RANKING

Rank 38 out of 60 Summarized in this category Rankings based on: • Pros-to-cons ratio • Number of reviews • Category average

Ascaso

Dream PID

Name: Dream PID
Brand: Ascaso

around $995

All prices are estimates and may vary from actual prices.

221 Pros

76%
15 reviews (2h 14m)

71 Cons

The Ascaso Dream PID is a visually stunning espresso machine with a retro design and durable build, boasting a stainless steel body and minimal plastic parts. Its thermoblock technology ensures rapid heat-up times and impressive temperature stability within 1°C during brewing, delivering consistently rich, dark espresso with a satisfying crema. T...

Summary of pros and cons from human reviewers, put together by AI

85%

74 vs 13

Features

54%

21 vs 18

Ease of Use

63%

38 vs 22

Brew Quality

97%

29 vs 1

Design/Aesthetics

100%

20 vs 0

Durability/Build Quality

Reviewer verdict

Across 15 YouTube reviews, the Ascaso Dream PID earns an Index score of 4/5, ranking #38 among Coffee Makers & Espresso Machines. Reviewers most often praise its features, brew quality, design/aesthetics, while the most common criticisms concern brew quality, ease of use.

The Dream PID is repeatedly praised across reviews for packing many enthusiast-focused features and programmability, with features mentioned in 74 extracted pros (e.g., full PID control, programmable pre-infusion and volumetric dosing, 58 mm commercial portafilter, adjustable OPV, active cup warmer and a multi-directional cool-touch steam wand). Reviewers commonly note very consistent brew temperature and extraction stability (38 pros), crediting the PID/thermoblock for tight temperature control and repeatable shots. The machine’s design, compact footprint and high-quality build also earn frequent compliments (29 pros), including wooden accents, stainless steel construction and a small footprint. Ease of use, fast heat-up times and overall perceived value and durability are additional recurring positives across multiple reviewers (21, 17, 9 and 20 mentions respectively).

Criticisms focus mainly on brew and steaming performance (22 cons), with reviewers reporting overly hot initial shot water, temperature hold limits for longer or lighter-roast extractions, and inconsistent or weakening steam performance for milk-based drinks. Usability complaints are common (18 cons), citing a small/difficult-to-remove drip tray, the need to switch or cool between steam and brew modes, limited water tank capacity, and some fiddliness for beginners. Feature-level gripes (13 cons) include undersized or awkward included baskets and tamper, a small largest basket, and the machine’s need for a stronger electrical circuit to reach full potential. Several reviewers also noted slower steaming or wait times between pulls (12 cons), making back-to-back milk drinks less convenient.

Analysis based on 15 YouTube reviews (2h 14m of video) with 221 pros and 71 cons extracted.

Pros (221)

Features (74)

