Aremde Nexus One Espresso Machine Review: Is It Worth It?
by Ella, Barista Trainer · Updated
Good to have you here, I'm Ella, a barista and coffee trainer. The Aremde Nexus One is a Brisbane-built commercial espresso machine with an open window instead of a steel front. Aremde launched it in 2018 for cafes and hotels. It comes in two-group and three-group versions.
My favourite espresso is a fruity washed Kenyan, so I judge open-window commercial espresso machines by how they handle acidity. The machine splits into a counter unit and under-counter hydraulics. It runs on 240 V at 25 or 40 amps. Each group holds temperature to 0.2 degrees Celsius. The Stylus One swaps the window for panels, and Modbar and Mavam offer tap-style rivals.
Launch prices ran from US$16,050 to US$19,270, and a US dealer now lists US$31,400. No independent tests exist. You will find specs, installation and price here, all written independently. The review also covers cleaning, rivals, cost, warranty and who should buy the machine.
What Is the Aremde Nexus One?
The Aremde Nexus One is a commercial espresso machine with an open window in place of the usual wall of steel. Aremde designed it in the Netherlands and engineered it in Australia. It comes in two-group and three-group versions.
The design follows the principle of less machine and more experience. The boilers, pumps and electronics sit under the counter. The barista faces the customer instead of a block of metal.
The machine launched in November 2018 at the Gallery of Modern Art in Brisbane. Extraction Artisan Coffee in Queensland was the first cafe to install one.
The Nexus One won Best New Product at World of Coffee in Berlin in June 2019. The category was commercial coffee or tea preparation and serving equipment. It also took two Good Design Awards in 2019, for engineering and product design.
The Specialty Coffee Association gave the Best New Product award. Good Design Australia runs the Good Design Awards. Both awards recognise design and engineering, not the taste of the espresso.
Who Makes the Aremde Nexus One?
Aremde makes the Nexus One by hand in Brisbane, Queensland. The maker is Aremdeco Pty Ltd, based in Murarrie. The company launched in September 2018.
Four partners founded Aremde, and each brought a different skill. Geoff Michelmore is the engineer and technical director. Muthanna Raqtan is the CEO of the Raqtan Group. Dutch architect Rempt Van der Donk is the designer, and Walter Amerika is the brand expert.
The Raqtan Group is a commercial foodservice kitchen solution and service provider. Its CEO, Muthanna Raqtan, saw that a wall of steel hides the barista. He backed the idea of a window.
That idea came from Van der Donk, who had no product design background. He sketched the first concept on his steering wheel after looking through a car window. He was working on a Raqtan headquarters in Saudi Arabia at the time.
Once the design is built, painters finish the parts before final assembly. Aremde uses a paint company that specialises in high-end vehicles. The Radius Colour Chart offers 32 colours free of charge.
How Does the Aremde Nexus One Work?
The Aremde Nexus One works by splitting the machine into a counter unit and hidden under-counter units. The counter unit holds the groups, steam wands and buttons. The under-counter units hold the hydraulics and the electronics.
The plumbing and electrics do not need to sit directly below the counter unit. That frees space under the bar for fridges and water filters. A failed module can also be swapped for a temporary one while the part is repaired.
The hydraulics also shape how water reaches the coffee. A restrictor in the flow meter slows the first flow to the group head. A small amount of water wets the grounds first. The restrictor then opens for full extraction.
Steam has its own supply. A dedicated steam boiler feeds the wands. A steam-thermo cycle rotates steam through the boiler and valves to hold wand temperature. After the boiler, a cold-water tempering valve sets hot water temperature quickly.
What Is Wexus on the Aremde Nexus One?
Wexus is Aremde's weight-based extraction system for the Nexus One. Aremde worked with Acaia to build the internal scales. The scales stop the shot by weight instead of by volume.
Every Nexus One can take the Wexus upgrade. Bluetooth parts are already on board. A buyer with a volumetric machine plugs into the electrics to add weight-based dosing. No new wireless hardware is needed for this step.
The scales stop the shot before the cup reaches its target weight. The setpoint offset sets how early that happens. It takes the values 2, 3, 4 and 5. A larger offset stops the shot earlier before the target weight.
Bluetooth can be switched on or off in the Wexus settings. The dosing system can be volumetric, weight-based, or both on one machine.
What Are the Aremde Nexus One Specs?
The Aremde Nexus One specs list 7300 W with two groups and 9300 W with three groups. Both use 220 to 240 V at 50 or 60 Hz. The two-group version draws 25 amps at 240 V, and the three-group draws 40 amps.
