By: The Caffeinated Gear Team
As a team of professional baristas and coffee experts, we’ve spent countless hours testing the Sage Barista Express, one of the world’s most popular coffee machines.
We’re here to give you our candid thoughts on whether this time-tested favourite should be your next coffee companion.
In this comprehensive review, we’ll cut through the marketing speak and show you exactly what makes this machine tick – and more importantly, whether it’s the right fit for your coffee journey.
If you’re eager to dive straight into our detailed analysis, you can click here to jump straight to the main review.
Here’s a bit of coffee industry knowledge that often causes confusion: Sage and Breville are actually the same company. In Europe, these machines carry the Sage brand name because Breville sold their European rights back in the 1980s.
Be careful not to mix up these machines with those from “Breville UK” – a completely different manufacturer who also owns Sunbeam and Mr. Coffee brands. While they use the Breville name in the UK, their machines are distinct from the Sage/Breville line we’re discussing.
Let’s be crystal clear: the Barista Express is a semi-automatic espresso machine with an integrated grinder and traditional portafilter design.
What’s crucial to understand is this: it’s not a bean-to-cup machine.
This distinction matters for two key reasons:
First, as a traditional espresso machine, it can produce genuine café-quality shots – in many cases, even better than your local coffee shop when used properly.
Second, the workflow differs significantly from bean-to-cup machines, so you need to know what you’re getting into.
During a recent coffee tasting session, one of our team members shared an interesting story about coffee machine perception. Many people mistakenly think bean-to-cup machines are more “modern” than traditional espresso machines.
This couldn’t be further from the truth. These aren’t old and new versions of the same technology – they’re different approaches to making coffee, each with their own strengths.
The bean-to-cup story begins in the late 1970s when Saeco revolutionised home coffee making. They created a system that internalised the traditional portafilter process, automating grinding, dosing, and tamping within the machine.
Think of these as sophisticated home coffee robots. You fill the bean hopper, add water, and the machine handles the rest – including waste disposal. Different models offer varying levels of milk automation, from fully automatic to manual steam wands.
However, there’s a crucial catch: home bean-to-cup machines produce a different style of coffee than traditional espresso machines. They typically make longer shots with coarser grinds – technically closer to lungo or café crema than true espresso.
If you enjoy this style of coffee, brilliant! But if you’re after intense, rich espresso for powerful flat whites and lattes, you might find bean-to-cup results lacking.
Modern traditional espresso machines typically use electric pumps rather than manual levers – that’s what makes them “semi-automatic.”
They’re essentially professional café machines scaled down for home use. The process involves grinding coffee, dosing it into the portafilter basket, tamping, brewing, and cleaning – just like in your favourite coffee shop.
While this requires more hands-on involvement than bean-to-cup machines, it gives you complete control over your coffee. With proper technique and a quality grinder, you can achieve what coffee professionals call “true espresso” – perfectly extracted shots with proper pressure and timing.
So when we say “traditional,” we’re not suggesting outdated technology. Rather, we’re distinguishing these machines from the automated bean-to-cup variety. They serve different purposes and produce different results.
We’ve noticed many retailers mistakenly categorise the Barista Express as a bean-to-cup machine, simply because it has a built-in grinder.
This is misleading. While it does integrate grinding into the machine, the Barista Express remains a traditional espresso machine in workflow and results. It simply combines your grinder and espresso machine into one unit, rather than requiring separate pieces of equipment.
This is fantastic news if you’re passionate about creating genuine café-quality coffee at home. However, if you’re seeking one-touch convenience, you might want to explore other options.
For more information about bean-to-cup options, see:
Let’s jump straight into our comprehensive review, followed by a look at the alternatives.
In our years of testing coffee equipment, we’ve found the Barista Express holds a unique place in the market. As pioneers of the integrated grinder traditional espresso machine concept, Sage created something truly special here.
While bean-to-cup machines have existed since the late 1970s, they operate differently with their brew units or infuser systems. The Barista Express brought something fresh to the table, quickly becoming a bestseller – a position it’s maintained impressively well.
