We tested the La Basilea Uno in 2019. A heat exchanger machine with ideas from Viktor Schuler from Basel, built near Venice. Viktor is a long-time friend and advisor when it comes to machine concepts. His philosophy is built into this machine. Back then it cost 2,200 euros, today the price is 2,450 euros (without wood application) or 2,750 euros (with wood). Is the premium over budget entry-level machines worth it? We tested it extensively.
Design & Build: Deep, Not Tall
The machine has different proportions than most espresso machines. Exact dimensions: 295 × 510 × 430 mm (width × depth × height). 51 centimeters deep – for comparison: A Rocket Appartamento or Quick Mill Rubino is about 43 centimeters. That's almost 10 centimeters more. But only 43 centimeters tall. The footprint is roughly equivalent to an A4 sheet of paper.
At 28 kilograms, the machine brings serious weight to the counter. It sits solid on the countertop, no wobbling. The housing is completely made of stainless steel, the frame as well – corrosion protection included. The build quality is solid, even panel gaps, no sharp edges. Two manometers are installed – one for brew pressure, one for boiler pressure. Plus LED lights and on the right the PID control with integrated shot counter. During extraction, the time runs along – that's become standard on machines with PID control in this price range.
The wood version costs 300 euros more, putting you at 2,750 euros. Small detail: A protective cloth protects the cup warmer on top.
Technology: 3-Liter Boiler Mounted Horizontally
The heart is an insulated 3-liter boiler. Unusual: It's mounted horizontally in the housing, not vertically as usual. Probably the height wasn't enough. They had plenty of room with the depth. The heat exchanger holds 0.3 liters.
This is a heat exchanger with PID control. What does that mean? You set the boiler temperature and indirectly influence the brew temperature. You can fine-tune it via the PID.
Special feature: A rotary pump is installed. It runs quietly, consistently, and allows connection to mains water. That's definitely a plus over vibratory pumps. The machine runs at 1,500 watts at 230 volts.
Practical feature: A stop function when the tank is empty. The machine shuts off before the pump runs dry.
Steam wand and hot water wand are made of stainless steel with cool-touch cladding – you won't burn your fingers if you accidentally touch them. The feet are also stainless steel.
When you open the machine – the cover lifts off easily – you can see the large boiler directly with the second circuit. The hot water probe goes in nicely visible. Behind it the 2-liter water tank, below the pump. Very tidy, like most machines of this type. What's really impressive: the sheer size of the boiler in relation to the overall volume. 3 liters is significantly more than the usual 1.6 or 1.8 liters in comparable machines.
The water tank is easy to remove – just lift it up briefly, pull it out, done. Very well thought out.
Temperature Management: A Flatline
This is where it gets interesting. We tested the machine with the temperature portafilter. The result? Incredibly temperature stable. At 93.1 to 93.2 degrees throughout the extraction – like a flatline. No fluctuations, no drop, no rise. With most E61 machines, we see 0.8 to 1 degree temperature drift during extraction, often falling. Here: straight through as if drawn with a ruler.
The 3-liter boiler pays off. More mass means more thermal stability. The second circuit constantly returns to the right temperature, even during extraction. That's impressive.
During commissioning, we were first set at 123 to 124 degrees boiler temperature – that gave us almost 98 degrees. Way too hot. We then turned it down to 113 to 114 degrees and were at perfect 93 degrees brew temperature. The PID can be adjusted precisely, an offset is quickly calibrated.
Espresso Quality: Balanced and Stable
With 93 degrees brew temperature, we pull balanced espressos. The balance is right: sweet, slightly fruity, without disturbing bitterness. The FAEMA E61 brew group does what it always does – it delivers solid results, provided the framework conditions are right.
We used 18.5 grams input, ground with the Eureka Perfetto. The extraction runs cleanly through, no signs of channeling or uneven wetting. The shot counter ticks along, about 40 grams of espresso end up in the cup. The taste? Delicious. Sweet, balanced, complex. The temperature stability is noticeable in taste – no burnt notes, no underextraction.
For a machine without flow control, a very good result. The consistency is the highlight.
Milk Foam & Steam: A Compromise
This is where it gets a bit complicated. At 113 to 114 degrees boiler temperature (which corresponds to 93 degrees brew temperature), the steam wand has decent power, but could have a bit more oomph. We get into rotation, the foam becomes fine-pored and creamy, but it takes a bit longer than with commercial machines.
