The Profitec Move is a redesigned Profitec Pro 300 dual-boiler espresso machine. Its exterior has been updated, it features an OLED display, and it includes several smart functions and controls. A Fast Heat Up process is intended to accelerate heat-up time and improve energy efficiency.
Quality
The new Move is very high quality in its appearance. And inside, we also find the proven Profitec quality. We really like the new look of our model in powder-coated black stainless steel with American walnut handles. It is a positive note that the drip tray is now also black, which was not the case with its predecessor.
The toggle switches for activating steam and hot water are stylish and functional. The new OLED display and the control buttons are elegantly integrated into the front. Together with the new time-volume buttons, they form a cohesive control interface. In terms of design, as well as build quality, the Move is a modern and elegant machine. The new pressure gauge fits well into this picture.
The edges of the machine seem even better rounded, which we notice especially on the drip tray. Only the perforated recesses of the drip tray are still a bit sharp.
Even when tapping the machine, it is noticeable that the material is not too thin. The powder coating contributes to the fact that fingerprints are not as visible as on high-gloss polished stainless steel machines. The slightly rough matte finish of the machine also provides a pleasant grip.
The toggle switches on our model are still a bit stiff, but this should break in with use.
Only at the rear upper corners do the edges of the bent stainless steel body not close flush. But this is criticism at a high level.
The Move weighs 18 kilograms. It is 37.7 cm high, 43 cm deep, and 26.7 cm wide. With the portafilter, it has a depth of 51 cm. The distance between the drip tray and the portafilter is 7.7 cm.
We give the Profitec Move 7 out of 10 points for build quality and finish.
Heat-up time and temperature
The Profitec Move shines once it is warm. In both the KM protocol and the WBC protocol, we were able to measure high temperature consistency during the shot as well as from shot to shot. Especially in the WBC protocol and after a runtime of one hour, we achieve a low standard deviation of only 0.82°. Across all 14 shots, we measure a maximum temperature deviation of 4.52° degrees between the highest and lowest temperature points. At a set temperature of 93° Celsius, we achieve an average temperature across all shots of 92.11°.
WBC protocol at a target temperature of 93 degrees
KM protocol Profitec Move after 17 minutes with the steam boiler switched on
Profitec Move heat-up time
We do not agree with the manufacturer Profitec regarding heat-up time. Profitec states a heat-up time of 10 minutes. At this point, however, we are still far from reaching the temperature. Even with a heat-up time of 17 minutes, the Scace measurement portafilter does not yet register 92° degrees in the first shot. Since the Scace portafilter has more mass than the new portafilter with a silicone spout, we assume a heat-up time of 17 minutes.
KM protocol Profitec Move after 10 minutes with the steam boiler switched on
It should also be noted that the Profitec Move, just like its predecessor, the Profitec Pro 300, takes longer to heat up without the steam boiler. We measure 21 minutes to reach the brewing temperature.
Classification of brewing temperature
The slow heat-up time of the Profitec Move surprises us. With the ECM Synchronika II and the Profitec Go, the manufacturer has twice successfully shown how Fast Heat Up can benefit a machine. In the case of the Profitec Move, this does not seem to work in our test series.
We are far from a heat-up time of 10 minutes and find it difficult to understand such a claim, at least if we assume a brewing temperature of 92 degrees and above. In this context, the new portafilter with silicone spout also seems out of place. This could be a supportive element in temperature equilibrium in a machine that achieves very fast heat-up times. Silicone is hardly conductive for temperature, therefore does not need to be heated up, and will also barely draw temperature from the espresso.
Statement from Profitec
Profitec has since responded to our temperature measurements in a blog post, without making direct reference to our measurements. We still read the measurement series, published four days after our video, as a reaction.
From our perspective, Profitec has confirmed our results with their own measurement series and also clearly explained that there are essentially different opinions on what constitutes the heat-up time of an espresso machine.
