Compare: Rancilio Silvia V3 vs. Francis Francis X1

There's a lot to love about both of these machines and a little bit to not dig quite so much. Gail takes us through their feature similarities, differences and pulls shots to see how they measure up.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• rancilio silvia
• francis francis x1
• single boiler
• espresso machine
• comparison
• review
• shot quality
• tech specs
• features
• pros
• cons

[Nightreaver1]

Quick question, it's the 3rd generation (most recent) X1 right? So that machine is the ground coffee version which can't do pods? I just got my hands on a 2nd gen X1 (the one where they upgraded to a brass boiler) and I'm scouting to see what the quality of the shots are with the ground coffee portafilter as I haven't payed those $100 for it yet. Also I', not sure if the 2nd gen has autofill?

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@Nightreaver1 This I believe is the 3rd gen, before they decided to move to the iperespresso. This does ground coffee only - Kat

[bravox4u]

Hi, good video, do you have any review of the spaziale rossini? Thank you.

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@bravox4u Hi there -- no, we have never carried that model, so no reviews...sorry :/ - Kat

[jdwysowaty]

Since the Rancilio Silvia V3 doesn't have the auto-fill feature, how do you know when to put water in the boiler to prevent overheating?

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@jdwysowaty As long as you're pulling water through the wand/brew head regularly, you'll be fine. - Kat

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@aunsell For function and build quality, I'd stick with the Rocket machines. The Grimacs have varying build quality and the Izzos can have a couple of issues here and there, although they are getting better. If you can spend more, I'd definitely recommend getting into the Hx or double boiler market. Also check out the La Spaziale; if you want a double boiler, that would be my recommendation. - Kat

[aunsell]

HI Kat

I have a tough question for you. If you had $2500 to spend on an Espresso mashine what do you think is the best. Looks and size aren't factors, just quality and the end result :) I have looked at the LaValentina as well at the Rocket, Alex, Francis, Rancilio.

Im liking the Alex duetto. What are your thoughts of the "best".

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@llemay Yeah, we're hoping for a few more improvements -- but, then, we always are ;) You made a good choice with the Silvia, too, though; so I'm sure you'll have no regrets in the long run. - Kat

[llemay]

Wow! I'm impressed with the performance of the new X1. I had a mid-90s X1 and just a few months ago replaced it with the rancilio silvia. If I had seen this video when I was shopping my decision might have been an awful lot tougher -- I loved the visual aesthetics of the X1 but the one I had pulled terrible shots. I'm pleased to see that Illy has improved it so much. (not that I regret buying my SIlvia -- its a great machine, it's just not all that pretty).