The Y3.3 Illy Espresso Machine Review: A Unique Pod Machine

Illy is one of the biggest coffee companies in the world, practically synonymous with Italian espresso. But capsule coffee is not the same as true espresso. Can this Illy pod coffee machine deliver the flavor we love and expect from the famed brand? That’s what I wanted to find out.

For this Illy coffee machine review, I bought and tested the popular Illy Y3.3 machine, which uses patented Illy iperEspresso capsules. Read on to see how it stacks up against real-deal espresso and other well-known pod machines like Nespresso.

Summary: Y3.3 Illy Espresso Machine

• Pod-based coffee and espresso machine
• Easy-to-use one-touch operation
• Fun, modern, and compact design

Very happy with my Illy y3.3 iperEspresso. It is easy to use, compact in size, easy to clean, and makes a delicious cup of espresso every time.

– Peter P.

The Full Illy Y3.3 Review

The Illy Y3.3 is an update to the much-loved Y3.2, and Illy has wisely stuck to the “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” ethos. It has only one major change, and it’s a smart one. They’ve done away with the power switch, which used to be rather inconveniently located at the bottom rear of the machine. Now, turning it on is as simple as hitting either of the two brew buttons on the front.

With that clarification out of the way, let’s dig into my experience with this little brewer and how it compares to other popular pod coffee machines.

How We Rated It

• Design
  
• Brewing Capacity
  
• Coffee Flavor
  
• Cleaning and Maintenance
  
• Value for Money
  

Design – 4.5/5

The Illy Y3.3 was designed by award-winning Italian product designer and architect Piero Lissoni, known for his contemporary aesthetic (1). It’s sleek and minimalist, with clean lines and a simple interface. It’s available in basic black or white, or you can choose a more adventurous bright red or dusty blue.

The Nespresso Essenza Mini is the only comparably tiny pod brewer on the market, and unlike the Illy, it doesn’t make coffee. The Y3.3 is a great option for a small home, office, RV, or dorm room.

This machine includes a cup shelf, which you can install for brewing espresso into a smaller cup. This is essential for avoiding a splashy mess, but I thought the shelf felt a little cheap and breakable. So insert and remove it with care.

The only design flaw, in my opinion, is the power cord. It’s huge, especially incongruous, on such a tiny, lightweight brewer. The black cord is 39 inches long and hefty enough that it doesn’t have a lot of flexibility, so it’s hard to tuck away. I can’t imagine Piero Lissoni was pleased with this aspect.

Brewing Capacity – 3.5/5

The Illy Y3.3 is simple by design. It trades a lot of extraneous features for a seamless user experience and a reasonable price tag. And for the most part, I think the trade is good.

I followed the manual for the initial setup, which took about 5 minutes. Fill the water tank, turn the machine on, and wait for the buttons to stop flashing. Then, run the machine three times with just water to thoroughly rinse it. Ready to go!

Brewing is even simpler. Turn on the machine by pressing either of the two buttons on the front. With a powerful 1000 W heater, it takes just a few seconds to heat up. Lift the lid to insert a capsule. Press either the espresso or coffee button to start your brew. It stops automatically.

Note that a different capsule is required depending on whether you want a coffee or an espresso. So press the correct brew button once the capsule is inserted. I made this mistake once and ended up with a very weak coffee.

You can preset the espresso button to brew between 2 ounces (a double shot) and 5 ounces (a lungo). You can choose between 10 and 12 ounces.

This machine has no clock or programmable brew timer, which makes sense given how quickly it heats up and brews; there is really no need. I timed it at 32 seconds for a double shot and 47 seconds for a coffee. It does have an energy-saving auto-off function, which kicks in after 7 minutes of inactivity.

There is no way to froth milk with this machine. You’ll need to buy a separate handheld or automatic frother if you want a cappuccino-style drink. For Illy iperEspresso pod machines with included steam wands, check out an Illy X1 Anniversary espresso machine review or Illy espresso machine X8 review.

Coffee Flavor – 4/5

Coffee from a pod will never match the quality of coffee from fresh grounds. But the Y3.3 gets surprisingly close, at least when it comes to espresso. 

This machine is only compatible with Illy’s patented iperEspresso capsules. How exactly the capsules are designed is kept under lock and key, but Illy describes it as a “two-stage” extraction process. Whatever they’re doing, it’s working. 

