La Pavoni Europiccola vs Professional: which lever to buy
Verdict
Same lever, same group, same espresso. Buy the Professional if you make milk drinks or more than two or three shots per session; it has twice the boiler and a gauge. Buy the Europiccola if it is one or two straight shots and space or budget is tight.
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Side by side
| Europiccola | Professional | |
|---|---|---|
| Boiler (La Pavoni) | 0.8 L | 1.6 L |
| Boiler (US manuals) | 20 oz | 38 oz |
| Cups per fill | 8 | 16 |
| Boiler gauge | No (Special Edition EPC-8SB has one) | Yes |
| Heat-up (US manuals) | 5 to 6 min | 6 to 7 min |
| Power | 110V, 1000W | 110V, 1000W |
| Size (US manuals) | 11 x 7 x 12 in, 15 lb | 11 x 7 x 12 in, 17 lb |
| Basket (current) | About 51mm | About 51mm |
What is actually different
The two machines share the lever, the group and the way you pull a shot. The differences are all in the boiler:
- Capacity. La Pavoni lists 0.8 litres for the Europiccola and 1.6 litres for the Professional, rated for 8 and 16 two-ounce cups. Every refill means switching off, releasing pressure and heating again, so the bigger boiler matters if you make several drinks.
- Steam. Both steam from the same boiler they brew from. The Professional’s larger boiler holds more steam for milk.
- Gauge. The Professional has a boiler gauge. The standard Europiccola does not, though a Special Edition with a gauge exists and gauge kits are sold.
What is the same
Both overheat the group after a few shots in a row; La Pavoni recommends waiting a few minutes after 3 to 4 consecutive coffees. Both need a capable grinder. Both are repairable with inexpensive gasket kits.
How to choose
If you mostly drink straight espresso, one or two at a time, the Europiccola gives you the full La Pavoni experience in a smaller machine. If anyone in the house drinks lattes, or you often make coffee for two, choose the Professional.
Questions buyers ask
Is the espresso better from the Professional?
No. The lever and group are the same design. The Professional's advantages are capacity and the gauge.
Do they share parts?
Many wear parts are shared within the same generation, but check the gasket kit listing for your model and generation.
Sources
La Pavoni manuals, parts lists and product pages; European Gift and Houseware, the US importer, and its US manuals.
Not yet confirmed: Boiler sizes in ounces differ between US sources (Europiccola 20 or 27 oz; Professional 38 or 54 oz). We will update this page when a primary source confirms it.