Espresso machines making a good impression makes testing them the most enjoyable. Our goal is to discover good espresso machines that we can recommend to you, and that make preparation a pleasure and the espresso taste good. The small Profitec Go achieves exactly that and more. It performed well to very well in tests and raises hopes for more exciting machines from Profitec.
What do we like best about the Profitec Go? The short heat-up time thanks to clever Fast Heat control, the low energy consumption, and the transparent communication from the manufacturer based in Baden-Württemberg.
The Profitec Go is also available on the market as the Profitec Pro 100 Go.
Content of this test and article about the Profitec Go
This article should be understood as a collection of information about the Profitec Go. In addition to our detailed video test, we will publish a test report on the espresso machine here, as well as a summary. Furthermore, a short video will help anyone who owns a Profitec Go of earlier versions (before 1.06) to perform the fast heat-up protocol.
- Test report (to follow or be updated)
- Long video test: https://youtu.be/YZ_bkI1kMUE
- Short video under 10 minutes: https://youtu.be/Qq_e4Bkqk3k
- Fast Heat instructions, see below in the article
Buy Profitec Go
The following specialist shops sell the Profitec Go, and we recommend purchasing from them. All offer the option to adjust the machine's offset.
Germany:
Switzerland:
We look for specialist partners for you who we know provide good work and good service, and we are in close contact with the mentioned retailers. The links are so-called commission links. If you order via one of these links, you don't pay a cent more – but we receive a small commission, which we invest directly in new test equipment.
We are still looking for competent partners in the DACH region for you.
External data of the Profitec Go
The small and compact Profitec Go has a height of 38 cm, a depth of 36 cm, and a width of 21 cm. While the height and depth are similar to many espresso machines, the Profitec Go is quite narrow. It is available in four colors and is positioned by Profitec as a young, modern machine.
The water tank holds 2.65 liters. It is inserted into the machine, and the water is drawn from below. We like this because the manufacturer avoids the widespread hose clutter that has to be awkwardly threaded into the water tank of many cheaper espresso machines.
Due to its narrow width, the drip tray of the Profitec Go is also relatively small, holding 500 milliliters. A vibration pump provides the necessary pressure to constantly pump brewing water to the coffee. If the pressure needs to be adjusted, it can be easily done via a screw outside the machine. This was nicely solved by Profitec.
The 400 ml brass boiler achieves astonishing temperature consistency (see also the chapter on temperature consistency).
While we miss a display for brewing time on many espresso machines with Faema E61 brew groups in the over 1000 Euro price range, the small Profitec Go offers this time control. Now, if only it had volumetric control of the buttons, that would be the icing on the cake.
In operation, the Profitec Go reaches a volume of 64 decibels. If cups are placed on the machine, the volume increases to 67 decibels during espresso extraction.
Accessories and scope of delivery
The Profitec Go comes with a 58mm portafilter, as well as two matching baskets for single and double shots. The portafilter itself is not as high-quality as other Profitec portafilters, but it serves its purpose. We don't like that the spouts are relatively wide, which causes the pouring espresso to snake.
The included tamper is high-quality and fits flush into the basket. The somewhat flat base causes the tamper to sink completely into the basket. This makes it harder to feel at the edge whether the tamper has been inserted straight.
Also included is a brush for cleaning the group and a blind filter.
Temperature measurement and consistency
The Profitec Go shows astonishing temperature consistency, as the following WBC protocol illustrates. Shot after shot, the machine is at the set temperature. This is indeed astonishing, even compared to many more expensive espresso machines. Here, Profitec demonstrates how perfect temperature control can be achieved with good sensor technology and control. This is very impressive! The temperature is not only consistent from shot to shot, but also during the shot. Chapeau!
WBC measurement curve Profitec Go
Even more pleasing is that the Profitec Go, with the newly created Fast Heat Up protocol, reaches operating temperature in just 7.30 minutes. Profitec has further developed its engineering team in recent years, and this is now evident in these machines. With the Profitec Go, the company from Bammental in Baden-Württemberg sets a real exclamation mark and breaks away from the tradition of its own machines. Instead of a slowly heating Faema E61 brew group, the Profitec GO shows what fast heat-up times mean for alternative brew groups.
