BEZZERA UNICA REVIEW: AFFORDABLE PID ESPRESSO MACHINE

A best-in-class espresso machine at a remarkably affordable price? Meet the Bezzera Unica.

If you prefer an espresso or Americano to a latte or cappuccino, there’s no reason to drop extra cash on a double-boiler espresso machine. But that doesn’t mean you need to skimp on quality. 

The Bezzera Unica is a single-boiler espresso machine with premium features like PID temperature control and an E61 grouphead. It pulls the same delicious shots as models twice its price. 

So what’s the catch? Read my Bezzera Unica review for the details.

The Full Bezzera Unica Espresso Machine Review

Bezzera Unica PID single-boiler espresso machine is a perfect entry point into the prosumer market. Its precise temperature and commercial-grade parts guarantee beautiful espresso – without the added expense of a dual boiler. 

Of course, there are pros and cons to choosing a single boiler machine like the Unica. I’ll walk you through what they are, so you’ll know if it’s the right Bezzera espresso machine for you.

How I Rated It

• Brewing Capacity
• User Friendliness
• Milk Frothing
• Build Quality
• Value For Money

4.2

• CHECK PRICE

Single Boiler Dual Use And What It Means For You

The Bezzera Unica is a “single boiler dual use” (SBDU) prosumer espresso machine with a  0.5-liter copper boiler. This style of machine uses the same boiler for brewing coffee and steaming milk, so you can’t do both at the same time. You need to wait for the temperature of the boiler to readjust in between processes. 

If you make a lot of milky drinks, this waiting time will be frustrating, and it can negatively affect the quality of your drink. But suppose you mostly drink pure espresso shots, Americanos, and only the occasional latte or cappuccino. In that case, an SBDU machine is a fantastic way to get prosumer quality at a reasonable price.

PID Temperature Control!

This model stands out from the crowd because its boiler uses PID temperature control. This is found in only a few other single boiler machines – for example, the ECM Classika – but the pricing of the Bezzera Unica puts it among the best value of the bunch.

You can set the steaming and brewing temperatures incredibly accurately from 176℉ – 212℉. This level of control is essential for third-wave coffee enthusiasts looking to explore different origins and roast levels (1). It is now well known that brew temperature is a critical variable in producing the best flavors.

I like to use a higher brew temperature, around 205℉, when extracting the fruity and floral notes of a quality light roast. Conversely, I prefer a lower temperature with a rich dark roast, which can easily go bitter when the temp is too high. If you love experimenting with specialty coffee beans when you make espresso, a PID is worth its weight in gold.

Tried-And-True E61 Group Head

On the front of the machine, you’ll find a classic commercial-grade chrome-plated brass E61 grouphead. E61 groups work by cycling hot water from the brew boiler through the group using a thermosiphon. This keeps the group hot and ensures the all-important temperature stability (2).

The Unica is a semi-automatic machine. The E61 is operated by the lever on its side, which starts and stops the vibratory pump. Personally, I prefer this tactile experience compared to pushing a button. It makes the Unica feel more like a commercial machine and less like an appliance.

This manual control also permits a low-pressure pre-infusion stage – a feature I recommend to beginners and experts. Pre-infusion is crucial to settle the grounds, minimize channeling, and guarantee the most flavorful shots of espresso.

Using The Bezzera Unica

A small display in the upper right flanked by two buttons is used to adjust the boiler temperature. Once you get the hang of accessing the settings, it’s super easy. It’d be nice to see it double as a shot timer in a future iteration of this machine, but so far, that is not the case.

What About Pressure Control?

The OPV, which controls the pump pressure, is adjustable and readily accessible. Weirdly, the Unica comes from the factory set to 12 bars. I immediately backed mine down to 9 bars, and I suspect you’ll want to do the same (3).

You can monitor the brew pressure using the pressure gauge in the lower left, which is a feature I always appreciate. Some manufacturers skip a gauge altogether in this price range – looking at you, Rocket Appartamento – and others only report the steam pressure. In my experience, tracking the brew pressure is the most helpful metric for improving espresso quality.

If you’re interested in pressure, you might be interested in flow control – a means of controlling pressure during the extraction. The Unica doesn’t ship with flow control, but it’s easy to modify, thanks to its standard E61 group. Many distributors do this free of charge, and unlike most aftermarket mods, it won’t impact your warranty.

