Technical check: E61, saturated groups & hybrids compared
Technical check: E61, saturated groups & hybrids compared
Terms like "E61", "Saturated Group", or "Thermoblock" sound technical. Sure. But ultimately, these systems determine exactly what ends up in your cup. At the Coffee Coaching Club in Bern and Zurich, we always approach technology with one simple question: What does this mean specifically for your espresso?
The brew group and heating system are the heart of every portafilter espresso machine. They determine whether your espresso develops a warm, chocolatey body or whether it presents every delicate fruity note with crystal clarity. Here is our expert, honest comparison – including specific machines and flavor profiles.
1. The immortal classic: The E61 brew group
The brands behind it: When you think of a classic espresso machine, you probably picture an E61 group head. Brands like ECM, Rocket Espresso , and Torre have perfected this technology. Lelit also uses it in top models like the Bianca – tradition combined with modern controls and flow control.
How does the E61 work? A massive metal brew head (around 4 to 5 kg of metal) is kept at temperature by a continuous water circulation system. The principle: Hot water rises from the boiler into the brew group, cools slightly there, sinks back down – and thus circulates continuously. This so-called thermosiphon circuit works purely through natural convection, without any electronics. Robust, proven, mechanical.
What do you taste? The E61 is the queen of body . Thanks to its gentle, mechanical pressure build-up (pre-infusion via a spring chamber), it generously forgives minor grind errors. The espresso is round, smooth, and viscous. Deep, chocolatey, and nutty aromas come through particularly well – exactly the profile that most coffee drinkers are looking for.
- The feeling: You flip the lever – a satisfying, mechanical experience. The machine stands as a gleaming chrome statement piece in the kitchen. This isn't just an appliance, it's a piece of furniture.
- The downside: patience is key. It takes 20 to 30 minutes to heat up completely, until the massive brew head is fully warmed through. Anyone pressed for time in the morning will need a timer or patience.
2. The Perfectionists: Saturated & Integrated Brewing Units
The brands behind them: One name stands above all others: La Marzocco . The Linea Micra uses a saturated group – the same design principle as the large commercial La Marzocco machines, but in a more compact size. The Linea Mini uses an integrated group – the brew boiler sits directly on top of the brew group. Both systems set the standard by which the best cafés worldwide measure themselves.
How does it work? In the Saturated Group ( Linea Micra ), the brew group is welded directly to the boiler and open to the water tank. The water completely saturates the group – no air-water mixture, no loss of heat through the brewing process. La Marzocco first used this principle in 1970 with the legendary GS machine. In the Integrated Group ( Linea Mini ), the brew boiler sits directly on the group – more compact and efficient, but with the same commercial temperature stability.
What do you taste? Precision. The temperature is accurate to a tenth of a degree on the puck, every single shot. If you want to coax out the finest aromatic nuances and subtleties from your favorite roast, be it light, medium, or dark, this is the tool for you. The body is often clearer and more defined than with an E61, the flavors are cleanly separated. You taste individual flavor notes instead of an overall impression.
- The feeling: Professional, precise, "No nonsense". These machines say: "I'm here to work." No showmanship, just results.
- The downside: Less forgiving when it comes to puck preparation. Clean tamping and correct distribution are important – but easy to learn and not a real hurdle.
3. The Pragmatists: Ring Brewing Groups
The brands behind it: Compact models from Lelit or entry-level machines from ECM (like the Casa) often rely on this system.
How does it work? The brew group is directly flanged to the boiler, but more compact and with less mass than an E61. No thermosiphon circuit, no fully saturated system – a middle ground.
What do you taste? A solid all-rounder. Good body and consistent results, often with a slightly crisper profile than the smooth E61 group. But without the extreme temperature stability of a saturated or integrated group. Reliable for everyday espresso.
- The feeling: Functional and understated. The machines take up less space and are well suited for smaller kitchens.
- The downside: Less thermal inertia – the group head doesn't retain heat as long. The slightly "creamy" mouthfeel of the E61 and the flavor definition of the saturated group head aren't quite achieved here.
4. The Innovators: Thermoblocks & Hybrid Systems
The brands behind them: This category is currently seeing the most activity. Arkel from Porto demonstrates that a compact design and commercial performance can go hand in hand. WPM relies on thermoblock power with impressive steam output. And brand new: Ligre , a German family business pursuing a completely unique approach with a patented heating system.
How does it work? Instead of stagnant water in a boiler, water is heated "on demand"—by thermoblocks, thermocoils, or innovative heating elements directly in the group head. The Arkel Coast combines an electrically amplified saturated brew group with a dual boiler and manual flow control—the coffee boiler is ready in under 6 minutes, and steam is available after about 10 minutes. The Ligre youn takes a different approach: A patented Rapid Conducted Heat System uses flow heaters and heating cartridges in a 2.1 kg brass block. The result: fully heated in under 4 minutes, with up to 57% less annual energy consumption than conventional portafilter machines.
