By: The Caffeinated Gear Team
After extensively testing both machines in our coffee lab, we’re sharing our comprehensive review of the legendary Rancilio Silvia, specifically focusing on the current Silvia E V6 2020 model.
While some might consider the Silvia Pro the latest iteration, we believe it stands as its own distinct machine. We’ll dive into our thoughts on both, but first, let’s explore what makes the classic Silvia so special.
The Rancilio Silvia holds a prestigious place in coffee history as one of the pioneering home barista espresso machines. Based on our industry experience and ongoing testing, we can confidently say it remains just as relevant today as when it first launched.
Despite the growing market for home espresso machines, the Silvia maintains its unique position when it comes to near-commercial grade, single-boiler machines designed for home use.
The story behind this machine fascinates us: Rancilio, the commercial espresso machine giant, initially created it as a limited edition thank-you gift for their top distributors in the late 90s.
This thoughtful gesture, dubbed “Miss Silvia”, proved so popular with recipients that Rancilio decided to make it available to coffee enthusiasts worldwide.
Since then, the machine has seen several refinements, culminating in the current Rancilio Silvia E V6 2020 – the primary focus of our review. We’ll also share our insights on the Pro version to help you make an informed decision.
Through our years of testing and comparing espresso machines, we’ve consistently found the Rancilio Silvia to be among the finest single-boiler espresso machines available.
For those new to espresso machinery, let’s break down the boiler types: you’ll encounter three main formats – single boiler, heat exchanger, and dual boiler.
In our testing experience, most budget-friendly domestic espresso machines (typically in the £100-£200 range) use thermoblocks – on-demand water heaters – rather than proper boilers.
When you step up to serious home barista equipment, you’ll typically find machines using one of the three boiler systems mentioned above, with a few notable exceptions.
These exceptions include the entry-level Sage machines (known as Breville in some markets): the Bambino Plus, Barista Express & Barista Pro. Based on our extensive testing, these machines have earned their place among quality home barista machines.
These particular models use thermocoils – an advanced iteration of the thermoblock system. Instead of water flowing through channels in a metal block, it passes through a copper coil within the block, offering improved reliability and performance.
Regarding traditional boiler systems, single-boiler machines typically represent the most cost-effective option. The simple mathematics of one boiler versus two, plus the absence of heat exchanger components, makes them more economical to produce.
When we’re discussing single boiler espresso machines with our customers, we often highlight their practical advantages.
These machines pack quite a punch in a smaller footprint, and they’re typically gentler on your wallet.
The energy efficiency is another brilliant feature – with just one boiler to heat, your electricity bills won’t take as much of a hit compared to their larger counterparts.
Now, let’s address the elephant in the room: the one limitation of single boiler machines is that you’ll need to steam milk and pull shots sequentially rather than simultaneously.
But here’s the thing – in our years of testing hundreds of machines, we’ve found this isn’t actually a dealbreaker for most coffee enthusiasts.
What’s particularly interesting is that when coffee lovers do opt for heat exchanger or dual boiler machines, it’s rarely just about the simultaneous brewing and steaming capability.
In fact, many of our expert baristas prefer to handle these tasks separately, regardless of their machine’s capabilities, to ensure each step gets their undivided attention.
The real draw of heat exchanger and dual boiler machines often lies in their additional features, as manufacturers tend to pack their premium offerings with advanced functionality.
There’s one fascinating exception though – the ECM Classika PID.
This single boiler machine stands out by offering the same high-end features you’d find in ECM’s flagship dual boiler Synchronika: adjustable PID, E61 grouphead, pressure gauge, and shot timer.
Our team has extensively worked with single boiler machines, and speaking from personal experience, the sequential brewing hasn’t hindered our ability to craft excellent milk-based drinks.
We’ve been putting the Sage Dual Boiler through its paces recently – and we must say, it’s absolutely brilliant!
While the simultaneous brewing does speed things up when we remember to use it, we often find ourselves falling back into our sequential habits anyway.
The mechanics of these machines are quite straightforward.
