La Pavoni Professional vs Odyssey Argos
Quick take: The La Pavoni Professional costs $410 less.
| Spec | La Pavoni Professional | Odyssey Argos |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,489 | $1,899 |
| Rating | 4.2★ (190) | 4.6★ (75) |
| Type | Manual/Lever | Manual/Lever |
| Boiler | Single Boiler | Single Boiler |
| Built-in grinder | No | No |
| Pump pressure | — | — |
| Water capacity | 38 oz | 20 oz |
| Warm-up time | 5-10 minutes | 5 minutes |
| Steam wand | Manual | Manual |
| Basket type | Unpressurized Only | Unpressurized Only |
| Best for | Purists | Purists |
| Dimensions | 7.9 x 11.4 x 12.6 in | 6 x 10.5 x 12.5 in |
| Weight | 16 lbs | 15 lbs |
| Warranty | 1 year | 1 year |
Pros & cons
La Pavoni Professional
- ✓Double the Europiccola's boiler - entertains guests without refilling
- ✓Pressure gauge makes the lever learning curve far gentler
- ✓Stronger steam pressure for milk drinks than the smaller lever
- ✓Rebuildable for decades - parts remain available for 50-year-old units
- ✗Steep learning curve - temperature management is entirely manual
- ✗Group head overheats after 2-3 consecutive shots
- ✗Small 51mm baskets and no pump pressure consistency
- ✗Chrome shows fingerprints and water spots constantly
Odyssey Argos
- ✓PID boiler eliminates the temperature surfing vintage levers require
- ✓Choose 6-bar spring, 8-bar spring, or full manual pressure profiling
- ✓Just 6 inches wide - one of the slimmest 58mm machines made
- ✓Nearly every part is user-replaceable with basic hand tools
- ✗Small 0.6L boiler manages only about 4 double shots per fill
- ✗Dedicated steam mode means reheating between shots and milk
- ✗Made-to-order production means months-long pre-order waits
- ✗Price has climbed well past its original $850 launch target