02Start with the decision
R24 in one honest frame
The Londinium R24 is a tank-fed 58 mm commercial spring-lever machine with heat exchanger, thermosiphon, 2.3 L copper boiler, 24 V rotary pump, 3.0 L reservoir and app-controlled digital preinfusion. This review covers current SKU LR-24V in its 120 V and 240 V editions. It does not transfer specifications from the earlier Londinium R, later-numbered R variants, the smaller Vectis, the non-pump Compressa, or plumbed commercial Londinium I/II/III. Production changes such as thermistor regulation from April 19, 2021 must be checked against serial, rating plate and delivered documentation. That identity matters because two machines can promise the same drink while asking for completely different work before and after it. The useful first question is not whether R24 can make coffee. It is whether its heating, preparation, milk, water, and cleaning sequence matches the way the household will actually use it. [source] [source] [source]
The strongest reason to choose it: It combines the body and quiet declining-pressure character of a commercial spring group with repeatable app-set preinfusion and tank-fed installation. The main reason to pause: The large group needs time and vertical space, while convenient adjustment and scheduling depend on a specialist app, Wi-Fi path and direct support ecosystem. Those two statements explain the rating more accurately than a long feature list. A high score in one dimension does not erase a compromise elsewhere, and the overall rating should be read with the six category scores rather than alone.
03The first week
Set up the whole station, not only the machine
Choose the correct 120 V or 240 V edition, plug, steam-arm side and portafilter option before ordering. Reserve at least 330 × 540 mm of counter, substantially more than 740 mm of vertical clearance to operate the lever safely, and space to lift panels and fill the 3.0 L tank. Confirm delivery, import tax, warranty and who handles qualified electrical or pressure-vessel service in the destination country. [source] [source]
04Rating deep dive
Espresso: control the variables the machine leaves to you
Pulling the lever down opens the group to pump-supplied preinfusion at the selected 1.0–6.0 bar. Releasing it lets the spring drive a declining-pressure extraction. Londinium says changing preinfusion pressure also changes group temperature and brew volume; treat that as the maker’s integrated-control design claim, then dial grind, dose, yield and lever-down time by taste rather than assuming pressure alone selects a roast recipe. [source] [source]
Espresso assessment
Espresso evidence translated into daily use
The R24 score is an editorial judgment from documented design, independent demonstrations, owner context, and the dated market position. It is not a bench result from Coffeedant.
| Signal | What the evidence says | Buying consequence |
|---|---|---|
| Brew architecture | Commercial 58 mm spring group with thermosiphon and HX. | The full-size spring group and adjustable preinfusion offer a distinctive, repeatable lever extraction with strong body potential. |
| Control available | App-set preinfusion from 1.0 to 6.0 bar. | It favors an integrated declining-pressure style over arbitrary multi-stage profiling and instant shot stopping. |
| Recipe consequence | No Coffeedant temperature, pressure or extraction-yield measurement. | Treat this as part of the R24 buying decision, not a promise of identical results in every kitchen. |
Evidence note: Unknowns stay unknown. Variations in coffee, water, milk, setup, firmware, regional package, wear, and technique can change the experience described by these sources.
05Rating deep dive
Milk: speed only matters when texture stays controllable
The 2.3 L HX boiler and four-hole steam tip are intended for steam during extraction. Owners commonly describe plentiful steam, but Coffeedant found no standardized exact-model milk-heating dataset. Start with a smaller pitcher, purge condensate, learn the tip’s faster air intake, stop at the desired texture and temperature, then wipe and purge immediately. [source] [source] [source] [source] Milk performance is a combination of heat delivery, air control, circulation, recovery, cleaning, and operator attention. A fast system can frustrate a beginner if it gives little time to correct position, while a slower system can frustrate a household making several drinks.
Use cold milk, a consistent quantity, and the recommended vessel or container. With a manual wand, purge condensate, add a controlled amount of air near the beginning, then position for circulation and stop before overheating. With an automatic milk path, start from a conservative documented setting, keep the sensor or hose arrangement consistent, and change temperature or texture one step at a time. Alternative milks differ by formulation, not only plant type.
