Sometimes, a classic head-to-head showdown between espresso machines is the only way to settle a score. Inside the Clive showroom, few pairings get more back-and-forth than the LUCCA M58 Sunto and the ECM Synchronika II. Even if you know nothing about espresso, you could probably guess why just by looking at them. If you don't have the faintest idea and this is your first espresso rodeo, then you should know the following: both are flagship machines for their respective brands, built around the classic E61 group head; both are dual boilers with rotary pumps, and they both look absolutely stunning on a countertop, to say the least. So how do you pick between them?
While you can't go wrong with either machine, it's important to know the subtleties and idiosyncrasies that make them both worthy of showcasing on your espresso bar.
Group Head & Brewing
Here you'll find a lot of common ground, as both the M58 Sunto and the Synchronika II use an E61-style group head. The E61, originally designed in 1961, hasn't just stuck around because it's pretty (though it obviously is); rather, it has stood the test of time by being reliable, versatile, and interactive. Even though it's a pump-driven machine, it still makes you feel like you're an active participant in the espresso-making process. In short, it feels great to use.
There are two significant benefits to opting for an E61 group head machine today. The first is line-pressure pre-infusion when the machine is directly plumbed, which both machines support. If the machine is not plumbed in, you can still utilize the programmable pre-infusion settings to achieve a similar result. More on that a bit later.
The second benefit is flow control. Both machines are compatible with the LUCCA E61 Flow Control kit, which takes about a minute to install and lets you adjust the water flow rate into the group by hand during the shot. That opens the door to longer pre-infusions, pressure-profiled shots, or even experimental recipes like soup shots. If you'd rather skip the DIY install, both machines are available with the Flow Control system pre-installed. Check out the M58 Sunto with Flow Control and the Synchronika II with Flow Control.
Both machines also offer programmable pre-infusion through the PID. This is essentially a third way to pre-infuse, and it's the most convenient of the bunch because it works on the internal reservoir, no plumbing required. The pump runs for a few seconds, pauses to let the puck soak, then kicks back on for the full brew cycle. This is an easy way to get more consistent extractions with virtually zero extra effort. (The Synchronika II goes one step further and lets you toggle between active pre-infusion using the pump and passive pre-infusion using line pressure, both set from the PID menu.)
On the topic of dialing in an espresso recipe, both machines offer single-degree temperature control for both boilers via their respective OLED PIDs. Both passively display brew and steam boiler temperatures, and both show a shot timer while you're brewing. All of which has become and should be expected of machines of this caliber.
Warm-Up Speed
While the E61 group head is known for its temperature stability, it historically hasn't been known for heating up very quickly. Both machines now have a dedicated heating element in the group head, a relatively new development in E61 design. Yet, it's a massive improvement over what has historically been the E61's greatest weakness: slow warm-up times. Each machine has a quick heat-up mode that cuts the 20 to 30 minutes you'd have waited in the past down to a fraction.
The M58 Sunto's quick heat-up mode has it ready to pull shots in about 10 minutes. The Synchronika II can reach temperature in just 6.5 minutes—the fastest of all current full-sized E61 dual-boilers on the market today. ECM can pull this off by briefly overheating the boilers, then prompting you to flush the brew boiler to bring it back to your set temperature. It's a clever trick, and while both machines are fast by traditional E61 standards, the Synchronika II deserves the edge here for its blazing speed.
Boilers
Both machines utilize stainless steel for their brew and steam boilers, and both have generous 0.75 L brew boilers. Paired with the group head heating elements, that gives each machine excellent temperature stability, even across back-to-back shots.
The steam boiler is where they diverge slightly. The M58 Sunto carries a 1.5 L steam boiler, while the Synchronika II steps up to 2 L. Either one provides more than enough steaming power for a home barista, and both will texture milk for a round of lattes without breaking a sweat. If you're routinely steaming for a crowd, the Synchronika II's larger boiler and 2-bar steam pressure give it a bit more headroom.
Water Supply
On water supply, the two are evenly matched. Both can run off their internal reservoir (3 L on the M58 Sunto, 2.8 L on the Synchronika II) or be directly plumbed to a water line. The Synchronika II ships with a braided plumb-in line in the box; for the M58 Sunto, the LUCCA M58 Direct Plumb Kit is sold separately. Both machines are outfitted with a Fluid-o-Tech rotary pump, known for being quiet, delivering smooth, consistent pressure, and lasting for decades.
