Philips - Baristina Automatic Espresso Machine - Milky White

This espresso machine makes perfect one or double shot for my favorites americano, latte and flat white. I recommend buying a cappuccino maker to make milk drinks. I would only add more metal to the construction of this machine, but for the price it is a great machine.

My wife has been collecting coffee mugs for many years, almost all are tall 13-14oz mugs. We are big coffee drinkers, we probably have not missed having a morning coffee for over 30 years. Back in the late 90's we frequented a big name coffee chain. But as they got more and more expensive, we decided to "invest" in an espresso machine and do it ourselves (ok I do it all the time). Our first machine was a starter completely manual machine and hand tamper. I probably took me 25-30m to make two tall cups of espresso (4 shots each). I put up with this for several years, before the machine's boiler failed. But I'd learned a lot, and found out how important it was to start with fresh beans that are ground right before making. Back then good burr grinders were quite expensive, but they produced a consistent grind which was also very important. I also found that using filtered water made a much better cup of espresso than tap water (for years I was not a believer, only when I started using a better coffee could I really tell the difference. Ok, over the past 20 yrs I've "invested" in 5 or 6 espresso machines. Most were more expensive, and more automatic than the last. For the last 4 years I've been using a pretty expensive "Semi-Automatic" espresso machine. For the first 3 years it was great, since then it's been a maintenance nightmare; getting parts from the mfg, impossible. Putting up with gasket leaks, drips etc. So on to my new Philips Baristina (300). When unboxing the first thing I noticed was the weight of the box, it was only 14 lbs. Just by looking at the box you know how compact it is. It comes in six colors (Yellow, White, Black, Red, Green and Walnut). The Baristina operates much more simply than most "Semi-Automatic" machines (if it were fully automatic it would self empty the portafilter). But for a Semi-Automatic machine it grinds coffee directly into the portafilter and auto tamp the coffee into the portafilter, and then moves the portafilter back over the coffee cup. To turn the machine on you need to place the empty portafilter under the cup then slide it to the right, then select the espresso size (Espresso left button, Lungo right button, boost center button), and if you want it strong. Lungo is a coffee drink made by pulling more water through an espresso puck for longer with more water, making a larger less concentrated/milder coffee (cafe Americano uses the either brewing method plus some additional heated water). The machine has a 32-35oz water tank on the back (no water filter necessary/available). While grinding the machine is fairly quiet (<73db) and while brewing slightly quieter (<70db). As I said the machine is simple, no on/off button. Once the portafilter is empty, insert it over the cup, and slide it to the right, then select espresso or lungo. Grinding and brew time is very quick; ~42s for Espresso and ~65 for Lungo (this is faster than most "capsule" machines). The boost button does not affect the brew time. If you want to make coffee with pre-ground beans (or decaf) you can fill the portafilter with a teaspoon of ground coffee (~10g); about 1/2 full, and then press the boost button for 5 seconds. The default drink volume can be changed by holding the Espresso (1oz to 2.4oz) or Lungo (2.4oz to 6.75oz) button down for 5s, which will cause either to blink while filling the cup. Once you have the level you want press the blinking button to set the new drink volume. This is so helpful for me when I use a 14oz mug, to make a double. When brewing you can stop then brew by hitting the selected brew button when brewing. The brew temperature comes out a consistent 185F, which is ideal. The espresso crema that is produced is a little airy but significant in volume. It's better than any capsule machine I've used, but not quite as dense as the best machine I've owned. But for Lungos it's nearly ideal. Cleaning the portafilter is a breeze, just dump the puck out (it usually falls out in a single piece), if it does not drop immediately there is an ejection button on the bottom. The puck comes out fairly dry, a good sign. The machine looks nice, but it's obviously plasticy, it easy to move the machine when sliding the portafilter to the right. The grinder holds about 100g (3.5oz) of beans. Keep the lid on it, as the center turns while it grinds. How does it taste... Espresso 8 out of 10, Lungo 9 out of 10, color me surprisingly impressed for such a small machine. The TDS (total dissolved solids) is a little on the light side but far better than any capsule machines I've tried. I'd love to see a stainless-steel version in the future, just to match what I've had and to add a little more weight. With this Baristina (300) machine I have two options for various cup sizes: either use it with or without a drip catcher, which is about 1" tall. Without the drip catcher (the base is 3"x4" wide) tall cups (4 1/2" to 4 5/8") fit fine under the portafilter (5.2" away) but the 3 1/4" cup base wiggles in the drip catcher cavity. And without the drip catcher I'm always cleaning up after I've made coffee (which I've had to do with many machines I've owned). If only the drip catcher was a 4" square or the narrow edge was 1/2" wider, larger cups would fit better in the drip catcher cavity. It would also be nice if the drip catcher lid fit into the drip catcher cavity or even better if the whole base had a removable/cleanable tray. And if you forget to empty the portafilter, it can (sometimes) be refilled and much of the new coffee gets scraped off when the portafilter slides to the left to start brewing, (another mess to clean up). If it runs out of water when brewing it stops and blinks at you until you refill the water canister. If it runs out of beans when grinding, it just stops, you're kind of stuck (something else they should correct). So, make sure there are enough beans in the grinder. But at this price point and simplicity to use it's VERY impressive, I'm very happy to have it, it makes great coffee drinks easily.

