MIROX AC-517E Espresso Coffee Maker: A Lightweight and User-Friendly Coffee Making Solution

Published on Dec. 16, 2023, 11:20 a.m.

MIROX Brand Overview

Before diving into the details of the MIROX AC-517E Espresso Coffee Maker, let’s take a moment to understand the brand behind the product. MIROX has a reputation for creating innovative and reliable kitchen appliances, focusing on user experience and product quality. Their commitment to incorporating user feedback in product development is evident in the AC-517E model, which is a result of extensive user research and trials. Understanding this background provides a foundation for appreciating the features and design of the AC-517E Espresso Coffee Maker.

The MIROX AC-517E Espresso Coffee Maker offers a lightweight yet powerful coffee making solution for home use. With its integrated conical burr grinder and milk frothing wand, this all-in-one machine aims to provide a premium coffee shop experience in the comfort of your own home. Let’s take a closer look at what makes this espresso coffee maker stand out.

Overview

The MIROX AC-517E Espresso Coffee Maker features a silver ABS housing that is both lightweight and durable, with dimensions of 14 x 15 x 19 inches. It has a 2 liter removable water tank and a powerful 1450W heating system capable of 15 bars of pressure. The integrated conical burr grinder allows you to freshly grind beans right before brewing, with 15 grind size settings to choose from. A manual steam wand creates perfectly frothed milk for lattes and cappuccinos.

Key Features

The MIROX AC-517E Espresso Coffee Maker is packed with features that elevate your coffee brewing experience:

  • Integrated Conical Burr Grinder: Grind your beans fresh for optimal flavor with 15 adjustable settings.
  • Powerful Performance: 15 bars of pressure and precise temperature control ensure consistently delicious espresso.
  • Versatile Brewing: Create espressos, cappuccinos, lattes, and more with ease.
  • User-Friendly Design: Intuitive controls and a lightweight, durable build make this machine a joy to use.

 MIROX AC-517E Espresso Coffee Maker

Design and Material

The MIROX AC-517E’s modern and sleek design is not only visually appealing but also practical. Its silver ABS housing not only gives it a contemporary look but also offers benefits in terms of weight and durability. ABS plastic is known for its resistance to corrosion and impact, which makes the espresso maker a long-lasting addition to any kitchen. Additionally, the choice of material reflects MIROX’s commitment to innovation and sustainability, as ABS is a recyclable material, aligning with eco-friendly practices.

 MIROX AC-517E Espresso Coffee Maker

Ease of Use

With easy tactile buttons controlling all functions, the MIROX AC-517E Espresso Coffee Maker simplifies the coffee making process. The integrated grinder allows freshly ground beans at the perfect consistency for flavorful espresso. The steam wand makes frothing milk easy, whether for lattes or cappuccinos.

 MIROX AC-517E Espresso Coffee Maker

All-in-One Coffee Making Solution

The MIROX AC-517E is truly an all-in-one coffee making solution. With its integrated grinder, brewing capabilities, and milk frothing wand, you have everything you need to create a variety of coffee drinks from the comfort of your home. This eliminates the need for multiple appliances, saving you counter space and streamlining your coffee routine.

 MIROX AC-517E Espresso Coffee Maker

15 Bars of Pressure

The 15 bar pressure pump ensures optimal extraction of espresso, resulting in a rich crema and full-bodied flavor. This level of pressure is comparable to professional espresso machines, allowing you to achieve café-quality results at home.

Precise Temperature Control (PID)

The MIROX AC-517E utilizes PID (Proportional-Integral-Derivative) technology to maintain precise temperature control during the brewing process. This ensures that the water is heated to the optimal temperature for espresso extraction, resulting in a consistent and flavorful cup every time.

Low-Pressure Pre-Infusion

The MIROX AC-517E incorporates a low-pressure pre-infusion process. Before the full 15 bars of pressure are applied, a gentle stream of water pre-wets the coffee grounds. This pre-infusion allows the coffee to bloom, releasing trapped gases and ensuring a more even extraction. The result is a smoother, more balanced espresso with reduced bitterness and enhanced flavor clarity.

Intuitive Button Controls

The MIROX AC-517E features a simple and intuitive button interface, making it easy to operate even for beginners. The buttons are clearly labeled and responsive, and the LED display provides feedback on the brewing process.

Cup Warmer

The MIROX AC-517E features a cup warmer on top of the machine. This thoughtful addition helps to keep your cups warm, ensuring that your espresso or coffee stays hot for longer. A warm cup also helps to maintain the crema, the flavorful layer of foam on top of espresso.

 MIROX AC-517E Espresso Coffee Maker

Milk Frothing

The powerful steam wand on the MIROX AC-517E Espresso Coffee Maker lets you manually froth milk to create microfoam for latte art or hot milk for cappuccinos. The rubber grip makes it easy to position the pitcher for optimal froth.

Manual Micro-Foam Milk Texture

The MIROX AC-517E’s steam wand is designed for creating microfoam, the velvety smooth milk texture essential for latte art and creamy cappuccinos. The manual control allows you to experiment and perfect your frothing technique, giving you the freedom to create your desired milk consistency. Whether you prefer a dense, creamy foam or a lighter, airy texture, the steam wand empowers you to achieve your desired results.

Integrated Conical Burr Grinder

The built-in conical burr grinder is a standout feature of the MIROX AC-517E. Unlike blade grinders that chop beans unevenly, burr grinders crush them consistently, resulting in a more flavorful and aromatic cup of coffee. The 15 grind settings allow you to customize the grind size to your preference, whether you prefer a fine grind for espresso or a coarser grind for drip coffee.