To be hot in just 7:30 minutes, Profitec isn't reinventing the wheel, but delivering clever logic from software version 1.06 onwards. Even if steam mode is not selected, the single boiler aims for a temperature in the 400ml boiler that is actually suitable for steam. This heats the machine towards 140 degrees, i.e., beyond the target temperature for espresso. After approx. 6:30 minutes, the Profitec Go then signals that it is ready to be flushed. The excessively high temperature is discharged through the portafilter, which quickly brings it to the target temperature. When we then brew the first espresso, we are at just under 92 degrees target temperature with a set 93.
Software 1.06 is now installed as standard. Those with earlier versions can achieve an equally fast heat-up time with a workaround. We have described how this works further down in the article.
Energy consumption of the Profitec Go
A remarkable feature of the Profitec Go is its efficient energy consumption. The machine boasts a rapid heat-up time of just 7.5 minutes, which positively impacts electricity consumption. In fact, after heating up, the Profitec Go only requires 0.12 kilowatt-hours (kWh) to prepare five double espressos.
The measurements we use for our calculations are based on the following assumptions: 18g of coffee filled, 45g of coffee extracted, with an extraction time of 25 ± 1 seconds. This efficiency and precision make the Profitec Go an outstanding option for coffee lovers looking for an energy-efficient espresso machine.
Fast Heat Instructions for Espresso Machines before Version 1.06
When switching on the espresso machine, the Profitec Go displays its software version. Machines with a version older than 1.06 do not automatically execute the accelerated heat-up protocol. However, it can be performed manually.- Set steam temperature (St) to 140°C
- Switch on the machine and immediately switch to steam mode
- As soon as 138°C is displayed, set a timer for 4:10 minutes.
- After the timer expires, turn off the steam and flush through the portafilter for 20 seconds to warm it up and reduce the temperature in the boiler.
- Brew coffee
Milk Frothing and Single Boilers
Frothing milk with single boiler espresso machines is always a bit cumbersome. "Single boilers" means that one boiler has two tasks and programs. On the one hand, it is heated to reach a brewing temperature between 92 and 94 degrees for preparing espresso; on the other hand, the boiler must be further heated for frothing milk. With the Profitec Go, we can increase the temperature in the boiler up to 140 degrees to produce hot steam.
- The procedure for preparing a cappuccino is as follows:
- Prepare espresso and set aside
- Switch to steam mode and heat up
- Release hot water from the steam lance to froth immediately with steam
- Froth milk and prepare cappuccino
- Turn off steam mode and release steam so that the boiler can return to brewing temperature.
This procedure is cumbersome. However, this is not due to the Profitec Go, but to the principle of the single boiler. With the Profitec Go, heating up takes about 40 to 50 seconds. This is a relatively fast heat-up time. The subsequent frothing performance is good and allows frothing and rolling of pitchers up to 0.6 liters.
When the temperature is right, frothing is a joy.
Conclusion on the Profitec Go
For us, the Profitec Go definitely belongs to the best single-boiler espresso machines on the market. Especially the fast heat-up time, the good temperature consistency, and the high quality are strong exclamation marks. The steam performance is also impressive. Compared to other single boilers, the Profitec Go also scores here. The general question remains which drinks are preferred in a household.
If espresso, Americano, or Café Crème are on the menu, the Profitec Go is an absolutely interesting espresso machine. If cappuccino is regularly prepared and frequently switching between espresso-based drinks and milk foam drinks is desired, then single-boiler technology is probably not the first choice.
We are impressed by the Profitec Go. For us, it is an indication of the direction Profitec might be heading. We are excited to see in which direction the next machines will be developed and look forward to perhaps testing one or two new concepts from the German espresso machine manufacturer in the future.
