If you love coffee like us, then you know good coffee when you smell it, let alone taste it. That’s why you should choose freshly ground beans every chance you get!
Sure, pre-ground coffee may seem convenient, but the quality simply doesn’t compare to the quality of a cup of Joe made with fresh ground beans. Freshly ground beans add a fresh flavor that percolates the taste buds much better than pre-packaged grounds could ever hope to.
So, what do you do? Get a coffee maker with a grinder for your office of course!
In this guide, we’ve put all of today’s top grind & brew coffee makers to the test to help you decide on the best for your budget, counterspace, and coffee sensibilities. Each one excels in several areas and is guaranteed to work as advertised. The question is, which one will work best for you? Keep reading to find out.
Best Coffee Machines With Grinder Of 2020
| Image | Product | |
|---|---|---|
Best for Espresso Purists  | Breville the Barista Express BES870XL
| Check Price |
Best for Coffee Traditionalists  | KRUPS Grind and Brew Auto-start
| Check Price |
Best programmable  | Cuisinart DCC 1200MR 12
| Check Price |
Best for a Single Cup  | Cuisinart DCC 3000
| Check Price |
Best Versatility  | Hamilton Beach 49980A 2-Way Brewer
| Check Price |
Best for the Perfect Cup  | DeLonghi ESAM 3300
| Check Price |
Best for Tech Lovers  | OXO On Barista Brain 9 Cup
| Check Price |
1. Breville BES870XL Barista Express – Best for Espresso Purists
The Breville BE870XL Barista Express is a dream come true on oh so many levels. While its price may initially catch your eye, it won’t be long until you realize how impressive its functionality is too.
Semi-Automated
For starters, it’s semi-automated. This means it’s easier than a straight-up manual barista machine, but you can’t simply play on your phone and wait for your cup to magically appear.
The good news is there isn’t much work required. The better news is how easy the Breville Barista Express is to use. The dials might be a bit intimidating at first, but you’ll get the hang of it in no time at all.
Completely Customizable
If you truly love your espresso, this is the machine for you.
That said, like most barista-quality espresso machines, it is a tad loud. However, the noise kind of adds to the espresso-making experience and makes you feel like you’re at a coffee shop circa 1996.
All you need is a New York Times, a few neighborhood friends, and you’re god to go!
- Great for espresso
- Excellent grind quality
- Solid, durable construction
- Several grind and brew settings
- Frother works very well
- Pressure gauge and cleaning tools included
- Not fully automated
- Can be a little noisy
2. KRUPS Grind and Brew Auto-Start Coffee Maker – Best for Coffee Traditionalists
An espresso machine with a grinder is one thing, but if you’re a coffee traditionalist who appreciates a quality cup of Joe, the Krups Grind and Brew might be right up your alley.
Great Grinder
Why? Well, let’s start with its grinder. Not only is it a stainless-steel conical burr grinder, which is as good as a grinder gets, but it has five different grind levels ranging from coarse to super fine depending on the beans you’re using and the kind of drink you want.
Easy to Use
Its intuitive controls are also quite nice. On the LCD display, you’ll see three different strength options to choose from, so you can enjoy your coffee exactly the way you like it.
Plus, it’s fully programmable with an auto-start brew cycle, allowing you to wake up with a cup ready to go.
It also has a convenient keep warm feature, pause and serve function, and a removable filter for easy cleaning as well. With sleek good looks good looks too, it just about takes the cake.
- Sleek good looks
- Brews 2-10 cups
- Conical burr grinder
- Very customizable
- Fully programmable
- Well-made
- Number of settings may take some getting used to
- A little pricey
3. Cuisinart DCC-1200MR – Best Programmability
The Cuisinart DCC-1200MR is designed to deliver up to 12 cups of delicious tasting coffee on a silver platter. Well, the platter isn’t included but its functionality definitely trumps many of the other coffee makers on the market.
Taste
This Cuisinart can effortlessly grind and brew any type of coffee beans. Whether you like rich dark roasts or prefer a lighter, nuttier flavor profile, your coffee will taste great as long as you keep the machine properly cleaned and maintained.
Fortunately, cleaning and maintenance is a breeze. It even alerts you when it’s time to clean the charcoal water filters, which will keep unwanted particles out of your coffee to keep its taste up to par.
