By: The Caffeinated Gear Team
Making the jump to professional-grade espresso equipment can feel like navigating uncharted waters.
We’ve found that most coffee enthusiasts begin their journey with entry-level machines, and rightfully so.
Taking the plunge into professional espresso equipment for your home is quite the commitment, both financially and mentally.
The questions stack up quickly: Will this hobby stick? Is this particular machine the right fit? What if something goes wrong?
Having tested hundreds of espresso machines over the years, we understand these concerns perfectly.
Many of us started our coffee journey with modest setups – perhaps you’re currently pulling shots on a basic machine like the Delonghi Dedica paired with a modified Delonghi KG97, or maybe you’re working with a secondhand Gaggia Classic and a hand grinder (we’ve all been there!).
If you’re contemplating an upgrade, you’re likely facing similar doubts.
While you might now be confident about your passion for home espresso, the prospect of investing £1,500-£2,000 in new equipment still feels daunting.
The questions become more specific: Is this the right machine for your style? What if you discover it doesn’t match your needs? And what about that dreaded possibility of mechanical issues just after the warranty expires?
But what if we told you there’s a way to experience a premium setup without the long-term commitment?
Imagine having the chance to trial a high-end espresso machine and matching grinder, with the flexibility to walk away if it’s not the right fit.
Picture this: £75 monthly, a three-month trial period (including 1kg of fresh coffee each month), and the freedom to return the equipment if it doesn’t meet your expectations.
Does it sound too good to be true? Here’s the kicker – you never need to worry about repairs or maintenance. If anything goes wrong, a technician comes to your home to fix or replace the machine. No stress, no unexpected repair bills.
Here’s the brilliant part – this isn’t just a fantasy. Let us explain:
The latest Rocket Appartamento TCA (Temperature Control Adjustment) is now available to rent alongside the newest Rocket Faustino grinder for £75 monthly, including your monthly coffee supply.
This manufacturer-backed programme works as follows:
For £75, you receive:
If you’re interested in ownership (or fancy different colour options beyond black-on-black, or other Rocket models), there’s now an interest free credit option available across the entire Rocket Espresso range.
Have you ever wished for a test drive before investing in espresso equipment? This programme offers exactly that, and considerably more.
The six-month minimum commitment gives you ample time to explore the machine’s capabilities. After that period, if you decide this style of machine isn’t ideal, or you’d prefer a different model, they’ll collect it (the machine typically gets serviced and becomes a demo unit at partner roasteries).
The full-service rental agreement means you can focus on perfecting your coffee rather than worrying about maintenance, faults, or servicing.
Their nationwide network of technicians ensures professional support whenever needed – if there’s an issue, they’ll dispatch an engineer, and in the unlikely event of an unfixable problem, they’ll provide a replacement.
If that’s your perspective, this rental programme might not be your cup of coffee (or shot of espresso).
We recognise this viewpoint, but our testing experience has shown that renting can be brilliant in specific scenarios – particularly when accessing equipment that might otherwise be out of reach.
Think about it like housing or transportation – renting provides flexible solutions when buying isn’t practical or desired.
And while some might argue that a professional espresso setup isn’t essential… well, we’ll agree to disagree on that one!
There’s now a more budget-friendly option featuring the Stone Espresso Lite (part of the Rocket family) paired with the Stone “Pebble” grinder, available at £55 monthly.
Currently, rental options are limited to the black Appartamento TCA with black circles, while other colour variations and Rocket models like the Cinquantotto R58, Mozzafiato / Giotto V FAST or R FAST aren’t available for rent.
However, there’s brilliant news for those interested in purchasing.
Pro Espresso now offers all Rocket espresso machines with a 2-year interest-free finance option.
Here’s the monthly breakdown:
This flexibility in payment options opens up interesting possibilities. You might start with one of the “Exclusive rentals” – either the Stone or the Rocket setup – giving yourself 6 months to experience the machine. If it’s not quite right, you can end the rental and switch to purchasing a different model on interest-free credit.
The rental option does offer unique peace of mind – any technical issues become someone else’s headache to sort out. While purchasing includes a 2-year warranty, the rental’s “fully serviced” package eliminates those nagging worries about expensive repairs down the line that often accompany significant investments.
We’ve moved away from the traditional term “Wife Acceptance Factor” (WAF) to the more inclusive PAF – Partner Acceptance Factor. Our experience working with coffee enthusiasts has shown us that the conversation about bringing home professional coffee equipment happens in all types of households.
The TCA’s sophisticated design sets it apart from traditional E61 machines. Its aesthetic appeal often wins over even the most coffee-indifferent partners. One of our team members shared how their partner, despite not drinking coffee, immediately noticed how well the TCA would complement their kitchen renovation plans (though that’s another project entirely!).
Beyond its visual appeal, the practical aspects of the rental agreement often help win over skeptical partners. When faced with common concerns like “What if we don’t like it?”, “What if it breaks down?”, or “What if it’s too complicated?”, the rental terms provide reassuring answers. And as we often remind our customers – having a dedicated home barista in the family means personalised coffee service at your fingertips. Who could argue with that?
Let’s be straightforward about the main consideration – the machine remains property of the company. If this aspect doesn’t suit your preferences, we completely understand. For those keen on owning a Rocket machine outright, we suggest exploring their flexible payment options: a 2-year interest-free arrangement through DivideBuy, or a 1-year interest-free plan via Klarna.
Here’s the brilliant bit though – you get a full 6-month trial period with the Appartamento TCA. This makes it perfect if you’re still weighing up your options for your dream espresso machine. You can use these months to really get to know if this is the right choice for your coffee journey.
For our complete analysis of this machine, take a look at our in-depth examination here:
In brief, our testing confirms that the Appartamento TCA stands out as one of the finest E61 group, heat exchanger espresso machines available for serious home baristas.
We’ve tested countless machines across various price points, and while we wouldn’t claim it’s unequivocally the best (because coffee equipment is rarely one-size-fits-all), we’re confident this machine offers exceptional value in its category.
For a comprehensive look at alternative options, check out our guide:
As a heat exchanger machine, it employs a single boiler with an innovative internal pipe system that heats fresh water from the reservoir for espresso extraction. This clever design allows you to pull shots and steam milk simultaneously – just like you would with a dual boiler setup.
The steam power matches what you’d expect from higher-end dual boiler machines, meaning you can texture milk faster than your shot pulls. This is brilliant for efficiently crafting cappuccinos, lattes, or flat whites without compromising on quality.
The milk texturing capabilities are particularly impressive – we found it matches the performance of commercial machines you’d find in specialty coffee shops.
Build quality is outstanding, with premium components throughout. It comes equipped with all the professional features you’d expect: a 3-way solenoid, adjustable OPV, and adjustable brew temperature.
For newcomers to these technical terms – don’t worry! The essentials are straightforward: most coffees work brilliantly with the brew temperature set to 2 or 3. Keep other settings as they come, and focus on adjusting your grind size to achieve a 1:2 ratio (for example, 18g of coffee yielding 36g of espresso) in about 20-30 seconds.
There’s certainly more to master as you progress, and you might be wondering where to find reliable guidance…
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