We made this guide to compare the Nuova Simonelli Oscar II vs Rocket Appartamento side by side. We're going over all the details to help you figure out which machine is right for you.
We'll be covering...
- Basic features the Nuova Simonelli Oscar II and the Rocket Appartamento share.
- Some of the most pertinent differences between these machines and how they'll affect you.
- Which machine makes the most sense to buy based on your needs.
Quick Summary
Nuova Simonelli Oscar II
Featuring timed dosing and powerful steaming, this espresso machine is perfect for small shops, offices, and home users. It's an ideal choice if you need a machine that beginners can operate to make high-quality espresso.
Rocket Appartamento
With its snazzy exterior, this espresso machine makes a striking addition to your kitchen, office, or small restaurant. Choose this model if you prefer more control of dosing and the portability of a pour-over machine.
Similarities
1 Group
The Nuova Simonelli Oscar II and the Rocket Appartamento come with one group, which is ideal for small-scale needs.
If you're shopping for a home espresso machine, it's not very likely that you'll be needing to operate multiple groups at the same time.
Even small cafes and shops often opt for single-group espresso machines depending on how many espresso drinks they serve in a day.
If what you need is a one-group machine, both the Nuova Simonelli Oscar II and the Rocket Appartamento are great options to compare.
Stainless Steel Construction
Though the stainless steel bodies of these machines look quite different, they both offer greater sturdiness and appeal than plastic casings.
Stainless steel is also easy to clean and make shiny to increase the aesthetic value of any environment.
There are some slight differences, such as the plastic drip tray in the Nuova Simonelli Oscar II versus the stainless steel drip tray in the Rocket Appartamento.
They also have two completely different visual styles. The Nuova Simonelli Oscar II has a clean, elegant build while the Rocket Appartamento has a striking futuristic look.
Heat Exchange Boiler
Both of these machines have heat exchange systems, which means that they can steam milk and brew espresso simultaneously.
Because brewing temperature is significantly cooler than steaming temperature, espresso machines that can do both tasks at once must find a way to compensate for these differences.
The heat exchange system consists of a boiler with a separated compartment inside and a copper tube that draws the water to the group head, heating the water to brew temperature.
This system achieves thermal stability so that you can make delicious lattes and cappuccinos in a flash.
Pre-Infusion
Thanks to their pre-infusion systems, the Nuova Simonelli Oscar II and the Rocket Appartamento both facilitate even extraction for better espresso flavor.
The pre-infusion method involves an initial saturation of the coffee bed, ensuring full extraction during the brew cycle.
The other reason this is beneficial is that it provides correction for improper tamping that can interfere with the brew process.
Read next: Find the best commercial espresso machines on this helpful guide.
Key Differences
Manual Dosing vs. Timed Dosing
The Rocket Appartamento is a traditional semiautomatic machine, which means that it operates via manual dosing.
To brew espresso on the Rocket Appartamento, you'll press a button both to start and stop the machine. This is great if you prefer full control each time you pull a shot.
The Nuova Simonelli Oscar II utilizes programmable timed dosing. You'll be able to program single and double shots according to your preferred timing so that when you brew espresso, you just need to hit the button. The machine takes care of the rest.
You could say that manual dosing is for the user with more training as it can be easy to miss the opportune brew time.
On the other hand, while the Nuova Simonelli Oscar II offers excellent consistency and user friendliness, you won't be able to customize the espresso on demand like you can with the Rocket Appartamento.
Pour Over vs. Direct Connect
The Rocket Appartamento is a pour-over machine, meaning that it comes with a water reservoir that you'll manually refill as it gets low.
The Nuova Simonelli Oscar II also comes in a pour-over model. However, you can also buy a direct-connect Nuova Simonelli Oscar II.
The direct-connect model is plumbed into a water supply for a continuous feed, which is definitely convenient for professional use. It won't leave you stranded in the middle of a line for espresso drinks with an empty water tank.
Direct-connect espresso machines also make installing a water softener possible, which will prevent heavy scale buildup that can quickly break the machine.
Steam Power in the Nuova Simonelli Oscar II
With legendary steam power and a four-hole steam tip, the Nuova Simonelli Oscar II can steam milk to temperature and perfect texture in an impressively short amount of time.
The Rocket Appartamento doesn't slack in this department by any means, though it isn't as quick as the Nuova Simonelli Oscar II.
It all depends on what you're comfortable with. If you like fast, efficient latte making, the Nuova Simonelli Oscar II is up to the task.
But if you like to take your time, you may enjoy this aspect of the Rocket Appartamento.
Insulated Boiler in the Nuova Simonelli Oscar II
An insulated boiler in the Nuova Simonelli Oscar II increases its thermal stability and energy efficiency.
It's like wearing a hat in cold weather, which will keep you from excessively losing body heat.
The Rocket Appartamento's boiler is not insulated, which essentially means that it can take a little more energy to maintain temperature.
No Burn Steam Wand in the Rocket Appartamento
Steam wands easily reach temperatures that can burn you if you're not careful. If this has happened to you, you'll love the no-burn steam wand on the Rocket Appartamento.
It's designed to stay cooler to reduce the burn risk while cleaning the steam wand after frothing milk (though you should still exercise caution).
The other advantage is that milk won't get stuck to the steam wand, making it much easier to clean.
Hot Water Spigot in the Rocket Appartamento
One thing that the Nuova Simonelli Oscar II doesn't have that the Rocket Appartamento does is a hot water spigot.
If you like an Americano for your afternoon caffeine, you'll find that the Rocket Appartamento will be easier to work with as you won't need a separate water source.
On the other hand, many small shops already utilize hot water tanks, making a hot water spigot on an espresso machine superfluous.
It all comes down to your individual needs.
Price Considerations
We offer both the Rocket Appartamento and the Nuova Simonelli Oscar II at some of the lowest prices you'll find online.
The Rocket Appartamento is available in White (on the circular side panel cutouts) for $1,700 and Copper for $1,750.
For our Nuova Simonelli Oscar II models, we offer the pour-over version in Red or Black accents for $1,295 and the direct-connect version in Black for $1,620.
So Which Should You Buy?
If you're shopping for a home, office, or small restaurant espresso machine, both the Nuova Simonelli Oscar II and the Rocket Appartamento make excellent choices.
They're professional grade machines built to last, not to mention elegant pieces you can proudly display.
If you're buying for a small coffee shop, however, the Nuova Simonelli Oscar II may be better suited to your needs. It's a little faster and easier to use with its programmable dosing than the Rocket Appartamento.
Plus, you do have the option of the direct-connect model with the Nuova Simonelli Oscar II. The pour-over machines can be handy if you need a portable espresso machine.
So which should you buy for a home espresso machine?
The Rocket Appartamento gives you more control with manual dosing, which can be preferable for many skilled espresso enthusiasts.
On the other hand, the Nuova Simonelli can deliver consistency by users of all skill levels who want to make high-quality espresso drinks.
What's the bottom line?
Either model makes a great home, office, or small restaurant espresso machine. It just depends on the experience you're looking for.
But if you want a machine for fast espresso service in a small cafe, stick with the Nuova Simonelli Oscar II.
For the best prices, see the Nuova Simonelli Oscar II and the Rocket Appartamento here on Majesty Coffee...