Definition of heat-up time for Profitec
“For the PROFITEC MOVE, we state a heat-up time of about 9 minutes,” writes Profitec in this blog post. At this point, the machine reaches a temperature of 88 degrees. With further shots, the Profitec Move then reaches a temperature of just under 92 degrees Celsius in the third shot. For these shots, Profitec uses a portafilter that has been warmed up with a second Profitec Move to compensate for the larger mass of the measurement portafilter compared to the portafilter with a silicone spout. The temperature set by Profitec is 92 degrees. Profitec therefore accepts a deviation of 4 degrees from the set temperature as sufficient through-heating.
Definition of heat-up time by Kaffeemacher
To determine the heat-up time, a typical espresso preparation scenario at home is decisive for us. The target temperature of every espresso machine is set to 93 degrees Celsius. For us, the 1st shot after a warming flush of the portafilter is decisive. The first shot must reach at least 92 degrees Celsius on espresso machines with classic portafilters.
For the warming flush, the portafilter is not locked in but held directly under the hot brewing water. The portafilter is not locked in because the measurement portafilter simulates the typical resistance of an espresso. However, this does not correspond to your portafilter at home, as it allows a high flow rate without resistance. Therefore, the portafilter is held under the hot water (also in consultation with Profitec).
For us, it is not the third or fourth shot that is decisive, but the first shot. We believe that a rinse shot is reasonable. But it is not realistic that several shots must be made at home before the desired temperature is reached.
For portafilters like the one on the Profitec Move that have less mass, we use a larger tolerance window. That is why we specified a heat-up time of 17 minutes. Without this larger temperature tolerance, the Move would not have reached the temperature window after 17, but at approx. 19 to 20 minutes.
We additionally tested our test protocol with a heated portafilter. We come to the conclusion that the low measured temperatures cannot be justified by the mass of the measurement portafilter, but by the excessively low brewing temperatures of the Profitec Move.
Profitec and we obviously have different opinions on what is sufficiently hot when it comes to the Move. In other cases, e.g., with the ECM Synchronika 2 or Profitec Go, we are well calibrated for this, and we can confirm the heat-up times with our measurements.
Energy consumption and power measurement
Michel mentions in the video that we are at 0.095 kWh when preparing espresso. That is correct for one espresso. Normally, however, we use the comparison value with 5 double shots. This is 0.122 kWh, which is still a good value.
Volumetrics: Time-controlled
A time-controlled volumetric system is present. Two buttons can be programmed. The machine dispenses brewing water at standard pressure and flow for a desired time. Depending on the resistance of the coffee puck, more or less water flows through the portafilter. With a fine grind, a few drops trickle through the basket; with a coarse grind, the brewing water flows through the coffee quickly. The result is different coffee quantities in the cup. Such a time-controlled volumetric system is better than no quantity setting at all. However, it is not suitable for precise espresso brewing.
When a time-controlled volumetric system is integrated into a machine, we generally use it as a kind of “emergency shut-off.” We program 35 to 40 seconds and stop manually after the desired output amount or time. Should we be distracted while brewing espresso, the machine will still switch off after the defined time.
A time-controlled volumetric system receives a standard 3 out of 10 possible points from us.
Noise level and operation
The Profitec Move purrs on the quieter side. 57 decibels is a quiet value in the field of espresso machines. The machine manages this thanks to its quiet vibration pump with a clever suspension system. We rate a noise level of 57 decibels as very good and give it 4 out of 5 points.
The new OLED display allows for several smart settings. The on and off time is practical. It can be programmed when the machine starts. An Eco mode can be switched on, as can a pre-infusion.
Pre-infusion
You can define how long brewing water is applied to the coffee as well as how long a subsequent pause should take. The pressure in the line remains constant. Afterward, the pump returns to full power. In combination with a vibration pump, we find this type of pre-infusion significantly better than this pre-infusion with a rotary pump. The pressure buildup of the vibration pump is less abrupt than with a rotary pump. If the rotary pump goes to full pressure in a short time, there is a risk that the coffee puck will be perforated.