As far as design goes, there’s not a lot to like or not like. It looks like a programmable drip coffee maker – nothing less and nothing more.
The design of the carafe, however, is a little disappointing. While it looks just fine, it’s nearly impossible to empty the last remnants of coffee out of it without flipping it completely upside down. Other than that, there’s not much not to like with the DCC-1200MR.
Fully Programmable
Many coffee makers claim to be programmable, and they are to a certain point. However, this Cuisinart takes programmable functionality to an entirely new level.
- Very programmable and hands-off
- Solid customization features
- Gold-plated filter
- Three-year warranty
- A little heavy and bulky
- Number of buttons and switches may be intimidating to some
4. Cuisinart DCC-3000 – Best for a Single Cup
Do you like the one-cup philosophy of a Keurig but crave fresh-ground beans and more customization options? If so, the Cuisinart DC-3000 might be just what the coffee doctor ordered.
Premium Coffee One Cup at a Time
Rather than using a standard separate carafe, this mid-range Cuisinart features a built-in coffee reservoir system. The entire brewing process occurs within the machine, and the coffee is stored inside a double-insulated 12-cup reservoir located right next to the built-in water tank.
When finished brewing, you can dispense the coffee a cup at a time with the press of a button. Talk about convenience.
The water reservoir is also removable for easy filling and cleaning, and it has a charcoal water filter as well as a gold-tone filter. If you prefer a cleaner cup with less coffee sediment, don’t worry, it also comes with traditional paper filters, so you can brew away however you want.
Easy to Use
The programmable functions of the DCC-3000 also work as expected. Just set the time you want to have a hot cup ready and let it do the rest. If you only want a few cups, just set it at the 1-4 cup setting for optimal water temperature and steeping time.
- Convenient single cup design
- Fully programmable
- Brews at a great temperature
- Easy to clean and maintain
- Dispenser actuator is a bit flimsy
- Coffee gauge isn’t very accurate
- Some reports of leaking
5. Hamilton Beach 49980A 2-Way Coffee Maker – Best Versatility
Hamilton Beach makes a variety of coffee makers, but this model is by far the most versatile. Not only does it feature a built-in grinder, but it’s able to brew both traditional coffee grounds as well as pods. It can also brew a single cup or an entire carafe, making it one of the most flexible coffee makers out there today.
Brewing Performance
As mentioned, one of the best things about this coffee maker is its ability to brew a single cup or an entire 12-cup carafe, depending on your household and morning routine. In addition to the carafe, there is a dispenser right next to it and an area for you to place your coffee cup or travel mug.
While this alone would be great, both the primary carafe drip dispenser and the side dispenser can be programmed separately. So, regardless of your coffee preferences, you can wake up in the morning with fresh, hot java waiting for you.
Taste
Nonetheless, considering its price range and all it can do, this is a small gripe only truly passionate coffee drinkers will have an issue with.
- Two-way, side-by-side brewing options
- Programmable
- Several coffee strength settings
- Auto shut-off and brew pause features
- Water temperature could be higher
- No water temperature control settings
- A little tricky to clean
6. DeLonghi ESAM3300 Magnifica – Best for the Perfect Cup
If you’re really particular about the taste of your coffee and find yourself on an endless quest to experience the perfect cup, the DeLonghi ESAM3300 Magnifica is may be worth checking out. From regular ol’ coffee to espressos and cappuccinos, you can brew just about anything with it and brew it very, very well.
Settings for Everything
The biggest reason for this DeLonghi’s ability to create great tasting coffee drinks is all of the settings it comes with. From the grind of the bean to the concentration of water flowing over the grounds, you can customize your coffee or espresso drink for the perfect texture and taste.
Easy to Clean
In addition to all this professional-quality espresso machine can do, it’s also a breeze to clean. Not only is it equipped with an automatic descaling alert, but all of the parts can be easily removed for pain-free cleaning.
With its performance and everything it offers, the only real drawback of the DeLonghi Magnifica is its price. However, as one of the top models on the market, its price is more than justifiable.
Love coffee and feel like splurging? If so, this is the coffee maker with grinder for you.
