If there’s one thing Victoria Arduino excels it, it’s producing beautiful and high-end espresso machines. With over a century of experience in the industry, you can usually anticipate that each new model they release is designed well.
One of their newer machines is the highly anticipated Victoria Arduino Prima. Is this machine all it’s cracked up to be? We’ll answer that question and more in this Victoria Arduino Prima review.
Here is what you can expect to learn:
- The Prima’s highlight-worthy features and why they’re worth mentioning.
- How the Prima compares to other similar espresso machines.
- Basic information about Victoria Arduino as a brand.
- The best situations for this espresso machine.
- Prices for the machines referenced in this guide.
Let’s take a closer look…
Quick Summary
Victoria Arduino had one goal in mind when they created the E1 Prima: to design a compact and efficient espresso machine that would minimize its environmental impact. We’d like to think they succeeded. All kinds of features go into the Prima to make it user- and environmentally friendly, such as its optimized engine for reduced energy consumption and ergonomic steam controls that keep users comfortable all day long.
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Important Features and Why they Matter
Volumetric Dosing
Volumetric espresso machines like the Prima are oftentimes also called automatic. The word “automatic” explains what makes them so useful; they handle timing the length of the extraction for you.
Compare that to a semiautomatic espresso machine to truly grasp how convenient this feature is. On a semiautomatic espresso machine, baristas have to begin brewing espresso and choose when to stop. This requires them to set a timer or pay close attention to how long the machine has been going.
Since you won’t have to time the Prima, it’s much simpler for beginners to use. It also allows you to multitask while the machine brews for you.
Read Also: Nuova Simonelli vs Victoria Arduino
Optional Pour-Over or Direct-Connect Plumbing
Your espresso machine will absolutely need water to function. It can get access to the water it needs through a pour-over system or a direct-connect one.
There are benefits to either method. A pour-over model can be used virtually anywhere, since it doesn’t have to be hooked up to your water line.
On the other hand, the convenience of a direct-conned machine tapped into your water line is unmistakable. You never have to worry about the boiler running dry or having to refill a water tank yourself.
With the Victoria Arduino Prima, you’re not immediately restricted to one water system. You can choose either one, whether you want the flexibility of a pour-over machine or the reliability of a direct-connect machine.
Cool-Touch Steam Wand
In retrospect, it’s not surprising that an espresso machine’s steam wand usually gets warm. Hot water is forced through it at a high pressure to froth milk, after all.
This means that home and professional baristas everywhere have had to learn to be careful with the steam wand. Touch it on accident or while cleaning it, and you might be rewarded with a stinging burn.
That’s not the case with the Prima, though. Its steam wand was created to remain blissfully cool to the touch, so you can comfortably use it at any time.
Related Article: Best 1-Group Commercial Espresso Machines
Ergonomic Steam Controls
The fact that the Prima’s steam wand stays cool isn’t the only neat feature its steaming system has. We’d like to also point out its innovative ergonomic steam switches.
In the past, a barista would turn on the steam wand by twisting valve, then shut it off by twisting the valve back. If you do this hundreds of times in a single day, you can easily hurt your wrist.
No twisting is involved with the Prima’s steam. Simply push the switch to the turn the steam on.
Multiple Color Options
Victoria Arduino understands how to make an attractive espresso machine. They take not only the shape of the machine into consideration – they also factor in coloration.
That’s why the Prima is available in multiple colors. You can purchase it from our store in black, white, or silver.
This may seem like an unimportant detail. Sometimes, however, the addition of a single appliance or piece can complete a look you’re trying to achieve. You’ll have a greater ability to do so with the Prima.
Auto Purge
There are plenty of things you should be doing to maintain your espresso machine, but many of them fall under the category of cleaning. One example is purging the group head, which you do by running it briefly after use.
When you’re in a hurry or when you’re trying to serve multiple customers, it’s too easy to forget to purge the group head. You can rely on the Prima to remember this for you, though, since it has an auto-purge function built right in.
Additional Resource: Best Italian Commercial Espresso Machines
Boiler Insulation
The whole Victoria Arduino E1 Prima was created to be the apex of efficiency, and one example of this is its boiler. Its boiler has been insulated, which stabilizes the internal temperature.
An unexpected temperature fluctuation can ruin a perfectly good shot of espresso. Insulation around this machine’s boiler can prevent that from happening.
That’s not the only benefit to the boiler’s insulation, though. Because it doesn’t have to fight to stay up to temperature, the machine uses less energy, reducing the cost to operate it.
New Engine Optimization (NEO)
The Prima’s optimization goes beyond its boiler. Its whole system has been redesigned to reduce unnecessary energy loss in a system called New Engine Optimization (NEO).
Other espresso machines work on keeping your water heated throughout the whole machine. In the Prima, water is instead brought up to temperature again right before it enters the group.
