The MiiCoffee Apex is not just another entry in the budget espresso machine market; in my opinion, it represents a leap forward in a field that’s been somewhat stagnant.
Its features are surprisingly advanced for its price range, and it might just set a new standard for what we can expect from affordable home espresso makers.
However, it’s not without its drawbacks (in fact, there are two notable ones), which I’ll delve into shortly.
Heads up! There’s a new V2 out of the model. I have updated the article to reflect the changes made!
MiiCoffee Apex: The “DF ” of Espresso Makers?
At first glance, the MiiCoffee Apex might seem like your typical espresso machine. However, I believe it’s a far more intriguing device that warrants vcloser examination.
This espresso machine exudes an aura reminding me of the DF grinders. For the uninitiated, “DF” refers to a range of grinders known for:
- Bringing High-End Features to a Budget Level: Previously exclusive features became accessible at a budget-friendly price, democratizing the espresso experience.
- Global Branding: These grinders were sold worldwide under various names, exemplifying white label or OEM production. Interestingly, in some cases, these white-label products even surpassed the popularity of the original brands.
- Continuous Improvement (and weird design decisions): The DF grinders underwent numerous incremental updates to remedy initial shortcomings, leading to multiple versions and generations. Depending on whether you’re a glass half full or half empty type of person this can be interpreted in different ways.
I think it’s pretty clear that the Apex Espresso Machine is following in the same footsteps: This device offers incredible value. It features adjustable PID temperature control, adjustable preinfusion, a 58 mm industry-standard portafilter, a separate 550 ml stainless steel boiler for brewing, and a thermoblock for steaming.
Remarkably, it’s priced competitively against entry-level favorites like the Gaggia Classic and Breville Bambino Plus, and undercutting the Rancilio Silvia by a wide margin.
If you just look at the features, however, on paper it’s somewhere between the Profitec Go and Quick Mill Silvano.
In this video I talk about the most recent version 👇
Check out my YouTube review of V1 here 👇
Global Presence: The Apex, which was provided by MiiCoffee for this review, is similarly to the DF-grinders known under various names around the globe.
In the US, both MiiCoffee and Espresso Outlet has it (under the respective names, Apex and Legato), in Hungary it’s called AVX DB1, and variations known as Gemilai and iTop can be found in China. In the Philippines, it goes by Koryaiko.
If you’re familar with the Kafmasino project, it also appears to be the same machine (however, this device is decked out with a tablet and some different internals).
Overview & Design
The Apex espresso machine stands out from others due to its clear display, which makes adjusting settings and general usage a lot easier compared to most machines. The display comes in handy when you need to tweak the temperature or adjust the preinfusion. It also allows the machine to comunicate with you. For instance, the display will also inform you when the machine is in “eco-mode”. Just click a button, and then the boiler will rapidly heat up again.
However, in general, the machine has a relatively fast heat-up time of around 7-10 minutes, so there’s not any good reasons to leave it on all day.
The machine’s size is somewhere between the Gaggia Classic and Rancilio Silvia:
- Gaggia Classic weighs in at 7 kg
- Rancilio Silvia is a lot more chunky at 14 kg
- MiiCoffee Apex is exactly in-between at 10.4 kg
Looks-wise, the Apex resembles the typical entry-level espresso maker. I’ve always had a fondness for the Gaggia Classic’s design, while I find Miss Silvia’s appearance more utilitarian and boxy.
The Apex might not be a contender for design awards, but its looks are acceptable, although I could wish for a bit more flair when it comes to the button icons. With the latest V2 version released in October 2024, there are also two new colors available: a white and a “black” one. In reality, it’s closer to a matte dark gray. This new finish offers a more discreet appearance, and I really like it. It’s less prone to showing fingerprints and coffee splashes compared to the traditional stainless steel finish.
My test version sports blue backlit buttons and combined with the matte grey finish, it actually looks pretty cool. I have seen another online vendor whose machine comes with red backlit buttons, and that just doesn’t look as stylish IMO.
On the first version of the machine there was also a prominent MiiCoffee logo on the drip tray which detracted from the overall appearance. I don’t mind logos if they are made by Italian designers and have at least half a century of history, but if that’s the case, then less is more. Luckily, the updated V2 features a smaller MiiCoffee logo and it’s moved to the top, where it’s less visible.
Overall, I’d say the aesthetics are about the same as similar espresso makers like Victoria and Glenda from the Lelit brand.
Functional accessories
It comes with quality accessories including a sturdy tamper, cleaning brush, a surprisingly good single basket (a rarity), and a premium portafilter.
The portafilter that comes with the Rancilio Silvia might still have an edge, but Apex’ version is definitely nicer than what comes with the Gaggia Classic and Breville Bambino Plus. The metal is heavy and nicely finished. The handle does feel a bit cheap, but it takes about 20 seconds to install a new one if you should wish to do so.
