The Zuriga E2 has been further developed. Anyone buying a Zuriga E2 today is buying Generation 2. This applies to both models, the Zuriga E2-S version with steam and the variant without a steam wand. We have tested both the old Zuriga model and the new generation in a detailed examination.
The first generation was already good! The second generation, however, sets new standards in many categories. It heats up in just two minutes and then delivers remarkable temperature stability. This is thanks to advanced heating technology that only works when done well. The Zurich company masters this with this machine built in Switzerland. The Zuriga E2 Generation 2 with href="https://kaffeemacher.de/blogs/kaffeewissen/dickfilmheizer/" thick film heater is currently the best espresso machine of its kind! We're talking about the model that replaced its predecessor in mid-September 2024.
What exactly makes the Zuriga E2 Generation 2 stand out is explained in this test report and the following video. Our impressions of the previous version can be found at the very bottom of this page. For the Zuriga grinder, we have href="https://kaffeemacher.de/blogs/kaffeewissen/zuriga-test/" created a separate test page. However, testing of the new grinder with grind by weight will follow later.
For the Zuriga E2-S generation, we have:
- this test article
- a href="https://youtu.be/kvvUptsff2k?si=25jOM2wfjQ4aPINb" long video (46:40 minutes)
- a href="https://youtu.be/W6JIDoxyMlk?si=IgMBTnSnb_aaoBtr" short video (6:32 minutes)
- an href="https://youtu.be/r4Ky-NYYNYM?si=SEvJwicipnK9_vqQ" English video (21:58 minutes)
There is also a video of the first generation. You can find it on our href="https://youtu.be/Ss7P_1-WTzQ" YouTube channel.
Zuriga Generation 2 – an espresso machine milestone
And then came the Zuriga E2 in its second generation and it came quietly and almost secretly. To be honest, I'm still not sure whether Zuriga itself fully realized what they've actually delivered, or whether this is simply brutal understatement. Other manufacturers announce a new color as groundbreaking and invent new model names to squeeze out everything marketingwise from the smallest changes. The href="https://zuriga.com/" Zurich espresso machine company takes a different approach. The Zuriga E2 simply becomes Generation 2. The machine packed with advanced technology replaces the previous model. Anyone buying a Zuriga today buys Generation 2 whether with or without steam wand. This is possible because work is done to order and no full inventory needs to be cleared.
But now specifically: what's in this espresso machine and what is no longer there. The mini boiler has been replaced with a thick film heater. The thick film heater consists of heating elements pressed onto a metal plate. This construction enables very fast and efficient energy transfer from the heating element to the brewing water. Only the brewing water that the machine needs to prepare espresso is heated. While a boiler must be brought up to temperature, a thick film heater is ready to use in seconds.
On the left the Zuriga E2-S and on the right a href="https://www.ferrotechniek.com/" thick film heater from Ferro.
Such thick film heaters now exist in some machines. However, the big challenge is controlling them well. Because what heats up quickly also heats past the target quickly. To control precisely, the Zuriga measures temperature many times during brewing and adjusts accordingly. The thick film heater responsible for steam and brewing water is operated at up to 1400 watts.
A second innovation and a second thick film heater is integrated in the brewing group. This is also clever and solves a challenge that espresso machines must deal with if they want to be ready for operation quickly. If the heat source and water are quickly at operating temperature, that's nice and good, but they can only be used with precision if the brewing group and portafilter are also at temperature. The thick film heater (600 watts) in the group makes exactly that possible.
We tested the Zuriga E2 to its limits. We certify it a heat-up time of 2 minutes. For those in even more of a hurry, longer flushing of the portafilter can further accelerate the heat-up time. The subsequent temperature performance deserves its own chapter in this test report. Nevertheless, a word about energy consumption. In our power protocol, we measure a consumption of 0.058 kWh for five double shots. With this, the Zuriga E2-S takes a top position and is the most economical espresso machine among high-quality espresso machines.
