Buona Mattina ARC700 Super Automatic Espresso Machine with Grinder, Touch Screen, Black - Programmable, Dual Boiler, 15 Bar Pressure

Product Overview

The Buona Mattina ARC700 brings a fully automated coffee experience to your countertop. It uses whole beans or pre-ground coffee via a bypass, allowing flexibility for decaf or flavored varieties. The touch screen interface adjusts drink volume, strength, and temperature with 5 mL and 1 g precision. The machine includes a stainless steel heating plate to warm cups and a 1.7-liter water tank that slides out for refilling. The integrated milk frother uses a hose system to steam milk directly from any container, eliminating a separate carafe. Maintenance involves emptying the spent grounds container (about every 4–5 drinks) and periodic cleaning of the brew group. The ARC700 measures 9.8 inches wide, deep, and 13 inches tall, weighing 23 pounds. Its compact size belies the need for side clearance to access the water tank and grounds drawer. The machine is BPA-free and includes an energy-saving mode. While the manufacturer emphasizes ease of use, some reviewers note that the manual is poorly bound and that the machine can beep annoyingly when attention is needed. Overall, the ARC700 is a feature-rich option for those willing to manage its minor inconveniences in exchange for fresh espresso at home.

Build & Materials

The ARC700 is constructed primarily from high-impact plastic with a stainless steel cup warming plate. The exterior feels solid, but the plastic components—especially the side doors—can feel less premium than metal-bodied machines. The water tank and bean hopper are transparent for easy level checks. The brew group is removable and resembles that of Philips/Saeco machines, suggesting reliable mechanics. However, the design requires side clearance: the water tank door opens on the left and the grounds container on the right, making tight counter placement inconvenient.

The touch screen is responsive and intuitive, though it may smudge easily. The included cleaning kit and drip tray are well-designed, but the spent grounds container has a cutout that reduces usable capacity, leading to more frequent emptying. The milk hose attaches to a side nozzle, which can drip after frothing. Overall, the build prioritizes functionality over luxury, but the machine's compact footprint and thoughtful layout (such as the bean hopper lid that stays open) enhance daily usability.

Shot Quality

When functioning properly, the ARC700 produces espresso with a good crema and balanced flavor. The ceramic grinder offers consistent particle size, and the 19-bar pump extracts efficiently. Many reviewers praise the coffee quality as on par with machines costing twice as much. The milk frother can produce dense foam if the water tank is full and the settings are dialed in, but several users report that the frothing performance degrades after a few months, with milk not reaching temperature or the system failing to froth entirely.

The machine has some behavioral quirks: it splashes water during rinsing and brewing, especially around the spout, which can miss small cups. The auto-off rinse cycle also squirts milk residue from the side hose, potentially creating a mess. Temperature stability is adequate, but the machine takes a few shots to warm up fully. Be aware that the grounds container fills quickly—about every 4–5 drinks—and the machine beeps relentlessly until emptied. Overall, performance is decent for the price, but reliability issues and design flaws may frustrate heavy users.