Then we increased the boiler temperature to 116 to 117 degrees. Immediately: significantly more power, faster steaming, more force on the wand. But: The brew temperature rises by about one degree. That's then tending to be too hot for lighter coffees.
That's the classic heat exchanger compromise. You have to decide: Do you want optimal brew temperature or maximum steam power? It depends on your preferences. Lighter coffees tolerate higher temperatures better, darker roasts are brewed cooler. At 93 degrees brew temperature, the steam performance is fine for home use, it's not a speed record, but absolutely doable.
We steamed the milk with UHT milk – for practical reasons in the courses, not because we recommend it. The foam still turns out good.
Workflow & Operation
Operation is simple. Turn on, wait, go. The display is easy to read, the PID control intuitive. The shot counter starts automatically with extraction – practical if you want to keep an eye on your extraction times.
The portafilter locks cleanly into the E61 group, no wobbling. The water tank with 2 liters capacity is enough for several days, can be filled from above. That's convenient.
Small criticism: The drip tray grid. Depending on how it sits, it vibrates through the rotary pump. You can hear that. That's because there's no magnetic function to hold the grid stable. On many machines, the insert box sits more firmly through magnets and then vibrates less. That would be good feedback for Viktor – should be easy to solve.
Otherwise, the machine is fun in everyday use. No frills, everything reduced to the essentials.
Special Features: Rotary Pump & Horizontal Boiler
The rotary pump is a real plus. It runs quietly and enables mains water connection – for everyone who wants to operate the machine permanently and doesn't want to constantly refill water. Also, the pressure is more consistent than with vibratory pumps.
The horizontal 3-liter boiler is unusual but cleverly solved. It brings the thermal mass needed for temperature stability but fits into the flat housing. That's engineering – Viktor knows what he's doing.
Price-Performance: 2,450 Euros vs. 200 Euros?
Now the question we have to ask ourselves: Why spend 2,450 euros on this machine when the DeLonghi Dedica EC685 for 200 euros also makes decent espresso?
The answer has several levels:
Aesthetics and Presence: A machine like the La Basilea doesn't belong in the kitchen, it belongs in the living room. It's a statement. That shouldn't be the deciding argument, but it's part of the equation.
Error Forgiveness: With the Dedica, you have to know exactly what you're doing. The machine forgives little. Those with lots of experience can also get good espresso with it. Those with little experience struggle. That's almost silly – it should actually be the other way around. Beginners need good equipment to gain confidence and learn what good espresso tastes like. The La Basilea gives you that confidence. It's temperature stable, it forgives mistakes, it delivers consistent results.
Capacity: With a 3-liter boiler, you're a tractor. The machine doesn't buckle. You can pull espresso for the whole family, steam milk till you drop, the machine stays stable. The Dedica is great for one espresso in the morning. For more, it gets tight.
Longevity: Components like the rotary pump, the large boiler, the E61 group – these are parts that last for years, that are repairable, that you understand. This is an investment, not disposable goods.
Our goal is not for you to spend 10,000 euros on a coffee machine. Our goal is for you to make good coffee at home. No matter what method. A machine like the La Basilea gives you the confidence that you're on the right track.
Conclusion: Swiss Precision, Italian Craftsmanship
The La Basilea Uno is a solid heat exchanger machine with clear strengths: temperature consistency is outstanding, the build quality decent, the operation simple. The 3-liter boiler makes the difference – more thermal mass, more stability, more capacity.
Strengths:
- Temperature consistency like a flatline (93.1 to 93.2 degrees throughout)
- 3-liter boiler for high capacity
- Rotary pump (quiet, mains water connection possible)
- PID control with shot counter
- Solid build quality
Weaknesses:
- Drip tray grid vibrates (no magnetic function)
- Steam power could have a bit more oomph at lower boiler temperatures
- Heat exchanger compromise between brew temperature and steam power
Who is this machine suitable for?
For enthusiasts who want a reliable, temperature-stable machine without spending 3,000 euros. For everyone who needs capacity – multiple espressos in a row, milk coffee for the family, no problem. For people who like it simple: turn on, wait, go. No complicated menus, no gimmicks.
For absolute beginners? Rather not. The Gaggia Classic or the DeLonghi Dedica are enough to learn. But if you know what you want and value consistency, you'll find a good partner here.
Would we buy it? If temperature stability and capacity are priorities: Yes. If we only pull one espresso in the morning: No, cheaper options are enough. The La Basilea is for everyone who's serious about it but doesn't want to go to extremes.
Tastes like Basel. Tastes like Italian craftsmanship. Fun to use.
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