For home baristas ready to step up to professional-grade equipment, the transition usually means choosing between dual boiler precision and heat exchanger affordability. The Profitec Move changes that equation entirely, delivering true dual boiler performance at a price point that traditionally belonged to heat exchanger machines.
We've spent extensive time testing the Profitec Move to understand how it performs in real-world home use—from morning espresso rituals to entertaining guests with multiple milk drinks back-to-back.
Watch Our Complete Video Review
See the Profitec Move in action with detailed footage of espresso extraction, steam performance, temperature stability testing, and how it compares to other machines in its class:
Watch the full review here:
Understanding Dual Boiler Technology
Why Dual Boilers Matter
Single boiler and heat exchanger machines require you to wait between brewing and steaming, or make temperature compromises that affect your shot quality. The Profitec Move eliminates these limitations through independent boiler systems that work simultaneously without interference.
The Brew Boiler: A 0.4-liter brass boiler dedicated exclusively to espresso extraction. Brass was chosen deliberately for its exceptional thermal mass—it absorbs and releases heat evenly, maintaining rock-solid temperature stability shot after shot. This consistency is crucial when working with temperature-sensitive specialty coffees, light roasts, or natural process beans that reveal flaws in extraction immediately.
The Steam Boiler: A separate 0.75-liter stainless steel boiler powers the steam wand independently. This larger capacity ensures you have powerful, consistent steam pressure whether you're texturing milk for one cappuccino or preparing three lattes in succession for family brunch.
What This Means for Your Workflow
The practical advantage becomes obvious during your morning routine. Pull an espresso shot, and while you're enjoying those first sips, steam milk for your partner's latte without any temperature recovery wait. When entertaining, prepare multiple milk drinks consecutively without the frustrating pauses that plague single boiler machines. The time savings add up significantly—we estimate you'll cut drink preparation time by 30-40% compared to traditional heat exchanger setups.
Profitec's German Engineering Philosophy
Hand-Built Quality You Can Feel
Profitec machines are hand-assembled in Germany and Italy, and the difference shows in every detail. The brand has earned its reputation in the specialty coffee community not through marketing, but through years of building reliable machines that maintain their performance over decades of daily use.
The Move continues this tradition while incorporating thoughtful upgrades based on real-world user feedback. Every design decision—from boiler materials to control interfaces—prioritizes consistency, reducing wasted shots, and making your daily workflow more enjoyable rather than adding complexity for its own sake.
Fast Heat-Up Technology
One of the Move's standout innovations is its rapid heat-up system. Traditional dual boiler machines can take 20-30 minutes to reach brewing temperature. The Profitec Move achieves brew-ready status in approximately 7 minutes from a cold start.
For most users, though, you won't even notice this because of the programmable start-up feature. Set the machine to power on 10 minutes before your alarm, and walk into your kitchen with the Move already at optimal temperature, ready for your first shot. This seemingly small feature transforms the machine from a piece of equipment you operate into an appliance that anticipates your routine.
Advanced Features That Matter
OLED Display & Control System
The integrated OLED screen presents information clearly without overwhelming you with options. You'll see:
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Real-time shot timers during extraction
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Current boiler temperatures for both brew and steam
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Temperature fluctuations that help you understand your machine's behavior
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Menu navigation for programming preferences
This display makes the machine transparent rather than mysterious. When you're dialing in a new coffee, you can see exactly what's happening with temperatures and make informed adjustments.
Volumetric Shot Control
Program your preferred shot volumes and the machine will stop extraction automatically at your specified point. This ensures consistency from shot to shot, particularly helpful in the morning when you're not fully awake yet, or when multiple household members use the machine with different preferences.
Precision Pressure Management
The integrated over-pressure valve (OPV) allows fine-tuning of brew pressure. Why does this matter? Different coffees respond optimally to different pressure profiles. Light roasts often extract better at slightly lower pressures (around 6-7 bars) while traditional Italian espresso blends shine at standard 9 bar pressure. The Move gives you the flexibility to optimize for your coffee preferences rather than forcing you to accept factory defaults.
Energy Efficiency Features
For those concerned about power consumption, the Move includes:
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Programmable eco modes that reduce power during idle periods
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Automatic on/off scheduling aligned with your daily routine
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Standby modes that maintain warmth without full power draw
These features let you balance convenience with energy consciousness—the machine can stay ready without running at full capacity 24/7.
Design That Elevates Your Kitchen
Aesthetic Evolution
The Profitec Move represents a visual departure from the Pro 300 that preceded it. The design team introduced matte painted surfaces that feel modern without appearing sterile, complemented by warm wood accents that add organic texture. Brushed stainless steel components catch light beautifully while remaining fingerprint-resistant during daily use.