The espresso quality was the best I’ve ever tasted from a pod machine, certainly better than Nespresso capsules. It was sweet, rich, and flavorful with an outstanding bold aroma and a dense crema layer.

Our complete Illy Coffee review lets you learn more about Illy’s beans, sourcing, and flavor profiles.

The coffee was good but didn’t wow me to the same extent as the espresso. It was similar in body and flavor to a Nespresso Vertuo machine.

Remember that iperEspresso capsules aren’t as readily available as alternatives like Nespresso, ESE, or K-Cups. They’re easy to order from Amazon or the Illy website, but you’re unlikely to find a pack in your local grocery store. 

Plus, you’re confined to the Illy brand, which limits your coffee options. The selection is reasonable but not huge, as Illy prides themselves on offering one “ideal” blend, rather than a variety (2).

It’s a nice sentiment, but I’m not sure I agree; so much of “best coffee” is a matter of personal taste. Luckily, there is a good assortment of single-origin pods, and you can always buy a reusable capsule and fill it with whatever ground coffee you love.

Cleaning and Maintenance – 4.5/5

Pod machines are universally easy to clean; this one is no exception. After each cup, the capsule is automatically ejected into the waste bin when you lift the lid. The bin holds up to 7 capsules.

The environmental implications of single-serve plastic pods are always a concern, but Illy’s Podback system makes it as easy as possible (and free!) to recycle your iperEspresso pods (3). That said, recycling is less environmentally friendly than not using plastic in the first place. So, I still recommend using a stainless steel refillable pod if you can spare a few extra seconds for clean-up.

The Y3.3 has an automated cleaning cycle, and it will flash the cup icons on the front to let you know when cleaning is required. The instructions to run the descale are in the manual, and I found them very easy to follow.

The water tank is small – just 25.4 ounces – so it does need to be refilled fairly often. It’s clear, so you can track the water level, but I would have preferred some sort of warning light to let me know when the water is low. Most annoying is that the drip tray isn’t removable, so I ended up keeping a cloth nearby to leave under the spout and mop up any spills.

If you’re interested how this pod machine compares to others in the same category, take a look at this table:

					Multiple Colors Available
	Illy iperEspresso capsules		K cups, My K-cup reusable	Nespresso capsules, Nespresso-compatible capsules
Coffee strength adjustment levels
		7.83 x 11.73 x 10.94 inches	14.17 x 17.32 x 14.41 inches
SCA certified home brewer

Value for Money – 4/5

The Illy Y3.3 is priced around $150 to $200, depending on color and where you buy, which is very reasonable for this machine style. It’s on par with the cheapest Nespresso models, though a bit pricier than the Nespresso Vertuo machines. The pods are on the order of a dollar a brew – similar to Nespresso capsules and a bit cheaper than the special Vertuo pods. 

Overall, if you enjoy coffee and espresso equally and want a pod machine’s convenience, this is one of the better options from a cost perspective.

That analysis changes slightly if you want milky drinks or mostly enjoy coffee or espresso. In that case, there are cheaper options available to meet your needs.

Don’t Buy The Illy Capsule Coffee Machine If…

• You want to use freshly ground coffee: If the coffee pod lifestyle isn’t for you, there are a few surprisingly high-quality espresso machines at a similar price point. The automatic Gevi espresso machine is nearly as easy to use as the Y3.3, and includes a steam wand for milky drinks. The Flair Neo espresso maker takes a bit more work but can deliver cafe-quality brews.

• You want something less expensive: The Nespresso Vertuo has a similar functionality and can be had for a bit cheaper, especially if you keep your eyes peeled for sales. Just remember that the pods cost more, so plan on buying a refillable capsule to get the most from your savings.

• You want a latte or cappuccino machine: You’ll likely have to pay a bit more for a capsule machine with milk frothing abilities, but it’s also likely worth it if you regularly crave a latte or cappuccino. Check out the Didiesse Frog Coffee Machine for a funky design or consider the Nespresso Lattissima for a more classic look.

The Verdict

This Illy espresso machine review summarizes my experience owning and using the Illy Y3.3. Overall, I was impressed, particularly with the quality of espresso, which approached that of an Illy commercial coffee machine. 

This model is a fantastic and affordable option for anyone who enjoys coffee and espresso equally – and wants both with the convenience of a pod-based system. If you prefer freshly ground coffee or have a taste for milk-based drinks, I think your money could be better spent elsewhere.

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