The Sanremo YOU is a high-end dual-boiler espresso machine. This espresso machine boasts a comprehensive range of features and allows pressure control via a rotary pump. We tested the Sanremo You and share our findings in this video. And an important question resonates from the very beginning. Will this machine replace the La Marzocco GS3, which our tester, Michel Indelicato, had at home for many years? We explore this and many other technical questions in this article and test video.
Sanremo YOU in a nutshell
The Sanremo YOU is a premium dual-boiler espresso machine. It combines a 0.5-liter espresso boiler with a 1.0-liter steam boiler—both made of stainless steel—and dispenses with the classic E61 thermosiphon technology. Instead, it relies on a PID-controlled, heated brewing group (58 mm) without a heat exchanger, enabling extremely precise temperature control. A volumetric rotary pump ensures pressure buildup; its highlight: the speed is variable, allowing pressure and flow profiles to be precisely controlled. A large display on top of the machine allows for the adjustment of various parameters (from brewing temperature and quantity to timer and auto-off time). The machine has a modular design and is optimized for maintenance—many components are easily accessible. With its dimensions (W x D x H: approx. 33 x 50 x 40 cm) and weight of approximately 32 kg, it ranks in the compact professional range. The workmanship is high-quality; The housing and casing are predominantly made of metal, which gives a robust impression.
Water tank or fixed water
The YOU can be operated with the internal water tank (approx. 2 liters) or connected to a water line—even both in parallel. A drain connection for the drip tray is also included, increasing convenience, especially during extended use. This makes the machine not only suitable for ambitious home baristas, but thanks to its power reserves and features, it's also worth considering for offices, catering businesses, or small restaurants. Sanremo markets the YOU as a flexible, compact professional machine.
Price and scope of delivery
The machine is priced in the upper range (approximately €5,000). Included are two 58 mm portafilters (double spout and bottomless), matching sieves, a tamper, and cleaning accessories. The included tamper is functional, but a higher-quality tamper (e.g., our Kaffeemacher Tamper ) feels better in the hand. Overall, the accessories are solid—neither disappointing nor exceptional—and cover the basics.
Buy Sanremo YOU
The following specialist retailers sell the Sanremo YOU, and we recommend purchasing it from them. All offer the option of adjusting the machine's offset.
Germany:
Austria:
We search for specialist partners for you who we know offer good work and excellent service, and we maintain close contact with the retailers mentioned. The links are so-called commission links. If you order through one of these links, you won't pay a cent more – however, 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.
Technical details and operation
Sanremo takes an innovative technical approach with the YOU: the brewing group and brewing boiler are heated separately and PID-controlled to maintain precise temperatures. Unlike traditional E61 brewing groups, there is no constant water circulation; instead, the heavy brass brewing group is heated electrically. The heating system reacts quickly and precisely to fluctuations. In practice, this means that the temperature set on the display is very reliably reached in the portafilter – the initial temperature offset in our test was only about 0.5 °C. We were even able to fine-tune this minimal offset via a hidden settings menu (Sanremo allows technicians to adjust the offset value at the factory). With the offset correctly adjusted, the YOU brews exactly to the target temperature – deviations are practically unnoticeable.
The pump controls allow pressure profiles to be called up manually or via a program . There are modes for constant pressure (e.g., the classic 9 bar) or constant flow, as well as freely definable profiles with pressure increases and decreases. We experimented with various profiles during the test: from gentle pre-infusion with low pressure to fast flow profiles for "turbo shots." All settings are made via the top display and a dial. The menu navigation is logical, but requires some familiarization – the Sanremo YOU is clearly aimed at experienced users who enjoy tinkering. The wealth of options can initially seem overwhelming to beginners. While there are no unnecessary gimmicks, you should be prepared to familiarize yourself with the subject matter (temperature, pressure, flow) in order to fully exploit its potential. The manufacturer plans to integrate an app, but as of this test, it is not yet available.
A positive feature is the convenient standby mode : the machine can switch off automatically after a defined time or go into energy-saving mode – good for safety and electricity bills.
In terms of user-friendliness, the YOU impresses with well-thought-out details: The brewing buttons and the dial respond promptly, and the display is large and easy to read. The current boiler and brew group temperature are shown, as are the brewing quantities and times. Creating your own pressure profiles via the menu takes a bit of practice – an accompanying app would be desirable here to make configuring complex profiles easier. Nevertheless, after a short period of getting used to it, you can create profiles or control them manually. If you prefer to make espresso without a lot of technical fuss, you can also use the YOU like a classic machine : It has a brewing button that can be used to maintain a constant 9 bar of pressure if required. This means you are not forced to adjust parameters every time – you can , but you don’t have to . In everyday life, we often used a standard profile and only fine-tuned it for certain coffees.