You can hear our enthusiasm. We have been advocating for the thick film heater and its potential for many years now. And in the Zuriga E2 generation we find much of what we have long desired. For us, the machine is a beacon machine in its type and price class, demonstrating the possibilities in terms of energy efficiency, temperature stability and heat-up speed.
And if the company itself is sparing with superlatives, then we make up for it: this machine is almost unbeatable, convinces in overall performance and is henceforth a benchmark for what innovation, craftsmanship and coffee expertise can achieve.
At this point, it should be noted briefly. We have no ties with Zuriga, purchased the espresso machine and report independently and neutrally as always. But when something is exceptionally good, it should be named as such.
Zuriga E2-S Generation 1
Zuriga - the Swiss espresso machine
Via href="https://wemakeit.com/projects/schweizer-espressomaschine" crowdfunding, the href="https://zuriga.coffee/" Zuriga company began its success story on wemakeit in 2016. 271 supporters funded the idea of a Swiss espresso machine with CHF 57,075, one that is reduced to the essentials and manufactured in Switzerland by Swiss SMEs. "Small, fast, affordable, powerful, and above all easy to use" - that's what Zuriga committed to back then.
Zuriga has indeed realized much of this, even though the price of the Zuriga E2 is now CHF 1,480 for the variant without steam, exceeding the 2016 targeted cost ceiling of CHF 1,000. However, for what the machine delivers, its quality and market positioning, as well as manufacture in Zurich with predominantly Swiss-made components, is impressively affordable. With this price, the machine is not only very competitive compared to machines with less performance from abroad, but also compared to other Swiss espresso machines – and there are now quite a few of those.
Indeed, we are slowly evolving from specialists in the manufacture of fully automatic espresso machines (Jura, Thermoplan, Schaerer, Franke and co.) to portafilter and semi-automatic specialists. href="https://www.olympia-express.ch/de/" Olympia Express is a pioneer and has been manufacturing espresso machines in Glarus since 1928. We have already devoted a test to the href="https://kaffeemacher.de/blogs/kaffeewissen/olympia-express-maximatic/" Olympia Express Maxcimatic. The Cremina's price point is CHF 3,680 and the Maximatic demands a hefty CHF 3,980 from the wallet.
The href="https://www.gilda.swiss/" Gilda coffee machine is also produced in Switzerland and 90% of components come from Switzerland according to the manufacturer's specifications. Price point for the Gilda: CHF 3,995
For completeness' sake, href="https://www.unica.coffee/" Unica and the Leva machine from href="https://manument.com/en/" Manument should also be mentioned. Both are innovative and play in a completely different price league. The Unica will be priced at CHF 7,499 and a Leva pre-order comes in at CHF 18,000.
So the CHF 1,480 for the Zuriga E2 should be read in this context as well. Incidentally, I would prefer the Zuriga to four of the other five machines in terms of performance – but would rather save CHF 6,000.
The Zuriga E2 and E2-S models
The original Zuriga model has continued to evolve over the years. We discuss the Zuriga E2-S today. This is the latest model, namely the one with foaming capability. The basic variant of the Zuriga, the E2, dispensed with milk steaming capability for many years and thus also the ability to prepare cappuccino.
The E2-S differs from the E2 through a dual function of the large thick film heater. While the previous model had a boiler responsible for milk frothing, the new model controls everything via the thick film heater. Once the steam wand is swiveled forward, the machine switches to a pre-frothing mode and goes to boiling point. The espresso dispensing button becomes the steam button and pressing it starts the frothing. The machine first spits out residual water from the steam wand and then ramps up to the target and steam temperature. We frothed a 600 ml jug in 45 to 50 seconds. The rolling phase was sufficient at all times. The temperature increase was gradual.
The 17cm wide, 23cm deep and 31cm high stainless steel housing is otherwise identical on both the E2 and E2-S models. Both also use the same vibration pump.
