We were really looking forward to a Sanremo espresso machine as a home machine. But the Sanremo Cube is anything but a small Sanremo Racer. Instead, it is a dual boiler espresso machine, which is also the most expensive one we have tested so far. What on earth justifies this price?
You can find our thoughts on the Sanremo Cube in two videos (short and long version) as well as this test report.
Buy Sanremo Cube R
The following specialist retailers distribute the Sanremo Cube R and we can recommend purchasing a machine from these businesses. They all offer the option of resetting the machine's offset.
Germany: [Partner links] Stoll Espresso
We search for specialist partners for you that we know provide good work and good service. We are in close contact with the retailers. These are affiliate links. If you order through this link, it won't cost you more, but we receive a small commission that we invest in new test equipment. We continue to do this and are looking for competent partners for you in the DACH region.
Dual Boiler at Dual Boiler Price
Why does Sanremo build a dual boiler at the price of a dual boiler? And what on earth is supposed to justify this price? We stand before the Sanremo Cube with this question and are somewhat puzzled.
Without a doubt: the Sanremo Cube is a very good dual boiler! It makes good espresso. It froths milk more skillfully than other dual boilers. Temperature consistency is good and so is the build quality. And yet: we can't quite figure out what Sanremo actually wants with this Cube.
Sanremo is rightly popular worldwide with its boiler espresso machines for the hospitality industry and is a major player in the specialty espresso segment. But instead of doing what other market leaders like La Marzocco with the GS3, Victoria Arduino with the Prima, Slayer with the single-group V3 have done—building a home machine based on their gastro models—Sanremo throws a dual boiler into the ring.
The competitors are called Rocket, ECM, Lelit and Bezzera. At 4200 CHF and a price starting from 2999 €—where the model with colored side panels costs a hefty 500 € more—the Sanremo Cube positions itself at the top of the price table.
Faema E61 with Design Ambitions
It is above all the design that makes the Cube special. Because solid, tried-and-tested technology runs in the background, as with almost all dual boilers. The Faema E61 principle is under the hood of the Sanremo Cube just as it is in the old Sanremo Treviso, which doesn't differ that much in terms of specifications.
The dual boiler has a 1.9 liter insulated stainless steel boiler and a 1.8 liter water tank. This water tank is smaller than many other water tanks in the same segment. To be honest, most water tanks are over-proportioned when an espresso machine is primarily used to make espresso.
The power consumption of our model with rotary pump is at 0.32 kwh in the mid-range for dual boiler espresso machines.
Those who want to own the cheapest version of the Sanremo Cube can choose from 7 color variants. For colored panels on the side, we pay a steep 500 € surcharge.
The design is, when we look at the other functions of the Cube, probably the decisive differentiating feature. And actually we like the idea. Instead of yet another dual boiler in stainless steel look, something completely different—but why this price?
The Strengths of the Sanremo Cube
- The Sanremo Cube is the quietest dual boiler espresso machine we have tested so far. It is barely audible even during extraction. That really impressed us! Really good and a strong argument for anyone who needs a truly quiet machine for acoustic reasons.
- The special shape of the steam wand allows the pitcher to be placed on the drip tray while frothing. With correct positioning of the wand, the machine froths by itself. A USP among dual boilers in this form.
- The app is basically good. The range of functions is a useful addition for dual boiler espresso machines. Unfortunately, it doesn't work reliably yet, which is why we're introducing the weaknesses here.
View from above when opened.
The Weaknesses of the Sanremo Cube
- The app is not yet mature. Constant connection drops frustrate and the complicated registration is annoying.
- The build quality of the machine is generally good. Unfortunately, the drip tray falls off and has quite sharp edges. Also, the water tank lid doesn't close flush. Annoying.
- The steam wand gets very hot and even with rubber protection it's uncomfortable. However, Sanremo has promised to make improvements. The new Cubes are supposed to be equipped with double-walled steam wands.
- The Sanremo Cube needs at least 30 minutes, preferably 35 minutes, to really reach temperature.
How Does the Espresso Taste?
The Sanremo Cube is a good dual boiler with high temperature consistency. Accordingly, the espresso tastes good too. There's nothing to complain about. The machine is precise both in extraction and from shot to shot. However, for particularly high temperature accuracy, a warm-up time of 35 minutes should be planned in.
After 25 minutes, the target temperature has not yet been reached.
Subsequently, the Sanremo delivers very consistent results even over many consecutive shots.