These days, you’ll find various alternatives, many from Sage themselves. Whether the Barista Express suits your needs depends entirely on your preferences and brewing style. We’ve discovered there’s no universal “best” machine – it’s all about finding the right fit for you. That said, our testing reveals the Barista Express offers exceptional value for money, which we’ll explore in detail.
First, let’s break down each feature and explain why it matters for your daily coffee ritual.
The Integrated Grinder: More Than Meets the Eye
The built-in grinder’s 18 external settings offer plenty of flexibility for most coffee lovers. When using standard supermarket beans, you’ll find these adjustments more than sufficient. However, our experience with speciality coffee shows that while you might want finer control for perfect dialling in, the grinder still gets you remarkably close to the sweet spot.
Those 10 internal adjustments aren’t just for compensating for burr wear – they can be brilliant for fine-tuning your grind when your favourite beans need that extra precision. Just remember our professional tip: don’t automatically set the internal adjustment to its finest setting. You’ll simply shift the zero point (where burrs touch) higher, meaning your burrs could clash at higher external settings.
Water Tank: Practical Design Meets Water Quality
The 2-litre water tank strikes a perfect balance between capacity and convenience. We particularly appreciate the thoughtful release mechanism – it’s one of the smoothest we’ve tested.
While the included water filter helps in hard water areas, our testing suggests it shouldn’t be your only line of defence. We strongly recommend pairing it with a Brita filter, specifically the Maxtra Limescale Expert cartridges. This double-filtration approach has proven incredibly effective in our long-term testing, helping prevent the number one killer of coffee machines: limescale buildup.
PID Temperature Control: The Heart of Consistency
Temperature stability is crucial for great espresso, and the PID (Proportional-Integral-Derivative) controller handles this beautifully. This algorithmic temperature control system learns and adapts to maintain precise temperatures throughout the brewing process.
While we should note that not all PIDs are created equal – you wouldn’t expect this one to match the sophistication of those found in the Sage Dual Boiler or La Marzocco Linea Mini – it’s still leagues ahead of machines without one. The adjustable temperature settings (two steps above and below the factory preset) give you extra control when dialling in those tricky beans.
Programmable Shot Buttons: Your Secret Weapon
These buttons might seem simple, but they’re vital for consistency. Many users never adjust the factory settings, but we’ve found this to be a crucial mistake. The shot volume directly affects your coffee ratio, which is fundamental to taste.
For example, getting 40g of espresso from 18g of ground coffee gives you that classic 1:2 ratio for a traditional ‘normale’ espresso. When coffee lovers come to us with taste issues, we often discover they’ve never reprogrammed these buttons – a small change that can transform your coffee experience.
Low-Pressure Pre-infusion: The Gentle Touch
The smart firmware controls the pump pressure to gently saturate your coffee puck before ramping up to full pressure. This gentle approach helps ensure even extraction and reduces channeling – something we’ve found makes a noticeable difference in cup quality.
15 Bar Pump with 9 Bar OPV: The Truth About Pressure
Don’t be fooled by marketing claims about 15 bars of pressure. Since the legendary Faema E61 machine of 1961, the gold standard for espresso has been 9 bars of pressure in the basket.
The 15-bar vibe pump is standard, but what really matters is the Over Pressure Valve (OPV) setting. Every pump espresso machine needs an OPV for safety certification, but where they’re set makes a huge difference. The Barista Express’s 9-bar OPV setting is spot-on for traditional espresso brewing, ensuring you’re getting optimal extraction pressure.
3-Way Solenoid Valve: Commercial-Grade Performance
We’ve tested countless machines with spring valves, and while they work, the 3-way solenoid valve in the Barista Express offers superior performance. It gives you better control over water flow and, crucially, releases pressure immediately after brewing. This means drier pucks and no risk of pressure accidents when removing the portafilter – a common issue with spring valve machines.
Nearly every Sage machine (except the Bambino and Duo Temp Pro) includes this commercial-grade feature. While the pump control somewhat reduces its importance for water flow, we’ve found it significantly improves the overall workflow.
54mm Portafilter System: Size Matters (Or Does It?)