The two-group model has a 14 litre (3.7 gallon) steam boiler. The three-group model has a 17 litre (4.5 gallon) steam boiler. Each group has its own 1 litre (34 fl oz) coffee boiler.
Two-Group vs Three-Group Specs:
| Spec | 2 groups | 3 groups |
|---|---|---|
| Steam boiler | 14 litres (3.7 gallons) | 17 litres (4.5 gallons) |
| Total power | 7300 W | 9300 W |
| Current at 240 V | 25 amps | 40 amps |
| Total weight | 60 kg (132 lb) | 80 kg (176 lb) |
The body is 304 or 316 stainless steel with a coated finish. The hydraulics use copper, brass and stainless steel. PID control and a programmable microcomputer board run the heating.
A built-in economiser doses hot water electronically. Steam tips of 1.2 mm or 1.5 mm come supplied. LED spotlights light the cup area, and a cup warmer is an optional stand-alone accessory.
How Big Is the Aremde Nexus One?
The Aremde Nexus One is big across three units, and its two-group counter unit measures 925 mm by 230 mm by 405 mm. That is 36 7/16 by 9 by 15 15/16 inches. The counter unit weighs 50 kg (110 lb).
The three-group counter unit is longer, at 1200 mm (48 11/16 inches). Its depth and height stay the same at 230 mm (9 inches) and 405 mm (15 15/16 inches). A third group adds length only.
The machine does not sit entirely on the counter. A hydraulics unit goes under the counter. For two groups it measures 596 by 350 by 310 mm. That is 23 7/16 by 13 3/4 by 12 3/16 inches. The three-group version is 806 mm (31 3/4 inches) long.
A third piece, the electronics unit, measures 480 by 350 by 140 mm. That is 18 7/8 by 13 3/4 by 5 1/2 inches. It has the same size for both versions. Together, the three pieces weigh 60 kg (132 lb) for two groups and 80 kg (176 lb) for three.
Unit Sizes:
| Unit | 2 groups | 3 groups |
|---|---|---|
| Counter unit length | 925 mm (36 7/16 in) | 1200 mm (48 11/16 in) |
| Hydraulics unit length | 596 mm (23 7/16 in) | 806 mm (31 3/4 in) |
| Electronics unit length | 480 mm (18 7/8 in) | 480 mm (18 7/8 in) |
Does the Aremde Nexus One Make Good Espresso?
Yes. The Aremde Nexus One has the hardware to make good espresso, but no independent shot test exists. It uses a multi-boiler layout, PID heating and pre-infusion. Each group stores its own temperature and dose.
Pre-infusion is the first feature to look at, because it shapes how water meets the coffee. Geoff Michelmore says it gives a soft and consistent pour. The flow starts gently instead of hitting the puck at full force. That supports even extraction.
The group settings matter for a cafe that sells more than one kind of coffee. Each group can run a different temperature and dose. Two doses can be stored under each group button. A cafe can serve two coffees from one machine without recalibrating.
Judges at World of Coffee Berlin in 2019 gave the machine Best New Product. JasBlu won the bid to make it the official machine of the Chinese Barista Championships for 2020 and 2021.
Those honours recognise design and novelty. They are not a shot-quality test, and no independent tasting of the Nexus One was found.
How Steady Is the Aremde Nexus One Temperature?
The Aremde Nexus One temperature stays steady, holding each group to within 0.2 degrees Celsius (0.4 degrees Fahrenheit). The group is the part of the machine where hot water meets the coffee. Each group has its own boiler. Extra heating elements sit inside the groups to hold that temperature.
The machine uses digital hydraulics to let the operator adjust steam and coffee temperature from the display. Each group keeps its own setting.
Steam temperature needs the same care. Hot steam stays in the boiler while cooler steam circulates back to it. That keeps the steam wand temperature steady during a service.
Is the Aremde Nexus One Easy to Use?
Yes. The Aremde Nexus One is easy to use because its buttons and display are simple. A short touch purges the group. A longer touch latches the extraction until pressed again.
One LED screen shows shot timers and group and steam temperatures. The software manages everything else in the background.
Hot water uses a single press to turn on and a single press to turn off. The hot water button can also be programmed to stop at a set dose.
An Energy Saving mode can be switched on or off in technical mode. In standby the machine holds 0.80 bar (11.6 psi) and the display reads LOW CONSUMPTION.
