By: The Caffeinated Gear Team
After weeks of intensive testing, we’re ready to share our detailed findings on the ACS Minima, crafted by Milan’s renowned espresso machine manufacturer ACS, with their impressive 50-year legacy. While it’s marketed as an entry-level dual boiler machine, our testing revealed some surprising discoveries about its true capabilities.
Stay with us as we unpack everything you need to know about this intriguing machine.
We’ve spent considerable time with this machine, courtesy of Bella Barista, to bring you our signature hands-on review. Our approach focuses on real-world performance rather than just technical specifications. For those interested in the deeper technical aspects, we recommend checking out Dave C’s ACS Minima review.
The ACS Minima gracing our test kitchen
Here’s what makes the ACS Minima special: it’s a dual boiler machine priced in heat exchanger territory.
In the world of high-end prosumer espresso machines, you typically find heat exchanger machines starting around £1,000, while dual boiler systems usually command £1,500 or more.
The key distinction lies in their heating systems. Dual boiler machines feature separate boilers for brewing and steaming, while heat exchanger machines use a single boiler with a copper pipe to heat brewing water from the reservoir. This simpler design typically makes heat exchanger machines more cost-effective.
For a deeper understanding, check out our detailed comparison:
The ‘Minima’ name reflects ACS’s clever approach: they’ve created a dual boiler machine stripped down to the essentials, maintaining critical features while trimming premium extras to achieve a competitive price point.
Now, let’s dive into our hands-on experience after several weeks of daily use.
This innovative dual boiler machine combines an E61 group head, PID control, and distinctive corner-style design with impressive functionality.
Our team’s first encounter with the ACS Minima sparked an interesting debate. According to Bella Barista, this machine tends to divide opinions, particularly regarding its aesthetics.
In our assessment, the Minima’s sleek, mirror-finish design makes a bold statement. Its highly polished surfaces certainly demanded extra attention during our photo sessions, but the results were worth it.
Despite its modest footprint (27cm wide, 44cm deep, 38cm tall), this machine commands attention in any kitchen setting. The design philosophy is evident in its clean lines and thoughtful layout: two straightforward switches, a discreet PID display on the right side, a pressure gauge, and essential steam and water components.
One notable departure from tradition is the absence of an E61 lever, replaced by a simple switch. While this might seem like a cost-saving measure, we’ve found it actually reduces maintenance requirements compared to traditional lever systems.
Just as Baby couldn’t be put in a corner, the ACS Minima needs specific placement consideration – specifically, avoid right-hand corners.
The machine’s unique corner-style design, while distinctive, means the steam wand, water spout, and PID controls require clear access from the right side. This isn’t a limitation so much as a design consideration for your kitchen setup.
Throughout our testing, we paired the Minima with the Eureka Mignon Specialita.
While we’ll share a dedicated review of the Specialita later, we can confirm it’s an exceptional match for the Minima, offering remarkable value for its capabilities. Bella Barista’s recommendation of this pairing proved spot-on, as the Specialita demonstrated its versatility across various brewing demands.
Both machines were provided by Bella Barista for our extended testing period of over eight weeks – considerably longer than our usual review cycle. This extended time has given us deep insights into the Minima’s performance, and we must say, parting with it will be genuinely difficult!
Looking for the short version? Here’s what our expert testing revealed about this remarkable espresso machine.
After extensive testing in our coffee lab, we can confidently say the ACS Minima stands out as an exceptional dual boiler espresso machine at its price point.
The positives significantly outweigh the minor drawbacks, making this a brilliant choice for serious home baristas.
Why you’ll love it:
We’ve pulled some truly spectacular espresso with this machine, particularly when paired with the Mignon Specialita grinder.
The PID controls are brilliantly simple – while we’d always recommend reading the manual, you’ll likely master temperature adjustments for both boilers in minutes.
As for steam power? It’s phenomenal. The generously-sized steam wand on its ball joint gives you plenty of room to work your milk-frothing magic.
Minor considerations:
One crucial note: The only significant limitation would be if you need to position it in a right-hand corner due to its design.
Ready to dive in? Head over to Bella Barista to check current availability.
Fancy learning more about this impressive machine? Keep reading for our comprehensive analysis.
After weeks of intensive testing, our team of coffee experts put the ACS Minima through its paces. This dual boiler machine, featuring the renowned E61 group head and precision PID control, comes from a manufacturer with an impressive track record. We’re thrilled to share that this machine exceeded our high expectations in nearly every way.
Being coffee professionals, we know the importance of proper setup—yes, even we had to resist our urge to skip the manual! The time invested in reading the instructions proved worthwhile, though, as it helped us unlock the machine’s full potential from day one.
The Minima’s user interface is refreshingly straightforward. The digital display shows real-time temperature readings for both boilers during warm-up, giving you precise control over your brewing conditions.
Temperature adjustments for both boilers are remarkably simple, though we found the factory settings spot-on for most specialty coffee beans. We did experiment with various temperature profiles, purely for testing purposes.
