Victoria Arduino Review: Athena Leva, Black Eagle, and Adonis
Recently acquired by competitor Nuova Simonelli, Victoria Arduino continues to offer a wide range of top-performing espresso machines. From its classic machines that pay homage to coffee traditions and craftsmanship to its state-of-the-art products with features that deliver exact espresso extraction, Victoria Arduino has something for everyone.
To help you more easily evaluate espresso machines for your cafe, this manufacturer guide covers three main areas: general pros and cons, pricing, and overall ratings. In this review, we take a close look at three of Victoria Arduino's main commercial models: Athena Leva, Black Eagle, and Adonis.
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Pros & Cons of Victoria Arduino
To help you more easily evaluate espresso machines for your cafe, this manufacturer guide covers three main areas: general pros and cons, pricing, and overall ratings.
PROS:
- The beautiful design of these machines are eye catching which can bring customers in.
- The inclusion of soft-infusion technology in some machines that allows for consistent, high-quality espresso shots.
- Some models can help beginner baristas learn how to pull perfect shots by enabling them to program weight and volume.
CONS:
- Most machines are automated or very traditional in format, which is not ideal for specialty coffee shops.
- Victoria Arduino’s machines can be higher in price than some of their competitors.
Pricing
While they’re a bit pricier than some competitors, Victoria Arduino’s diverse selection of espresso machines remain a solid choice for any specialty coffee shop.
Athena Leva
An ode to the tradition of coffee preparation, this hand-hammered Athena Leva espresso machine is a beauty to see and operate. Its levers enable baristas to customize the espresso extraction process. However, unlike traditional lever-operated machines, the Athena Leva’s heat exchangers allow for temperature control instead of sourcing water from the same place as the steam wand. This feature can sometimes lead to a burnt-tasting espresso.
- Price Range: $9,200-$10,000
- Group Heads: Two or three
- Boilers: Double
- Body Material: Chrome or copper
- Temperature: Heat exchangers allow for optimal temperature control
- Aesthetic: Available in hand-hammered chrome or copper
Black Eagle Gravimetric
Designed for ease of use and complete control over the espresso-making process, the Black Eagle Gravimetric espresso machine comes with shot timers, gravimetric and volumetric programming, and a built-in scale within the drip tray. The gravimetric programming allows baristas to set the drip tray scales to stop at a specific weight vs. measuring shots solely by volume, ensuring a more exact extraction.
- Price Range: $20,000-$30,000
- Group Heads: Two or three
- Boilers: Double
- Body Material: Chrome
- Temperature: T3-technology heat exchanger
- Aesthetic: Extremely low profile
Adonis
The Adonis espresso machine is ideal for specialty coffee shops that seek to balance tradition with innovation. This beautifully crafted machine comes with built-in timers, automatic cleaning, and a soft-infusion system that monitors pressure during extraction to produce quality espresso every time.
- Price Range: $15,500-$18,300
- Group Heads: Two or three
- Boilers: Double
- Body Material: Stainless steel
- Temperature: Fixed (not adjustable for each group head)
- Aesthetic: Steelux, a stainless steel associated with this brand, and options for multiple steam wands
Ratings
Value – 4/5
Despite the beauty and ease of use of Victoria Arduino machines, they’re expensive and lack key features desirable in a semi-automatic machine. They’re a good option for small cafes with a low to medium customer volume or shops that prefer a traditional approach to espresso preparation, but not for fast-paced, third-wave coffee shops.
Ease of Use – 4/5
While many Victoria Arduino machines offer great ease of use, the brand’s semi-automatic machines require the time and mastery of traditional coffee preparation. Or, in the case of the Black Eagle model, mastery of every step of the process. As such, efficiency is not the priority with these machines. For cafes that prefer to take their time during espresso preparation, these machines are a great choice.
Included Features – 4/5
Some Victoria Arduino machines lack many of the additional features now common in the specialty coffee world due to their tendency to stick to tradition over innovation. However, the features included in the Black Eagle machine, such as scales under each grouphead, as well as this brand’s excellent craftsmanship and presentation earn these machines a top rating.
Conclusion
While many of Victoria Arduino’s machines are beautiful and equipped with state-of-the-art features, their balance between value and usability makes them a less-than-ideal choice for most high-volume cafes.