1.3 liter reservoir ▶ Ascaso Dream With PID Review! | "The Dream Machine!" @ 0:31
PID acts as a shot timer ▶ Ascaso Dream with PID @ 6:33
Portafilter, which actually possesses a diameter of 58mm, thereby also fully compatible with any conventional 58mm baskets and entirely suitable for standard tamping ▶ Ascaso Dream PID Espressomaschine - Zusammenfassung des Test @ 1:54
if you press upwards you get a single shot if you press down you get a double shot you can even program the desired amount of coffee ▶ The Espresso Machine of Dreams? - Ascaso Steel Duo PID V2 Re @ 1:42
unlimited amount of water you're not going to run out of water inside your boiler ▶ Ascaso Dream with PID @ 4:06
heated brew group. Heat is efficiently transferred to the brew group, ensuring the entire brew group warms up the portafilter thoroughly ▶ Ascaso Dream PID Espressomaschine - Zusammenfassung des Test @ 2:49
volumetric machine ▶ Ascaso Dream with PID @ 1:34
included with this machine it's an aluminum tamper ▶ Ascaso Dream with PID @ 5:45
slight warming function ▶ Ascaso Dream PID Espressomaschine - Zusammenfassung des Test @ 5:56
standby mode ▶ Ascaso Dream PID @ 3:50
as soon as the shot starts you can see the shot timer on the display ▶ The Espresso Machine of Dreams? - Ascaso Steel Duo PID V2 Re @ 3:03
overpressure valve that is adjustable from the outside ▶ Ascaso Dream PID @ 1:56
impressive thermolock espresso machine ▶ Ascaso Dream PID Review: Everything You Need to Know in 10 M @ 0:02
programmable pre-infusion up to five seconds ▶ Ascaso Dream PID @ 3:54
another great feature is the cup warmer on top of the machine when the machine is switched on the cups on top are automatically warmed ▶ The Espresso Machine of Dreams? - Ascaso Steel Duo PID V2 Re @ 4:26
active cup warmer ▶ Ascaso Dream PID @ 2:41
option to adjust the pre-infusion ▶ Ascaso Dream PID Espressomaschine - Zusammenfassung des Test @ 5:02
doses are programmable ▶ Ascaso Dream with PID @ 1:31
volumetric regulation of the water quantity is quite precise ▶ Ascaso Dream PID Espressomaschine - Zusammenfassung des Test @ 5:23
includes double non-pressurized filter basket, single non-pressurized basket, single pressurized filter baskets, and ESC pod filter basket ▶ Ascaso Dream PID @ 4:17
incredibly innovative ▶ Ascaso Dream PID Espressomaschine - Zusammenfassung des Test @ 9:08
thermal block technology, heated water on the fly for every cup ▶ Ascaso Dream PID @ 1:00
aluminum tamp ▶ Ascaso Dream PID @ 4:51
multi-directional steam wand with grip to prevent burning ▶ Ascaso Dream PID @ 3:03
coffee dosing timer ▶ Ascaso Dream PID @ 3:45
double walled steam wand so it will get warm to the touch but not hot ▶ Ascaso Dream with PID @ 2:20
the pter filter which actually possesses a diameter of 58 mm thereby also fully compatible with any conventional 58 mm baskets and entirely suitable for standard tamping ▶ Ascaso Dream PID Review: Everything You Need to Know in 10 M @ 1:52
really cool tamper that comes with the machine ▶ Ascaso Dream With PID Review! | "The Dream Machine!" @ 2:48
very nice steam wand it's on a ball joint so you can really move it around it's very mobile ▶ Ascaso Dream With PID Review! | "The Dream Machine!" @ 4:56
shuts off automatically once it's finished pouring what we've programmed it to ▶ Ascaso Dream With PID Review! | "The Dream Machine!" @ 4:04
you can also program the volume of your shots ▶ Ascaso Dream With PID Review! | "The Dream Machine!" @ 3:04
this espresso machine also comes with a pressure gauge so you can monitor the pressure and make sure it's at an optimal level ▶ Top 3 Espresso Machines in 2025 @ 5:13
option to adjust the pre-infusion ▶ Ascaso Dream PID Review: Everything You Need to Know in 10 M @ 5:03
volumetric referring to the regulation of the water quantity and it is indeed quite precise ▶ Ascaso Dream PID Review: Everything You Need to Know in 10 M @ 5:18
this espresso machine is for espresso aficionados who want to be able to experiment with their drinks and really dial in their perfect cup of espresso ▶ Top 3 Espresso Machines in 2025 @ 4:42
has what's called an opv or an over pressure valve that's going to help to regulate the pressure of each espresso shot so you're not over pressurizing your espresso shot ▶ Ascaso Dream With PID Review! | "The Dream Machine!" @ 3:38
incredibly Innovative ▶ Ascaso Dream PID Review: Everything You Need to Know in 10 M @ 9:09
a lot of different options for your baskets so you can customize the type of coffee and the dosing ▶ Ascaso Dream PID Espresso Machine Review | Two2Brew @ 4:57
thermal block heating system ▶ Ascaso Dream With PID Review! | "The Dream Machine!" @ 0:29
customizable pid ▶ Ascaso Dream With PID Review! | "The Dream Machine!" @ 1:06
one of the most energy-efficient machines around ▶ Ascaso Dream PID Review: Everything You Need to Know in 10 M @ 9:11
for starters you get a programmable shot setting so you can adjust the shot time and water volume ▶ Top 3 Espresso Machines in 2025 @ 4:54
adjustable over pressure valve ▶ Ascaso Dream PID Espresso Machine Review | Two2Brew @ 0:50
cool touch steam wand so you won't burn yourself ▶ Ascaso Dream PID Espresso Machine Review | Two2Brew @ 0:42
steam wand actually doubles as a hot water tap ▶ Ascaso Dream PID Espresso Machine Review | Two2Brew @ 4:10
full PID control so you can adjust the temperature of your coffee group head ▶ Expert talk with most unique coffee machine Ascaso @ 0:29
active cup warmer ▶ Ascaso Dream PID Espresso Machine Review | Two2Brew @ 1:16
nice heating tray up top ▶ Ascaso Dream With PID Review! | "The Dream Machine!" @ 0:34
1.3 L water tank ▶ Ascaso Dream PID Espresso Machine Review | Two2Brew @ 1:06
controls water from a dedicated air rated and pretty fast pouring water spout ▶ Ascaso Steel Duo PID V2 Review! @ 4:14
7 g basket for single shots, also as the creamer style ▶ Ascaso Dream PID Espresso Machine Review | Two2Brew @ 1:56
hot water option ▶ Ascaso Dream PID Espresso Machine Review | Two2Brew @ 4:48
very capable and adjustable machine ▶ Ascaso Steel Duo PID V2 Review! @ 5:04
manual steam wand so you can control the level of the foam ▶ Ascaso Dream PID Espresso Machine Review | Two2Brew @ 4:50
it's managed to check off pretty much all the important boxes ▶ Ascaso Steel Duo PID V2 Review! @ 1:46
sustainable, 50% more energy efficient than normal machines ▶ Expert talk with most unique coffee machine Ascaso @ 3:25
full commercial size portafilter ▶ Expert talk with most unique coffee machine Ascaso @ 4:29
The increased current draw used by this machine means it is able to produce more steaming power ▶ Ascaso Steel Duo PID V2 Review! @ 6:41
power saving modes ▶ Ascaso Dream with PID 2022 ☕ 1 year review and workflow @ 1:09
on top of all of that having a commercial sized 58 millimeter portafilter really opens up the door for a lot of aftermarket baskets and tools ▶ Ascaso UNO | Thermoblock Or Thermo-NOT? @ 1:34
larger professional 58 millimeter portafilter size ▶ Ascaso Dream with PID 2022 ☕ 1 year review and workflow @ 0:44
gains the ability to set the temperature of the steam circuit independently from the brewing temperature ▶ Ascaso Steel Duo PID V2 Review! @ 7:04
packed with good features like pre-infusion a PID dual heating systems working lights a hot water outlet and it squeezes them all into a compact well-built and very good-looking package ▶ Ascaso Steel Duo PID V2 Review! @ 8:31
analog pressure gauge ▶ Ascaso Dream with PID 2022 ☕ 1 year review and workflow @ 0:53
improved no burn steam wand that's quite flexible and dynamic ▶ Ascaso Dream with PID 2022 ☕ 1 year review and workflow @ 0:56
the digital PID is clear and easily adjustable and can be set up to double as a timer during shots as well ▶ Ascaso UNO | Thermoblock Or Thermo-NOT? @ 1:46
improved volumetric controls ▶ Ascaso Dream with PID 2022 ☕ 1 year review and workflow @ 0:42
you can also adjust pre-infusion which gives you options from both starting at switch on up to five seconds or having a short burst of pressure followed by a short pause ▶ Ascaso UNO | Thermoblock Or Thermo-NOT? @ 1:56
ability to program single or double shots ▶ Ascaso Dream with PID 2022 ☕ 1 year review and workflow @ 1:11
the pid feature ▶ Ascaso Dream with PID 2022 ☕ 1 year review and workflow @ 2:21
adjustable over pressure valve ▶ Ascaso Dream with PID 2022 ☕ 1 year review and workflow @ 0:50
The dream's new pid also includes advanced features such as temperature and offset control pre-infusion ▶ Ascaso Dream with PID 2022 ☕ 1 year review and workflow @ 1:02
bulbous head to heat up your cups ▶ Ascaso Dream with PID 2022 ☕ 1 year review and workflow @ 2:08
it's got a lot of the features and programming that many home espresso enthusiasts are looking for ▶ Ascaso UNO | Thermoblock Or Thermo-NOT? @ 7:33

