Rancilio Silvia Pro X Review (Tested In 2024)

A friend of mine recently treated herself to the Silvia Pro X (and got it in pink to celebrate the Barbie movie).

She let me give it a whirl when I last visited and I just knew I had to give it a proper spin.

Rancilio Silvia Pro X Review – My Ratings & Top Features

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Why Should You Buy The Rancilio Silvia Pro X?

Overall, I rate the Rancilio Silvia Pro X 4.2 out of 5 stars. [1]

• Dual boiler system (steam boiler = 1 liter, brew boiler = 300 ml) to maximize your brew time
• A two-liter water reservoir means fewer refills and more espresso brewing
• PID temperature control system for improved heat consistency and thermal stability
• Dual vibratory pumps that can run quietly and independently
• Multiple color options
• Variable soft infusion function for smooth and efficient espresso extraction
• Powerful three-hole tip steam wand with swivel movement for fantastic microfoam
• Power on and power off settings 
• Adjustable height cup tray
• Brew circuit pressure gauge to analyze brew boiler pressure accurately
• Auto brew and steam boiler drain settings for easy transport and maintenance
• Built-in shot timer gets you pulling shots like a pro
• Water alert system lets you know when its time to refill without constantly checking

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Who Should Buy The Rancilio Silvia Pro X?

This Rancilio espresso machine is best for experienced baristas and espresso aficionados looking for a simple espresso maker with a good balance of control and convenience.

This is not the best choice for you if you want a lot of bells and whistles or automation.

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Why I Decided To Review The Rancilio Silvia Pro X Espresso Machine?

As I briefly mentioned above, a friend of mine recently picked one up for herself in pink, and I loved taking it for a spin.

I knew I just had to put it through its paces for myself and bring you my thoughts.

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What’s It Like To Live With The Rancilio Silvia Pro X

What’s In The Box?

The Silvia Pro X arrives well-packed in a sturdy, 45-pound box.

Inside, the machine is wrapped in plastic with accessories neatly placed on top of the taped-down drip tray.

Don’t forget to remove the tape and foam under the tray.

While the machine is narrow and fits easily on a counter, accessing the water reservoir at the back can be a bit tricky, so keep space above it clear.

The new dual boiler system gives it a slightly larger footprint than its predecessor.

Controls are simple - four buttons for power, steam, brew, and hot water, plus a PID display and steam knob.

The large cup warming tray is a nice bonus.

Included accessories:

• Black wood and stainless steel tamper
• 58mm portafilters
• Single and double shot baskets
• Group head brush
• Rubber backflush disk
• User manual and start-up guide

Pulling My First Espresso Shot

From the start, I appreciated the heft and quality of the wood and steel portafilters and tamper - they feel great and look classy.

The standard size allows for easy use with other accessories, like a bottomless portafilter.

The adjustable drip tray, with three levels, is handy for taller drinks, though a bit fiddly.

Adjusting the brew temperature and soft infusion was straightforward, thanks to the PID display and shot timer.

The display uses codes like T1 for brew temp and F1 for auto-cleaning, so you’ll need the manual initially.

My first shot was creamy and balanced, with pre-infusion preserving subtle flavors.

You will need your manual on you the first couple of times you use your machine, as the display uses codes to let you know what is going on.[2]

Here’s a quick breakdown:

• T1 - set brew boiler temperature
• T2 - steam boiler temperature
• F1 - auto cleaning program
• F2 - adjustable start-up time
• F3 - empty the brew boiler
• F4 - empty the steam boiler
• F5 - sleep time
• F6 - Fahrenheit or Celsius
• F7 - select the main voltage
• F8 - set pre-infusion time

 Related Article - Best Espresso Machines Under $5000

First Time Frothing Milk

The steam wand is a fully rotational one that is not combined with the hot water wand, which is an absolute plus.

That being said, it is important to remember that it is not fully insulated and anti-burn - be careful when using it.

The separate steam boiler means that the steam is incredibly powerful and produces good foam.

The independent boiler also means that you can adjust the steam pressure between 248-257 Fahrenheit, which I adore.

Overall, I loved how my cappuccino turned out, and steaming milk felt good with the Pro X.

The foam was lovely and well-textured, and the milk wand was easy to use. You will be making perfect whirlpools and crafting lattes in no time.

