Magic in the Morning... xBloom Studio Coffee Machine Review | TechManPat

What the xBloom Studio does

The xBloom Studio is an all-in-one coffee machine designed for one main purpose: grinding coffee beans and brewing percolated coffee. Beans are placed in a hopper, ground into a filter and then brewed with hot water. The machine’s pouring mechanism moves across the coffee bed to direct water over different areas of the grounds.

The unit includes three physical controls and a concealed display that becomes visible when the machine is active. It also has a space for a phone, allowing the device to act as a screen when using the companion app. An included NFC card can transfer a recipe to the machine, after which brewing can be started with a control on the unit.

Setup and the initial learning curve

The review began poorly because the machine’s basic instructions did not explain some of its settings. Pat initially filled the hopper with beans expecting the machine to grind only the amount needed for the selected brew. Instead, it ground all the beans into the filter, causing the coffee and water to overflow.

Once the correct quantity of beans and the relevant app settings were understood, the experience improved. The machine can be configured to grind the required amount from a larger quantity of beans, but this is not obvious from the short included instructions.

Features and coffee quality

A weight sensor in the base is one of the machine’s more useful features. The scale moves in 0.1 g increments, helping the brewer measure beans and liquid more precisely. The grinder has 80 levels of adjustment, allowing users to change the grind for different beans and preferences.

Water temperature can also be adjusted, while the pump and heating elements can change during the brewing process. The machine provides hot water and is designed to keep the process contained, avoiding the splashing associated with some conventional coffee makers.

After the setup issues were resolved, Pat found the coffee rich and enjoyable. The result will depend partly on the beans and recipe, but the machine became the main coffee maker used at home during the review. Each brew takes about three minutes.

Ongoing costs and limitations

The xBloom Studio requires dedicated filters, with one used for each coffee. Pat noted that the filters are not cheap when purchased from xBloom, although compatible alternatives may be available. The water reservoir also runs out quickly, meaning it needs regular refilling.

The machine can be connected to an unpressurised external supply of clean water, but this may not be practical in every kitchen. Additional accessories include an attachment for grinding coffee into a separate container and another attachment for preparing coffee using pods.

The app provides preset recipes and additional customisation, and smart integrations can schedule a brew for a particular time. However, the NFC recipe card adds another step rather than simplifying the process. Pat considered the card a gimmick, while viewing the app as more useful for setting up and customising recipes.