I already own an espresso machine that I love, so I wasn’t exactly in the market for another one.
But then the VIOMI T1B Pro turned up in my kitchen, and it did something my trusty DeLonghi Dedica doesn’t. It makes cold brew. With the press of a button. On a touchscreen.
So here’s my honest VIOMI T1B Pro review: what I loved, what I didn’t, and one very strange first coffee that tasted like a cleaning cupboard. If you’re after a feature-packed espresso machine for less than £120, keep reading, because there’s a lot to like here, and a few things you should know before you buy.
Disclosure: This machine was gifted to me by VIOMI, but all words and opinions here are my own.
What is the VIOMI T1B Pro?
The VIOMI T1B Pro is a compact, semi-automatic espresso machine with a silver finish and a colour touchscreen on the front. It’s slim at 15.6cm wide, so it won’t take over your worktop, and it comes with a built-in steam wand for frothing milk.
Here’s the quick spec, so we can get the numbers out of the way:
- Price: £119.99
- Width: 15.6cm (31cm deep, 31.7cm tall)
- Weight: 3.4kg
- Pump pressure: 20 bar (VIOMI says extraction runs at 9 bar)
- Water tank: 1.1 litres, removable
- Portafilter: 51mm
- Takes: Ground coffee or coffee capsules
- Drinks: Single espresso, double espresso, Americano, cold brew, steam
- Cup memory: 40ml to 120ml
- Warranty: 2 years
In the box you get a ground coffee portafilter with single and double filters, a separate capsule portafilter for pods, a plastic tamper and a coffee spoon. So you can get going straight away without buying extras, which I always appreciate.
NOTE: it does not come with a jug for frothing milk. That would be a separate purchase.
What I love about the VIOMI T1B Pro
So many options for the money
Most machines at this price give you an espresso and a steam wand, and that’s your lot. The T1B Pro gives you a proper menu, displayed on a fancy looking touch screen.
You can choose a single espresso, a double espresso, or an Americano, all from the touchscreen. Want a longer, gentler coffee in the morning? Americano. Need something stronger for a sluggish afternoon? Double espresso. No fiddling and no guessing.
And then there’s the cold brew setting.
I don’t see many coffee machines with a cold brew button, so I had a lot of fun playing about with this one. Normally cold brew means steeping coffee in the fridge overnight and straining it the next day. Here, it’s a button. If you love an iced coffee on a warm afternoon (or, let’s be honest, in October because you’re a rebel), or an after hours espresso martini, it’s a really fun extra.
The clean feature is actually easy to find
Hands up if you’ve ever owned a coffee machine where the clean or descale function is hidden behind a secret handshake. Hold this button, then that button, then wait for a flashing light, then consult the manual and sigh.
The T1B Pro doesn’t do that. The clean mode is right there on the screen and takes a tap to start. It sounds like such a small thing, but it makes you far more likely to actually look after your machine, which means it should last longer. Smart.
A slim water tank that holds a lot
The tank is slim, so it doesn’t bulk out the machine, but it still holds a generous 1.1 litres. That’s plenty of coffees before you need to refill it, and the tank lifts out, so you can carry it to the sink rather than pouring awkwardly from a jug.
One tip from VIOMI’s own instructions that’s worth passing on: there’s a little red seal on the bottom of the water tank, and you need to take it off before first use. Otherwise the machine won’t draw water properly. Easy to miss, easy to fix.
Ground coffee or coffee pods
I love that you can use either. The machine comes with two portafilters, one for ground coffee and one for capsules.
On busy mornings, pods are brilliant. You pop one in, press a button and get on with your day. On slower weekends, you can grind your favourite beans, tamp them down and make it feel like a little ritual. Having both options in one slim machine means it suits whatever kind of day you’re having.
An excellent machine for less than £120
For £119.99 you get a touchscreen, four drink options, a steam wand, a capsule portafilter and a ground coffee portafilter. That’s a lot of machine for the money, and it fits the “everyday luxury” idea perfectly. It feels like a treat, but it’s well within reach.
What I didn’t love
I’d be doing you a disservice if I only told you the good stuff. Here’s what bothered me.
It takes a few minutes to heat up
This is probably my biggest niggle. It takes a good few minutes to get up to temperature before you can pour a coffee. If you’re someone who stumbles into the kitchen and needs caffeine immediately, you’ll feel those minutes.
My workaround is simple: switch it on first, then do the other morning jobs while it warms up. Feed the cat, unload the dishwasher, find your slippers. By the time you’re back, it’s ready. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it’s worth knowing before you buy, particularly if you’re used to a machine that’s ready in seconds.
it does let you turn on the machine, and select your coffee option before it’s up to temperature. And it will then automatically start pouring, and do 5 little beeps once it’s done so you know it’s ready. So it’s not like you have to come back to it and do extra steps, it just takes about a minute longer than I’m used to. And once you’ve made your first coffee, the second one just takes a few seconds to pour.
