Are you the type of coffee person who loves elegance? Why do we ask?
Because apparently, you’re here looking for an elegant coffee machine that makes extraordinary coffee and espresso. And yes, that’s Illy!
Well, what can we say? You do have eyes for the appreciation of beauty and elegance, and taste for the extraordinary coffee.
And for that, we’ll be sharing with you our review of the best Illy coffee machines. We also include a few alternatives, just in case, you might find something from the other brands.
And again, because we’re happy to serve, we have a buyer’s guide in the latter part of this article. The guide will help you see what differences and applications each Illy coffee machine has.
So, without further ado, here is our list of the best Illy coffee machines.
Table of Contents
Five Best Illy Coffee Machines
Illy Y3.2 Espresso and Coffee Machine
- 25.4 FL oz (0.75 L) removable water tank capacity
- 7 used capsules drawer capacity
- OneTouch operation
- 19 bars pressure pump
- Accommodates iPerEspresso and iPer coffee capsules
- Dimensions: 3.94 x 11.73 x 10 inches (10 x 29.8 x 25.4 cm)
- Weight: 9.13 lbs (4.1 kg)
When you see the Illy Y3.2, you’d easily fall in love with its small but elegant aesthetics. It may be small, but it creates full-flavoured espresso and brewed coffee.
It has the OneTouch operation feature. It’s so simple to operate as it has only two buttons for espresso and brewed coffee.
The 19 bars of pump pressure ensures excellent coffee extraction. This feature gives you the great-tasting coffee similar to those prepared by professional baristas.
Pros:
- Makes excellent espresso and brewed coffee
- Very convenient to use
- Easy to clean and maintain
- Versatile as it brews espresso and coffee
- Compact but sturdy
- Elegant design
Cons:
- Minimal water tank capacity
Small in size but big in taste could be the slogan of the Illy Y3.2. If you’re a minimalist type of person, then you’d probably fall in love with this charming pod coffee maker.
Illy Y5 Iperespresso Coffee Machine
- 19 bars pump pressure
- OneTouch operation
- Aluminum and tempered glass body
- Two programmable cup settings
- Energy saving
- 30 FL oz (0.9 L) removable, front-access water tank
- Use iPerEspresso and coffee capsules
- Dimensions: 11.2 x 5.7 x 9.6 inches
- Weight: 8.8 lbs (4 kg)
The Y5 IperEspresso coffee pods maker is another elegant product from Illy. This coffee machine is covered with aluminum and tempered glass, so it’s a sturdy one.
It is easy to use as you can have espresso and brewed coffee in seconds, with just a touch of a button located in the front panel. The 19 bars pump pressure ensures excellent pulling of a shot.
The removable water tank is highly accessible as it is front-loading. The power save mode ensures that you save energy.
Pros:
- Elegant aluminum and tempered glass body design
- Easy one-touch operation
- Easy-access front-loading water tank
- Energy saving
- Small footprint
- Pulls excellent espresso shot and brews full-bodied coffee
Cons:
- It has quite a small water tank.
If you love to combine elegance and cafe-quality coffee beverages, the Illy Y5 will surely impress you and your friends.
Illy X1 Espresso Machine
- Cast iron body
- 15 bars of pump pressure
- Milk frother
- 33.8 FL oz (1 L) removable water tank
- Accommodates iPerEspresso and Coffee capsules
- Makes cappuccino and latte beverages
- Cup warmer
- Hot water for tea and chocolate drinks
- Dimensions: 10.6 (w) x 9.8 (d) x 13 (h)
- Weight: 19.86 lbs (9 kg)
The X1 is a vintage-inspired Illy espresso machine. The classic design includes the retro Illy logo from 1935, making it an iconic coffee machine.
Aside from the classic aesthetics, the X1 creates excellent espresso shots with its 15 bars of pump pressure. And with the milk frother, preparing rich and creamy cappuccinos and latte drinks is a breeze.
It is also capable of dispensing hot water so you can enjoy other hot beverages such as tea and chocolate drinks. The X1 occupies a relatively small space, but make sure it has a permanent place to stay as it’s quite heavy due to its metal body.
Pros:
- Heavy-duty body built
- Iconic retro-inspired design
- Versatile for making a variety of coffee drinks
- Small footprint
- Saves energy
- The steam wand creates a creamy foam
Cons:
- Expensive
The X1 is a versatile iPerEspresso machine that doesn’t only give you great-tasting cups of Joe but an iconic retro-inspired look as well. The classic design will surely make any visitors stare in awe at this iconic device.
