Comparison · Espresso Machines

Rocket Espresso R Nine One Espresso Machine vs Smeg EMC02 Espresso Machine

Two espresso machines side by side. They differ on boiler / heating, can be plumbed in, water tank, width. The Rocket Espresso R Nine One Espresso Machine can brew and steam at the same time, while the Smeg EMC02 Espresso Machine heats on demand through a thermoblock.

What actually differs

  • The Rocket Espresso R Nine One Espresso Machine can brew and steam at the same time, while the Smeg EMC02 Espresso Machine heats on demand through a thermoblock.
  • The Rocket Espresso R Nine One Espresso Machine has plumb-in capability; the Smeg EMC02 Espresso Machine does not.
  • The Rocket Espresso R Nine One Espresso Machine has a larger water tank (2.5 L against 1.7 L for the Smeg EMC02 Espresso Machine).
  • The Smeg EMC02 Espresso Machine is lighter at 12.7 kg; the Rocket Espresso R Nine One Espresso Machine weighs 47.4 kg.
  • Voltage: the Rocket Espresso R Nine One Espresso Machine has 220-240V | 50/60 Hz | 1600W – 115V | 60Hz | 1400W, the Smeg EMC02 Espresso Machine has 120 V.
  • Size, Rocket Espresso R Nine One Espresso Machine against Smeg EMC02 Espresso Machine: width 41.3 cm against 22.2 cm, depth 50.8 cm against 43.3 cm, height 43.2 cm against 36 cm. The Smeg EMC02 Espresso Machine is the more compact of the two.

Which one should you buy?

Pick the Rocket Espresso R Nine One Espresso Machine if…

Home baristas who want pressure profiling and plumbing capability in a dual boiler machine.

Home users who want pressure profiling and the option to plumb the machine in will find it suitable. The dual boiler design supports brewing and steaming at the same time.

Skip it if: You want a compact, low-effort machine

Full specs and review →
Pick the Smeg EMC02 Espresso Machine if…

Home baristas moving up to a real portafilter machine for straight shots and the occasional milk drink

Suits home baristas moving up to a real portafilter machine for straight shots and the occasional milk drink. The trade-off is thermoblock heating, which is less temperature stable than a boiler machine.

Skip it if: You make several milk drinks back to back

Full specs and review →

Where each one wins

Edge to the Rocket Espresso R Nine One Espresso Machine
  • Plumb-in capability
  • A larger water tank
Edge to the Smeg EMC02 Espresso Machine
  • A more compact footprint

Specs compared

Rows where they differ are highlighted. Specs are from manufacturer sources; blanks are left blank, never estimated.

SpecRocket Espresso R Nine One Espresso MachineSmeg EMC02 Espresso Machine
Typical price$$$$ $1,500+$$$$ $1,500+
Machine typeSemi-automaticSemi-automatic
Boiler / heatingDualThermoblock
Portafilter size58 mm58 mm
Can be plumbed inYesNo
Water tank2.5 L1.7 L
Width41.3 cm22.2 cm
Depth50.8 cm43.3 cm
Height43.2 cm36 cm
Weight47.4 kg12.7 kg
Voltage220-240V | 50/60 Hz | 1600W – 115V | 60Hz | 1400W120 V

What they have in common

Both record the same value for: machine type (Semi-automatic); portafilter size (58 mm).

Rocket Espresso R Nine One Espresso Machine vs Smeg EMC02 Espresso Machine: common questions

What is the main difference between the Rocket Espresso R Nine One Espresso Machine and the Smeg EMC02 Espresso Machine?

The Rocket Espresso R Nine One Espresso Machine can brew and steam at the same time, while the Smeg EMC02 Espresso Machine heats on demand through a thermoblock. The Rocket Espresso R Nine One Espresso Machine has plumb-in capability; the Smeg EMC02 Espresso Machine does not.

Do the Rocket Espresso R Nine One Espresso Machine and the Smeg EMC02 Espresso Machine use the same portafilter?

Yes, both use 58 mm.

Is the Rocket Espresso R Nine One Espresso Machine or the Smeg EMC02 Espresso Machine more expensive?

Both sit in the same typical price band, $$$$ $1,500+.

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