The portafilter fills with water
This one is a bit odd. After I make a coffee, I don’t get a neat, firm coffee puck in the portafilter. Instead it’s more of a puddle of really runny coffee grounds.
I’m not sure whether that’s just how this machine works or whether it’s down to my grind and tamp, and I’m still experimenting. It does make knocking out the grounds far messier than I’d like, so keep a bin or a bowl handy. I’ll update this post if I work out why.
My first coffee tasted of chemicals
I’m sure this is a one-off, but I have to tell you about it.
When I first got the machine, I ran the clean mode (with no cleaning products, just water) and then made myself a coffee. It absolutely stank of chemicals, and it tasted just as strongly of them. Not a hint. A full-on cleaning cupboard.
I ended up running the clean mode four more times in a row before the smell started to fade. So that’s at least five clean cycles before the machine was properly usable.
I suspect it’s just leftover residue from the factory, and it hasn’t been a problem since. But if you get yours and your first coffee smells odd, don’t panic and don’t drink it. Just keep running the clean cycle until everything tastes and smells normal. If it doesn’t, get in touch with the seller.
The mystery black flap
This one is more of a head-scratcher than a complaint. Both portafilter handles have a little black plastic flap on them, and I can’t work out what it’s for. It doesn’t seem to do anything when I use the machine.
If you know what it’s for, please tell me in the comments, because it’s driving me slightly mad.
VIOMI T1B Pro tips for first-time users
- Remove the red seal from the bottom of the water tank before you do anything else.
- Run the clean cycle before your first coffee, and be prepared to run it a few times.
- Switch it on early, because it takes a few minutes to heat up.
- Keep a bowl handy for knocking out the wet grounds.
- Use the cup memory to set your favourite coffee volume, anywhere between 40ml and 120ml.
Who is the VIOMI T1B Pro for?
I’d recommend it if:
- You want lots of drink options without spending a fortune
- You like the idea of cold brew or iced coffee at home
- You want the choice between ground coffee and pods
- You have a small kitchen and want something slim
- You like a touchscreen and a simple clean function
I’d think twice if:
- You need your coffee the second you wake up
- You’re fussy about a tidy, firm coffee puck
- You want a machine with a long track record behind it, as this one is newer
How does it fit in my kitchen?
I’ll say this plainly: I already own a DeLonghi Dedica and I love it. The VIOMI wasn’t supposed to replace it. However it has came far close than I thought it would. I’ll be putting the two head to head in a full comparison review soon, so keep an eye out for that. Because let’s be honest, I can only really have one coffee machine in my kitchen at a time.
Is the VIOMI T1B Pro worth it?
For the price, yes. At £119.99 you’re getting far more variety than I’d expect from an espresso machine this size, and the cold brew setting makes it feel a bit special. The easy clean button is a genuinely thoughtful touch.
It’s not perfect. The heat-up time is slow, my portafilter ends up with a puddle rather than a puck, and I had a very off-putting first coffee. But none of those put me off, and most feel like quirks you can work around.
If you want a budget-friendly machine with a bit of personality, it’s well worth a look.
FAQs
How much is the VIOMI T1B Pro?
£119.99. Stock can vary between sellers, so check availability before you set your heart on it.
Does the VIOMI T1B Pro make cold brew?
Yes, it has a dedicated cold brew setting on the touchscreen, so you don’t need to steep coffee overnight.
Can I use coffee pods in the VIOMI T1B Pro?
Yes. It comes with a separate capsule portafilter as well as a ground coffee one, so you can use either. Capsules aren’t included.
How big is the water tank?
1.1 litres, and it’s removable for easy filling and cleaning.
Why does my first coffee smell of chemicals?
Mine did too. I ran the clean cycle (water only) five times before it was usable. If the smell doesn’t fade, contact the seller.
Why won’t my VIOMI T1B Pro draw water?
Check the red seal on the bottom of the water tank. It needs to be removed before first use.
How long does the VIOMI T1B Pro take to heat up?
On mine, maybe two and a half minutes. I switch it on first and do something else while it warms up.
I’ll update this post as I use the machine more. In the meantime, tell me in the comments if you’ve got one and what you make with the cold brew setting.
You can find more tech reviews over here.
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If you like the sort of recommendation that still holds up six months later, leave your email below and I'll write to you on Sunday.
Most Sundays, once the house has gone quiet and it's edging towards nine, a letter goes out. It's the one I'd write to a friend with good taste and not nearly enough time: one thing worth reading, one thing worth buying, and one thing to skip. No noise, no pressure to spend, just the considered version of what I've actually been using, loving, or quietly sending back.
