Takeaway
VBM’s Domobar Single Boiler Digital is the smallest member of the Domobar line, built for the home barista who wants a real E61 group, clean digital control, and a small footprint without jumping into heat exchangers or dual boilers. You get a 0.5 L single boiler, vibration pump, 58 mm group, a 128×64 OLED with capacitive keys, a front pressure gauge, and a sensor-monitored water tank. Warm-up is quick for a boiler machine and the workflow is straightforward: brew, then steam, then cool back to brew. If you like metal, mechanical feedback, and a tidy interface that lets you set temperature from the front, the Domobar Digital delivers exactly that. The official brochure confirms the E61 group, OLED interface, single-boiler layout, 0.5 L capacity, 1400 W heating, and the compact size and weight; multiple retailers corroborate brew-temperature control from the display and the tank-sensor setup.
At-a-Glance Specs
- Type: Single-boiler, dual-use
- Boiler: 0.5 L, electronically regulated, single circuit
- Group: VBM E61 thermosiphon group, manual lever, 58 mm filter diameter
- Interface: 128×64 px OLED with capacitive keyboard, 40 mm front pressure gauge
- Pump: Vibration
- Water: Sensor-monitored reservoir, commonly quoted at 1.7 L in recent listings
- Wand: One multidirectional wand for steam and hot water
- Power: 1400 W, 240 V 50/60 Hz in EU models
- Dimensions and weight: 22 W × 40 D × 37 H cm, 15 kg
Specs above are consolidated from VBM’s 2021 Domobar brochure and current EU retailer listings.
Price and Availability
- European Union: recent pricing around €1,315 for the Single Boiler Digital, with color upcharges on some sites.
- United Kingdom: typically about £1,249 at specialist shops when in stock.
- North America: distribution is patchier than the Junior and Super lines. Expect to order from EU retailers or regional importers if you want the single-boiler model specifically. This tracks with the current mix of US shops focusing on Junior HX and Super DB machines rather than the Single Boiler Digital.
Expect rotating colors and replaceable side panels on the “New Edition” units. VBM emphasizes the color options and user-swappable panels in its Domobar line materials.
Build
Materials and layout
The chassis is stainless, the group is VBM’s E61 with thermosiphon circulation and a mechanical preinfusion chamber, and the face is clean: OLED in the middle, a small pressure gauge, rocker functions, and a single steam tap. The brochure lists the same E61 hardware on both the Analogic and Digital versions and documents the OLED display and capacitive keys on the Digital.
VBM publishes the compact case at 22 cm wide, 40 cm deep, and 37 cm tall, with a listed 15 kg mass. The machine feels planted on the bench when you lock in a 58 mm portafilter. Power is 1400 W on EU models, which aligns with the small boiler and the quick transitions you see in daily use.
Boiler, group, and tank
This is a 0.5 L single boiler that handles both brew and steam. VBM’s own materials specify “single stage boiler” operation with dedicated controls to dispense coffee, steam, and water separately. That matters for daily rhythm and safety, and it also signals that hot water comes through the wand rather than a separate tap. Retailers add that temperature is electronically regulated from the panel. Several European listings also note a no-burn wand on current stock and give a tank capacity around 1.7 L under the cup tray.
Electronics and UI
The OLED is not fluff. It is how you set brew temperature and manage machine status. VBM’s brochure calls out the 128×64 OLED with a capacitive keyboard, and retailers confirm you can adjust coffee temperature from the screen. The front 40 mm gauge gives you immediate hydraulic feedback during extraction, which is more useful than a marketing screen saver.
Workflow
Heat-up and readiness
The draw of a compact boiler machine with an E61 is the balance of feel and speed. You are not waiting for a big HX or dual-boiler mass to soak. Warm up with the portafilter parked in the group so that the brass is hot by the time the PID-style control reaches setpoint. Pull a quick blank rinse to settle the dispersion path and heat your cup. VBM’s single-boiler description and the E61 thermosiphon group are the pieces that make this routine effective.
Temperature control
Set a sensible brew temperature on the OLED and leave it. Electronic regulation stabilizes the brew loop in a home context. If you switch between roast levels, use one or two degree nudges rather than jumping around. The machine does not offer the more lavish shot-timer or countdown modes found on some competitors, but the combination of digital setpoint and a front gauge gives you enough information to standardize your process. Retailers explicitly state temperature adjustment from the panel on the Digital trim.
Brew–steam–brew cadence
You brew first, then press steam, then return to brew. The small boiler rises to steam pressure quickly, but it is still a single-boiler rhythm. Purge until you have dry steam, texture your milk, then cut steam and run a short cooling flush through the group so the boiler drops back into the brew zone. VBM’s single-stage boiler description is clear that coffee, steam, and water are dispensed separately by dedicated controls. This sequencing is the right way to keep shot flavor consistent.
Tank and alerts
The water reservoir sits under the cup tray and is monitored by a level sensor. EU retailers list 1.7 L capacity for the current New Edition and call out tank and drip-tray warnings on screen. You do not have to guess when the tray is full or when you are about to starve the pump.