Brew Quality (38)

rich Darkness ▶ Perfect Espresso Tutorial @ 3:30
During the brewing time, the temperature varies by less than 1 degree. ▶ Ascaso Dream PID Espressomaschine - Zusammenfassung des Test @ 1:17
thermoblock maintain a temperature that is within half a degree of the set point very consistently ▶ Ascaso Dream with PID @ 4:03
really great for americanos because the water that we're getting is the same temperature as the water that the coffee is going to extract ▶ Ascaso Dream with PID @ 10:05
very consistent ▶ Ascaso Dream PID Espressomaschine - Zusammenfassung des Test @ 0:55
no offset, meaning the machine was originally set and shipped with a temperature setting of 94 degrees, and it consistently displayed a reading of 94 degrees every time we checked ▶ Ascaso Dream PID Espressomaschine - Zusammenfassung des Test @ 4:42
very capable you can make great Cafe style drinks right in the comfort of your home ▶ Ascaso Dream with PID @ 11:13
I am extremely satisfied with the quality of the espresso ▶ The Espresso Machine of Dreams? - Ascaso Steel Duo PID V2 Re @ 2:55
espresso tastes as good as the machine's consistency ▶ Ascaso Dream PID Espressomaschine - Zusammenfassung des Test @ 4:33
even over several extractions in a row, we actually have almost no temperature drop until the fourth extraction ▶ Ascaso Dream PID Espressomaschine - Zusammenfassung des Test @ 1:20
PID temperature adjustment to one degree increments ▶ Ascaso Dream PID @ 3:36
consistent temperature throughout ▶ Ascaso Dream PID Review: Everything You Need to Know in 10 M @ 5:00
with the PID sensor we can really adjust the machine quite precisely ▶ Ascaso Dream PID Review: Everything You Need to Know in 10 M @ 4:37
heated Brew group heat is efficiently transferred to the Brew group ensuring the entire Brew group warms up the Porta filter thoroughly ▶ Ascaso Dream PID Review: Everything You Need to Know in 10 M @ 2:51
espresso tastes as good as the machine's consistency ▶ Ascaso Dream PID Review: Everything You Need to Know in 10 M @ 4:33
we really do have warmth in the portter filter when we start extracting and we don't need to heat this separately with water which is often a situation with other Thermo blocks where we have no heat transfer ▶ Ascaso Dream PID Review: Everything You Need to Know in 10 M @ 2:59
no offset meaning the machine was originally set and shipped with a temperature setting of 94° and it consistently displayed a reading of 94° every time we checked ▶ Ascaso Dream PID Review: Everything You Need to Know in 10 M @ 4:41
when you use a pre-infusion it's going to put a little bit of water in at lower pressure which kind of saturates the puck before that big pressure hits that can help reduce your channeling and make for some more even flavor on your espresso ▶ BEST Ascaso Settings - Ace Your Steel Duo PID (or Uno/Dream) @ 4:02
201 degrees Fahrenheit or 93 to 94 Celsius because that's kind of a nice middle range temperature wise for espresso ▶ BEST Ascaso Settings - Ace Your Steel Duo PID (or Uno/Dream) @ 2:25
you can also adjust the temperature in one degree increments which is a really amazing and useful feature ▶ Top 3 Espresso Machines in 2025 @ 5:01
no betterness still some brightness perfect for a medium light espresso ▶ BEST Ascaso Settings - Ace Your Steel Duo PID (or Uno/Dream) @ 12:25
there's even a flow rate meter so you can fine tune the speed of the water flow ▶ Top 3 Espresso Machines in 2025 @ 5:19
PID control, which is proportional integral derivative, a fancy way for saying temperature control, plus or minus 1.5° C ▶ Ascaso Dream PID Espresso Machine Review | Two2Brew @ 0:15
good silky milk ▶ Expert talk with most unique coffee machine Ascaso @ 1:48
creamer basket: concentrates the crema and increases the consistency in the crema and the overall mouth feel in your coffee. It's great for beginners. ▶ Ascaso Dream PID Espresso Machine Review | Two2Brew @ 1:33
pid is awesome because you won't be fluctuating too much within your optimal brewing temperature ▶ Ascaso Dream With PID Review! | "The Dream Machine!" @ 1:24
the steam is fairly dry and it has a decent amount of power behind it so with a little patience it's still plenty capable of producing any texture you'd like including silky smooth latte art ready microfoam ▶ Ascaso UNO | Thermoblock Or Thermo-NOT? @ 6:05
a machine that does not have pid can fluctuate up to about 10 degrees within that optimal brewing temperature so you don't run the risk with this machine of under or over extracting your espresso because of your temperature ▶ Ascaso Dream With PID Review! | "The Dream Machine!" @ 1:31
completely satisfied with the consistent easy espresso workflow and the resulting delicious shots of espresso I was able to get from this machine ▶ Ascaso Steel Duo PID V2 Review! @ 5:59
quite temperature stable and adjustable in 1° increments thanks to the P controlled thermolock ▶ Ascaso Steel Duo PID V2 Review! @ 5:09
you can also program the pre-infusion time anywhere from 0 to 5 Seconds which is a very welcome touch ▶ Ascaso Steel Duo PID V2 Review! @ 5:16
I was able to make great milk texture and some really really good latte art ▶ Ascaso Steel Duo PID V2 Review! @ 8:12
very consistent during the Brewing time ▶ Ascaso Dream PID Review: Everything You Need to Know in 10 M @ 1:14
competible impressively when compared to almost all heat exchange espresso machines ▶ Ascaso Dream PID Review: Everything You Need to Know in 10 M @ 1:29
even over several extractions in a row we actually have almost no temperature drop until the fourth extraction ▶ Ascaso Dream PID Review: Everything You Need to Know in 10 M @ 1:20
the Uno Brews tasty espresso since it hits all the basics pretty well and delivers some beautiful pulls ▶ Ascaso UNO | Thermoblock Or Thermo-NOT? @ 4:35
the temperature varies by less than 1° ▶ Ascaso Dream PID Review: Everything You Need to Know in 10 M @ 1:17
very consistent ▶ Ascaso Dream PID Review: Everything You Need to Know in 10 M @ 0:56

