Takeaway: The Londinium R24 blends a traditional spring lever group with digitally controlled pre-infusion and a quiet 24-volt rotary pump that draws from a tank. You adjust pre-infusion pressure from 1.0 to 6.0 bar, the machine holds temperature without cooling flushes, and the architecture keeps the brew chamber isolated from the steam circuit once the lever is released. The result is lever character with pragmatic control. For a home bar that values sweet, structured espresso, fast steaming, and low-maintenance ownership, the R24 is a serious long-term platform.
At a Glance
- Format: Spring lever, heat exchanger and thermosiphon, 58 mm commercial group
- Boiler: 2.3 L pure copper, thermistor-regulated
- Pump: 24 V rotary pump drawing from the 3.0 L reservoir
- Pre-infusion: Digital, adjustable 1.0–6.0 bar via mobile app
- Water: Tank only, no plumb-in required
- Dimensions: 330 W × 540 D × 345 H mm to casing, 740 mm to top of lever
- Weight: Listed boxed weight 38 kg
- Power: 1400 W at 120 V, or 2400 W at 240 V
- Included: One wenge-handled portafilter, 16 g basket, BWT softening cartridge, app timer for on-off scheduling, 30-minute one-to-one live training session
These specifications come from the current product page.
What Makes the R24 Different
Most home levers rely on line pressure or fixed boiler pressure to wet the puck. The R24 uses a quiet 24 V rotary pump and a digital controller to set pre-infusion pressure from your phone, then holds that target during the wetting phase. You can move from a light roast at 5–6 bar to a darker roast at 2–3 bar in seconds, then pull the next shot without waiting for the group to change temperature. Londinium claims one parameter effectively steers three variables at once: pre-infusion pressure, brew temperature at the puck, and delivered volume. The claim aligns with lever physics. Higher pre-infusion velocity and pressure slightly raise group mass temperature and fill more headspace before the spring takes over.
You control pre-infusion and pump delay in the app, and you can schedule on-off events with a smart timer. That keeps the machine hot when you need it and reduces idle time when you do not.
Build, Materials, and Layout
The R24 follows a clean industrial plan:
- Boiler and hydraulics: A 2.3 L pure copper boiler with lead-free brass fittings, thermistor regulated since April 19, 2021. The heat exchanger feeds the lever group, while the thermosiphon circulates to stabilize the head between shots.
- Chassis and panels: Heavy stainless steel panels, mirror polished. Zintec steel chassis, powder coated to 3 mm, doubled to 6 mm at high-load points. Wenge hardwood on the lever handle and portafilter grips.
- Pump and water path: A 24 V rotary pump draws from a 3.0 L reservoir. That pump manages boiler fill and pre-infusion pressure. Londinium positions the rotary choice as durable and quiet.
- Brew group: Full-sized commercial 58 mm spring lever group. Once the lever is released, the brew chamber is isolated from the boiler. This prevents overheating the coffee water during extraction and is the reason you do not need a dual boiler on a lever design.
- Steam delivery: A four-hole tip ships standard. The copper volume and HX architecture keep steam dry and responsive for milk drinks.
Footprint is compact in width and depth for its class, but height matters. You need 740 mm of clearance to accommodate the lever’s arc. Boxed weight is listed at 38 kg, which translates to a stable machine on the counter and a delivery that benefits from a second person.
The App: What You Can Adjust
Londinium’s mobile control lets you change pre-infusion pressure and pump delay, and it adds a smart timer for multiple on-off events. The interface is designed for the R-series machines equipped with the transducer module and wireless dongle. In practice, pump delay coordinates how long the pump holds the puck at your chosen pre-infusion level before you let the spring run. Lower pre-infusion pressures pair with shorter delays. Higher pre-infusion targets benefit from longer delays to fully wet a dense bed. The controls live on your phone, so you are not opening the case to turn a screw.
How It Pulls a Shot
Warm-up: Londinium advises a full heat soak. Their page frames an hour as the conservative standard from cold start. You can schedule this with the app so the machine is hot when you wake. The claim that no cooling flush is required follows from the group design and the brew-chamber isolation during extraction. In daily use that translates to less ritual and more consistency.
Pre-infusion: Lift the lever to open the path. The rotary pump ramps to your set pre-infusion pressure, between 1.0 and 6.0 bar, and holds it for the configured delay. That pressure gently drives water into the puck while the headspace fills. This stage determines how easily the spring will begin flow and how the bed resists during the first seconds of extraction.