Cleaning and Maintenance

The Unica was designed to be easy to maintain. It uses standard commercial parts that make it easy to locate replacements or service centers. Plus, its build quality is such that you’re unlikely to need serious maintenance for many years. 

The layout of the internal components is simple enough for a reasonably handy user with a few tools and the ability to Google to do some basic maintenance.

I do have a small bone to pick about the water tank. There’s no way to know the water level in the tank from the outside of the machine. Nor is there any electronic warning as it runs low. These would be great updates to a future model.

The Unica has a 3-way solenoid valve, so cleaning out the filter basket after each shot is a piece of cake. Just a quick knock should remove the puck of used coffee grounds. 

The stainless steel drip tray is of good size, especially given the machine’s compact footprint, so you don’t need to worry about it overfilling, even when making back-to-back drinks.

Steam Power Exceeds Expectations

The milk frothing is very good on the Bezzera Unica, especially for an SBDU machine at this price. Because of the boiler’s distinct narrow design and 1300 Watt heating element, plus the ability to set the PID controller to a high temperature, you can get an impressive amount of steam pressure if you’re so inclined.

The Unica has a multidirectional steam wand that comes with a nicely balanced two-hole tip. It uses a joystick control, which is ideal for quickly switching the steam function on and off or producing short bursts. There is no separate hot water wand, but you can use the wand to dispense hot water for the tea or Americano drinkers in your home.

Bezzera Never Skimps On Build Quality

Bezzera is one of the oldest Italian manufacturers of coffee machines, existing for well over a century (4). Italians take espresso very seriously, so no company would survive that long without delivering exceptional quality. 

The exterior is a beautiful mirror-finish stainless steel. The joystick knob, E61 lever, and portafilter handle all come standard with black plastic but can be upgraded to rosewood for a small fee, which is a stunning aesthetic choice.

It’s quite a compact machine, another perk of the SBDU design. At 17″ deep by 15″ tall by a slender 10″ wide, it’s an excellent option for smaller kitchens. That said, it’s no lightweight. It still weighs over 40 pounds, which indicates the quality of components. Once preheated, the top surface serves as an effective passive cup warmer.

You get both a single and dual spout portafilter for accessories, which is great at this price. A lot of brands will opt for a double spout only. You also get single-shot and double-shot baskets, as well as a blind filter for backflushing. 

Sadly, you get the typical cheap plastic tamper. Do yourself a favor and replace it with a heftier metal one ASAP.

Best-In-Class Value

I’m always pleasantly surprised by the pricing of Bezzera espresso machines. They’re consistently at least a few hundred dollars less than I expect – and than their competitors. I assume this is because they keep their manufacturing entirely in-house.

The Unica retails under $1400 and can often be found on sale. In my experience, single boiler PID machines with an E61 group can easily surpass $1500. For example, two obvious competitors are the ECM Classika ($1600) and the Quick Mill Alexia Evo ($1550).

Don’t Buy the Bezzera Unica If…

• You regularly make back-to-back milk drinks – This is the biggest reason to skip an SBDU machine. If lattes and cappuccinos are a regular occurrence, opt for a model that can steam milk and pull a shot simultaneously. You’ll pay a bit more, but it will be worth it to improve your workflow and drink quality.
  
  Bezzera makes a fantastic heat exchanger machine, the BZ10, and a beautiful double boiler, the Matrix DE, that are well worth a look. Or, for a real showpiece, check out our Bezzera Strega review for a machine with an eye-catching manual lever.

• The PID isn’t important to you – If you’re not interested in experimenting with different coffees, you can save a lot of money by buying a more basic single boiler. For example, check out my Bezzera New Hobby espresso machine review for an entry-level model with incredible bang for your buck.

• You’re looking at different brands – If you’re in the market for a prosumer espresso maker with a small footprint and want to expand your search beyond the Bezzera brand, there are plenty of excellent options. The ECM Classika and Quick Mill Alexia Evo are two well-regarded SBDU machines with PIDs. Or check out the Rocket Appartamento or Lelit Mara for an equally compact HX machine.

The Verdict

The Bezzera Unica is a fantastic espresso machine, especially given its low price. 

With the PID, E61 group, and Bezzera’s legendary build quality, you get everything you need to pull the perfect shot. As long as you’re not looking to make a string of lattes, this compact model will serve you very well.

CHECK PRICE