What is a fun gadget you have purchased that has added value to your life?

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A smart switch for my espresso machine so it turns on a timer each morning so it's ready for when I get up, it takes about 25 minutes to fully warm up. Also I can turn it on or off using voice controls, great when I want another coffee later in the day.
- Damn, that is a slow espresso machine. Mine takes like 1min.
  Also, would that work for devices that need to have the "on" button pressed in order to turn on?
  For example: Say I unplug one of my devices, while turned on. If I plug them again in the outlet, they will be turned off and I will have to turn them on again, even though they were on when I unplugged them.
  
  My Bambino was ready in minutes. My Profitec Go takes a while. Very very dependent on the model. I wouldn't go back to the Bambino at all
  I use two Zooz Zen15 with both my Moccamaster and Profitec. Been absolutely wonderful.
  
  What don't you like about the Bambino?
  
  It's great! Just ready for an upgrade and I've redone the kitchen recently and I came in under budget so why not? PID for me!
  
  They might have a different style. I have one of these, and it definitely takes 20 minutes or so to get up to pressure.
  I didn't think about a smart switch, like GP. That's a slick idea. OTOH, I turn the machine on and go do something else for a few minutes - I don't find it an imposition.
  
  Majority of any e61 espresso machine is like that, pretty much par for the course for anything other than budget non e61 or some of the new high end espresso machines that use some variation of electrically heated groups.
  Mine will be "ready" after about 15 minutes but as an e61 group head is a heavy block it takes along time to get good thermal stability. Difference is I can steam and extract shots at the same time with 2bar steam and 9bar espresso, shot after shot.
  My espresso machine has a proper on/off switch, so I just leave that set to on and control the power from the smart switch.
  
  It's more about getting the portafilter hot too.
  As for the on button, I use a SwitchBot Bot.
- I went with the Breville machines mostly cause they’re fully ready in like 3-30 seconds
  
  They nice machines but I wanted more consistent with its pressure and water flow, better steaming, not made by breville,and made with industry standard components that can last decades.
  
  I can’t speak to lasting decades but, for the price, I am quite happy with the quality of the coffee & steaming.
  I’ve had mine for 2 years and zero issues, hoping I’ll get another 5+ out of it
  
  It's a decent machine for the money but compared to its competitors from gaggia and rancilio what they lose in fancy programming or the pid or the easy steaming (which is still way off mine) they gain in actually having an opv (depending which one you have), build quality and self service.
  I've seen far too many people have issues with breville stuff and then problems returning it. It's not that good ones don't exist it's just that more reliable does.
  To put your seven years into perspective I should be getting 30 to 40 years out of mine with some regular servicing.
- Is it a Switch bot?
  If so, quick question: Does it need a hub? Or can I just but the switch, install an app for it, then couple it with a home assistant?
  
  No, its a smart thing switch as I have the hub, so its z wave. However I have a lot of smart home switches, lights and so on so that makes sense for me. Plenty of options if you do not want a hub now.
  The espresso machine has a proper on off button so I just leave it in on position and the switch turns the power on and off
  
  The most common ones use WiFi, so you don't need any hubs other than a router.

470 comments