This article summarizes Barista in Pajamas’ review of the Meraki Espresso Machine and its Gen 2 upgrades. Drawing on about a year of experience with Meraki, the reviewer discusses everyday operation, the changes from Gen 1, and whether existing owners should upgrade. The reviewer discloses that Meraki supplied both machines but did not request the review. The video also includes affiliate links that may earn the creator a commission.
Modular Construction and Dual Boilers
The reviewer describes Meraki as an all-in-one dual boiler espresso machine with separate grinder, brewing, and steam modules. They see two benefits in this arrangement: reduced heat transfer between components and more practical servicing, since repairs can involve individual modules rather than one tightly packed assembly.
The specifications discussed include a 350 ml brew boiler and a 550 ml steam boiler, both with PID temperature control. The reviewer considers this a promising foundation for a serious home espresso setup.
The rotary pump receives particular praise. The reviewer regards it as Meraki’s biggest advantage in its category, associating it with stable pressure and quieter operation. In their daily experience, it contributes to a more substantial feel and consistent operation as grind size and dose change.
Built-In Grinding and Two Scales
Meraki’s grinder uses 38 mm conical burrs developed in collaboration with Timemore. The reviewer mentions an ion generator and particularly appreciates grinding by weight, which they find accurate and consistent. However, they also make clear that the grinder still has room for improvement.
The machine includes two scales: one for grinding and another for brewing. Both are described as rated to ±0.2 g. The reviewer finds them responsive and reliable, making the combination of grind-by-weight and brew-by-weight control a significant part of the machine’s appeal.
There is an important qualification: this is not a single-dose workflow. The reviewer notes that the selected dose and the final measured weight can differ slightly. In their experience, these small differences did not cause problems in the cup or prevent satisfactory consistency.
Water Access, Cleaning, and Exterior Materials
The rear-mounted water tank holds 2 liters and has a wide opening. The reviewer finds it convenient to refill either from above or by removing the tank.
The large drip tray generally performs well in their assessment. They appreciate details such as how water drains from the brewing scale into the tray. However, the small openings and milk residue around the steaming area mean that it needs frequent cleaning.
Exterior materials are another reservation. The reviewer identifies the central brew tower and drip tray mesh as aluminum, while describing most of the body as high-quality plastic. Although the machine feels sturdy and reasonably premium in person, they would prefer a fully metal exterior.
Touchscreen Controls and Workflow Limitations
The touchscreen is one of the reviewer’s favorite aspects of daily use. They describe the interface as quick, straightforward, and easy to navigate, with access to grinding, brewing settings, cleaning, pre-infusion, and hot water. Support for over-the-air updates is also welcomed.
Physical controls for brewing and steaming make operation feel more interactive, but their behavior differs from touchscreen-controlled operation. According to the reviewer, using the manual levers puts the relevant function into manual control: the machine will not automatically stop the shot or steaming.
They also report that starting the grinder during an extraction stops the shot. This is a practical limitation to understand when deciding the order of preparation tasks.
Steam Performance and CoffeeSense
The reviewer considers steaming another strength. The steam wand rotates through 360 degrees and is described as delivering strong, dry steam. It also incorporates a temperature sensor.
When steaming is started through the touchscreen, the user can select a target milk temperature and the machine stops when that temperature is reached. Different steam levels provide flexibility for users with different experience levels and milk-texture preferences.
The video also explains CoffeeSense, which uses an NFC-equipped Meraki coffee bag to load suggested grinding and extraction settings. The reviewer explicitly states that they have not personally used this feature. They question how widely it will be adopted, citing limited coffee availability and higher prices in some cases.
Gen 2 Grinder Upgrades
The grinder’s adjustment range increases from 30 steps on Gen 1 to 45 steps on Gen 2. The reviewer describes this as ten additional steps toward the coarse end and five toward the fine end. Burr size remains unchanged.
They welcome the wider range because it gives users more scope to match different coffees, including lighter roasts. In one comparison using the same beans, they obtained a similar result at setting 12 on Gen 1 and setting 16 on Gen 2. This is their specific observation, rather than a universal conversion between the machines.
The reviewer also reports finer grinding from Gen 2. Together, these changes address an area where they wanted more flexibility from the original grinder, particularly when adjusting grind size for different coffees.
Portafilter Compatibility, Water Distribution, and OS 2.0
Gen 1 used a Meraki-specific portafilter system. The reviewer liked the portafilter itself but found the limited interchangeability restrictive. They report that Meraki now states Gen 2 supports standard 58 mm E61-compatible portafilters, providing more freedom for owners who want to use other accessories.
Another change concerns water distribution. As the reviewer explains Meraki’s description, pressure is diffused before water is distributed more evenly across the coffee puck. The stated aim is better coverage, improved consistency, and reduced channeling when preparation is imperfect. These are presented as the intended benefits of the revised system.
OS 2.0 brings multiple languages, revised temperature-control logic, and improved power-loss memory. The reviewer values the practical benefit of retaining settings when the machine is unplugged or moved. They also welcome the availability of this software upgrade for Gen 1 owners.
Recommended Tools and Features Still Wanted
Although Meraki supplies much of the equipment needed to begin making espresso, the reviewer recommends adding a dosing funnel, a good WDT tool or blind shaker, and a self-leveling tamper. They suggest these tools to support better puck preparation and more consistent results.
Their wish list for a future generation includes pressure profiling or flow control, particularly for lighter roasts and different recipes. They would also like grinder speed control and potentially a physical grinder button for more direct operation.
Should Gen 1 Owners Upgrade?
The reviewer considers Gen 2 a worthwhile development that addresses several frustrations with the original machine. The broader grinder range, portafilter compatibility, and revised water distribution make the system feel more complete in their assessment.
However, they do not believe Gen 1 owners need to replace their machines immediately. They still regard the original as capable, and access to OS 2.0 helps support continued use.
For someone buying a Meraki Espresso Machine now, Gen 2 would be the reviewer’s first consideration. For an existing Gen 1 owner, their conclusion is more measured: the improvements are useful, but they do not suddenly make the original machine outdated.
For more perspectives on the machine, explore our collection of Meraki Espresso Machine reviews.