Design/Aesthetics (29)

the wooden steam wheel the wooden handle of the pter filter and the metal housing make the machine look extremely high quality and durable ▶ The Espresso Machine of Dreams? - Ascaso Steel Duo PID V2 Re @ 0:27
I love the design of the escaso steel Duo P ID and it was also one of the reasons why I wanted to have it in my kitchen ▶ The Espresso Machine of Dreams? - Ascaso Steel Duo PID V2 Re @ 0:20
natural wood features on the steam wand and the Porta filter ▶ Ascaso Dream PID @ 2:03
what I really like visually are the toggle switches but apart from their looks I also find them extremely practical there's nothing I hate more than buttons that are uncomfortable to press so I like these toggle switches ▶ The Espresso Machine of Dreams? - Ascaso Steel Duo PID V2 Re @ 1:29
retractable wire ▶ Ascaso Dream PID @ 2:22
the beautiful design ▶ The Espresso Machine of Dreams? - Ascaso Steel Duo PID V2 Re @ 7:44
one another very convenient feature of the machine is the option of placing tall cups under the standard Porter filter ▶ The Espresso Machine of Dreams? - Ascaso Steel Duo PID V2 Re @ 2:19
wood features ▶ Ascaso Dream PID @ 0:24
comes standard with wooden accents so you get your portafilter handle and the steam knob in a walnut wood ▶ Ascaso Dream with PID @ 3:01
stunning you can pick the color that best suits your kitchen and really have a not just a great espresso machine but really A showpiece for your kitchen ▶ Ascaso Dream with PID @ 11:28
signature retro look ▶ Ascaso Dream PID @ 0:37
looks really fantastic gives the machine a very classy look ▶ Ascaso Dream with PID @ 3:09
the wooden handle feels really excellent in the hand it clamps securely and comfortably ▶ Ascaso Dream PID Review: Everything You Need to Know in 10 M @ 2:42
fits relatively well under the typical upper cabinet in the kitchen and blends in nicely with its surroundings ▶ Ascaso Dream PID Review: Everything You Need to Know in 10 M @ 5:49
nice walnut or wooden handle ▶ Ascaso Dream With PID Review! | "The Dream Machine!" @ 2:43
really nice wood accent knob on the side for steaming ▶ Ascaso Dream With PID Review! | "The Dream Machine!" @ 2:56
Made with stainless steel and very minimal plastic ▶ Ascaso Dream PID Espresso Machine Review | Two2Brew @ 0:09
timeless retro design ▶ Ascaso Dream PID Espresso Machine Review | Two2Brew @ 0:07
The newly added steam knob is also wood ▶ Ascaso Steel Duo PID V2 Review! @ 1:10
this machine have it in Spades every time I laid eyes on the steel duo in my kitchen I was impressed by just how darn good it looked it's got very sharp lines and also some nice smaller details like the design of the cup rail the working lights further add to the modern look and are also just generally a nice functional touch ▶ Ascaso Steel Duo PID V2 Review! @ 1:50
retro style ▶ Expert talk with most unique coffee machine Ascaso @ 2:01
stainless steel body with a matte finish ▶ Expert talk with most unique coffee machine Ascaso @ 2:47
full range of colors ▶ Expert talk with most unique coffee machine Ascaso @ 1:53
put a lot of effort into many details ▶ Ascaso Dream PID Review: Everything You Need to Know in 10 M @ 1:50
beautiful small footprint and beautiful design ▶ Expert talk with most unique coffee machine Ascaso @ 5:57
the body itself is made of steel and is powder coated the switches have a nice satisfying Clank and the wood accents are a nice touch ▶ Ascaso UNO | Thermoblock Or Thermo-NOT? @ 1:29
I really do love the look of this thing it's just the right amount of boxy with some slight angles giving it a little character and all the materials look and feel like they're of good quality ▶ Ascaso UNO | Thermoblock Or Thermo-NOT? @ 1:14
the look of it i think it's very stylish it has a retro design ▶ Ascaso Dream with PID 2022 ☕ 1 year review and workflow @ 1:15
adds the wooden steam knob ▶ Ascaso Steel Duo PID V2 Review! @ 7:09

Ease of Use (21)

quite nice because if you have the machine underneath a cabinet it's super easy to pull this out or even just kind of slide it out and pour some water inside there very easily accessible ▶ Ascaso Dream with PID @ 1:01
the simple and efficient way of making coffee ▶ The Espresso Machine of Dreams? - Ascaso Steel Duo PID V2 Re @ 7:46
water tank has a light in it which is very cool it illuminates your water ▶ Ascaso Dream with PID @ 0:57
the wooden handle feels really excellent in the hand. it clamps securely and comfortably ▶ Ascaso Dream PID Espressomaschine - Zusammenfassung des Test @ 2:45
The Practical thing about the drip tray is that you can simply pull it out from under the fixed metal Grill ▶ The Espresso Machine of Dreams? - Ascaso Steel Duo PID V2 Re @ 0:41
side load water tank ▶ Ascaso Dream with PID @ 0:55
the PID allows you to set the temperature in 1° steps ▶ The Espresso Machine of Dreams? - Ascaso Steel Duo PID V2 Re @ 2:57
another Advantage is the side mounted water tank as this allows the machine to be placed under hanging shelves and refilled extremely easily ▶ The Espresso Machine of Dreams? - Ascaso Steel Duo PID V2 Re @ 2:32
illuminated water tank ▶ Ascaso Dream PID @ 2:13
58mm portafilter designed at an angle for easy tamping ▶ Ascaso Dream PID @ 3:58
with the PIB sensor we can really adjust the machine quite precisely ▶ Ascaso Dream PID Espressomaschine - Zusammenfassung des Test @ 4:36
almost everything on these machines is adjustable and controllable ▶ BEST Ascaso Settings - Ace Your Steel Duo PID (or Uno/Dream) @ 1:52
the next time you go to do this provided you're using the same coffee and the same grind you can just press that button down once and it will automatically pull the same program that you used the last time ▶ BEST Ascaso Settings - Ace Your Steel Duo PID (or Uno/Dream) @ 13:12
the side filling water Reservoir which is great for people like myself with low overhead cabinets ▶ Ascaso Steel Duo PID V2 Review! @ 4:39
all these features come together to give you complete control over the espresso making process ▶ Top 3 Espresso Machines in 2025 @ 5:23
super super intuitive ▶ Ascaso Steel Duo PID V2 Review! @ 3:58
you know once it's up to temperature thanks to the bright PID display ▶ Ascaso Steel Duo PID V2 Review! @ 3:25
water tank that is uh lit up so you can see the water line ▶ Ascaso Dream with PID 2022 ☕ 1 year review and workflow @ 1:45
pretty convenient in the way that they're set up especially when programming the shot volumes ▶ Ascaso Steel Duo PID V2 Review! @ 3:43
easy to refill ▶ Ascaso Steel Duo PID V2 Review! @ 4:55
through that front main screen you can toggle Celsius or Fahrenheit standby modes and coffee counters ▶ Ascaso UNO | Thermoblock Or Thermo-NOT? @ 1:51