Expression: Release the lever. The spring takes over. Early pressure is highest, then falls along a smooth curve. Lever fans value this profile for its mix of upfront body and a sweet, clean finish. The R24 maintains group temperature without surf during normal cadence, which is why the workflow avoids cooling shots and warming shots.
Recovery: The heat exchanger keeps brew water fresh, and the copper boiler recovers steam quickly. The group does not overheat or cool off through consecutive shots in the way smaller groups can, which lets you run a short session without juggling flush routines.
Tuning by Coffee: How to Use Variable Pre-Infusion
Londinium makes a clear claim. Increase pre-infusion pressure for lighter roasts, decrease for darker roasts. This is a sensible starting point.
- Light roasts: Set pre-infusion around 5–6 bar with a moderate delay. The higher wetting pressure drives water into a dense puck, raises group mass temperature slightly, and helps avoid under-extracted, sour centers. Use a longer ratio, for example 18 g in, 40–45 g out, and ease the lever with a touch of pre-infusion to the first drips before release.
- Medium roasts: Start near 3–4 bar with a short delay. The goal is a syrupy, structured double at 1:2 with rich crema and balanced acidity.
- Dark roasts: Drop to 2–3 bar with a brief delay. The lower pre-wet pressure protects fragile structure and reduces the chance of channeling through softer cell walls. Keep ratios tight, for example 18 g in, 32–36 g out.
The advantage is speed. You can change the setting and pull the next shot immediately. The group temperature target does not need to drift to a new equilibrium, because you are not using brew temperature as the control dial. That keeps the machine focused on its lever strengths while giving you an efficient way to adapt to coffee.
Taste Performance
Lever signature: The R24 pours with the mouthfeel that defines springs. Expect a creamy first third with quick crema production, a sweet mid-palate that avoids bitterness, and a finish that cleans up as pressure tapers. The profile flatters blends built for cappuccinos and stands up to longer ratios for straight shots when you increase pre-infusion pressure and delay.
Clarity vs body: Variable pre-infusion gives you a flavor dial. Higher settings unlock more of the inner cup in light roasts, revealing citrus and florals while keeping a lever’s viscosity. Lower settings preserve chocolate and caramel on medium roasts without pushing fines. The machine’s claim that one parameter steers pre-infusion, apparent brew temperature, and yield plays out in the cup. Tuning is quick, repeatable, and legible.
Temperature stability in use: The group is designed to maintain working temperature without the cooling flush ritual found in some HX pump machines. That is not marketing fluff. The brew chamber is isolated from the steam boiler during expression, which keeps the coffee water from boiling while you pull. The thermistor-regulated boiler and thermosiphon loop stabilize the head between shots. You taste the effect as steadier shots in a session and fewer first-shot jitters.
Milk and Steaming
Steaming on the R24 feels commercial. The copper boiler volume is modest by café standards, yet the HX design and four-hole tip produce dry, fast steam. Microfoam forms quickly and predictably once you establish a small whirlpool. Switching from espresso to milk is immediate because extraction is lever-driven and silent once the pump finishes pre-infusion. The silence makes it easy to hear the stretch and roll phases of steaming, which improves texture if you are still refining latte art.
Ergonomics and Daily Workflow
Footprint and reach: Width and depth are manageable for a home counter. Height is the constraint. With the lever up, the R24 reaches 740 mm, which is tall under low cabinets. Measure the space before delivery.
Noise: The rotary pump is quiet and only runs during boiler fill and pre-infusion. Once the spring takes over, extractions are silent apart from the stream. That changes the feel of the kitchen compared with pump machines that run through the shot.
Controls and visibility: The group is open and legible. The spouts are easy to see. The four-hole steam tip responds quickly. The app keeps the face clean since there are no knobs or displays for pre-infusion on the panel. A 30-minute live video training session is included, which accelerates the first week of ownership.
Water management: The 3.0 L tank stretches refill intervals. Londinium includes a BWT softening cartridge that fits the reservoir. That protects the boiler in hard-water regions. You do not need to plumb in, which simplifies installation in rentals.
Heat-up routine: The product page frames a full hour to heat soak from cold. Use the app’s timer to stage wake-up. If you are home during the day, the machine is happy idling. The design intent is a pull-and-go routine with no cooling or warming flushes when you step back to the bar.
Maintenance and Support
Daily care: Wipe the group bell clean after it cools. Rinse the portafilter and basket with hot water. Purge and wipe the steam wand before and after use. There is no backflushing regimen like on three-way pump machines, which keeps cleaning simple.
Serviceability: Londinium emphasizes owner maintenance. The company offers video call support and maintains a knowledge base with self-help articles and manuals. Parts are shipped worldwide by express courier. That changes the long-term cost curve. Many repairs can be handled at home with standard tools.
