Bezzera Sole vs Smeg ECF01 Espresso Machine
Two espresso machines side by side. They differ on boiler / heating, portafilter size, pressure gauge, water tank. The Bezzera Sole can brew and steam at the same time, while the Smeg ECF01 Espresso Machine heats on demand through a thermoblock.
Bezzera Sole
Smeg ECF01 Espresso Machine
What actually differs
- The Bezzera Sole can brew and steam at the same time, while the Smeg ECF01 Espresso Machine heats on demand through a thermoblock.
- Portafilter size: the Bezzera Sole has 58 mm, the Smeg ECF01 Espresso Machine has 51 mm.
- The Bezzera Sole has a pressure gauge; the Smeg ECF01 Espresso Machine does not.
- The Bezzera Sole has a larger water tank (4 L against 1 L for the Smeg ECF01 Espresso Machine).
- The Smeg ECF01 Espresso Machine is lighter at 4.7 kg; the Bezzera Sole weighs 27 kg.
- Voltage: the Bezzera Sole has 110-120V / 220-240V, the Smeg ECF01 Espresso Machine has 220-240 V.
- Size, Bezzera Sole against Smeg ECF01 Espresso Machine: width 30.5 cm against 14.9 cm, depth 45.5 cm against 32.9 cm, height 41.5 cm against 33 cm. The Smeg ECF01 Espresso Machine is the more compact of the two.
- The Smeg ECF01 Espresso Machine sits in a lower typical price band than the Bezzera Sole ($$$ $700–1,500 against $$$$ $1,500+).
Which one should you buy?
Enthusiasts who want hands-on control of every shot
Suits enthusiasts who want hands-on control over pressure and flow with a manual lever and PID temperature control. The main trade-off is the technique and practice the lever demands, so it suits people who enjoy learning.
Skip it if: You want a quick, repeatable routine
Full specs and review →Users seeking a compact manual-lever espresso machine with thermoblock heating.
Home users who want manual lever control and a small footprint may find this suitable. It fits setups that do not require a pressure gauge for monitoring.
Skip it if: Those who require a pressure gauge for monitoring extraction should consider other options.
Full specs and review →Where each one wins
- A pressure gauge
- A larger water tank
- A more compact footprint
- A lower typical price band
Specs compared
Rows where they differ are highlighted. Specs are from manufacturer sources; blanks are left blank, never estimated.
| Spec | Bezzera Sole | Smeg ECF01 Espresso Machine |
|---|---|---|
| Typical price | $$$$ $1,500+ | $$$ $700–1,500 |
| Machine type | Manual lever | Manual lever |
| Boiler / heating | Heat exchanger | Thermoblock |
| Portafilter size | 58 mm | 51 mm |
| Pressure gauge | Yes | No |
| Needs mains power | Yes | Yes |
| Water tank | 4 L | 1 L |
| Width | 30.5 cm | 14.9 cm |
| Depth | 45.5 cm | 32.9 cm |
| Height | 41.5 cm | 33 cm |
| Weight | 27 kg | 4.7 kg |
| Voltage | 110-120V / 220-240V | 220-240 V |
What they have in common
Both record the same value for: machine type (Manual lever); needs mains power (Yes).
Bezzera Sole vs Smeg ECF01 Espresso Machine: common questions
What is the main difference between the Bezzera Sole and the Smeg ECF01 Espresso Machine?
The Bezzera Sole can brew and steam at the same time, while the Smeg ECF01 Espresso Machine heats on demand through a thermoblock. Portafilter size: the Bezzera Sole has 58 mm, the Smeg ECF01 Espresso Machine has 51 mm.
Do the Bezzera Sole and the Smeg ECF01 Espresso Machine use the same portafilter?
No. The Bezzera Sole has 58 mm and the Smeg ECF01 Espresso Machine has 51 mm.
Is the Bezzera Sole or the Smeg ECF01 Espresso Machine more expensive?
The Bezzera Sole is $$$$ $1,500+ and the Smeg ECF01 Espresso Machine is $$$ $700–1,500. Check the retailer for today's price.