It is vital to remember that, as it is separate, the steam boiler does not auto-turn on with the machine - you need to turn it on manually.

How Much Control Do You Have Over The Machine?

For the average espresso enthusiast, there is a good balance of control and convenience to be found in the Pro X without adding a ton of bells and whistles.

However, control freaks may want to consider a prosumer espresso machine if they want to fully control each nitty gritty detail of their espresso-making experience.

When it comes to the Pro X, you can control or adjust the following elements:

• PID
• Drip tray height
• Steam temperature
• Steam pressure
• Brew temperature
• Pre-infusion time
• Wake up and shut down time
• Shot timer

How Does It Handle Different Roasts?

In my testing, I found that each of them did well, but I preferred lighter roasts overall.

This is a little unusual as I tend to prefer medium roast with little oil, but I’m not complaining.

As there is no grinder included with this home coffee machine, it does not matter as much whether you use whole or pre-ground coffee.

I prefer going whole and grinding it myself for the ritual of it, but each to their own.

Some good coffee I would recommend using with Rancilio Silvia Pro X coffee machines includes Coffee Bros.

Light Roast and Starbucks’ Veranda Blend Light Blonde Roast.

Look, Feel, and Size Of The Machine

When unwrapping this new espresso machine, you will notice that the build quality is really good - it's handmade but solidly built.

It has a simple design that some find boring, but I find timeless. I ended up getting my espresso machine in black, but the pink was very cool.

This home espresso machine is a hefty 44 pounds and very narrow, so make sure you have someone with you while finding the perfect spot on your counter space.

In terms of dimensions, it is 16.5 x 10 x 15.2 inches, leaving plenty of room on your counter for you to warm your cups on the tray.

I love the classic design, but I know that some espresso fans may want an espresso machine with a more modern look.

What Drinks Can It Make?

As there are no pre-programmed drinks, the sky really is the limit when it comes to this dual-boiler espresso machine.

You can quickly steam milk and pull shots with ease, and the steam power is off the charts, so you can make anything from espresso lungo to a flat white.

The hot water spout is separate from the steam wand, meaning that you can even make oats, soup, or tea while crafting latte art.

How Easy Is It To Use?

I would say that the Rancilio Silvia Pro X is a great machine that will be fairly straightforward for people with prior barista or espresso machine experience.

There will be a steeper learning curve for the casual barista who is more used to automatic than prosumer espresso machines.

This machine is pretty pricey, so I understand wanting to know whether it will be easy to use before investing in an expensive espresso machine.

However, the easy-to-understand manual and user setup guide make all the difference in flattening that curve.

Other features like the pre-infusion feature, shot timer, and adjustable drip tray height will all help you nail your coffees even if you are early in your home barista journey.

How Long Does It Take? (From Heat Up To First Sip)

This dual boiler machine takes about 15 minutes to heat up (remember to manually turn on the steam boiler if you want a latte) and then just a couple of minutes to craft your coffee.

Exactly how long things will take depends on your skill level and what drink you're making, but you should have your morning brew in about 20 minutes.

Does It Have A Water Filtration System?

There is no water filtration system with the Silvia Pro X which means that limescale buildup prevention is key.

I recommend using only filtered water with your machine and keeping a regular cleaning schedule.

How Hard Is It To Clean and Descale?

All espresso machines need regular cleaning and maintenance to continue brewing coffee and milk steaming like pros.[3]

The best espresso machines tend to come with cleaning materials to help you, which the Silvia Pro X does.

It also has an automated cleaning program and a coffee boiler flushing program to make things go as smoothly as possible.

The cleaning manual's recommendations are clear and easy to follow, with a mix of daily and more infrequent steps.

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My Favorite Parts About The Rancilio Silvia Pro X Coffee Maker

• Auto boiler drain system makes moving and maintenance easy. I love that you can drain only one boiler or drain both dual boilers so you can move it or maintain it better - such a convenient feature.
• Adjustable height drip tray ensures that you can fill any of your favorite cups with ease. This makes the brewing process for tall coffees so much easier.
• Dual independent insulated boilers make brewing espressos or lattes a smooth experience. The independent boilers ensure that they keep consistent boiler temperatures and make milk steaming with brewing a breeze.
• Large water reservoir minimizes refill times and lets you focus on making excellent espresso. A large water tank will save you so many trips back and forth from the sink.
• Adjustable pre-infusion function and PID system work together to make crafting delicious espresso a piece of cake. The variable soft infusion and PID will have you pulling shots like a pro in no time.

