Single Boiler Comparison: LUCCA Solo vs. Profitec GO

Two espresso machines side by side on a wooden counter, LUCCA Solo on the left and Profitec GO on the right
☕ Quick Take

The Profitec GO excels at milk-based drinks with faster steaming, while the LUCCA Solo focuses purely on espresso with E61 lever control and optional flow control.

  • Both machines feature PID temperature control, single boilers, fast heat-up, compact size, and vibratory pumps—ideal for entry-level home baristas
  • Profitec GO heats up in 5 minutes and steams milk better than other single-boiler machines, plus comes in vibrant colors
  • LUCCA Solo offers a larger 0.75L brew boiler, manual E61 lever control, and optional flow control for advanced espresso experimentation

So, you’ve decided to join the cult of home espresso? Congratulations, you’ve just made the most delicious choice of your life! New home espresso enthusiasts' biggest question is: which espresso machine is best for my needs? After answering that question, you’ll pull delicious espresso shots in no time. You'll make real craft espresso, not like the swill from an appliance machine. Let’s make your decision a breeze by comparing two of our best entry-level machines: the Profitec GO and the LUCCA Solo. 

Brew Espresso Anywhere

From left to right: Lucca Solo and Profitec GO espresso machines in profile lifestyle by Clive Coffee

Both the GO and the Solo are so compact that they will easily fit in most kitchens and espresso stations, giving you space for a grinder and ample accessories. There’s no need to compromise when perfect espresso comes in a small package. Staying in an Airbnb, on your grand national parks road trip, or you don’t want to drink Folgers at your folks’ on Christmas morning—take the GO or the Solo with you. Let’s get into the main similarities:

  • PID Temperature Control
  • Single boiler system (brew boiler)
  • Fast heat-up times 
  • Compact footprint 
  • Reservoir only operation 
  • Vibratory pump (both are relatively quiet)

Both machines tick all of the boxes of what home espresso enthusiasts have come to expect to be stock features of most single-boiler espresso machines, but what exactly sets the two apart? 

The Advantage of the Profitec GO 

Profitec Go lifestyle by Clive Coffee

The Profitec GO is the machine for you if you want to brew espresso and steam milk-based beverages. The GO doesn’t win here just because it has a steam wand—it steams better and gets up to steam temperature faster than the other single-boilers in our lineup. The GO is also fantastic if you need espresso tout suite before your morning commute—Profitec's fast heat up mode has the GO at temperature to pull shots within 5 minutes. The GO's fast heat-up mode and temperature-stable semi-saturated group head allow you to pull back-to-back shots easily. Additionally, the GO comes in a few vibrant colors, including red, blue, and yellow, giving your space the pop of color it needs. 

The Advantage of the LUCCA Solo

LUCCA Solo espresso machine lifestyle by Clive Coffee

By far the most compact espresso machine in our lineup, the LUCCA Solo is for the espresso purist. Not to knock on cappuccino lovers out there, but this machine does not have a steam wand for the express purpose of espresso bliss. Because of its espresso focus, we made the Solo a tactile and interactive user experience. Instead of a push-button experience, we added the proven and romantic E61 group head with a brew lever. The Solo boasts a larger brew boiler than the GO, clocking in at .75 L vs. the GO's smaller .4 L boiler, making the Solo able to pull more shots back to back while maintaining optimum temperature stability. 

LUCCA Solo flow control close up lifestyle by Clive Coffee

We added a flow control variant—LUCCA Solo with Flow Control to push the Solo over the edge. Flow control is an excellent way, in addition to toying around with your brew temperature, to experiment with different roast levels and coffee origins to tease out different flavors in your brew. Additionally, you control the water flow to the grouphead, making pre-infusion manipulation interactive and pulling shots at different pressures in real time. The LUCCA Solo with flow control is a massive benefit for any espresso enthusiast looking to take their coffee game to the next level. 

Which machine would you choose? Sound off in the comments if you own either machine. If you're still on the fence, don't hesitate to contact us. We have a bullpen of experts ready to help you find the espresso machine of your dreams. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the main difference between the Profitec GO and LUCCA Solo?

The Profitec GO includes a steam wand for milk-based drinks and heats up in 5 minutes, making it ideal for lattes and cappuccinos. The LUCCA Solo focuses purely on espresso with a manual E61 lever, larger 0.75L boiler, and optional flow control for advanced shot profiling.

Can I make lattes with the LUCCA Solo espresso machine?

No, the LUCCA Solo does not have a steam wand—it's designed exclusively for espresso purists. If you want milk-based beverages, the Profitec GO is the better choice among these two single-boiler machines.

Which single boiler espresso machine is better for beginners?

Both are excellent entry-level machines. The Profitec GO is more versatile with its steam wand and push-button simplicity. The LUCCA Solo offers a more hands-on experience with its E61 lever, appealing to those who want to learn manual espresso techniques.

What is flow control on the LUCCA Solo and why does it matter?

Flow control lets you adjust water flow to the grouphead in real time, enabling manual pre-infusion and pressure profiling. This helps extract different flavors from various coffee origins and roast levels, making it ideal for espresso enthusiasts wanting to experiment.

Are the Profitec GO and LUCCA Solo portable espresso machines?

Yes, both are compact and reservoir-fed, making them highly portable. You can easily take them to an Airbnb, on road trips, or to family gatherings—perfect for espresso lovers who refuse to compromise on coffee quality while traveling.