This isn't decoration for decoration's sake—every aesthetic choice serves function. The compact footprint fits kitchens where counter space is precious, while the premium materials ensure the machine looks as good in five years as it does on day one.
Thoughtful Front Panel Layout
One clever innovation: a combined pressure gauge that displays both brew and steam pressure within a single dial. This space-saving approach keeps the front panel clean and readable while still providing the diagnostic information experienced users need. The gauge helps you confirm your OPV settings, monitor steam boiler pressure, and troubleshoot extraction issues.
Under-Grouphead Lighting
Practical visibility meets visual appeal with integrated lighting beneath the grouphead. This illumination serves multiple purposes:
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Reveals crema color and texture during extraction
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Helps you position cups precisely
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Provides workspace visibility in dim morning kitchens
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Creates an appealing presentation that makes the machine a conversation piece
Professional-Grade Milk Steaming
Articulating Ball-Joint Steam Wand
The steam wand features a ball-joint design that articulates through multiple angles, accommodating different pitcher sizes and steaming techniques. Whether you prefer the hands-on approach of traditional steaming or need to position the wand for specific milk types, the flexibility is there.
With the dedicated steam boiler's power behind it, you'll produce café-quality microfoam consistently. The steam pressure remains strong from start to finish, giving you proper control over texture development—from airy cappuccino foam to silky latte microfoam.
Hot Water Spout
Many European espresso machines omit hot water dispensers, assuming users only want espresso-based drinks. The Profitec Move includes a dedicated hot water spout on the right side, acknowledging that North American households often enjoy Americanos, long coffees, and tea. This addition eliminates the common workaround of pulling blank shots or steaming water, making the machine more versatile for varied preferences.
Modular Portafilter System
Flexible Configuration
The included portafilter system adapts to your skill level and presentation needs:
Bottomless Mode: Remove all spout attachments to create a bottomless (naked) portafilter. This configuration exposes the bottom of your basket during extraction, letting you observe the entire process. You'll immediately spot channeling, uneven distribution, or other preparation issues that affect flavor. For anyone serious about improving their espresso technique, bottomless operation provides invaluable visual feedback.
Spouted Mode: Attach the silicone double or single spout when you want to split shots into two cups simultaneously, or when you prefer the traditional aesthetic of spouted extraction. The silicone construction means you won't burn your hands if you touch the spout accidentally.
Complete Basket Selection
The Move ships with baskets covering multiple scenarios:
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Single shot basket for those occasional 7-9g extractions
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Standard double basket for traditional 16-18g doses with spouts
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Open double basket optimized for bottomless use, with better flow characteristics for 18-20g doses
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Blind basket for backflushing maintenance
This comprehensive selection means you won't need immediate accessory purchases—you can explore different extraction approaches right away.
Maintenance & Long-Term Care
Three-Way Solenoid & Backflushing
The integrated three-way solenoid valve releases pressure from the grouphead immediately after extraction completes, creating the characteristic "puck snap" that drops spent coffee into your knock box cleanly. This system also enables proper backflushing—the essential maintenance process that removes trapped coffee oils and residues.
Regular backflushing (we recommend weekly for daily users) with espresso machine detergent keeps your brew path clean, ensuring every shot tastes fresh rather than accumulating stale, rancid oils that muddy flavor clarity. The included blind basket makes this process straightforward.
Daily Maintenance Routine
The Move's maintenance requirements are reasonable for a dual boiler machine:
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Wipe steam wand after each use
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Empty drip tray as needed (typically every 2-3 days)
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Backflush weekly with detergent
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Descale every 3-6 months depending on water hardness
Profitec's build quality means these simple routines keep the machine performing optimally for years. Many owners report their Profitec machines still pulling excellent shots after a decade of daily use.
Real-World Performance Testing
Temperature Stability
We monitored brew temperatures across multiple consecutive shots using thermocouple measurements at the grouphead. The Profitec Move maintained temperatures within ±1°F once properly warmed up—this stability is crucial for consistency and rivals commercial machines costing significantly more.
Recovery Time
After pulling a shot and immediately steaming milk, the brew boiler recovered to set temperature within 45-60 seconds. For practical purposes, this means zero wait time between drinks during typical home use.
Build Quality Observations
After weeks of daily use, the machine shows zero play in the portafilter lock, no drips or leaks, and consistent grouphead seal performance. The construction quality inspires confidence this is an investment that will last, not an appliance you'll replace in a few years.
Who Should Choose the Profitec Move?
