Independent guide. Not affiliated with La Pavoni S.p.A. or Smeg.

La Pavoni machines compared

Choose by how you drink coffee, not by the finish.

Not sure? Most people who want a La Pavoni lever should start with the Professional.

Check price on Amazon

Best first lever

Europiccola

The smallest La Pavoni lever. One small boiler for brewing and steaming, no gauge, and the most direct way into a manual lever.

Boiler capacity
0.8 L per La Pavoni. US sources list 20 oz (manual) or 27 oz (importer).
Basket size
About 51mm (Millennium, made after 2000). Older machines use about 49mm.
Pressure gauge
None listed on the standard model (sight glass only). The Special Edition EPC-8SB adds one.

More shots per fill

Professional

The Europiccola's lever and group on a boiler twice the size, with a pressure gauge. The better daily lever for milk drinks or two people.

Boiler capacity
1.6 L per La Pavoni. US sources list 38 oz (manual, Amazon) or 54 oz (importer).
Basket size
About 51mm (Millennium, made after 2000). Older machines use about 49mm.
Pressure gauge
Yes, on the boiler. The US manual says it should top out at 0.7 to 0.8 bar and never pass 1 bar.

Gauge on the group

Esperto Abile

A Professional-size lever with a pressure gauge and a temperature strip on the group, so you can see what the shot is doing as you pull.

Boiler capacity
38 oz per the US importer. The Amazon listing says 54 oz. Rated for 16 cups.
Group gauge
Yes, a pressure gauge on the group for extraction pressure, plus a boiler gauge
Group temperature
Temperature strip on the group head

Sculpted base

Stradivari

La Pavoni's classic lever on a curved base inspired by violin maker Antonio Stradivari. Sold in 8-cup and 16-cup sizes.

Boiler capacity
20 oz on the 8-cup, 38 oz on the 16-cup (US importer). La Pavoni lists 1.6 L for the EU 16-cup.
Pressure gauge
Yes on the 16-cup. Not stated for the 8-cup.
Size and weight
12 in tall, 17 lb (importer, both sizes). Amazon lists 14 lb for the ESC-8.

Specifications side by side

Scroll sideways on a phone. Each value links to its source on the machine's review.

SpecEuropiccolaProfessionalEsperto AbileEsperto CompetenteStradivariBotticelli Specialty
US model codesEPBB-8 (black base), EPC-8 (chrome), EPW-8 (chrome with wood)PC-16 (chrome), PBB-16 (black base), PCW-16 (wood), PB-16 (copper and brass), PG-16 (brass)--ESC-8 and ESW-8 (8-cup), PSC-16 and PSW-16 (16-cup)-
Boiler capacity0.8 L per La Pavoni. US sources list 20 oz (manual) or 27 oz (importer).1.6 L per La Pavoni. US sources list 38 oz (manual, Amazon) or 54 oz (importer).38 oz per the US importer. The Amazon listing says 54 oz. Rated for 16 cups.38 oz, rated for 16 cups20 oz on the 8-cup, 38 oz on the 16-cup (US importer). La Pavoni lists 1.6 L for the EU 16-cup.-
Cups per fill8 two-ounce cups (manufacturer figure)16 two-ounce cups (manufacturer figure)--8 (ESC-8, ESW-8) or 16 (PSC-16, PSW-16)-
BoilerBrass, chrome-plated outside, nickel-plated insideBrass, nickel-plated inside. The PB-16 has a lacquered copper boiler.Brass (La Pavoni), nickel-plated (US importer)-Solid brass, chrome plated (16-cup)-
Basket sizeAbout 51mm (Millennium, made after 2000). Older machines use about 49mm.About 51mm (Millennium, made after 2000). Older machines use about 49mm.----
Pressure gaugeNone listed on the standard model (sight glass only). The Special Edition EPC-8SB adds one.Yes, on the boiler. The US manual says it should top out at 0.7 to 0.8 bar and never pass 1 bar.--Yes on the 16-cup. Not stated for the 8-cup.-
Power110V, 1000W (one importer page lists 950W for the wood version)110V, 1000W (some importer pages list 950W)110V, 1000W (US importer). EU model 950W.120V, 1000W (Amazon); 110V, 1000W (importer)110V, 1000W (importer). Amazon lists 950W for the ESC-8.120V, 2380W, NEMA 5-20P plug (US version)
Heat-up timeAbout 5 to 6 minutesAbout 6 to 7 minutes----
Size and weight11 x 7 x 12 in, 15 lb (US manual)11 x 7 x 12 in, 17 lb (US manual). La Pavoni lists 490 mm tall for the EU model.12 x 7 x 15 in, 17 lb (Amazon)-12 in tall, 17 lb (importer, both sizes). Amazon lists 14 lb for the ESC-8.300 x 450 x 415 mm (W x D x H), 31 kg
In the boxPortafilter, one- and two-cup filters, tamper, measuring spoon, automatic milk foamerPortafilter, one- and two-cup filters, tamper, measuring spoonCompetition baskets (9g, 16g, 20g), bottomless and double portafilters, stainless tamperCompetition baskets (9g, 16g, 20g), bottomless and double portafilters, stainless tamper-Blind, 16g and 20g competition baskets, double spouted and "Fascino" filter holders, stainless tamper, brush, plumbing hoses
US warranty1 year from the US importer1 year from the US importer1 year (the importer's policy for all electric products)1 year (the importer's policy for all electric products)1 year from the US importer1 year per Coffeeionado. Another retailer states 2 years.
US model code--ESPAB-16 (chrome boiler and base)ESPCO-16 (brass boiler, chrome base)-LPSBSS13US (EU model LPSBSS03EU)
Group temperature--Temperature strip on the group headTemperature indicator on the group--
Gauges---Group pressure gauge and boiler gauge-Group, pump and boiler gauges, plus adjustable brew pressure (BPPC)