This is our review of the Rancilio Silvia espresso machine.
Rancilio Silvia Reviews and Ratings
Our readers send us more than 600 emails across the US about Rancilio Silvia. The below table shows our rating for the Rancilio Silvia espresso machine:
| Overall Score | 89.72/100 |
| Easy to clean | 9.24/10 |
| Temperature Control | 9.14/10 |
| Flavor | 8.94/10 |
| Easy to use | 8.84/10 |
| Blending power | 8.84/10 |
| Value for money | 8.80/10 |
| Brand Reputation | 9.00/10 |
The Bottom Line
Like the Mercedes G-Class or the Jeep between espresso machines, Rancilio Silvia is a durable and timeless classic espresso machine with an aura of indestructibility that is not new or big on frills. The machine has a long history since 1998, but the manufacturer has greatly upgraded it. The machine can run in your kitchen for more than ten years, weighing 30.8 pounds, 9.2 “W x 11.4” D x 13.3 “H dimensions, and 81 oz water storage. At $830.00 on Amazon, this Miss Silvia offers significantly better value for your money and a real bang for your buck in design, durability, performance, and power.
Key Features & Specifications of Rancilio Silvia Espresso Machine
| Features | Specs |
| Product Name | Miss Silvia |
| Brand Name | Rancilio |
| Model Number | HSD-SILVIA-19 |
| Machine Type | Semi-automatic machine |
| Skill Level | Beginner Level |
| Integrated Griner | No |
| Dimensions (WxDxH) | Width: 235 mm / 9.2 inch x Depth: 290 mm / 11.4 inch x Height: 340 mm / 13.4 inch |
| Weight | 14 kg / 30.9 lb |
| Water Reservoir Size | 67 oz |
| Water Sources | Reservoir/Internal Tank |
| CoffeeBoiler Volume | 12 oz |
| Adjustable Feet | No |
| Case Material | Stainless-steel |
| Boiler Type | High thermal accumulation boiler |
| Boiler Design | Single Boiler |
| Boiler Material | Brass |
| Cup warming tray | Yes |
| Height of The Drip Tray | 80 mm / 3 inch |
| Cup Clearance | 3 inch |
| Auto Shut-Off Function | No |
| Auto On | No |
| Power-on timer | No |
| Pressure Gauge | No |
| Brewing Technology | Ergonomic portafilter, insulated boiler, stainless steel steam wand and steam knob |
| Filter Baskets | 14/18 gr |
| Group Head | Brass |
| Temperature Regulation | Manual |
| Portafilter Size | 58mm |
| Available Portafilters | Pressurized, Non-Pressurized, Bottomless |
| Brew Temperature Control | Thermostat |
| Steam Wand | Stainless steel |
| Steam Nob | Yes |
| Solenoid Valve | Yes |
| Cup Tray | Yes |
| Pod Friendly | Works with portafilter adaptors and E.S.E pods |
| Warm-Up Time | 5-10 Minutes |
| Brew Time | 3-4 Minutes |
| Pre-Infusion/Aroma | No |
| Vibration Pump | One |
| Volts | 120 V |
| Watts | 1100 W |
| Warranty | 2-years limited warranty |
Rancilio Silvia Espresso Machine Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Makes a rich, excellent, and full-bodied espressos | Quite expensive |
| Commercial-grade parts with the superb build quality | It might be a disappointment for some given this machine’s limited automation |
| Sleek design which looks professional | Not very user-friendly |
| Makes great milk froth (once you get the hang of it) | It requires a relatively long learning curve if you don’t have that much experience with barista-style machines |
| Easy to clean | Quite a small drip tray |
| Three-way valve | Unsuitable drip tray for such a large water reservoir |
| Portafilter supports different adaptors | The brewing and steaming temperature cannot be controlled |
| Ergonomic portafilter handle | Takes too long to switch from hot water to steam |
| Durable and reliable | Its feet don’t stick very well on the counter and leave marks |
| Large boiler | You will need to spend some time learning how to adjust to such a system to get the best quality beverages. |
| Three thermostats for temperature control | – |
| Powerful pump system | – |
| Large water reservoir (2-liter/67 oz) | – |
| The warming tray is on the top | – |
| The steaming wand is flexible | – |
Rancilio Silvia Espresso Machine Overview
Rancilio Silvia espresso machine is built to last. Its strong, linear design makes it perfect for today’s kitchens with its stainless steel side panels and iron frame construction ensuring longevity in use! The patented ergonomic 58mm portafilter ensures great extraction quality while maintaining optimal pressure stability, which was why this espresso maker made our list of best semi-automatic espresso machines on Coffee Aim.