What do you taste? These machines achieve the perfect balance: the speed of a thermoblock with the texture of a boiler machine. Thanks to its saturated brew group, the Arkel Coast delivers remarkable temperature stability, cleanly reproducing even complex and delicate aromas – while preserving the body. The Ligre youn impresses with consistent extraction thanks to PID+ control and three predefined brewing profiles.
- The feeling: Modern, efficient, future-oriented. Ready for use in 4 to 10 minutes. For everyone who doesn't want to wait half an hour for their machine in the morning without sacrificing quality.
- The downside: The steam output feels different on some models compared to larger boilers – somewhat "drier". However, the steam power is at a high level with the Arkel Coast (1-liter steam boiler) and the WPM .
All brewing groups at a glance
| feature | E61 | Saturated / Integrated | Ring group | Hybrid / Thermoblock |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temperature stability | Good (after warm-up phase) | Outstanding | Solid | Very good (electronically controlled) |
| Heating time | 20 – 30 min. | 5 – 15 min. | 10 – 20 min. | 4 – 10 min. |
| Forgiveness | High | Small amount | Medium | Model dependent |
| Flavor profile | Viscous, round, chocolatey | Clear, defined, precise | Balanced, crisp | Fresh, clean, versatile |
| Pre-infusion | Mechanical (spring chamber) | Electronic, programmable | Simply | Electronic / manual |
| Typical machines | ECM, Rocket, Torre, Lelit Bianca | La Marzocco Micra, Mini, GS3 | Lelit compact, ECM Casa | Arkel Coast, WPM, Ligre youn |
| Ideal for | Classics who love the ritual | Perfectionists with a focus on consistency | Pragmatists with little space | Modern people who value efficiency |
Coffee Coaching Club tip: Which brewing group suits you best?
Your palate – and your patience – will decide which technology is right for you.
- Team "Feel-Good Body" (E61): Do you love classic, rich, chocolatey espresso and celebrate the ritual of its preparation? Then go for an ECM, Rocket, or Torre . The E61 is unbeatable for that rich mouthfeel. Coffee tip: Cozy Chocolate or Nutty Delight – maximum texture, creamy sweetness, chocolatey depth.
- Team "Absolute Consistency" (Saturated/Integrated): Do you want 100% reproducibility and appreciate the opportunity to explore lighter roasts with vibrancy and clarity? Then a La Marzocco Linea Mini or Linea Micra is the perfect partner for you. Coffee tip: Cozy Chocolate for everyday chocolate, Very Nutty for nutty depth – and if you want to experiment, Wild Peach will show you how precisely these machines can coax out delicate fruity notes (peach, apricot).
- Team "Efficiency & Modernity" (Hybrid/Thermoblock): You don't want to wait in the morning, value energy efficiency and still want high-quality results? Then the Arkel Coast (saturated group + dual boiler + flow control, coffee boiler in under 6 minutes), WPM (Thermoblock power) or Ligre youn (Rapid Conducted Heat, under 4-minute heat-up time, up to 57% more energy-efficient) are exactly what you're looking for.
Ultimately, the machine has to suit your kitchen and your lifestyle. Visit our showrooms in Bern (Gerberngasse 44) or Zurich (Hagenholzstrasse 50b) – touch the E61 levers, admire the design of an Arkel Coast or the Ligre Youn . Together, we'll find the perfect machine for you. Consultations are also available by phone.
Frequently asked questions about brewing units
Which brew group is better for beginners – E61 or saturated group?The E61 group head is more forgiving of tamping and grind size errors because the pressure build-up is smoother. However, it requires significantly more time to heat up. If you want to work with a stable temperature from the start and are prepared to tamp carefully, a La Marzocco Micra with a saturated group head is just as beginner-friendly – especially due to its short heat-up time of around 5 minutes.
Do I need a different coffee grinder for each brewing group?No, but the quality of the coffee grinder becomes more important with saturated groups. The more precise the temperature, the more noticeable the differences in grind size become. We recommend at least a high-quality single-dose grinder – a Weber Workshop or Varia are ideal choices.
Can I compare the different brewing groups in the Coffee Coaching Club?Yes. In our showrooms in Bern and Zurich, you'll find machines with different brewing units – from La Marzocco and Arkel to Ligre youn . Give us a call or just drop by.
What is the difference between "Saturated" and "Integrated Group" at La Marzocco?With the Saturated Group ( Micra ), the brew group is welded directly to the boiler and permanently filled with water. With the Integrated Group ( Linea Mini ), the brew boiler sits directly on top of the group head. Both offer outstanding temperature stability – the Micra reacts slightly faster to temperature changes, while the Mini has greater steam output thanks to its 3-liter steam boiler.
Roastery tip
The brew group influences which aromas you get from your roast. For everyday use, we recommend Cozy Chocolate , Nutty Delight , or Very Nutty – these roasts work on all systems and deliver the chocolatey, nutty body that around 80% of our customers are looking for. If you have a machine with a saturated brew group and feel like experimenting: Wild Peach , brewed at 94 degrees Celsius, shows you how individual fruit notes (peach, apricot) can be tasted separately – an experience that rewards the precision of your machine.
