Rocket Espresso appliances: review and lineup
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Rocket Espresso is an Italian maker based in Milan, known for hand-built heat-exchanger and dual-boiler espresso machines with signature styling, including the Appartamento, Mozzafiato and R58. Rocket machines are for people who enjoy making espresso by hand and want a machine that looks as good as it pulls.
Our database covers the Rocket Appartamento 2.0 (about $2,150). It's a heat-exchanger machine: one 1.8-liter copper boiler supplies steam while fresh water passes through a heat exchanger for brewing, so you can brew and steam at the same time. It uses a vibration pump and a commercial-size 58 mm portafilter, and holds 2.5 liters in its reservoir. The 2.0 update added a deeper drip tray for tall glasses, RGB LED status lights and a water-tank sensor. The dotted side panels are its calling card, in copper, white or black combinations.
Know the trade-offs. There's no PID temperature control, so brew temperature depends more on your routine than on a dual-boiler machine, and there's no grinder, so budget for one. At 10.5 inches wide, though, it's one of the more compact prosumer machines.
Rocket's home-use warranty is 3 years parts and labor through US dealers, longer than the 2 years common on super-automatics. Rocket machines are sold online through authorized espresso retailers, so compare a few.
Who should shop Rocket: hands-on espresso drinkers who want a beautiful, compact machine, especially for milk drinks. Who should skip it: anyone who wants push-button drinks (see Jura), or enthusiasts who want precise temperature and flow control; the dual-boiler Lelit Bianca V3 and La Marzocco Linea Micra cost more but add PID.
To weigh the next step up, read Linea Micra vs Lelit Bianca. For the full field, see our best luxury espresso machines, the guide to super-automatic vs semi-automatic espresso and the coffee hub.
Rocket Espresso appliances we review
Rocket Espresso Appartamento 2.0
Rocket Espresso · Coffee machine · Countertop espresso
- $2,150 MSRP
- 10.5″ wide
- 3-yr full warranty
- Grinder: No
The Rocket Espresso Appartamento 2.0 is the best-looking way into traditional Italian espresso at a reasonable price. Seattle Coffee Gear lists it at $2,150, and you get a 1.8 L copper heat-exchanger boiler, a commercial-size 58 mm portafilter and Rocket's signature dotted side panels, hand-built in Milan. The 2.0 update adds a deeper drip tray, RGB LED status lights and a water-tank sensor. The trade-offs: no PID, a vibration pump and no grinder, so it rewards hands-on owners willing to learn its rhythm.
Questions about Rocket Espresso
Is the Rocket Appartamento good for beginners?
It can be, if you want to learn. It's a manual machine with a 58 mm portafilter and no automation, so you'll grind, dose, tamp and steam yourself. The heat-exchanger design lets you brew and steam at once. If you want guardrails, an automated machine like the Breville Oracle Jet is easier.
Does the Appartamento have PID temperature control?
No. The Appartamento 2.0 is a heat-exchanger machine without PID, so brew temperature depends more on your routine. That's the main trade-off against dual-boiler machines with PID, such as the Lelit Bianca V3 and La Marzocco Linea Micra, which cost more.
What warranty does Rocket Espresso offer?
US dealers list a 3-year parts and labor warranty for home use on the Appartamento 2.0. That's longer than the 2-year coverage common on super-automatics in our data. Buy from an authorized dealer, keep your receipt and ask who handles repairs in your area.