Espresso Performance
Pressure and flow
With a clean puck and a decent basket, the machine delivers steady extractions. The gauge shows the pump’s rise to the expansion-valve ceiling and the natural relax as the puck opens. Treat the gauge as feedback on puck resistance, not as a scoreboard. The combination of an E61 with mechanical preinfusion and an electronically regulated brew loop is what keeps the start of flow calm and predictable on medium roasts. VBM documents the group’s preinfusion chamber and the front gauge hardware.
Temperature behavior in the cup
Small single boilers used to mean surfing thermostats. The Digital sidesteps that with electronic regulation. In practice, you set 93 to 94 C for medium roasts and step up a degree for medium-light espresso roasts. Because the group is an E61 thermosiphon, you still benefit from a brief pre-shot rinse and a steady cadence, but you are not chasing a heating-cycle window. Retailers confirm that coffee temperature is set from the display rather than by internal thermostat tweakery.
Flavor expectations
Baseline recipe: 18 g in, 36 g out, 25 to 30 seconds. On a medium roast you should see syrupy shots with clear chocolate, nut, and a clean finish. On a medium-light espresso roast, a single-degree bump and a short preinfusion lever dwell will pull more fruit without losing body. The machine’s feedback loop is simple: time on the scale, mass in the cup, pressure on the gauge, and taste. You have enough control to lock in a repeatable routine without an accessory timer.
Shot-to-shot pace
The Digital keeps up with a normal household rhythm. Pull one or two back-to-back shots with no drama. If you mix in milk, plan on brew, steam one pitcher, then cool back to brew for the next shot. The small boiler makes that round trip quickly, and the OLED removes guesswork on temperature as you return to coffee. VBM’s single-stage boiler description mirrors this reality and is the right way to think about daily pace.
Milk Steaming
Power and feel
A 0.5 L boiler gives you real steam for one drink at a time. You will not blast a 600 ml pitcher, but you will get dry, controllable steam on a 150 to 200 ml pitcher at a comfortable pace. EU listings for the New Edition call out a no-burn wand on current stock, which helps with handling and cleanup. The sequence is the same each time: heat to steam, purge wet condensate, texture, then cool back to brew.
Technique tips
- Purge generously before you start so you are not injecting water.
- Keep aeration short with the tip just under the surface, then set a clean roll.
- Cut steam at your finish temperature and immediately wipe and purge the wand.
- Drop back to coffee mode and pull a brief cooling flush through the group before your next shot.
The Digital’s small boiler recovers quickly, which makes practicing microfoam easier than on many thermostat-controlled singles.
Maintenance and Water
Daily and weekly care
Backflush with water after a session. Run a detergent backflush weekly with a blind basket because the brew circuit uses a three-way valve. Wipe and purge the wand every time you steam. Empty the tray before it rides high. The Domobar documentation and data sheets emphasize safety, cleaning, and the single-boiler valve logic, and the on-screen tray warnings on the Digital help you build the habit.
Descale and protect
Small copper or brass boilers scale if you feed them hard water. Keep hardness in a safe band and descale on a schedule that matches your source. VBM’s downloadable manuals and brochures cover installation cautions and service guidance. If your tap water is hard, treat the reservoir or feed bottled water with known composition.
Parts and service
VBM’s Domobar family has been around for decades, and the parts ecosystem is healthy across the EU. Common items such as elements, probes, gaskets, and wands are stocked by multiple shops. That depth of support matters if you keep machines long term.
Real-World Workflow You Can Count On
- Warm-up
Lock in the portafilter, power on, and let the group heat soak. When the OLED indicates brew temperature, run a short blank to stabilize the path. VBM’s single-boiler and E61 documentation are the basis for this sequence. - Pull the shot
18 g in, 36 g out, 25–30 seconds. Watch the gauge rise and settle. Use the display to hold a fixed brew setpoint. Retailers confirm panel-based temperature control on the Digital trim. - Steam a pitcher
Toggle steam, wait for ready, purge, texture a 150–200 ml pitcher to 60–65 C, then wipe and purge. EU listings note no-burn wands on current stock, which changes handling more than performance. - Return to brew
Toggle back, then run a short cooling flush. The small boiler drops to brew temperature quickly and the setpoint is visible on screen. VBM’s own “single stage boiler” description is precisely this workflow.
Competitive Set
Profitec GO
Another compact, digitally controlled single-boiler. 0.3 L brass boiler, front pump-pressure gauge, adjustable OPV under the cup tray, shot timer on the PID screen. If you want a timer and the quickest pressure-ceiling adjustment in this class, GO is compelling. It lacks a dedicated hot-water function and uses a lighter ring group instead of an E61.
ECM Casa V
Single-boiler with ring group, front gauge, and easy OPV access, but no PID. Warm-up is quick and build quality is excellent. Choose Casa V if you want hands-on thermostat surfing and a very simple interface rather than digital setpoints.
Lelit Victoria PL91T
Single-boiler with 58 mm hardware and Lelit’s LCC. PID brew and steam temperature, programmable preinfusion, and on-screen time display depending on firmware. If you like small but still want menu-set preinfusion and a very clear panel, Victoria is a strong neighbor.