- Makes great tasting coffee and espresso
- Looks good but built like a tank
- Easy to use and clean
- Compact design saves counterspace
- A little noisy
- Lacks a carafe
- Not cheap
7. OXO On Barista Brain 9-Cup Coffee Maker – Best for Tech Lovers
Thought microprocessors were only in smartphones or cars? Think again. Thanks to the OXO On Barista Brain, coffee makers are now utilizing microprocessor technology too.
Why? The answer is simple – to get the perfect pour.
Advanced Technology
The OXO On Barista Brain 9-Cup Coffee Maker is controlled by a computer in order to regulate time, volume, and temperature when brewing your morning Joe, resulting in a great cup of coffee time and again.
Thanks to its microprocessor and “Rainmaker” water dispenser, the water in its reservoir is evenly distributed in specific timed cycles to perfectly mimic water being poured over fresh grounds. This allows it to produce the same great taste every single time.
Design and Aesthetics
Unlike most coffee makers with grinder, the OXO On Barista Brain features a side by side design. While connected at the top and the base, the bean grinder sits beside the drip and carafe.
Sure, it takes up some space, but if you love looking at roasted coffee beans and watching them grind right before your eyes, you should love this OXO. It instantly transforms any kitchen into a coffee shop, except you won’t have to pay $3 or more for a cup!
- Certified by the SCAA
- Fully programmable
- Utilizes “smart” technology for optimal performance and taste
- Maintains optimal temperature, volume, and concentration
- Double-insulated carafe keeps coffee hotter for longer
- Water tank isn’t removeable
- Carafe spout pours slowly
- Takes up a bit of space
Best Coffee Machine with a Grinder Buyer’s Guide
If you’re already super keen on one of the coffee makers above, then go ahead and get your grind on. However, if you’re new to these terrific two-in-one devices, it’s a good idea to learn a little more about them before hitting the “Buy” button. So, let’s dive in!
Why do I need a coffee machine with a grinder?
This is a loaded question. First, you might ask why buy a coffee machine with a grinder versus one without. Then, you might ask why can’t you buy a coffee grinder and a machine separately?
Let’s start with the first question.
Coffee tastes best right after grinding. Sure, pre-ground coffee is convenient, but as it loses its freshness, it loses its flavor as well. Coffee brewed with fresh ground beans, on the other hand, tastes amazing.
Needless to say, if you’re not using a coffee grinder, you should be.
While you could purchase a coffee grinder separately, you would give up even more counter space end up putting more time and effort into making your daily brew.
Coffee machines with built-in grinders are undeniably faster and more convenient, and they take up less space too!
Whether you’re a casual coffee drinker or a daily coffee fanatic, a coffee machine with a grinder will rock your world – in a good way.
That being said, no single coffee maker is right for everyone. To pick the best one for your needs, you need to know what to look for. We’ll get to that next.
How to Choose a Coffee Machine with Grinder
When shopping for a coffee machine with a grinder, there are certain features you should look for and questions you should ask, such as:
Espresso or Drip?
When reading the reviews above, you probably noticed we included both espresso machines and drip coffee machines on our list. This is because more and more people are drinking espresso, and a fresh grind is also important for both espresso and coffee brewing.
If you’re an old-school coffee traditionalist content with sipping your daily dose of coffee, then a drip brewer is more up your alley. Not only do these require less cleaning and maintenance, but most can brew larger batches and they’re usually less expensive as well.
That said, generally speaking, drip coffee machines have fewer customization features. So, if you want to mess around with different pressures, grind sizes, and so on, they probably aren’t the best option for you.
Plus, if you crave dark and rich flavor, most drip brewers won’t be able to produce a strong enough concentrate for your passionate palate.
Espresso machines, on the other hand, come with a variety of grind settings, produce a rich and luxurious flavor, and feature frothing systems or steam wands for endless java creations. If you want to make lattes, cappuccinos, and any other café-quality coffee drink, espresso machines are worth checking out.
Blade or Burr?
When choosing between a blade grinder or a burr grinder, burr is the way to go. Blade grinders grind beans less uniformly, resulting in uneven grounds and an inferior extraction. These are usually found in low-price machines.
On the other hand, burr grinders consistently chop beans to a uniform fineness, resulting in optimal extraction, flavor, and consistency. If you love coffee and don’t mind spending a little money for years of flavor enjoyment, a burr grinder is definitely for you.
Weak or Strong?
