Is the Rocket Appartamento's build quality better than the Breville Dual Boiler?

Question

Currently, I am undecided between the Rocket Appartamento and Breville Dual Boiler. Comparing their build quality, do you believe that the Appartamento is more robust?

Answer 1

Indeed, when you compare the Rocket Appartamento with the Breville Dual Boiler, it is obvious that Appartamento has a superior build. Appartamento is designed with an all-stainless steel body and drip tray, which give it a more robust and classic style. It is also provided with a good quality tamper made from solid metal, whereas the Breville comes with a plastic tamper. It is noticeable that the portafilter and the steam wand of the Appartamento are more robust which provides a lasting overall appeal to the unit.

Comments

I've had the Breville Express for 3+ years now running daily and it's still going strong.  While the Apartmento uses higher quality materials on the outside, I don't think it's fair to completely judge the build quality just on that.  What ultimately matters is the quality of the shot, and how reliable it is over the long run, and you'd only be able to do that if you tore it down and compared their performance over time IMO.

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I had a Rocket Mozzafiato R for 15 days and returned it. Purchased a Breville Dual Boiler and I couldn’t be happier. The Rocket is built for looks and it sure was pretty but once you start digging into it you’ll find cost cutting all over the place. The last straw for me finding a rusted frame when I looked underneath. A Breville with the slayer mode beats any heat exchanger machine. You’d have to spend 3k to match it.

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In Australia the rocket is twice the price of the breville — and the breville includes a very good grinder in that price. It’s a no-contest. While I’ve never owned a rocket, I’ve owned my current breville espresso machine for 10 years and it hasn’t skipped a beat.

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Thanks for this review, I think you nailed it pretty well.  I have a Brevelle and a ECM semi automatic. They are very different experiences.  I find the  Brevelle is easier to use for the less experienced with its push button simplicity.  So when guests come to visit I steer them to the Brevelle.  I do believe I enjoy the engagement of the old school ECM Synchronika dual boiler.  The Synchronika is plumed I and has a direct drain which is important to me. I’ve opened both machines up and yes the Brevelle is mostly plastic fittings and silicone tubes on the inside, that said, I’ve not have any issues after two years of service.

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Interesting vid thank you.  Great analogy with the Tesla / Porsche too.
After 2 Breville DB machines (900, then 920) I recently upgraded to an ECM Mechanika E61, primarily for a more reliable long term machine.
Coffee quality and usability of the Brevilles was awesome, just found them too unreliable. Unfortunately the electronics inside make them vulnerable to the inevitable leaks in a consumer grade machine, resulting in expensive repairs. If still under warranty this might be OK, and extended warranties might be a consideration (read the fine print tho), but at some stage these will run out. What tipped me over was a $470 (AUD) repair bill after the machine died following the descaling procedure *to the letter*. Following this I considered annual professional servicing to hopefully prevent issues in future, however this was quoted at $150-200 each time, which would obviously add up quickly over time.
As you said in the vid, the E61 machines are fairly scant for features (I miss the shot timer for one), however the large initial outlay will hopefully be offset by a longer lifespan with less visits to the serviceman (with some being done by myself). The extra steam power is great too.

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Build quality seems to be a big reason to go for the rocket. The thing is my barista express has been super reliable for over 4 years. If one is simply better but the other is still good enough I would not put too much thought on build quality. Maybe if you plan to keep for 10+ years and we all know apartomanto is not end game machine.

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The Apartamento is very well built, but it's competitors have left it in the dust, if only because they have PID's and adjustable temperature control.  Breville offers a lot of programming conveniences, but IMO takes the art, and to my way of thinking some fun, out of espresso making.  An E61 with a flow control device can be loads of fun experimenting with different "recipes" without having to go into "programming".

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I’ve got the Appartamento and love it. I did consider the breville dual initially but decided the rocket. Pros. If things break in it. Most of it is easily repairable, kinda like a Toyota Landcruisers. Basic, yet indestructible, reliable and high quality. Performs amazingly and holds its value :)

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One is a consumer appliance, one is a coffee machine
One will last a long time, one won't - you only have to prescribe to coffee forums (home barista or coffeesnobs) to find out which one
One has cafe machine componentry and gives you a more cafe style experience (taste), one doesn't
One uses a standard and reputable E61 group head and one uses its own
One has access to a whole pile of accessories like baskets, group handles including naked group handles, gaskets, filter paper, puck screens, flow control, etc, one doesn't
One is repairable with easy to obtain parts, one has to be returned to the manufacturer and replaced which could take weeks
etc etc etc etc

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Rocket over Breville, Tesla over Porche.  I had a Breville and it lasted 5 years and ceased working and was not worth repairing so it went to landfill.  Get the Rocket, you will be able to repair it and get far more joy out of making your coffee.  I now own an E61 machine and it is so much better in every way than the Breville.  Buy something that is going to last and not end up as rubbish.

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Does the dual Boiler cups warmer really work or like the other breville models

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I have the Breville and after 7 years on consistent shots it's slowly dying! Electrical. No Service, no parts. UPGRADING to Rocket !