The cleaning step belongs in the milk rating. Wipe and purge a wand immediately. Rinse or refrigerate a removable container as directed. Complete any prompted milk-path rinse instead of postponing it. Dried milk can narrow openings, change texture, create odors, and turn a convenient system into a recurring maintenance problem.
Milk assessment
Milk evidence translated into daily use
The R24 score is an editorial judgment from documented design, independent demonstrations, owner context, and the dated market position. It is not a bench result from Coffeedant.
| Signal | What the evidence says | Buying consequence |
|---|---|---|
| Steam or milk system | Brew chamber separates from the boiler after lever release. | A 2.3 L HX boiler and four-hole tip provide serious simultaneous-steam capacity. |
| Operator input | Owners report plentiful steam across several drinks. | Fast steam still demands technique, and there is no standardized exact-model milk benchmark. |
| Queue consequence | No Coffeedant steam-rate or milk-texture test. | Treat this as part of the R24 buying decision, not a promise of identical results in every kitchen. |
Evidence note: Unknowns stay unknown. Variations in coffee, water, milk, setup, firmware, regional package, wear, and technique can change the experience described by these sources.
06Rating deep dive
Workflow: count every touch from cold start to a clean counter
A scheduled warm-up is central, not optional polish. The app can set multiple daily on/off events by weekday, while the lever, scale and catch cup still make this a manual routine. Extraction does not stop on command: move the cup when the target yield is reached and allow the remaining spring stroke to finish safely into another vessel. [source] [source]
Workflow assessment
Workflow evidence translated into daily use
The R24 score is an editorial judgment from documented design, independent demonstrations, owner context, and the dated market position. It is not a bench result from Coffeedant.
| Signal | What the evidence says | Buying consequence |
|---|---|---|
| Cold-start routine | Multiple weekly on/off events in the app. | Scheduling and tank-fed operation make a commercial spring group realistic at home. |
| Drink sequence | 740 mm lever height and 540 mm depth. | The long warm-up, tall lever, manual yield stop and app path remain daily commitments. |
| Cleanup load | Cup must be moved when target yield is reached. | Treat this as part of the R24 buying decision, not a promise of identical results in every kitchen. |
Evidence note: Unknowns stay unknown. Variations in coffee, water, milk, setup, firmware, regional package, wear, and technique can change the experience described by these sources.
07Rating deep dive
Build and service: judge access, support, and failure response
Londinium specifies heavy solid stainless panels, stainless drip tray and grate, solid wenge handles and a 3 mm powder-coated zintec chassis doubled to 6 mm at high-load areas. The listed 38 kg is boxed weight, not a verified net machine mass. Removable panels improve access but do not make mains-voltage, hot-water or pressurized work routine owner maintenance. [source] [source] [source] [source] Material descriptions can help set expectations, but ownership depends more on stable controls, accessible daily-care parts, documented service, and the availability of the exact component for the exact revision.
Use Londinium’s knowledgebase, exact delivered instructions and video support for water treatment, group lubrication, seals, shower screen, steam tip and internal service boundaries. The included BWT medium cartridge is a starting point, not proof that every supply is suitable. A lever group stores spring energy; hot, electrical and pressurized work requires the documented safe procedure and qualified help where specified. Removable does not mean maintenance-free, and a cleaning program does not inspect every seal, hose, valve, burr, sensor, or heating component. Use only procedures and products permitted by the manual. Boiler, mains-voltage, pressure, refrigerant, or internal-water work belongs with a qualified technician unless the manufacturer explicitly defines an owner procedure.
Owner forums span production dates, regions, water, grinders, roast styles and maintenance histories. One dissatisfied new owner reported poor results and inadequate help, while several longer-term owners report years of reliable daily use. Neither side establishes a representative failure rate, universal support outcome or guaranteed cup profile. Self-selected reports can reveal useful inspection points, but they do not provide the denominator needed for a defect rate. The build score therefore rewards documented construction and support while preserving uncertainty about long-term incidence.