Many coffee machines with grinders feature different strength settings, allowing you to create as strong or weak a brew as you want. However, some have more strength settings than others, so you can enjoy your coffee exactly how you like it.
Coarse or Fine?
In addition to brew strength settings, quality coffee machines with grinders also feature different grind settings, allowing you to create the perfect consistency for your taste buds.
One Cup or 12?
Some coffee machines have large carafes able to hold 12 cups of coffee at a time, while others serve nine cups, and some models are similar to a Keurig and only serve one.
If you really love your daily coffee or there are several coffee drinkers in your home, then a coffee machine with a large carafe is likely the way to go. However, if you only drink a cup or two a day, a single serve machine will definitely do.
Is there anything else to consider?
Of course there is. Other factors to keep in mind include:
Counter Space
You need somewhere to put your coffee machine, which means you’ll need to sacrifice a little counter space. In addition to enough surface area, you should also make sure there is enough clearance between the top of the machine and the bottom of the cabinet. You’ll also need a power outlet nearby.
Water Temperature
An adjustable water temperature feature is a big plus. While most coffee drinkers may like their cup of Joe scolding hot at 180 degrees or more, others prefer it a little cooler. Some even like it cold, so a being able to adjust the water temperature with each brew is certainly a good thing.
Auto-Start
Another great feature is auto-start. A popular feature found on most programmable coffee machines, it allows you to set a specific brewing time and wake up to a freshly made cup of fresh ground coffee each and every day.
Hot Plate
A hot plate helps keep the carafe and the coffee inside warm and fresh for longer. Although it consumes power, it’s a must if you drink more than a cup in the morning or any other time a day. Just be careful, because if a hot plate becomes too hot, it can overheat the coffee and ruin its flavor.
Warranty
Coffee machines with grinders have a ton of moving parts. Plus, they involve liquids. With even the best machine, this can sometimes be a recipe for disaster.
Since the chance for leaks and malfunctions is always there, it’s best to pick a coffee machine with a good warranty. Some come with a one-year warranty, others have a two-year warranty, and others even offer longer protection.
Obviously, the longer the warranty, the better. However, it’s important to read the fine print to see exactly what’s covered.
Conclusion
So, which coffee machine with a grinder should you choose?
This all comes down to your needs. Do you love the taste of lemon peel and dark, rich espresso? If so, the Breville Barista Express or DeLonghi Magnifica may be the best choice. If you want full programmability and a large carafe, the Cuisinart DCC-1200MR might be ideal.
Now that you know what to look for and have the scoop on some of today’s best coffee machines with grinders, it’s up to you to pick one out and get your brew on. Here’s to great coffee!
REFERENCES:
https://www.breville.com/
https://www.krupsusa.com/
https://www.cuisinart.com/
https://www.hamiltonbeach.com/
https://www.delonghi.com/
https://www.oxo.com/
I make good cappuccinos with the Breville Barista. Bean grinder and espresso semi-automatic are nicely integrated. That’s great if you want to get to know semi-automatic machines. The storage tray does get wet and is therefore unusable. Coffee is lost when grinding. This can be solved by filling the filter carrier 2 x halfway and tamping it in between. Unfortunately the filter cake does not get dry as mentioned. Because of the swivel arm on the steam nozzle you can put the milk jug down while frothing.
Have long doubted between Breville-type of machine or a full automatic. I am convinced of correct choice now.
Got my first Breville home two weeks ago. After having tried 12 espresso’s (with varying success), the machine already broke down on the second day. Pressure pump didn’t work anymore. Tried everything by the book, nothing to be done. Contact with Breville USA, advice: ‘best to contact the distributor’. Upon request, a new one can even be sent by post, without any costs… But that takes a little longer. The new Breville has been in the kitchen for more than two weeks now. I’ve already tried four different kinds of beans.
Once you understand the basic process of making a decent espresso, and how to froth milk, a new world opens up. I bought the book ‘Thuisbarista’ and started working with it, which is also highly recommended.
As mentioned before in a Breville review it takes a while to get it right but once that is done you have really great coffee. For this I have 10 years a Quick Mill
but I’m still impressed with this device. Only disadvantage is that you now know what real coffee tastes like and you don’t really want anything else anymore.