Sliding cup tables fit different cup sizes without breaking the crema. The steam wand sits inside the window. A platform inside the machine holds the jug when the barista needs both hands.
The group lever is thermally insulated. Barista mode covers daily settings. Technical mode opens after a 10 second button hold and covers doses, energy saving, auto clean and the last 10 fault alarms.
Is the Aremde Nexus One Easy to Clean?
Yes. The Aremde Nexus One is easy to clean with a daily portafilter routine and an automatic cycle. The portafilter basket comes out of the handle. Hot soapy water or the supplied Cafetto cleaner does the job.
The manual bans abrasives and chemicals on the portafilter. After rinsing, the parts go on a rack to dry.
The machine also cleans itself through an automatic cleaning cycle, which counts wash cycles. Only Aremde-approved slow-release cleaning tablets belong in it. Other tablets can cause leaks.
A wash does not have to stop service. With Delivery in Wash switched on, the other groups stay usable while one group washes.
What Are the Downsides of the Aremde Nexus One?
The Aremde Nexus One has four main downsides: price, power needs, unconfirmed US certification and missing independent tests.
- A current US dealer price of US$31,400, against launch prices of about US$16,050 to US$19,270
- A dedicated 240 V supply at 25 or 40 amps
- No confirmed US certification
- No independent reliability test or owner reviews found
Daily Coffee News reported in 2019 that certification for North America was still to be gained. Di Pacci Coffee Company now sells the machine in the US. Its listing asks buyers to confirm the US voltage setup before ordering.
The power draw rules out ordinary 120 V sockets. A cafe needs an electrician before delivery.
A search of public sources found no UL or NSF listing for the Nexus One.
Is the Aremde Nexus One Hard to Install?
Yes. The Aremde Nexus One is hard to install without a trained installer, as three units must connect. The crew bolts the counter unit to the bench with nuts and washers. They fit a waste hose and an expansion line to the building drain.
The water supply must also be right before the machine runs. Mains water must read between 350 and 500 kPa (51 to 73 psi). A gauge shows the pressure at the pump.
The three units then need power and control links. Numbered cable looms plug into four positions on the electronics unit. Aremde supplies installation videos on request at info@aremde.com.au.
The US dealer Di Pacci calls professional installation essential for warranty coverage. It also recommends water filtration.
Once the links are made, the machine fills itself. The first power-on auto-fills the boilers. The groups then rinse for up to 70 seconds.
How Does the Aremde Nexus One Compare to Rivals?
The Aremde Nexus One can compare to rivals by classic outline, while Modbar and Mavam use tap-style groups. The Nexus One has a window and a conventional group layout. Modbar and Mavam move the group heads onto periscoping taps.
The Modbar Espresso AV shows how the tap style works in practice. US retailers list it at about US$12,200 to US$13,650. One Modbar module can drive two taps. It uses parts from the La Marzocco Linea PB.
That shared parts list comes from ownership. La Marzocco is the majority owner of Modbar and shares staff, parts and technology with it.
Mavam takes the tap idea under the counter. Its under-counter machines start at US$15,200 for a single group. The standard Mavam UCEM lists from US$28,250.
Mavam is a US brand founded by Michael Gregory Myers and Terry Ziniewicz. Ziniewicz also founded Espresso Parts in 1993.
Price sets the three brands apart. At US$16,050 for two groups in 2019, the Nexus One cost more than a Modbar AV module. It cost about the same as a single-group Mavam. A current US listing of US$31,400 puts it above both of those and just above the standard Mavam.
Price Comparison:
| Machine | Starting price | Design |
|---|---|---|
| Aremde Nexus One, 2 groups | US$16,050 (2019) | Window with group heads |
| Aremde Nexus One, US dealer | US$31,400 (current) | Window with group heads |
| Modbar Espresso AV | US$12,200 | Periscoping taps |
| Mavam single group | US$15,200 | Under-counter taps |
| Mavam UCEM | US$28,250 | Under-counter taps |
The first Nexus One figure dates from 2019. The other prices are current US listings. The comparison is a guide, not a like-for-like quote.
How Does the Aremde Nexus One Differ From the Stylus One?
The Aremde Nexus One and the Stylus One differ in one way: the Stylus One swaps the open window for interchangeable front and barista-side panels. The panels can carry any design, photo, colour or pattern. The owner also picks the outer and inner body colour.
The Nexus One stays the original open-window model. That window is the main thing the Stylus One changes.
Aremde says the Stylus One uses the same tech as its Nexus Pro. Both come in two and three groups. Power and amperage match.
