Rocket Appartamento Espresso Machine vs Sowden SoftBrew 8-Cup Coffee Maker (2026)

✍️ By the 247Verdict Editorial Team📅 Updated 05 October 2026

Which is better? We compared both on score, owner ratings, pros and cons.

Rocket Appartamento Espresso Machine

9.3/10 Excellent

4.7★ (1,200 owners)

E61 single boiler, Italian handmade, stainless exterior, compact 27cm, HX. Italian artisan espresso.

Full Review

Sowden SoftBrew 8-Cup Coffee Maker

8.8/10 Great

4.5★ (3,800 owners)

Stainless mesh filter, immersion brewing, 8-cup ceramic, George Sowden design, no paper filter. Designer filter coffee.

Full Review

At a Glance

	Rocket Appartamento Espresso Machine	Sowden SoftBrew 8-Cup Coffee Maker
247Verdict Score	9.3/10	8.8/10
Owner Rating	4.7★ (1,200)	4.5★ (3,800)
Verdict	Excellent	Great

Quick Verdict

Both are strong choices, but the Rocket Appartamento Espresso Machine edges ahead with a 9.3/10 vs 8.8/10. E61 single boiler, Italian handmade, stainless exterior, compact 27cm, HX. Italian artisan espresso. That said, the Sowden SoftBrew 8-Cup Coffee Maker is worth considering if Stainless mesh filter, immersion brewing, 8-cup ceramic, George Sowden design, no paper filter. Designer filter coffee. Check the current price on Amazon →

Pros & Cons Side by Side

Rocket Appartamento Espresso Machine

Heat exchanger (HX) boiler enables simultaneous brewing and steaming without dual boiler cost
Italian hand-assembled in Milan — Rocket Espresso workshop craftsmanship since 2004
Compact at 27cm wide — narrowest E61 commercial-spec machine available
Stainless steel exterior ages beautifully — a permanent kitchen statement piece
Lever espresso operation option available — the most tactile espresso extraction experience

HX requires cooling flush before extraction — adds 30 seconds to workflow
£1,800+ for single boiler HX when dual boiler alternatives exist at this price

Sowden SoftBrew 8-Cup Coffee Maker

Stainless mesh filter eliminates paper filter cost and waste forever
Immersion brewing extracts coffee oils for fuller, richer body than paper-filtered methods
Ceramic vessel is dishwasher safe and aesthetically distinctive on any kitchen surface
George Sowden's award-winning Italian design heritage applied to coffee brewing
Under £60 for a 8-cup coffee maker that never needs consumable filter papers

More sediment in the cup than paper-filtered methods — the fine mesh allows some passage
Requires coarser grind than paper filter methods for optimal results
Ceramic can crack under thermal shock — avoid pouring boiling water directly on cold ceramics

FAQ

Which is better, Rocket Appartamento or Sowden SoftBrew 8-Cup?

Is the Rocket Appartamento worth the extra cost?

Yes — Rocket Appartamento Espresso Machine scores higher at 9.3/10 vs 8.8/10.

Who is the Rocket Appartamento best suited to?

E61 single boiler, Italian handmade, stainless exterior, compact 27cm, HX. Italian artisan espresso.

Who is the Sowden SoftBrew 8-Cup best suited to?

Stainless mesh filter, immersion brewing, 8-cup ceramic, George Sowden design, no paper filter. Designer filter coffee.

What are the main downsides of each?

Rocket Appartamento Espresso Machine: HX requires cooling flush before extraction — adds 30 seconds to workflow; £1,800+ for single boiler HX when dual boiler alternatives exist at this price. Sowden SoftBrew 8-Cup Coffee Maker: More sediment in the cup than paper-filtered methods — the fine mesh allows some passage; Requires coarser grind than paper filter methods for optimal results.

Do owner ratings agree with our verdict?

Largely, yes — Rocket Appartamento Espresso Machine sits at 4.7★ from 1,200 verified Amazon owners, and Sowden SoftBrew 8-Cup Coffee Maker at 4.5★ from 3,800.

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