The ECM Synchronika is a dual-boiler espresso machine from the German company ECM . We tested the Synchronika 1 and the Synchronika 2 in 2024. In this article, you'll find our combined results for both models, temperature curves, and our video reports.
If you have your own experience with the ECM Synchronika, we welcome your comments. This will complement our review and help other interested parties gain a more comprehensive understanding of the machine, including in everyday use. Thank you!
Since the ECM Synchronika I will continue to be sold for a while, we'll leave the information on that machine up until then. All information that applies exclusively to the ECM Synchronika II can be found further down in the article: Jump to the new ECM Synchronika II
General information and facts
The ECM Synchronika is an espresso machine with enormous dimensions, weight, material quality, and value. This machine was built to stand the test of time, and every component exudes this.
We measured a width of 33.5 cm, a height of 41 cm without cups, and a height of 45 cm with our own cups . This might be interesting for you if the machine is going to be placed under a deep kitchen cabinet. The ECM Synchronika is already 48.5 cm deep at the base. With the portafilter installed, the Synchronika reaches a depth of 59 cm. This brings the machine to a considerable weight of 30 kilograms.
The ECM Sychronika has a high-gloss polished stainless steel case. It looks beautiful, reflects beautifully, and unfortunately collects numerous fingerprints. The polishing cloth will need a permanent place near the espresso machines.
The Synchronika is equipped with a 2-liter steam boiler and a 0.75-liter brewing kettle. The rotary pump is very quiet and purrs like a kitten during extraction. We measured a remarkably low value of just 59.2 decibels. We read from the community that some users experience a noticeable rattle in the machine . We noticed a similar rattling and sliding noise in the drip tray, but this can be overcome with magnets or rubber grips.
The rotary pump, in turn, allows us to connect the machine to the mains water supply . A wastewater hose can also be attached to the drip tray. We fill this with a maximum of 850 ml when it's not connected to the wastewater supply and when we want to carry it to the sink.
The 2.5-liter water tank is removable via a top flap and is of high quality. Water is drawn through a valve in the base.
Scope of delivery
The ECM Synchronika is one of the espresso machines that comes with a good set of accessories that actually make sense. Sometimes manufacturers go overboard with accessories that are themselves of inferior quality. The ECM Synchronika comes with two beautiful, heavy portafilters that are perfectly balanced and look great with the Synchronika.
Like the rocker arms, they have a trapezoidal tip made of polished stainless steel, capped by a black hard plastic housing. A perfectly fitting heavy tamper with a finger-width base is a sophisticated tool, which does the ECM proud.
Also included is a cup stand, which raises the espresso cups and ensures that the coffee always reaches the cups. The stand is also designed to accommodate a scale both on top and next to it.
If you would like to connect the ECM Synchronika to the mains water supply, you will find the connection hose already included in the delivery range.
Temperature curves
Once the ECM Synchronika has reached thermal equilibrium, it's a relatively temperature-constant espresso machine. However, it takes time... We waited 35 minutes until the Synchronika, with all its vital components, reached a brewing temperature of 93 degrees Celsius. While the boiler reaches temperature much sooner, the E61 brewing group and portafilter are so heavy that they take the stated time to actually reach temperature.
The following graphic shows the warm-up phase of the ECM Synchronika in orange . After 25 minutes, we made the first extractions, one per minute. By the fourth extraction, we had reached the target temperature with the portafilter, in this case 92 degrees Celsius. The following graphic also illustrates this well.
After 35 minutes, the gray curve was almost at the target temperature, which in this case was 93 degrees Celsius (shown in yellow as a bar with +/- 1 degree to 93 degrees Celsius). Here, too, a rinse shot is necessary to thoroughly heat the portafilter, which isn't sufficiently hot on its own even after 35 minutes (see also Figure 3).
The WBC protocol shown in the first graph begins after one hour and then simulates various inactivity intervals. The temperature curves clearly show that the ECM Synchronika reaches its temperature very quickly in the reference, reaching the target temperature after 7 to 8 seconds. After that, it runs very consistently. The consistency in the reference is exceptionally good.
However, at a one-minute interval, the machine's temperature tends to rise slightly, becoming increasingly warmer. This is a typical problem with Faema E61 espresso machines and is also the case with the Synchronika. Therefore, the target temperature is not entirely reliable. Home baristas need to get to know their machine very well to estimate the exact temperature at which they are brewing.
Espresso quality with the ECM Synchronika
The ECM Synchronika has everything a good espresso machine needs. It offers high temperature consistency , is well-made , and features a first-class rotary pump . However, there remains some uncertainty as to how long it takes for the machine to reach a certain temperature. The ECM Synchronika shares this problem with all Faema E61 espresso machines, and the Synchronika doesn't offer a solution.