Ideal Buyers
The Profitec Move excels for:
Home Baristas Seeking Consistency: If you're frustrated by temperature fluctuations and recovery wait times on your current machine, the Move's dual boiler system eliminates those compromises entirely.
Upgraders from Single Boiler or Heat Exchanger Machines: The performance leap will be immediately obvious, particularly if you frequently prepare multiple drinks or work with temperature-sensitive specialty coffees.
Quality-Conscious Households: For homes where both aesthetics and performance matter, the Move delivers premium materials and thoughtful design without requiring a commercial-sized footprint.
Precision-Oriented Users: If you enjoy the process of dialing in coffees, experimenting with pressure profiles, and understanding extraction variables, the Move provides the tools and transparency to explore these parameters meaningfully.
Consider Alternatives If
You Primarily Drink Single Espressos: If you rarely make milk drinks and usually prepare just one shot at a time, a high-quality single boiler with PID might serve your needs at lower cost.
Budget Is Primary Concern: While the Move offers exceptional value for a dual boiler, quality single boiler machines cost significantly less. If price is the dominant factor, consider whether you need dual boiler capabilities now or can upgrade later.
Counter Space Is Extremely Limited: Though compact for a dual boiler, the Move still requires meaningful counter real estate. If space is at an absolute premium, smaller machines exist.
Market Position & Value
Unique Positioning
The Profitec Move occupies a fascinating market position with few direct competitors. Traditional dual boiler machines from brands like Rocket, ECM, or Lelit typically cost $500-1000 more. Heat exchanger machines at similar price points lack the Move's temperature stability and simultaneous brewing/steaming capability.
This pricing strategy makes professional-grade dual boiler performance accessible to home users who previously couldn't justify the investment, or who were ready to compromise on heat exchanger technology to meet their budget.
Long-Term Investment Perspective
Consider the Move's value over time:
Daily Café Savings: At $5-6 per café drink, even one drink daily represents $150-180 monthly. The machine pays for itself within months for regular café visitors.
No Upgrade Itch: Unlike entry-level machines that leave you wanting more within a year, the Move provides room to grow your skills indefinitely. Its capabilities won't limit your development as a home barista.
Resale Value: Profitec machines hold value exceptionally well. If you ever decide to upgrade or change direction, well-maintained Profitec machines sell quickly in the used market.
Longevity: With proper maintenance, expect 10-15+ years of reliable daily service. When viewed as an appliance you'll use 2-3 times daily for over a decade, the per-use cost becomes remarkably reasonable.
Technical Specifications
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Boiler System: Dual boiler (0.4L brass brew, 0.75L stainless steam)
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Grouphead: E61 style commercial grouphead
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Heat-Up Time: Approximately 7 minutes
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Pressure Control: Adjustable OPV for brew pressure tuning
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Display: OLED with shot timer, temperature monitoring, and menu navigation
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Steam Wand: Articulating ball-joint design
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Portafilter: Modular system (bottomless/spouted)
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Included Baskets: Single, double, open double, blind
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Special Features: Volumetric dosing, programmable startup, eco modes
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Build Location: Hand-assembled in Germany and Italy
Our Expert Verdict
The Profitec Move represents a significant achievement in home espresso machine design—delivering true dual boiler performance at a price point that makes it accessible to serious home baristas who previously faced difficult compromises.
The combination of temperature stability, fast heat-up, thoughtful user interface, and premium build quality creates a machine that rewards your investment with consistent, café-quality results day after day. This isn't a machine you'll outgrow or feel limited by as your skills develop.
For anyone upgrading from single boiler or heat exchanger machines, the performance difference will be immediately apparent. The ability to brew and steam simultaneously without temperature compromises transforms your workflow, while the precision controls let you explore extraction variables meaningfully.
The Profitec Move occupies a unique market position with few direct alternatives—making it a compelling choice for home baristas who value German engineering, long-term reliability, and the freedom to explore espresso at the highest level.
Experience Profitec Engineering at Home
The Profitec Move brings professional-grade dual boiler performance to your kitchen, backed by decades of German engineering excellence and Profitec's reputation for building machines that last.
Available now at Home Coffee Solutions with expert support from our team of coffee equipment specialists who have over 25 years of experience.
Questions about whether the Profitec Move fits your setup, skill level, or coffee preferences? We're here to help you make an informed decision. Contact our espresso experts for personalized guidance on choosing the right machine for your home café.
This review is based on extensive hands-on testing at Home Coffee Solutions. We evaluate machines through real-world daily use, measuring temperature stability, extraction consistency, and long-term reliability to provide you with honest, practical insights.