Bezzera BZ09
Single-boiler with a 0.5 L copper boiler and an electrically heated BZ group. No PID and no timer, but quick to heat and very sturdy. Choose BZ09 if you want a simple mechanical routine with a heated group and you do not mind internal thermostat adjustments.
VBM Domobar Junior HX Digital
Same design language in a heat-exchanger package. Brew and steam at the same time, bigger boiler, and a larger case. If milk drinks dominate at home and you like VBM’s look, the Junior is the step up.
Where the Domobar Single Boiler Digital fits: it is for people who value an E61 feel, compact size, and panel-set temperature without the pace or complexity of HX and dual-boiler platforms.
Scores
- Build and materials: 8.5/10
Stainless chassis, VBM E61 group, 58 mm path, compact case, and a clean front gauge. User-swappable color panels give you room to personalize. The OLED is simple and durable. - Workflow and usability: 8.7/10
Fast readiness for a boiler single, clear temperature setting on the panel, simple brew–steam–brew sequencing, and sensible alerts for tank and tray. The one-wand layout keeps the footprint tight. - Espresso consistency: 8.6/10
Electronic temperature regulation plus an E61 with mechanical preinfusion makes for calm starts and repeatable shots. The gauge helps you keep puck resistance honest. - Milk steaming: 7.8/10
Capable for one drink at a time with quick recovery for a second after a short pause. The no-burn wand on current stock improves handling. It is not a milk bar and does not pretend to be one. - Maintenance and serviceability: 8.2/10
Straightforward cleaning, weekly detergent backflushing, clear documentation, and strong EU parts availability. Descale intervals depend on your water. - Value: 8.4/10
Around €1.3k in the EU and roughly £1.25k in the UK for an E61 single-boiler with digital control and a modern interface is fair in 2025, especially if the colors you want are in stock. Availability in the US is limited, which can shift the calculus for North American buyers. - Overall rating: 8.4/10
A compact, digitally controlled E61 that behaves like a tool. If you accept a single-boiler pace, it rewards you with stable shots and clean steam in a small footprint.
Final Verdict
VBM’s Domobar Single Boiler Digital brings modern control to a classic format and keeps the external footprint small. The E61 group is the familiar anchor. The OLED gives you a real setpoint instead of a ritual. The front gauge makes puck resistance visible. The boiler is small by design and that is the point. Brew a shot or two, steam a pitcher, and cool back to brew. The tank sensor and tray warning reduce daily friction. The side panels let you choose a look you want to live with.
If your household is one or two drinks at a time and you prefer an E61 feel over lightweight thermoblocks, the Digital lands cleanly. If you want to blast back-to-back milk drinks, move to the Domobar Junior HX. If you want a shot timer and the simplest external OPV tweak, cross-shop Profitec GO. If you want menu preinfusion and a different UI style, look at Lelit Victoria. Nothing here is pretending to be a café. It is a compact, stabilized E61 platform with just enough brains to run on repeat. The published specs, interface, and pricing story line up cleanly across VBM’s brochure and well-documented EU retailer listings.
TL;DR
A compact, stainless E61 single-boiler with a 0.5 L boiler, 58 mm group, OLED control of brew temperature, a front pressure gauge, and a sensor-monitored tank. It warms quickly for a boiler machine, steams one drink cleanly, and returns to brew with a short cooling flush. If you like an E61 feel and want digital temperature control without jumping to an HX or dual-boiler, the Domobar Single Boiler Digital is a tidy choice.
Pros
- E61 group with mechanical preinfusion in a compact case
- OLED interface with panel-set brew temperature
- Useful front pump-pressure gauge
- Sensor-monitored reservoir and drip-tray warnings
- Interchangeable side panels and multiple colors
- Clean, controllable steam for one drink
Cons
- Single-boiler sequencing slows multi-drink milk service
- No built-in shot timer
- US availability is inconsistent compared with Junior and Super lines
- Tank capacity is not published by VBM and varies by retailer listing
Who It Is For
Home baristas who want a compact, metal-forward E61 machine with digital temperature control and clear feedback, and who are comfortable with a brew-then-steam rhythm. If you mostly drink straight shots or make occasional cappuccinos, and you prefer a simple, durable interface over extra screens and profiles, this machine fits neatly.
Variant and Buying Notes
- Model family: Domobar is the entry model in VBM’s Home line; step up to Domobar Junior for HX and simultaneous brew and steam, or to Domobar Super for dual boilers and more advanced controls.
- Display and control: Digital trim uses a 128×64 OLED with capacitive keys. Retailers confirm panel-based coffee-temperature adjustment. Avoid conflating this OLED with the larger TFT used on Super variants.
- Water tank: The reservoir is sensor-monitored. Several EU shops specify 1.7 L capacity on the current New Edition. Verify the figure on your market’s SKU.
- Dimensions: 22 W × 40 D × 37 H cm and 15 kg. Plan top clearance for cup warming and tank access.
If you want a head-to-head grid that lines up the Domobar Digital against Profitec GO, ECM Casa V, and Lelit Victoria on warm-up, brew stability, steam time to 60 C for a 150 ml latte, interface, and long-term service costs, I can build that next.