If you’re on the hunt for a powerful espresso machine at an affordable price, the Barista Express might be the one for you. It has a built-in grinder, milk frother and cup warmer, and it pulls exceptionally flavorful shots.
FYI, prices and ratings are accurate as of time of writing.
The Barista Express by Breville
Highlight: Grinds as fast as you need it.
Helpful review: Oh boy, where to start? First off, I never write reviews like this, but after getting this espresso machine for my wife’s birthday, I knew I had to. Even with all the mixed reviews floating around, I’m throwing a solid five stars its way. Honestly, my wife has become so attached to this gadget after two weeks that if someone dared to swipe it, I’d be online ordering a new one before the cops showed up! Seriously, Starbucks hasn’t seen my wife since. And it’s Fall, and she loved her Pumpkin Spiced Lattes.
Now, just a heads up, this isn’t all just pros and compliments. You’re gonna wanna stick around for the whole review to really get the hang of this machine and avoid any coffee-making meltdowns, mainly like the one I had on my first time trying to get it set up for the misses.
So, here’s the scoop: I’m not exactly an espresso machine guru. My skills are more along the lines of putting stuff together without peeking at the manual. But this baby? It’s a whole different ball game. Trust me, make sure you actually read the instructions—they’re clear, concise, and even have a troubleshooting guide just in case, and you’re likely going to need it haha.
Now, onto some nifty tips that the manual skips over. First, when you're grinding the beans, give the hopper lid a gentle tap—think of it as just a little polite knock on a door. This helps the beans keep moving smoothly into the grinder. And hey, don’t overpack the portafilter after tamping, or you’ll clog up the works. Just make sure the silver part of the tamper is barely peeking over the rim.
Whatever you do, make sure that you’re paying attention to the pressure gauge. It’s one hundred percent crucial when you’re actually getting into the brewing. You want it in the sweet spot—right in the middle of the dark gray area on the dial to whip up the perfect espresso. Not enough pressure? You'll end up with a weak shot. Too much? It'll be overly strong. The grind settings are your best friends here, so play around with them to find what works best.
And if you’re doing a double shot with this thing, then aim those little espresso glasses right under the stream, or honestly maybe just use a larger cup to save the hassle. Mixing a drink with syrup? Combine the espresso and syrup first, then add your steamed milk. You’ll thank me later, trust me.
Speaking of which, steaming milk is an art and a science if I may so myself. If you've never done it, do yourself a favor and watch a couple of YouTube tutorials. It’s a game changer, and one you’ll appreciate. Remember to vent the steam wand before and after use to avoid any milky mess inside your machine—trust me, you really don’t want to deal with that!
Cleaning’s pretty straightforward, fortunately, and I was thankful for that, cause I was dreading that. I lay out a clean washcloth every time to catch any stray grounds. And don't forget to rinse and dry all the parts, it will really make a difference in how stuff tastes. I only know that because we forgot to wash it after constant use and it tasted a little weird, so make sure it’s clean! Pro tip: Invest in some top-notch beans. I go for Starbucks Espresso Roast, mainly because that’s what I’m used to drinking, but whatever floats your boat—just make sure they're fresh!
As for adding accessories, don’t skimp on that. Grab a pack of disposable cups for those on-the-go moments while you’re at it, and it might be a nice touch to snag some syrup pumps for your favorite flavors. Oh, and stack up on washcloths—they’re handy, especially if you start to play barista like I am. Personally, I also really like quality double-walled espresso glasse to keep my fingers safe and the coffee hot.
Lastly, if you’re switching to decaf—brace yourself. It’s not the slickest process, but with a little patience, it can be doable. Hope this helps you make some killer lattes and mochas! And remember, this isn't just a purchase, it's an investment in your daily joy, and might be the very thing that you’re partner will end up thanking you for every morning. Happy brewing! — Noah O. Thompson
Get it from Amazon now: $749.95 & FREE Returns