Durability/Build Quality (20)

well constructed ▶ Ascaso Dream PID Review: Everything You Need to Know in 10 M @ 9:03
improvements on such a reliable and beloved machine ▶ Ascaso Dream PID @ 0:13
there are only two plastic parts in the whole machine the water tank and the drip tray ▶ The Espresso Machine of Dreams? - Ascaso Steel Duo PID V2 Re @ 0:35
reliability is excellent ▶ Ascaso Dream with PID @ 4:36
exterior is indeed very well made. It feels quite solid too owing to the craftsmanship of the aluminum body. ▶ Ascaso Dream PID Espressomaschine - Zusammenfassung des Test @ 3:43
three way solenoid valve which now is this beautiful slender stainless steel tube ▶ Ascaso Dream PID @ 1:41
very heavy too so you can feel that quality in the weight of the machine ▶ Ascaso Dream With PID Review! | "The Dream Machine!" @ 2:33
the exterior is indeed very well made it feels quite solid too ▶ Ascaso Dream PID Review: Everything You Need to Know in 10 M @ 3:37
portafilter here… has a really nice weight to it ▶ Ascaso Dream With PID Review! | "The Dream Machine!" @ 2:39
well crafted ▶ Ascaso Dream PID Review: Everything You Need to Know in 10 M @ 9:06
cased in aluminum and made in spain so it's a very high quality machine ▶ Ascaso Dream With PID Review! | "The Dream Machine!" @ 2:29
the rest of the machine is metal including a fully metal hot water path ▶ Ascaso Steel Duo PID V2 Review! @ 1:13
long lifetime, 15+ years ▶ Expert talk with most unique coffee machine Ascaso @ 5:00
aluminum with stainless accents so it's very sturdy and strong ▶ Ascaso Dream with PID 2022 ☕ 1 year review and workflow @ 2:13
thermoblock technology so it's got a seam boiler in the back and then it's got your thermoblock technology it means that the water going through the thermal block is always fresh rather than relying on the coffee boiler to draw from all the time so it's better for your longevity for your equipment as well because it's not going to sit in there and it's not going to start building upscale ▶ Expert talk with most unique coffee machine Ascaso @ 0:36
commercial parts inside ▶ Expert talk with most unique coffee machine Ascaso @ 4:34
it is Rock Solid ▶ Ascaso Steel Duo PID V2 Review! @ 1:41
the Ascaso Uno is handsome well made well-built and capable ▶ Ascaso UNO | Thermoblock Or Thermo-NOT? @ 7:26
The stock Porta filter has a wood handle feels Rock Solid and stops with a satisfying feeling when locked in fully ▶ Ascaso Steel Duo PID V2 Review! @ 1:00
really good insulation on they stay hot for a long time ▶ Inside the Ascaso Dream PID @ 4:55

Speed/Brew Time (17)

it has Thermo blocks these manage to reach the perfect temperature within about 2 minutes ▶ The Espresso Machine of Dreams? - Ascaso Steel Duo PID V2 Re @ 1:14
speedy heat up time (15 minutes) ▶ Ascaso Dream PID @ 1:05
heat up time on a thermoblock is a lot faster ▶ Ascaso Dream with PID @ 4:12
heats up very quickly ▶ Ascaso Dream PID Espressomaschine - Zusammenfassung des Test @ 0:52
heats up super fast ▶ Ascaso Dream PID Espressomaschine - Zusammenfassung des Test @ 9:10
with a thermal Block it's easier to switch between Steam and hot water mode again because it raised that temperature faster so you switch between steaming and making coffee and more rapidly than you would with a boiler ▶ Ascaso Dream with PID @ 4:56
heats up very quickly ▶ Ascaso Dream PID Review: Everything You Need to Know in 10 M @ 0:50
the heat up time for the milk is also really quick as well it's about a minute ▶ Ascaso Dream With PID Review! | "The Dream Machine!" @ 1:52
the ascaso dream P definitely stands out positively compared to many other therm blocks that you first have to warm up and flush ▶ Ascaso Dream PID Review: Everything You Need to Know in 10 M @ 3:23
really fast heat up time as well about a minute and a half ▶ Ascaso Dream With PID Review! | "The Dream Machine!" @ 1:44
heats up super fast ▶ Ascaso Dream PID Review: Everything You Need to Know in 10 M @ 9:13
the machine heats up quickly ▶ BEST Ascaso Settings - Ace Your Steel Duo PID (or Uno/Dream) @ 5:15
single thermal block, which heats up in about 1 or 2 minutes ▶ Ascaso Dream PID Espresso Machine Review | Two2Brew @ 1:11
the heatup time is very quick at around 2 minutes ▶ Ascaso Steel Duo PID V2 Review! @ 3:20
ready to go [in] a couple of minutes ▶ Expert talk with most unique coffee machine Ascaso @ 1:00
heats up quickly ▶ Expert talk with most unique coffee machine Ascaso @ 4:07
the warm-up time on the Uno is lightning fast going from room temp to brew temp in less than two minutes ▶ Ascaso UNO | Thermoblock Or Thermo-NOT? @ 3:03

