NUOVA SIMONELLI APPIA LIFE REVIEW: LEGIT COMMERCIAL ESPRESSO MACHINE?

Is the Nuova Simonelli Appia the right commercial espresso machine to boost your business? Let’s find out!

For a small business looking to offer your customers top-notch coffee without hiring a dedicated barista, the Nuova Simonelli Appia is an easy choice. 

The Appia line of espresso machines has a well-deserved reputation as an affordable and easy-to-use workhorse, and that tradition continues with the new Appia Life. Built for the modern era, it’s even more user-friendly and has less environmental impact.

In this review, I’ll cover my experience with the Appia Life – and clarify the differences between models – to help you decide if it’s suitable for your business.

Where To Buy The Nuova Simonelli Appia Online

A commercial espresso machine is a big investment – in many cases, the biggest investment – in your business. So it’s important to buy from a retailer you can trust to have your back. I’ve personally dealt with the sellers below and can vouch for their reliability, prices, and customer service.

	Retailers
	Chris’ coffee	Free shipping 1, 2, or 3 group options available With or without autosteam options available	CHECK PRICE
	Seattle Coffee Gear	Free shipping Price matching 1, 2, or 3 group options available	CHECK PRICE

The Full Nuova Simonelli Appia Review

The Appia Life is the latest update to Nuova Simonelli’s popular line of Appia espresso machines, replacing and improving upon the Nuova Simonelli Appia II. 

There are three models in the series: Semi-Automatic, Volumetric, and Appia Life Compact. The Compact model comes in volumetric and semi-automatic options. All are available with one to three group heads to meet the demands of your cafe. As I get into the details in this review, I’ll discuss the differences and similarities.

How I Rated It

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

4.4

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The Basics: Who Is The Appia Life For?

The Appia Life espresso machine fills a particular niche in the market. It is reliable, affordable, and easy to use. It’s not trying to be the fanciest espresso machine on the market, but that said, its brewing capacity is certainly impressive for its price tag.

It centers on a stainless steel heat exchanger boiler paired with a rotary pump. I found the boiler delivered a very stable brew temperature, almost on par with a dual boiler, but it definitely took some practice to manage the precise temperature control.

It’s available with 1, 2, or 3 group heads, with boiler sizes of 5, 11, and 15 liters, respectively. To get an idea of capacity, Nuova Simonelli suggests that the two-group model is suitable for about 250 cappuccinos a day.

The Appia Life Compact is a great option for small coffee shops. It shaves about 9 inches of width off the 2-group model but is otherwise nearly identical in components and design. The compact footprint comes at the expense of boiler size. The 2-group has only a 7-liter boiler.

I think this model is an excellent choice for a low-to-medium volume business where coffee isn’t the primary focus, but quality espresso is a nice bonus.

Soft Infusion System (SIS)

Every model in the Appia Life series includes the Soft Infusion System, which, as far as I can tell, is just Nuova Simonelli’s term for pre-infusion – a low-pressure pre-wetting of the grounds (1). However, in this latest update, the pre-infusion chamber has been made larger, which increases the saturation period. 

The advantage of the SIS is that it minimizes the importance of distribution and tamping, which further removes the possibility of human error from the equation. In testing this model, I definitely noticed that it was more forgiving than many commercial machines I’ve used.

Volumetric Or Semi-Automatic?

The Appia Life is available with either automatic (volumetric) or semi-automatic operation.

The automatic option is the more expensive of the two, but it offers a really nice compromise between ease of use and barista control. Each group has three programmable buttons plus a manual button. You can program each of the buttons with a set volume, and the machine then automatically does the pre-infusion, wait time, and high-pressure extraction using an internal flow meter to stop the shot at the correct dose. 

To make things more efficient, the Appia Life Volumetric is also available with EasyCream automatic milk frothing. I’ll talk more about that below.

The semi-auto version is the base model. Though less expensive, it has all the same commercial-grade components. The primary difference is the lack of programmable buttons. The barista needs to start and stop the shot, so it requires a bit more skill and attention.

Notes On Using The Nuova Simonelli Appia Life

The ease of use is the claim to fame of the Appia series, and its reputation in this regard is well-earned. The volumetric models, in particular, are nearly foolproof to operate, but the entire series has a collection of key features designed with the barista in mind.

Ergonomic design is present all over this machine. For example, the responsive push-button controls located above the groups or the push-pull steam wand controls, which I’ll talk more about later. This is a commercial machine designed for all-day use.

The reverse mirror is another simple and thoughtful addition. I’m always surprised I don’t find these on more machines. This clever design uses an angled mirror behind the drip tray to let you watch a shot from below without having to bend over.

The Appia is known for having ample cup clearance between the raised group heads and the drip tray below. I love this design feature because it provides better visibility and more room to maneuver, not to mention accommodating larger drink sizes. I was able to pull shots directly into a 12-ounce latte mug.

Risers are included so you can pull a shot into an espresso cup without splashing. Unlike most brands, Nuova Simonelli has engineered the risers to slot firmly onto the drip tray, so they don’t slide around. These small but valuable touches make these machines stand out without upping costs.

