Brewing a fresh latte at home in just a few minutes is pure heaven for any espresso lover, and for those who want the absolute best, there’s no other option but a dual boiler espresso machine.
Having a dual boiler espresso machine allows you to pull an espresso shot while simultaneously steaming your milk and not compromising on the quality of either.
At a Glance: Best Dual Boiler Espresso Machines
Dual boiler espresso machines are great for coffee enthusiasts who brew daily and who also love hosting and making espresso drinks for friends.
We’ve rounded up some of the finest dual boiler espresso machines available on the market today and given you the best guide to finding the perfect one for you.
Quick Summary: Best Aeropress Accessories
 | Our Top Choice Rocket Espresso R58 Cinquantotto Espresso Machine |
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 | Gevi Espresso Machines with Grinder |
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 | Breville BES920XL Dual Boiler Espresso Machine |
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 | Rancilio Silvia Pro X Espresso Machine |
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 | Lelit Bianca Espresso Machine |
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Our 5 Best Dual Boiler Espresso Machine Recommendations
Our Top Pick – Rocket Espresso R58 Cinquantotto Espresso Machine
Rocket Espresso Milano is dedicated to bringing high-quality espresso machines to the average consumer.
Although the price point is high, this handmade prosumer machine is well worth the investment and will last you years with proper care.
The R58 Cinquantotto is a beautiful espresso machine that is both retro and stylish. With a shiny stainless steel coating, this espresso machine is primarily controlled with levers and knobs that are accented with black coating while also having a touch screen detachable pod.
With PID temperature control, Rocket boasts that the Cinquantotto has “unprecedented levels of temperature stability”, which is backed up by consumers as being accurate.
It also features an automatic power-on time that can be programmed for seven days, twice a day. This allows you to wake up to a machine that’s heated and ready to use, even if your coffee time is at a different time each day.
The PID control also includes a shot timer, temperature readings of both boilers, and controls for switching between the water reservoir and plumbing water.
Being a prosumer machine, you can connect both plumbing and draining to your kitchen sink, making upkeep and cleaning much easier. If not plumbed, the water reservoir is 2.5 L which is very sizable and can make several drinks before needing to be refilled.
Rocket uses a rotary pump that is not only very quiet but built to last. Each of their espresso machines is built by hand in Italy and has a three-year warranty, making it a secure purchase that will last a long time.
Best Budget Pick – Gevi Espresso Machines with Grinder
For those looking for the most affordable option – Gevi is the way to go.
This machine is more than just an espresso machine, instead, it’s the whole package with grinder and tamper included. It’s really the perfect deal!
Gevi’s grinder is a stainless steel conical burr grinder that has a portafilter cradle, making it easy to start your brew hands-free. The conical burr has a detachable upper blade, making it easy to remove and clean without having to dial in your espresso again.
There are 31 grind settings and the hopper, which has a tight sealing lid to preserve the freshness of the beans, holds 250 grams of beans.
You can manually dose your beans or use one of the preprogrammed one or two-shot doses available. Gevi includes three portafilter sizes, ranging from one dose to a long brew size.
With a dual boiler system, you can brew your espresso and use the milk steamer available at the same time. This espresso machine is not plumbable, but with a nearly 3 L removable water reservoir, you can make several drinks before needing to refill.
Gevi includes several pre-infusion options for brewing while also having programmable one and two-dose brew times, or a manual option.
Temperature is monitored and controlled through a PID system and the pressure gauge lets you see and control the pressure of each shot.
Other features included in Gevi’s dual boiler espresso machine are the removable drip tray, the stainless steel tamper, and milk jug included in your purchase, and the ability to use your steamer as a hot water dispenser.
So what’s the catch with this seemingly all-inclusive espresso machine? Overall, it’s a great machine we highly recommend. However, Gevi is not an espresso machine manufacturer specifically and these machines are made in China with cheaper materials.
Gevi offers a one-year limited warranty and, with proper care, cleaning, and maintenance, you should get a few years’ use out of this espresso machine, but it’s not on-par quality with a handmade Italian espresso machine.
Great quality, convenient, and all-inclusive, but purchase knowing you may need a replacement within a few years.
Breville BES920XL Dual Boiler Espresso Machine
Breville has made an excellent mid-level dual boiler espresso machine that is perfect for the at-home barista that loves quality but doesn’t need total control.