The 54mm portafilter size might raise eyebrows among those wed to the traditional 58mm standard, but our testing suggests this is actually a clever choice. The taller, thinner puck can be more forgiving, especially when you’re learning. We’ve found it particularly helpful for newer users still perfecting their technique.
A decade ago, finding accessories for a 54mm portafilter would have been challenging. Now, thanks to Sage’s market success, there’s an abundance of compatible gear available.
Brew Pressure Gauge: Visual Feedback
While the pressure gauge provides useful visual feedback during extraction, we’ve found it’s not essential for great coffee. If choosing between machines, we’d actually prefer a shot timer (like on the Barista Pro) over a pressure gauge, but having both is nice.
Integrated Tamper: Small Detail, Big Impact
This might seem minor, but in our daily testing, we’ve grown to love this feature. The magnetic holder ensures your tamper is always where you need it – no more searching through drawers mid-workflow. It’s these thoughtful touches that make Sage machines stand out.
Professional Steam Wand: Learning Curve Worth the Effort
If you’re upgrading from a basic machine with a panarello wand, there’s definitely a learning curve here. However, we’ve found Sage’s steam wands particularly forgiving for beginners while still offering the control needed for latte art. Once mastered, you’ll achieve far better results than any automatic system.
Practical Conveniences
The generously sized drip tray might not seem exciting, but it means less frequent emptying – a small but significant workflow improvement. The hidden storage compartment behind it is another example of Sage’s practical design philosophy.
What sets Sage apart in the home barista market is their fundamental approach to design. While other manufacturers often adapt commercial or consumer machines for home barista use, Sage builds specifically for home users from the ground up.
Their famous “4 Keys” formula needs updating in our view. Based on our extensive testing, we believe the four crucial elements are actually: brew pressure, brew temperature, low-pressure pre-infusion, and the 3-way solenoid valve.
Temperature Precision
The PID temperature controller sets this machine apart from many entry-level competitors. Even respected machines like the Gaggia Classic and Rancilio Silvia require modifications to add this feature. While PIDs are becoming more common in newer models like the Gaggia Espresso and De’Longhi Dedica Maestro, Sage was ahead of the curve.
Pressure Performance
The 9-bar OPV represents proper espresso machine engineering. While many competitors in this price range use higher pressure settings, Sage understands the importance of proper extraction pressure.
Interestingly, earlier Barista Express models came with a 13/14 bar OPV, likely assuming most users would stick with pressurised baskets. The switch to 9 bars shows Sage’s responsiveness to real-world use patterns – they noticed home baristas preferring traditional baskets even with supermarket beans.
Pre-infusion Excellence
While some manufacturers claim pre-infusion features, our testing shows many simply offer pre-wetting under full pressure with a pause. Sage’s genuine low-pressure pre-infusion, controlled by sophisticated firmware, delivers gentler puck saturation for more even extraction.
Professional-Grade Solenoid
The 3-way solenoid valve is a prime example of Sage’s commitment to proper espresso engineering. While the pre-infusion handling makes it less crucial for water flow control, it still ensures cleaner puck removal and safer operation – no more coffee explosions from residual pressure.
In our extensive testing of competing machines targeting the Barista Express market, we’ve yet to find one that matches all four of these key features. Most manage only one or two at best.
While this machine doesn’t feature an automatic milk frothing system like you’ll find on the Sage Bambino Plus, Barista Touch, or Touch Impress, we’ve found its steam wand to be remarkably user-friendly. In fact, after testing dozens of machines in this price range, we’d rate it among the most forgiving for newcomers to the world of home espresso.
The single-hole steam tip design sets it apart from its four-hole counterparts (like those found on the Barista Pro and Bambino Plus). Though this means slightly longer steaming times, we’ve discovered this actually works in favour of beginners learning the craft of milk texturing.
As certified baristas, we can tell you that achieving the perfect milk texture isn’t something that happens overnight. Getting that silky microfoam consistently takes practice and patience – trust us, we know from countless hours of hands-on experience!
The steam power strikes an excellent balance. While it might not be the speediest option out there, we believe the Barista Express offers the best learning platform for aspiring home baristas in its price category, especially when it comes to creating that perfect microfoam for your flat whites.
