Bellezza Bellona Review NZ: Dual Boiler Tested

The Bellezza Bellona is a German-engineered, E61 dual boiler espresso machine built for home baristas who want café-grade temperature stability and full manual control. At a sale price of $3,563.99 NZD (as at September 2026), it sits in the prosumer bracket, competing on build quality and steam power rather than one-touch convenience. This Bellezza Bellona review looks at exactly what the machine offers, who it suits, where it falls short, and how it compares to other machines Di Pacci stocks in New Zealand.

By Mik Di Pacci, Founder and CEO, Di Pacci Coffee Company. Updated September 2026. Specifications are drawn from the manufacturer listing; analysis is our own and no personal lab testing is claimed.

Bellezza Bellona Specifications

The table below lists only details published by the manufacturer on the product page. Where a figure is not stated, that is noted rather than estimated.

Key Features Explained

Every feature below is described in terms of what it does, why it matters and who benefits, based on the machine's documented configuration.

Dual boiler system

The Bellona uses two separate stainless steel boilers: a 1 L steam boiler and a 500 ml brew boiler. Because brewing and steaming each have a dedicated boiler, you can pull a shot and steam milk at the same time without waiting for one temperature to recover. This matters most for anyone making milk drinks such as flat whites, lattes and cappuccinos back to back, and it is a genuine step up from single boiler machines that switch between the two tasks.

Bellezza PID control

A PID controller holds the set temperature to a tight band and lets you adjust brew and steam temperatures independently. Stable brewing temperature is one of the biggest levers on espresso consistency, so PID is a meaningful feature for anyone dialling in different coffee beans. Lighter roasts generally like a higher brew temperature, darker roasts a lower one, and the Bellona lets you set that rather than accept a fixed value.

E61 group head with pre-infusion

The E61 is a widely used commercial-style group known for thermal stability through its thermosiphon design. The Bellona adds programmable pre-infusion of up to 30 seconds, which gently wets the coffee puck before full pressure. Even wetting can reduce channelling and produce a more even extraction, which is useful with finer grinds and fresh beans.

Volumetric dosing and shot timer

Two programmable volume presets plus a manual button let you set repeatable shot volumes, while the shot timer and pump pressure gauge give you feedback on each extraction. Together these help you build a repeatable recipe, which is exactly what improving home baristas need to move from lucky shots to consistent ones.

Solenoid steam lever and cool-touch wands

Steam is delivered through a solenoid-activated lever for instant on-demand steam, and both the steam and hot water wands are cool-touch to reduce burn risk. The manufacturer notes the steam activation uses solenoid mechanisms similar to those on Victoria Arduino Prima machines. Strong, responsive steam is what makes microfoam and latte art achievable at home.

External glass water tank and build

The 2 L external glass tank makes water levels easy to see and refilling simple, and the stainless steel body and full stainless boilers are built for longevity. A pure water pathway means water does not contact copper inside the machine. At 285 mm wide and 19 kg, the Bellona is compact for a dual boiler, which suits smaller kitchen benches.

Coffee Quality and Brewing Performance

Based on the machine's specifications, users should expect café-style espresso once the machine is paired with a capable grinder and dialled in. The dual boiler and PID give the temperature stability needed for repeatable extractions, and the E61 group with pre-infusion supports even saturation of the puck.

Because the Bellona is a semi-automatic machine, extraction quality depends heavily on grind size, dose and tamping, not just the machine. The pump pressure gauge and shot timer let you read each shot and adjust, which is how you reach consistency. The manufacturer states the machine is ready to brew in 3 to 5 minutes, though group heads generally benefit from extra warm-up time before the first shot for peak thermal stability, and one on-site customer notes around 15 minutes for a fully warmed group.

The high group head accommodates larger cups and mugs, so the Bellona handles espresso, long blacks and milk-based drinks. It does not brew filter or pod coffee; it is an espresso machine.

Grinder Pairing

The Bellezza Bellona does not include a built-in grinder. It is an espresso machine only, so a separate grinder is essential to use it. This is normal for prosumer E61 machines, where buyers usually prefer to choose a dedicated grinder for better, more adjustable grinding than a built-in unit provides.