With a matte stainless steel casing, LCD display screen, and buttons for programming, this espresso machine has a classic look that is easy to use. You can use the preprogrammed one and two-shot settings, or manually brew your shots.
With PID temperature control, you can adjust the water or steam wand temperature if desired. With a pre-infusion setting and pressure control, the espresso shots are even and consistent once you’ve dialed in your grind.
The steam wand is powerful and consistent, making beautiful microfoam in the provided 16 oz stainless steel pitcher.
Although the Breville doesn’t have a grinder like the Gevi, it does include a built-in tamper that fits perfectly with the 58mm portafilter, which has both single and double-shot size baskets.
With a 2.5 L water tank that is removable from the top of the machine, you can make several drinks before needing to refill. It’s important to clean and maintain your machine, especially with more frequent use.
Breville has a two-year limited warranty and is known for having great customer service. On average these machines last 5-7 years if properly maintained and serviced.
Rancilio Silvia Pro X Espresso Machine
This fantastic dual boiler espresso machine is on basically all of our espresso machine recommendation lists because it’s just that good.
With a more industrialized look, this espresso machine is efficient at what it does while also being small and compact.
The 58 mm portafilter holds a 9 or 17-gram basket so you can do a single or double shot of espresso. It only takes a few minutes for the machine to heat up, but with a programmable auto-on setting you’re able to wake up to a warmed-up and ready-to-go machine.
Although not plumbable, the water reservoir holds the standard 2.5 L with the steam boiler having the capacity to hold 1 full liter. Temperature control is maintained by a PID system that keeps both boilers at optimum brewing and steaming temperatures.
Rancilio introduced a new Variable Soft Infusion feature that allows a gentle soaking of the puck for the first 6 seconds of brewing, allowing any imperfections to be smoothed out.
The water then ramps up to its normal brewing pressure that is maintained throughout the rest of the brew and which you can see by the pressure gauge below the group head.
The interface system is super simple and straightforward with buttons for brewing different doses, temperature control, and the steaming system.
Overall this is a great quality machine great for mid-level baristas who enjoy tinkering with their espresso brewing but also like consistency.
For the Espresso Enthusiast – Lelit Bianca Espresso Machine
Lelit Bianca Espresso Machine
Bianca is an espresso machine without compromises with an E61 group head, manual control of the water flow and dual boiler. It has been created for those expert baristas that know how to get the best out of every coffee. Designed and made in Italy, the Bianca is the bright star among Lelit espresso machines.
Lastly, we have the Bianca Espresso machine brought to you by Lelit, a manufacturer that makes high-end espresso machines. The Bianca is a beautiful machine that’s wrapped in a shiny stainless steel casing with wooden accents.
This espresso machine is perfect for the at-home barista who wants the utmost control over their extraction.
The Bianca lets you do it all with the flow control valve that allows you to control the pressure throughout the entire shot. You can experiment with slow pre-infusion and late extraction pressure reduction.
The dual boiler allows for both the steamer and group head to work simultaneously and temperatures can be controlled with the Lelit Control Center which is a PID system. With the LCC, you can program your shot extraction times to get the perfect repeat of your own unique flavor profile setting.
The Bianca is fully plumbable and drainable, although also convertible with a 2.5 L water reservoir. It is on the larger size, being just under a foot in width and almost 16 inches tall, making it quite a statement appliance in any kitchen.
With a one-year warranty for parts and labor, the Bianca should last you years with proper care and maintenance. It’s a very well-made machine that gives any at-home barista a dreamy espresso experience.
Product Comparisons
We know having the specs laid out all together can be helpful, so we’ve put them all together for you to compare and see side by side.
