A dappled layer of crema on top of the shot is a sign of complexity. There are really only a couple of differences between the Breville BES870XL and the Breville BES878BSS Barista Pro Espresso Machine. The most obvious one hamilton coffee maker on the surface is that the Barista Pro takes a step away from the retro design that many people love. The Breville brand has its roots in Australia, where the company initially earned its reputation with a sandwich toaster.
Or, you can change the settings and program your preferences into the system. Essentially, Touch gives you the best of both worlds — automatic features and the option to use the espresso machine manually. Handling it required more attention and care compared with the wands on the other machines we recommend, but I was able to get exquisitely textured microfoam equal to that of the Breville models. I also noticed that I could better stretch the milk to get a fluffier cappuccino, so with some practice you can master the range between ultrathin microfoam and dry foam. Though the programming is limited, I was impressed that my preferred shot volume held up over multiple test sessions with only slight adjustments to my grind and dose. The beauty of the Bambino Plus is the combination of simplicity and unexpected power, enhanced by a rather elegant aesthetic.
And with the added convenience and price point for the machine, we were willing to make an exception. There isn’t another machine that is as easy to operate one-handed or mess free. You’d have a hard time finding all of the quality features in this package tidily wrapped in stainless steel, ready to adorn any countertop in style. Espresso is an inherently involved affair, from burr grinders whirring and overflowing, to gadgets galore and the occasional spewing portafilter .
In order to find the best for most people, we consulted a handful of experts and baristas, conducted extensive testing, and held multiple taste tests. When you choose your machine, considering adding a set of the best espresso cups or one of the best tampers to your collection. The DeLonghi Dedica Deluxe was probably the most disappointing machine we tried, not because it performed the worst, but because of the huge mismatch between its quality and its $300-plus price tag. From the body to the portafilter, it feels pretty flimsy, and the default brew setting filled the espresso cup so high it was impossible to move without spilling.
The coffee from the Gaggia was on the same level as the Espressione, but again, the machine is just very limited in what it can do when compared to the more robust Delonghi Eletta Explore and the Jura E8. It is important to note, however, that it’s an entry level machine. Unfortunately, that means that it’s just not rugged or robust enough to stand up to more rigorous use like busy commercial offices. Cleaningis a starbucks mocha simple proposition too, made even easier by virtue of the “Clean Me” light on the front face of the unit. It’s a simple and effective way of reminding you when the machine needs a cleaning cycle, and when you make your purchase, you’ll get a cleaning kit as well. It’s not a perfect machine, and it’s certainly not for everyone, but for the right user, it offers the perfect combination of ease of use and control.
And if the standard settings for single and double shots aren’t quite right for you, the Grind Amount dial lets you control how much or how little you dispense for each shot. The Solis Barista Perfetta intrigued us as a possible middle ground between the Gaggia Classic Pro and the Bambino Plus, but we experienced a few recurring issues. Despite its featuring three temperature settings, we found the espresso it made to be noticeably cooler than shots from other machines, even on the hottest option. The machine also cut off manual extraction multiple times due to the manometer exceeding the ideal pressure. In our tests it took a lot of adjustments to get reliable, steady extraction.
We saw less clumping from the grinder on the Breville Barista Pro, which uses those newer burrs too. After pulling a shot of espresso, we had to wait longer than we’d like to switch to steaming milk. Turning the steam wand’s control knob also doesn’t actually provide much incremental change in power. The user manual is easy to understand, and with a little practice, you can pull rich and consistent shots, and even capture some of the nuanced flavors of premium roasts. Most impressive, perhaps, is the Bambino Plus’s ability to generate silky milk froth rivaling that made by your favorite barista—whether you use its super-quick auto-froth setting or steam the milk manually. The Bambino Plus is also compact, so it should fit easily in any kitchen.
One thing I didn’t like about Barista Pro is that it doesn’t come with a cup warmer. This would have come in handy for having a hotter espresso, as Barista Pro espresso occasionally comes out warm and not hot. Make sure to run a blank shot before brewing espresso to heat up the Barista Pro. Think about which features you need when choosing an espresso machine.
You’ll get all the features of the Barista Pro like a built-in grinder with dose control, precise temperature and extraction, 3-second heat up, and a 2-year warranty. Meanwhile, the LCD display will show you the progress of your grinding and extracting. It also shows your settings so you can make a perfect cup every time.