From Skeptic to Believer:

My Journey with the Casabrews Ultra Espresso Machine

Article by: Payson Fry

Published: February 28, 2025

Struggling to choose the right coffee machine? With endless models boasting complex features, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. At CASABREWS, we get it—which is why we’re cutting through the noise with honest, hands-on feedback from real users who’ve tested our ULTRA™ Coffee Machine.

In this exclusive review roundup, discover why the ULTRA™ is a game-changer for coffee enthusiasts. From its intuitive smart presets to barista-grade precision brewing, hear directly from our community of “brew experts” about how this machine elevates their daily routines. No marketing fluff—just genuine pros, cons, and insider tips to help you decide if the ULTRA™ aligns with your lifestyle.

From Skeptic to Superfan: My ULTRA™ Journey

I had been looking to try a new espresso machine for a while after having my previous one from a different brand that starts with a ‘B’ broke down. I’m the type of buyer who does a lot of research before making a purchase. Casabrews first came into my sights after noticing how highly rated their machines were on Amazon and influencers’ sharing. It seemed like nearly every review I read described a positive experience with these machines.

Still somewhat skeptical, I reached out to Casabrews Support asking for more information about their machines. The first impression I got from this brand was exactly what you would want from a brand. Mia, customer support agent, was so enthusiastic about their brand, proud of the products they offered, and happy to provide me with all of the information I needed to make my purchasing decision. After consulting with Mia and some other agents, we decided the best machine for me was the Casabrews ULTRA. After about a month of having it, I couldn’t be more pleased with my decision.

Unboxing & First Impressions: Thoughtful Design, Zero Guesswork

When I received my ULTRA in the mail, it was so well-packaged and protected. Casabrews does an excellent job at laying out necessary information for getting started. Printed on the box itself is helpful information listing easy steps to make an espresso, inside contents, and a labeled machine diagram. After opening the box, there are more helpful guides including a note explaining how this individual machine was tested for quality before being sent (putting you at ease as to why there might be a bit of residual water in the reservoir or grounds), a set-up guide, and then a detailed manual with everything you need to customize settings, maintain, and use your machine.

Again, the machine is protected very nicely with lots of padding inside. Inside, you’ll find a portafilter, a tamper, four baskets, a coffee scooper, and a cleaning tool. Machine set-up was extremely simple. Really, all you need to do is remove the red plug on the water reservoir, and just like that, you’re ready to go!

Compact Powerhouse: Big Flavor, Small Footprint

The size of the ULTRA is just slightly larger than our old Keurig. It’s perfect if you have a smaller kitchen and you don’t want a machine that takes up all of your counter-top space.

Because our grinder went out with our last machine, we decided we would purchase one separately to go with our next machine. We still haven’t found one, which was a bit of a concern at first. But luckily, Casabrews includes two double-walled filter baskets with the ULTRA. Meaning, we were able to still make espressos with the pre-ground version of our favorite coffee. And STILL, the Casabrews Ultra was able to make an espresso JUST as good as our last machine. We got a beautiful espresso with crema that looked no different from when we ground our own.

Customization Made Simple

Adjusting the brew settings is a breeze. It was really easy to adjust the water temperature. We found for our beans, the perfect temperature was 90°C. You can also adjust the amount of time, and therefore volume, of your brew, which is useful. However, we found that the default setting is just right for us.

Built-in shot timer vs. pressure gauge debate

One thing I found neat was the Ultra’s built-in timer, in lieu of a pressure gauge, which can be a useful tool for your espresso shots. Personally, I have been just fine without the pressure gauge, but I think if I could change one thing, I would prefer to have one just because it can make it easier to dial in your espresso and point you in the right direction of what adjustments to make.

Steam Wand Secrets

The steam wand is terrific! It takes just a little longer than what I had been used to, but once it gets going, it is great. You will need to purchase your own frothing pitcher, but they’re quite inexpensive and easy to find. It takes some time getting the technique down, but once you do, the ULTRA can produce some wonderful microfoam!

Steam Wand Revelation: 45° angle = microfoam that "paints" rather than "floats"

Considerate Service and Help

After a few weeks of having this machine, I was really impressed when CASABREWS Customer Support team reached back out to me to follow up on how the machine was working for me. Their Customer Service team has really gone above and beyond for me in order to ensure that I have the best experience with their product and brand.

Why the ULTRA™ Outshines Its Price Tag

So you might be wondering, if this machine is really all that great, then how is it so reasonably priced? I was asking the same question. After getting the machine, I think you’ll notice that the tools you get (portafilter and tamper) are a little bit lighter and probably cheaper to produce than the more expensive brands. Considering how much portafilters and tampers can cost, I think this is really where Casabrews is saving money and passing those savings onto the consumer. I definitely don’t think it is in the machine. Maybe it takes the steam wand a couple of seconds longer to get up to full power, but hey, as long as my espresso is tasting good, I have no complaints whatsoever.

Final Verdict: Your Morning Upgrade Starts Here

This is truly a great product for anybody looking to upgrade their morning coffee. Whether you have a classic coffee pot, Keurig, Nespresso, or any other, you’re going to be very pleased with the upgraded coffees in the morning. The Casabrews ULTRA is a user-friendly machine that makes it a breeze for any novice or expert barista to make the perfect cup of coffee.

I couldn’t be more pleased with this product or brand, and I highly recommend considering Casabrews and the ULTRA if you’re looking to take your coffee to the next level.

Thanks, CASABREWS!

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