I tested the iconic La Pavoni Professional espresso machine – it's a treat, even for the experts

La Pavoni is an iconic coffee brand and just one glimpse of their espresso machine will tell you exactly why. The brand was founded back in 1095 and they've been making Italian coffee machines ever since. It's the Ferrari of espresso machines: sleek, stylish, and eye-catchingly beautiful.

Over the last year, I've tested over seventy of the best espresso machines on the market and none came close to being as beautiful as this. Whilst the luxurious appearance has close to universal appeal, it's worth noting that this is a manual espresso machine. These machines are designed for baristas, passionate coffee makers, and those who want to deep-dive into the scientific process of making coffee. Kitted out with all the bells and whistles, this polished stainless steel machine can achieve incredible coffee, all by hand. 

I took this to our test kitchen to see just how good La Pavoni Professional is. These machines are designed for baristas, passionate coffee makers, and those who want to deep-dive into the scientific process of making coffee. Kitted out with all the bells and whistles, this polished stainless steel machine can achieve incredible coffee, and all by hand.

Specifications

Unboxing

Even the box for La Pavoni looks expensive. The matte cardboard finish is retro in an extremely classy way. Inside the La Pavoni Professional is a big machine with lots of delicate parts that need to be protected in transit, so I wasn’t surprised to see this packed into polystyrene. I was a little disappointed because it’s not great for the environment, but I can see why La Pavoni chose to make the sacrifice.

Getting La Pavoni out onto the surface, it looks incredibly impressive. The shiny stainless steel is really eye-catching. The machine looks like it means serious coffee business, which I love. It might be a little too scientific for some kitchens, but if you’ve cultivated that kind of style, this is brilliant.

Who would it suit?

This is made for the technical, serious coffee drinkers. If you’re a weekend cappuccino kind of drinker or an amateur who needs lots of help, this isn’t aimed at you. There are plenty of useful, explanatory features that make understanding the machine straightforward, but you’ll need to have the basics covered before diving into La Pavoni.

The process is much more time-consuming too. If you’re the kind of person who uses coffee to function rather than as a hobby, this could all be a bit too much first thing. It makes the coffee rituals very scientific and is something to take time over.

It’s tall, but when I sat it under wall-mounted cupboards, there was still some clearance. It’s smart looking, but as I said very technical.

What was it like to use?

Using this for the first time takes more brain power than most machines. The instruction manual covers four different versions of this machine, all with slightly different parts. This means that I quickly abandoned paper instructions; they were too frustrating so I looked up a video online. There is plenty of useful information available, thankfully, but you will need this use extra guidance – and to pay close attention to it, too.

Test 1: espresso

Before you get grinding on your normal coffee grinder, you'll need to either invest in a specialist grinder or buy ultra-fine coffee grounds from your local coffee specialist. Even if you own one of the best grinders on the market, you probably need to buy another one. This is serious barista stuff.

After waiting for five minutes, the machine had achieved perfect pressure. The more water you add in (max 8 cups) the longer it will take, so if you're in a hurry, add one cup in. I let some of the false pressure out, whilst being careful not to touch the hot main body, and then pulled the lever to extract my espresso shot.

This came out quite quickly and it made two faultless shots of coffee. The crema was thick and hazelnutty, the espresso was a very drinkable temperature, and they were each packed with nutty chocolatey flavors. This was a true success. I had to sweat through a complicated set-up, but once I had done that, I could see why it was worth it.

Test 2: Cappuccino

In functions, this manual machine is the closest to semi-automatic machines that I've ever experienced. The pressure built up for espressos can be transferred into a steam wand. You can then use this to froth milk like you would on any other espresso machine. La Pavoni doesn't provide a useful milk frothing jug, but you can pick up a milk frothing jug from Walmart for $10.

I tested both dairy and oat milk and this was brilliant across the board. Silky, smooth, and a little sweet, adding it to my flavor-packed espresso made for one of the best coffees that I've ever tasted, balancing out all the hard work that I had to endure in the set-up process.

Cleaning, storage, and maintenance

Cleaning this machine is easy. You let the steam out and ensure that every part of the stainless steel is left sparkling. All the different pipes and dials disguise any unwanted fingerprints really well, so this is a pretty low-maintenance machine.

As for storage, don't even think about it. This is made to be admired. It makes a countertop statement. It's also heavy, gets hot, and is an awkward shape to store. If you commit to one of these, you will have to show it off.

How does it rate online?

This machine is mostly used by professional baristas, so there aren't many relatable reviews online. People generally loved the appearance (who doesn't) and the fact that it can make speedy espressos which are packed with flavor. La Pavoni has a good reputation and if you scroll through all the baristas who use this, you'll get the evidence you need to support it.

The more common criticisms were that this has to cool fully down before you can start making coffee again and that it can overheat if you keep it boiling for too long. You have to be quick and confident to love this machine.

How does it compare?

I haven't tested many manual espresso machines that I would recommend to everyday coffee drinkers and I almost hesitated with this one. However, once you've got the hang of the functions, I think a passionate coffee drinker could learn to love it. If you've never explored this kind of thing before, I'd recommend starting with the Flair NEO. This is about 5% of La Pavoni's price and it's a great way to get used to manual espresso making without wasting nearly $1,000 if it's not for you.

The Flair NEO can't froth milk, nor does it feel luxurious, or look beautiful, but it is a brilliant way to learn the controls. When you want to progress to something more technical, La Pavoni will be waiting for you.

If you like the idea of making a countertop statement with an Italian espresso machine, it's worth taking a look at the Gaggia Classic Pro. This is a semi-automatic machine, so it will handle the pressure and steaming for you. Plus, it's available in a range of colorways, which will suit more of a range of interior styles. It's cheaper too. The only downside is that this is more of a retro aesthetic than a scientific one.

Should you buy it?

If you're a keen barista who is confident with coffee, you'll love this. If you're willing to spend extra for style, you'll love this too. However, if you're new to specialty coffee and thinking you might delve deeper into artisanal methods, it's worth getting used to some more simple machines before making this serious investment.

How we test

We take every espresso machine to our dedicated test kitchen. Here, Laura, a former barista and certified Customer Advisor, tests and makes notes on every aspect of a coffee maker. From the unboxing process to washing up, nothing slips past her. One of the most important qualities is making good coffee. We always make sure to do a taste test, so that you are guaranteed delicious coffee. You can visit our dedicated page if you would like to find out more about how we test coffee makers.