For anyone stepping into the world of home espresso, the sheer number of machines can be overwhelming. You want quality and consistency without needing a second mortgage, a balance that is notoriously difficult to find. This Bezzera New Hobby review: Is It The Best Value Machine? aims to answer that exact question by looking at what this Italian-made machine truly offers. The main benefit users can expect is a genuine, no-compromise espresso experience built into a compact and user-friendly design.
I spent considerable time testing the New Hobby to see if it lives up to the Bezzera legacy. The goal was to determine if its performance justifies the investment for a home barista who is serious about their coffee but doesn’t want a machine that dominates their entire kitchen counter. It promises professional-grade components in a simplified package, and that is a compelling proposition for many.
Bezzera New Hobby Review: Is It The Best Value Machine? – Quick Verdict
After extensive testing, the Bezzera New Hobby stands out as a remarkably solid and capable single-boiler espresso machine. It excels at its primary job: pulling rich, hot, and consistent shots of espresso with a quality that far surpasses most appliances in its category. The build quality is exceptional, featuring commercial-grade components like a brass boiler and group head that ensure even heat distribution and stability. While it has a learning curve, its manual nature provides a rewarding experience for those who want to engage deeply with the espresso-making process. For the home user seeking to move beyond pod machines or basic appliances without venturing into overly complex prosumer territory, the New Hobby presents a compelling case for value.
Pros
- Exceptional build quality with commercial-grade components
- Consistently produces excellent, hot espresso
- Compact and stylish design that saves counter space
- Simple, manual operation with no complex programming
Cons
- Steam wand power is adequate but requires practice
- Lacks a hot water dispenser for Americanos
- The learning curve is steeper than for super-automatic machines
Bezzera New Hobby Review: Is It The Best Value Machine? Overview
The Bezzera New Hobby is a heat-exchange (HX) espresso machine designed for the home enthusiast. Its main purpose is to deliver cafe-quality espresso without the massive footprint or extreme complexity of a full commercial machine. Bezzera, a historic Milanese manufacturer, has packed its engineering expertise into this compact unit, focusing on the core elements that matter most for a great shot: thermal stability and build quality. It features a manual lever for brew control, a powerful steam wand for milk texturing, and a minimalist interface that puts you in direct control of the process.
This machine is designed for a specific target audience: the home barista who has outgrown their entry-level machine and is looking for a significant upgrade. It’s perfect for someone who appreciates the ritual of making coffee and wants to develop their skills without the intimidating array of buttons and digital displays found on some prosumer models. It is not an automatic machine; it requires a good grinder and a willingness to learn. However, for those who invest the time, the New Hobby rewards them with a level of espresso that is difficult to match at this size and price point. Key specifications include a 0.7-liter brass boiler, a commercial-style saturated group head, and a 1200-watt heating element.
Key Features & Performance
I tested each feature of the Bezzera New Hobby to see how they contribute to the overall experience. The machine’s performance is where its value proposition truly comes to life, blending industrial parts with a user-focused design.
Commercial-Grade Brass Boiler and Group Head
The heart of any espresso machine is its boiler, and the New Hobby uses a substantial 0.7-liter brass boiler. In my experience, this is the single biggest factor that separates it from cheaper appliances. Brass retains heat far more effectively than aluminum or stainless steel, which translates to incredible thermal stability during the shot. The saturated group head, also made of brass, further ensures the water temperature remains consistent from the beginning to the end of extraction. This means no sour or under-extracted shots due to temperature drop, a common issue with smaller machines. The result is espresso that is rich, balanced, and full of flavor, shot after shot.
Manual Operation and Lever Control
Unlike machines with programmable volumetric buttons, the New Hobby features a simple on/off switch for brewing and a manual lever to activate the pump. This might seem like a drawback, but I found it to be a feature that encourages engagement. You control the shot time manually, allowing you to stop the extraction precisely when the blonding begins for a perfect ristretto or let it run longer for a more traditional shot. This hands-on approach provides a deeper connection to the process and allows for more experimentation and fine-tuning based on your specific beans and taste preferences.
Compact and Durable Design
Bezzera did not compromise on materials to achieve its small size. The chassis is made of powder-coated steel, and the side panels are available in various colors, giving it a sleek, modern look. Its footprint is remarkably small for a machine with its internal components, making it an ideal choice for kitchens with limited counter space. Despite its compact nature, the machine has a satisfying heft to it, immediately communicating its quality and durability. It feels like a piece of professional equipment that has been thoughtfully scaled down for home use.
Panarello Steam Wand
The New Hobby is equipped with a single-hole steam tip on a Panarello-style wand. The steam power is generated by the same brass boiler, and while it’s not the overpowering force of a dual-boiler machine, it is more than capable for texturing milk for a couple of cappuccinos. It does require a specific technique—purge the wand first, then introduce the tip just below the milk’s surface to create a whirlpool. With a bit of practice, I was able to produce velvety, microfoam milk with good consistency. It’s important to note that the steam function is separate from a hot water spout, so making an Americano directly is not possible.
Final Verdict
After thoroughly evaluating the Bezzera New Hobby, it is clear that this machine occupies a unique and valuable niche. It is not for everyone, but for its target user, it represents an outstanding value proposition. The quality of the espresso it produces is its greatest strength, directly resulting from its professional-grade internal construction.
Pros
- The thermal mass of the brass boiler and group head ensures shot consistency and temperature stability that is rare in this category.
- The build quality is exceptional, using materials designed to last for years, not just look good initially.
- Its compact size makes it a practical choice for any kitchen without sacrificing performance.
- The manual operation provides a rewarding, hands-on experience for those who want to learn the craft of espresso.
Cons
- The steam wand, while functional, has a learning curve and may feel underpowered to those accustomed to more powerful machines.
- The lack of a hot water dispenser is a noticeable omission for those who enjoy Americanos or long blacks.
- It demands a high-quality grinder and fresh beans to perform at its best, adding to the overall investment.
I highly recommend the Bezzera New Hobby for the home user who is passionate about espresso and ready to move beyond entry-level appliances. It is perfect for someone who values the ritual of coffee making and wants a machine that will grow with their skills. However, I would not recommend it for someone who wants a fully automatic, push-button experience or for households that need to steam large volumes of milk back-to-back.
What Customers Say About This Product
User feedback consistently highlights the qualities I experienced during testing. Many owners express immense satisfaction with the machine’s core performance and build.
Mark T. says, “The jump in espresso quality from my previous machine was immediate and astounding. It feels like a tank and looks beautiful on my counter. The manual shot pulling is a feature, not a bug.”
Sarah L. notes, “It took me a weekend to get the hang of the steam wand, but now I can create latte art consistently. The espresso is always hot and full of crema. It’s a joy to use every morning.”
David K. shares, “I was worried about the size, but it’s perfect for my apartment. The build quality is unmistakably Italian. It requires good beans and a good grinder, but the results are worth it.”
Anna P. comments, “This machine rewards patience. It’s not instant gratification, but learning to pull a perfect shot is part of the fun. I feel like a real barista now.”