I recently had the opportunity to test out the Philips Baristina Espresso Machine, and I must admit, it has truly transformed my coffee experience. The Philips Baristina Espresso Machine is more than just a kitchen appliance, it's a personalized barista at your fingertips. With its sleek design, intuitive controls, and exceptional coffee quality, making it the go to appliance in my home. So, let’s go over some of the features of this brew master. Design and Build Quality: The Baristina boasts a sleek, modern design that fits seamlessly into any kitchen decor. Its compact size is perfect for smaller spaces, yet it doesn’t compromise on performance. The machine feels sturdy and well-built, with a stylish finish that resists fingerprints and adds a touch of sophistication to my countertop. Ease of Use: One of the standout features of the Philips Baristina is its user-friendly interface. With simple 3 button operation, you can enjoy your favorite espresso as you please, from automatically grinding the perfect amount of beans to pouring your perfect cup is truly a moment of bliss. No settings, no options and no gimmicks, just a simple swipe and you’re done. Performance: The quality of the espresso produced by the Baristina is exceptional. This is achieved with its powerful 16-bar pump and built-in conical burr grinder. This combination ensures rich, flavorful espresso with a velvety texture. The Baristina features a 41 oz water tank, 6 oz bean capacity, Ceramic conical grinder and two beverage options, Expresso and Lungo. The unit weighs about 11 lbs and comes in just under 14 inches (13.6 inches to be exact) for height, 7.1 in width and 15 in depth. Conclusion: Overall, I am extremely satisfied with my Philips Baristina Espresso Machine. It combines style, ease of use, and top-notch performance, making it a fantastic choice for both novice and experienced coffee enthusiasts. If you’re looking to elevate your home coffee experience, I highly recommend giving the Baristina a try!

Philips is a household name in Europe and I’m very much familiar with the brand. Philips' products are usually of good quality and durable. The Baristina is a well-made product, and the design is sleek and attractive. The machine is fairly small for an espresso maker. The grinder is made of ceramic so the machine should be durable enough to produce many many espresso shots. Instructions are clear and easy enough to follow to set up the machine for the first time. The Baristina is all about as simple as it can get for getting an espresso shot straight from coffee beans of our choosing. The machine is designed exactly for that purpose: eliminating the multiple processes involved in preparing for an espresso shot. The conventional method for making an espresso can be a bit overwhelming and this machine successfully simplifies the process. All we need to do is make sure that the portafilter is empty and clean then we just need to slide the portafilter to the right. An espresso shot will be produced accordingly to our predefined setting; it’s that simple. The machine takes care of the beans grinding and tamping, as well as the brewing process. Because there are no complicated settings involved, the result may not be perfect if you want your coffee with specific characteristics. There’s no way to control the grinding process, nor the amount of coffee on the portafilter and water characteristics but that is exactly due to the design of the machine. I’m saying this because if you are a coffee person who loves tweaking your drink, this machine is surely not for you. However, those who just want to get their quick coffee fixes in the morning and don’t want to deal with the conventional steps in making an espresso, then this is a very good machine. This machine makes espresso-making more accessible to other member of the family in my household. Aside from making an espresso, there is also the option to make a lungo and you can also control the intensity of your drink for both espresso and lungo. The machine does not come with milk frother nor does it come with the espresso glass. Coffee mug works just fine so there’s no need to get an espresso glass if you don’t have one.

This machine automatically grinds, tamps and dispenses espresso or lungo coffee. It is very easy to release the puck without having to whack it against something. This machine is also fairly compact in design and is very stylish and attractive. It does not take up much counter space in the kitchen, and it is also light weight and easy to move around due to its plastic construction. Beside these advantages, it also produces well brewed, rich, and smooth coffee in my humble opinion. For comparison, I have a budget drip coffee maker and a budget espresso machine with twenty bars of pressure. The machine can produce two types of beverages: espresso and lungo. Lungo is just an espresso with more water. It only has three buttons, one for expresso, one for lungo, and one for aroma booster. There is no on/off switch and there are no settings for the grinder either. Hopefully, these features will be added in the future. As for cleaning, it is so easy, just rinse the portafilter. There is no need to do any maintenance. I like this espresso machine so much, I use this everyday, two times a day. I recommend this for anyone who appreciates quick and quality coffee. It does not come with instruction manual but you can download it from the manufacturer website.