Casabrews 5700 Pro Review: A TikTok Favorite!

I don’t spend a whole lot of time on social media, but it hasn’t escaped my attention that the Casabrews 5700 Pro has blown up on TikTok. In fact, there are millions of videos highlighting this all-in-one home espresso machine.

So, in today’s Casabrews 5700 Pro review I’ll be taking an initial look at this on-trend machine to see whether it lives up to the hype. Incidentally, I plan on buying the Casabrews 5700 Pro to test out, so keep checking back if you’re interested in reading about my experiences using it.

In the meantime, let’s take a closer look at what’s got everyone making videos about an espresso machine instead of their cats.

Look out Breville

Casabrews 5700 Pro All-in-One Espresso Machine

An affordable and capable machine

Compact footprint

Many adjustable settings

58mm portafilter

Tons of accessories

Unproven manufacturer

Users complain of noisy operation

CHECK PRICE

Casabrews 5700 Pro Review Overview

Launched in 2020, Casabrews is a newcomer to the coffee gear sector. While there isn’t a whole lot of information about the company available, the brains behind the operation is an industry expert by the name of Martin Huang.

Interestingly, plenty of coffee snobs on Reddit like to write off Casabrews as just another Chinese manufacturer producing substandard ripoffs of machines from established brands. Personally, I feel like it’s all too easy to dismiss these manufacturers just because they don’t have a household name to back them up. Besides, where do you think companies like Breville make their equipment? That’s right – China.

Moving on, let’s take a first look at the Casabrews 5700 Pro. This all-in-one espresso machine with grinder is the company’s flagship model and certainly looks the part. Sure, it’s obviously been designed to compete with Breville espresso machines. However, Casabrews certainly isn’t the only manufacturer borrowing from the Australian giant’s design playbook. That’s right Solis, I’m looking in your direction right now!

In terms of price, the Casabrews 5700 Pro with an included bottomless portafilter and puck screen will set you back a pretty penny. That said, you can spend just $599.99 by getting the machine without the fancy add-ons. Either way, this isn’t exactly a budget-friendly proposition, although it’s more economical than buying an espresso machine and a separate espresso grinder.

I guess the most important question is whether or not the Casabrews 5700 Pro can deliver quality espresso and milk foam. I won’t be able to provide firsthand evidence just yet, but let’s take a closer look at what this popular machine is all about.

Casabrews 5700 Pro Features

Size and Design

If you’ve been shopping around for a hybrid espresso machine, the Casabrews 5700 Pro will look familiar. Featuring a sleek, modern aesthetic and brushed stainless steel housing, this machine certainly fits right in with current trends.

Interestingly, the Casabrews 5700 Pro is rather compact compared to similar machines from DeLonghi and Breville. Plus, you won’t have an additional burr grinder taking up space in your kitchen seeing as the 5700 Pro has one built in. Still, clocking in at over 20 pounds (9 kilograms), the 5700 Pro is no lightweight.

Build quality-wise, my only complaint would be that the bean hopper isn’t tinted and the lid isn’t airtight. With that in mind, I’d think twice before storing coffee beans in there. Another factor to bear in mind is the absence of a pressure gauge on this machine. And while many baristas won’t care about that, it might be a dealbreaker for those who value a more retro look.

User Interface

Casabrews has eschewed the vintage look in favor of a monochromatic LCD display. And while I always prefer to see a pressure gauge, I’ll admit that a screen like this brings many benefits.

For starters, it allows you to easily manage settings for shot times, temperature and dose. What’s more, the machine can provide you with important maintenance information via text alerts. Oh, and as an added bonus, the machine actually displays pressure on the screen as your shot is extracting.

Surrounding the screen you’ll find buttons and dials for selecting single or double shots, entering the menu settings and adjusting your dose. While that might sound overly complicated, the Casabrews 5700 Pro user interface appears to be easy to use and navigating the menu will be remarkably intuitive.

Volumetric Control

As is the case with many semi-automatic espresso machines, the Casabrews 5700 Pro dispenses espresso volumetrically. The machine arrives with preset volumes for both single and double shots, although it’s relatively simple to program your preferred shot volume for each.

With all that said, I’d always recommend weighing your shots with a coffee scale rather than relying on volumetric control. Trust me when I tell you that you’ll get way more accurate results that way.

Incidentally, I should make special mention of the fact that the 5700 Pro user interface includes a shot timer. I’m always happy to see this function on any machine, given that extraction time is such an important variable in espresso preparation. And let’s face it, having a dedicated shot timer on board is way better than having to use your phone!

PID Temperature Control

The Casabrews 5700 Pro is equipped with a thermocoil heating system rather than a more traditional thermoblock. While this means the machine will be quick to heat, I’ve always felt like thermocoils don’t perform as well.

With that in mind, I’d recommend flushing the group head for at least 10 seconds before pulling a shot and making sure the portafilter is nice and toasty.

One of the 5700 Pro’s most notable features is its adjustable PID controller, which isn’t a given on every espresso machine. This means you can adjust the brewing temperature up or down, depending on the coffee beans you’re using.

As a general rule of thumb, you’ll want to increase the temperature slightly if you’re using lighter roasts and turn it down for darker Italian-style espresso blends. Then again, there’s nothing to say you can’t experiment and find the sweet spot that works best.

Milk Foam

The Casabrews 5700 Pro’s manual steam wand certainly looks the part. Mounted on a ball joint, it’ll move 360 degrees, allowing you to achieve just the right angle for steaming milk.

With all that said, I’ve yet to test the thing out, so I can’t comment on how much steam power it’ll generate to froth milk.