There was one minor quirk that caught us out initially: the positioning of the control switches. The power switch sits at the bottom near the group head, controlling both machine power and boiler selection. The brew switch, despite looking identical, is positioned above it. We occasionally found ourselves accidentally hitting the power switch when reaching for the brew control—a habit that thankfully sorted itself out after a few days of use.
When paired with our Eureka Mignon Specialita, the Minima consistently produced some of the finest espresso we’ve crafted in our testing kitchen. The shot quality genuinely impressed our entire team of certified baristas.
However, we should note that even the finest espresso machine is only as good as its operator. While the Minima offers professional-grade capabilities, achieving its full potential requires proper technique and understanding.
For newcomers to home espresso, expect a learning curve. You’ll likely pour a few shots down the sink as you dial in your technique—that’s perfectly normal and part of the journey. Once you’ve mastered the basics, though, this machine will reward you with exceptional espresso that rivals many commercial cafes.
For many coffee enthusiasts in our community, perfecting milk-based drinks is absolutely crucial. Our testing team, which includes several former café baristas, pays special attention to milk steaming capabilities since drinks like flat whites and lattes make up the majority of home-crafted beverages.
The steam power on this machine is genuinely impressive. While most of our team members started their journey with entry-level machines that required 45-60 seconds of steaming time, the Minima’s commercial-grade steam power transforms this process dramatically. In our tests, we consistently achieved perfectly textured milk in just 10-15 seconds using a 350ml pitcher.
Here’s where it gets interesting: the Minima comes equipped with a three-hole steam tip and delivers steam power that’s worlds apart from typical home machines. To put it in perspective, if you’re transitioning from a basic domestic machine with a single-hole tip, it’s like switching from a gentle bicycle to a racing motorcycle – though thankfully with less dramatic consequences!
The worst that might happen is over-aerated milk or perhaps a few splashes on your kitchen wall. However, we think it’s important to mention that there will be an adjustment period if you’re new to this level of steam power.
For those currently using the Sage Barista Express, you’ll notice a significant difference in timing. Where you previously had ample time to position your steam tip perfectly, the Minima requires quicker reactions. Our tests showed that milk temperature reaches 40°C (the point where you should stop introducing air) in mere seconds.
After this initial phase, you’ll need to submerge the tip slightly deeper, allowing the whirlpool action to incorporate the microfoam for about 10 seconds until reaching approximately 60°C. One crucial tip from our testing: remember that the residual steam will continue heating your milk for a few seconds after closing the steam valve, so you’ll want to stop slightly earlier than you might expect.
For those finding the steam power challenging to master, we’ve noted that Bella Barista now offers a two-hole steam tip option. Based on our experience, this modification could provide a more manageable learning curve while still delivering excellent results.
During our extensive testing, we were impressed by the hot water delivery system’s robust pressure output.
If you’re upgrading from a basic machine, you’ll notice a significant improvement in the water flow rate – it’s properly calibrated for tea and Americano preparation.
The 2.6L water tank capacity sounds impressive on paper, but we should discuss some practical considerations.
Our testing revealed that while the reservoir itself is functional, its design feels somewhat improvised.
The container appears to be a repurposed generic vessel with a roughly modified top opening for the water lines.
Whilst this doesn’t affect performance, it’s a surprising design choice given the machine’s otherwise meticulous engineering.
More importantly, we discovered that in earlier models, the water level sensor activated with approximately 500ml remaining.
This effectively reduced the usable capacity to around 2L.
The good news is that if you’re purchasing from Bella Barista, their current stock features the updated sensor system, allowing you to utilise more of the full 2.6L capacity.
Our decibel measurements show the Minima produces standard noise levels for a vibration pump machine.
While rotary pump machines run more quietly, they typically command a premium of £500-£1,000 more in the dual boiler category.
We find the noise level perfectly acceptable for home use.
The drip tray ticks all our practical boxes.
It offers generous capacity, removes effortlessly for cleaning, and slots back into place without fuss.
espresso machine guru Dave C’s video review on the minima aligns with our maintenance assessment – the Minima brilliantly combines E61 group benefits whilst eliminating traditional maintenance headaches.
Unlike conventional E61 machines, it dispenses with the mechanical lever system, significantly simplifying upkeep.
At £1,250, we consider the ACS Minima exceptionally well-priced for a dual boiler machine of this calibre.
This is Bella Barista’s retail price, and while you might find similar prices elsewhere, we strongly recommend verifying you’re getting UK stock with full UK warranty coverage.
Having visited Bella Barista’s service department, we were thoroughly impressed by their in-house repair capabilities – they handle all issues directly without third-party involvement.
We must caution that some retailers appearing to be UK-based actually stock Italian imports requiring overseas servicing.
Always confirm your warranty terms if purchasing from alternative suppliers.
After our team’s comprehensive eight-week testing period, we’re convinced the ACS Minima stands as an outstanding dual boiler espresso machine.
It consistently produces superb espresso, delivers excellent milk texturing, and sports an attractive design.
The straightforward operation and maintenance make it a joy to use daily.
Our only potential reservation would be for those needing to position it in a right-hand corner setup.
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