Breville is a beautiful device. Not as clumsy and grand as the full machines. But it’s all in one. The espressos are perfect. But for an ordinary coffee (more water) I’m not out of the quantity and fineness of the coffee grind yet, so I don’t get the perfect crema.
Breville machine is a super nice device, also a feast for the eyes of your kitchen counter! At first it is a bit of practice with the grinding degree etc. But once you have set it to your liking, it is really enjoyable for coffee lovers! Cleaning the appliance is also quite easy.
I do find the jug to froth milk on the small side. You can froth just 2/3 cups with it so if you have large groups it is not very practical, we usually put an old filter device down.
The water drip tray fills up pretty quickly!
It is a quick search with the adjustment of the amount of coffee, grinding degree and pressing. But then you have some. Breville Delivers a much better espresso than I’ve ever been able to achieve with my Jura fully automatic. Of course, it also wants something. Beautiful design in Swiss construction quality. Highly recommended.
We’ve had the Delonghi esam 3300 for five years now and it worked flawlessly… until yesterday. I almost bought a new one, I miss a good espresso that much. In a desperate attempt to descale it again, not much better. I made coffee all evening and poured it into the pump tray. Not much better. Then I cleaned and descaled everything again. The button of water at maximum, the button of coffee at minimum… …and suddenly some kind of stop has come loose and everything’s back to normal. So from now on always double descale. Each machine will, with moderate use (6 cups per day), after 5 years of limescale and especially coffee residues, oil and the like, pile up. Good maintenance is essential, no matter the price.
The DeLonghi ESAM3300 is an excellent device, With the hot water pre-rinse the cups are excellent to pre-heat. Grinding noise is much more pleasant/softer than before. Spacious coffee / water settings give wide possibilities for desired taste.
Removable water tank at the front and used coffee is advantageous for placement in closet.
Many years of excellent experience with its predecessor make you expect excellent price/quality.
We’ve had the DeLonghi 3300 machine for about 3 years.
When he does it he does it well, although he makes a lot of noise. It’s best to stop talking then.
Ours is (already) stopped, which I think is very fast for that price.
I would say, feel free to look further for a slightly more modern and cheaper machine.
The Breville is a beautiful semi-automatic, which does not look out of place in your kitchen. I’ve had it in my house for a week now and I’m already really satisfied with it. The many possibilities and adding my own touch really appeal to me. It is smart to immerse yourself a bit in the art of making coffee this way. I’ve done that through the internet and YouTube where dozens of videos can teach you the intricacies of becoming your own Barista. Just practice and the results will amaze you. If you don’t want to figure this out yourself then you just have to buy a fully automatic machine. I am really happy with the purchase and have a rewarding hobby with it.
I have been doubting for a long time about a Breville espresso machine, but this machine exceeds all expectations! Now I finally taste the real taste of my espresso beans, not the faint taste of a full automatic. No more full automatic for me!
DeLonghi ESAM3300 Magnifica
Coffee’s fine,it’s easy to use,it makes a lot of noise with the coffee molds.
cleaning in the door where the coffee runs through is not possible. if you use coffee molds (quick filter), the metal filter closes. at this moment it starts to squeak and crackle when starting up.
This is the experience after 3 years.
The Breville BES870XL Make fantastically tasty coffee, but you have to take the time to do so: grind the beans with every cup, mash them, make coffee, clean the piston/machine. Quickly make a cup of coffee so there is
not at.
My previous machine, a fully automatic DeLonghi Magnifica was a lot simpler, but now the coffee tastes much better.
Breville Barista is a nice device, after some reading in and trying it, you can master it quickly. The manual is very clear and provided with clear illustrations. What I do regret is that for a God’s sake you have lost water filters, changing every 2 to 3 months is on an annual basis soon 100 euros, also a pity that Coolblue sells the machine but not the filters. What I also find very dull is that a few months after purchase it is offered on the site for 150!! bux cheaper, apparently I paid the main price for a running item.
Breville is a nice good espresso machine where the bean grinder is integrated which is also useful. The machine looks nice and the cup quantity is programmable.
They could design the coffee quantity to be adjusted better, at the lowest setting the filter is already almost full and I have never used the lowest setting. Maybe with the double filter that you then use the lower setting. Also the pressure gauge only shows Espresso-range which should be the optimal pressure (15 bar), I would rather see the number of bar here, but this is not a big problem at all.