Di Pacci offers the Bellona together with the Bellezza Piccola Titanio 60 grinder as a package, which is a straightforward way to buy a matched setup in one go. If you already own an espresso-capable grinder, the machine alone is the more economical route. Either way, budget for a grinder that can grind fine enough for espresso and adjust in small steps, because grind quality has a large effect on the shot.

Milk Steaming and Latte Preparation

Milk steaming is a strength of this machine on paper. The dedicated 1 L steam boiler and solenoid steam lever deliver strong, immediate steam, and the cool-touch wand is safer to handle during texturing. For cappuccinos and lattes, that combination lets you create microfoam suitable for latte art with practice.

Steaming here is fully manual: you control the wand position, timing and milk texture yourself. Beginners will face a learning curve, but manual control is exactly what home baristas who want café-quality milk are looking for. There is no automatic milk frothing system, so anyone wanting hands-off milk should consider a different machine type.

Ease of Use

The Bellona is designed around manual espresso, so the experience rewards a little practice. A typical workflow is: fill the external tank, switch on and allow the group to warm, grind and dose into the portafilter, distribute and tamp, lock in and start the shot, then steam milk with the lever. The PID, volumetric presets and shot timer make it easier to repeat a dialled-in recipe once you have found it.

Setup is straightforward thanks to the external tank and compact body, and the auto sleep function saves power when the machine is idle. The learning curve is real but standard for this class of machine; it is not a one-touch appliance, and that is the point.

Cleaning and Maintenance

Routine care keeps any E61 dual boiler machine performing. Based on general practice for this configuration and the machine's documentation, expect the following. Only follow procedures confirmed in the official Bellona user manual, which Di Pacci links on the product page.

• Daily: Purge and wipe the steam wand after every use, rinse the portafilter and baskets, and empty the removable drip tray.
• Weekly: Backflush the group with a blind basket if your setup allows, and clean baskets and the shower screen.
• Periodically: Descale according to your water hardness and the manual. A pure water pathway and a water filter or filtered water help reduce scale.
• Water quality: Softer or filtered water protects the boilers and extends service intervals.

Pros and Considerations

Who Is the Bellezza Bellona For?

The Bellona suits people who want to make café-style espresso and milk drinks at home and enjoy the hands-on process. It is a good fit for:

• Home coffee enthusiasts moving up from a single boiler or entry-level machine.
• Improving home baristas who want temperature control and manual steaming.
• Households making several milk drinks in a row, thanks to the dual boiler.
• Buyers with limited bench space who still want a dual boiler, given the compact width.
• Anyone who already owns, or is ready to buy, a quality espresso grinder.

Who Should Consider Another Machine?

Another machine type may serve you better if any of these apply:

• You want fully automatic, one-touch coffee. A bean-to-cup or automatic machine is a better match.
• You want an all-in-one with a built-in grinder and scales. Consider the Meraki Gen 2 below.
• You want the lowest possible entry price. An entry-level espresso machine will cost less, with fewer features.
• You need continuous commercial output. A commercial machine is designed for that duty cycle.
• You do not want to grind, tamp or steam manually. A machine with automated milk and grinding suits you better.

Bellezza Bellona vs Alternatives

The comparison below uses three machines Di Pacci stocks in New Zealand, so every figure is verifiable. Rather than name a single winner, each machine suits a different buyer.

In short: choose the Bellona if you want a compact E61 dual boiler and prefer selecting your own grinder. Choose the Meraki Gen 2 if you want a grinder, dual scales and a touchscreen built into one unit at a similar price. Step up to the Francesca if you want a larger 1 L brew boiler and the option to plumb in or add flow control.

Is the Bellezza Bellona Worth It?

For the right buyer, the Bellezza Bellona is worth considering. It delivers the core things that matter for home espresso: a dual boiler for simultaneous brewing and steaming, PID temperature control, an E61 group with pre-infusion, and strong steam, all in a compact stainless steel body. That is a capable, long-lasting platform for someone who wants to develop as a home barista.

It is less suitable if you want convenience over control, the lowest entry price, or an all-in-one with a grinder. Remember to factor a grinder into your budget, since the machine does not include one. If you want the grinder handled for you, the Meraki Gen 2 or the Bellona grinder package are the more complete out-of-the-box options.

Frequently Asked Questions