Further functions
The temperature of the steam and brew boiler can also be set via the display. The steam boiler can also be switched off if desired. Also very practical are the sensible shortcuts that can be used to activate the cleaning program or the pre-infusion. The Profitec Move is also equipped with Last Shot technology. This is a practical function that ensures that when the water tank is almost empty, the shot does not suddenly break off but can be completed.
We rate the ease of use with a good 7 out of 10 points.
Accessories and equipment
The Profitec Move comes with a good accessory package. We like the cylindrical 21g basket very much, even if it can only be used with the bottomless portafilter. The silicone attachments do not fit because the basket leads too deep into the portafilter.
The 17 or 18-gram basket has a slight internal curvature. Quality is okay, but not perfect. A 1-cup basket as well as a blind basket are also included. The solid Profitec tamper is also in this set. It closes flush with the sidewalls of the baskets and is pleasing. The thin base of the tamper is a matter of taste. Our tester Michel Indelicato prefers tampers that finish flush with the edge of the basket when coffee is tamped. This makes it easier to touch the edge of the basket and the transition to the tamper with your thumb and index finger while tamping, thus tamping straight.
The portafilter from Profitec is innovative and is intended to accelerate the heat-up process with its lower mass. Furthermore, it is versatile in its use. Through the silicone attachments, the portafilter can be equipped with either a 1-cup spout or a 2-cup spout. Without the silicone spouts, the portafilter becomes a bottomless portafilter. Three portafilter options in one are not only smart but also practical in everyday life. Once the portafilter is warm, you can still switch between options. Warning: the portafilter will be hot! Thanks to the silicone, there is also no danger of scratching the work surface when tamping. The portafilter is practically its own tamping mat. That is practical! The portafilter itself is a good and innovative solution and will surely find its place in other models from Profitec. In our test, the lower mass of 430g does not convince as a significant accelerator of the heat-up time. But that is not due to the portafilter, but to the sluggish heating of the brewing water.
Accessories and equipment: 3.5 out of 5 points
Frothing behavior and pressure
The Profitec Move is anything but a frothing wonder. But it froths reliably. In our benchmark test, we measure 50 seconds for heating the milk without drawing in air in parallel. However, the pressure is sufficient to put all the milk into circulation. The Move needs time - this is actually pleasant for anyone who cannot yet confidently handle a lot of pressure.
The machine is equipped with a Cool Touch steam wand. Also on the positive side is the switchable steam boiler. So, anyone who does not want to froth does not necessarily have to turn on the steam boiler. It should be noted, however, that without the steam boiler switched on, the machine takes about 2 to 4 minutes longer to reach operating temperature. We measure a 21-minute heat-up time without the steam boiler.
It is clear: Good latte art-capable foam can be frothed with the Profitec Move. We rate the steam and frothing performance at 5 out of 10 possible points due to the slow heat-up time, despite the highest temperature setting.
Conclusion on the Profitec Move
The Profitec Move is a redesigned Profitec Pro 300. We were correspondingly expectant and excited about the new machine. The further development steps that were obviously taken regarding the display, operation, and aesthetics are only partially successfully implemented in other areas. Above all, the heat-up time disappoints us. Instead of the 9-minute heat-up time announced by Profitec, we measure 17 minutes. This is primarily because we expect a brewing temperature of +/- 92 degrees for the first shot after a warming flush. Profitec itself considers 88 degrees sufficient as a starting temperature for an espresso machine that is set to 92 degrees.
When the machine is really heated up, we find very constant brewing temperatures. And the performance of the machine is also otherwise good when it is running. Over the weeks of testing, we drink many good espressos from the Profitec Move, and the cappuccino, despite mediocre frothing performance, does not have to hide either.
For many espressos and a gathering of people who want to be catered to with coffee, the Profitec would not be our first or second choice. For that, the frothing performance is simply too weak, even though the temperature consistency is good, even in the WBC protocol. (Volume and catering potential: 5/10)
The accessories are pleasing, and the new portafilter in particular is smart. We also encounter proven Profitec quality in terms of build quality. Anyone who has a Profitec Move at home will enjoy their solid machine for a long time if the weaknesses of the machine that we have mentioned do not play a major role.
