The Ascaso Steel Duo is a dual thermoblock espresso machine with zero verifiable owner data in the wild, which is itself the verdict. Without real-world reports on thermoblock longevity, shot consistency, or whether the steam wand can texture milk without a five-minute cooldown, you're buying blind. At this price point, that's a gamble most home baristas shouldn't take. Stick to machines with a proven track record until actual owners start talking.
A $5,000 bean-to-cup machine that makes genuinely excellent espresso but ships with smart features so poorly executed they're best ignored entirely. The coffee itself justifies serious consideration: rich extraction, dual bean hoppers, quality microfoam, and the kind of drink customization that separates premium machines from pretenders. The connectivity, though, is a flop that barely functions and adds nothing to daily use. Buy this if you want automated café-quality drinks and can treat the app as nonexistent. Walk if you're paying five grand expecting seamless smart control.