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