Making your cup of coffee at home can be very satisfying. Home coffee machines come in many prices, and often, you pay more for extra features. But you don’t need to spend much to get a good espresso.
If you want an affordable and reliable espresso machine, get the Spector Espresso Coffee Machine. It may not have all the fancy extras, but it helps make a great cup of espresso at a very low price.
Spector Espresso Machine: An Overview
The Spector Espresso Coffee Machine is cost-effective and valuable. Its simple, stylish design makes your kitchen or cafe look classy. While it doesn't have the fancy features of an expensive model, it has a good set of essential features that ensure a consistently tasty and rich espresso.
The machine packs a 20-bar pressure pump that ensures professional-standard extraction with a hearty crema and a deeply flavourful coffee drink. The bar pressure is comparable to mid-range home coffee makers like the Breville Bambino Plus, which has a 15-bar pressure pump. It also has a simple and intuitive interface for quick and easy coffee brewing with an adjustable steam wand for milk frothing and trying your hand at latte art.
Spector's espresso coffee machine includes an aluminium alloy boiler, ensuring smooth and swift transitions between brewing and steaming. The machine's durable construction and minimalistic features make it a top pick for any home brewer. Still, it is not comparable to the robustness, efficiency, and consistency of high-end home coffee machines.
Material: Stainless steel + ABS plastic
Filter material: Stainless steel
Boiler material: Aluminium alloy
Wattage: 1350W
Voltage: 220V-240V, 50-60Hz
Pressure pump: 20 bar pump pressure
Water tank capacity: 1.4 L
Weight: 3.2 kg
Power cord length: 150 cm
Dimensions: 15 x 32 x 32 cm (L x W x H)
Colours: Black, Milk White, and Green
In the Box
1 x Spector Espresso Coffee Machine
1 x Portafilter
1 x Coffee Spoon / Coffee Press Tool
1 x Single-cup Coffee Filter
1 x Double-cup Coffee Filter
1 x Instruction Manual
The above should give you a fair assessment of this budget coffee machine before you decide. However, if you need to learn more, I've outlined the pros and cons below to help you determine if it meets your needs.
Pros of the Spector Coffee Maker
Let’s examine the standout benefits, pros, and features that make the Spector Espresso Coffee Machine shine. That is, how its design, performance, and ease of use combine to offer great value.
#1 - Compact design
The Spector Espresso Coffee Machine looks modern on a kitchen counter. Its simple, elegant design features neat lines and basic colours.
Spector's ergonomically designed components, such as its portafilter handle and steam wand, ensure comfort as you make your favourite cup of coffee. Likewise, the compact shape maximises countertop space without compromising performance, making it suitable for diverse kitchen setups.
#2 - Adjustable steam wand
Spector's adjustable steam wand makes it easy to achieve creamy, smooth textures in lattes and cappuccinos. While it only allows for a degree of manual control in the frothing process, the experience felt quite typical.
The machine makes reasonable-quality foam, albeit with a slight learning curve. The steam adjustment dial, common with espresso machines, lets you change the steam temperature and pressure.
So, whether you want a thick, smooth microfoam or a lighter, fluffy froth, Spector's steam wand can help.
#3 - Detachable water tank and drip tray
The Spector Coffee Machine is easy to clean, with a removable water tank and drip tray. After your cup of coffee, you can lift and clean the drip tray. Similarly, the water tank is easy to detach for deep cleaning. However, these functionalities are far from the cleaning ease of automatic coffee machines like De’Longhi Dinamica, which have auto-cleaning cycles.
#4 - Handy mug warmer
Spector's coffee machine includes a handy mug warmer, ensuring your brew stays enjoyably hot even during unforeseen interruptions on chilly winter mornings. While not an innovative addition, this practical feature is a nod toward user-friendly functionality and daily practicality.
#5 - Budget-friendly
While it lacks the features or quality of many home coffee machines, the Spector is a good choice for beginners. At under A$150, its value for money makes it the best low-budget coffee maker for Aussies.
Cons of the Spector Coffee Machine
There are a few drawbacks to consider when deciding on the Spector Espresso Coffee Machine. Here are two:
#1 - No milk jug
Notably absent from its accessories is a milk jug. While any small jug or mug will work for steaming milk, a dedicated jug would be ideal. For longevity, I recommend getting a stainless steel milk jug.
