Philips Baristina Automatic Espresso Machine - Milky White

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 thing makes making espresso and lungos so easy! I thought it would just be a handy machine to replace my manual espresso machine since I am too lazy to make and clean up shots, but it turns out it makes an amazing drink as well! Pros: - Easy cleanup - Stylish - Perfect shots Cons: - Only makes espressos, need a separate frother for other drinks Setup: There is not much to do, put the pieces together, plug it in and clean it out by holding the intensity button for five seconds. This will make water flow to clean out the internals before first use. Be sure to wash the various parts as well. Use: Easy as can be! After putting some coffee grounds in the grinder and placing a lungo cup on the machine, you must pull the portafilter to the right where the grinder will fill it up after selecting your cup size. The portafilter will push itself to the left on top of the cup in a very satisfying spring loaded fashion to then brew the cup. There are no portafilter baskets or tamper needed as the machine does this all automatically. Make sure you do not use flavor coated or caramelized beans as this could mess up the machine. There is no on or off button as the machine is always in a standby state. Flavor: The drinks come out with a nice layer of crema and flavorful body and heart. You can choose between an espresso or lungo with extra intensity if desired. I have no complaints about the quality of the shot it pulls. Only once in a long while will you see a little bit of grounds in your crema but it is rare. Cleaning: Cleaning couldn’t be easier. Simply take out the portafilter, push the button on the handle over the trash can and the espresso will fall out ready for another use after a quick rinse.

PHILIPS BARISTINA Easy to use - Good starter espresso machine – Decent brews OVERALL The Philips Baristina does a great job simplifying the process of making a good espresso. After you add water in the back, and beans on the top, then you can make espresso all day long with a simple press of button and emptying the portafilter between brews. The user has 2 primary options Espresso or Lungo (which uses more water thus not as strong flavor). It worked well in my testing, with consistent brews each time. It is advertised as “quiet” and maybe is it a tiny bit more quiet than my other 3 espresso machines (yes I have a problem, I know), but as with any grinding process it is still somewhat noisy. In short it does a very good job, is super easy to use, and a fair value. SETUP Continuing the “no instruction manual trend”, you have to scan a QR code on the box to figure out how set up the machine. I was not impressed with the instructions. The default page was in Spanish, then you had to pick which exact model you had (back to the box to check the UPC code), then some vague instructions and video. It was not hard, but could have been better. Short version (rinse everything out, put in water, plug it in, hold the middle button for 5 seconds let it run a while, then rinse it all out and start using it. The final (missing?) instruction is that you need to run 3-5 cups of espresso through the unit before getting something drinkable. TIP: USE FILTERED WATER. Based on tons of experience you should use filtered water to help keep the high temp pumps and heaters from failing due to excessive build up. TIP: DESCALE OFTEN. If you are a heavy user (4 / day for example) then you will want to descale the machine about every 4-6 week. TIP: DON’T USE FLAVORED / OILY / GLOSSY beans. Build in grinders are easily clogged by the oils in these beans. If you don’t do these 3 tips, then regardless of the maker, you can expect to replace the machine sooner than needed, depending upon your water hardness level. I went form replacing a machine every year, to never having a failure the past 5 years. So far, this is the easiest to setup espresso machine I have used. There is not real “dialing in” process as you find on more manual machines. USE / TASTE / ETC Using the Philips Baristina is dead simple, put in the empty portafilter, select the type of espresso, slide the portafilter to the right, and wait a few moments. You can change the strength (button press) and the volume of liquid (advanced) if you want to. But out of the box it is properly calibrates for a smooth coffee. For my taste the coffee is a little too smooth, but I will play with strength and volume settings later to tweak the output. The crema is good, not too much, not too little. I can’t quantify it, but it is lacking some character and complexity. Though still acceptable. It was interesting to me that the “puck” is smaller than my other machines, it is less compacted (if at all), and much more course and very wet. Regardless it is still a good tasting and acceptable brew. I suspect this uses less beans as well, which in turn could save some money on beans in the long run. If I was served this in any restaurant I would be completely satisfied. RECOMMENDATION If you are new to espressos, or just don’t like the fuss, but still want a good drink, then I think the Baristina is an excellent choice. If you want more control over grind and other settings, you might want a more (or less) advanced machines to help you develop your perfect flavor. I will likely take the Baristina, to my office, where I can have a quick espresso without too much time/effort.

I love this espresso machine so much already. It is so easy to start up and so easy to use. It did not come with step by step instructions so I had to look it up online under the Philipps website, but it was easy to find and the instructions were very thorough and easy to follow. Make sure to run a clean cycle first by holding the intensity button for 5 seconds. After that the espresso maker is ready to use. I brewed my first cup then tossed it, per the instructions and after that brewed a lungo cup and it was so delicious. I also made 2 shots of espresso to drink and the dark roast coffee beans I used that I bought from Marshalls tasted so good and had a nutty flavor to my espresso. It says to use unflavored beans so I will be sticking to dark, medium or light roast with no flavors. The smell of the espresso maker brewing your cup of espresso or lungo smells so yummy it filled the kitchen with a coffeehouse smell. After each cup you have to toss out the coffee in the portafilter. I use the suggestion to use the used coffee grinds for my plants so I eject it right into my plants. Win win situation here. It's also really easy to clean the portafilter and all the coffee comes out so easily by pressing the eject button. I rinse it really quickly and place it back to use again if brewing another cup. Easy. You can also customize your cup size (2 cup sizes for each type of brew) by holding the brew button for 5 seconds and you can add a boost of intensity by pressing the intensity boost button with your brew. This is a beautiful compact sized espresso maker that I already love. I would def recommend this!

