Meet This Colorful Prosumer Beauty

The Profitec Go is the brand’s first entry-level espresso machine, the only single-boiler model priced under $1000. It’s an exciting addition to the market from a legendary manufacturer. 

I spent the past month testing it and I think other companies in this space should be worried. I would argue the Go offers the best set of features at this price point. To no one’s surprise, Profitec knocked it out of the park on their first try.

Summary: The Profitec Go Espresso Machine

• Single boiler semi-automatic prosumer espresso machine
• Includes PID temperature control and adjustable OPV
• Friendly design with exceptional build quality

I have thoroughly enjoyed using the Profitec Go with a variety of coffees. With the PID, you can easily dial in the right temperatures for brewing and steaming.

– Jacob O., Profitec Go owner

A Full Review Of The Profitec Go

German-made Profitec Espresso (and its sister company ECM) is very highly regarded among prosumer espresso machines. Their expansive line-up offers diverse models appealing to all skill levels and budgets, from the brand new Pro 100 (aka Go) to the impressive lever-operated Pro 800.

The Profitec Go is the latest release, and it’s an exciting one for budding espresso enthusiasts! In this Profitec Go espresso machine review, I’m detailing what you can expect from this introductory model based on my tests and experience.

How We Rated It

• Brewing Capacity
  
• User-Friendliness
  
• Milk Frothing
  
• Build Quality
  
• Cleaning and Maintenance
  

Brewing Capacity – 4/5

The Profitec Go is a single boiler espresso machine, so you cannot brew and steam simultaneously. That’s what keeps it firmly in the entry-level category, despite commercial-grade features like a 58mm portafilter, vibratory pump, and PID temp control.

Brewing coffee and steaming milk occur at different temperatures, so you need to wait for the 0.4 L brass boiler to stabilize at the new temperature between processes. However, with a powerful 1200-watt heating element, adjustments occur quickly. 

I found that it took about a minute to increase from brew to steam temperature. Or, if you steam first, you can quickly drop to brewing temperature by running a cooling flush through the group. I prefer to pull the shot first, as I find the frothed milk texture suffers more as it sits.

What Sets This Machine Apart

Two things help the Go stand out from the competition: PID temp control and adjustable brew pressure. Only a few machines at this price sport one of these features, let alone both. 

Brew and steam temperature are adjusted using the controller on the front of the machine. The PID provides a remarkably accurate and stable brew water temperature. In my tests, it was always within one degree of the temperature set on the PID. 

You can adjust the pump pressure with the over-pressure valve in front of the water tank, a luxury usually reserved for expensive models. The 9 bar of pressure rule is not written in stone, and many beans extract better at lower or higher pressures (1).

This ability to tweak every aspect of the brewing process makes the difference between a great shot of espresso and a perfect shot of espresso.

One Thing Missing

I was disappointed that there is no automatic or manual pre-infusion on the Go. A pre-infusion stage facilitates ideal extraction even when puck prep isn’t quite ideal – a particularly useful inclusion on an entry-level model (2). That said, it is rare in this segment. The only one that jumps to my mind is the Lelit Victoria, but the trade-offs are a smaller boiler and no adjustable OPV.

User-Friendliness – 4.5/5

Any single boiler machine like this requires a level of skill to operate, but this one is as straightforward as it gets. The Profitec Go has just three buttons on the front – power, steaming, and brewing – plus a steam knob to adjust steam pressure. It’s very intuitive.

I’d love to have a steam pressure gauge too, but that’s a big ask for a machine that’s priced below $1000.

Using the PID Controller

Additional settings are accessed via the PID controller. Press and hold the + and – to adjust the setup, including brew temperature, steam temperature, ECO mode (program an auto-off between 30 minutes and 10 hours), cleaning alerts, and switch between F and C.

When the machine is on, the PID displays the temperature in real-time.

I love this feature, as it takes all the guesswork out of when it’s ready to brew or steam. When you’re pulling a shot, it automatically doubles as a shot timer – a nice touch.

The advertised heat up time is between 5 and 7 minutes, surprisingly fast for a 400 mL boiler. In my tests, the PID indeed indicated the boiler hit brew temperature in under 7 minutes, but I think waiting an extra few minutes is worthwhile. More time allows the temperature to stabilize and ensures the portafilter and cup warming top of the machine are equally toasty (3).

Milk Frothing – 4.5/5

The Profitec Go doesn’t have knock-your-socks-off steam power with its little boiler, but it has ample pressure to meet your microfoam needs – and more than most at this price. Plus, you can crank the pressure a little higher by increasing the steam temp with the PID.

