If you want to serve up delicious espresso and milk beverages in high volumes without the need to switch back and forth between steaming and brewing mode, a heat exchanger machine is an excellent choice.
This group of machines functions as a middle point between the more basic ring group found on most single boiler machines and the extreme performance capabilities of a dual boiler. Heat exchangers allow you to froth milk and brew espresso simultaneously and offer many of the features and performance capabilities of dual boiler machines at a more affordable price point.
There are lots of heat exchange machines available on the market, so we’ve picked out a few of our favorites to help you narrow your choices down just a bit.
Bezzera BZ13
The Bezzera BZ13 PM is a NSF and ETL-certified PID heat-exchanger espresso machine with incredibly fast heat-up times, phenomenal temperature stability, and rock-solid durability thanks to Bezzera’s in-house manufacturing team.
$1,549.00
Just because the Bezzera BZ13 is the cheapest option on our list, that doesn’t mean it sacrifices build quality.
Available exclusively from Whole Latte Love, the BZ13 comes in two versions: the PM, which features a single brew button for manual extractions, and the DE, which adds two programmable buttons for single or double shots.
The external PID temperature controller allows you to set brew and steam temperatures in 1° increments and functions as a shot timer during extractions.
This machine has incredible steam power, heating 5oz of fridge-temperature milk to 140°F in just 16 seconds. Despite this, the electronic heating element in the brew group heats the machine to brewing temperature in just 10 minutes.
The BZ13 features joystick levers in place of knobs which can lock into place for continuous steam wand usage.
This commercial grade machine earns 4.8 stars in certified buyer reviews. It offers spectacular functionality for its price, which is significantly below many of the other heat exchange boiler machines on this list.
Profitec Pro 400
Slightly more expensive than the BZ13, the Profitec Pro 400 is the most compact machine in Profitec’s line at 9” wide. The Pro 400 features an E61 group head with automatic pre-infusion and available flow control.
In place of a PID display, the Pro 400 has a 3-position switch that adjusts brew temperature settings to match the type of coffee being used. Brew temperatures are extremely consistent, and the automatic reinfusion mode helps prevent channeling and reduces acidic flavors.
Profitec hasn’t skimped on the excellent build quality that defines their brand, despite the relatively low price tag on this machine. It’s no wonder it earns an excellent 4.9 stars from verified buyer reviews.
Lelit Mara X
$1,699.95
Similar in many ways to the Pro 400, the Lelit Mara X is an even slimmer E61 machine at just 8.5” wide. There are distinctions worth noting, however.
Whereas the Pro 400 has a single switch to adjust brew temperature, the Mara X has two: one switches between steam and brew preference modes, and the other allows you to set three different brew temperatures in brew preference mode.
The Lelit Mara X comes in a variety of color options and also can be upgraded to wooden knobs and levers. Though the overall finish quality is slightly below that of the Pro 400 (and it’s definitely lacking in steam power compared to the BZ13), the internal workings of this machine are solid and the added functionality sets it apart.
The Mara X is new, so we don’t have enough user reviews to give an average, but our use of the machine makes us more than comfortable recommending it to anyone looking for a prosumer level heat exchange home espresso machine with extra functionality at a reasonable price.
Profitec Pro 500 PID
$1,999.00
If you like what the Pro 400 has to offer but need additional boiler capacity and functionality, the Pro 500 PID is the machine for you.
The Whole Latte Love exclusive version of this machine improves on the design of the Pro 400 by adding a fully controllable external PID that adjusts brew and steam temperatures in 1° increments, allows for a programmable eco mode, and converts into an automatic when pulling a shot.
The Pro 500 PID is an E61 machine, and so has available flow control and pre-infusion.
What sets this machine apart from other E61s is the excellent craftsmanship and attention to detail Profitec put into its design—pump mounts help quiet the vibration pump (which can be loud in other machines), and all internal moisture sources drain directly into the drip tray to help protect electronics.
The Pro 500’s boiler is nearly 2 liters, the largest in this list and it comes out of the box with the same oversized, sprung quarter-turn valves found on Profitec’s top-of-the-line Pro 700.
This is an extremely popular machine, earning 4.9 stars from over 200 verified buyer reviews—an excellent choice for anyone looking to significantly upgrade their home barista game.
Bezzera Aria
Bezzera’s Aria is a relatively new machine offering several upgrades on the BZ13 mentioned earlier.
Though it’s housed in the same frame as the BZ13, the Aria features a rotary pump, which is much quieter than the BZ13’s vibration pump and can be plumbed for a never ending water supply.
Despite boasting the lowest price tag of any rotary pump machine, Bezzera did not cut corners on the Aria. It steams milk faster than any other machine listed, and, like the BZ13, features joystick steam and hot water levers and a dual gauge to monitor boiler and brew pressure.
Whole Latte Love offers an exclusive version of the Aria, so if you do choose to buy elsewhere, check to make sure you’re getting the machine you want first.
ECM Mechanika Max
$2,249.00
ECM’s Mechanika Max is the most sophisticated machine on this list. It combines the plumbable rotary pump of the Aria with the precise control settings of the Pro 500. Choose between brew temperature control mode for extraordinary accuracy of brew water temperatures and HX mode for extreme steam power.
Like most of the machines on our list, the Mechanika Max features an E61 group head with optional flow control and programmable pre-infusion, plus an external PID display for extremely accurate temperature adjustments.
Unlike any of the other machines on this list, however, the Mechanika Max has programmable power settings: set the machine to turn itself on and warm up before you even get out of bed in the morning. There are also heat prioritization options—decide if you prefer quicker reheating for high-volume brewing, or a gentler approach that allows for even more temperature control.
Like any ECM machine, the build quality of the Mechcanika Max is superb. Joystick controls, knobs, and levers can all be customized with 7 different handcrafted wood grains. The portafilters are hefty and feature angled, balanced handles for improved ergonomics.
The Mechanika Max has earned itself a perfect 5 star rating from verified buyer reviews, and we aren’t surprised in the least. It’s a relatively new machine, so there aren’t a high volume of reviews quite yet, but we expect it to maintain its high level of customer satisfaction.
The Right Heat Exchanger Machine For You
Which of these machines is the right fit for your lifestyle depends on what you want out of your prosumer level espresso machine. One thing is certain, however: whichever you choose, you’ll be getting a quality machine that brews incredible espresso and will last years if properly taken care of.
If you want more help making the right choice, our knowledgeable staff is available to do just that. You can contact our sales department at (585) 924–7170 (option 1) or schedule a coffee cast where an expert will video chat with you live to demonstrate a machine’s functionality and answer any questions you may have.
FAQ
Is a prosumer espresso machine worth it?
Yes, if you care about the ability to precisely monitor and adjust aspects of the extraction process. Prosumer machines allow you to control group head and boiler temperatures as well as flow rates so you can adjust your extractions to match whichever specialty coffee beans you’re using and produce the best espresso shot possible.
What is the best home espresso machine with flow control?
There are many ways to go about answering this question. However, based on overall build quality, availability of features out of the box, and verified buyer reviews, the ECM Synchronika could very well be considered the best espresso machine with flow control.
Of course, the Synchronika is a dual boiler machine—if you want to stick to heat exchanger machines as discussed in this article, however, the ECM Mechanika Max is the highest grade of the bunch.
Which espresso machine heats up the fastest?
Breville’s Bambino Plus heats up in about 3 minutes, which is about as fast as any machine could hope to do. That’s a single boiler machine, however.
If you’re looking for a heat exchanger machine, the fastest heat up time is found in the Bezzera BZ13 at about 10 minutes.