Any of the Appia models are available with a slightly pricier XT upgrade. An upgrade adds a TFT display screen, making it much easier for the barista to program and monitor the machine. 

Cleaning And Maintenance

Most commercial espresso machines have similar maintenance needs, and the Appia Life is no exception. Use filtered water, keep things tidy, and backflush regularly to get the longevity you expect from this machine. 

An important consideration for cleaning is that only the Volumetric model is equipped with an automatic backflushing. The Semi-Automatic model requires you to do this manually. This bit of convenience is worth factoring in when deciding which model to buy.

Milk Frothing: To Automate Or Not?

When it comes to frothing milk with the Appia, we need to talk about the two different options. There are pros and cons to both, but both are perfectly designed for what they hope to accomplish.

EasyCream

The Volumetric model has the option of adding the EasyCream automatic frothing system. The barista only needs to pour the milk, put the wand in the pitcher, and press go. A temperature sensor dictates when steaming stops.

This is a huge advantage in a busy environment, particularly in situations where the baristas aren’t specialized. It speeds the workflow, and even novices can create perfect microfoam — no easy task (2). The trade-off is that this option is slightly more expensive. And, of course, skilled baristas will probably prefer the control of a manual wand.

I usually shy away from recommending more automation, as it often comes at the expense of quality. But in the case of the Appia Life, I was impressed with the EasyCream frother. It steams milk like a pro, literally.

Manual

The manual steam wands are excellent, as you would expect. Nuova Simonelli espresso machines have a reputation for incredible steam power, even in their lowest-priced home models.

The Appia’s wands have a nice 360-degree swivel and are available in either standard or cool touch design. As I already mentioned, the controls use an ergonomic push-pull system, which is preferable to knobs when working a long shift. I thought the feathering capability was particularly nice (and rare to see at this low price). This is useful when steaming small quantities or, as is increasingly relevant these days, when working with alternative milks (3). 

The 2-group models, including the Appia Compact, all have two steam wands and a hot water wand. This is not always the case with smaller machines like this, and it makes a big difference in efficiency.

Balancing Quality With Affordability

Ultimately, the Appia Life was built to be affordable. So it shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise that it doesn’t quite match the build quality of espresso equipment twice its price.

That said, it’s a sturdy and durable piece of coffee gear, and if corners have been cut to save costs, it’s not in ways that you’ll notice. It simply lacks any extravagant bells and whistles. I’d describe the Appia as a workhorse. The design might be basic, but it can consistently churn out shot after shot, day after day.

Aesthetically, the Appia Life has a basic design — which is not a criticism. It’s timeless rather than trendy, and it will fit into any space without dominating. It’s available in three colors (heart red, black, and pearl white) to suit your style, and I like its friendly curved edges. 

It’s a nice step up from the very industrial-looking Unic Mira, which comes in around the same price point. But if you’re looking for a machine to be the aesthetic centerpiece of your coffee shop, this probably isn’t the one.

Is This Machine Worth Its Price?

It’s hard to fault the price point of the Appia Life. It’s one of the most affordable commercial coffee machines on the market, leaving more money in your pocket for a premium grinder.

The semi-automatic version ranges from about $4600 to $8200, depending on the number of group heads, while the volumetric edition runs from roughly $5500 to $10,000. Plan on adding about $600 if you want the EasyCream frothing system.

Making Energy Efficiency A Priority

The Appia Life was designed with an eye to energy efficiency. Nuova Simonelli has invested in a new boiler insulation material, Drytex Thermical, which increases energy efficiency by 13% compared to the Appia II. This is paired with a few other new materials, an internal redesign, and general optimization of mechanical parts to yield a machine that now has 20% less environmental impact than its predecessor (4).

These updates are not only environmentally friendly, but they’ll help your bottom line significantly by lowering energy bills.

Don’t Buy the Nuova Simonelli Appia Life If…

• You want a machine for home use: You could put an Appia with 1 group in your home, but it’s really designed for commercial use. For something more suitable for home, check out my reviews of the Nuova Simonelli Oscar or Nuova Simonelli Musica. Both are prosumer-grade single-group machines.

• You want more barista control: The Appia is designed with ease of use as a priority. If you’ve hired seasoned baristas and want them to be able to showcase their skills, consider a machine that offers more manual control. For example, the La Marzocco GS3 or any of the Slayer models allow for flow profiling (5).

• You have a bigger budget: If you have the money to spend, there’s no reason not to choose a higher-end showpiece espresso machine for your cafe. The Nuova Simonelli Aurelia Wave Volumetric and the Victoria Arduino Eagle One both have iconic style while still offering user-friendly volumetric dosing.

The Verdict

If you’re looking for an easy-to-use and energy-efficient espresso machine for your business or coffee shop, take a close look at the affordable Nuova Simonelli Appia Life. With optional volumetric controls and automatic milk frothing, the right model takes all the guesswork out of delivering delicious and reliable espresso. Your staff and customers will thank you!

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