Here’s a brilliant tip from our testing: even though this isn’t an automatic frother, you can actually use it like one – a technique that works with most manual steam wands.
Apart from the Sage Dual Boiler and Oracle & Oracle Touch (which share the Dual Boiler’s foundation), Sage’s espresso machine lineup relies on on-demand water heaters rather than traditional boilers.
This approach is standard for machines in the more affordable range, including bean-to-cup models. However, Sage distinguishes itself by using thermocoils instead of thermoblocks. The difference? While a thermoblock sends water through channels cut into a heated metal block, a thermocoil uses an actual metal coil for heating.
In this case, the Barista Express sports the original thermocoil design, while newer models like the Barista Pro, Barista Touch, and both Bambino versions feature the ThermoJet system – an alloy coil created through a pressing process.
Through our extensive testing, we’ve found that ‘newer’ doesn’t automatically mean ‘better’. The ThermoJet certainly brings advantages: the Barista Pro heats up in just 3 seconds, reaches steam temperature faster, and recovers more quickly after steaming. It’s particularly efficient if you’re making just a couple of coffees within a short timeframe.
However, the original thermocoil in the Barista Express has its own merits. Despite taking longer to heat initially (around 30 seconds), its more substantial build means better heat retention. For longer brewing sessions, this could actually prove more energy-efficient than the ThermoJet’s rapid but frequent heating cycles.
The difference becomes clear in how each system behaves: the robust thermocoil needs more active cooling to drop from steam to brew temperature, while the compact ThermoJet cools almost instantly when power is cut. Another advantage we’ve noticed with the original thermocoil is its superior cup warming capability, thanks to the additional ambient heat it generates.
When it comes to grinding capability, the Barista Express uses the original Full Nice burr set – a departure from the European Etzinger burrs now standard across the rest of Sage’s range (the same burrs found in Baratza grinders).
While conventional wisdom might favour the Etzinger burrs, our extensive testing suggests the Full Nice burrs are often unfairly overlooked. Despite their less prestigious reputation, they’ve consistently impressed us with their performance.
Our extensive particle distribution testing using Kruve sieves revealed some fascinating results about the Barista Express’s stock burrs.
Surprisingly, these burrs achieved higher particle concentration than many competitors, even marginally outperforming the Etzinger burrs in our tests.
Whilst particle size consistency isn’t the only measure of burr quality, these results demonstrate that the standard burrs are genuinely capable of delivering quality grounds.
When comparing the Barista Express’s 18 grind settings to the Pro’s 30 settings, it’s important to understand that both can achieve similarly fine grinds.
The difference lies in the size of the steps between settings, not the overall range.
The machine also features 10 internal adjustment settings, with a factory preset of 6.
This internal adjustment serves two primary purposes: it allows for finer grinding if needed, and it helps extend burr life by enabling gradual adjustment as the burrs wear over time.
A word of caution though – we strongly advise against immediately setting the internal grinder to its finest setting.
This can cause the burrs to collide, producing an unsettling motor strain that’s best avoided.
Our recommendation is to maintain the factory setting unless you find yourself consistently using the finest external settings and still requiring a finer grind.
Sage provides a comprehensive 2-year refund or replacement warranty, offering solid protection should any issues arise.
Regarding Sage’s customer support, we’ve observed significant improvements following their post-lockdown challenges.
During the peak of lockdown coffee machine sales, their support team was admittedly overwhelmed, particularly affecting telephone support response times.
However, we’re pleased to report they’ve successfully addressed these issues.
The Barista Express stands out as one of Sage’s more reliable machines, thanks to its simpler design compared to their more electronically complex integrated grinder models.
The primary consideration for longevity is limescale management, particularly in hard water areas.
We recommend using filtered water through a Brita filter with limescale expert cartridges, combined with a Sage water tank softener for optimal protection.
The most common mechanical issue we encounter involves the grinder.
While Sage incorporates a protective clutch system designed to engage if foreign objects enter the grinder, it doesn’t always function as intended.
If you experience gear issues, there’s no need to panic.
Under warranty, Sage will handle the repair, and for out-of-warranty repairs, we highly recommend contacting Radu at espressorepairshop.co.uk, who specialises in these repairs.