| Rocket | Gevi | Breville | Rancilio | Lelit | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Measurements (WxDxH) | 17 x 22.75 x 17 inches | 12.67 x 13.66 x 16.14 inches | 14.7 x 14.8 x 14.7 inches | 10 x 16.5 x 15.2 inches | 11.5 x 16 x 15.75 inches |
| Temperature Control | Touchscreen PID | PID Temperature Control | PID Temperature Control | PID Temperature Control | PID Temperature Control |
| Pre-infusion Feature | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Auto On | Yes | No | No | Yes | No |
| Auto Shut-Off | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Water Source | Convertible | Water Reservoir | Water Reservoir | Water Reservoir | Convertible |
| Reservoir Size | 2.5 L | 2.8 L | 2.5 L | 1 L | 2.5 L |
| Portafilter Size | 58 mm | 58 mm | 58 mm | 58 mm | 58 mm |
| Casing Material | Stainless Steel | Stainless Steel | Stainless Steel | Stainless Steel | Stainless Steel & Wood |
| Warranty | 3 Years Parts and Labor | 1 Year | 2 Year Limited | 1 Year | 1 Year Parts and Labor |
What To Consider Before Buying a Dual Boiler Espresso Machine
All five recommendations are excellent choices, depending on your wants, budget, and space available.
There are a few things to consider before purchasing a dual boiler espresso machine, so we’ve broken down each consideration for you for easy reference.
Type of Espresso Machine
There are several types of espresso machines – manual, semi-automatic, and super-automatic. Most dual boiler machines are manual or semi-automatic, allowing you to have control of most or all elements of the brewing process.
Prosumer espresso machines are a different way of categorizing espresso machines and refer to the number of commercial features included in a given model. Elements like being plumbable or drainable are considered prosumer features.
Having a prosumer dual boiler espresso machine is the closest experience you can get to having a full café experience at home without installing an industrialized espresso machine.
They are top of the price chart and often on the larger size, but absolutely worth it if you brew multiple times a day or enjoy entertaining.
Size of Espresso Machine
Dual boiler espresso machines are definitely on the larger and heavier side, although there are a few compact versions like the Rancilio.
You’ll want to consider the space you have available in your kitchen or coffee corner. Be sure you can access the water reservoir easily without needing to move the machine; most are accessible and removable from the top of the machine.
If you get a plumbable espresso machine, consider where you can access water flow to install the plumbing.
Water Source
Using fresh water is always optimum for the best espresso, and having a plumbable machine is going to give you the freshest water source possible.
Plumbable machines are at the highest price-end, but not only do they make your espresso that much fresher, they also make cleaning and maintenance significantly less work.
Maintenance and Life Span
Espresso machines are quite a financial investment, especially the more complex and efficient machines.
Ideally, this investment will last you years and lots of use. But that’s not possible without regular cleaning and maintenance of your machine.
Be sure to look into the cleaning and upkeep required to keep your machine running smoothly. Some espresso machine models have features that will alert you when they need cleaning or descaling.
Temperature Control
All of the recommended dual boiler espresso machines listed have a PID temperature control system, which is pretty standard for this level of espresso machines.
But if you’re the type of barista who likes total control, check whether the temperature can easily be adjusted or not.
Some espresso machines will allow you to easily control the temperature of both water and steamer, while others give very little or no room for adjusting temperatures.
FAQ
You should have a good idea by now of all the things to consider when purchasing a dual boiler machine, but for any lingering questions, we’ll answer them here.
What Is a Prosumer Espresso Machine?
Prosumer espresso machines are high-end consumer espresso machines that have commercial features such as plumbing and full temperature control.
They allow for maximum control and quality, while not being a fully commercialized setup as seen in a café. It’s the professional and consumer experience combined – prosumer.
What’s the Difference Between Manual, Semi-Automatic, or Automatic?
Automatic and Super Automatic espresso machines operate with the press of a button, needing little to no effort from a consumer.
Manual espresso machines are powered with pressure from you, utilizing a lever method. Semi-automatic espresso machines utilize a pump for pressure, but still have several elements that need to be manually performed by consumers.
How Does a Double Boiler Espresso Machines Work?
Espresso machines with double boilers allow you to adjust and control the temperature of your steamer and water separately.
This allows you to steam milk and pull a shot simultaneously without compromising the quality of either.
Having this feature allows for several drinks to be made back to back, making it great for larger households and those who entertain regularly.
What Is a Boiler on an Espresso Machine?
The boiler heats the water in an espresso machine. Having two boilers allows for the water for both the espresso and the steamer to work simultaneously and at different temperatures.
How Long Will a Dual Boiler Espresso Machine Last?
On average, espresso machines last 3-5 years. The better quality the machine, the longer it will last.
Given regular care and maintenance, a good quality dual boiler espresso machine can last over a decade.
Happy Caffeinating!