We still need to measure the weight of the E2-S. According to the manufacturer, it is 9.5 kg. However, suction cups under the feet keep the machine stable on the work surface.
The E2-S delivery includes a 0.35ml milk pitcher, in addition to a flush-fitting 58mm tamper, a portafilter with walnut wood handle, a black cleaning cloth, the blind basket for cleaning, and 1-cup and 2-cup espresso baskets.
Medium volume and low power consumption
The market has moved a lot in terms of volume. There are now espresso machines that are really quiet. Peak values were only 53 decibels. The Zuriga E2 now comes in at 64 decibels. It is not as quiet as it looks. The delicate little machine might give the impression that it performs very quietly. Here we see the machine in the midfield.
In terms of energy consumption, the machine has made another leap. The predecessor already performs very well here. The new Generation 2 model improves further and achieves in href="https://kaffeemacher.de/blogs/kaffeewissen/unsere-strom-leistungsmessung/" our power protocol a peak value of 0.058 kWh for 5 double shots of espresso including heat-up time. That is phenomenal and barely less is possible.
For comparison: classic dual boilers typically require 0.25 kWh and up, and with dual boilers where the steam boiler cannot be switched off, we quickly reach 0.35 kWh and more for 5 double shots. This is mainly because a lot of water and a lot of sluggish material must be heated slowly and laboriously. Here the Zuriga E2 benefits from its quick heat-up time.
2 minutes heat-up time!
We mentioned it in the introduction and yet the heat-up time deserves its own chapter. Because 2 minutes is simply fabulously fast. Anyone used to capsule machines or fully automatic coffee makers might say: that's nothing special. In the world of espresso machines, however, heat-up times over 25 minutes have been standard for the last decades. Some manufacturers broke through the 20-minute sound barrier five years ago. And few today manage under 10 minutes. For high-quality and precise espresso machines, we can count quick heaters under five minutes on one hand.
The Zuriga E2 handles this brilliantly thanks to its thick film heater. And after 2 minutes it is not only approximately at operating temperature, but precisely there.
Temperature stability as core competency
In assessing temperature stability, we test href="https://kaffeemacher.de/blogs/kaffeewissen/temperatur-messsiebtraeger" typical usage scenarios of espresso machines and work from best practice values we have verified in test series. To determine heat-up time, we test from when a machine is able to achieve an average brewing temperature of 92 degrees (measured from the 5th to the 25th second of extraction).
Our target temperature and test temperature is basically 93 degrees. When possible, we set machines to 93 degrees and test the deviation from this temperature. href="https://kaffeemacher.de/blogs/kaffeewissen/espresso-temperatur/" 93 degrees is a very good brewing temperature that produces good flavor results for the broadest range of coffees.
Zuriga also targets 93 degree brewing temperature. The machine's temperature cannot be adjusted.
KM Temperature Protocol
To test temperature, we flush hot water through the portafilter after 2 minutes and then draw brewing water for 5 double shots at one-minute intervals (KM protocol).
On the first shot we achieve an average temperature of 93.07. Over five shots, the average temperature value is 92.85 degrees. The standard deviation across all shots was 0.93. These are very good and precise values. They are so far the best values we have measured on an espresso machine with a vibration pump in our current test protocol.
The KM protocol simulates usage behavior that mimics typical home behavior. But it should also test whether the machine would be suitable for serving additional guests or family members with espresso. This is the case from the first shot on, with shots 2 through 5 being even more precise.