Currently, replacement parts availability through Coffee Classics, Sage’s out-of-warranty partner, is limited to complete grinder assemblies rather than individual Sage parts.
This makes gear repairs costly unless using 3D printed alternatives, which we’ve found lacking in long-term durability.
Now, let’s explore the alternative machines worth considering.
After putting the Sage Barista Express Impress through its paces in our testing lab, we’re genuinely impressed by how this machine bridges the gap between novice and expert brewing.
This latest addition to Sage’s “Impress” lineup introduces smart assistance for espresso preparation, though it’s worth noting that it offers less automation than its sibling, the Barista Touch Impress.
While the Touch Impress provides full guidance for both espresso and milk preparation, this model focuses specifically on perfecting your espresso game.
At the heart of this machine lies the innovative “Impress Puck System”, which we found brilliantly handles the trickiest aspects of espresso making that typically require significant barista expertise.
For those planning to use single-walled baskets with fresh beans, this system dramatically shortens the learning curve compared to the standard Barista Express or Barista Pro.
During our testing, we discovered that while the puck system might seem like a modest addition, it masterfully controls two crucial variables – dose volume and tamping pressure – elements that typically demand considerable practice to perfect.
What really stood out in our extensive testing was the machine’s remarkable versatility.
The assisted features are entirely optional – you can use them fully, partially, or not at all.
This flexibility particularly appeals to us because it means you can start your coffee journey with full assistance, then gradually take more control as your skills develop – or simply stick with the automatic features if they suit your style better.
In essence, you’re getting a machine that can grow with your expertise or simplify your routine, depending on your coffee-making ambitions.
We’ve found that many coffee enthusiasts love to experiment with their brewing process during leisurely weekend mornings—bringing out their precision scales, distribution tools, and other specialist equipment. But when Monday morning rolls around, the same coffee lovers often need their caffeine fix with minimal fuss.
The Barista Express Impress brilliantly addresses this dual nature of coffee making. You can switch between its automated settings for those rushed mornings and what we affectionately call “Geek mode” when you’re ready to perfect your craft.
This versatility extends to households where coffee preferences differ. In our testing, we often encounter couples where one partner wants to dive deep into the art of espresso making while the other simply wants their morning coffee without the ceremony. The Barista Express Impress handles this dynamic rather well.
Mind you, we should note that this machine does favour the more hands-on coffee enthusiast. For households prioritising convenience over craft, our experience suggests the Barista Touch Impress might be more suitable.
While both machines offer manual control options, they differ in their approach. The Express Impress features a straightforward button press to switch modes, whereas the Touch Impress requires navigating through the touchscreen settings—a small but noteworthy distinction for frequent mode-switchers.
For those using standard supermarket beans, the more budget-friendly Barista Express with its dual-walled baskets would suffice. However, if you’re venturing into freshly roasted beans and fancy some guided assistance with your espresso journey, the Barista Express Impress could be your perfect match.
The De’Longhi La Specialista Prestigio warrants a mention here, particularly when comparing it to the Barista Express Impress rather than the standard Express model.
After extensive testing, we found that while its build quality and aesthetic appeal are commendable, the limited 8 grind settings significantly restrict its capabilities. We weren’t particularly impressed with the tamp lever system – it lacks clear feedback about proper tamping pressure, and we couldn’t detect any meaningful function from the supposed intelligent dose sensor.
But what about the Barista Pro?
In our testing, the Barista Pro showcased several notable improvements over the Express model. The ThermoJet heating system delivers significantly faster warm-up times, with noticeably quicker steam readiness and overall steaming performance.
A major upgrade is the four-hole steam tip, compared to the Express’s single-hole design, which we found substantially improves steaming power and milk texturing capabilities.
While some might miss the pressure gauge, our team actually prefers the inclusion of a shot timer. In our extensive experience crafting espresso, timing proves far more crucial for consistency than pressure readings.
The Pro comes equipped with the precision Etzinger burr set and offers 30 distinct grind settings for precise control.
We particularly appreciate the LCD screen with its integrated shot timer. This brilliant addition simplifies the process of reprogramming shot buttons, adjusting brew temperature, and accessing maintenance functions like backflushing and descaling.