Because it doesn’t work to keep the water heated everywhere inside the machine, the Prima uses less energy. Like with the boiler insulation, this can help reduce its operating costs.
Pressure Gauge
Glance at the front panel of the Victoria Arduino Prima, and you’ll see it has a pressure gauge where you can easily find it. This allows you to monitor the pressure of your machine at all times.
Pressure is critical to brewing a quality shot of espresso. Being able to check the pressure of your machine will tell you that it’s ready to brew or if something is wrong when it fails to reach the proper pressure.
Comparable Alternatives
Whenever we think of affordable and powerful, one of the first espresso machines to come to mind is the Nuova Simonelli Oscar II. This compact machine was created to be accessible to those on a budget, putting high-quality espresso in reach for just about everyone.
Like the Prima, it’s full of features created to be ergonomic. For instance, it has an extended steam wand that reaches deeper into pitchers, as well as an easy-to-use steam trigger for turning the steam on and off.
Furthermore, you can purchase it in two different colors: red or black. This isn’t quite as many color options as the Prima, but it still does increase its visual flexibility.
Here are other reasons to consider the Oscar II:
- Compact size that allows it to fit in anywhere.
- Cup warming shelf located on top of the machine.
- Programmable timed dosing that makes brewing consistent shots effortless.
Related Article: Nuova Simonelli Oscar 2 Review
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Despite its small size, the La Spaziale S1 Vivaldi II is a robust machine. What really sets it apart from other compact models is its dual boiler design; it has one boiler for brewing and one for steaming, leading to better steam power than single-boiler models.
It also has an automatic pre-infusion step that occurs before extraction. This boosts the flavor of each shot by eliminating tamping errors. You can even program the duration of the pre-infusion to experiment with different flavor profiles.
Another thing we love about the S1 Vivaldi II is its rotary pump. Not only is the pump built to last, but it runs much more quietly than its alternatives, so you can use the espresso machine in peace.
These are some other S1 Vivaldi II highlights:
- A fault diagnosis system that will notify you when there’s an issue with the machine.
- Ability to adjust the temperature in the group to your preference.
- Beginner-friendly volumetric dosing so you get high-quality shots every time.
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The latest in Nuova Simonelli’s Appia line, the Appia Life is an exquisite and efficient espresso machine. It can even be used in busier establishments, since you can purchase it in one- or two-group configurations.
This has many of the same ergonomic qualities that the Prima has. Like the Prima, it has cool-touch steam wands and comfortable push-pull steam levers.
The Appia Life also has a way of cleaning itself. Baristas can tell the machine to clean its own group head whenever necessary, then let the machine take care of the rest.
Here are other desirable Appia Life features:
- A reflective backplate that doubles as a mirror for monitoring your espresso.
- Soft infusion system that prevents tamping mistakes from interfering with the taste of your drinks.
- Availability in red, black, or white color options.
Learn More: Nuova Simonelli Appia Life Review
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About the Brand
With their stunning machines and over 100 years of experience designing them, it’s no surprise that Victoria Arduino is a luxury brand. The espresso machines and grinders they create are always high-quality and impressive in appearance.
They tend to be especially popular with our commercial customers. Businesses love Victoria Arduino for their ability to produce machines that are veritable workhorses with stylish flair.
What Customers Say
While we have no reviews for the Victoria Arduino Prima yet, we can tell you that Victoria Arduino machines in general are the cream of the crop. They are all meticulously designed using state-of-the-art espresso technology.
If the Prima can meet Victoria Arduino’s lofty standards, we’re confident that it can meet yours, too. We have no doubt that this is an excellent machine.
Ideal Machine Applications
The Victoria Arduino has the power it needs to function beautifully in a business setting. We specifically recommend it for small specialty coffee shops, bars, or restaurants. Because it only has a single brew group, it may not be as suitable for larger commercial operations.
If you would like a high-end coffee bar or nook in your home, it could be a good pick for you, too. It’s small and sleek, making it easy to find room for.
Pricing Information
Looking for the best prices online for the best espresso machines? Then you’re in the right place by looking at Majesty Coffee.
We’re pleased to offer our Victoria Arduino Prima for $5,990. In addition, we have the Nuova Simonelli Oscar II for $1,295, the La Spaziale S1 Vivaldi II for $2,195, and the Nuova Simonelli Appia Life for $4,000-7,200 depending on the number of brew groups you pick.
Are you still unsure about whether any of the machines in this review are right for you? Feel free to call us at 888-978-5224 and we’ll help you pick the best machine for your needs.
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Tony Barlow, with over a decade of experience in the coffee industry, is the go-to technical sales expert at Majesty Coffee. He's passionate about helping businesses find the right espresso equipment for their needs.