2 Liter Removable Water Tank

The large 2-liter water tank means you can brew multiple cups of coffee without having to refill it constantly. The removable design makes it easy to clean and refill, and the transparent window allows you to monitor the water level.

Safety Features

Safety is a priority with the MIROX AC-517E. It includes an overheating protection feature that automatically shuts off the machine if it gets too hot, and an auto shut-off function that turns off the machine after a period of inactivity.

Power

It has a powerful 1450 watt heating system and requires standard 120V household outlets.

Other Features

  • Low-Pressure Pre-Infusion: Gently soaks the coffee grounds before extraction for a more balanced flavor.
  • Manual Micro-Foam Milk Texture: Create professional-quality microfoam for latte art.
  • Extractable Feedback Pressure Gauge: Monitor extraction pressure for consistent results.
  • Manual Removable Magnetic Tamper: Easily tamp your coffee grounds for optimal extraction.
  • Cup Warmer: Keep your cups warm for a better coffee experience.

Origin & Launch

The MIROX AC-517E Espresso Coffee Maker is designed and manufactured by MIROX. It was launched in August 2022.

 MIROX AC-517E Espresso Coffee Maker

Use Cases

The MIROX AC-517E Espresso Coffee Maker is ideal for:

  • Espresso aficionados who want flavorful shots
  • Coffee drinkers who enjoy milk-based drinks like cappuccinos
  • Those seeking an all-in-one machine for grinding, brewing, and frothing

User Feedback

Looking at reviews from verified purchasers provides insightful feedback from real-world experience with the MIROX AC-517E Espresso Coffee Maker. While a few shortcomings exist, overall customers are pleased with this espresso machine’s performance and value.

The majority of reviews rate the MIROX AC-517E Espresso Coffee Maker highly for making delicious, café-quality coffee and espresso drinks. Users mention the convenience of having a built-in grinder for freshly ground beans, which takes their home brews to the next level. The powerful steaming produces the silky microfoam needed for making frothy cappuccinos and lattes complete with decorative latte art. Customers also appreciate the large 2 liter water tank that needs less frequent refills.

Several users did note an initial learning curve, with the included instructions being quite minimal. However, once they got the hang of the grinding, tamping, and brewing process, the machine became easy and intuitive to operate. A few found the portafilter a tight fit under the grinder, requiring a guiding hand when grinding directly into it. Others were caught off guard by some plastic components, expecting metal, but found the performance uncompromised.

Regarding downsides, a couple users experienced issues like grinders failing or steaming power decreasing over time. MIROX seems responsive about replacing defective units under their 1 year warranty. Some thought the footprint was larger than expected. Many were pleased that the machine still squeezes under their kitchen cabinets.

Overall, the consensus is that the MIROX AC-517E Espresso Coffee Maker punches far above its weight class, producing coffee shop quality beverages at a fraction of the cost. For home baristas on a budget, it’s an incredible value. Customers found the few shortcomings easy to overlook given the tasty brews and affordable price point.

Pros & Cons

Pros: Integrated grinder, lightweight design, steam wand, PID temp control, easy to use buttons, 1-year warranty

Cons: Plastic accessories, large footprint, instructions could be better

Value

With its built-in grinder and steaming capabilities, the MIROX AC-517E Espresso Coffee Maker offers tremendous value for money. It produces café-style drinks at a fraction of the cost.

Conclusion

With its integrated grinder, 15 bar pressure pump, steam wand, and precise PID temperature control, the MIROX AC-517E Espresso Coffee Maker provides exceptional homemade espresso and milk-based drinks. Its lightweight body and simple interface also make it an accessible and user-friendly machine. For those seeking café-quality coffee with ease and convenience, the MIROX AC-517E Espresso Coffee Maker is a recommended choice.

Future Outlook

As we look to the future, the coffee machine industry is poised for further innovation, with trends leaning towards more sustainable and smart technology-integrated products. MIROX, with its focus on user-centric design and technological advancement, is well-positioned to continue as a leader in this space. The AC-517E Espresso Coffee Maker, with its blend of modern design, advanced features, and user-friendly interface, exemplifies the direction in which the industry is headed. Consumers can expect to see more products that prioritize environmental sustainability, connectivity, and personalized coffee experiences in the coming years.

Box Contents

The MIROX AC-517E Espresso Coffee Maker box includes:

  • Main espresso machine unit
  • Portafilter
  • Single & double shot filter baskets
  • Coffee tamper
  • Measuring scoop
  • Cleaning brush
  • Milk frothing pitcher
  • Water filtration softener

Specifications

  • Brand: MIROX
  • Model Number: AC-517E
  • Dimensions: 14”D x 15”W x 19”H
  • Weight: 18 pounds
  • Material: ABS plastic
  • Water Tank Capacity: 2 liters
  • Bean Hopper Capacity: 250g
  • Power: 1450 watts
  • Grinder: Integrated conical burr grinder
  • Grind Settings: 15 levels
  • Pressure: 15 bars
  • Steam Wand: Manual microfoam steam wand
  • Temperature Control: Digital PID
  • Filter Types: Pressurized portafilter, non-pressurized single and double shot baskets
  • Warranty: 1 year
  • Included Accessories: Portafilter, filter baskets, tamper, measuring scoop, cleaning brush, milk frothing pitcher, water filtration softener