Best Profitec Espresso Machines (2023 Reviews)
If you’re a home barista shopping for a prosumer espresso machine, no doubt Profitec is on your radar. They’re known for beautiful, well-built machines at reasonable prices. But which Profitec model is for you? And what are the differences between them?
Keep reading as I detail five top options and why each might be perfect in your home.
The 5 Best Profitec Espresso Makers in 2023
Profitec espresso machines combine the best of German engineering and Italian authenticity.
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Profitec Pro 700 |
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Profitec Pro 600 |
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Profitec Pro 500 |
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Profitec Pro 300 |
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Profitec Pro 800 |
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They’re known for pairing novel technology and traditional design, an intentional choice by CEO Michael Hauck (1).
Trends, I think, repeat in cycles and then forgotten technology comes back around again.
Here are five top models that showcase the principle.
1. Profitec Pro 700 – Best Overall
Boiler: Double
- Pump: Rotary
- Water tank capacity: 101 ounces
- Dimensions (HxWxD): 16.5” x 13.4” x 18.7”
Choosing the best Profitec machine is a no-brainer. The Pro 700 is the top-of-the-line model. If you’re serious about home espresso, with a severe budget to match, it’s the one for you.
The Profitec Pro 700 is the brand’s biggest dual-boiler machine, with all the features you could ask for.
That includes a custom-made E61 group head, stainless steel boilers, PID temperature control, and a whisper-quiet rotary pump. An upgrade to the PID yields an impressive 2 bar of steam pressure.
If that’s not enough, Profitec machines are now available with a flow control modification. Flow control is soaring in popularity right now as it allows you to tease new and exciting flavors from specialty coffees (2).
The latest edition maintains the mirror-finish steel casing of previous models but has some gorgeous aesthetic upgrades. You’ll find eye-catching black pressure gauges, revamped branding, and chrome-capped knobs.
Learn more in our Profitec Pro 700 review.
2. Profitec Pro 600 – Best Double Boiler
Boiler: Double
- Pump: Vibration
- Water tank capacity: 101 ounces
- Dimensions (HxWxD): 15.6” x 12” x 17.7”
At first glance, it’s hard to distinguish between the Profitec Pro 600 and the 700. They’re pretty similar, so the cheaper Pro 600 may offer better value depending on your needs.
Both are dual boilers with steel boilers, PID temperature control, and E61 group heads. And impressively, the Pro 600 produces the same 2 bar steam pressure. Both sport a mirror-finish steel exterior, but the 600 has matte black cutouts on the sides that some may even prefer.
The main difference is that Pro 600 uses a vibratory pump, which is louder and means you plumb this model in. Also, the steam boiler in the 600 is half the size of that in the 700. So, you can’t make as many drinks in a row. However, this allows the 600 to maintain a smaller footprint.
3. Profitec Pro 500 – Best Heat Exchanger
Boiler: Heat Exchanger
- Pump: Vibration
- Water tank capacity: 101 ounces
- Dimensions (HxWxD): 15.5” x 11.9” x 17.7”
The Profitec Pro 500 has long been a best-selling heat exchanger espresso machine. It offers an ideal combination of features and price, and its stainless casing and well-laid-out interior make it incredibly durable.
Then Profitec added a PID, and now it’s even better! The brew temperature is more accurate and has fewer fluctuations, perfect for dialing in the perfect shot.
It has a 2-liter stainless steel heat exchanger boiler, which provides ample steam power, and a vibration pump. Profitec opted to hide the PID display behind the drip tray to maintain a more traditional look for this model.
For more details, check out our Profitec Pro 500 review.
4. Profitec Pro 300 – Budget Pick
Boiler: Double
- Pump: Vibration
- Water tank capacity: 101 ounces
- Dimensions (HxWxD): 15.2” x 10” x 16.3”
It’s rare to find “inexpensive” and “double boiler” in the same review, but both describe the Profitec Pro 300. This pared-down model is compact and affordable while still offering the functionality you expect from a dual boiler, including PID temperature control.
