Vetrano 2B vs. Alex Duetto vs. R58

So you’re ready to make the jump and purchase your next espresso machine.

You’ve had a single boiler or a heat exchange machine that has served you well but as you’ve gotten more experienced and dived into the intricacies of espresso you’ve decided it's time to move on up to a dual boiler and take full control over your routine.

That’s awesome.

Then you start looking at machines.

Whoa.

Talk about information overload.

There’s a lot of conflicting viewpoints out there and everyone seems to have an opinion on what’s the “best” and “greatest” dual boiler machine out on the market today.  To complicate matters, some of the more popular machines seemingly have the same specs, great reviews and visually look pretty similar to one another.  

All of This Begs the Question... What’s the Right Machine for Me?

The good news is you’re not alone in asking that question.  In fact, we hear that almost every day here at Chris’ Coffee with three machines in particular almost always being compared to one another: The Quick Mill Vetrano 2B Evo, the Izzo Alex Duetto IV, and the Rocket R58.

All three are tremendous machines with the elite build quality, excellent service records, and are similarly priced.  They all feature the E61 group head along with rotary pumps that can be plumbed in or have the ability to use the included reservoir tank.  All three feature stainless steel bodies, digital PID controls that double as shot timers and commercial grade internal parts.

While at first glance their specs appear to be nearly identical, there are a few subtle differences between them that may help you make a decision when looking for a new espresso machine.

Advantages of the Quick Mill Vetrano 2B Evo

The Vetrano 2B Evo features stainless steel boilers along with a stainless steel mushroom and gicleur valve to help make the machine more resistant to corrosion.  Out of the three machines, the Vetrano 2B Evo is the only machine that has stainless steel boilers.  In addition, the Vetrano 2B Evo features “polar white” barista lights along the sides of the machine that can be turned off independently of the machine’s operation.  This is purely an aesthetic design but it definitely makes the machine stand out on a countertop when compared to other models.

Advantages of the Izzo Alex Duetto

The Alex Duetto IV has a slightly larger copper steam boiler than both the Vetrano and the R58 and it most definitely shows.  The dry steam power with the Duetto IV is very impressive and if you are predominantly interested in making cappuccinos or lattes you may find the Duetto will be a better fit because of that extra steam power.  In addition, the Duetto has more of a mechanical interface internally and our techs will always tell you the fewer electronics involved in your espresso machine, the easier it is to replace parts if they ever do need maintenance.

Advantages of the Rocket R58 Cinquantotto

Finally, the recently redesigned R58 has an external touchscreen PID that connects directly into the side of the machine.  The new touchscreen interface makes the PID incredibly simple to use and you can easily adjust your boiler temperatures without having to go through any difficult menus.  Rocket has always done an amazing job with their attention to detail both inside and out and the latest R58 reflects this by simplifying the interface and making the machine-accessible to everyone.

Conclusions

The good news is that you really can’t go wrong with any of the three.  It’s all about finding the aesthetics and features that speak to you.

If you’re concerned about the effects of corrosion on your machine, the Vetrano 2B Evo is your best bet. If you’re looking for the best steam power for your lattes and cappuccinos, the Alex Duetto IV would be a great choice.  If you’re looking for a statement machine and something that is easy to use, the R58s checks both of those boxes.

Finding the machine that best suits you is all part of the journey.

Keep up with the research, weigh your options, and at the end of the day kick back with a delicious cup of espresso and enjoy the fruits of your labor.