Value for Money (9)

one of the most energy efficient machines around ▶ Ascaso Dream PID Espressomaschine - Zusammenfassung des Test @ 9:10
energy consumption is actually lower on a thermoblock than on a boiler because again you're not heating all that water even when the machine is not in use ▶ Ascaso Dream with PID @ 4:28
uses relatively little energy ▶ Ascaso Dream PID Review: Everything You Need to Know in 10 M @ 0:52
uses relatively little energy ▶ Ascaso Dream PID Espressomaschine - Zusammenfassung des Test @ 0:52
parts readily available in Australia ▶ Expert talk with most unique coffee machine Ascaso @ 5:24
one of the main things that i liked about this machine and led me to purchase it is because it has most of the same features of other machines in the similar price range ▶ Ascaso Dream with PID 2022 ☕ 1 year review and workflow @ 0:34
retail price including GST is $1995 ▶ Expert talk with most unique coffee machine Ascaso @ 5:45
very happy with this machine and i think it was a good buy ▶ Ascaso Dream with PID 2022 ☕ 1 year review and workflow @ 8:33
build quality and design we are undeniably starting with one of the eso's biggest strengths this machine looks and feels feels worth every single penny ▶ Ascaso Steel Duo PID V2 Review! @ 0:51

Size/Footprint (7)

compact size ▶ Ascaso Dream with PID @ 5:07
quite compact and well suited for various kitchen arrangements ▶ Ascaso Dream PID Espressomaschine - Zusammenfassung des Test @ 5:37
quite Compact and well suited for various kitchen arrangements ▶ Ascaso Dream PID Review: Everything You Need to Know in 10 M @ 5:38
small and compact ▶ Ascaso Dream PID Espresso Machine Review | Two2Brew @ 0:05
the measurements are very convenient for having a life in a small rv ▶ Ascaso Dream with PID 2022 ☕ 1 year review and workflow @ 1:19
very good engineering on the layout because they have this thing super compact ▶ Inside the Ascaso Dream PID @ 11:58
great cup clearance on this machine which is full mug compatible even with the spouted Porta filter ▶ Ascaso Steel Duo PID V2 Review! @ 4:33

Cleaning/Maintenance (3)

thermal blocks are more resistant to lime scale buildup because there's nowhere for the scale to build up like you would have in a traditional boiler ▶ Ascaso Dream with PID @ 4:21
blind flush for back flushing ▶ Ascaso Dream PID @ 4:40
very serviceable it's very easy to get to everything ▶ Inside the Ascaso Dream PID @ 12:20

Noise Level (1)

this Baby's got power I have no problems producing perfect milk foam for latte art ▶ The Espresso Machine of Dreams? - Ascaso Steel Duo PID V2 Re @ 3:42

Crema Quality (Espresso Machines) (1)

a good amount of Crema ▶ Perfect Espresso Tutorial @ 3:22

Overall (1)

very satisfied with it ▶ Ascaso Dream with PID 2022 ☕ 1 year review and workflow @ 7:40

Cons (71)

Brew Quality (22)

the water that comes out with the first and second espresso is still quite hot, noticeably higher than the set target temperature ▶ Ascaso Dream PID Espressomaschine - Zusammenfassung des Test @ 8:20
included sieve has issues, such as the holes not reaching all the way to the edge, which leaves coffee grounds behind quite often. So you need to clean more after getting the puck out, and the extraction isn't quite as even to the edge as it would be with a different sieve. ▶ Ascaso Dream PID Espressomaschine - Zusammenfassung des Test @ 2:22
at the beginning steaming has a lot of force which leads to the development of quite a few large bubbles. However, as the steaming continues, it gradually becomes weaker and progressively loses its strength, making it challenging to effectively get the milk moving and eliminate the bubbles ▶ Ascaso Dream PID Espressomaschine - Zusammenfassung des Test @ 7:17
when preparing cappuccino and milk-based drinks, it's so-so ▶ Ascaso Dream PID Espressomaschine - Zusammenfassung des Test @ 6:12
my Puck is kind of wet ▶ BEST Ascaso Settings - Ace Your Steel Duo PID (or Uno/Dream) @ 12:39
becomes progressively more challenging in the rolling phase to effectively get the milk moving and also to knock out and eliminate the bubbles that have formed ▶ Ascaso Dream PID Review: Everything You Need to Know in 10 M @ 7:30
the temperature is slightly on the high side ▶ Ascaso Dream PID Review: Everything You Need to Know in 10 M @ 8:47
impractical so much effort at first then less later ▶ Ascaso Dream PID Review: Everything You Need to Know in 10 M @ 7:38
shows weaknesses when preparing of cappuccino and milk based drinks ▶ Ascaso Dream PID Review: Everything You Need to Know in 10 M @ 6:10
it has a lot of force which leads to the development of quite a few large bubbles however as the steaming continues it gradually becomes weaker and progressively loses its strength ▶ Ascaso Dream PID Review: Everything You Need to Know in 10 M @ 7:19
more suitable for espresso ▶ Ascaso Dream PID Review: Everything You Need to Know in 10 M @ 8:27
initially has quite a lot of power furthermore there's quite a lot of condensation present ▶ Ascaso Dream PID Review: Everything You Need to Know in 10 M @ 7:07
the water that comes out with the first espresso and then also with the second espresso is still quite hot noticeably higher than the set Target temperature so not quite as perfect as I initially described ▶ Ascaso Dream PID Review: Everything You Need to Know in 10 M @ 8:12
the pump is going to provide a certain amount of pressure and as soon as it crosses that threshold the opv is going to open and that's going to drop your pressure really quickly divert the water back into the water tank and then once the pressure is too low that opv is going to close again and the pressure is going to build up again until it crosses that threshold and then it's going to open it's going to do this open close thing which is going to result in a very relatively inconsistent pressure at the group ▶ BEST Ascaso Settings - Ace Your Steel Duo PID (or Uno/Dream) @ 8:07
the included C does have issues, holes not reaching all the way to the edge, leaves coffee grounds behind quite often, extraction isn't quite as even ▶ Ascaso Dream PID Review: Everything You Need to Know in 10 M @ 2:18
the machine produces steam that is quite inconsistent ▶ Ascaso Dream PID Review: Everything You Need to Know in 10 M @ 8:36
difficulties extracting lighter roasts sometimes ending up with sour under extracted cups especially when compared to medium and dark roasts ▶ Ascaso UNO | Thermoblock Or Thermo-NOT? @ 5:02
the very hard angle built into the wand can make it difficult to steam smaller amounts in deeper pitchers and the single hole tip leads to a lot of turbulence and some difficulty in producing a vortex in your milk ▶ Ascaso UNO | Thermoblock Or Thermo-NOT? @ 5:50
the thermal block heater was just not able to hold a consistently high enough temp to properly extract longer shots and lighter roasts let alone larger doses ▶ Ascaso UNO | Thermoblock Or Thermo-NOT? @ 6:41
trouble out of the the dream recently nothing major I've just not been able to get full pressure ▶ Inside the Ascaso Dream PID @ 0:02
even though the thermoblock is always pulling fresh water for your shots it also seems to struggle to maintain heat for longer periods which results in a rapid decrease in water temps as it runs more so than your standard boiler-based options ▶ Ascaso UNO | Thermoblock Or Thermo-NOT? @ 4:45
its one or Uno thermoblock is what's really holding it back from its ability to be a machine that can please every taste and work with every coffee ▶ Ascaso UNO | Thermoblock Or Thermo-NOT? @ 7:43