WBC Temperature Protocol
In the second step, we subjected the machine to the href="https://kaffeemacher.de/blogs/kaffeewissen/wbc-temperatur/" World Barista Championship temperature protocol. This involves measuring 14 shots at increasingly faster frequencies. In this test scenario too, the Zuriga E2 delivers. The standard deviation is 1.15 degrees. In the WBC protocol, measurement begins at the fourth second of the shot. Since the Zuriga is equipped with a vibration pump that delivers less water at the start of the shot, it takes about 9 seconds for the machine to reach full power and temperature. All vibration pumps share this characteristic. That's why WBC protocol measurement has limited significance in comparison with espresso machines with rotary pumps. If we use as our standard the point when the pump and machine are at full power – i.e. 8 seconds – we get a standard deviation across all shots of only 0.41 degrees. This would make the Zuriga even WBC-compliant. That's really remarkable!
A brief note: I like the slow increase in pressure very much. Unlike with a rotary pump, the full water pressure is not immediately pressed onto the coffee cake. For entry-level espresso machines, I often think vibration pumps are the better choice.
Smart and functional is the Zuriga
Two buttons and a milk wand, that's all the Zuriga needs to receive control commands. Admittedly, the feature set is also reduced. The espresso can be brewed with a start and stop button - volumetric control or programmable extraction time is not available. There is also no digital display or water volume control.
To brew good espresso, an href="https://kaffeemacher.de/collections/waagen-und-messbecher" espresso scale is therefore necessary. This not only shows the amount drawn but also the brewing time. This makes it easy to implement espresso recipes. For example, we dosed 18 grams of coffee in the portafilter and drew 2 x 22.5 grams in 25 seconds. We have written more about href="https://kaffeemacher.de/blogs/kaffeewissen/espresso-zubereiten/" preparing and adjusting good espresso here.
Similarly simple and even a bit smarter is the start and stop function of the milk steam. The steam wand is moved forward and at that moment the steam module's heating process begins. The two LED button edges now glow orange instead of white. The machine is ready to froth when it transitions from blinking to steady yellow.
External details
The small machine naturally also affects the drip tray and water tank. While the 700 ml water tank lasts quite a while and fresh water is sensible anyway, the drip tray can become annoying to fill quickly. This happens especially when flushing the portafilter between shots to warm it up and cleaning the shower. Daily emptying should be added to the routine, otherwise the trip to the sink becomes an odyssey.
The water tank made from laboratory glass is not only super robust but also really beautiful. It would also make a nice flower vase. However, removing it and putting it back into the espresso machine is not quite as easy since there is no handle. But that is once again criticism at a high level.
The machine's stability stands out positively. 9.5 kg is not so heavy that the machine would naturally stand well on its own. Many lighter espresso machines shift when you lock and unlock the portafilter. But the Zuriga stands solidly, even without holding it. We can report good stand feet.
The lid above the water tank, which like the tamper and portafilter handle is made from walnut wood, is also high-quality and attractive.
Conclusion and summary Zuriga E2-S
The Zuriga does many things right, and not just because it delivers good espresso and in the E2-S version also has steam. It is above all a modern espresso machine that breaks with existing concepts. Instead of a large boiler, it heats what it needs. The company demonstrates what the thick film heater can do. Precision, speed and low energy consumption. Combined with very good control and measuring technology, this results in nothing more and nothing less than the best espresso machine in the price class under 2000 euros.
As if that weren't enough, the machine is built in Switzerland and relies above all on components that are also manufactured in Switzerland by SMEs. The company is accessible and has a forward-thinking approach to sustainability, transparency and customer proximity.
Quality is clearly visible on the Zuriga both externally and when looking inside. Yet it manages, despite the expensive production location, to realize a product that is not only affordable by Swiss standards but also doesn't fall short price-wise compared to imported products.
The Zuriga E2 is an espresso machine we can recommend to you without reservation. We can imagine the machine in numerous scenarios. It looks stylish in the home living room or kitchen. But it also looks good in the office or even on travels. The new grinder with grind by weight technology also cuts a good figure alongside it, but will be discussed by us in a separate test report and video.
Of course, in the office or with frequent use, the small water tank and small drip tray become a problem. But these are problems you can work with if the quality of the espresso is right.