Another thoughtful improvement we noticed is the Pro’s more refined cooling system. Unlike the Express and Express Impress (which share Sage’s original thermocoil), the Pro doesn’t produce the characteristic 10-second cooling hiss after milk steaming. The ThermoJet’s slimmer alloy construction cools more efficiently, requiring just a brief moment to return to espresso temperature.
While the absence of a pressure gauge might concern some, our professional experience shows it’s not essential. The visual appearance of your espresso, combined with shot timing and taste, tells you everything you need to know about extraction quality. We rarely glance at pressure gauges during shots, but we constantly monitor shot timers.
For those weighing up their options, it’s worth considering the Touch Impress as well. Here’s our quick assessment of how it compares.
The Touch Impress sits in a notably higher price bracket than the Barista Express, which might put it beyond consideration if you’re shopping in the Express’s range.
However, we’ll briefly outline its features to help you understand the differences. Think of the Touch Impress as a Barista Pro with enhanced automation – it offers more guidance than the Barista Express Impress for espresso preparation, plus automated milk frothing.
The machine incorporates the Impress puck system for consistent espresso quality with minimal user input, complemented by intelligent grind size guidance and comprehensive barista assistance from the moment you switch it on.
The initial setup experience is remarkably user-friendly – the machine guides you through priming without needing to consult the manual. It then provides an in-depth first-use tutorial, which goes beyond the daily barista guidance you’ll receive during regular use.
The interface allows you to access tutorials whenever needed – simply tap the screen to review instructions for different drink preparations.
The touch screen offers pre-programmed settings for various drinks: espresso, Americano/Long Black, Cafe Crema, Flat White, Cappuccino, Latte, Babyccino and Hot Chocolate. You can also save up to 8 personalised drink recipes.
Given the significant price difference from the Barista Express, we’ll keep this overview brief. For those interested in a deeper dive into this premium model:
We need to clarify an important point: these Breville machines aren’t associated with Sage. While Sage machines are sold as Breville outside Europe, the UK Breville brand is entirely separate. Despite their similar appearance and naming, the UK Breville Barista range differs significantly from Sage’s offerings.
That said, in our testing, we’ve found them to be the most viable budget-friendly alternatives to the Barista Express.
The Barista Max and Max+ have about a £50 price difference. The standard Max, positioned as the closest alternative to the Barista Express, comes with dual-walled baskets only and is optimised for supermarket coffee beans.
The Max+ includes single-walled baskets and serves as a more suitable alternative to the Barista Pro.
While these machines can’t match Sage’s refinement, build quality, or performance, they offer reasonable value at their price point. However, we must highlight a significant drawback: post-warranty repairs are problematic.
We recently heard from a customer who needed a simple £10 group gasket replacement. Breville UK’s response was concerning – they insisted on a full machine replacement but declared the warranty void because the customer had already removed the old gasket.
They claimed the part wasn’t available, suggesting a complete machine replacement as the only solution. While we directed them to SunBeam Australia (the manufacturer, owned by Breville UK’s parent company) who stock the part, shipping costs would push the total to around £50 for a basic silicone seal.
The grinder’s “tap and go” feature seems poorly thought out – it requires continuous pressure, contradicting its name. However, compared to other Barista Express alternatives we’ve tested in this price range, these machines hold their own.
In a direct comparison between the Breville Barista Max and Barista Express for daily use, we’d choose the Barista Express without hesitation. For budget-conscious buyers considering the Max or Max+, we strongly recommend purchasing the extended warranty from Currys.
Initially, we thought this machine might truly challenge the Sage Barista Express’s dominance. De’Longhi’s recent pivot towards the home barista market seemed promising.
However, our hands-on experience suggests that while the marketing department understood the brief, the engineering team might have missed it.
Despite its professional appearance and premium accessories, the mere 8 grind settings severely limit its home barista potential. Proper espresso requires precise dialling in – something that’s simply impossible with such restricted adjustment options.
Quick dialling in tip for Specialista owners:
Start at the finest setting and work backwards. The finest setting will likely “choke” the machine (no espresso flow). Adjust one step coarser at a time – you’ll typically find your sweet spot between settings 2-4, depending on your beans.