Ease of Use (18)

tray is not a huge size so you you may have to empty this a little bit more often than with some other machines ▶ Ascaso Dream with PID @ 2:47
required to convert or switch to steam mode after making espresso ▶ Ascaso Dream PID Espressomaschine - Zusammenfassung des Test @ 6:20
the water tank has space for 2 L of water which is not a lot ▶ The Espresso Machine of Dreams? - Ascaso Steel Duo PID V2 Re @ 2:40
have to cool it down first after steaming before making espresso again ▶ Ascaso Dream PID Espressomaschine - Zusammenfassung des Test @ 7:54
rather small drip tray ▶ Ascaso Dream PID Espressomaschine - Zusammenfassung des Test @ 3:45
drip tray can only be removed in a difficult manner ▶ Ascaso Dream PID Espressomaschine - Zusammenfassung des Test @ 3:51
to remove the drip tray you have to repeatedly unfold this back flush valve or extend this back flush tap each and every time ▶ Ascaso Dream PID Espressomaschine - Zusammenfassung des Test @ 4:05
it's quite easy to forget to move the back flush tap back to the front again, otherwise liquid collects on the back of the top deck plate and then spreads along the edge causing a mess ▶ Ascaso Dream PID Espressomaschine - Zusammenfassung des Test @ 4:18
rather small drip tray which unfortunately led to quite a bit of cursing ▶ Ascaso Dream PID Review: Everything You Need to Know in 10 M @ 3:45
required to convert or switch it after preparing two shots of espresso or just one single espresso intended for making a cappuccino ▶ Ascaso Dream PID Review: Everything You Need to Know in 10 M @ 6:18
drip tray can only be removed in a difficult Manner and it contains almost 400 mL of water but once they're in you can barely manage to transport them anymore ▶ Ascaso Dream PID Review: Everything You Need to Know in 10 M @ 3:57
after the cappuccino is ready and when you want to make an espresso again you have to cool it down first ▶ Ascaso Dream PID Review: Everything You Need to Know in 10 M @ 7:48
quite easy to forget to move it back to the front again otherwise you might end up with the liquid collects here on the back of the top deck plate and then spreads along the edge causing what can often become a relatively large and unavoidable mess ▶ Ascaso Dream PID Review: Everything You Need to Know in 10 M @ 4:19
in order to remove the drip tray you have to repeatedly unfold this back flush valve or extend this back flush tap each and every time ▶ Ascaso Dream PID Review: Everything You Need to Know in 10 M @ 4:06
it's not for everyone and complete beginners might find it a bit daunting ▶ Top 3 Espresso Machines in 2025 @ 5:30
when the steam pressure builds up when you use the steam wand, you'll have to purge the coffee group head to release some of that pressure because it shares the same thermal block ▶ Ascaso Dream PID Espresso Machine Review | Two2Brew @ 3:13
because there are so many settings and options it can be easy to make a mistake and end up with a less than perfect cup of espresso ▶ Top 3 Espresso Machines in 2025 @ 5:35
the water reservoir itself is a bit small at only 2 lers ▶ Ascaso Steel Duo PID V2 Review! @ 4:47

Features (13)

the included sieve does not accommodate our 58.4 tamper. It's absolutely essential to use a tamper that is no larger than 58mm ▶ Ascaso Dream PID Espressomaschine - Zusammenfassung des Test @ 2:06
included tamper is not properly suited for this included sieve, and it's completely unergonomic and lacks precision ▶ Ascaso Dream PID Espressomaschine - Zusammenfassung des Test @ 9:37
included tamper is completely unergonomic over time it becomes quite unenjoyable and in addition it lacks Precision ▶ Ascaso Dream PID Review: Everything You Need to Know in 10 M @ 9:40
the included C does not accommodate our 58.4 tamper ▶ Ascaso Dream PID Review: Everything You Need to Know in 10 M @ 2:06
absolutely essential to use a tamper that is no larger than 58 mm otherwise properly positioning it will become quite challenging ▶ Ascaso Dream PID Review: Everything You Need to Know in 10 M @ 2:11
doesn't come with a steaming jug ▶ Ascaso Dream With PID Review! | "The Dream Machine!" @ 2:54
included tamper is not properly suited for this included Civ ▶ Ascaso Dream PID Review: Everything You Need to Know in 10 M @ 9:38
the range of filter baskets that came included the absolute largest one fit only about 15 G of coffee ▶ Ascaso Steel Duo PID V2 Review! @ 5:33
slightly small filter baskets and the slightly slow steaming ▶ Ascaso Steel Duo PID V2 Review! @ 9:24
this updated version requires a 20 amp circuit to run to its full potential ▶ Ascaso Steel Duo PID V2 Review! @ 2:32
if you want to pull more modern 18 to 20 G shots you are going to have to buy an aftermarket filter basket ▶ Ascaso Steel Duo PID V2 Review! @ 5:45
if i were to have a little bit of a larger budget um the thing i think i would really like to get for my next machine is to have something that has two heating elements or to have the dynamic thermo block that'll allow me to steam and pour the coffee at the same time or brew the coffee at the same time ▶ Ascaso Dream with PID 2022 ☕ 1 year review and workflow @ 8:41
I was fairly surprised to see a new machine shipping with a 14 gram basket as its biggest option ▶ Ascaso UNO | Thermoblock Or Thermo-NOT? @ 6:28

