This is version 2 of a machine that looked like it could make huge waves in the entry to mid level home espresso machine market.
Version 1 made a ripple, rather than a wave, thanks to a couple of things the manufacture got wrong - the lack of a 9 bar OPV, and an issue with the pre-infusion, basically it didn't do what it was supposed to.
Version 2, on the other hand - I think is about to make a rather large splash!
Features and Benefits
• Ready Time: Under 5 minutes
• Pre-infusion: Adjustable volume & bloom time
• Shot Buttons: Manual & Pre-set (time based)
• Brew Boiler: 550ml stainless steel boiler
• Steam: Stainless steel thermoblock
• PID: Adjustable PID for both steam and brew
• Brew Temp: 80-102°C in 1°C increments
• Steam Temp: 135°C – 147°C in 1°C increments
• Portafilter: 58mm E61 compatible
• OPV: Externally adjustable
• Flow Rate: Adjustable via needle valve
• Pump: Vibration
• Steam wand: Pro steam wand with single hole tip
• Water Tank: 2L, removable (listed as 1.7L)
• Drip Tray: Approx. 350ml capacity - level indicator
• Eco Mode: Auto after 28 mins
So let's get this straight, this is a machine with a brew boiler, a separate steam thermoblock (both PID controlled), fully adjustable (pre-brew type) pre-infusion, adjustable OPV and even an adjustable flow rate - for the price of the Gaggia Classic E24?
This is nuts, quite frankly.
Not only does this machine out perform the Gaggia Classic, it even out performs the likes of the Profitec Go & the Lelit Victoria, talking purely about performance.
The pre-infusion is the pre-brew type, not the gentle ramp up pre-infusion. So you can adjust the volume of the pre-brew, well, you adjust the time - but it equates to approx 5-6 ml per second.
You can also adjust the brew pause (bloom) time, in one second increments.
There's a continuous / manual shot button, and a programmable shot button, but it's important to note that it's timed, not volumetric.
So, if you do want to use the "auto" shot button, just set it to the max shot time you'd want to reach with the beans you're using.
Dual Boiler?
I've seen this referred to as a dual boiler, it's not.
It does have a separate thermoblock for steam, and the benefit of this is instantly available steam, no having to wait for the boiler to heat up to steam temp, and no wait for the shot time to drop back down to brew ready after steaming.
There's only one pump, which is why you can't steam milk and pull shots simultaneously as you can with dual boilers and heat exchanger machines.
Still, you can pull your shot, and then instantly steam your milk - or vice versa, either way is fine. So leads to faster workflow than with most single boiler espresso machines.
Steam Power
The steam is continuous & consistent, it's plenty powerful enough at about 40 seconds to steam 170ml of milk, and I find the single hole tip to be really easy to use, I've created some great milk texture with it.
Hot Water?
It doesn't have a hot water outlet, and you can't get hot water from the steam wand either. You could dispense water from the group, if you wanted to, not a problem for Americano, other than being a bit slow.
Adjustable OPV
The OPV, over pressure valve, is how the basket pressure is limited. V1 of this machine only had a safety valve, it didn't have a usable OPV.
How quickly the brand responded to this, is very impressive - given that Gaggia, for example, still haven't responded to the huge call for this on the Gaggia Classic, which was released in 1991!
Being slow on the uptake I think isn't going to be an option going forward for any espresso machine brand who wants to remain their market share, though, given that there are clearly brands like this coming along who will give the customer exactly what they ask for.
It's not only Gaggia who I think need to pull their socks up a bit in this regard, in fact when it comes to single boiler machines, the only other machine I'm aware of at the moment that has an externally adjustable OPV is the Profitec Go.
Personally, I see an externally adjustable OPV as a necessity these days. I still can't figure out why home barista machine brands are so intent on sending machines out with the OPV set to 10 bars or higher.
Flow Rate Adjustment
There's a screw for adjusting the flow rate, which is very impressive!
If you have no particular reason to adjust the flow rate, I'd say just leave it alone - but for folk who're getting a bit more advanced, having this ability I think is great.
I think it would have been even better if they put a big nut on it like they did with the OPV adjustment, so that if you wanted to change the flow rate mid-shot, you can just adjust it with your thumb & forefinger.
Instead, it's a nut that sits inside the case, which is adjustable only via a flat head screwdriver.
There are catches, though
So clearly this is one heck of a machine for the money, but it's not without catches.
I've got the Apex V2, I've used it quite a bit - and to be fair, there are no catches when it comes to performance. OK an external screw I think would have been better for the flow rate, and it would benefit from a hot water spout - but everything it does, it does really well.
The main catches involve the trade off when it comes to performance over build quality & looks.
It's not the prettiest machine, this won't bother some people - it doesn't really bother me to be honest, if I want to look at something beautiful, all I have to do is look in the mirror (yes, it's a magic one, hehe).
It's not on par with the aforementioned machines when it comes to overall build quality, it's a bit rough around the edges.
Most of this is external & aesthetic, although there's one thing internally that could prove to be a pain over time, which is the mainboard sitting close to water pipes, and not being encased in protective material.
This seems like a possible recipe for a fried mainboard over time, I'm not sure why they didn't put it in a plastic case, I don't think that would have been particularly pricey to do.
On the outside, most things are actually sturdier than it may appear. The plastic bits on the water tank, including the lid and the fittings, seem like they could be a bit on the brittle side, but my experience says otherwise.
I was sent a very well used and well travelled Kafmasino One, for my review - which is practically the same machine, externally (a few differences internally, of the base machine, including a different thermoblock).
This machine had been to various countries, to be put through its paces by various reviewers, and there was no sign of any external strain to these parts, or anywhere else - except for one.
The one issue I did find was that after a few years of use & abuse, the thin piece of plastic that connects the digital panel to the frame, had just cracked slightly - and then, being the heavy handed muppet that I am, I prodded the flipping thing right inside the machine.
A bit of glue did the trick, and it was fine after that - but I think this just illustrates the choice you're making when you put all of your money into performance.
The warranty situation too is a catch, although I can't imagine it'll be long before there's a UK espresso machine supplier who sees the potential of importing these machines and selling them with a 2 year UK warranty.
At present, the warranty is a 1 year return to base at the customers cost, and I doubt many people are going to want to pay the return cost to and from China, so it basically means you'll need to find a UK espresso engineer who you can get hold of if you have an issue.
Vs the Gaggia Classic E24
Out of the box, the Apex way out performs the classic.
The steam power is way better, and more constant, there's adjustable pre-infusion, adjustable brew temperature, adjustable over pressure valve - the Apex is just on a different level, for performance & features.
But the classic is a workhorse & a tank, and as long as you avoid grey importers and buy directly from a UK stockist such as Gaggia Direct or Clumsy Goat, you'll have reliable UK warranty, too.
Vs the Bambino Plus
This is a very different machine to the Bambino & Bambino Plus, but I'm seeing this question asked quite a bit.
The Bambino plus - as it's from Sage, who are the masters of user friendliness - is super user friendly, including the 3 second heat up time & auto milk steaming.
For anyone who's happy with classic espresso, using medium/dark to dark roasts, who doesn't want faff - the Bambino is probably more up your street.
The Bambino and Bambino Plus Review
If you're wanting to use a wider range of beans (providing that you pair it with a capable grinder), and you want this level of adjustability, then the Apex V2 is probably more suited to you.
For loads more options, see: