La Pavoni vs Cafelat Robot: which manual lever?
Verdict
The Robot is the simpler machine: no electrics, a 58mm basket and a kettle for water, espresso only. The Europiccola is the all-in-one: its own boiler and a steam wand, with a group to manage and seals to replace over time.
Cafelat Robot
Straight espresso, no electrics, 58mm basket
Sold by its maker and US espresso retailers.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Side by side
| La Pavoni Europiccola | Cafelat Robot | |
|---|---|---|
| Heating | Built-in electric boiler | None; hot water from a kettle |
| Steam wand | Yes | No |
| Basket | About 51mm (current) | 58mm (maker); 57.5mm per a US retailer |
| Pressure gauge | None on the standard model | Barista model: yes. Regular: no |
| Electric | Yes, 110V 1000W | No |
| Weight | 15 lb (US manual) | About 3 kg (Barista), 2.8 kg (Regular) |
| Warranty | 1 year (US importer) | 1 year (Cafelat UK); 2 years via a US retailer offer |
| On Amazon US | Yes | Barista listing unavailable when checked |
How they differ
The Cafelat Robot has no boiler and no heater. Cafelat says you fill the basket with hot water from a kettle, then push the two lever arms down to drive the piston. There is nothing to plug in and very little to maintain.
The Europiccola heats its own water in a brass boiler and has a steam wand. It is quicker for back-to-back drinks and makes milk drinks, but its group heats up with each shot and its seals are a maintenance item.
Feedback
The Robot Barista has a pressure gauge in the line. The standard Europiccola has none, though gauge kits exist and the La Pavoni Esperto has a gauge on the group.
Buying the Robot in the US
The Amazon US listing we found for the Robot Barista was unavailable when we checked. US espresso retailers sell both models.
Questions buyers ask
What is the difference between the Robot Barista and Regular?
Cafelat UK says the Barista has a built-in pressure gauge that shows the pressure from the basket during extraction. The Regular has no gauge. Cafelat recommends the Regular for home users.
Can the Robot make milk drinks?
Cafelat says the Robot makes espresso shots only. You need a separate milk steamer.
Sources
Cafelat; European Gift and Houseware, the US importer, and its US manuals.
Not yet confirmed: Robot basket size (58mm per Cafelat, 57.5mm per a US retailer); Where the Robot is made (sources disagree). We will update this page when a primary source confirms it.