Speed/Brew Time (12)

waiting period between each pull and particularly when switching drink categories ▶ Ascaso Dream PID Espressomaschine - Zusammenfassung des Test @ 7:57
steaming is not especially fast, somewhat slow when warming up ▶ Ascaso Dream PID Espressomaschine - Zusammenfassung des Test @ 6:52
you need this waiting period between each pull and particularly when you are switching drink categories ▶ Ascaso Dream PID Review: Everything You Need to Know in 10 M @ 7:54
steaming isn't especially fast, it's somewhat slow when warming up ▶ Ascaso Dream PID Review: Everything You Need to Know in 10 M @ 6:49
quite a long wait before you're able to prepare the following drink ▶ Ascaso Dream PID Review: Everything You Need to Know in 10 M @ 8:43
takes a while before it is truly ready for steaming ▶ Ascaso Dream PID Review: Everything You Need to Know in 10 M @ 8:34
if you're extracting coffee you can't just produce steam straight away so you've just got to give it a little minute to to get back up so it's not like your commercial machines ▶ Expert talk with most unique coffee machine Ascaso @ 1:38
the steel Duo is still not blazing fast taking around 35 to 40 seconds to steam a single drink ▶ Ascaso Steel Duo PID V2 Review! @ 7:16
the thermolock steaming on the steel Duo is definitely the slowest of the bunch ▶ Ascaso Steel Duo PID V2 Review! @ 7:44
it's a little bit annoying to have to wait to either get the temperature back down to the range that i want to brew at or vice versa if i have to pour a shot and then i have to wait for the machine to get up to temperature to do the the steaming ▶ Ascaso Dream with PID 2022 ☕ 1 year review and workflow @ 9:00
once they get hot it takes a bit to cool off and if you're trying to switch to steam and then back to do a shot uh it can take it a while to cool off so you often have to flush the hot water out of this thing because it stays hot too long ▶ Inside the Ascaso Dream PID @ 5:01
if you're going to be making a lot of drinks back to back or steaming large volumes of milk all at the same time this might be something worth considering ▶ Ascaso Steel Duo PID V2 Review! @ 7:56

Value for Money (3)

quite pricey, costing around 1100 euros or approximately 1150 francs ▶ Ascaso Dream PID Espressomaschine - Zusammenfassung des Test @ 1:37
in the higher price range making it one of the pricier options among thermoblock machines ▶ Ascaso Dream PID Review: Everything You Need to Know in 10 M @ 1:41
quite pricey costing around ,100 or approximately 1150 Franks ▶ Ascaso Dream PID Review: Everything You Need to Know in 10 M @ 1:35

Overall (2)

I can't tell you any real disadvantages at the moment ▶ The Espresso Machine of Dreams? - Ascaso Steel Duo PID V2 Re @ 7:52
these machines can kind of do that a little bit ▶ BEST Ascaso Settings - Ace Your Steel Duo PID (or Uno/Dream) @ 12:49

Design/Aesthetics (1)

quite a lot of condensation present ▶ Ascaso Dream PID Espressomaschine - Zusammenfassung des Test @ 7:10

Review sources

Ascaso Dream PID Review: Everything You Need to Know in 10 Minutes by Kaffeemacher English — 28 pros, 26 cons
Ascaso Dream PID Espressomaschine - Zusammenfassung des Tests by Benjamin Hohlmann — 19 pros, 16 cons
Ascaso Steel Duo PID V2 Review! by Lifestyle Lab — 24 pros, 8 cons
Ascaso Dream with PID by iDrinkCoffeeCanada — 21 pros, 1 cons
Ascaso Dream PID by 1st-line Equipment — 20 pros, 0 cons
Ascaso Dream With PID Review! | "The Dream Machine!" by ECS COFFEE Espresso & Coffee Gear — 18 pros, 1 cons
Ascaso Dream with PID 2022 ☕ 1 year review and workflow by Justin D'Agostino — 17 pros, 2 cons
The Espresso Machine of Dreams? - Ascaso Steel Duo PID V2 Review by Luke Makes Coffee — 16 pros, 2 cons
Ascaso UNO | Thermoblock Or Thermo-NOT? by The Real Sprometheus — 11 pros, 6 cons
Ascaso Dream PID Espresso Machine Review | Two2Brew by Two2Brew Coffee — 15 pros, 1 cons
Expert talk with most unique coffee machine Ascaso by Coffee Coach | Ryde Jeavons — 15 pros, 1 cons
BEST Ascaso Settings - Ace Your Steel Duo PID (or Uno/Dream) Setup! by Daddy Got Coffee — 6 pros, 3 cons
Top 3 Espresso Machines in 2025 by Consumer Buddy — 6 pros, 2 cons
Inside the Ascaso Dream PID by Tech Dregs — 3 pros, 2 cons
Perfect Espresso Tutorial by Ty Grande — 2 pros, 0 cons

Frequently asked questions

Is the Ascaso Dream PID worth buying?

Based on 15 independent YouTube reviews, the Ascaso Dream PID scores 4/5 with 221 positive and 71 negative points mentioned by reviewers, placing it #38 in the Coffee Makers & Espresso Machines category.

What do reviewers like most about the Ascaso Dream PID?

The most praised aspects are features, brew quality, design/aesthetics — Features (74 mentions), Brew Quality (38 mentions), Design/Aesthetics (29 mentions).

What are the most common complaints about the Ascaso Dream PID?

Reviewers most frequently criticize brew quality, ease of use — Brew Quality (22 mentions), Ease of Use (18 mentions).

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