As a result of its small size, the Pro 300 heats up in just 10 minutes as the brew boiler is mounted to heat the group passively. You can speed things further and save energy by switching the steam boiler off when not in use.
The steam power can’t match the larger and more expensive models, but it’s more than adequate. Just be prepared to wait a few seconds longer for the perfect milk texture.
5. Profitec Pro 800 – Best Lever Espresso Machine
Boiler: Single
- Pump: Vibration
- Water tank capacity: 101 ounces
- Dimensions (HxWxD): 28.7” x 13.4” x 22.8”
The Profitec Pro 800 is a unique espresso machine that will appeal to espresso purists. It isn’t easy to sum up everything that makes it so unique, so definitely check out our full Profitec Pro 800 review for all the details.
At the heart of the Pro 800 is a massive PID-controlled 3.5 -iter boiler with a dipper for brewing water. The advantage of this system is it allows true line pressure pre-infusion.
Coupled with the pressure profile of a lever espresso machine, this system produces a softer, smoother, and sweeter espresso.
The Pro 800 has a vibratory pump used only to refill the boiler, not to pull shots. If you plumb this one in, the pump never turns on, rendering this machine blissfully silent.
How to Choose the Best Profitec Espresso Machine
Not sure which of the top five is for you? This buyer’s guide has the answers. Here are the important specs to watch out for.
Boilers and PIDs
A prosumer espresso machine can have three possible boiler set-ups. To steam milk and brew coffee at the same time, you need a dual boiler or a heat exchanger. Or, if you don’t mind waiting in between, a single boiler will meet your needs.
Compared with dual boilers, heat exchanger machines are more compact, less expensive, and have better steam pressure at a given size and price. However, double boilers offer more precise temperature control.
An espresso machine with a PID rather than a pressure stat also improves temperature accuracy, especially with double boilers. Just ask the pros at La Marzocco (3):
The PID controller is one of the most impactful technological advances in espresso machines in the last twenty years.
Machines with PIDs tend to be more expensive, but they produce better results and last longer than pressure stats.
Vibration or Rotary Pump
A Profitec espresso machine will have either a vibratory or rotary pump. Rotary pumps are quieter, longer-lasting, and tend to be on more expensive machines. Usually, you need a rotary pump if you want to plumb your espresso machine to a water line. In contrast, vibration pumps are smaller, less expensive, and easier to repair. But they can be loud and, as you might guess, cause vibrations.
Size Matters
Prosumer espresso makers are big. Even compact models will take up more space on your counter than an appliance-grade espresso machine. But there are size differences between models, so measure your space and purchase accordingly. Be particularly careful about height if you plan to store your espresso macker under upper cupboards.
The Verdict
Profitec is one of the top names in semi-automatic espresso machines, so every model is a quality product. It’s all about the size, price, and functionality that fits your lifestyle. My pick, if you have the space and budget, is the top-of-the-line Profitec Pro 700.
FAQs
Profitec espresso machines are handmade in Germany by skilled craftsmen. They have been building them since 1985. Profitec has production facilities in Bammental and Mauer.
Profitec and ECM are sister companies with the same CEO. Their machines are identical inside but have some aesthetic and functional differences.
The E61 is a tried-and-true style of brew group that has been around for 60 years. It uses a thermosiphon for cycling hot water from the boiler through the group for temperature stability. The E61 group head is typical in prosumer espresso machines.
References
- Bryman, H. (2019, April 10). Whole Latte Love and Profitec/ECM Launch Flow Control Device for E61 Groupheads. Retrieved from https://dailycoffeenews.com/2019/04/10/whole-latte-love-and-profitec-ecm-launch-flow-control-device-for-e61-groupheads/
- Grant, T. (2020, July 29). How Flow Profiling Impacts Espresso Extraction. Retrieved from https://perfectdailygrind.com/2020/07/how-flow-profiling-impacts-espresso-coffee-extraction/
- La Marzocco. (2015, October 15). A Brief History of the PID. Retrieved from https://home.lamarzoccousa.com/history-of-the-pid/