The Silvia is its class’s most powerful and luxurious home espresso machine. A large brass boiler with a capacity of 0.3 liters (12oz) produces outstanding steaming power and remarkable recovery time between shots!
The Rancilio Silvia is a coffee machine that can steam milk to perfection with its stainless steel wand and commercially designed steam knob. The two-quart water reservoir, which needs to be filled from the top at any time during the operation of this automatic espresso maker, means you’ll never have an empty cup again!
The current version available directly from Factory supports single or double filter baskets and a 7-gram scoop for our favorite foam on demand–the perfect latte quality beverage every time.
“This is not the first version of Silvia that Rancilio has made, and I predict it won’t be their last. People at this company are always striving to improve; you can see this in every new model they release with refinements on previous designs and some innovative features we haven’t seen before like variable steam volume!”
A Quick Preview of Rancilio Silvia Espresso Machine
I believe that if you want to become your barista, then it’s time for some experimentation. If coffee is your life, then learning how to make the perfect shot will always be your interest. But with any great endeavor comes proper equipment. Thankfully, Rancilio promises us this: A professional-grade espresso machine is perfect when used at home or in cafes alike! But does their product live up to your expectations? My today’s Rancilio Silvia review will find out the answer.
“The company was formed by Roberto Rancilio in 1927, who is still considered one of the most important coffee machine innovators. His company’s brand has become famous for providing durable and reliable equipment that produces high-quality drinks to this day!”
Design and Appearance
The Rancilio Silvia coffee maker is perfect for professionals looking to impress their guests. It has a stainless steel body and high-grade parts, with an integrated chrome-plated steaming wand that can also be used as a frothing attachment when making lattes or cappuccinos and its many other functions! The brass boiler ensures even heat distribution, so you don’t have any lukewarm beverages either–it will keep your drink at the exact temperature desired by every guest!
Performance and Functionality
With a 15-bar pressure system, the espresso machine’s heating is ideal for proper coffee extraction. The revolving wand makes it easier to froth milk in less time than other machines on the market! You’ll need some manual control over extraction–but that means better flavor, right?
Coffee Taste
The Rancilio Silvia is a great pick for those who enjoy tasting their coffee. Thanks to its pressure settings, the machine can easily make espressos that are rich and full-bodied!
Cleaning and Maintenance
The Silvia is a simple machine to use. After each use, you will need to wipe off the exterior and steaming wand with paper towels or an old rag (also, make sure not to forget to purge it from time to time). Plus, it requires descaling cycles as well!
“The Silvia espresso machine has one major flaw that might be difficult to get used to. It’s not a problem for more experienced baristas, but beginners might find the lack of automation hard on their learning curve and experience with new machines in general. But if you’re still determined to make great espressos despite this shortcoming, make sure you are ready because it will take some time before these tasks come naturally!”
Does Rancilio Silvia have E61?
The 58mm bottomless portafilter is designed to make your espresso taste better, and it will help you be more productive. This one fits all of the commercial machines from Rancilio and other E61 group machine models!
Rancilio Silvia Vs. ACS Minima
The ACS Minima is comparable in price to the Rancilio Silvia, with the right balance of versatility vs. price; some people hate the looks. It has a huge steam boiler, and it is an E61. The steam is very powerful. It can be ready for espresso in about 7 minutes, but steam takes 15. PID w/shot timer.
Rancilio Silvia Pro Vs. Breville Dual Boiler
For me, the only reason to go with the Rancilio Silvia Pro machine is that it has the potential for adding flow control. If you brew light roasts or want more options in your home coffee shop than what’s available on a small DB Style Brewer, I would recommend looking into Breville Dual Boiler, which has pre-infusion capabilities not offered by other machines at this price point from Silvia Pro.
