ECM has one of the strongest selection of espresso machines on the market, but you might be at a loss for which to pick for your home. If you're looking for a new, high-end espresso machine for your kitchen, consider the Mechanika IV, Technika V, and Elektronika II first. Each share most of the same commercial grade components and performance, but I'm 100% sure you'll know which one is for you based on the small details where they differ. Let's compare.
ECM Mechanika IV Espresso Machine
Quick Look
- Heat Exchanger boiler
- E61 group head
- Switchable water source
- Rotary pump
- Sprung valves / Joystick controls for steam and hot water
- Brew and steam pressure gauges
$3,199.00
First off, the ECM Mechanika IV Profi Switchable is a classic heat exchanger espresso machine with an E61 group head, 58 mm weighted portafilter, rotary pump, and switchable direct water line connection. Brew and steam pressure gauges flank the top of the group, and on the sides of the gauges are the steam and hot water taps with sprung valve joystick controls. The steam wand is commercial style for texturing milk exactly the way you want.
Among the three machines here, the Mechanika IV is the most straightforward. Because of this, I would recommend it for the espresso purist who values more hands-on, more manual drink crafting. There's no PID, so you will need to keep an eye on temperature stability and perform a cooling flush every once in a while. For a more compact version, check out the Mechanika V Slim.
Compare ECM Espresso Grinders
ECM Technika V Profi PID Espresso Machine
Quick Look
- Heat Exchanger boiler
- PID temperature controller (doubles as shot timer during brew)
- E61 group head
- Rotary pump
- Switchable water source
- Sprung valves / Joystick controls for steam and hot water
- Brew and steam pressure gauges
$2,974.00
Onto the ECM Technika V Profi PID, here you have what is arguably the most powerful of the three. It has all the same features and internals as the Mechanika IV (HX boiler, rotary pump, switchable water source, sprung valves for steam and hot water taps, two pressure gauges, etc.), but with the notable addition of a PID temperature controller.
Anyone familiar with PIDs knows that this is a game changer. Temperature stability is incredibly important when it comes to consistent results. You want to be able to recreate your best shots, and that means you need reliable, stable temperatures to reproduce the same results. Plus, with a PID temp controller, you can play with different temperatures by making the brew water hotter or cooler to extract different flavors from a good high-altitude coffee.
The Technika V Profi PID is for the enthusiast and the pro. If you find yourself paying close attention to small details and you're after spot-on, reproducible results, you'll need that PID temp controller.
04/28/2020
I had a few machines in the past, but as a newbie I had to learn you pay for what you get "or want." Great machine, fast, easy, has all the bells and whistles and the finish is perfect. This unit provides a great espresso!
Read More ECM Technika V Reviews
ECM Elektronika II Profi
Quick Look
- Heat Exchanger boiler
- E61 group head
- Switchable water source
- Rotary pump
- Programmable volumetric controls
- Sprung valves / Joystick controls for steam and hot water
- Brew and steam pressure gauges
$3,859.00
Finally, the Elektronika II Profi is one of the more unique prosumer machines we carry thanks to its programmable volumetric controls. At the top of the machine, just above the E61 group, you'll find an array of bright light-up buttons. These are your brewing controls, and you'll be using these instead of a traditional brew lever. You have options for single shot espresso, single shot lungo, double shot espresso, double shot lungo, and a button for manual brewing. All of the volumetric drink options are programmable, so you can pick and choose the amount of water used to brew for each.
Just like the other two machines, the Elektronika II enjoys an HX boiler setup, a near-silent rotary pump, switchable water source, joystick controls for the steam and hot water taps, and two pressure gauges.
If you want commercial quality, but you don't want to pay very close attention to your shot as it brews (or if you have someone else in the home who is less knowledgeable about coffee), the Elektronika II Profi will be a strong option.
The Best Espresso Machines: Prosumer Semi-Automatic Espresso Machines
Which Espresso Machine Should I Buy?
Before we tell you which machine is for you, let's recap. The Mechanika IV is the most traditional espresso machine of the three we're discussing here. The Technika V has essentially all the same features as the Mechanika IV, but with a PID temperature controller for better temperature stability and, therefore, better performance overall. The Elektronika II is the most convenient of the three with its automatic brewing controls.
If you want a traditional machine with impeccable build quality compared to competing machines, get the Mechanika IV. If you want a high-end traditional machine, but with even better performance, you'll need the Technika V. That PID temperature controller is a must have for anyone who really cares about the quality of their drinks, especially on a heat exchanger espresso machine. If you want a high-end machine, but don't want to give up on convenience features, the Elektronika II is a great pick. You can still brew manually if you like, but anyone who is otherwise intimidated by such high-end brewing equipment will appreciate the programmable volumetric controls.