We've had some very good espressos, both those with a stronger structure and complex specialty coffees. The Synchronika delivers what it needs with sufficient heat-up time. However, with shorter heat-up times or at lower frequencies, we've also had some outliers.
Energy consumption
The long heating time is needed to bring the large boilers up to temperature. This, of course, also has consequences for energy consumption.
We measured 0.43 kilowatt-hours after a 25-minute heat-up time and dispensing five double shots. This corresponds to our standardized protocol, which we use for all our machines. Please note that we would have had to wait another 10 minutes to measure the machine at full temperature. We will provide this measurement later. The result will likely be slightly higher. But even so, this is a high value for dual-boiler espresso machines. Some thermoblocks use less than a quarter of this for the same amount of espresso.
Foaming and milk
Frothing with the ECM Synchronika is a breeze. With its 2-liter steam boiler, the machine delivers plenty of power to get the milk frothy. At the same time, the milk isn't heated up too quickly, allowing for a pleasant frothing phase. This makes the ECM Synchronika a good hybrid machine for households that value both good espresso and milk-based drinks like cappuccino or flat white.
Conclusion on ECM Synchronika I
The ECM Synchronika is certainly a wonderful machine. It makes good espressos and produces fine foam for cappuccinos and the like. But the test also left me perplexed. With all due respect for the manufacturer and the local dealer network, the machine seems out of date to me. The Faema E61 brewing unit recently celebrated its 60th anniversary. This guarantee of durability is also a symbol of inertia, rarely found in combination with true innovation. The long heat-up time and high power consumption are reflections of this. Anyone looking for volumetric brewing control or programmable pre-brewing will look in vain for the ECM Synchronika.
Anyone who concludes that a machine's high energy consumption has a poor ecological footprint isn't taking the machine's robustness and durability into account. The specialist dealer network mentioned above has been repairing Synchronika and similar machines for the past 50 years and will continue to do so for the next 50. Therefore, an investment in the ECM Synchronika should be viewed as a long-term investment. Anyone who takes good care of their Synchronika will likely never buy another machine in their lifetime.
So, who is the ECM Synchronika the right machine for? Perhaps it's for you if you want consistency and longevity. If you don't want to overwhelm yourself with numerous setting options, but rather want a high-quality, excellent espresso machine from a German manufacturer that will last you a very, very long time.
Specialist retailers recommended by us
We search for specialist partners for you who we know offer good work and excellent service. We maintain close contact with the dealers. These are commission links. If you order through these links, it doesn't cost you any more, but we receive a small commission, which we invest in new test equipment.
Update: New ECM Synchronika II introduced
At the end of June 2024, ECM presented the new Synchronika 2 at the World of Coffee in Copenhagen. Compared to the Synchronika 1, there's an update that's revolutionary for espresso machines with a Faema E61 brewing group, making the Synchronika II the fastest-heating espresso machine with an E61 brewing group. Two 200-watt heating cartridges are built into the brewing group. These are actively heated until the heat-up time is reached, thus significantly accelerating the espresso machine's heat-up time. We measured a heat-up time of 8 minutes! This is the fastest time we've ever measured for an E61 brewing group. The fastest modified E61 brewing group we've measured so far comes from Sanremo and was used in the You. Here, the heat-up time was 15 minutes. By the way, the steam boiler isn't yet at full capacity after 8 minutes. You'll have to wait a few minutes longer.
Temperature curve after 8 minutes very good!
After a warm-up time of 8 minutes, the ECM Synchronika II demonstrates excellent temperature performance. We measured a standard deviation of only 0.63° Celsius across five extractions. In the first extraction, we measured a maximum temperature difference of 1.7° Celsius between seconds 5 and 25. Across all five extractions, we obtained a value of 2.15° Celsius, with the average temperature being 92.63° Celsius at a set temperature of 93° Celsius.
After the machine has been idle for a longer period of time, we also notice an increasing temperature in the ECM Synchronika 2, which is typical for espresso machines with a Faema E61 brewing group.
Performance measurement and energy consumption of the Synchronika II
Of course, the rapid heat-up time also has a significant impact on energy consumption. Especially when we omit the steam boiler, we measured a consumption of just 0.17 kWh for 5 draws, including heat-up. The rapid heat-up saves electricity, but the two heating elements also consume electricity. Nevertheless, this value is still a good value for a dual boiler of this size. If we also turn on the steam boiler, the energy consumption for 5 draws is 0.31 kWh, which is still a good value for a dual boiler. Bravo ECM!