There is enough water in the reservoir and the machine doesn’t make a lot of noise, all in all highly recommended. Keep in mind that you don’t get steam directly from the steam nozzle, but have to wait a few seconds until steam is generated.
After the use of 3 1/2 years our previous one DeLonghi ESAM 3300 unfortunately broke down and bought this app again.
We could not get used to another app.
In between using a Philps we couldn’t get used to a lot of noise and the coffee didn’t taste good.
And when you have tasted all the coffee from the deLonghi you don’t want another one anymore.
DeLongi Magnifica is a coffee machine and after 2 minutes you have coffee and it tastes like coffee.
Our customers say it every time after such a delicious cup of coffee.
We hope to be able to use it again for 3 to 4 years.
I’ve had the Breville BES870XL in my house for a couple of weeks now and should have done this a lot sooner! The taste of freshly ground coffee and the frothed milk are perfect. The Breville makes it very easy to prepare.
Compared to the Nespresso we had before, it is an improvement … and it was already good. The disadvantage is that making an espresso or milk coffee takes a lot more time (frothing, grinding, cleaning and on to the next cup). But that’s definitely worth it! We use the better / more expensive beans, but still we are cheaper compared to the cups.
Because we drink a lot of milk coffee, the Breville uses a lot of water (to cool it down after steaming). That’s why we have to empty the drip tray every day. But it is so hygienic.
By the way, we opted for a semi-automatic, because a full automatic requires more cleaning of the inside of the appliance (prevention of moulds). So I didn’t feel like it.
In short, the Breville is a must for coffee lovers who like a sleek design. Finally a tip: check out some videos on the site of Breville and YouTube to see how you should froth up now. This way … now time for a coffee 🙂
The DeLonghi ESAM 3300 is an ideal device when you only have a small space available.
Because I only had a small space available, I bought a device with pads. I could never get used to this taste.
With friends I drank an espresso a couple of times. This taste was great.
Since I only had a space of 40x38cm available, I had to look for a compact appliance.
Then I ended up with De Longhi’s appliance.
What scared me a bit was that the device would make a lot of noise, like the one at my friends’. after the first use I was pleasantly surprised by the little noise.
Also the first use is very well described in the manual.
This machine is really recommended for anyone who wants to enjoy a nice cup of espresso
No more going to a coffee shop but just drinking professional coffee at home. Nice to do, great result and sleek chrome design. Clumsy at birthdays and parties, because then you stay busy because nobody wants coffee from the Senseo coffee machine anymore. But that’s understandable.
I am super brand loyal to the Hamilton Beach brand of coffee makers because their different strength styles just appeal so nicely to my taste buds.
Hi Hillary!
Yeah, I think that’s the strength of this brand, too.
We had to hurry up with DeLonghi fully automatic device and find the settings to our liking. We were spoiled after 12 years of Nespresso machine with capsules (became too expensive), but this machine brings us a delicious espresso: strong, hot and with a nice crema. The only thing that can be disappointing is the durability.
Single and avid coffee drinker, the DeLonghi ESAM is the ideal machine. Perfectly adjustable dosage (coffee and water). Only fill the water tank in time, if you like me drink a lot of coffee one day … And of course the best quality beans (I prefer Illy)
I was a little upset at first. I thought I’d do that for a while. Now that I get to know the Breville device better and have used YouTube movies, I’m getting better and better at it. The coffees are getting tastier and tastier! I guess I expected it to be easier, but now I am more and more satisfied!
With Breville it takes a while to get the perfect espresso out because you have to do the right settings. (temperature, amount of coffee and amount of water) but practice makes perfect and in no time you can make the most delicious espresso, latte and cappuccino.
I bought the Breville Barista Express machine because I wanted a ‘good coffee machine’. I didn’t feel I could have chosen better, I make delicious coffee with it even without very expensive beans.
The design is really great I also like this black version a lot better than the silver/grey you see on many other espresso machines.
Furthermore you can make all kinds of specialties with it, which is nice for the variation.
For this we had a Nespresso machine, although that’s very nice it’s not very cheap (33-35 ct per cup). With Delonghi machine you can make just as good coffee (depending on the beans you use) for much less. This machine is very easy to use, and easy to maintain. We are very pleased with it.