#2 - Low ground coffee capacity
The portafilter only takes a small amount of ground coffee and doesn't produce more than two cups. So, when you're entertaining guests and need more cups, allocate time to topping up the portafilter.
Darren Sherwood
The Competition
If the Spector Espresso Coffee Machine falls short of your expectations, here's a brief run-through of alternative machines that might better suit your caffeinated needs. Likewise, my in-depth guide on the best home coffee machines in Australia offers a comprehensive overview.
#1. Breville Bambino Plus
Get the Breville Bambino Plus for more control and functionality on a medium budget. The compact, durable, and sturdy machine is built with stainless steel and offers adjustable shot volumes and pre-infusion.
The Bambino Plus has a portafilter with four coffee filter baskets and a steam wand that works automatically once you set your preferred temperature and foam levels. However, if you do not want the automatic milk frothing, you can save $100 by choosing the base Bambino model.
The home appliance comes with a two-year warranty, a year more than what you get with the Spector Machine.
#2. De'Longhi Stilosa EC260
The De'Longhi Stilosa EC260 has a 15-bar pump pressure that ensures the extraction of rich and flavourful espresso shots. It also has an adjustable steam wand to froth milk for cappuccinos or lattes. The machine's sleek stainless steel exterior, with a black matte and glossy finish, exudes sophistication, making it a stylish addition to any kitchen countertop.
Equipped with user-friendly controls, the De'Longhi Stilosa offers a hassle-free brewing experience. The dual-function filter holder accommodates ground coffee, and Easy Serve Espresso (ESE) pods, catering to diverse preferences. Likewise, the 1L water tank and the drip tray are removable, and the unit can accommodate coffee cups up to 110mm in height.
#3. Swan SK22110WHTN Nordic
The Swan SK22110WHTN Nordic Espresso Coffee Machine packs a 15-bar pressure pump, an integrated steam wand for frothy milk for cappuccinos and lattes, and a spacious removable 1.2 L water tank.
As well as ground coffee, it also takes ESE pods and has milk pressure control. It is a rebranded low-grade machine, a little bit better than the Spector. Considering that it costs about A$100 more, we recommend the Bambino Base model for a better quality machine that lasts longer.
What Higher-End Features Are Missing on the Spector Coffee Machine?
The Spector Espresso Coffee Machine is a well-equipped coffee maker with several features. However, when compared to many espresso machines, there are features that the Spector Espresso Coffee Machine lacks:
- Pre-infusion: This feature gradually applies pressure to the portafilter to evenly distribute the beans' flavour, resulting in a better-tasting drink.
- Dual boilers: Dual boilers heat machines quicker than other boilers (e.g., single boiler), allowing you to make drinks and steam milk simultaneously.
- Super-automatic functionality: Super-automatic machines grind, tamp, brew, and everything else, making it the best choice for making many drinks back-to-back.
- Built-in grinder: Some high-end machines come with a built-in grinder for fresh coffee grounds.
- One-touch specialty recipes: Some machines have pre-programmed settings for different types of coffee.
Note that the presence or absence of these features does not necessarily determine the quality of the coffee produced by the machine. When choosing a coffee machine, consider your personal preferences and needs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions about the Spector Espresso Coffee Machine.
Can I customise the brewing settings on the 'Spector Coffee Maker Machine Espresso Cafe'?
Not fully, this Spector model is only a low-budget machine and you can only adjust the steam wand.
How does the adjustable steam wand on the Spector Coffee Machine work?
The adjustable steam wand on the Spector Coffee Machine gives you direct control over the steam temperature and volume. You can achieve a range of froth textures, from dense microfoam to light and airy.
Is the Spector Coffee Machine suitable for both home and commercial use?
The Spector Coffee Machine's compact footprint and versatile capabilities make it suitable for home settings. Still, there are considerations to weigh. Its durability and functionality will not be suitable in a commercial environment.
What makes the Spector Coffee Machine stand out from other espresso machines?
The adjustable steam wand is not something you would expect at this very low end of the price range for espresso machines.
Darren Sherwood
Bottom Line
Spector's Espresso Coffee Machine is an exceptional choice for anyone looking to enjoy café-quality espresso without overspending. Its affordable price point makes it a wise investment for beginners.
The machine’s design prioritises user-friendliness, ensuring that even novices can efficiently operate it and produce a consistently satisfying cup of espresso. Thus, it is a valuable addition to any kitchen.
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