Illy X7.1 iperEspresso Espresso Machine
- 15 bars pump pressure
- One-touch brewing cycle
- Uses iPerEspresso capsule only
- 40 FL oz (1.2 L) water tank capacity
- Cup warmer
- Pannarello steam wand
- Power save mode
- Automatic Volume control
- Dimensions: 11.4 x 10.2 x 12.6 inches (29 x 26 x 32 cm)
- Weight: 11 lbs (5 kg)
The Illy X7.1 has a classic retro-style design that can make everyone feel nostalgic. But unlike the X1, the X7.1 features a plastic body (there is also X7.1 Stainless Steel version), but it doesn’t mean it has an inferior construction.
Using the iPerEspresso capsule only, the X7.1 lacks the brewed coffee preset. But the Panarello steam wand lets you enjoy great-tasting cappuccinos and latte coffee beverages.
The cup warmer ensures that you get the correct temperature for espresso preparation. Additionally, the large capacity water tank allows you to brew more cups with fewer refills.
Pros:
- The classic design brings you down to memory lane
- The Pannarello steam wand makes creamy, foamy milk
- Large capacity water tank
- Saves energy
- Small footprint
- Cup warmer ensures a cafe-quality espresso preparation
Cons:
- It lacks the brewed coffee option.
If you’re a fan of classic designs and enjoy great cups of espresso, cappuccino, and latte drinks, the X7.1 can be an excellent pick.
Illy Francis Francis X9 iperEspresso Machine
- Unique elliptical design
- Chromed aluminum body
- 15 bars pressure pump
- 23.7 FL oz (0.7 L) front-loading removable water tank capacity
- One-touch operation
- Adjustable cup sizes
- Cup warmer
- Dimensions: 4.8 x 10.6 x 10.5 (12.2 x 26.9 x 26.7 cm)
- Weight: 11.55 lbs (5.2 kg)
The Illy X9 has a unique elliptical design with a touch of elegance. The body is made of chrome-plated aluminum, making it sturdy but lightweight.
Another unique feature of the X9 is the ability to be filled by water while in operation. A part of the water tank can be removed while brewing so you can continuously run the machine without interruptions caused by a low water level.
The X9 is also easy to operate with a simple touch of a button. And with the 15 bars pressure pump, you are guaranteed to get a perfectly pulled shots of espresso.
Pros:
- Unique and elegant design
- Ease of use
- Compact and lightweight
- Sturdy construction
- Makes cafe-quality espresso
- Selects two different espresso size
Cons:
- Lacks a milk frother
The X9’s unique elliptical design surely draws attention and it can be an excellent addition to your kitchen’s interior design. If you’re an espresso lover, this coffee machine will be a perfect coffee partner for your daily pleasure.
Two Alternatives for Illy Coffee Machines
Illy coffee machines are great but having more options is better. So if you feel like looking for more options, we have prepared two more alternatives for the Illy coffee machines.
Lavazza BLUE Classy Mini Single Serve Espresso Coffee Machine
- Two coffee selections for espresso and Lungo
- 5 used capsules capacity
- 23.7 FL oz (0.7 L) transparent water tank capacity
- Removable drip tray
- ABS plastic body construction
- One-touch operation
- Accommodated Lavazza Blue capsules only
- Elegant Italian inspired design
- Dimensions: 13 x 5.3 x 10.2 inches (33 x 13.5 x 25.9 cm)
- Weight: 7.7 lbs (3.5 kg)
At first look, you will be amazed by the Lavazza Blue Classy Mini’s elegant Italian design. It is a Reddot award winner, which is the most sought after award in the coffee maker design category.
The coffee machine makes espresso and Lungo easily with just a touch of a button. Exclusively using Lavazza Blue capsules, you’re guaranteed to get barista-quality coffee anytime.
Pros:
- Reddot award winner
- Compact and lightweight
- Easy to use
- Sturdy ABS construction
- The removable drip tray allows you to fit in different cup sizes
- Easy to clean and maintain
Cons:
- It lacks milk frother.
- The Lavazza Blue capsule is only available in wholesale (100 pods)
If you like classy Italian inspired coffee machine design, the Lavazza Blue Classy Mini is not just all facade but also an excellent espresso machine.
Breville Inissia Espresso Machine
- 19 bars of pressure
- 25-second heating time
- 23.7 FL oz (0.7 L) removable water tank capacity
- Automatic shut off feature
- Folding drip tray
- Used capsule capacity: 10 capsules
- Hard plastic body construction
- Dimensions: 12.6 x 4.6 x 9.1 inches (32 x 11.7 x 23 cm)
- Weight: 5.29 lbs (2.4 kg)
The Breville Inissia espresso machine is a smart coffee maker with an impressive, classy design. It makes your espresso-making activity easier and mess-free by using Nespresso pods.