One user manual covers both machines.
How Much Does the Aremde Nexus One Cost?
The two-group Aremde Nexus One cost AU$22,500 to AU$24,000 at launch, roughly US$16,050 to US$17,100. Daily Coffee News reported those figures in February 2019.
The three-group version sold for AU$25,000 to AU$27,000, or roughly US$17,840 to US$19,270.
The step from two groups to three therefore added AU$2,500 to AU$3,000 to the price. That is roughly US$1,790 to US$2,170.
Launch Prices:
| Version | AUD | USD |
|---|---|---|
| 2 groups | AU$22,500 to AU$24,000 | US$16,050 to US$17,100 |
| 3 groups | AU$25,000 to AU$27,000 | US$17,840 to US$19,270 |
| Colour | No extra cost at launch | No extra cost at launch |
| US dealer listing (current) | Not listed | US$31,400 |
Di Pacci Coffee Company lists the Nexus One in the US at US$31,400, with tariffs and duties included. That is nearly double the converted launch price. The listing does not say which group count or dosing option the price covers.
At launch, any exterior colour cost nothing extra. Current dealer prices differ by region. Because of that, the launch figures are only a guide, and dealers quote the machine on request.
Where Can You Buy the Aremde Nexus One?
Buyers can buy the Aremde Nexus One through Aremde's global distributor network. The Aremde site lists its distributors, so a buyer starts there to find a local dealer.
Dealers include CMI in the United Arab Emirates and Hebbey in India. Di Pacci Coffee Company sells it in the United States. JasBlu distributes the machine in China.
The Aremde site publishes no price list. Dealers set their own prices.
The company is based at Unit 5, 93 Rivergate Place, Murarrie, Queensland. Phone 1300 211 173 reaches it during business hours.
Di Pacci ships across the US by air freight. Its listing says tariffs and duties are included and finance options are available. A US buyer should still confirm the US voltage setup before ordering.
Does the Aremde Nexus One Come With a Warranty?
Yes. The Aremde Nexus One comes with a two-year manufacturer warranty. The Aremde manual includes a commercial warranty section and a claim form.
The warranty is not a lifetime guarantee. It promises acceptable quality only when the machine is used as the manual says. A machine run outside those instructions falls outside the promise.
A US dealer, Di Pacci, states 12 to 24 months of warranty on new machines. The term on a given sale therefore depends on the dealer, so a buyer should confirm it in writing.
Aremde may ask for photo or video evidence of a fault. The company may also inspect the water conditions at any claim.
Claims go on a form sent to Aremdeco Pty Ltd in Murarrie.
Does the Aremde Nexus One Have Good Support?
Yes. The Aremde Nexus One has good support through Aremde, its dealers and a swap-module service. Aremde answers by email at info@aremde.com.au. The office opens 8am to 5pm Monday to Friday, Queensland time.
When a module has a problem, a replacement module goes in and the removed unit is sent away. Technicians service that unit at the warehouse. Emily Coumbis of Aremde says that means no loss of business.
The manual lists error codes and troubleshooting steps. An owner can look up what a code means and try the listed fixes. The machine also stores the last 10 alarms in its fault history.
Is the Aremde Nexus One Worth It?
Yes. The Aremde Nexus One is worth it for a cafe or hotel that wants a showpiece bar. It is not worth it for a home kitchen. The price and the 240 V supply rule that out.
The strengths are the open design, 0.2 degree group stability, Wexus weighing, modular service and the Australian build. Awards in 2019 back the design.
Pros:
- Open window design
- Group temperature held to 0.2 degrees Celsius
- Wexus weight-based dosing
- Swap-module servicing
Cons:
- Current US price near US$31,400
- 240 V supply at 25 or 40 amps
- US certification unconfirmed
- No independent tests
The weaknesses are the price, the power needs and the unconfirmed US certification. No independent tests exist either.
The machine price does not cover the electrician, the plumber or the water filter. Those jobs add to the total bill.
Who Should Buy the Aremde Nexus One?
Cafes, restaurants and hotels should buy the Aremde Nexus One when customers watch the barista work. Those sites push the design of the bar. They also need local service.
Home users and tight budgets should skip it. The same goes for buyers without a 240 V supply or a local Aremde dealer.
Some buyers want a different style of machine. Those who want a tap-style machine can look at Modbar or Mavam. Those who want branded panels can choose the Stylus One.
The Exploring Barista is reader-supported. Purchases made through links on this page may earn us an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you.