Notes on Espresso Machines Under £500

Introduction

• Overview of five espresso machines priced under or around £500
• Follow-up to a previous review on espresso machines under £100

Espresso Machines Reviewed

1. Lelit Anna

   • Price: £350
   • Build quality is solid; minimal sliding.
   • Dislikes:
     • Cheap-feeling water tank.
     • Difficult to assess water level.
     • Fussy drip tray without float indicator.
   • Likes:
     • Helpful pressure gauge.

2. De'Longhi Dedica

   • Price: £189 (cheapest model)
   • Predominantly plastic build; footprint is very small.
   • Dislikes:
     • Small drip tray with limited height for cups.
     • Light and may require grip to use; ergonomics not ideal.
   • Likes:
     • Removable water tank.

3. Ranchilio Silvia

   • Price: £529
   • Very heavy, substantial build quality.
   • Dislikes:
     • Water tank and drip tray indicators are poor.
   • Likes:
     • Excellent quality buttons and steam valve.

4. Sage Bambino Plus

   • Price: £399
   • Lightweight and relatively cheap build quality.
   • Features an electronic steam controller.
   • Dislikes:
     • Plastic feel; not very solid.
   • Likes:
     • Good button feedback; efficient drip tray with float.

5. Gadget Classic Pro

   • Price: £399
   • Solid build with stainless steel; convenient water tank access.
   • Dislikes:
     • Portafilter feel less premium.
   • Likes:
     • Well-made switches and overall solid construction.

Testing Methodology

• Focus on build, espresso shots, and steam quality.
• Fixed recipes used for espresso testing to maintain consistency.
• Examination on brew pressure and extraction quality.

Espresso Shot Comparisons

• Lelit Anna:

  • Sweet and balanced shots; lacking body perhaps due to the stock basket.

• De'Longhi Dedica:

  • Coarser grind than Lelit; cooler extraction, pronounced acidity; not ideal for lighter roasts.

• Ranchilio Silvia:

  • Issues with inconsistent brew temperature affecting extraction results; overall good espresso potential.

• Sage Bambino Plus:

  • Works better with proper portafilter basket; good control features but struggles with lighter roasts.

• Gadget Classic Pro:

  • Enjoyable experience but inconsistent brew pressure leading to varied shot quality.

Milk Steaming Tests

• Lelit Anna:
  • Average steaming power; compact experience.
• De'Longhi Dedica:
  • Not easy to achieve silky milk; automated wand underwhelms.
• Ranchilio Silvia:
  • Fast and powerful, closer to commercial quality; may be intimidating for beginners.
• Sage Bambino Plus:
  • Excellent results and ease of use; good for teaching.
• Gadget Classic Pro:
  • Lacks power; disappointing steaming quality.

Summary of Overall Experiences

• Lelit Anna: Good value with room for improvement in basket quality.
• De'Longhi Dedica: Decent but justifies spending more for quality.
• Ranchilio Silvia: Excellent build; may require modifications for optimal use.
• Sage Bambino Plus: Feature-rich; not for tinkering enthusiasts but solid for the average home user.
• Gadget Classic Pro: Good quality; could benefit from modifications for better performance.

Conclusion

• Individual preferences and requirements will dictate the best choice.
• Open discussion on personal experiences with machines encouraged in comments.

Comments & Questions

• Opinions on reviewed machines?
• Personal experiences with different models?
• Suggestions for modifications or improvements?

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