Victoria Arduino E1 PRIMA vs EXP vs PRO

A comparison of the most popular single lever coffee machine with its brand new EXP and PRO versions. Which model of the Victoria Arduino Eagle One PRIMA series is perfect for you?

Victoria Arduino E1 PRIMA espresso machine

Victoria Arduino's model series of single lever espresso machines, called the E1 PRIMA, without the extras, is the entry level line of these small modern espresso machines. Anyway, even in this "basic" trim it is a very, and I must repeat, very sophisticated coffee maker.

Here on the blog we have already covered both a separate review of the Victoria Arduino E1 PRIMA and a comparison with other single lever coffee makers like La Marzocco Linea Mini or GS3 or Lelit Bianca. So now just a quick summary of the main features of the E1 PRIMA.

NEO technology (New Engine Optimization) for high performance coffee machine with reduced energy consumption
only 8minutes to prepare to the operating mode
New thermo-insulating materials, TERS (temperature recovery system) and stainless steel boiler
Steam-by-Wire for electronically precise control of steam development
Programming via Bluetooth in the mobile app
Direct connection to water and the watertank in the coffee machine
Cool Touch nozzle in an exclusive design for easier handling
Easy-Cream steam nozzle (optional extra)
Ghost Display or integrated display with disappearing display when idle
Popular stylish back lighting of the coffee machine
automatic flushing of the coffee machine head after removing the portafilter
basic colours: matt white, matt black, gloss silver
special colours (optional extra): red, light blue, dark green

Comparison of coffee machines: E1 PRIMA EXP vs PRO

Now let's take a small introductory summary of the basic model of the VA E1 PRIMA as a reminder of thefeatures baristas adore in a modern coffee machine. Victoria Arduino is the market leader in lever coffee machines. For decades, it has been setting the direction for the development of pro coffee machines, but also home ones. So let's take a look at the features that Victoria Arduino have currently pulled off with the PRIMA EXP and PRIMA PRO.

Features of the Victoria Arduino Eagle One PRIMA EXP

NEO technology (New Engine Optimization) for high performance coffee maker with reduced power consumption
only 8 minutes to get ready for operation
New thermo-insulating materials, TERS (temperature recovery system) and stainless steel boiler
Steam-by-Wire for electronically precise control of steam development
Programming via Bluetooth on the mobile app
Direct connection to water and water tank in the coffee machine
Cool Touch nozzle in exclusive design for easier handling
Easy-Cream steam nozzles (optional extra)
Ghost Display or integrated display with disappearing display when idle
popular stylish back light of the coffee machine
Automatic flushing of the coffee head after removing the portafilter
Basic colours: matt white, matt black, shiny silver, bright coral, pearl blue, metallic purple, mint gold
Pure Brew technology - the unique ability of the machine to also prepare filtered (drip) coffee or extract loose tea under low pressure settings and water properties (temperature, dosage, flow)
more efficient optimization of energy consumption than any other pro coffee machine in this category

Features of the Victoria Arduino Eagle One PRIMA PRO coffee maker

new thermo-insulating materials, TERS (temperature recovery system) and stainless steel boiler
Bluetooth programming in the mobile app
Cool Touch nozzle (also for hot water) in an exclusive design for easier handling
Easy-Cream steam nozzles (optional extra)
popular stylish back light of the coffee machine
automatic flushing of the coffee head after removing the portafilter
basic colours: matt white, matt black, gloss silver, strong black, racing red
only direct connection to water
Steam-by-Wire Advanced for electronically precise control of steam development
Pure Brew technology - unique ability of the machine to also prepare filtered (drip) coffee or extract loose tea under low pressure settings and water properties (temperature, dosage, flow)
PB TECH is Pure Brew technology for espresso (pulse brewing and adjustment of pre-infusion, infusion and post-infusion phases)
T3 Genius the latest generation of technology that guarantees absolute control over espresso extraction and steam preparation for whisking
New 2.1" touch screen to display, control and set the necessary values on the machine in real time
Steam-by-Wire in the advanced version
Even better coffee machine performance with the option to set your preferred mode (coffee only/steam only/coffee and steam)
increased boiler capacity for both coffee and steam
already within 7 minutes of reaching the operating mode

Technical parameters of Victoria Arduino E1 PRIMA coffee machines

	Victoria Arduino E1 PRIMA	Victoria Arduino E1 EXP	Victoria Arduino E1 PRO
boiler - steam	1,5 l	1,5 l	1,7 l
boiler - coffee	0,2 l	0,2 l	0,8 l
espresso technology	NEO	NEO	T3 Genius
Pure Brew	ne	Yes	Yes
PB TECH	no	no	yes
Steam-by-Wire	yes	yes	Enhanced version
Easy Cream	optional	optional	optional
autoflush	yes	yes	yes
economizer	yes	yes	yes
Cool Touch	yes	yes	yes
water supply method	tank+direct connection	Storage tank+direct connection	direct connection only
hot water	yes	yes	cool touch
display	Ghost Display	Ghost Display	2.1" touch
lighting	Yes	Yes	yes
rear light	yes	yes	yes
adjustable feet	optional	optional	optional
front panel	aluminium	aluminium	stainless steel
dimensions (w × h × h)	411 mm × 510 mm × 379 mm
head height	95 mm
cup heater	330 × 280 mm
energy (min/max)	1600/2600 W	1000/2600 W	2000/3000 W

Why does every barista want a "classy" coffee machine?

Buying the most compact coffee machine means you'll have a small yet super powerful pro coffee machine with lots of useful features. For example, let me mention again the emphasis on efficient use of energy and residual heat in the coffee machine. That's why you'll soon notice that you're getting your money back for the coffee maker in less electricity consumption.

In addition to the joy of lower electricity bills, the fact that you are preparing espresso more sustainably than ever before with the VA E1 PRIMA can also stroke your soul. This is partly due to the energy saving of the coffee machine itself and also to the targeted reduction of the negative environmental impact of its production.

Why do you want a PRIMA EXP coffee machine?

You will want the EXP version (the name comes from the word explorers) if - according to the manufacturers' "claimo" - you can imagine the flavours of tomorrow today. Poetically, the slogan alludes to experiential coffee extraction. Thought of as the experience of making coffee on a machine that:

looks absolutely stylish and, in subtle metallic shades, utterly luxurious,
responds to the current drive for a more sustainable way of life (when it comes to coffee),
does not at all lower the quality bar set by the basic E1 PRIMA
and on the contrary gives the barista new possibilities in coffee preparation, cf. Pure Brew.

Why do you want a PRIMA PRO?

The PRIMA PRO professional single lever coffee machine is a clear favourite for people with uncompromising demands for coffee perfection. The PRIMA PRO is also nicknamed "Absolute Professional" by the manufacturer, which speaks for itself. The technology in this small pro coffee machine pushes the limits. Examples are:

Advanced Steam-by-Wire, which means faster milk whipping with less water consumption to make milk foam more stable, smoother, tastier, in short for excellent cappuccinos and lattes.
Theapplication of Pure Brew technology also to espresso preparation, where the precise calculation of water distribution and pressure in the three extraction stages gives the barista unprecedented possibilities to discover the full potential of the coffee.