Dual boiler machines feature separate brew and steam boilers, while heat exchangers use a single, typically larger boiler (take the Oscar 2’s impressive 2L capacity) with an internal pipe system to heat the brewing water.
The Sage Dual Boiler particularly impressed us with its innovative hybrid approach – it combines dual boilers, a heat exchanger, twin PIDs, and a heated group.
This configuration delivers exceptional temperature stability and control, which has genuinely amazed our testing team.
Now, let’s talk about the Rancilio Silvia.
This machine has earned its stripes as one of the most recommended single boiler espresso machines in the industry.
Ask any coffee expert about single boiler recommendations, and we’d bet our favourite beans that the Silvia makes their shortlist.
However, like any espresso machine – particularly in the entry-level category – it comes with its own set of quirks and considerations.
In this review, we’ll share our hands-on experience with the Rancilio Silvia, breaking down its strengths and limitations to help you decide if it’s the right match for your coffee journey.
Before diving into our comprehensive review, let’s look at the impressive specifications that make this machine a standout in its class:
When it comes to value, the Rancilio Silvia stands out in the single-boiler espresso machine market. While the price might initially raise eyebrows for newcomers to home espresso, we can assure you this represents an excellent entry point into serious home barista territory. For a deeper dive into comparable machines, check out our detailed guide:
A word of caution from our experience: while Italian imports might seem tempting, we strongly recommend purchasing from authorised UK dealers to ensure proper warranty coverage. The last thing you want is international shipping hassles for warranty claims.
Through our partnership with Lancashire-based speciality roaster Clumsy Goat, we’re excited to highlight several compelling machine-grinder combinations, available for both the Silvia and Silvia Pro models.
For those seeking the perfect grinding companion, Clumsy Goat offers an impressive range of bundles. Beyond the Mignon Zero, you’ll find excellent packages featuring the Mignon Specialita, Rancilio Rocky SD, Rancilio Stile, and various options paired with the Silvia Pro. Explore the full collection here:
We know some coffee enthusiasts want the essential details without diving into the technical minutiae. For those seeking a straightforward assessment, here’s our concise verdict:
The Rancilio Silvia stands out as a remarkable machine with professional-grade build quality. When compared to the Gaggia Classic and similar entry-level machines like the Sage Bambino Plus and Duo Temp Pro, it offers noticeably superior construction and exceptional steam power.
However, it’s worth noting that this isn’t a plug-and-play espresso machine. Think of it as a thoroughbred that needs proper training. Similar to the Gaggia Classic, you’ll need to master temperature surfing for both espresso shots and milk steaming, unless you opt for a PID modification. We’ll explain all this in detail below.
Master this machine—whether through perfecting your technique or adding modifications—and you’ll have an incredibly capable espresso maker at your fingertips.
Our main consideration: if you’re planning to modify the machine rather than master its quirks, the total investment might approach the price range of the ECM Casa V, Profitec Go, or even the Nuova Simonelli Oscar 2.
In our years of testing equipment, we’ve noticed a curious trend: many coffee enthusiasts rush to upgrade their hardware before exploring better beans. If you’re seeking premium coffee options.
For those wanting immediate access to fresh, expertly roasted beans, we recommend checking out The Coffeeworks. Their quality speaks for itself—grab a discount on your first order:
Our Silvia arrived in robust packaging—a detail that matters when you’re investing in precision equipment.
Upon unboxing, the machine’s professional-grade construction immediately caught our attention. The Silvia’s substantial weight and commercial-inspired design reflect its heritage as a scaled-down professional machine. For its price point, the build quality truly impressed our team.
The portafilter particularly stood out—it’s the exact same commercial-grade component Rancilio uses in their professional machines. Its hefty weight speaks volumes about the machine’s quality.
We were equally impressed by the steam wand’s range of motion and the sleek, practical design of the low-profile drip tray.
We’ll be honest—our initial experience with espresso production had some challenges.
Initially skipping the manual (yes, we’ve learned our lesson), we attempted our standard 18g dose aiming for 36g output. The stock basket, however, is designed for 14-16g. This led to the hex bolt leaving a deep impression in our puck before we’d even started extraction. Lesson one: read the manual, and don’t overdose the basket.