Silvia Pro Vs. Saliva Original
Rancilio makes solid equipment – Silvia V2 is my 15-year-old friend, and it is still going strong. As much as I’d like to upgrade, it won’t break down on me.
If you are constantly making espresso drinks for family and friends, go with the Silvia Pro. Maybe some of its design and UX choices seem obtuse to you, though. It has a built-in PID and a dual boiler. The drip tray is arguably a bit of a bitch, but you can use a small bowl for purging, so the only thing there is the backflush. The only other thing the Silvia pro doesn’t have is a pressure gauge for the group-head or any profiling, but their OPVs are all set at 9 bar out of the box.
Silvia Original makes fantastic espresso. Plus, if you want, you can install a PID on it. But if you brew espresso and Americanos all the time and no drink else and don’t use the steam wand all that much, why would you need a dual boiler? And you don’t need to upgrade or replace your Silvia Original. And as for steam power, if it’s anything like the original Silvia, the steam power is fantastic.
What is the difference between Rancilio Silvia V5 and V6?
The below table will show you the differences between Rancilio Silvia V5 and V6 espresso machines.
| Features | Rancilio Silvia V5 | Rancilio Silvia V6 |
| Machine Type | Semi-automatic machine | Fully automatic machine |
| Boiler Type | Single boiler | Double boiler |
| Heating Element | Copper heating element | Stainless steel heating element |
| Steam Wand | Fixed steam wand | 360-degree swivel steam wand |
Compare Rancilio Silvia With Other Espresso Models
| Features | Rancilio Silvia M  | Rancilio Silvia Pro X | Gaggia Classic Pro | Quick Mill Silvano Evo |
| Skill Level | Intermediate | Intermediate | Intermediate | Intermediate |
| Machine Type | Semi-Automatic Espresso Machine | Semi-Automatic Espresso Machine | Semi-Automatic Espresso Machine | Semi-Automatic Espresso Machine |
| Recommended Application | For home use only | For home use only | For home use only | For home use only |
| Model Number | HSD-SILVIA-19 | Pro X | Gaggia Classic Pro | Silvano Evo |
| Manufacturer | Rancilio | Rancilio | Gaggia | Quick Mill |
| Interface | Buttons and indicator lights | Buttons and indicator lights | Buttons and indicator lights | Buttons and indicator lights |
| Width | 9.5 inches | 10 inches | 8 inches | 10.5 in |
| Depth | 11.0 inches | 16.5 inches | 9.5 inches | 13 inches |
| Height | 13.5 inches | 15.25 inches | 14.2 inches | 16 inches |
| Weight | 14 kg / 30.9 lbs | 20 kg / 44.1 lbs | 9 kg / 20 lbs | 15.8 kg / 35 lbs |
| Watts | 1100 W | 1000W | 1425W | 600-watt heater \ 1000 watt steam thermoblock |
| Volts | 110V-120V (US) | 110V-120V (US) | 110V-120V (US) | 110 Volts (US) |
| Cup Clearance | 3 inches | Adjustable; 3-4 inches | Adjustable; 3.25 inches | 3 inches |
| Boiler Volume | 12 ounces | Brew: 0.3 L | Steam: 1L | 250 ml | 0.7 liters (brew boiler), 2.0 liters (steam boiler) |
| Brew Boiler Auto-Fill | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Reservoir Size | 67 oz | 67 oz | 72 oz | 67 oz |
| 3-Way Solenoid Valve | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Cup Tray | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Drip Tray Capacity | Not measured | Not measured | 16 oz | 46 oz |
| Portafilter Size | 58mm | 58mm | 58mm | 58mm |
| Boiler Design | Single-Boiler for Dual-Use | Double Boiler | Single-Boiler for Dual-Use | Double Boiler |
| Pod Friendly | Yes – with adaptation with ESE pods | Yes – with adaptation with ESE pods | Yes – with adaptation with ESE pods | No |
| Water Sources | Reservoir/Internal Tank | Reservoir/Internal Tank | Reservoir/Internal Tank | Reservoir/Internal Tank |
| Auto On | No | Yes | No | No |
| Pre-Infusion/Aroma | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| Warmup Time | 5-10 minutes | 10 minutes | 45 seconds | 15-20 minutes |
| Brew Time | 3:30 minutes | 25-30 seconds | 27 seconds | 75 seconds |
| Material | Stainless Steel | Metal and Plastic | Stainless Steel | Stainless Steel |