Scheduling
It's incredibly convenient for an espresso machine to have a contained feature set that requires no extras. The auto on/off feature is not built into the M58 Sunto. If scheduling matters to you, though, the same effect can be achieved with a smart plug: leave the machine's power switch on and let the plug handle the schedule. This trick works with any machine that has a physical power toggle—a super-easy solution for a machine that already heats up faster than most E61 machines on the market.
Size
Both machines' footprints are nearly identical: both are a hair over 19 inches deep, with the Synchronika II about half an inch wider at 13.2 inches, compared to 12.75 inches for the M58 Sunto.
Height is where they really separate. At 14.25 inches, the M58 Sunto is nearly two inches shorter than the 16.14-inch Synchronika II, which means the M58 Sunto is more likely to fit comfortably under standard cabinets, and it stands a far better chance of keeping the internal reservoir accessible while it's there. It also just looks a bit sleeker and less imposing on the counter. The ECM Synchronika II has a reservoir flap in the back that you have to account for, which can be problematic if you're fitting it into a tight space. The M58 Sunto is the clear winner here.
Despite the height difference, both machines offer similarly comfortable workspace on the drip tray, with plenty of clearance under the group head for a cup and scale, or a taller mug.
Included Kit
You need more than the machine itself to pull a shot, so it's worth comparing what comes in the box. The Synchronika II ships with single- and double-spouted portafilters, each with a basket, plus an upgraded ECM stainless steel tamper. All of it is nicely built and polished, with a solid weight in the hand.
The M58 Sunto, on the other hand, knocks it out of the park. It comes with walnut-handled, double-spouted, bottomless portafilters, an 18 g double basket, a 20 g triple basket, and a wood-handled tamper. The wood accents match the fittings on the machine's joysticks and brew lever, adding warmth and class to an already beautiful machine. Clive's team recommends a bottomless portafilter to every new home barista as a tool for honing technique, so it's excellent to see such a nice one included.
Very few machines come with as nice an accessories package as the M58 Sunto, but both machines give you what you need to start pulling shots on day one. Well, you still need a grinder, and ideally, a scale to measure your shots.
Design
In terms of looks, both machines are, as mentioned and worth repeating, stunning. While many machines in this category are plain steel boxes with a group head on the front, these two add subtle visual accents that give each one its own personality.
The M58 Sunto's design was originally inspired by nautical motifs, with the stainless colorway featuring navy dials on its pump and steam pressure gauges. Its signature sweeping steel cup rail adds vintage flair to the silhouette and aligns nicely with the beveled, vented side panels. Details like the angular portafilter handle (surprisingly comfortable, by the way) and the laser-cut drip tray blend into a singular, iconic aesthetic. It's also available in matte black with the same walnut touchpoints for those who want a darker look.
The Synchronika II takes a slightly more minimalistic approach, with sheer, polished side panels and beveled edges that match the distinctive visible coated-steel frame at the base. Its dials evoke motorsport more than sailing, with red needles providing a pop of color against two-tone white-and-chrome faces. That intensity is balanced by the sweeping organic curves of the joysticks and the nicely counterweighted portafilter handle. If you prefer wood, walnut touchpoints are available as an add-on.
Side by Side
Final Thoughts
Both of these machines will pull exceptional espresso and steam cafe-quality milk for years. The in-cup difference between them is close to zero. What's going to determine 98% of your shot quality is the espresso grinder you pair with the machine and your espresso technique.
The M58 Sunto is the pick if counter space is tight, if you want the richest out-of-the-box kit (that walnut bottomless portafilter is a real bonus), or if you'd rather save a few hundred dollars toward a better grinder. It's the more compact of the two by a meaningful margin, and the matte black option is hard to beat if you want something darker on the counter.
The Synchronika II is the pick if warm-up speed and scheduling matter to your routine, if you steam a lot of milk and want the bigger boiler, or if you prefer ECM's cleaner, motorsport-inspired look. The built-in timer plus a 6.5-minute heat-up means the machine is ready before you are, every single morning.
Still torn? Schedule a call with a Clive espresso expert, or book a showroom demo in Portland and pull a shot on both. Every espresso machine purchase from Clive also includes free access to Coffee School: Introduction to Espresso, so whichever one you choose, you'll be dialed in fast and with expert assistance.