Temperature stability: new reference values
Temperature consistency is the Sanremo YOU's greatest strength. In our lab test, we measured the machine using both the coffee-making protocol (single brews with breaks) and the demanding WBC protocol (14 brews in rapid succession). The result: No other machine on our table has ever been as stable as the YOU – neither in moderate use nor under full load.
In the WBC stress test, the brewing temperature remained remarkably constant across all shots (standard deviation: just 0.36 °C). The curves for the individual shots practically overlap – a testament to the excellent temperature control. The YOU also excelled in the normal brewing scenario (with a warm-up phase and pauses between shots): The deviation between the set temperature and the actual temperature in the sieve was less than 1 °C after a short warm-up time. Even the first espresso after 10 minutes of warm-up time came out of the brewing group at almost full temperature. Subsequent brews showed no noticeable fluctuations at all. We have rarely experienced something like this before. By comparison: With many dual boilers and E61 machines, the first brew often looks significantly cooler than the following ones – not so with the YOU.
The question of the temperature offset was important for us: How big is the difference between the displayed target temperature and the actual brewing temperature in the coffee puck? We were able to give the all-clear here – after minimal adjustments it was a perfect fit. An offset of around 1 °C was built in at the factory; we adjusted it to 0.5 °C in the service menu. As a result, the display then practically matched reality (e.g. 93 °C target resulted in approximately 92.8 °C actual). This value remained constant both at the beginning of the brewing process and towards the end. The YOU reaches its target temperature very quickly at the beginning of the brewing process and holds it stable until the pump switches off. The temperature curve of each espresso in our test was perfect – no sagging, no overshoot . This impressed us.
As a brief summary regarding temperature , we can say: The Sanremo YOU is absolutely top-class here. Even more expensive commercial machines or proven competitors rarely achieve such consistent performance. Home baristas will love the reproducibility—once you find the parameters, you can extract espresso after espresso at the same temperature. In our opinion, this means almost full marks in this category.
Heating time and energy consumption
The Sanremo YOU is not a fast sprinter when it comes to heating up – despite modern technology, the heavy brewing group needs some time until everything is warmed up. Although the machine visually signals that it is ready after around 5 minutes (the boilers are then up to temperature), it actually takes longer to heat it up . In our tests , it took around 15 minutes for the brewing group, portafilter, and boiler to reach a stable temperature. You shouldn't start any serious brewing before then ("Please don't brew an espresso after 5 or 7 minutes!" was our motto in testing and in daily practice). After 15 minutes, however, the YOU is fully ready for use – still faster than all traditional E61 dual boilers (which often take 20-30 minutes). Tip: If you want to save time in the morning, use the programmable switch-on time or a timer. Michel, for example, let the machine preheat while he was brushing his teeth so he could get started straight away.
With and without steam boiler : A particular strength of the YOU is the option to deactivate the steam boiler when needed. A switch/option allows you to heat only the espresso boiler. This significantly reduces energy consumption and heat-up time.
The table clearly shows the differences: Without the steam boiler, our machine was ready for use in approximately 15 minutes and consumed only about 0.08 kWh . With the steam boiler switched on , it took a similar amount of time (approximately 15:12 minutes), but the energy consumption was around 0.22 kWh – almost three times as high. This clearly shows that the 1-liter steam boiler requires a lot of energy to heat up. In pure espresso mode, however, the YOU performs on par with efficient thermoblock machines. A single espresso, including preheating, for example, consumes only about 0.09 kWh (without the steam boiler). With the steam boiler, it's around 0.23 kWh for the first espresso (because the boiler is also heated up). Once the boiler is hot, each subsequent espresso only consumes about 0.014 kWh – a negligible amount.
A similar picture emerges in continuous operation : When idling (maintaining a boiler temperature of around 90°C), the machine draws around 72 Wh per hour with the steam boiler switched off. With the steam boiler activated, idle consumption increases to around 131 Wh per hour . This means that over the course of a day, the energy consumption of a constantly switched on YOU adds up considerably, especially when the steam part is running. If you primarily drink espresso and only occasionally froth milk, you can save a lot of electricity by switching off the steam boiler. In everyday life, this means savings of around 50% or more. Our measurements show that after about 1 hour of idle operation, the machine (brewing boiler only) consumes as much energy as would be required to reheat from cold (~0.08 kWh).
In summary
Heat-up time ~15 minutes until full stability – that’s absolutely fine considering the massive brewing group.
