Expert Comparison: Ascaso Steel UNO Espresso Machine vs Ascaso Dream Home Espresso Machine

Published on 02/13/2024 · 5 min readCompare Ascaso Steel UNO Espresso Machine and Ascaso Dream Home Espresso Machine. Get expert insight below!
John Child, Coffee Expert
Eric T, Coffee Expert
FR
Contributed By Coffee Expert John Child, Eric T, Forrest Regan, Janelle G., Caleb Ogren and others

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Side by side comparison

Ascaso Steel UNO Espresso Machine
Ascaso Dream Home Espresso Machine
Price
$1,595.00
from:$1,445.00
Color options
+ 5
The Curated Take

Best for beginners due to its easy setup, use, and great milk frothing.

Best for both beginners and experienced baristas seeking consistent, high-quality espresso.

User rating
--
5(1)
Housing material
Carbon steel, Stainless steel
Aluminum
Features
Auto shut off, Cup warmer, Cup tray, Pod friendly, Solenoid valve
Auto shut off, Cup warmer, Cup tray, Pod friendly, Solenoid valve, Pressure gauge (boiler)

In the world of espresso machines, the Ascaso Steel UNO and the Ascaso Dream Home Espresso Machine are two strong contenders. Both machines are designed with the home barista in mind, offering a range of features that allow for customization and control over your espresso. The UNO is a semi-professional machine with a vintage-industrial design, while the Dream Home is a stylish, user-friendly machine with a modern aesthetic. Both machines have their strengths and weaknesses, and the best choice for you will depend on your specific needs and preferences.

The Ascaso Steel UNO Espresso Machine is a semi-professional machine that offers a unique, vintage-industrial design. It's designed in a powder-coated carbon steel and polished stainless steel housing, giving it a sleek and professional look. The UNO features a range of professional upgrades, including improved volumetric controls, professional sizing among components, pressure valves and gauges, and better insulations.

The UNO's new PID also features an offset control, pre-infusion, power-saving modes, and single or double shot programming. The integrated Electronic Group Temperature control allows users to adjust temperatures in one-degree increments, which are digitally displayed. This machine also includes an adjustable overpressure valve, electronic steam control, and volumetric controls that make repetition and consistency easier.

However, the UNO is not ideal for those who need lots of back-to-back milk steaming, or who want to steam and pull shots simultaneously. It also has a relatively small water reservoir, which needs to be refilled often if used for more than two people.

The Ascaso Steel UNO PID is a great entry level espresso machine for anyone looking for a high quality, easy to use, and aesthetically pleasing machine. It offers a fast heat up time (around 3 mins), perfect for anyone who needs their coffee ASAP when they get up.

John Child
Coffee Expert

The Ascaso Dream Home Espresso Machine is a stylish and user-friendly machine that's perfect for both beginners and experienced baristas. It features a sleek and modern aesthetic, making it a stylish addition to any kitchen. The Dream Home machine is designed with a thermoblock heating system, which allows for quick and efficient heating, reducing wait time between shots.

This machine also features a digital PID control, which ensures precise temperature control for optimal espresso extraction. It comes with a 5-year warranty, providing peace of mind and assurance of a high-quality product. The Dream Home machine also includes a pressurized, non-pressurized, bottomless, and ESE soft pod portafilter, offering versatility for different brewing preferences.

However, this machine is not ideal for someone who wants a super programmable and hands-off experience. It requires a more hands-on approach, which may not be suitable for everyone.

Beautiful to looks at, and performs beautifully too! The Dream has a professional size portafilter basket (58mm), a fast heat up time, a beautiful steam wand, and other fun features like infusion. Live your coffee Dream! You will need a high quality grinder to really make this machine sing.

Eric T
Coffee Expert

Similarities

Both the Ascaso Steel UNO and the Ascaso Dream Home Espresso Machine are designed with the home barista in mind. They both offer a range of features that allow for customization and control over your espresso. Both machines feature a fast heat-up time, making them perfect for anyone who needs their coffee ASAP. They also both offer PID temperature control, allowing users to adjust the temperature in one-degree increments for optimal espresso extraction.

Both machines also come with a range of portafilter options, offering versatility for different brewing preferences. They also both feature a thermoblock heating system, which allows for quick and efficient heating.

Differences and Who They're Good For

While both machines offer a range of similar features, there are some key differences that may make one machine more suitable for certain users. The UNO is a semi-professional machine with a vintage-industrial design, making it a great choice for those who prefer a more professional and sleek aesthetic. It also offers a range of professional upgrades, making it a great choice for those who want more control over their espresso.

On the other hand, the Dream Home machine is more user-friendly and easy to operate, making it a great choice for beginners. It also features a sleek and modern aesthetic, making it a stylish addition to any kitchen.

In terms of persona, the UNO is ideal for the more experienced barista who wants a semi-professional machine with a range of advanced features. The Dream Home machine, on the other hand, is perfect for the beginner or casual barista who wants a stylish and user-friendly machine.

Analysis on Who’s the Winner

When it comes to design, the Dream Home machine takes the cake with its sleek and modern aesthetic. However, in terms of professional features and upgrades, the UNO is the clear winner.

In terms of ease of use, the Dream Home machine is the winner, with its user-friendly design and easy-to-operate features. However, when it comes to versatility and range of portafilter options, both machines are on par with each other.

Overall, the best machine for you will depend on your specific needs and preferences. If you're a beginner or casual barista, the Dream Home machine may be the best choice for you. However, if you're more experienced and want a machine with a range of professional features, the UNO may be the better option.

Conclusions

In conclusion, both the Ascaso Steel UNO and the Ascaso Dream Home Espresso Machine are strong contenders in the world of espresso machines. They both offer a range of features that allow for customization and control over your espresso, making them great choices for home baristas.

The UNO is a semi-professional machine with a vintage-industrial design and a range of professional upgrades, making it a great choice for more experienced baristas. On the other hand, the Dream Home machine is more user-friendly and easy to operate, making it a great choice for beginners.

Ultimately, the best machine for you will depend on your specific needs and preferences. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced barista, both machines offer a range of features that can help you make the perfect espresso. So, get ready to start brewing!

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