The water tank is adequately sized and detachable. The drip tray, though slightly crude looking, includes a handy float indicator and a LED light for visibility.
An awesome additional feature is the timer, which activates during brewing or steaming. Some prosumer machines have this feature as well, but not necessarily executed to the same standard. For instance, the display on the Breville Dual Boiler is much harder to read. And unlike the Apex, it only works for brewing, not steaming.
Espresso Brewing
The Apex excels in temperature stability thanks to its dedicated single boiler for brewing. The built-in PID allows for temperature adjustments, enhancing shot consistency.
PID is a game-changer when it comes to making espresso at home. Without it, consistency can be really challenging. If you have one of those two classic single-boiler espresso machines I mentioned before, such as Silvia or Classic, you know how difficult it it it can be to achieve consistent results.
Many users of these machines end up investing time and money in installing a PID to replace the less precise thermostat that these devices come with.
Even on machines that should be prosumer level, such as Rocket Appartamento, a PID is conspicuously absent.
A thermostat will oscillate between vastly different temperatures, so you need a so-called “temperature surfing” routine to brew at the right temperature. This routine usually involves purging a lot of hot water and waiting for a preset number of seconds. Temperature surfing might sound fun and adventurous, but it quickly becomes a chore.
Another reason temperature surfing is frustrating on single boiler machines is that the same boiler has to exceed boiling temperature to produce steam. This means a lot of waiting for the boiler to heat. And after its heated you need to manage that steam if you want to brew again. Often involving brewing and steaming simultaneously to expel hot water and allow new, cold water into the boiler. This process is both wasteful and time-consuming.
The PID on the Apex might not be 100% precise, but it’s sufficient for everyday use. During my testing period, I never experienced shots that felt too cold or too hot. I was able to manage the temperature with confidence; increasing it for lighter roasts and lowering it for dark roasts.
Adjusting the temperature on the display is straightforward, and you can follow the boiler in real time as it recovers after brewing. The PID is connected to the boiler, so it won’t show your brew temperature, but you can overshoot a few degrees and that should land you in a good spot. However, this also depends on how well you preheat your machine and portafilter.
I think the PID has a tendency to indicate temperatures are reached a little too fast. It’s probably wise to err on the side of caution, allowing extra minutes for warm-up or to change to a new temperature if you’re adjusting it prior to brewing.
If I set the PID to 102 Celsius, it will indicate that it’s at that temperature 1-2 minutes before it actually is. You can easily test this; at a 102-degree setting, you’d expect some steaming and hissing sounds from the group head when pressing the brew button.
Adjustable Preinfusion
The next feature worth discussing is the adjustable preinfusion. Initially, I was quite excited about this addition, but on the first iteration of the machine, it was not very useful.
However, the function has been substantially improved in version 2. Users can now adjust both the pre-infusion time and the pause duration before full pressure is applied. This enhanced control allows for enough water to be released to fully saturate the puck.
While the effectiveness of this type of “active” pre-infusion is debated among espresso enthusiasts, at least it provides an additional tool for experimentation.
The preinfusion is tied exclusively to the preprogrammed shot button. This means using the manual button results in a shot at full pressure, so in daily use it’s easy to switch between the different modes.
To activate preinfusion, you hold down the minus button until the option appears and then select the duration. Initially, this seems promising.
From 15 bars to 9 bars on v2
One of the main challenges with the original Apex was its Ulka pump operating at 15 bars of pressure. While 9 bars has long been considered the gold standard in specialty coffee, many affordable machines opt for higher pressure to accommodate E.S.E. pods or pressurized baskets.
The 15-bar pump in the original Apex was a point of concern for potential buyers. In practice, shots with the original Apex typically peaked at 11-12 bars before gradually decreasing as extraction progressed. The pump only exerts maximum pressure when encountering sufficient resistance from the coffee puck, so it wasn’t like the shots were significantly higher in terms of pressure compared to regular shots. But nonetheless, it’s awesome to see the new addition to the machine.
The Apex V2 introduces an externally adjustable Over-Pressure Valve (OPV).
With the new OPV, users can easily adjust the maximum pressure to their preference. You can now set it to the traditional 9 bars, experiment with lower pressures around 7 bars (which some hipster baristas now advocate for better shot-to-shot consistency), or even go higher if desired.
This external adjustment is a notable improvement over the original version and it’s a lot easier to modify compared to a rival like the Gaggia Classic Pro, where OPV adjustment requires internal modifications and an additional 3rd party spring.
Flow Rate/water debit Control
Both versions of the Apex allow for modification of water debit by adjusting a screw inside the machine. This affects flow rate and can help control pump pressure, allowing for a gentler build-up to maximum pressure. The machine comes preset to a standard flow of 400 ml, but slight reductions can potentially reduce channeling as the coffee puck degrades during extraction.
