Our performance model
The Neretva 20 Bar Espresso Machine.
We gave our 20 Bar machine the headroom serious home baristas ask for: an upgraded 20 bar pump, a front-facing analog pressure gauge and a microfoam steam wand — richer extraction and denser crema, wrapped in the same vintage silhouette.
At a glance
Built for consistent pressure. Shot after shot.
Solid construction, rapid milk texturing and everything you need in the box — so you can pull balanced shots reliably, day after day.
Technical Specifications
- Pump Pressure
- 20 Bar Vibratory Pump
- Heating System
- Thermoblock Heating Technology
- Milk Frothing
- Manual Steam Wand with microfoam capability
- Interface
- Analog Pressure Gauge & Mechanical Push Buttons
- In the Box
- Portafilter, filter baskets (single and double shot), measuring scoop
Key features
More than a pump. A complete espresso station.
20 Bar Pump System
The heart of the machine: an upgraded pump with the headroom and raw strength to handle any coffee seamlessly, without pressure loss during the shot.
Visible Pressure Gauge
The front-facing mechanical gauge gives you live visual feedback, so you know exactly when pre-infusion and extraction hit the optimal resistance sweet spot.
Microfoam Steam Wand
The integrated manual wand crafts proper microfoam — perfect for pouring latte art or enjoying flat whites with silky textured milk.
Fast Heating System
Our thermoblock heating element brings water to optimal brewing temperature quickly, minimizing the wait between pulling your shot and steaming your milk.
Stainless Steel Build
Durable materials in a compact retro body. The vintage design fits effortlessly into small kitchens without compromising the modern engineering inside.
The engineering
What 20 bars really gives you
In a café, 9 bars is the target pressure exactly at the group head. We rate our pump at 20 bars so that after water passes through the internal piping, full extraction pressure reliably reaches the coffee puck — with power to spare.
That extra headroom is what lets you dial in a finer espresso grind and tamp with confidence: the pump forces hot water evenly through a dense, compacted puck without choking, supporting deeper extraction and a rich, thick, stable layer of crema. Practical consistency — steady thermal delivery meeting reliable resistance — is what defines every shot this machine pulls.
The ritual
Your daily workflow
Excellent shots come from a solid, repeatable routine. Your grinder matters as much as your machine — here's how we recommend pulling every shot on the 20 Bar.
- Warm up. Switch the machine on and let the thermoblock heat. Lock in your empty portafilter so the metal absorbs heat too.
- Grind & dose. Dial in a proper fine espresso grind and fill the portafilter basket with freshly ground beans.
- Tamp. Apply firm, level downward pressure to compress the puck evenly.
- Pull the shot. Lock the portafilter into the group head and start extraction — watch the pressure gauge climb steadily.
- Froth milk. Switch to steam mode, purge the wand of condensed water, then stretch and texture your milk until silky.
Choosing your machine
20 Bar vs 15 Bar
Both machines share the same retro DNA, thermoblock heating and steam wand — choose by how much you like to tweak your grind.
| Feature | 15 BAR | 20 BAR |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Casual users and pre-ground coffee drinkers | Dedicated home baristas wanting finer grind control and better crema |
| Pump pressure | Standard 15 bars | Upgraded 20 bars |
| Price tier | Entry-level | Slightly premium |
Prefer a more straightforward setup? Our 15 Bar Espresso Machine is friendlier on the budget and perfectly capable of great everyday espresso.
Find your fit
Made for the way you brew
The 20 Bar is perfect for you if…
- You're stepping into the home espresso hobby and want room to grow.
- You drink lattes and cappuccinos daily and need reliable steam wand frothing.
- You want a stylish vintage machine that fits a small kitchen without sacrificing power.
- You're a value-conscious home barista looking for a solid upgrade path.
Look elsewhere in our lineup if…
- You need commercial-grade pressure profiling or a dual boiler system — this is a home machine by design.
- You're outfitting a coffee shop or café environment.
- You steam very high milk volumes back-to-back and need continuous steam with zero wait times.
Keep it brewing
Cleaning & Maintenance
Good routine care keeps your coffee tasting fresh and your machine pulling strong for years. Full step-by-step details live in our user manual.
Daily
Wipe the steam wand immediately after every use to prevent dried milk, and empty the drip tray.
Weekly
Clean the portafilter baskets with a brush and warm water to unclog any blocked holes.
Every 1–3 months
Descale the system based on your local water hardness to keep the thermoblock free of mineral buildup.
Run into anything unexpected? Our FAQ & troubleshooting hub has rapid answers.
Read the gauge
Common extraction issues & pressure behavior
The analog gauge tells you exactly what's happening in the puck. Here's how we read it.
- Shot runs too fast: often caused by a coarse grind or a light tamp, which offers insufficient resistance.
- Shot runs too slow: usually indicates a too-fine grind that restricts or chokes water flow.
- Pressure gauge fluctuates: caused by inconsistent puck preparation where water finds an uneven path.
- Channeling: due to an uneven tamp, letting water burst through weak spots for a thin, sour shot.
- Steam power drops: frequently means internal mineral buildup — time to descale.
Questions, answered
20 Bar FAQ
Is 20 bar better than 15 bar for espresso?
Does the Neretva 20 bar machine make good crema?
How strong is the steam wand for milk frothing?
How often should I descale the 20 bar model?
Why is my pressure gauge reading low?
What grind size works best for this machine?
Where to buy
Take your espresso further
The Neretva 20 Bar Espresso Machine is available through our official Amazon storefront with fast delivery and easy returns.