Lavazza has entered the bean-to-cup coffee machine market with its first-ever offering, the Assoluta, marking a significant departure from its successful line of pod machines. Priced at nearly £700, this fully automated appliance promises to simplify the coffee-making process by handling grinding, dosing, tamping, and puck disposal automatically.
Design and Unique Features
The Lavazza Assoluta stands out immediately with its distinctive design. Unlike the typical bulky, black plastic automatics, it features a compact, lovely matte brown finish that feels both premium and robust. Measuring 22 x 43.5 x 35.8cm, it's notably smaller than many competitors.
Instead of a digital colour screen, the machine employs a button-style touchscreen for selecting drinks like espresso, cappuccino, and lungo. One of its most praised innovations is the milk frothing system, which uses a jug with a whisk attachment rather than the traditional carafe and tube. This design is not only quieter but significantly easier to clean.
The centrepiece of the Assoluta's technology is the Bean Match feature. This works by scanning the barcode on a bag of Lavazza beans via a companion app, which then automatically configures the machine's settings for an optimal brew.
Performance and Limitations
During extensive testing over at least a week, the Assoluta produced coffee with a good, though sometimes inconsistent, crema. The espresso flavours were generally balanced and enjoyable, and the milk froth quality was high, creating near-perfect cappuccino foam.
However, the machine's major limitation becomes apparent with its proprietary technology. Bean Match only works with Lavazza's own beans. While other coffee brands can be used, the machine offers only two manual grind settings, severely limiting customisation. When tested with non-Lavazza beans, the coffee was merely "fine but not great."
This restriction means users may not achieve the best possible results from other coffee brands, which is particularly frustrating given the machine's premium price point. As the reviewer notes, it creates a feeling of being "held hostage by Lavazza" and forced to purchase their coffee.
Value and Competition
At its full price of £699.95, the Assoluta faces stiff competition from established players like De'Longhi. The De'Longhi Rivelia, similarly priced, offers more functionality and doesn't restrict users to specific coffee brands.
The one significant value proposition comes through Lavazza's subscription model, where the machine's price drops to under £400 when committing to a bean subscription. This makes financial sense for dedicated Lavazza drinkers but may not appeal to those who enjoy experimenting with different coffee varieties.
Compared to more affordable alternatives like the De'Longhi Magnifica Evo or the Ninja Luxe Cafe Premier, the Assoluta offers better design and ease of use but doesn't necessarily deliver superior coffee quality to justify the substantial price difference.
Verdict
The Lavazza Assoluta presents a compelling package for dedicated Lavazza coffee drinkers who prioritise convenience and design. Its unique milk frothing system is genuinely innovative and user-friendly, while the automated features deliver consistent results with Lavazza beans.
However, for coffee enthusiasts who enjoy exploring different beans and customising their brew, the machine's limitations are significant. The proprietary Bean Match technology, while effective, locks users into the Lavazza ecosystem, potentially limiting the machine's value over the long term.
Ultimately, the Assoluta represents a strong but niche entry into the bean-to-cup market—excellent for Lavazza loyalists but less compelling for the broader coffee-loving community seeking flexibility and value at this price point.
