Panasonic NC-ZA1 Coffee Machine Review

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Can a barista be replaced by a robot?

The Panasonic NC-ZA1 is making a good case for it.  Even the forgettable name is reminiscent of a robot from a 1960’s Sci-Fi movie!

It’s not exactly a robot making the coffee, but, it is a fully automatic bean-to-cup brew.

Panasonic has taken all of the guesswork out of making a high-street coffeehouse brew at home.  You don’t need to know how much pressure you should apply when tamping the grounds.  You don’t need to know how to froth milk for a latte or cappuccino.  All you need to know is how you like your coffee.

It’s up to you how strong you like it. How hot you like it. What your ideal milk to coffee ratio is.  You can even decide on how big a cup you like. The front is adjustable and can accommodate bigger coffee mugs or glasses.

Though the process is entirely automatic, each coffee is completely customizable.  You are never at the mercy of the machine deciding how to make your coffee.  When you have the ideal cup perfected, save the settings for your personalized coffee with one touch of a button.

It’s nice to touch a button and walk away.  A steaming cup of high quality coffee waits for you when you come back.

This is Panasonic’s entry into the bean-to-cup coffee machine market.  Can it match it’s more experienced peers?

It’s made our top 5 bean to cup coffee machines but be sure to read on and see if the NC-ZA1 is the right machine for you.

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Let’s talk about the pros

No products found.Once out of the box, you are struck by the design.  It’s a sleek and futuristic looking coffee machine.  The stainless steel feels solid to the touch.  The modern design is understated, matching well with just about any type of kitchen design.

The dimensions are also noticeable.  It seems like it should be bigger.

But, its compact size means that even the apartment dweller who is chronically short on space can find room for this.  The bean hopper is hidden away inside the body of the machine, making it flush on top.  It easily slides right under a cabinet.  Though if you have the room to spare, Panasonic has made a larger hopper available that fits on top adding 250 grams more beans.

The drip tray stores away, as well, making it completely unobtrusive.  Water is refilled in a front loaded tray.  And, spent coffee grinds are deposited in a chamber that also empties from the front. Panasonic made sure that lack of counter space would not be a deterrent to anybody who wants one of these in their home.

The chamber for the coffee grinds doesn’t need to be emptied after each use unless you want to.  The machine will let you know when it is almost full and needs to be emptied.  The spent grounds are in the shape of a puck, reducing the messiness you might expect.  Just slide it out of the front and dump the grounds. A quick rinse and it slides right back in, flush to the front.

The touchscreen display makes it a breeze to customize your coffee.  Guiding you through each step to make sure your coffee is just right.

Setting it up takes a bit of time, but it is time well spent.  Taking the time to go through the settings will mean less time later trying to fine-tune your coffee.

It will even adjust according to how hard your water is.  Included is a water tester. Once your water is tested, you will know what setting is best for your water.  Adding even more insurance that you get the perfect cup every time.

Selecting the grinder is important for getting the coffee extracted according to your tastes. Select a fine grind for a rich, slightly bitter espresso. A coarse grind is best for making a longer, American style regular coffee.

Even the temperature of the coffee is adjustable. Some people like their espresso on the cooler side so it can be enjoyed in one go. Others like it hotter and prefer to take it in sips.  Try both back to back and see which one you prefer.

How much milk do you like in your latte? A latte can be steamed milk with a little coffee or a coffee with a little steamed milk.  All of this is adjustable by the touchscreen.

The brewing unit is versatile giving more options for the type of coffee mug to use.  If you like a longer coffee with a lot of steamed milk, simply raise the spout, slide the drip tray away and place the cup underneath.  There’s no need to have to do one cup at a time adding each shot to another cup.

Save your settings and the next time you don’t have to go through the entire process of choosing your coffee. Just touch the button for your saved coffee and off you go.

The touchscreen adds a bit of theater to the whole production, as well. It’s almost like a video game when going through the settings. The lights are vibrant and the buttons fun to push.

Of course, the sounds of the machine add to the experience.  Starting with the grinding of the beans, the vibrations from the water extracting the coffee to the pump dispersing it.  It all sounds like a machine determined to do its job!

Let’s talk about the cons

This next bit is a pro and a con at the same time. It’s great that the machine flushes itself to make sure it is clean and running properly.  It’s also tedious waiting for it to flush before it makes the coffee. Then you have to wait to enjoy it so you can press the buttons for it to purge itself after.

That’s a minor complaint, though.  The added 30 seconds or so shouldn’t be enough to put you off making a coffee.

So much attention went into designing a beautiful machine.  The look is then spoiled by a rubber hose sticking out of the side.  It would have been nicer had they incorporated a chamber inside where the milk could be loaded similar to the water chamber.  There is a milktank option to put the milk jug into, if you are really bothered by the hose. For an added expense, of course.

The touchscreen can be a bit finicky for some people. It is a computer, and, computers are known to freeze on occasion. When this does happen, it can be tough getting in touch with the right department for customer service.  Even when working properly, the touch is more of a push.  It isn’t like a smartphone or tablet. You need to use a little more pressure than you think you should to get it to register.

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Is the coffee any good?

In a word, absolutely.

When making a traditional cup of espresso, the crema is as good as what you would expect from a professional barista.  Counting the time to flush before the coffee, in two minutes a wonderfully extracted espresso is delivered.

Frothy, with a dark caramel color, it rests lightly on top of the liquid.  This crema is essential.  When you see it, you know the espresso is excellent.

But, if you like a lighter espresso or an Americano, the settings are there to help you get your perfect cup.

Using good beans is a must with any bean-to-cup machine.  It does have a chamber for powder if you prefer to buy it already ground.

The best part about it, is the consistency of the coffee. Not only do you get that dark, rich coffee and incredible aroma, but you get it everytime.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Panasonic NC-AZ1

How big is the unit?

19.5 x 33.5 x 41 cm. It weighs 10.3 kilograms.

Is it easy to clean?

It is mainly self cleaning.  The machine flushes itself before and after each coffee is made.  The milk hose should be flushed with cold water after each use, which is done automatically. Simply replace the milk jug with water and press the cleaning function.  The machine will indicate when the inside parts should be removed and rinsed.

Is it guaranteed?

Yes. The warranty is issued depending on the country where you purchased it. See this page for more information about the warranty specific to your country.

Is the Panasonic NC-ZA1 Coffee Machine worth it?

It isn’t just that you get an exceptional coffee with the Panasonic NV-ZA1 that makes it worth it.  Yes, it makes a deep, rich cup of coffee with the slight bitterness that you expect from a high quality machine. It’s also that it does it so consistently.

You get the same perfect cup every time.

It does take some tinkering to get it to your specifications, however.  You’ll need to measure your cups for espresso, latte and Americano.  Since one of the settings is how much water you prefer, you will need to know it won’t overflow if your cup is too small.

But, it’s that level of customization that makes this machine so special.  With many automatic bean-to-cup machines, the ease of a one touch programme comes with a price.  Personalization is lost in return for that convenience.

If you are picky about how you like your coffee you don’t have to compromise. You can now have your coffee any way you like it.

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