The prominent hex bolt’s design choice remains puzzling to us. While you can modify it out, it only causes issues if you’re overdosing the basket—meaning too much coffee and insufficient headspace.
Milk steaming also provided an interesting learning curve.
Following the manual’s instructions for our first steam attempt, we waited for the heating light to extinguish—and encountered steam power that could rival commercial machines!
The steam power is remarkable—perhaps too remarkable initially. Even experienced baristas might find the initial blast challenging to control.
For context, we were heating 250ml of milk to 65C in 12-15 seconds. While the resulting texture was surprisingly good, the sheer power made fine control challenging. Think of it as trying to paint with a pressure washer.
Through testing, we discovered this intense steam phase lasts about 20 seconds. One approach is to purge this initial blast, but this extends your wait time to over two minutes—not ideal for busy mornings.
This reminded us of our experience with the Gaggia Classic, which has its own steam timing quirks. For more details, see our:
Through experimentation, we found the sweet spot: starting steam between 30-45 seconds after engaging the steam switch, depending on boiler temperature. This significantly streamlines the milk drink preparation process.
After extensive daily testing with various approaches, we developed an efficient workflow.
If you’ve researched the Rancilio Silvia or Gaggia Classic, you’ve likely encountered “temperature surfing”—the process of managing the machine’s temperature for optimal results.
Without a PID controller, both brew and steam temperatures require management. Interestingly, it’s the reverse of the Gaggia Classic’s behaviour. The Classic’s tiny boiler means starting before full steam pressure works better, while the Silvia needs time to tame its power.
We’ve found steaming milk before pulling shots works best with the Silvia (more on this shortly). This led us to develop a workflow where we prep our puck first, ensuring we’re not leaving perfectly steamed milk to cool.
During our extensive testing, we paired the Eureka Mignon Specialita with the Silvia.
Our familiarity with this grinder spans several years, and working with it alongside the Silvia reinforced our appreciation for its remarkable performance-to-price ratio.
For a detailed breakdown of the entire Mignon range, see our comprehensive guide:
For optimal puck preparation, we’ve maintained our standard protocol, which includes the Weiss Distribution Technique (WDT). Our initial tests used a modified mechanical keycap puller with trimmed ends—a clever budget solution that worked surprisingly well.
Recent studies by coffee scientists suggest using a dual-tool approach yields superior results: 0.4mm pins for deep distribution, followed by 0.2mm pins for surface refinement.
Based on these findings, we’ve invested in both a 0.4mm tool and a 0.25ml tool from Etsy. We’re currently testing various distribution tools, and we’ll update this review with our findings and detailed video analysis.
For those keen to master WDT immediately, we recommend Lance Hedrick’s thorough explanation:
For coffee enthusiasts exploring similar machines, Lelit offers excellent alternatives. We’ve secured an exclusive discount code for our readers:
The age-old debate of shot-first versus milk-first takes on special significance with single-boiler machines. While both approaches have merit, our testing reveals some practical considerations.
For milk-based drinks (flat whites, cappuccinos, lattes), we’ve found that milk temperature impacts overall enjoyment more significantly than shot temperature. The milk comprises most of the drink’s volume, after all.
Our experiments show that espresso shots maintain their integrity remarkably well for about a minute—the crema remains stable, and flavour profiles stay consistent. However, with the Silvia’s two-minute steam preparation time, we opted for the milk-first approach to preserve drink quality.
Through extensive testing, we’ve pinpointed the optimal steam timing for the Silvia: 30-45 seconds after engaging the steam button. This window differs from the Gaggia Classic’s 7-8 seconds due to the Silvia’s larger boiler.
A helpful indicator we discovered: listen for a subtle change in the boiler’s sound—it signals prime steaming temperature.
While waiting the full two minutes until the light switches off provides maximum steam power, we found this creates excessive pressure. Some users partially open the steam valve at this point, but our testing showed this produces inconsistent results.