In my experience, it took about 30 seconds to steam milk for an 8-ounce latte. And you can easily make two lattes back to back before letting the boiler recover.

The steam wand isn’t dual-wall insulated; instead, it has a rubber handle to protect you from burns. You might not like this if you want to grab the wand anywhere, but I prefer it because the single-wall wand delivers a drier steam.

Build Quality – 4.5/5

The Profitec Go delivers the build quality you expect from the Profitec brand. 

It has a steel frame, powder-coated steel case, and steel drip tray. The hefty 58-mm chrome-plated brass portafilter is virtually identical to the ones included with their pricier models. 

Inside, the plumbing is entirely brass, copper, or braided steel, and everything is intelligently laid out. Electronics are kept isolated from moisture, and the pump has rubber mounts to minimize noise and the wear and tear caused by vibrations. I was pleasantly surprised to find it was quieter than my grinder.

The Go is a compact machine, measuring 14.5” deep by 14.9” tall by just 8.25” wide. It fits comfortably in a small kitchen and should slot easily under the average upper cabinets.

If you’re anything like me, the unique appearance of the Go was the first thing that drew your eye. Its colorful aesthetic stands out in a market saturated with shiny steel boxes; it looks friendly and fun. It’s available in matte black, red, yellow, or blue. The black version has a contrasting pale blue gauge, while the others have black gauges. 

Each includes a single, double, and blind basket, a weighty metal tamper, and a brew group cleaning brush.

How Does This Machine Compare To Other Single-Boiler Machines?

	Prosumer semi-automatic espresso machine	Prosumer semi-automatic espresso machine	Prosumer semi-automatic espresso machine	Prosumer semi-automatic espresso machine	Prosumer semi-automatic espresso machine
	Powder-coated Stainless Steel
	14.5” x 8.25” x 14.9”	14.5” x 8.25” x 14.9”

Profitec Go vs Rancilio Silvia

The Profitec Go is a substantial step up from the Silvia, and I would argue it is well worth the small increase in price. The Silvia is slower to heat up than the Go, despite having a slightly smaller boiler. It also lacks PID temp control and a pressure meter gauge. Most would probably agree that the Profitec Go is better looking, though as always, aesthetics come down to personal taste.

Profitec Go vs Gaggia Classic Pro

The Go is an even bigger step up from the Gaggia Classic Pro, which is an entry-level machine, but it also comes with a much more significant price increase. The Go is nearly double the cost of the Classic Pro.

The biggest difference between the two is boiler size; the Gaggia’s boiler is a quarter the size of the Go’s. So you’ll have much less steam pressure and won’t be able to pull more than a few shots back to back. Of course, the Classic Pro also lacks high-end features like a PID or pressure gauge.

Cleaning and Maintenance – 3.5/5

Maintaining a prosumer machine always requires more work than a standard home machine. There are no automated cleaning cycles, and you can’t descale it with a bottle of vinegar. But as long as you keep on top of things, it’s not overwhelming, and this machine will far outlast those “easier” models.

The cleaning alert setting is helpful in this regard. Accessed through the PID controller, it lets you set a reminder to backflush on a routine basis.

Day-to-day management is easy. The 2.8L water reservoir is very large for such a compact machine, so you won’t need to refill often. And the drip tray slides right out for emptying. I’ll never understand why so many espresso machines expect me to tilt or lift a tray full of hot, dirty water. Thank you, Profitec, for this simple and obvious design feature!

Don’t Buy The Profitec Go If…

• You tend to prefer milky drinks: The Profitec Go can make a latte, but it can’t match the performance of a heat exchanger or dual boiler with simultaneous brewing and steaming. Just be prepared to up your budget. For dual boilers, check out the Profitec Pro 300, Lelit Elizabeth, or Rancilio Silvia Pro. For HX machines, I’d suggest the Profitec Pro 400, Bezzera BZ10, or Lelit Mara X.

• You want something less hands-on: Not everyone desires the extra hassle of owning a pro-grade machine. If you’re willing to trade build quality for ease of use, opt for something like the Breville Barista Pro.

• You want something more affordable: You’ll probably have to skip the PID to get a cheaper prosumer-grade espresso machine, but if that’s a sacrifice you’re willing to make, there are some great options. I’d start by looking at the Bezzera New Hobby, Rancilio Silvia, or even the Gaggia Classic Pro.

The Verdict

The Profitec Go absolutely lives up to the hype surrounding its release. Profitec has entered the entry-level marketplace with a bang, delivering a machine that outperforms its price tag – and looks great doing it. The PID temp controller, 58-mm group head, and adjustable OPV provide you with the tools you need to craft cafe-quality espresso at home. I am happy to wholeheartedly recommend this sleek machine.

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