Build assessment
Build evidence translated into daily use
The R24 score is an editorial judgment from documented design, independent demonstrations, owner context, and the dated market position. It is not a bench result from Coffeedant.
| Signal | What the evidence says | Buying consequence |
|---|---|---|
| Core construction | 3 mm zintec chassis doubled to 6 mm at high-load points. | Heavy stainless, reinforced steel and a commercial group form a substantial serviceable platform. |
| Access and care | 2.3 L copper boiler with lead-free brass fittings. | A direct specialist ecosystem concentrates parts, firmware and support in one company relationship. |
| Support boundary | No representative lifetime or defect-incidence dataset. | Treat this as part of the R24 buying decision, not a promise of identical results in every kitchen. |
Evidence note: Unknowns stay unknown. Variations in coffee, water, milk, setup, firmware, regional package, wear, and technique can change the experience described by these sources.
08Rating deep dive
Features: separate daily help from brochure decoration
The useful differentiators are the 1.0–6.0 bar digital preinfusion setting, weekly smart timer, tank-fed rotary pump, low-water protection and side-selectable steam arm. There is no documented brew-pressure graph, shot timer on the machine, volumetric stop, direct-plumb kit, built-in grinder or milk automation. “No backflushing” describes the lever-group circuit, not a maintenance-free machine. [source] [source] [source] A useful feature removes a repeated burden, exposes a meaningful variable, or makes maintenance clearer. A feature has limited value when it duplicates a scale or timer, depends on an unsupported region, or hides a decision the owner would rather control.
Read feature names literally. A PID can regulate one heater without measuring coffee-bed temperature. A pressure gauge can report boiler pressure rather than extraction pressure. A saved beverage can repeat programmed time or volume without correcting grind. An automatic milk setting can repeat a selected routine without knowing whether the espresso beneath it tastes balanced.
For connected products, check app availability, accounts, network requirements, firmware policy, privacy preferences, and useful operation without a phone. For manual products, verify that the desired timer, temperature display, low-pressure stage, or volumetric stop is documented for the exact model.
Features assessment
Features evidence translated into daily use
The R24 score is an editorial judgment from documented design, independent demonstrations, owner context, and the dated market position. It is not a bench result from Coffeedant.
| Signal | What the evidence says | Buying consequence |
|---|---|---|
| Useful control | 1.0–6.0 bar app adjustment. | Digital preinfusion and a smart timer modernize the two controls most useful on this lever. |
| Missing control | Weekly smart timer and low-water logic. | Buyers wanting live graphs, front-panel adjustment or unrestricted profiles need another architecture. |
| Buyer relevance | No direct plumbing, volumetric stop or built-in shot graph. | Treat this as part of the R24 buying decision, not a promise of identical results in every kitchen. |
Evidence note: Unknowns stay unknown. Variations in coffee, water, milk, setup, firmware, regional package, wear, and technique can change the experience described by these sources.
09Rating deep dive
Value: compare complete ownership on the same date
At £3,333 ex VAT direct, R24 competes with premium dual boilers, other spring levers and software-led machines. Its case is strongest when lever texture, silence, simultaneous steam and one-variable roast adjustment are the goal. It is weak value if the buyer mainly wants quick heat-up, dealer-local service, an integrated shot timer or broad electronic profiling. The checked price context was £3,333 ex VAT on September 24, 2026. It is a dated reference, not a promise of today's checkout total, availability, finish surcharge, tax, delivery, bundle, or local warranty. [source]
It combines the body and quiet declining-pressure character of a commercial spring group with repeatable app-set preinfusion and tank-fed installation. That benefit deserves payment only when it is used often. The large group needs time and vertical space, while convenient adjustment and scheduling depend on a specialist app, Wi-Fi path and direct support ecosystem. If the limitation would trigger an early replacement, the apparently lower price is false economy. If the strength removes a daily frustration for years, a higher price can be rational without claiming the product is inexpensive.
Value assessment
Value evidence translated into daily use
The R24 score is an editorial judgment from documented design, independent demonstrations, owner context, and the dated market position. It is not a bench result from Coffeedant.
| Signal | What the evidence says | Buying consequence |
|---|---|---|
| Checked price | £3,333 ex VAT direct price. | The price buys a rare tank-fed commercial spring group with direct specialist support. |
| Total station | US specialist listing showed $5,999. | Premium dual boilers and software-led machines deliver different flexibility for similar total spend. |
| Long-term fit | Grinder, delivery, tax, water and service add to the station cost. | Treat this as part of the R24 buying decision, not a promise of identical results in every kitchen. |
Evidence note: Unknowns stay unknown. Variations in coffee, water, milk, setup, firmware, regional package, wear, and technique can change the experience described by these sources.