In the V2, you still have the water debit control, so combined with the easy access to the OPV, there’s no excuse to not pull shots the way you want.
Steaming Performance:
The 360-degree, fully articulating steam wand isn’t the quickest nor the slowest in the market, since it relies on a thermoblock for steam power. Nevertheless, it’s consistent, delivering the same steam quality and power every time, which is just as important if you ask me.
A notable advantage over machines like the Gaggia Classic Pro is that the Apex maintains steady steam power throughout use. Also, there’s no waiting for the machine to reheat when switching from brewing to steaming.
Compared to devices with two boilers, the performance of the thermoblock is less powerful. However, it should work adequately unless you’re steaming huge quantities simultaneously. I usually only steam around 100-150 ml of milk in one go, and this is no problem with the Apex; you can get finely textured microfoam in about 20-30 seconds depending on the volume you’re steaming.
A neat feature of the Apex is the display timer for steaming, ensuring consistent results – I’ve found it takes exactly 20 seconds to heat enough oat milk for a small cappuccino.
As someone who isn’t overly particular about steaming, I find the Apex’s performance good enough, while some latte artists might prefer more powerful machines.
From version 2 and on a single-hole steam tip is included included instead of a 3-hole version. This adds a little bit of extra oomph and allows you to create that famous “vortex” more consistenly when heating the milk.
In version 2, there’s also a PID that controls the thermoblock for steaming. However, I haven’t really explored this feature, as I typically don’t adjust the steam settings on any espresso machine unless something is significantly off.
A useful tip: there’s often a bit of initial water, so it’s best to purge the wand for about 6 seconds before starting to steam.
Build quality?
One common concern with new manufacturers, particularly those producing complex products like espresso makers, centers on longevity.
Of course, there will be uncertainty surrounding the durability of this particular machine, given a relatively unknown Chinese factory manufactures it.
However, it’s worth noting that the machine’s previous iteration—sans the pressure gauge—has been on the market in select regions for several years. In Korea, for instance, it has garnered a fair reputation.
Moreover, following my YouTube video release, I received feedback from the Hungarian distributor AVX. They regard this machine as equally, if not more, stable compared to some established Italian espresso brands.
Alternatives
- Gaggia Classic and Rancilio Silvia: These two classic Italian espresso makers have seen little change since their debut decades ago. Their single boiler, dual-purpose design can be incredibly frustrating. Having used both these machines and the Apex, I can confidently say the Apex pulls better shots more consistently.
The Silvia does have an advantage with its powerful steam capability, but this comes with a compromise. You’ll need to wait a minute between brewing and steaming, or steam first, then purge hot water to lower the temperature before pulling your shot. Personally, I prefer the slightly weaker steam power of the Apex to avoid this routine.
- Breville Bambino Plus: Unlike the single-boiler designs, the Bambino Plus features a thermocoil heating system and a non-adjustable PID.
For espresso purists, the 58 mm portafilter platform and adjustable brew temperature give the Apex an edge.
However, the Bambino Plus has some notable advantages. It boasts automatic steam frothing – a convenient feature. Additionally, its manual milk steam power seems slightly stronger than the Apex’s.
Lastly, the Bambino Plus impresses with its ultra-rapid 3-second heat-up time and compact footprint. If flexibility and milk-based drinks are your priorities, there are compelling reasons to choose the Bambino Plus. But for those more inclined towards traditional espresso and seeking a “somewhat” classic machine, the Apex might be the better choice.
The Verdict
The MiiCoffee Apex, despite a few quirks, simply stands out among other budget-friendly espresso makers.
It eliminates the need for temperature surfing and purging – two of the most tedious aspects of the home barista lifestyle that espresso lovers on a budget have endured for decades.
Additionally, it boasts features uncommon in its price range. Beyond the PID and dedicated thermoblock for steaming, it offers a shot timer and an LED light for the drip tray – luxuries typically reserved for prosumer models.
The downside used to be the high pressure and the wonky preinfusion function. But now they have fixed this with the upgraded version 2.
You also get flexibility in terms of an easily adjustable OPV and preinfusion, so the machine is not only great for beginners but also fun for more advanced espresso geeks.
As someone who usually relies on a dual boiler machine for my daily espresso and cappuccino needs, I didn’t notice much difference in performance during my testing period with the Apex. Slightly weaker steam, perhaps, but besides that the performance is similar.
Whether you’re upgrading or purchasing your first espresso machine, the MiiCoffee Apex V2 is likely one of the best—scratch that, the best—options currently available, especially from a budget mindset. In terms of value and functionality, it’s unbeatable at this price point
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