Compare Machines


	Flair	ECM
MSRP
MSRP	$325	$1499
Skill Level
Skill Level	Beginner	Intermediate
Type
Type	Manual	Semi-Automatic
Heating Element
Heating Element	Not Applicable	Single Boiler
Portafilter Size
Portafilter Size	45 mm	58 mm
Activation
Activation	Lever	Lever
Pump Type
Pump Type	Not Applicable	Vibration
Heat-Up Time
Heat-Up Time	Not Applicable	5-15 Minutes
Brew Boiler Capacity Note: The Pro 2 requires an external source of water
Brew Boiler Capacity	Brew: Not Applicable Note: This machine requires an external source of water	Brew: 0.8L
Steam Boiler Capacity
Steam Boiler Capacity	Steam: Not Applicable	Steam: Not Applicable
Water Supply
Water Supply	0.1 L - Reservoir	2 L - Reservoir
Boiler Material
Boiler Material	Stainless Steel	Stainless Steel
Brew Group Material
Brew Group Material	No Information	Chrome Plated Brass
Hot Water
Hot Water	No	No
Steam Wand
Steam Wand	No	Yes
No-Burn Wand
No-Burn Wand	No	Yes
PID Temperature Control
PID Temperature Control	No	Yes
Pre-Infusion
Pre-Infusion	Yes	Yes
Shot Timer
Shot Timer	No	Yes
Concurrent Brew Steam
Concurrent Brew Steam	No	No
Flow Control
Flow Control	Yes	No
3 Way Solenoid
3 Way Solenoid	No	Yes
Brew Pressure Guage
Brew Pressure Gauge	Yes	Yes
Steam Pressure Guage
Steam Pressure Guage	No	No
Over Pressure Valve
Over Pressure Valve	No	Yes
Integrated Grinder
Integrated Grinder	No	No
Weight
Weight	3.2 kg	18.5 kg
Material
Material	Die-Cast Aluminum	Stainless Steel

EspressoBot Comparison

Machine Overview

The Flair Pro 2 is a manual espresso machine priced at $325, ideal for beginners in espresso making. In contrast, the ECM Classika PID is a semi-automatic machine significantly more expensive at $1,499, catering to intermediate users looking to refine their skills. This price difference reflects the target audience and functionality of each machine. Both brands, Flair and ECM, represent distinct approaches to espresso preparation, with Flair focusing on affordability and accessibility.

Brewing Comparison

Both machines utilize a lever activation method, but they differ in certain brewing specifications. The Flair Pro 2 does not have a designated heat-up time and features a minimalistic design with no boiler functionality. Meanwhile, the ECM Classika PID boasts a heat-up time of 5-15 minutes, a stainless steel boiler with an 0.8-liter brew boiler capacity, and an E61 group type, which enhances temperature stability. Additionally, the Classika PID has a vibration pump, allowing for more consistent extraction compared to the manual operation of the Flair.

Features Comparison

In terms of features, the Flair Pro 2 emphasizes simplicity with pre-infusion capability and a boiler pressure gauge but lacks an auto shutoff and steam wand. On the other hand, the ECM Classika PID offers a more advanced feature set, including PID control, a shot timer, and a steam wand with no burn technology, ensuring safety and precision. The Classika also includes an auto shutoff and a solenoid valve, underscoring its design for users seeking a more hands-on espresso experience. Thus, the Flair targets those contemplating the basics, while the ECM caters to those ready to advance in their espresso journey.

Note: Espresso Setup Chris is expirementing with generated summaries for dynamic pages (we have 10,000+ so I can't write for all of them!) If you found this useful, or awful, please shoot me an email with feedback Chris@EspressoSetupBuilder.com. May your shots be perfectly extracted and milk frothy.

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