Energy consumption : very low in espresso mode, moderate to high in dual boiler mode. This duality reflects a common trade-off: maximum steam power costs energy. Sanremo elegantly circumvents this problem by giving the user the option to turn off the steam function when not in use. We find this exemplary. In our evaluation, the YOU therefore receives good energy efficiency ratings (for a dual boiler) – if you want, you can operate it extremely economically.
Steam performance and milk drinks
Despite its relatively small 1-liter boiler, the Sanremo YOU has nothing to fear when it comes to steam power . In testing, the machine produced dry, powerful steam with a boiler pressure of approximately 1.2 bar. Milk frothing is quick: cappuccino-sized portions (approximately 120 ml of milk) were perfectly frothed in just under 10 seconds. The two-hole steam wand is well positioned and allows precise control of the milk swirl. Several milk-based beverages in a row didn't cause the YOU to break a sweat – after five consecutive frothed milk portions, no significant pressure drop was observed. This is where the professional tuning pays off. Parallel use of the brewing group and steam wand is also possible thanks to the separate boiler system: you can froth milk simultaneously while brewing an espresso without the brewing pressure dropping.
For home baristas, this means: If you want to serve several cappuccinos in a row at a family celebration, the YOU is the perfect choice. The machine can also be used in a small café or at a catering event – but keep in mind that it only has one brewing group. While the frothing performance per cup is excellent, the overall speed is limited by that one group (one barista, one espresso after the other). However, for the intended use (home, office, small events), we don't see any limitations in steam and milk performance. We particularly liked the fact that the steam boiler – once heated up – maintains a very consistent output. In the endurance test, a minimum pressure of ~0.9 bar was measured over 10 minutes of continuous steam extraction, which proves that there are sufficient reserves even for longer frothing times.
From a purely technical perspective, the YOU could even handle small quantities for catering. Sanremo itself states that the machine is intended as a demonstration unit for coffee roasters and professionals, and the power reserves are accordingly high.
Design, processing and maintenance
The Sanremo YOU boasts a simple, modern design . The housing is angular with rounded edges; the front is dominated by the brewing unit, the controls mounted on it, and the spout below. A striking feature is that the bulky machine appears to "float" thanks to the tall, angled supports, giving the machine a certain elegance despite its size.
The machine is available in various colors (including stainless steel, white, and black); our test model in stainless steel/black felt very high-quality. The gaps and material thickness are exemplary: nothing wobbles or rattles. The drip tray sits securely, but is significantly smaller than the drip tray on a La Marzocco GS3. One minor criticism:
Behind the facade, the YOU impresses with its maintenance-friendly design . Sanremo has arranged the components in a modular manner: boiler, pump, electronics – everything has its place and is comparatively easily accessible. According to the manufacturer, particular emphasis was placed on ease of maintenance. During the test, we took a look inside: after removing a few screws, the housing cover can be removed. Beneath, you can see a tidy interior. The wiring is neatly routed, and important components are not built into the machine or hidden, but are directly accessible. For example, the rotary pump is easily accessible at the front. Overall, the design is more reminiscent of a catering machine than a typical household appliance – robust and uncomplicated. Although, of course, everything seems squashed together due to the size. This suggests a high level of durability . Sanremo also advertises that all materials used are designed for continuous operation and undergo strict quality controls. There are already reports in the field from users who have used the YOU daily for several years and have not encountered any problems (no leaks, no electronic failures, etc.). This is cause for optimism.
Cleaning is also easy thanks to the features: The machine has an automatic cleaning program for the brewing group (backflush function at the touch of a button). Using a suitable cleaning solution (e.g., coffee oil remover powder), the brewing group can be easily cleaned. The included blind sieve insert and brush complete the cleaning setup. Here, too, you can see: The YOU wants to be used and be easy to maintain.
Espresso in the cup: taste and practice
Technology is one thing – but how does the espresso from the Sanremo YOU taste? The short answer: excellent , as long as the barista knows what they are doing. The machine enables incredibly consistent and reproducible shots. In our test, we tried a variety of coffees, from light fruity roasts to classic espresso roasts. A complex coffee from our own farm was particularly exciting: the Doña Margarita Espresso . This coffee exhibits very different flavor profiles with different profiles. With the YOU, we were able to fully exploit the profiling potential : a brew with a higher flow rate (flow profile) emphasized the tangy citrus notes and light tangerine sweetness of the Doña Margarita, while a brew with a longer pre-infusion and lower pressure produced a denser texture and more chocolate tones. It felt like we had two different coffees in the cup – just by varying the pressure profile. This gave us a lot of pleasure and impressively demonstrated how finely tunable the extraction can be with this machine.