The powerful 19 bars of pressure guarantees perfect pulling of shots for a cafe-style espresso drink. Need to use taller cups? No problem as the folding drip tray accommodates bigger cup sizes for your Lungo coffee.
Pros:
- Compact and lightweight with an ergonomic handle
- Quick heating time
- Energy saving
- Removable water tank for convenient refilling
- Foldable drip tray accommodates differently sized cups
- Easy one-touch operation
- Easy to clean and maintain
- Makes cafe-style espresso machine
- Eco-friendly with the Positive Cup vision of recycling and reusing the Nespresso capsules.
Cons:
- Small capacity water tank
The Breville Inissia espresso machine is a small, compact, and lightweight coffee maker. If you’re an espresso lover with limited space in the kitchen, this coffee maker could be a perfect fit for your java lifestyle.
Looking for a pod coffee maker but maybe not as expensive as Illy. Read our Best Nespresso Coffee Maker best-of list, for more options, that still provide great quality.
Buyers Guide
Can’t decide which is the best Illy coffee maker for you? We got your back. Let our buyer’s guide help you pick the best Illy espresso machine that will fit your lifestyle.
What Coffee Type do you Drink?
Are you the kind of coffee drinker who only wants pure espresso? Or are there times you want variation like brewed coffee? How about cappuccinos and latte drinks?
Purely Espresso Drinker
If you’re into pure espresso drink, you might want to consider any Illy models in our review. But if you want the one with the most compact design, the X9 would be an excellent choice.
Espresso and Brewed Coffee Variations
If you want both espresso and brewed coffee, then all Illy models can be a great pick except the X9, which only brews espresso. The X7.1 is also out of the choices as it doesn’t brew coffee.
You may choose between the Y5 and the Y3.2. But if you want a smaller footprint and a cheaper option, the Y3.2 will be your best pick.
Variety of Espresso, Brewed Coffee, Cappuccino, and Latte
If you want coffee variations, you need a versatile Illy coffee espresso maker that can brew a wide array of coffee drinks. From our review, you got the X1 model for versatility as it is designed to make espresso, brewed coffee, cappuccino, and latte beverages.
If you’re okay with espresso and cappuccino and want to save on the cost of the machine, then the X7.1 is a perfect choice.
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How Much is your Budget?
Budget is always an essential factor to consider when purchasing any coffee maker. So, it’s a good thing to stick within your budget, and never buy more than you can afford.
If your budget is less than the $200 range, the Y3.2 model is your best pick. For $300 below range, you got two options, the X9, X7.1, and the Y5.
If your budget is more than the $500 range, then the most expensive Illy in our review is your best pick, which is the X1.
Footprint
Space is a precious commodity, which is another crucial factor to consider when buying a coffee machine. If you have limited space, you might need to pick the Illy coffee machine with the smallest footprints.
For this consideration, you may choose among the Y5, X9, and X3.2 models. For quick referencing, we’ll give you each model’s measurement below in ascending order in terms of footprint.
- X3.2 measures 3.94 W x 11.73 D x 10 H or 462.16 cubic inches
- X9 measures 4.8 W x 10.6 D x 10.5 H or 532.24 cubic inches
- Y5 measures 5.7 W x 11.2 D x 9.6 H or 612.86 cubic inches
Aesthetics
Illy coffee makers have great aesthetics, but different people have unique preferences. If you’re into retro-inspired design and think it will look good in your kitchen, then the X7.1 and X1 models are the perfect Illy coffee pods maker for you.
If you want an elegant design with a touch of sophistication, you may pick the X9 and Y5 models.
Lastly, if you love a minimalist type of aesthetic, then the X3.2 would be your best choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Illy coffee any good?
Yes, Illy is a good coffee machine. Illy coffee makers are quick, saves energy, pull consistent shots, and aesthetically charming and elegant.
Which is better Illy or Lavazza?
When it comes to a better coffee machine, both Illy and Lavazza are great brands. Deciding on which device is better depends on your personal preferences.
Are capsule coffee machines worth it?
Yes, capsule coffee machines are worth it. If you’re the type of coffee lover who loves the convenience and great-tasting coffee beverages, the capsule coffee is an excellent alternative.
However, if you’re a die-hard coffee aficionado, you’d still choose to prepare coffee in the old classic way. It’s kind of difficult to explain, but maybe some other time we’ll write a separate article about the pros and cons of using coffee pods.
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Happy Brewing!