Our proven method: For a cold machine, wait 45 seconds after engaging steam. For a warm machine or subsequent drinks, 30 seconds suffices. A quick purge removes condensation, then begin steaming.
During milk preparation, we aerate briefly (10-15 seconds with the Silvia), then switch off the steam button during the rolling phase. This reduces the cooling time before pulling the shot.
After steaming milk, with the steam button off and portafilter ready (filled with freshly ground coffee), our process involves:
The Silvia’s build quality impressed our team immediately. Its commercial-grade construction and professional aesthetic set it apart from typical domestic machines.
The control layout exemplifies practical simplicity: power switch, shot button, steam button, hot water button, and steam knob.
The commercial-grade portafilter enhances both function and form, reinforcing the machine’s professional credentials.
With proper technique, shot quality rivals machines at higher price points.
Steam power proves exceptional, though requires careful management.
Rather than outright flaws, we’ve identified several characteristics that warrant consideration:
Temperature stability without PID modification remains the primary challenge. Achieving consistent brew temperatures and steam pressure requires practice and technique rather than precise control.
While this mirrors the Gaggia Classic’s behaviour, the Silvia commands a higher price point.
For comparison, we regularly use the Sage Dual Boiler, which offers precise temperature control in 1°C increments.
For insight into precision temperature control, watch our Dual Boiler dialling guide:
The Dual Boiler allows us to fine-tune brewing temperature for different roast levels—particularly useful for lighter roasts that benefit from higher extraction temperatures. Its steam boiler also maintains consistent pressure with adjustable settings.
Temperature management on the Silvia presents a significant challenge for home baristas.
The fundamental issue isn’t just the inability to adjust temperature – it’s the uncertainty of knowing your actual brewing temperature at any given moment.
When you see the heating indicator light switch on or off, you’re essentially making an educated guess about your brew temperature.
While comparing the Silvia to the Sage Dual Boiler might seem unfair given the latter’s price point (over twice the cost), it illustrates the practical implications of lacking precise temperature control.
A more suitable comparison might be the ECM Casa V.
Despite being nearly £300 more expensive than the Silvia and also lacking a PID, its saturated group head design delivers notably more stable temperatures.
With the ECM, you can trust that your brewing temperature will consistently hover around 93C (200F) in brew mode.
Now, let’s discuss a peculiar design choice: the oversized hex bolt on the shower screen.
In our extensive testing of espresso machines, we’ve consistently emphasised the importance of what we call the “Do not disturb” principle in puck preparation.
This means avoiding any disruption to your carefully distributed and tamped coffee puck, as this can lead to channeling issues.
Unfortunately, the massive bolt protruding from the group head, which extends beyond the basket’s headspace, directly contradicts this principle.
Every time you lock in your portafilter, this bolt creates an indentation in your meticulously prepared puck.
While we can’t definitively prove this affects cup quality, it’s certainly not ideal for maintaining puck integrity and potentially contributes to channeling issues.
Fortunately, there’s a solution available from Pidsilvia.com.
Their flat shower mod addresses this issue effectively, though it comes with some considerations.
While the mod itself is reasonably priced at $30 (including the screen, countersunk screw, and drilled jet breaker), shipping to the UK pushes the total cost to around forty or fifty pounds.
For the DIY-inclined, you could attempt a homemade solution using an M5 12mm screw.
However, for a completely flush finish, you’d need a countersunk screw and would need to drill out the jet breaker – a more involved modification we’d only recommend if you’re comfortable with such adjustments.
Another design quirk worth mentioning involves the steam wand clearance.
The low-profile drip tray means that even at its highest position, the steam tip doesn’t quite clear a milk jug without requiring an awkward tilt – potentially leading to milk spillage.
We believe a slightly taller drip tray design would have solved this issue while also providing more capacity.
However, there’s a practical workaround: using a knockout draw as a platform.
This not only raises the machine for better clearance but also provides a neat solution for spent puck disposal.
Some minor maintenance concerns include the adhesive rubber feet (one of which came loose during our testing) – a step down from the Gaggia Classic’s more secure fitted feet design.