This method won’t deliver perfect extraction – you really need finer adjustment capabilities – but it might suffice for less discerning users or those primarily making milk-based drinks.
Based on our testing, we’d definitely recommend the Barista Express over this model.
UK Breville’s latest offering (known as Sunbeam Origins in Australia) initially impressed us with its specifications, which on paper surpass both the Barista Express and Pro. However, our hands-on testing revealed some significant limitations.
While Sunbeam has made a commendable effort, we found it falls short for serious home barista use.
The dual thermoblock system stands out as its strongest feature, allowing simultaneous shot preparation and milk steaming. For time-pressed coffee lovers who prioritise speed over precision, this could be ideal.
If considering this machine, we strongly recommend the extended warranty. While build quality seems reasonable, the apparent lack of available parts outside warranty means minor failures could render the machine unusable unless you’re willing to source parts from Australia.
We appreciated the programmable shot buttons, manual shot option, and shot timer. However, the grinder’s 30 supposed settings proved problematic – the digital display often skips 2-3 settings at once, making precise adjustment challenging. Our count revealed only 24 actual click positions.
Focus on the concentration rather than micron size (which varies with grind setting). The Barista Express achieves remarkable consistency, with over half the ground coffee concentrated at a single micron size.
Notice the wider particle size distribution – the highest concentration at any single micron size is just 4.7 grams, versus the Barista Express’s impressive 10.6 grams.
Our verdict? The Signature wins on milk-drink preparation speed, but the Barista Express thoroughly outperforms it in precision, build quality, grind consistency, shot quality, and likely longevity.
Our testing team discovered that the Razor tool, included with your Barista Express, is a brilliant innovation for achieving consistent dosing.
After extensive testing and discussion with various coffee professionals, including those at my YouTube channel and the talented team at Brickoven, we’ve found this simple tool makes a significant difference in shot consistency.
During our daily testing sessions, we’ve noticed many users initially dismiss the Razor tool, tucking it away in a drawer. This is a mistake. Our experiments show it’s actually crucial for maintaining consistency.
Here’s why it matters: the Razor tool creates perfect headspace—the gap between your coffee puck and the shower screen where pressure builds. It also corrects any uneven tamping, ensuring a level puck surface.
Through precise measurements, we’ve determined the 54mm double basket works best with approximately 19g of coffee. The actual post-razor weight varies with grind size, which is why we always weigh our shots. The final weight actually serves as a helpful diagnostic tool.
For instance, if we measure only 17g after razoring, we know the grind is too coarse, signalling potential under-extraction and fast flow rates.
While the Razor tool can’t fix poor grind settings, it consistently delivers two crucial benefits: perfect headspace and level puck surface.
We’ve discovered a brilliant technique for optimising steam performance: run hot water briefly before engaging the steam function. This speeds up steam readiness significantly. Post-steaming, point the wand under the hot water spout, flush it clean, wipe thoroughly, then give it a quick steam purge.
Though the Barista Express heats up quickly, we’ve learned through extensive testing that machine readiness isn’t just about water temperature—the group head and portafilter need proper heating too.
Our recommended protocol:
Pro tip: For optimal heating, try our turbo flush method—use the dual-walled basket during flushing. This slows water flow through the thermocoil, ensuring full brew temperature.
In our experience testing countless beans, we’ve found that espresso roasts work best with the Barista Express. While some coffee shops offer beans for various brewing methods, we strongly recommend sticking to espresso roasts when using entry-level equipment, particularly machines with integrated grinders.
While the hopper can hold a full 250g bag, our testing shows this isn’t optimal. We’ve found beans degrade faster in hoppers than in proper storage containers, even with the well-fitted lid.
After months of testing, we confidently rate the Barista Express as the leading integrated grinder espresso machine in its price range.
While the full RRP might seem steep compared to competitors, our extensive comparisons show nothing else matches its capabilities at this price point. For those seeking optimal espresso quality around £500, the Barista Express stands unmatched.
Despite an RRP exceeding £600, we regularly spot it around £500 or less, representing excellent value.
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