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My Least Favorite Parts

• The water reservoir’s placement at the back of the machine can make it a little tricky to get to. This makes it especially hard to access if you place it under cabinets or other tricky spots.
• The drip tray is small, and hard to tell if full at a glance. I would prefer if the drip tray were bigger or easier to check at a glance while making coffee.
• Can need frequent descaling with regular use. I would love it if an updated version of this machine had a water filtration system and a descaling program.

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Rancilio Silvia Pro X Vs Similar Machines

Rancilio Silvia Pro X Vs Silvia Pro

How does the Pro X fare against its predecessor?

The main differences between the two models are small but vital.

The original Pro came with a smaller portafilter that was difficult to buy accessories for, no soft infusion system, no pressure gauge, and no PID.

It is still a quality machine, but the Pro X was made with customer feedback in mind.

Rancilio Silvia Pro X Vs Silvia V6

Both Rancilio’s Silvia Pro X and V6 are similar in terms of brand and aesthetics, but there are key differences between them.

The V6 lacks a lot of features that make the Pro X stand out, including:

• Less color options
• No power-on timer
• No pressure gauge
• No shot timer
• No soft infusion
• No temperature indicator
• No water wand

It also only has one boiler and vibration pump, which makes it smaller and lighter than the Pro X.

Rancilio Silvia Pro X Vs Gaggia Classic

The Gaggia Classic is a highly popular promotional machine that is often compared to the Pro X.

The Classic is a significantly cheaper model than the Pro X. It is also smaller and lighter, with the capability to be used with coffee pods as well as ground coffee and whole beans.

The bar pressure is also significantly higher, which can be attractive for some baristas.

Rancilio Silvia Pro X Vs Rocket Appartamento

Both the Silvia Pro X and the Rocket Appartamento are handmade Italian masterworks with pared-back features in a similar price bracket.

So how do they fare against each other?

Frankly, it is hard to compare the two commercial machines as they are fundamentally different and designed for different audiences.

The Rocket Appartamento is a prosumer machine that allows you to micromanage every detail of the process.

It does share some traits with the Silvia Pro X, like a boiler gauge, large tank, pre-infusion system, and 58 mm portafilters, but it is for a very different audience.

If you like the Rocket Appartamento, then I would recommend trying something like the Pro X first and building up to that.

Related Article - Rocket Espresso Appartamento Review

Rancilio Silvia Pro X Vs Breville Barista Pro

The Breville Barista Pro is another regular feature on best espresso machine listicles - but how does it stack up against the Pro X?

The Barista Pro comes in more colors than the Pro X and is significantly cheaper.

It also has a bean-to-cup system that will auto-grind and dose your shots with up to 30 grind settings to choose from.

The Barista Pro also allows volumetric shot control, among other nice touches.

However, it does have a smaller portafilter that can be difficult to find accessories for.

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FAQs

Where is Rancilio Silvia Pro made?

The Rancilio Silvia Pro is handmade in Italy.

What colors does the Rancilio Silvia Pro X come in?

The Rancilio Silvia Pro X comes in four colors: Inox (silver), Anthracite Black, Ice White, and Pink.

What is the best grind size for Rancilio Silvia?

The best grind size for the Silvia depends on what grinder settings you have available. I would suggest going on the finer side, but if your grounds are the consistency of flour, that is too much.

Can I leave my Rancilio Silvia on all day?

You can technically leave your Rancilio Silvia on all day, but it is better to save energy and utilize the auto turn-on and power-off features.

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Is The Rancilio Silvia Pro X Worth Your Money?

Overall, the Rancilio Silvia Pro X could be a good machine for the home barista looking for a quality machine that keeps it simple while allowing some control of key details.

Give it a try for yourself with your tamping station and see whether this timeless classic suits your morning brew.

Resources:

1. https://www.ranciliogroup.com/rancilio/silvia-pro-x/
2. https://support.clivecoffee.com/en/rancilio-silvia-pro-x-user-manual
3. https://youtu.be/nVVGT3LuRSg