The ECM Synchronika is a dual boiler espresso machine from the German company ECM. We tested the Synchronika 1 and, in 2024, the Synchronika 2. In this article, you will find our collected results for both models, temperature curves, and our video reports.
If you have personal experience with the ECM Synchronika, we would love to hear your comments. This complements our test and helps other interested individuals get a more comprehensive picture of the machine, including its everyday use. Thank you!
Since the ECM Synchronika I will continue to be sold for some time, we will leave the information about this machine up. All information exclusively applicable to the ECM Synchronika II can be found further down in the article: Jump to the new ECM Synchronika II
General Info and Facts
The ECM Synchronika is an espresso machine of enormous scope, weight, material quality, and value retention. This machine was built to last. All its components radiate this.
We measure a width of 33.5 cm, a height of 41 cm without cups, and with our own cups, a height of 45 cm. This might be interesting for you if the machine is intended to stand under a low wall cabinet in the kitchen. The ECM Synchronika is already deep at 48.5 cm at its base. With the portafilter inserted, the Synchronika reaches a depth of 59 cm. This combines to give the machine a considerable weight of 30 kilograms.
The ECM Synchronika has a high-gloss polished stainless steel casing. It looks beautiful, reflects wonderfully, and unfortunately collects numerous fingerprints. The polishing cloth will need a permanent spot near the espresso machine.
The Synchronika is equipped with a 2-liter steam boiler and a 0.75-liter brew boiler. The rotary pump is very quiet and purrs like a kitten during extraction. We measure a remarkably low value of just 59.2 decibels. Here we hear from the community that for some, the machine rattles significantly more. We identified such rattling and slipping with the drip tray, which can be remedied with magnets or rubber holders.
The rotary pump, in turn, allows us to connect the machine to a fixed water supply. A drain hose can also be attached to the drip tray. We fill this with a maximum of 850 ml if it is not connected to the drain and if we still want to carry it to the sink.
The water tank holds 2.5 liters, can be removed from above via a flap, and is of high-quality craftsmanship. Water is drawn through a valve in the bottom.
Scope of Delivery
The ECM Synchronika is one of the espresso machines that comes with a useful accessory set. Some manufacturers go overboard with accessories that are of inferior quality themselves. The ECM Synchronika comes with two beautiful, heavy portafilters that are perfectly balanced and have a look that perfectly matches the Synchronika.
Like the toggle levers, they have a trapezoidal tip of polished stainless steel, finished with a black hard plastic fitting. A perfectly fitting heavy tamper with a finger-width base is an elegant tool that does justice to the ECM.
Also included is a cup stand, which raises the espresso cups, ensuring that the extractions always hit the cups. The stand is nevertheless designed so that a scale can be placed both on and next to it.
If you want to connect the ECM Synchronika to a fixed water supply, the connection hose is already included in the scope of delivery.
Temperature Curves
Once the ECM Synchronika has reached its thermal equilibrium, it is a relatively temperature-stable espresso machine. But it takes time... We waited 35 minutes until the Synchronika, with all important components, reached a brewing temperature of 93 degrees. Although the boiler reaches temperature much earlier, the E61 brew group and the portafilter are so substantial that it takes the aforementioned time to truly come up to temperature.
The following graph shows the warm-up phase of the ECM Synchronika in orange. After 25 minutes, we made the first extractions, one per minute. By the 4th extraction, the portafilter also reached the target temperature, which in this case was 92 degrees. The next graph also illustrates this well.
After 35 minutes, the gray curve was almost at the target temperature, which in this case was 93 degrees (indicated in yellow as a bar with +/- 1 degree at 93 degrees). Here too, a flush shot is necessary to thoroughly heat the portafilter, which is not sufficiently up to temperature on its own even after 35 minutes (see also Graph 3).
The WBC protocol shown in the first graph begins after one hour and then simulates various idle intervals. The temperature curves clearly show that the ECM Synchronika reaches brewing temperature very quickly during extraction and achieves the target temperature after 7 to 8 seconds. It then maintains a very consistent temperature. The consistency during extraction is exceptionally good.
However, with a 1-minute cycle, the machine's temperature tends to rise slightly and gets progressively warmer. This is a typical problem with Faema E61 espresso machines, and it also affects the Synchronika. Therefore, the target temperature is not truly reliable. Home baristas need to know their machine very well to estimate what temperature they are currently brewing at.