I can tell you that operating the steam wand is a piece of cake. There’s a dial on the side of the machine that you turn to activate the steaming function.

You can also use this dial to activate the machine’s hot water function. And while I’d always prefer a dedicated hot water spout, at least you can prepare an americano with the Casabrews espresso machine.

Burr Grinder

One of the biggest attractions of a hybrid espresso machine like the Casabrews 5700 Pro is its built-in grinder. The benefits are fairly obvious – you won’t have to spend extra money on a separate grinder and you’ll save valuable kitchen counter space.

However, in my experience, built-in grinders are seldom as precise and effective as standalone espresso grinders. Then again, folks buying a machine like the Casabrews 5700 Pro are more likely to value convenience over espresso perfection.

Anyway, from what I can gather, the stainless steel conical burr grinder in this machine does a perfectly good job for fresh ground coffee. Plus, it offers 15 grind adjustment settings with half steps in between. And seeing as the grinder is calibrated for espresso shots, I’d say you’ll be able to confidently dial in your shots without too much trouble.

Dosing

Regular Coffeeness readers will know that I’m not a fan of timed dosing functions. Still, this method of getting coffee grounds into your portafilter seems to be fairly standard, whether on a machine like this or on a grinder like the Baratza Sette 30.

Anyway, the Casabrews 5700 Pro allows you to program a timed dose for both single and double filter baskets, which is a nice touch. But I’d always recommend using a coffee scale to check your dose.

Even better, keep the bean hopper empty and weigh out your coffee beans for each shot. That way you won’t have to fret about readjusting the timer each time you change the grind setting.

Accessories

As I mentioned earlier, you can buy the Casabrews 5700 Pro bundled with a lovely bottomless portafilter and a puck screen for just a little more than the basic package. Still, even without the upgraded espresso accessories, you’ll feel like a kid on Christmas day as you’re unboxing the machine. Seriously, the manufacturer has gone to town with the stuff it throws in. Here’s what you’ll get:

Where do I begin? How about by remarking on the fact that this machine comes with a 58mm portafilter and single wall filter baskets. That alone tells me these guys are serious.

Add in the fact that you get a distributor, hefty espresso tamper and a tamping mat and I’d say this manufacturer is most definitely throwing down the gauntlet. I don’t think I’ve ever seen such a generous (and useful) collection of accessories included with an espresso machine.

As for the inclusion of an extra grinder, I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or a red flag. Is this telling us that the manufacturer expects the installed grinder to fail? Or is it simply a further example of their goodwill?

How to Use the Casabrews 5700 Pro Espresso Machine

Once I’ve spent time playing with the 5700 Pro espresso maker I’ll update this review with firsthand information. In the meantime, let’s take a quick look at how to prepare a double shot of espresso.

Of course, before making coffee you should rinse the water tank, bean hopper and the portafilter. Then, fill the tank with filtered water and attach it to the back of the machine. Next, you’ll need to press the power button, allow the machine to heat up and then flush the group head to prime the circuit.

Now it’s time to make an espresso shot:

Casabrews 5700 Pro Cleaning

In my cleaning and descaling guide you’ll find detailed information on how to look after an espresso machine. Still, for the purposes of this Casabrews 5700 Pro review it’s worth pointing out a few things to remember.

For starters, you should clean the portafilter, filter baskets and group head at the end of each day’s use. A little warm water and a scrubbing brush will go a long way.

Every few weeks, I’d recommend removing the grinder and brushing off the burrs. This will remove any stubborn buildup and keep the thing working efficiently. Fortunately, removing the grinder is really easy, so there’s nothing to get worked up about.

Trust me, no matter how well-filtered your water might be, limescale will build up inside your machine over time and wreak havoc. And seeing as the Casabrews 5700 Pro doesn’t have its own water filter, you should definitely descale at least once a month. Use something like Durgol Descaler and simply follow the instructions in the user manual.

Casabrews 5700 Pro Technical Specifications

Casabrews 5700 Pro vs Breville Barista Pro

There’s no getting around the fact that the Casabrews 5700 Pro bears more than a passing resemblance to the Breville Barista Pro. Some folks might even say that the Casbrews espresso machine is a Breville copycat.

One thing’s for certain – the Casabrews 5700 Pro is intended as a direct Barista Pro competitor.

Costing $849.95, the Breville espresso machine is a good deal more expensive than the 5700 Pro. And while both machines offer a similar set of features, you can expect a little more sophistication from the Barista Pro.

In saying that, I’m talking about features like adjustable pre-infusion times, a dedicated hot water spout and a more versatile grinder. Still, the Casabrews 5700 Pro definitely seems like it can hold its own, and the asking price is way more attractive. And let’s not forget all those lovely accessories!

See Also: Breville Barista Pro Review 2024

Casabrews 5700 Pro vs Breville Barista Pro Comparison Chart

Verdict: Casabrews 5700 Pro Review

Look out Breville

Casabrews 5700 Pro All-in-One Espresso Machine

An affordable and capable machine

Compact footprint

Many adjustable settings

58mm portafilter

Tons of accessories

Unproven manufacturer

Users complain of noisy operation

CHECK PRICE

Having reached the end of my initial Casabrews 5700 Pro review, I can definitely see why it’s garnered so much attention online. After all, for the asking price, it seems like this espresso machine represents extremely good value for money.

Of course, I’m not yet ready to make any lofty claims about how machines like this are going to topple established manufacturers. However, I wouldn’t be surprised to learn that Breville and DeLonghi executives are feeling a little nervous.

I’m really looking forward to putting the 5700 Pro through its paces, and I’ll update this review as soon as I can. Just don’t expect to see me in a TikTok video any time soon!