I have worked for 7 years in the hospitality industry as a Barista and find this product (Breville BES870XL) perfect except for one crucial point: the piston/filter carrier. Specifically the clamping spring in the piston. The clamping spring is a steel wire that holds the filter in the piston. This has made Solis so weak that the filter is so loose in the piston that the filter regularly gets stuck in the device / falls out of the piston. Because that thing is burning hot and there is also coffee tray in it, this is not very handy. I wonder if this is a design flaw or if it is a deliberate choice. On the picture you can see that the filter hangs in the device.
If you can live with that it is a perfect machine, very nicely finished and all-in-one (coffee, bean grinder, steam nozzle and hot water). If you find that piston very annoying I advise you to buy another device. In the end – because of a discount – I decided to keep it.
for me it’s great that you have so much in your hand to make your coffee, but it’s true that there is a learning curve because you have to adjust the grind, quantity and so on to your taste, which is not or almost not possible with most other machines. that makes it a top machine for those who like to do it.
Breville device removed and returned after a few days. As a beginner we didn’t get a decent cup of coffee out of it, despite a lot of information on the internet. The machine is beautiful and looks very solid, so it won’t be because of that. Without coffee experience you have to be very patient before you have a good cup of coffee.
Be special in my league with the DeLonghi 3300 device. Good value for money (so far) and easy to use. Amount of coffee and water are easy to regulate, so I can enjoy a delicious cup of coffee or espresso quickly (and that’s what it’s all about) when I feel like it.
Small drawback: the indicator light for a “full” trash can burns too quickly, often after just 3 cups of coffee.
It takes a while to get used to switching from a Tassimo to the Breville Grind & Infuse pro. But once you’ve found the settings, the coffee is delicious! And even then you can continue experimenting endlessly with types of coffee beans, types of milk etc! It costs a bit, but if you love coffee and you don’t mind doing a few things for it, then this machine is for you!
Finally good coffee with Breville the Barista Express BES870XL! Easy cleaning and almost feel like a barista. Milk frothing is just a trick but after that you don’t want anything else. The biggest challenge is to get the grinding/quantity/beans selection/correct pressure right. But once found (top tip: make a note) and then go with the cups of coffee.
It’s just fun and crafty to make a good cup of coffee. Especially in these times where everything is almost automated, we get lazy and complaining. Basically, I make coffee just as fast with this machine as I did with a senseo latte, maybe even faster.
I’ve tested this machine with different beans. Eventually I came to the conclusion that the Breville the Barista Express BES870XL machine is rated a bit too high by the reviews. Now of course it is always very personal and it is just what you are used to, how you will experience this machine. If you come from Senseo, this is a special improvement. But, if you are a real critical espresso drinker, this machine is certainly not worth 4 stars. The machine is too limited for that. And maybe even just the bean grinder. Because, in the end, a grinder largely determines the taste of the final espresso. The consistency of the grinder and the way the beans are grinded (cheap grinders cutting, very expensive grinders crushing the beans) determines for the most part what aroma is released in the bean. And that’s where this machine (of course) scores badly. And that’s not weird. A good mill, e.g. a Mazzer Mini with very special grinding discs costs more than this complete semi-automatic machine alone.
I didn’t manage to get espresso out of it that could earn the predicate ‘good’. A few times, with certain beans and different milling settings, I was against it, but, it never really became ‘good’. That’s why ‘only’ three stars. In absolute terms, I think that’s right, but, if you normally drink Senseo, you might find this a bit low scored.
Breville the Barista. Great purchase.
Beautiful design, real eye-catcher by the stylish stainless steel look. Make delicious coffee, but for a real coffee lover that is something you like to have. Once you’ve figured it out, it’s a very user-friendly machine.
Small drawbacks: the water tank could have been a little bigger and the machine makes a lot of noise when warming up.
After being a user of a fully automatic espresso machine for several years, it is a nice experience to be able to return to a semi-automatic machine, with sufficient basic possibilities and a lot of room for personal interpretation and improvisation.
A Breville machine that really counts in the kitchen.
We previously had a fully automatic machine from Délonghi that was much more expensive, but the ESAM 3300 was just as good and just as easy to use. More difficult to dose in terms of coffee strength because it has to be adjusted manually. Also does not make more noise than the expensive version.
