The most high-end espresso machine I’ve ever used is $300 off right now – and I highly recommend it


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Save $300: The Meraki espresso machine is on sale for $1,699 — one of the lowest prices we’ve seen since Black Friday. This limited-time mid-year pricing won’t last long. 

Also: It’s Prime Day 2: We hand-picked the 85+ best deals and are tracking them live

I’ve had the Meraki espresso machine parked in my home for several months now, and it’s been my little secret so Dunkin’ doesn’t find out I’m cheating on chain coffee. The Meraki machine is the most elevated home appliance I’ve ever tested, and it’s for good reason. 

This dual-boiler machine hit well over $1 million on Kickstarter when it initially launched in 2024. Since then, it won a 2025 Red Dot award for kitchen design and a 2025 iF Design Award.

I’ve brewed plenty of delicious espresso shots and made coffee-shop level lattes since I received my Meraki in the fall. If you’re a seasoned home barista, the Meraki machine will likely require less of a learning curve. As a novice to high-end espresso machines, it has taken me a while to become accustomed to using the setup, but the process hasn’t been too cumbersome. It becomes easier the more you brew

Also: Amazon is selling the Ninja Slushi for its lowest price ever, and I highly recommend it

So what makes this machine really worth the eye-popping price tag of $1,999 ($1,699 while it’s on sale)? 

There really is a lot to cover about the Meraki, but if we take a glance at the specs alone, it’s an enticing buy. The device features a dual stainless steel boiler, integrated scales on the grinder, a 58mm heated group head, a bottomless portafilter with an attachable splitter, a rotary pump, and a built-in TimeMore grinder with over 25 stepless adjustments. I can’t forget to mention the digital control screen, which has better touch reception than the GPS screen in my car.

meraki-espresso-machine

Kayla Solino/ZDNET

When you’re ready to brew, the touchscreen makes it quick and easy. You can adjust the size and temperature to your liking, and it’s as simple as a tap after that. Once that’s done, you can choose to use the steam feature for drinks like lattes, but if you’re content with just your shot, you can sit and enjoy. 

Review: Meraki Espress Machine

Overall, I have enjoyed using the Meraki machine and am impressed by it. I think this is much better suited to the extreme home barista than to an average (or even above-average) user. It’s truly high-end, but there are certainly other options on the market that are much cheaper if you don’t need advanced features

How I rated this deal 

At $300 off, this deal gets a 2/5 editor’s rating. For an expensive machine that doesn’t frequently see discounts, it’s a decent amount of savings to nab now. However, it’s certainly not the lowest I’ve seen it sell for, so for that, it won’t receive top marks for its pricing. It’s still a quality machine worth your investment if you’re serious about espresso at home. 

When will this deal expire?

This deal won’t likely last long, though it’s unclear when exactly it will expire. Meraki’s website lists this price as a limited-time offer for exclusive mid-year pricing, so if you’re entertaining a high-end machine like this, I wouldn’t wait. The only time I’ve seen better pricing is during Black Friday in November. 

How do we rate deals at ZDNET?

We aim to deliver the most accurate advice to help you shop smarter. ZDNET offers 33 years of experience, 30 hands-on product reviewers, and 10,000 square feet of lab space to ensure we bring you the best of tech. 

In 2025, we refined our approach to deals, developing a measurable system for sharing savings with readers like you. Our editor’s deal rating badges are affixed to most of our deal content, making it easy to interpret our expertise to help you make the best purchase decision.

At the core of this approach is a percentage-off-based system to classify savings offered on top-tech products, combined with a sliding-scale system based on our team members’ expertise and several factors, such as frequency, brand, or product recognition, and more. The result? Hand-crafted deals chosen specifically for ZDNET readers like you, fully backed by our experts. 

Also: How we rate deals at ZDNET in 2026





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How to get Siri AI - join the waitlist today

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ZDNET’s key takeaways

  • Siri AI requires the iOS 27 developer beta and a waitlist.
  • A free Apple Developer account is enough to install the beta.
  • Apple says Siri AI will launch in beta later this year.

Apple finally gave Siri the major update everyone has wanted for years, moving it from the voice assistant era to the intelligent AI era.

At WWDC 2026 in June, the company introduced Siri AI, a new version of Siri “powered by Apple Intelligence.” Apple said Siri AI is more conversational, understands personal context, can answer broader questions, and can take action across apps. It can also use my information from messages, emails, photos, notes, and the screen itself to get more done on my behalf.