Water quality: Use the included BWT cartridge or a tested recipe for modest hardness. Scale is the enemy of valves and copper boilers. Treat prevention as a feature, not a chore.
Specifications
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Architecture | Heat exchanger with thermosiphon, spring lever group |
| Boiler | 2.3 L pure copper, thermistor regulated from 19 Apr 2021 |
| Reservoir | 3.0 L tank, included BWT softening filter |
| Pump | 24 V rotary pump, reservoir-fed |
| Pre-infusion | 1.0–6.0 bar digital control, adjustable from mobile app |
| Group | 58 mm commercial group, brew chamber isolated during expression |
| Steam tip | Four-hole, fast texturing |
| Dimensions | 330 W × 540 D × 345 H mm to casing, 740 mm to lever top |
| Weight | Boxed 38 kg |
| Power | 1400 W 120 V or 2400 W 240 V |
| Exterior | Mirror-polished stainless panels, zintec chassis, wenge hardwood handles |
| Included | Portafilter with wenge handle, 16 g basket, BWT softening cartridge, live training session |
| App | Pre-infusion pressure, pump delay, smart timer with multiple events, wireless link |
| Figures per the official product page and app listing. |
Workflow: From Kettle to Cup
1) Schedule warm-up: Use the app timer to heat the machine before your session. The lever group and the thermosiphon benefit from a full soak.
2) Prep dose: For a balanced double, start with 18 g in a straight-walled 58 mm basket. Distribute carefully and tamp level. The R24 rewards good prep with lever-smooth flow.
3) Set pre-infusion: Choose a pressure for your coffee. Medium roasts land near 3–4 bar. Lighter roasts respond to 5–6 bar. Match pump delay to target. Shorter delays for lower targets, longer delays for higher targets.
4) Wet and release: Lift the lever. Watch for first pearls at the spouts. Hold briefly if needed. Release the lever and let the spring run. Aim for 36–40 g out in 28–35 seconds from first drips as a starting lens.
5) Steam: Purge, then steam milk with the four-hole tip. The copper boiler provides dry, durable steam. Pour and serve.
6) Reset: Purge the wand. Knock and rinse the basket. Wipe the bell when cool. No backflush routine needed. Pull the next shot without cooling or warming rituals.
How It Compares to Your Mental Model of a Lever
If you learned on a plumb-in lever with a fixed mechanical regulator, the R24’s digital pre-infusion feels familiar, only faster to adjust. If your baseline is an HX pump machine, the differences are bigger. You will not surf or flush. You will not listen to a pump during extraction. You will instead manage pre-infusion pressure, grind, and dose, then let the spring profile paint the rest. Londinium’s claim that the machine is pull and go is anchored in that simplicity. No cooling shots. No warming shots. No back-flushing. The app replaces a wrench. The lever replaces an over-busy control panel.
Critiques and Constraints
Warm-up time: The request to allow an hour from cold is realistic. Schedule it with the timer. If you need instant-on, a small saturated-group pump machine will feel quicker at first cup, although it will not give you a spring profile.
Height: The lever arc demands 740 mm of vertical clearance. This is not a low-cabinet toy. Plan your counter.
Tank-only design: Some buyers want a plumb-in bar with filtration and drain. The R24 is a tank machine by design. Londinium’s argument is simple. A rotary pump and digital pre-infusion give you the line-pressure benefits without drilling a benchtop. If you require a hard-plumbed install, look to their commercial models.
Learning curve: Lever cadence is a different feel. The app makes tuning fast, yet grind quality and distribution still decide success. That is the point. The machine rewards skill, then reduces fuss once you dial in.
Buying Notes
The product page lists the R24 at £3,083.33 excluding VAT, with regional power options and steam-arm side choice. One wenge-handled portafilter is included. You select bottomless, single spout, or double spout at purchase. A BWT medium softening cartridge ships in the box. The company includes a 30-minute live video training session and emphasizes worldwide parts support with express couriers. These are unusual buyer-experience details, and they matter for a machine that invites ownership for a decade.
Practical Recipes
Use these as disciplined starting points. Adjust pre-infusion and delay first, then grind.
- Balanced double, medium roast: 18 g in, 36–38 g out, pre-infusion 3.5 bar with a short delay. Lift to first pearls, release, total time 30–33 s from first drips. Syrupy body and steady crema.
- Modern clarity, light roast: 18 g in, 40–45 g out, pre-infusion 5.5 bar with a medium delay. Lift, hold to confident beading, release. Target 32–36 s from first drips. Bright, layered cup with a clean finish.