10Put the alternatives beside it
R24 versus the closest practical choices
A useful comparison keeps architecture and buyer intent visible. A cheaper product may demand more technique, a faster product may expose fewer controls, and a traditional product may ask for more warmup and care. The rows below summarize the decision rather than pretending every specification carries equal weight.
| Machine | Price position | The quick decision |
|---|---|---|
| Profitec Pro 800 | Premium spring-lever class | Compare another premium spring lever when front-panel PID control and a broader dealer channel matter. |
| Flair 58 | Far lower manual-lever class | Spend far less and gain direct manual pressure control when a kettle and separate milk solution are acceptable. |
| Lelit Bianca V3 | Premium dual-boiler class | Choose dual boilers, paddle flow control and conventional pump workflow when fast electronic readiness matters more than spring character. |
| Londinium R24 | £3,333 ex VAT Sep 24 | Choose the commercial spring group, quiet extraction and app-set preinfusion when long warm-up is acceptable. |
DetailsOpen the technical and workflow comparison
| Machine | Dimensions | Heating | Coffee setup | Milk workflow | Best fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Profitec Pro 800 | Large tall lever chassis | PID HX spring lever | 58 mm manual; grinder separate | Simultaneous manual steam | Traditional controls and dealer access |
| Flair 58 | Narrow open frame | Electrically preheated manual group | 58 mm fully manual | No built-in steam | Hands-on profiling on a budget |
| Lelit Bianca V3 | Large E61 chassis | PID dual boiler | 58 mm pump machine; grinder separate | Simultaneous manual steam | Flexible pump-machine profiling |
| Londinium R24 | 330 × 540 × 740 mm to lever top | 2.3 L copper HX and thermosiphon | 58 mm spring lever; grinder separate | Simultaneous manual steam | Lever body with repeatable preinfusion |
Compare full lever clearance, cold-start time, water source, pressure-control range, shot stopping, steam workflow, grinder, tax, delivery, warranty and local service. Spring levers, manual levers, dual boilers and software-led pump machines can reach excellent espresso through very different routines.
11Owner evidence in proportion
What owner discussions add, and what they cannot prove
Selected owners repeatedly praise body, forgiving extraction, quiet operation, steam reserve and accessible internals. They also describe the large group’s warm-up, the need to swap the cup before the spring finishes, and occasional sensitivity of the 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi connection. Those themes are decision prompts, not measured prevalence.
Owner forums span production dates, regions, water, grinders, roast styles and maintenance histories. One dissatisfied new owner reported poor results and inadequate help, while several longer-term owners report years of reliable daily use. Neither side establishes a representative failure rate, universal support outcome or guaranteed cup profile.
12Choose by routine
Four routes from this decision
There is no universal upgrade path. Choose the card that fixes the most important daily mismatch, then read the full review before treating it as a recommendation for your counter, coffee, region, and budget.
Closest lever rival
Profitec Pro 800
Compare the more conventional front-panel and dealer experience against R24’s app-set preinfusion.
Read Profitec Pro 800 reviewManual pressure
Flair 58
Trade boiler steam and automation for a much lower price and direct hand-controlled pressure.
Read Flair 58 reviewDual-boiler alternative
Lelit Bianca V3
Choose paddle flow control, dual boilers and a conventional pump-machine ecosystem.
Read Lelit Bianca reviewCompact classic lever
La Pavoni Europiccola
Accept a smaller direct lever and manual thermal learning curve for far less money and counter depth.
Read Europiccola review13Questions before buying
R24 FAQ
What exact Londinium R24 does this review cover?
Current SKU LR-24V in its correct 120 V or 240 V regional edition. It excludes the earlier Londinium R, Vectis, Compressa and plumbed commercial Londinium machines.
Does Londinium R24 need a water line?