Espresso Quality with the ECM Synchronika
The ECM Synchronika has everything a good espresso machine needs. It boasts high temperature stability during brewing, is well-made, and uses a first-class rotary pump. Nevertheless, there remains a certain uncertainty as to when the machine truly reaches a specific temperature. This is a common issue for all Faema E61 espresso machines, and the Synchronika does not offer a solution for it.
We have enjoyed excellent espressos, both those with a bolder structure and complex specialty coffees. The Synchronika delivers what is needed with sufficient heating time. However, with shorter heating times or under frequent use, there can be some outlier espressos.
Energy Consumption
The long heating time is needed to bring the large boilers up to temperature. This naturally has consequences for energy consumption.
We measure 0.43 kilowatt-hours after a 25-minute heat-up time and the extraction of 5 double shots. This corresponds to our standardized protocol, which we apply to all machines. It should be noted that we would have had to wait another 10 minutes to measure the machine at full temperature. We will provide this measurement later. Presumably, the result will then be even higher. But even so, this is a high value for dual boiler espresso machines. Some thermoblocks achieve the same espresso yield with less than a quarter of the energy.
Frothing and Milk
Frothing with the ECM Synchronika is easy. With its 2-liter steam boiler, the machine provides ample power to fully get the milk moving. At the same time, the milk isn't heated too quickly, allowing for a pleasant rolling 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 the ECM Synchronika I
The ECM Synchronika is certainly a wonderful machine. It makes good espresso and produces fine-pored foam for cappuccino and the like. Yet, the test also leaves me perplexed. Despite all due appreciation for the manufacturer and the local specialized dealer network – to me, the machine seems out of time. The Faema E61 brew group recently celebrated its 60th birthday. The guarantor of stability is also a symbol of inertia and rarely found in combination with real innovation. This is expressed in the long heat-up time and high power consumption. If you are looking for volumetric shot control or programmable pre-infusion, you will search in vain with the ECM Synchronika.
Those who conclude a poor eco-balance for the machine due to its high energy consumption do not include the robustness and longevity of the machine in their calculations. The aforementioned specialized dealer network has been repairing the Synchronika and similar machines for the last 50 years and will continue to do so for the next 50 years. Therefore, an investment in the ECM Synchronika should also be seen as a long-term investment. If you take care of your Synchronika, you will probably never buy a second machine in your lifetime.
So for whom is the ECM Synchronika the right machine? Perhaps for you, if you value stability and longevity. If you don't want to overwhelm yourself with numerous setting options, but instead desire a high-quality, very good espresso machine from a German manufacturer that will accompany you for a very, very long time.
Specialized Dealers Recommended by Us
We search for specialized partners for you whom we know provide good work and good service. We are in close contact with these dealers. These are affiliate links. If you order through this link, it won't cost you more, but we receive a small commission that we invest in new testing equipment.
Update: New ECM Synchronika II presented
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 is an update that is revolutionary for espresso machines with Faema E61 brew groups and makes the Synchronika II the fastest-heating espresso machine with an E61 brew group. Two heating cartridges, each with 200 watts of power, are built into the brew group. These are actively heated until the warm-up time is reached, significantly accelerating the espresso machine's warm-up time. We measure a warm-up time of 8 minutes! This is the fastest value we have ever measured for an E61 brew group. The previously fastest modified E61 brew group we measured came from Sanremo and was used in the You. Here, the warm-up time was 15 minutes. Incidentally, the steam boiler is not yet up to speed after 8 minutes. You will have to wait a few more minutes for that.
Excellent Temperature Curve After 8 Minutes!
After a warm-up time of 8 minutes, the ECM Synchronika II shows very good temperature performance. We measure a standard deviation of only 0.63° Celsius over 5 extractions. In the first extraction, we measure a maximum temperature difference of 1.7° Celsius between the 5th and 25th second of the extraction. Over all 5 extractions, we achieve a value of 2.15° Celsius, with the average temperature at a set temperature of 93° Celsius being 92.63°.
After a longer idle period, we also observe a rising temperature in the ECM Synchronika 2, typical for espresso machines with Faema E61 brew groups.
Power Measurement and Energy Consumption of the Synchronika II
Naturally, the fast heat-up time also has a significant impact on energy consumption. Especially if we leave the steam boiler off, we measure a consumption of only 0.17 kWh for 5 extractions, including heating. The fast heating not only saves electricity but also consumes power from the two heating elements. Nevertheless, this is a good value for a dual boiler of this magnitude. If we also turn on the steam boiler, the energy consumption for 5 extractions is 0.31 kWh, which is still a good value for a dual boiler. Bravo, ECM!