I went from full automatic to semi automatic coffee machine because I get tired of cleaning mold on the internal filter housing of full automatic machine, to keep it clean you have to remove the filter housing after each coffee, with semi automatic you just let ff water run and ready.
Because I’m familiar with catering espresso machines I was looking for the right position and I was ready. By stand I mean adjust the grinding degree and amount of coffee in front of the filter, if you always use the same coffee beans you only have to adjust it once if you use different coffee beans then you have to adjust it again because each coffee bean has its own character / body and way of roasting.
For people who are familiar with it or want to learn it, it’s a great device.
It is absolutely not suitable for people who want to waste time making coffee quickly or not at all, because these types of machines are not made for this target group. Then go for a fully automatic one with, yes, less taste.
Breville is a lovely device, once you’ve mastered it you can easily make a cup of coffee with it.
At first I had to get used to the pressure, but after some attempts I succeeded. Expect this setting to be easier and easier with other beans. It is definitely worthwhile to grab some on youtube.
Have done more than 10 years with my old Breville machine, in comparison it is very much quieter used less than half the coffee beans. To get the flavor out of the beans in your coffee it’s a bit of searching for the right settings. But then you have some.
The DeLonghi ESAM 3300 machine has been in the house for five years now, but drinking hot coffee is an art, right out of the machine it is already lukewarm, in the beginning it was hot, but after a year of use the temperature dropped. Until tonight suddenly everything stopped, the light of the hatch burned and the device did nothing more. I think it’s an expensive device, I expected it to last longer. No more delonghi for me! Making a cup or four a day on average shouldn’t be a big task for a device of this price, I’m very disappointed that it only lasts for five years, especially because it is always neatly maintained on time and with the right means.
First we looked at much more expensive machines, then on the advice of some ‘connoisseurs’ we examined them and finally ordered Breville. Good choice!
It takes a while before you have set up the machine properly and set it to your hand. You also have to take time out to learn the intricacies. But the turning curve is very short and very quickly you make perfect espresso and cappuccino!
After first having a Nespresso and fully automatic, this was an upgrade to the real thing: Grinding degree, amount of ground coffee, tamping and pressure build up to make a delicious espresso.
The Breville Barista Express is not a machine you can master in a few minutes. If you’re unlucky you have to adjust the grinder for each type of bean, where you can throw away a few cups because of too sour (too little pressure) or too bitter/small coffee (too much pressure). Once it’s perfect it’s a wonderful sight to see the coffee run through. After originally throwing away 15-20 cups I got the trick done, and set new beans with 1 or 2 cups.
Tip 1: Use cheap beans to get the hang of the machine, but be aware that some beans just don’t make good coffee.
Tip 2: Use the filter for 2 cups to set up the machine properly, including pre-infusion (water addition at the beginning under low pressure) it should run for about 25-35 seconds with this filter.
Foam making can be done well with the steam nozzle and in any case without danger of a milk explosion. The result is so good that people keep asking for another cup, and in general my coffees are now experienced as tastier than in a restaurant. Please note, making a piece or 5 cappuccinos can take quite some time, so on a birthday you’re not the coziest.
A lungo will have to be poured out manually with the Americano pipe. You can’t fix this to a certain amount, although you can use the cup itself as a reference. You also have to use the 1 cup filter to prevent the coffee from being experienced as too strong by lungo drinkers.
The daily cleaning is easy to do, rinse everything well and wipe it with a cloth. Cleaning the grinder is a bit more work, especially because beans make a sticky mess because of the oil structure. It is advisable to use cleaning tablets that you can grind along. The steam nozzle should be wiped well, because milk residue cakes on quickly.
A few more tips:
– You can preheat the device by turning it on a few minutes in advance, and then run water later without portafilter. When you’re done, do this again to clean it thoroughly. Because of the eco settings it will go off after about 5 minutes, but this way the whole device already heats up (running Americano pipe is another way).
– I bought a separate Solis Caffissima IQ 168 so I can make 2 kinds of coffee (at the moment it contains decaffeinated beans), the portafilter is easy to hang under that device.
Breville Barista is a super machine! Looks nice in the kitchen. A pricey coffee machine, but the old one can go, and no kettle needed. So saves a lot of space.
The machine heats up very quickly and is ready to use. Water temperature is good.