The CASABREWS ULTRA PRO is a semi-automatic espresso machine with a 58 mm portafilter, a built-in pressure readout and a shot temperature you can set between 194 and 204 degrees F. CASABREWS sells it for $299.99 on its US store.
What is the CASABREWS ULTRA PRO espresso machine?
It is a home espresso machine without a grinder: you add ground coffee to the filter, tamp it and press a button. CASABREWS tags it as semi-automatic, and its manual walks you through the full routine of filling a filter, tamping with 11 to 22 lb of pressure, locking in the portafilter and pressing the single or double button. The machine stops once it has pushed out a preset volume, which the manual puts at roughly 35 ml for a single and 75 ml for a double, and you can reprogram both by holding a button for 5 seconds.
The headline features on CASABREWS' page are a 58 mm aluminum portafilter, a built-in pressure sensor with the live reading on an LCD, adjustable brew temperature, a solenoid valve for a drier puck, a 3-hole steam wand and a cold extract mode. CASABREWS also claims a 5-second heat-up, while its manual says the heating-up process takes about 10 seconds, so the real figure sits somewhere between the two pages.
CASABREWS ULTRA PRO specs
| Spec | As published |
|---|---|
| Portafilter | 58 mm, aluminum |
| Pump | 20 bar rating |
| Power | 1550 W, 120 V, 60 Hz |
| Water tank | 2.2 L (73 oz), removable |
| Temperature range | 194 to 204 degrees F |
| Steam | Manual wand, 3 holes |
| Size (W x D x H) | 10.31 x 12.2 x 12.99 in |
| Weight | 12.54 lb |
| Warranty | 1 year |
CASABREWS does not publish the body material, the country of manufacture or a noise level, and it does not call the temperature control PID.
How the ULTRA PRO brews: pressure, temperature and pre-infusion
The page lists low-pressure pre-infusion and a 20 bar pump, and its FAQ is plain that the 20 bar figure is the pump's maximum capacity, not the pressure at the coffee. The pressure sensor and control system manage that during extraction, and the LCD shows the actual brewing pressure along with a timer that counts up. The manual's rule of thumb is a reading between 6 and 12 bar for an ideal extraction, under 6 bar for an under-extracted shot, which means too little coffee in the filter or a grind that is too coarse.
Temperature is set in a menu: hold the hot water button for 5 seconds, then tap one of four buttons. The manual maps the one cup button to 194 F (90 C), the two cup button to 197 F (92 C), the hot water button to 201 F (94 C) and the steam button to 204 F (96 C). There is also a cold extract function on a double press of the hot water button, which brews roughly 160 ml.
The box holds four filters: a one cup and a two cup in single wall and dual wall versions. The manual says to use single wall filters with freshly ground beans and dual wall filters with pre-ground coffee, because dual wall baskets regulate pressure whatever the grind. A one cup filter takes about 11 to 13 g and a two cup filter about 18 to 20 g.
CASABREWS ULTRA PRO vs CASABREWS CM5418
The CASABREWS CM5418 costs $139.99 for the silver version. Both are semi-automatic, grinderless, manual-steam machines with a 20 bar pump and a 1 year warranty. The ULTRA PRO adds a 58 mm portafilter, a 2.2 L tank against 1.0 L, 1550 W against 1350 W, a temperature menu and an LCD pressure and timer readout in place of the CM5418's built-in gauge.
If you want the lowest price and the simplest controls, the CM5418 covers the basics. If you want the larger portafilter and a bigger tank, and you are happy to pay $160 more, the ULTRA PRO is the step up inside the same brand.
CASABREWS ULTRA PRO vs Breville Bambino
The Breville Bambino BES450 sells for $299.95, almost exactly the same as the ULTRA PRO. It has a 54 mm portafilter, a 1.4 L tank, 1560 W and a ThermoJet heater that Breville says is ready in 3 seconds. It pulls at 9 bar from a 15 bar pump and uses PID control. The ULTRA PRO has the bigger 58 mm basket, the bigger tank and an adjustable temperature range, while the Bambino has a known pre-infusion and extraction pressure, a named heating system and an established brand.
The choice comes down to the basket and the extras. The ULTRA PRO is the option for a 58 mm portafilter and a large tank at this price. The Bambino is the one that publishes a warm-up time and pressure target from the maker's own spec sheet. You can browse both next to similar machines in the espresso machine category.
Is the CASABREWS ULTRA PRO worth it?
At $299.99 you are paying for a 58 mm portafilter, an LCD that shows pressure and a timer, a temperature menu, a large tank, a cold extract mode and a guided descaling cycle that CASABREWS says takes about 25 minutes. You are not paying for a grinder, an automatic milk system or a published body material, and nobody has tested this machine for this site, so shot quality and noise are unknown beyond what CASABREWS claims. The 1 year warranty is on the short side for the price, though CASABREWS adds a 30 day home trial and says it offers lifetime support.
You will need a grinder, and a good one matters more with a 58 mm basket and non-pressurized filters. If you do not own one, the total cost is well above the machine price.
Who should buy the CASABREWS ULTRA PRO (and who should not)
It suits home users who want a 58 mm portafilter, visible pressure and an adjustable temperature without moving up to a four-figure machine, and who are happy to froth milk by hand. The pressurized filters in the box give beginners a forgiving start, and the non-pressurized ones leave room to learn.
It does not suit anyone who wants a built-in grinder, one-touch milk drinks or a machine with a named boiler and PID. It also does not suit buyers who need a published noise level, since CASABREWS gives none, or those who want more than a 1 year warranty.
Frequently Asked Questions
How fast does the CASABREWS ULTRA PRO heat up?
CASABREWS says as little as 5 seconds with its FLASHHEAT system. The manual says the heating-up process takes about 10 seconds, and the first start also runs a 15 second flush.
What size portafilter does it use?
A 58 mm aluminum portafilter. A 58 mm tamper, a coffee spoon and a cleaning needle are in the box.
Does the 20 bar pump mean coffee is extracted at 20 bar?
No. CASABREWS says the 20 bar rating is the pump's maximum capacity, and the sensor and controls manage pressure during extraction. The LCD shows the live reading.
Can it make hot water, cold brew and two cups at once?
Yes to all three. Hot water comes through the steam wand and stops after about 60 seconds. A double press of the hot water button runs a cold extract, and the two cup filter with the double button fills two cups.
Does it tell me when to descale?
Yes. The LCD shows a descaling alert, and the machine has a guided cycle that CASABREWS says takes about 25 minutes. Removable parts should be washed by hand, not in a dishwasher.
Does it switch itself off?
Yes, after about 15 minutes without use. Steam also stops on its own after 5 minutes.
