$200 Ikape K2 Pro Challenges $5,000 La Marzocco in Blind Espresso Test

1 articles · Updated · The Verge · Jun 11

$200 Ikape Kapo K2 Pro held up surprisingly well against a $5,000 La Marzocco in a blind taste test, with two of three tasters unable to tell the difference.
20-bar pump, 13,500mAh battery and adjustable temperature, flow and extraction settings let the portable machine pull about five 18-to-20-gram shots from cold water, each in roughly three minutes.
Store-bought grounds produced a weaker result, and getting the best espresso required carrying a grinder, undercutting the machine's portability and adding cleanup and setup hassle.
For camping, the review concludes the Ikape suits enthusiasts chasing high-quality espresso outdoors, while simpler Nespresso-compatible handhelds around $50 remain the more practical 'good enough' option.

Sources

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