Unboxed: Why the Sanremo Cube Espresso Machine is a 'Cracker' Entry into the Home Market

We've been buzzing with excitement, and today, we finally get to dive into a machine that is set to shake up the domestic coffee world: the Sanremo Cube.

For years, Sanremo has been known for crafting exceptional commercial espresso machines. Now, they've brought that Italian engineering and design prowess right into your kitchen. The Cube is their very first entry into the domestic range, and based on our unboxing, it’s going to be a cracker of an entry!

First Impressions: Made in Italy, Packed for the Journey

The machine arrives on a secure pallet—a necessary step for a unit with this much solid, Italian-made weight! It's fantastic to see the "Made in Italy" stamp, ensuring you're getting genuine quality.

Shipping a heavy-duty espresso machine can be tricky, but Sanremo has nailed the packaging. Heaps of foam surround the unit, making sure it survives the courier test. When we finally managed to lift the solid machine out, we found the beautiful Artisti Blue colour—a clean, crisp, and truly schmick finish.

Design and Customization: Personalize Your Coffee Experience

One of the most impressive features of the Cube is the level of customization on offer. Sanremo has absolutely nailed what the home user wants: a personalized coffee station.

• The ABS Model: Features a very fixed, smooth, and clean external frame, like the beautiful unit we unboxed.

• The Bi-Colour Model: Allows you to swap out external inserts, perfect for adding different colours or even your own brand/logo.

• Full Customization: For those who want to go all out, a fully customized unit is also an option.

Rotary Power: The Cube R Model

In Australia, we will primarily have access to the Cube R—the rotary pump model—and that is a huge plus. The minor price difference compared to the vibration (V) model means the rotary pump is a superior choice, giving you a smooth, professional extraction and the ability to plumb the machine directly to your mains water!

Key Specs and Components:

• Boiler: A 1.9-litre heat exchanger boiler (a smidge larger than the industry standard 1.8L).

• Group Head: The industry-standard E61 58mm group head for excellent temperature stability.

• Controls: Unique steam and hot water knobs. Turning one way offers a 'purge/spring back' function, while the other side turns it fully on—a brilliant redesign for extra detail.

• Brewing Lever: A clever difference! The manual infusion lever actually goes up to activate, which is the reverse of many units out there.

The Water Tank: Small, Smart, and Simple

The Cube features a 1.8-litre water tank. While many domestic machines have a larger 3-litre tank, this is usually because they are the vibration-pump models that churn through more water.

Because the Cube R can be plumbed in, a large tank isn't essential. The 1.8L tank is incredibly easy to remove, fill up at the sink, and replace—a huge tick for convenience.

The Unboxing Bling: A Comprehensive Accessories Kit

If you love coffee kit, you'll love what's included. Sanremo doesn't hold back on the accessories, providing everything you need to start brewing (other than water and coffee!).

The included accessories box is one of the nicest presented kits we’ve seen:

• Portafilters: Both single and double portafilters (group handles).

• Baskets: An impressive four straight-wall baskets plus a backwash basket. All are beautifully made in Italy.

• Tamping: A quality 58mm flat tamper with an embossed Sanremo logo.

• Milk Jug: A solid quality, base-pot-style Sanremo milk jug—perfect for latte art.

• Cleaning: A green cleaning brush and a Sanremo polishing cloth.

• Extras: A T-shirt and a lovely little carry bag for all the "bling"!

Powering Up: First Fill

When you fire up your Cube for the first time, the 1.9L boiler will suck a fair bit of water to fill up. Tip: Make sure to top up your 1.8L water tank immediately after the initial fill, as you will get caught running out of water if you try to brew a coffee right away!

Once powered on, the pump kicks in, and the digital display starts ticking up, showing you the temperature as it heats the boiler.

The Sanremo Cube R is a powerful, well-designed, and beautifully presented machine that brings genuine commercial-grade coffee technology into your home. It’s hard to imagine a better debut for Sanremo in the domestic space.

What are your thoughts on the Sanremo Cube? Are you excited about the rotary pump and plumbing option? Let us know in the comments below!