Kayla Solino/ZDNET
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I'm from the northeast, and I live by a cup of Dunkin'. There's really nothing better to me than the convenience of no-fuss, no-frills coffee from the orange-and-pink chain, but as I inch closer to 30, I've become more interested in maintaining and upscaling my favorite treats in the comfort of my own home.
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When the opportunity arose to try the Meraki espresso machine, my interest was piqued. Elevating my coffee experience sounded like a great idea, and what better way to do it than with a top-notch option? This dual-boiler machine hit well over $1 million on Kickstarter when it initially launched a year ago. Since then, it has won a 2025 Red Dot award for kitchen design and a 2025 iF Design Award. With all the praise already surrounding this machine, I had high expectations.
I've been working with my unit since a bit before the Christmas holiday. After multiple weeks of brewing for myself and larger groups of guests with this all-in-one espresso machine, I've felt spoiled beyond belief, and would have a hard time giving up this machine for another.
A high-end coffee upgrade
Even though I've brewed plenty of double shots and made many lattes, I still learn something new each time I use it. If you're a seasoned home barista, the Meraki machine will likely require less of a learning curve. As a novice to high-end espresso machines, it has taken me a while to become accustomed to using the setup, but the process isn't too cumbersome. Getting started is pretty intuitive, and I found the instructions to be my best friend for the first few weeks.
So what makes this machine really worth the eye-popping price tag of $1,999 ($1,799 while it's on sale)? Here's my mini review.
There really is a lot to cover about the Meraki, but if we take a glance at the specs alone, it's an enticing buy. The device features a dual stainless steel boiler, integrated scales on the grinder, a 58mm heated group head, a bottomless portafilter with an attachable splitter, a rotary pump, and a built-in TimeMore grinder with over 25 stepless adjustments. I can't forget to mention the digital control screen, which has better touch reception than the GPS screen in my car. It's also available in Black or White and would look superb on a counter or in a coffee bar setup.
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