It's worth noting: The YOU provides the prerequisites for excellent flavor – it's up to the user to bring it out. Factors like grind size, sieve distribution, and tamping naturally still come into play. However, the excellent temperature stability and pressure control make it significantly easier to find and repeatedly hit a coffee's sweet spot . Once we found the right settings, our espressos were consistently balanced and delicious. Reproducibility is top-notch – very similar shot after shot, which is invaluable, especially for tastings or dialing in different coffees.
Even in conventional use (without unusual profiles), the machine's flavor is fully impressive. In the standard 9-bar mode, the YOU produced very balanced espressos . We didn't detect any off-flavors that might be caused by instabilities—no bitterness from overheating or acidity from cooling. Compared to Michel's previous machine (also a dual boiler, but with significantly less control technology), the espressos from the YOU tasted clearer and more nuanced. Especially with more difficult coffees (light roasts), the YOU had the edge.
Flow and pressure profile control compared to Decent & Maro
The flow and pressure profile control of the Sanremo YOU seems somewhat outdated compared to modern machines like the Decent DE1 or the Maro Model 1. While these high-end machines offer the user virtually unlimited possibilities in profile design—with numerous phases, smooth transitions, and intelligent, event-based controls—the YOU is limited to a static three-phase profile . There is a pre-brew, extraction, and post-brew phase, each of which is programmed with fixed parameters (pressure and either duration or volume). This relative simplicity of profile control makes the YOU seem technically outdated compared to the more flexible competing models.
A significant point of criticism is the lack of smooth transitions between the segments. The YOU only features abrupt pressure jumps instead of smooth modulation. For example, after the pre-brew time, the machine suddenly jumps to the predefined main pressure instead of gradually ramping the pressure up to the setpoint. Likewise, the reduction to the post-brew pressure occurs without an adjustable ramp: The pump simply drops from, for example, 9 to 4 bar as soon as the final phase begins. Such sharp transitions noticeably distinguish the YOU from the finely tuned profile progressions of a Decent or Maro and, overall, seem outdated.
The post-infusion phase in the programming, in particular, appears technically questionable. For the last 15 ml of water dispensed, for example, a fixed pressure is simply specified, at which the pump stubbornly continues to run. Towards the end of an extraction, however, the flow naturally decreases and the puck loses resistance – ideally, the pressure would then be allowed to drop gently. The YOU, on the other hand, pumps at a constant pressure during the post-infusion until the defined remaining amount has been dispensed. It does not adapt to the actual puck behavior, but maintains the post-infusion pressure regardless of any channeling effects or changes in resistance. This rigid approach can lead to inconsistent results and defeats the actual purpose of precise profile control at the end of the extraction.
Another difference to the profiling systems of the Decent or Maro is the lack of event-based phase changes . With the YOU, transitions cannot be linked to conditions such as reaching a certain pressure or flow rate – they only occur after a specified time or volume. Modern machines, on the other hand, allow a phase to end as soon as either a defined pressure or a defined flow rate is reached (whichever comes first). Such intelligent changes are sought in vain with the YOU; the profile runs strictly according to a schedule rather than reacting to the extraction process. In practice, this means: if the conditions change (e.g. due to a different grind or coffee), the YOU still carries out its unchanged program. It does not “know” when the puck is fully saturated or begins to subside – there is no adaptive intervention like with Decent or Maro. The user then has to readjust the profile manually because the machine itself does not provide any dynamic control.
One positive feature, however, is the manual profile control via the paddle on the front of the YOU. This allows a customized pressure profile to be manually controlled in real time – similar to the operation of a lever-operated machine, but implemented electrically via the rotary pump. The barista uses the paddle to control the pump pressure and thus directly the flow rate during the extraction. This "pressure surfing" feels very immediate: You can react to the extraction process based on your gut feeling and thus create a desired profile. Once you have created a successful shot in this way, you can even save the pressure profile you used and store it as a profile. In this way, the YOU combines an analog, direct user experience with digital reproducibility – something that is truly unique in this machine class.
However, the paddle is no substitute for modern profiling logic . The most precise recipes are still best created using the digital input mask. A manually recorded paddle profile is ultimately just a static three-phase program – based solely on an "experienced" process rather than purely theoretical specifications. Complex automation or intelligent triggers (like those offered by Decent & Maro) are missing here. While manual profiling offers excellent practical relevance and promotes understanding of extraction, for maximum reproducibility and fine-tuning, you cannot avoid working in the YOU menu. In other words: The paddle is a welcome addition, but not a full-fledged replacement for the sophisticated profile control you expect from truly modern espresso machines.