Also: The two biggest iOS 27 features at WWDC for me had nothing to do with Siri AI

The catch? (There’s always one, right?) The iOS 27 developer beta needs to be installed first, and even then, there is a waitlist.

How to get Siri AI

What you’ll need: An iPhone 15 Pro or Pro Max, any iPhone 16 model, or any iPhone 17 model running the iOS 27 developer beta.

Install the iOS 27 developer beta on a secondary device, but be sure to back it up first. Remember, developer betas are unfinished software. Apps can crash or glitch, battery life can drain, and features can disappear.

The good news is Apple no longer requires a $99-a-year Apple Developer Program membership just to get access to beta software. A free Apple Developer account is enough. To join, if you haven’t before, simply go to Apple’s Developer website or use the Apple Developer app, sign in, and agree to the developer terms.

Also: 3 new MacOS 27 features make it worth upgrading right away for me – Siri included

Once that’s done, any new developer beta will automatically appear for the iPhone associated with that Apple Account. To check for iOS 27 and install it now, open Settings > General > Software Update > Beta Updates. From there, select iOS 27 Developer Beta, go back to the Software Update screen, and install the update.

Need help? Check out ZDNET’s guide on installing the iOS 27 developer beta.


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Install the iOS 27 developer beta

Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET

After the iOS 27 developer beta is installed, the iPhone will reboot, but Siri AI will not automatically be available to try. Apple is using a waitlist. To join it, open the Settings app, go to Apple Intelligence and Siri, and select “Try New Siri.” Follow the prompts to opt in. Once a spot opens, a notification will appear saying New Siri is available.

Also: Getting real about WWDC and Siri AI – Video

Apple has not confirmed how long the wait will take, but it has said Siri AI will be available in beta “later this year.”


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Join the Siri AI waitlist

Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET

Should you wait to try Siri AI?

Maybe. The iOS 27 developer beta is the only route to Siri AI right now. But it’s meant for developers testing apps and APIs, not for most people who need a stable daily phone. Only install it on an iPhone that’s not used every day, or wait for the iOS 27 public beta. That’s expected in July and is easy for anyone to try. An official release for the general public isn’t expected until this fall.

Also: How Data Can Improve Your Health and Wellness

As for me? I joined. I have a spare iPhone running the iOS 27 developer beta right now, and the first thing I did was get on the waitlist to try Siri AI. But that’s because I’m usually excited to try AI tools, and I want to play with the new Siri and be able to write about it. 

Should you join Siri Ai waitlist?

Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET

What can Siri AI do?

Apple said the new Siri AI is “a dramatically more capable and conversational assistant” that can help you “find information and get things done throughout the day.” That’s nice, but what, specifically, can it do? According to Apple, the new Siri AI can:

Also: Will your iPhone support Siri AI? The answer is complicated

  • Access “broad world knowledge for up-to-date answers” on any topic.
  • Provide “detailed responses” and “natural back-and-forth conversation.”
  • Use “personal context” in messages, emails, and photos to help find what you need.
  • Find details like restaurant tips, hotel confirmations, and trip photos.
  • Understand what’s on screen and answer questions about it.
  • Use “Visual Intelligence” in Camera and screenshots.
  • Take actions across apps, including drafting emails and editing or sharing photos.
  • Let you ask about images, files, and text from context menus.
  • Generate, rewrite, and proofread text systemwide.
  • Match punctuation and tone in Mail and Messages based on how you usually write.
  • Save “conversation history” in a dedicated Siri app.
  • Offer more expressive voices and better dictation.
  • Help split bills with Apple Cash.
  • Run across iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, CarPlay, AirPods, and Vision Pro.
  • Work from Spotlight on iPad and Mac.

When will Siri AI be available?

Apple said it will be available in beta “later this year,” starting in English.

Which iPhone models support Siri AI?

The answer is complicated, but here’s my best guess:

  • iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max
  • All iPhone 16 models
  • Any later iPhone models

Apple hasn’t provided a supported device list, but its iOS 27 page shows Siri AI requires “an Apple Intelligence-enabled device.” Apple’s support page for Apple Intelligence also lists “iPhone 15 Pro models, and iPhone 16 models or later.” Apple’s iOS page uses similar wording for Apple Intelligence in iOS 27, as well: “all iPhone 16 models and later, iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max.”

There are also regional limits. Apple said Siri AI will “not initially” be available in the EU on iPhone and iPad.


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