The espresso machine effectively bridges the gap between traditional espresso shots and pod-based coffee, and it excels at this task! The machine is incredibly user-friendly, so much so that I initially searched for additional settings buttons, only to find there are none. Depending on your preferences, this simplicity can be either a benefit or a drawback. For instance, you can’t adjust the grind or amount of coffee with this machine. However, you can press the intensity button to increase the coffee added to your shot. A neat feature I found in the instruction manual allows you to increase the volume of each shot. This setting is permanent once configured, unless you reset the machine. This is where the machine bridges the gap with pod coffee. By adjusting the Lungo setting, you can increase the shot volume to 6.7 ounces, nearly a full cup of coffee. I plan to use the machine this way, keeping the espresso button unmodified and setting the Lungo to make a cup of coffee. Cleaning the machine is very easy, although I do struggle a bit with the portafilter since it can’t be disassembled, at least not that I’ve discovered. Taste-wise, the coffee is delicious! I’m quite impressed with both the espresso and the Lungo settings, as the coffee is consistently good after the initial 4 or 5 brews. For the past two years, I’ve made a latte every day after lunch using two shots of espresso with a very inexpensive machine. The Baristina is a significant upgrade, requiring a fraction of the effort. I’m still using my old machine’s milk steamer, but I intend to purchase the matching Baristina milk frother. If you’re a true espresso fanatic, this might not be the machine for you. However, if you want flexibility and the option to move away from pod-based coffee, this is an excellent choice!

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!

I got my Philips Baristina BAR300 espresso machine about a week ago and after a disappointing start it has become my favorite coffee brewer I have ever owned. First impressions were not kind. The packaging feels cheap and unstable which isn’t ideal when you have something expensive with plastic and electronics. The manual is hard to read and has poor grammar. The machine itself also feels lighter than expected. Once I found a QR code to scan for a better manual things got a little easier. Set up and the initial cleaning process took maybe 15 minutes or so. Then it was ready to brew. I timed the entire process once I got used to it. The time it takes to rinse out the porta filter (The part that holds the ground coffee and needs to be dumped and rinsed after each use), reinsert it into the device, hit a button and wait for the cup to brew is about 75 seconds. I am really impressed how fast it heats up. First you remove, empty and rinse out the porta filter. I have had a few espresso machines in my time and this is by far the easiest porta filter to empty and clean I have ever used. After it is clean you reattach it to the Baristina by just sliding it into a groove. At this point you hit the button for espresso or lungo and the extra strength button if so desired. It automatically grinds the coffee and then moves the porta filter into the brew position. Then somehow it heats up and completely brews the cup in about a minute. It really is impressive how fast the process is. Lungo (a term I didn’t know before this) is just an espresso with more water used so more like a regular cup of coffee. After the first few uses (where it seemed a bit watered down, the manual warns of this) it seemed to adjust on its own to a perfect consistency. I now get a perfect cup quickly brewed every time. The only thing that worries me at all about this device is longevity. It has a built in grinder which is awesome but it is another point of possible failure. Then there is how it automatically locks the porta filter into place once it is about to start brewing. Again, a cool feature, but also one that could possibly fail. However, even with those concerns and the terrible first impression I’m still giving this device a solid 5* review. It brews a perfect up of espresso or lungo every time and it does it remarkably quickly. A feature that I really appreciate for that first cup of the day! I would absolutely recommend this device to a friend.

I had an espresso maker at home but the wife would never really use it as she preferred a quick and easy brewing process you see with most pod based brewers, so we switched back to one of those but I missed the selection and tastes you get out of the different roasters out there. This machine is fairly simple, you have the machine itself, hopper for the beans, water tank and portafilter for the brewing process. Setting it up you're guided to fill the water tank to run some cycles of water through, I then brewed 5 cups for the machine to get dialed in with the beans it's grinding and get a proper portion to brew. Over these brews you see the puck being tossed because more dense and pretty much coming out in one piece. It has become consistent and the espresso button on the left is 1.35oz and the lungo button on the right is 4oz, the button in the center is labeled as "extra strong" and gives the brew an intensity boost. You would simply press this after selecting the brewing option. Brewing is neat, the hopper grinds into the right side of the machine, you insert the portafilter and slide it over to the right, when done dosing the beans for the brew it slides back to the left to begin. Once done, simply remove the portafilter and press the button on the bottom side of the portafilter to eject the grounds. The brewer has a nice overall design and is very simple to use that this has replaced the pod based system we had been using and gets used daily. I am curious to see how a change in beans would go, at this time I have been buying the same bag, but curious to see if you will need to do a few brew cycles to tune in the dose once again. If you're keeping a similar roast in bean, it might not be too dramatic, but a medium to a dark I would be curious to see. My next bag may need to be a different roast. I am glad not to have limitations, and have a few roasters locally which I can buy beans from and enjoy at home, this also opens the option to buy beans from other while travelling and have that taste at home!

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.