| Case Material | Stainless Steel | Stainless Steel | Stainless Steel | Stainless Steel |
| Brew Boiler Material | Brass | Steel | Aluminum | Aluminum Brass |
| Available Portafilters | Pressurized, Non-Pressurized, Bottomless | Only one 58mm commercial portafilter | Only one 58mm commercial portafilter | It only comes with one portafilter |
| Portafilter Baskets Included | 2 filter baskets for single (8 gram) and double (16 gram) shots. | 2 filter baskets for single (8 gram) and double (16 gram) shots. | Commercial Double, Commercial Single, Pressurized Double | 2 filter baskets for single and double shots |
| Get It | Price $830. Check it on Amazon | Price $1,159.00. Check it on Amazon | Price $458. Check it on Amazon | Price $1195. Check it on Amazon |
Is the Rancilio Silvia Espresso Machine for you?
Suppose you are stuck between purchasing the Rancilio Silvia Pro soon or saving for a more expensive dual boiler machine in the future, such as the Profitec Pro 700 or ECM Synchronika, or you are looking for some objective advice based primarily on the specifications of the machines. In that case, you are at the right place.
On paper, the Rancilio Silvia sounds like a much better deal, but this proposed upgrade will double the boiler size if you look at the specs. With a couple hundred more watts of power per boiler, You’ll get a more beautiful machine with this upgrade, but you’ll spend a lot more ($1,700 versus $3,200) and get a downgrade from an active temperature-controlled group head to an e61 portafilter.
If you would love to own something that gives you somewhat close to the steam pressure of the La Marzocco GB5 at home, you could get great milk texture, and comparable latte art pours. If the aesthetic doesn’t bother you, go specifically for the Breville Dual Boiler.
The Rancilio Silvia would be perfect for you:
- If you don’t have a limited budget
- If you don’t mind investing in (or already own) a grinder
- If you want something extremely durable and reliable
- If you don’t need much automation or some extra fancy customization features.
- If you already have some experience working with barista-style espresso machines
- If you have an irresistible desire to learn how to make coffee using such a machine
- If you appreciate great quality espressos with a rich and strong flavor
- If you appreciate the freedom to make milk-based coffee beverages as well
There are a few more things that I think you should consider before making your decision:
- Silvia is not for you if you intend to have a plumbed in a water line because it can’t do this, but the Profitec Pro 700 and ECM Synchronika can. In addition, Profitec Pro 600 is the 700 but without the plumb in option. Also, there are other machines you can consider at a lower price point than the Profitec 700 and ECM Synchronika: Lelit Elizabeth and Profitec Pro 300 (though you may lose out on steam power here).
- It would help if you cared about the Rotary pump vs. the Vibration pump. The vibration pump in the Silvia would be louder and less durable than the rotary pump, though its parts can be replaced.
- And most importantly, the experience of using the Silvia machine. Since it’s cheaper than other espresso machines on the market today–and with its quirks that you may find an issue with when working alone-I recommend checking out the Rancilio Silvia sections in this video and see how; complicated is to use Rancilio Silvia!
For whom is the Silvia espresso machine best? It’s great for those who enjoy an authentic cup of coffee. I know that it can’t satisfy everyone, but this little beauty will make many people happy with its rich flavor and smooth taste! Are you looking to get started in your quest for better brews? The question then becomes, which Rancilio Silvia model is right for you? Silvia Original or Salvia Pro?
Rancilio Silvia Alternatives
Rancilio Silvia Pro X | Gaggia Classic Pro | Quick Mill Silvano Evo |
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The Bottom Line | The Bottom Line | The Bottom Line |