No. It uses a 3.0 L internal reservoir and a 24 V rotary pump. No direct-plumb conversion is documented for the current R24.
How long does Londinium R24 take to heat?
Use roughly one hour from cold as the conservative plan for the full commercial spring group. The weekly app timer is the practical way to make that wait disappear from a scheduled routine.
Can the R24 pressure-profile a shot?
It can set preinfusion pressure from 1.0 to 6.0 bar. The spring then supplies its own declining extraction curve. It is not an arbitrary multi-stage pump profiler.
Can R24 make several milk drinks?
Its 2.3 L HX boiler and four-hole tip are designed for simultaneous extraction and strong steam. Selected owners report ample reserve, but Coffeedant did not run a standardized milk queue.
Does Londinium R24 require backflushing?
The maker says the lever-group brew circuit does not require backflushing. The shower screen, group seals, steam tip, water system, panels and exterior still require documented care.
Is Londinium R24 worth £3,333 ex VAT?
It can be when quiet spring-lever extraction, body, simultaneous steam and repeatable preinfusion are the priorities. It is difficult value when quick warm-up, local dealer service or unrestricted electronic profiling matter more.
See the machine in use
An independent video perspective
Brian Quan
The Londinium R24 Lever Espresso Machine
Independent exact-model walkthrough after several days with the R24, including a filmed shot, app view and comparison with a Decent Londinium-style profile. It is not a long-term test.
Watch on YouTubeWhy I trust the verdict
What the evidence lets me say with confidence
I began with the exact model identity and official documentation, then separated factory claims from independent observation and self-selected owner reports. Conflicting regional or revision details were not averaged. Price was checked on September 24, 2026; stock, finishes, tax and warranty can change. Video supplies visual context, not Coffeedant testing. Community material informs questions, never failure rates. Missing measurements and long-term incidence data remain unknown.
Check the evidence
Sources and further reading
- Londinium R24 official product page
Current LR-24V identity, price, stock, specifications, dimensions, construction, inclusions and factory performance claims.
- Londinium support portal
Current knowledgebase, manuals, contact, remote support and supported machine families.
- Shiba Coffee and Tea R24 listing
US specialist listing and $5,999 price context checked September 24, 2026; retailer repeats maker claims.
- Brian Quan R24 video
Independent exact-model walkthrough, shot, app and Decent-profile comparison published July 11, 2022 after several days with the machine.
- Brian Quan channel
Creator identity for the unique independent exact-model video; affiliate links are disclosed in the video description.
- Kostverlorenvaart R24 launch context
Independent blog preserving the 2020 R-to-R24 design explanation.
- Home-Barista R24 owner thread
Long-running owner and enthusiast discussion covering preinfusion, temperature, workflow and revisions; self-selected evidence.
- Reddit one-year R24 owner review
Detailed daily-use report on warm-up, steam, Wi-Fi, app scheduling, cup handling and perceived espresso style.
- Home-Barista R24 buying-advice thread
Selected owner context on access, support, steam, routine and competing spring levers.
- Reddit long-term Londinium owner thread
Self-selected long-term daily-use context spanning Londinium R and R24; not a reliability-rate source.
- Coffeetime critical R24 owner thread
A dissatisfied new-owner report retained as counter-evidence; no diagnosis or prevalence can be inferred.
- RoastAroma R24 overview
Independent synthesis of architecture, warm-up, support concentration and market position.
The buying decision
An unusually coherent lever, if the station and support model fit
R24’s design is focused. A full commercial spring group supplies the extraction character; the 24 V rotary pump makes tank-fed preinfusion quiet and repeatable; the app changes one pressure variable and schedules the long warm-up. The 2.3 L HX boiler keeps milk service available without turning the machine into a dual-boiler pump platform.
Buy it for that exact combination, not for a generic “endgame” label. The 740 mm lever height, one-hour cold start, app dependence and direct specialist ecosystem are real commitments, and £3,333 is before VAT and the rest of the station. For the buyer who wants lever body and a deliberately constrained workflow, R24 remains distinctive. For quick starts, broad dealer coverage or live shot design, its alternatives are more rational.
Check the current exact R24 specification