Ascaso Arc Fun

Overview

The Ascaso Arc Fun strips espresso making to its essential elements in an ultra-compact chassis that Ascaso describes as the world's smallest professional espresso machine. At just 170mm wide and under 290mm deep, the Arc Fun fits spaces where no other semi-automatic can — beside the kitchen sink, in a caravan, or on an office desk. The thermoblock heating system reaches temperature quickly while keeping weight to just 5kg. A 57mm portafilter, while slightly under commercial standard, delivers quality extraction with properly ground coffee. The steam wand, though compact, produces serviceable microfoam for small milk drinks. The Arc Fun is available in Ascaso's signature range of vibrant colors, from hot pink to forest green to glossy white, making it as much a design object as a coffee machine. While the small boiler and compact steam wand limit high-volume use, the Arc Fun excels as a personal espresso machine — one or two drinks at a time, made well, in a footprint barely larger than a coffee mug.

It features a thermoblock boiler system made of aluminum. The vibratory pump delivers 15.0 bars of pressure for optimal extraction. It uses a 57mm group head.

Priced at $349, the Ascaso Arc Fun is designed for home baristas looking for quality without breaking the bank. As a single boiler machine, it's best suited for those who primarily brew espresso or can work with the steam-then-brew workflow.

In terms of build quality, the Ascaso Arc Fun is a substantial machine, weighing in at 5.0 kg, manufactured in Spain, drawing 1050W of power. With dimensions of 170 x 290 x 290 mm (W×D×H), make sure you have adequate counter space. The built-in water reservoir holds 1300 ml, making it easy to set up anywhere in your kitchen.