While designed for newcomers to home espresso, the Casabrews ULTRA Espresso Machine produces coffee that's remarkably rich, flavorful, and nearly on par with professional machines.
Reasons to Consider
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Creates rich, café-quality espresso
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Adjustable pour time for tailored brewing
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Excellent flavor extraction
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User-friendly for first-time espresso makers
Potential Drawbacks
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Tamper feels a bit light
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Pour time settings may not always save
Our team conducts thorough tests on the latest products to help you find the best fit for your needs. The Casabrews ULTRA Espresso Machine boasts a sleek design and offers customization options that even seasoned espresso lovers will appreciate.
After gaining traction online, I sought the insights of a professional barista to evaluate the machine's performance against pricier models. The results? It effortlessly brews rich and satisfying espresso.
Its stylish stainless steel finish makes it one of the top choices for quality and affordability in home espresso.
Quick Overview
The Casabrews ULTRA delivers coffee comparable to that of high-end espresso machines. You can modify pour time and temperature; however, I noticed that the saved pour times weren't always accurate.
Operating the machine is straightforward for beginners, featuring just four buttons for selecting cup size, hot water, steam, and brewing adjustments. The steam wand effectively froths milk to a creamy texture.
If you're looking for more features, consider the Breville Barista Pro, or the compact KitchenAid Espresso Machine if space is limited.
Specifications of Casabrews ULTRA Espresso Machine
Type | Espresso machine |
Pressure | 20-bar |
Modes | One-cup, two-cup, hot water, steam |
Water tank capacity | 73 fluid ounces |
Milk frother? | Yes |
Size | 12.99 x 12.2 x 10.31 inches |
Materials | Stainless steel, plastic |
Accessories | Tamper, five portafilter, single wall filters, double wall filters, coffee scoop, cleaning brush |
Warranty | 1 year |
Design Insights
The Casabrew ULTRA resembles a compact version of professional espresso machines.
The Casabrews ULTRA is designed to mimic the look of commercial espresso machines, featuring a stainless steel build that warms up in about 2-3 minutes.
Even without prior experience, using this machine is intuitive. The drip tray slides out with minimal mess, and the portafilter locks in securely, providing a satisfying feel upon insertion.
However, the tamper is somewhat lightweight compared to the rest of the unit. While it's BPA-free and food-safe, its lightness can lead to uneven tamping. During testing, we occasionally found loose grounds after tamping.
That said, making quality espresso is still achievable, and coffee enthusiasts can customize each shot to their liking.
After brewing, the grounds formed a solid puck, indicating effective tamping when paired with the appropriate pour time.
Four buttons allow users to select different modes: one-cup, two-cup, hot water, and steam.
To adjust pour time, hold the two-cup button for five seconds; this allows you to set the desired time. Start the pour with the two-cup button, and press again to stop, displaying the pour duration.
It's supposed to remember your settings, but I found that it didn't consistently retain the recorded times during testing.
For example, setting the pour to 27 seconds resulted in a follow-up pour of only 26 seconds. To ensure accuracy, it's wise to set your pour time slightly higher than needed.
The top surface heats up, allowing you to warm mugs while brewing, a feature commonly found in professional machines.
A nice feature is the warm top surface that helps preheat mugs while brewing. After 5-10 minutes, a mug placed upside down on top felt noticeably warmer.
Performance Evaluation
The Casabrews ULTRA produced delicious coffee comparable to that from a professional machine, which is remarkable for a compact device.
During testing, I prepared espressos, Americanos, lattes, and cappuccinos, using beans my barista partner is familiar with to gauge how well this machine performs.
The first espresso poured for 23 seconds was enjoyable but slightly acidic. The crema looked appealing but could've been thicker.
Increasing the pour to 27.5 seconds resulted in a perfect shot, indistinguishable from professionally brewed espresso.
For Americanos, whether brewing espresso first or adding hot water, both methods yielded nearly professional results, though slightly lacking in body.
Flavor extraction was impressive, with hints of chocolate, berry, and acidity all coming through.
The steam wand takes about 45-50 seconds to froth and heat milk, which is a bit slow, but it produces beautifully textured milk ideal for flat whites and lattes.
Unlike many affordable machines, it doesn't just introduce air into the milk.
The lattes and cappuccinos we made were rich and enjoyable, good enough for my partner to serve at work.
Cleaning and Storage
Cleaning the Casabrews ULTRA is straightforward. The drip tray is removable for thorough cleaning, and internal components can be flushed and descaled. An indicator on the display alerts you when it's time to descale the machine.
To flush, I followed the manual's instructions, running hot water through the steam wand and group head, which stopped automatically after 23 seconds.
As hot water exits the steam wand, be sure to flush it after use to maintain cleanliness.
Measuring 12.99 x 12.2 x 10.31 inches, the Casabrews ULTRA requires some counter space, but not excessively more than larger Keurig machines.
Its stainless steel design fits seamlessly into various kitchen styles, and it easily fits under most cabinets. If you prefer to store it away, be prepared to lift a somewhat heavy (13.55lbs) and sizable machine.
Comparing the Casabrews ULTRA Espresso Machine
Priced at $249.99 at Casabrews, often reduced to around $180-200, the Casabrews ULTRA is a cost-effective entry into home espresso machines compared to high-end options. It's also compact, measuring 10.31 inches in width, 12.2 inches in depth, and 12.99 inches in height.
For example, the Breville Barista Pro costs around $849.95 at Amazon. It extracts flavors exceptionally well, adjusts temperature, includes a grinder, and boasts superior construction, but it occupies more space on your countertop.
If you're tight on space, the KitchenAid Espresso Machine is a slim, stylish alternative that's user-friendly, equipped with a milk frother, and brews great coffee at $249.99 at KitchenAid. It measures 6.38 x 13.15 x 11.26 inches.
Who Is the Casabrews ULTRA Espresso Machine For?
The Casabrews ULTRA is perfect for anyone starting their espresso journey, as well as coffee enthusiasts wanting some brewing control.
Espresso purists might favor more advanced machines that offer temperature control and built-in grinders, like the Breville Barista Pro.
Next, check out our guide on the best coffee makers based on extensive testing.