- Cappuccino base, blend: 18.5 g in, 32–34 g out, pre-infusion 3.0 bar with a brief delay. Soften acidity, emphasize texture. Steam milk immediately with a small pitcher for fine microfoam.
- Fast bar cadence: Pre-infusion 4.0 bar, short delay. Prep baskets in advance. The group stabilizes without cooling shots. Pull, steam, wipe, repeat.
Ownership Experience
Silence and feel: After the pump sets pre-infusion, extractions happen in near silence. The spring does the work, and you can hear the stream. That changes how you interact with the machine. You taste more, you listen more, and you watch the pour.
Low-friction routine: The absence of cooling and warming flushes keeps the ritual short and repeatable. The app’s timer means the machine is hot when you are, and asleep when you are not.
Support culture: The promise of video support, a large self-help knowledge base, and quick parts shipping speaks to a small manufacturer’s focus on long-term ownership. You feel that in how maintenance is framed. Replace a seal. Tighten a fitting. Carry on.
Scoring
Espresso Quality: 9.0/10
Lever geometry, strong thermal behavior, and adjustable pre-infusion combine for sweet, structured shots across roasts. The ability to change pre-infusion on the fly without thermal waiting makes dialing efficient.
Milk/Steam: 8.9/10
The copper HX and four-hole tip deliver fast, dry steam with reliable recovery. Milk texture is consistent and quick, which supports entertaining without equipment stress. (londinium)
Workflow & Ergonomics: 8.7/10
No cooling flushes, clean lever routine, quiet extractions, app timer for wake-up, and phone-based pre-infusion control. Height is the constraint. Warm-up from cold is not instant, although the timer neutralizes that.
Build & Reliability: 8.8/10
Copper boiler, stainless panels, robust chassis, and a calm rotary pump. Thermistor regulation and a mature HX architecture support long service life. The self-service model and parts logistics are strong.
Features: 8.6/10
Variable digital pre-infusion, mobile pump-delay control, app scheduling, and a well-designed steam circuit. Not plumb-in, by intent. The feature set is focused on doing lever espresso well rather than chasing automation.
Value: 8.5/10
Pricing reflects a handcrafted lever with real control and support. The included training and tank-only install reduce setup friction and total cost of ownership. If you value lever flavor and want fewer rituals between shots, the R24 justifies its place on a serious bar.
Overall: 8.8/10
Pros
- Variable 1.0–6.0 bar pre-infusion from a phone, with on-the-fly changes that do not require thermal resets.
- Quiet 24 V rotary pump and tank-only install that avoids plumbing work.
- No cooling or warming flush routine, with brew chamber isolation during expression.
- Four-hole steam that builds glossy microfoam quickly.
- Live video training, knowledge base, and parts logistics built for owner service.
Cons
- Full warm-up from cold is about an hour, so scheduling is important.
- Requires 740 mm of vertical clearance, which can challenge low cabinets.
- Tank-only architecture will not suit buyers who insist on a plumb-in bar.
Who It Is For
- Lever enthusiasts who want traditional spring extraction with modern control of pre-infusion from 1.0 to 6.0 bar.
- Home bars that need strong steaming and simple routines without flushing rituals.
- Owners who prefer to self-service with clear support, parts availability, and straightforward hydraulics.
Who It Is Not For
- Buyers who need a plumb-in machine with fixed line-pressure pre-infusion.
- Households with low-hanging cabinets that cannot accommodate a 740 mm lever arc.
- Users who want push-button volumetrics and pump-style automation.
Verdict
The Londinium R24 takes the elegance of a spring lever and gives you a real lever-appropriate control dial. Pre-infusion is no longer a set-and-forget regulator or a byproduct of plumbing. It becomes a clean, mobile setting that you adjust between coffees, then taste within a minute. The machine holds temperature without flushing routines, runs quietly once the lever rises, and steams milk with confidence. The tank-only design keeps installation simple, while the support structure and parts program invite owner maintenance.
If your goal is lever espresso with modern control and minimal fuss, the R24 is a bullseye. It respects tradition, then tightens it with digital pre-infusion and a silent rotary. It pulls the kind of sweet, structured shots lever fans chase, and it does so at a pace that suits daily workflows. Schedule warm-up, set your pre-infusion, and let the spring sing.
TL;DR: Classic spring lever taste with adjustable pre-infusion from 1–6 bar, no cooling flush ritual, strong steam, and a quiet tank-fed rotary pump. App control and live training shorten the learning curve. Measure your cabinets, schedule your heat-up, and enjoy lever espresso that is both forgiving and precise.