The Barista Express - Bean to Cup Coffee Machine with Grinder and Milk Frother, Black Truffle

I worked as a barista in another life, I love coffee and this machine is excellent. The grind size can take a little time to dial in at first, but once you’ve found the right setting for your favorite beans it becomes very easy to use and is very reliable. The espresso quality is fantastic, it is rich, balanced, and far better than what most home machines can produce. There’s a reason this model is so popular. The milk frother is also surprisingly good. You don’t need to angle the jug to get decent foam; it will work even if you just leave it in place. Tilting the jug does help you get a more refined texture, but the fact that it performs well with minimal technique makes it great for beginners and still satisfying for someone with barista experience. The machine isn't the cheapest, but having barista style coffee at home has cut down on my coffee orders and has paid for itself by now.

An incredible coffee machine, I've tried quite a few but I think this is the one that beats them all. The grinder is a massive bonus meaning freshly grounded coffee beans for every cup. The steaming is quite fast and espresso shot is decently timed too. Good extraction of coffee and easy to clean. It fits nicely on my kitchen counter tops and looks really lovely. Great tasting coffee and can create good latte arts too.

This is a great coffee machine if you want cafe-style drinks at home. It is not a press one button and done machine, so you need to learn a bit, but it is worth it. The built-in grinder works well and the coffee tastes much fresher compared to using pre-ground beans. I noticed a big difference right away. The steam wand is strong and makes nice foam for lattes and cappuccinos. After a few tries, I could make pretty good milk drinks. There is a small learning curve. You need to adjust the grind size and amount, and it helps a lot to use good fresh beans. Once you find the right settings, the coffee turns out very good and consistent. The machine looks great on the counter, especially in the Black Truffle color. It feels solid and well made. Cleaning takes a bit of time because the drip tray fills up fast and the parts need regular wiping, but that seems normal for this type of machine. Overall, I am very happy with it. If you want real espresso at home and do not mind learning a little at the start, this is a very good choice.

This machine takes a little while to set up and adjust to your requirements, but it is worth the effort. It is beautifully made and has a solid feel of quality about it. It produces lovely coffee, and I would happily recommend it.

Easy to use. Good bean grinding, and pouring of hot water over ground coffee. Steamer is a bit tricky to operate as it is very close to the machine and the on/off switch...difficult to swirl and watch the temperature colour change on the jug and turn off. I need more practice!