There is little room for criticism. Nevertheless, we have something on our wish list: volumetric control, i.e. programming the extraction amount, would enhance the Zuriga even more. But perhaps Zuriga has also decided that other manufacturers need some arguments for their machines when the new generation is unbeatable in terms of temperature stability, power consumption and heat-up time.
Appendix and archive
The operating principle of the E2 and E2-S of the first generation
The E2-S differs from the E2 through a second heating element for steam production and the milk wand that swivels forward. The 17cm wide, 23cm deep and 31cm high stainless steel housing is otherwise identical, as is the 700 ml water tank or the 70ml titanium-coated aluminum main boiler. The weight of the E2-S is about 500 grams heavier due to the additional components and comes in at 9.5 kg.
This machine is no longer manufactured this way. However, we keep this information available as an appendix to the article for all those who purchased a Zuriga before mid-September 2024 or are buying an older model used.
The operating principle of the classic Zuriga E2 is that of a single-boiler espresso machine and resembles the Gaggia Classic. The boiler does nothing more than target a temperature of 93 degrees Celsius. The Zuriga with the E2 model does not, however, pursue the single-boiler compromise and offer a switchover function for milk frothing, but rather dispenses with it consistently (similar to Quickmill Carola). The compromise in single boilers usually comes down to the fact that brewing temperature is not constant and steaming capability leaves something to be desired anyway.
Instead, there is no milk froth on the E2. The E2-S now brings a second heating element into play. This "steam module" is activated when the steam wand is swiveled forward. Now the water in the boiler feeds the steam module and this provides enough steam to froth cleanly.
Here the Zuriga E2-S now acts more like a dual boiler, but without the ability to froth and extract espresso in parallel. The big advantage of this system. The brewing boiler stays at brewing temperature and is not affected by the frothing process. That's why the next espresso shot can be drawn immediately after frothing.
Only with further shots did the brewing temperature settle at around 91°C. From our perspective, this temperature is too low for many espressos, especially considering that temperature drops by up to two degrees over the course of extraction. We were also able to observe this result when we let the Zuriga heat for longer.
The lower set temperature can be explained by the fact that Zuriga measures the temperature with a probe below the boiler and controls the temperature in the boiler accordingly. Our measurements are taken directly above the coffee bed with the Scace measurement module. This location also corresponds to the measurement location we used when investigating the perfect espresso temperature.
In summary, it can be noted here that the Zuriga cannot keep up with any of the dual-boiler espresso machines we href="https://kaffeemacher.de/blogs/kaffeewissen/zweikreiser-espressomaschinen-vergleich/" tested in terms of temperature stability during extraction. It does score well in the test over 5 shots as far as the drop from extraction to extraction is concerned. If we give the machine, as defined in our test protocol and also applied to dual boilers, one minute of time between shots, it runs exactly the same curve again. Many dual boilers lost significant temperature during this time and by the fifth shot in the sequence had experienced a 3-degree temperature drop.
Comments from Zuriga, March 2023
Since this week we have been shipping our ZURIGA E2 and E2-S with slightly adjusted control parameters. Prompted by your measurements @Kaffeemacher, we also did measurements in our development lab. Based on that, we adjusted the control parameters of the electronic controller. The result is even more precise temperature control and also a slightly higher temperature in the brewing group. Then we invited our neighbors from Vicafé and made a direct comparison with them using various roasts. The adjustments are noticeable with certain varieties and roasts – but for that you really need a trained sensory nose and direct comparison between two different machines.
We're glad to have received feedback from you @Kaffeemacher. It has sparked a small but still relevant further development. And for that we thank you!
P.S.: We will also implement the changes on all existing machines that come to our manufacture for service and repairs. Anyone wanting a temperature adjustment can best book a workshop service.
Do you have experience with the Zuriga?
We look forward to hearing your experience reports with the Zuriga to complement or correct our picture. This helps all those interested in the machine greatly. We'd love it if you report to us in the comments. Thanks.