The drip tray itself has some peculiarities: it lacks both a lid and a full indicator, requiring careful handling when full to avoid spills.
We want to emphasise that these observations shouldn’t be interpreted as criticism of this highly regarded espresso machine.
Rather, we’re sharing our hands-on experience to help you make an informed decision about whether the Silvia matches your needs.
Importantly, most of these issues can be addressed through either modified technique or available upgrades.
After our extensive testing period with the Silvia (kindly provided by Shop Coffee), we’ve compiled a list of practical modifications that can transform this machine into an even more impressive piece of kit.
First on our list would be installing a knock-out drawer beneath the machine. The height would still work perfectly under standard kitchen cabinets, making it a brilliant space-saving solution.
That pesky hex bolt needs addressing – while our team could sort it with a DIY solution, we’d likely opt for the ready-made kit from PidSilvia.com. We’re coffee experts, not DIY specialists (though we promise not to tell if your home improvement projects also tend to stretch into months!).
The absolute must-have upgrade? A PID controller. This brilliant addition eliminates temperature surfing and gives you precise control over brew temperature. It’s particularly valuable when experimenting with different roast profiles, allowing you to dial in the perfect temperature for each bean.
Our straightforward answer is yes – and here’s why.
At its standard price point, you’re getting a robust espresso machine that delivers professional-quality shots. While it requires either some modifications or a consistent routine to reach its full potential, this actually works in its favour.
If Rancilio had included a PID from the factory, the price would have jumped significantly. Instead, they’ve given users the choice: master the machine’s quirks or invest in modifications for enhanced control.
Speaking of factory-installed PIDs, Rancilio has introduced their new model:
While testing the original Silvia, we had the chance to examine the Pro model up close. It’s beautifully understated, sharing the Silvia’s clean aesthetic in a slightly larger frame. However, don’t let the similar appearance fool you – it’s an entirely different machine.
We actually wish Rancilio had created a simpler upgrade: a single-boiler Silvia with an integrated PID, shot timer, and a redesigned bolt. That would have made more sense as a ‘Pro’ version. The current Silvia Pro, while excellent, is as different from the original as chalk from cheese.
This dual-boiler machine comes packed with features: PID control, dedicated water outlet, water level indication, programmable start-up, and shot timing. It’s brilliant, but comparing it to the original Silvia is like comparing a speedboat to a rowing boat – both get you across water, but they’re fundamentally different machines.
Don’t misunderstand – the Silvia Pro is fantastic value for a dual-boiler machine from such a respected manufacturer. However, it sits in a completely different category at a much higher price point.
Looking at the original Silvia’s competition, even after factoring in modification costs, it stands impressively alone in its price bracket.
For precise temperature control, we recommend the KIT-RSPb from Auber Instruments. At $199 (£145), it offers comprehensive control over brew temperature, steam temperature, and pre-infusion. A simpler version is available for $149.50 (£109), controlling only brew temperature. Current shipping to the UK runs about £23.
Additional upgrades include an IMS basket (£20) and either a DIY bolt replacement (£5) or the professional kit from Pidsilvia.com (£22). We’re currently discussing combined shipping options with both manufacturers to reduce costs for UK customers – we’ll update this when we hear back.
A fully-modified Silvia with the advanced Auber PID would total around £720-£770. At this price point, it’s unmatched for features and performance. While the Silvia Pro offers more features, it’s significantly more expensive. The ECM Casa V costs more without PID control, and the Sage Dual Boiler adds another £400-500 to your budget.
Even considering the used market, where PID-modified Silvias sell for £300-400, the value proposition remains strong.
The Rancilio Silvia represents excellent value whether stock or modified. Without modifications, it’s a capable machine that rewards technique and patience. With carefully chosen upgrades, it transforms into a powerhouse that would cost significantly more to match with any other model.
We hope this detailed breakdown helps you make an informed decision about the Rancilio Silvia. Remember, investing in the right espresso machine is crucial for achieving exceptional coffee at home.
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