New software update and connection to Beanconqueror
As of May 27, 2025, Sanremo has updated YOU and responded to community feedback with a new beta software update. We've already tested it extensively and summarize the most important changes here.
Better overview and detailed display thanks to Beanconqueror
Perhaps the most significant new feature in the beta version is the connection to the popular Beanconqueror app . This allows for comprehensive and detailed visualization of all relevant brewing parameters: flow rate, pressure gradient, brewing temperature, and the weight in the cup are displayed clearly and precisely. This is precisely the visual depth that was missing from the original YOU display. A particularly positive feature: the app now supports a brew-by-weight function, which allows for precise control of shots down to the gram. This makes brewing significantly more convenient and reproducible.
New modes and improved usability
With the new software (firmware version 3.01 Beta), the menu navigation and controls have been significantly redesigned. The user interface is now clearer, more intuitive, and allows for meaningful profile names. Where previously only cryptic numbers were displayed, coffee recipes can now be saved with meaningful names.
The YOU now distinguishes between two modes: a Standard mode, which is particularly useful for straightforward operation in smaller restaurant or catering situations, and a Pro mode, which offers home baristas full control and detailed displays. In Standard mode, the controls are reduced to a few basic functions, while in Pro mode, all brewing parameters and graphics are displayed.
Profile control extended with blooming function
Another innovation concerns profile control: The beta version adds a blooming function, which is integrated into the profile history as a fourth instance. This allows for an initial, gentler saturation of the coffee cake before the actual extraction begins.
However, some criticism remains: While the update allows for some more flexibility, crucial features such as smooth transitions (ramps) at the end of the extraction are still missing. A gradual pressure drop (e.g., from 8.5 to 4 bar) is not adjustable—the transition remains abrupt. We urgently hope to see improvements in this area in the final version.
More direct pump control
The rotary pump's software has been revised and now responds much more directly and precisely. The immediate response when manually profiling with the paddle has been noticeably improved, making operation more pleasant and intuitive. This immediate feedback was a frequently expressed request from the community and has fortunately been implemented.
Conclusion on the beta version
The beta version, including Beanconqueror integration, definitely takes the Sanremo YOU to a higher level. The weight control and improved usability, in particular, are real added value. However, there's still room for improvement: important aspects such as exit strategies and finer pressure transitions have not yet been satisfactorily resolved.
The new version hasn't been officially released yet—the final rollout is expected in the summer. We're keeping an eye on developments and are excited to see whether Sanremo can fully exploit its remaining potential. Until then, Beanconqueror offers an excellent addition that already significantly enhances the YOU experience.
Conclusion and classification of the Sanremo YOU
The Sanremo YOU proves itself in testing as one of the most powerful single-group espresso machines we've ever had in our lab. Sanremo has successfully combined professional technology with a housing suitable for home baristas . The YOU offers an impressive list of strengths:
- Temperature stability : Reference class – it hardly gets better. Consistency and control at competitive levels.
- Pressure/Flow Profiling : Freely configurable and practical, ideal for those who like to experiment. Not as flexible as Decent or Maro, but still very advanced and with a wide range of features.
- Build quality : Robust, durable, and easy to maintain. A machine built for life.
- Flexibility : tank or mains water, steam boiler can be switched off, timer/standby – adapts to your needs.
- Performance : Brewing and steam power range from home to semi-professional applications.
We're relatively relaxed about the machine's few weaknesses : The heat-up time of around 15 minutes requires some planning (but is quite normal in this context). Operation is more complex than with simple machines – you have to be willing to engage with the subject matter. The YOU is less suitable for complete beginners, but it's not aimed at them anyway. The price of more than €5,000 is high, but fair considering what it offers: You're essentially getting a commercial machine in miniature format. Only those who place absolutely no value on the profiling functions and want to "just make espresso" might find cheaper alternatives, although they won't keep up in terms of temperature/pressure stability. And those who want the complete flexibility of adaptive profiles and condition management for transitioning to an infinite number of brewing phases are better off with machines like the Decent or Maro.
Finally, we classify the Sanremo YOU in our " High-End Dual Boiler " category – as a new benchmark machine for home baristas with professional ambitions. The YOU is also highly interesting for specialty cafes looking for an additional high-quality single-group machine (e.g., for training courses or as a backup). Michel, in any case, has found his new favorite: "I enjoy this thing so much that I'm happy to overlook the small drip tray." 😄
Overall conclusion: The Sanremo YOU is a winner for anyone who wants to brew top-quality espresso at home without compromising on technology and control. It combines the best of professional machines with the demands of discerning home baristas. In short, it might be the new "endgame" in the home espresso kitchen. We're thrilled and rank the Sanremo YOU at the top of our recommendation list.
