean for your everyday life.
Espresso machine, portafilter or coffee machine?
Three terms that often get mixed up. We explain simply what is behind each one – and which fits what you are actually looking for.
Buying a coffee machine: which one suits you?
Before any spec sheets: how do you drink your coffee, how much time do you have in the morning, how much space in your kitchen? The place to start if you are right at the beginning.
Zuriga E2 vs. Profitec GO 2.0
Two compact single-circuit machines compared – tech, size and colours. Useful if you are looking for the Zuriga E2, which we no longer carry.
Eureka Mignon models compared
From the Specialità to the Single Dose: what sets the models apart and which Mignon suits your espresso ritual.
Hand grinder or electric grinder?
Grind time, consistency and everyday use: two routes to grinding the same bean – compared honestly.
Everything at a glance: espresso machines in the Coffee Machines collection, grinders in the Coffee Grinders collection.
