Philips Baristina Espresso Machine Review: Who Is This For?

In my updated Philips Baristina Espresso Machine review, I’ll be discussing my experiences testing out this brand new coffee maker from the Dutch giant.

To be honest, I was more than a little dubious about this compact little espresso maker. As I pulled it out of the box. My main question was whether it’s really a necessary addition to the espresso machine market. After all, this is really neither a “real” espresso machine nor a fully automatic coffee maker. 

You’ll understand what I mean a little later. For now, let’s get the ball rolling in this Philips Baristina Espresso Machine review!

Overview: Philips Baristina Espresso Machine Review

So, what’s the deal with this new home espresso machine? Well, for starters, the Philips Bartistina looks pretty slick. Featuring a sleek, streamlined design, the Baristina Espresso Machine has a thoroughly modern aesthetic. What’s more, this is an incredibly compact appliance, making it ideal for those with small kitchens.

At this point, I should mention that the Philips Baristina Espresso Machine is trying to break new ground. You see, although this appears to be a “hybrid” espresso machine, it’s basically a fully automatic.

Sure, there’s a portafilter to contend with, but the user doesn’t have to do anything in terms of dosing or tamping. And unlike some Breville espresso machines with built-in grinders and auto dosing and tamping systems, there’s no way to program your preferred settings.

Rather, you simply push the portafilter over to the dosing and tamping station and the machine takes care of the rest. Then, the portafilter springs back into place and your espresso extraction begins.

Some folks might think this is the best thing since sliced bread. Me? I feel like the portafilter is little more than an exposed fully automatic brew group. Even more so given the fact that you can’t adjust your dose or even your grind setting.

Philips Baristina Price

So, at this point in my Philips Baristina Espresso Machine review, I’m a little confused as to the target audience for this thing. Plus, at around $400.00, it’s not exactly cheap.

I mean, if you were to buy a super simple espresso machine like the Casabrews CM5418 and a decent but affordable espresso grinder like the Breville Smart Grinder Pro, you’d actually be spending less money.

Then you’d not only have a milk system, but also interchangeable filter baskets, dozens of grind settings and the option to use any type of coffee beans you wanted. With that setup you’d easily be able to experiment with finessing your espresso extraction.

However, the fact remains that these alternatives take up significantly more space and require more patience and skill. What’s more you don’t always get the same results.

The Philips Baristina promises the opposite: total consistency, easy to use, no effort required. These are luxuries that justify a luxury price to a certain extent.

Nevertheless, I’d like to see the price drop by 50 bucks or so. Only then would this automatic espresso machine represent serious competition for the machine/grinder combination.

Philips Baristina Features

Believe me, I’m always willing to be proven wrong. With that in mind, let’s continue this Philips Baristina Espresso Machine review by looking closely at the special features involved.

Size and Design

As I already mentioned, the Philips Baristina is compact in all the right ways. In fact, it’s about the same size as one of those dreaded coffee capsule machines.

Available in either Black or White, the machine will certainly sit pretty on your kitchen counter, and its ribbed design adds a touch of modern class to proceedings. Then again, there’s an abundance of cheap plastic in the machine’s construction, which leads me to question its durability.

Up top there’s a 6-ounce (170-gram) clear plastic coffee bean hopper, and sitting behind the machine you’ll find the small removable water tank. In front of the hopper there’s a three-button control panel, beneath which you’ll find the portafilter and dosing/tamping station.

All-in-all, the Baristina features a refreshingly straightforward design, with just enough flair to make it stand out. Oh, and speaking of flair, you can opt for any number of flashy portafilter accents, including Mango Yellow, Berry Red and Natural Green.

User Interface

The Philips Baristina Espresso Machine really does keep things simple. And I’m well aware that this will appeal to a lot of folks. There are three buttons on the control panel: one for espresso, another for a lungo espresso and an “Intensity Boost” button. That’s all. No grinder settings, no temperature settings – simplicity personified.

Of course, this means that anyone looking for a hands-on barista experience should definitely look elsewhere. I mean, unless you want to use this machine with a separate burr coffee grinder and espresso tamper. Still, that would seem silly. And there are plenty of other beginner espresso machines out there that will allow you a more authentic experience. The Breville Bambino Plus immediately springs to mind in that regard.

Grinder

The Philips Baristina Espresso Machine is equipped with a ceramic burr coffee grinder. However, you aren’t able to change the grinder setting on this machine. Rather, you have to trust that the machine will grind perfectly every time.

At this point, you’re likely noticing the theme running through this Philips Baristina review. This is a machine for those who really don’t want to worry whether or not their espresso is “just so.” And that’s completely fine. After all, if potential coffee pod machine consumers opt for a machine like this instead, the world will be a better place!

In the manufacturer’s own video for the Philips Baristina, this espresso machine’s grinder is described as quiet. Well, I measured 69.5 decibels, which does confirm this claim to a certain extent.

Most “hybrid” machines reach at least 70 decibels, so this compact model’s ceramic grinder ain’t bad. The materials and construction are obviously high quality.

Personally, I wouldn’t call this grinder really quiet. Still, the quality of the noise produced isn’t dreadful by any means. But what do we do with the fact that we can’t adjust the grind size? Nothing. Then again, I found the grinder sufficiently well-calibrated that I couldn’t complain about the espresso quality, even if it wasn’t as nuanced as I’d like.

Portafilter

Having established who the Philips Baristina Espresso Machine is geared toward, I’m not going to talk trash about the portafilter. I mean, you wouldn’t expect this machine to have a prosumer 58mm portafilter, right?

I will tell you that (of course) the portafilter is equipped with a pressurized filter basket, which means it’ll smooth out any inconsistencies in grind size and tamping. And that’s a good thing – it means your espresso will arrive replete with a thick layer of crema. Just don’t expect the kind of depth and complexity you’d get from a machine like the Rancilio Silvia!

Dosing and Tamping

Here’s where things get interesting. You see, the Philips Baristina Espresso Machine has a unique way of doing things.

Here’s the deal: You place the portafilter onto the brew group zone, then give it a nudge to the right. This sends the portafilter over to the dosing and tamping station, where the machine takes care of the whole shebang.

Heck, you don’t even need to touch the portafilter again – it’s dutifully sent scuttling back to the brew group and extraction begins immediately.

I have to say this is rather impressive, although I still have a hard time seeing the point. Then again, I made a point of approaching the machine with an open mind throughout my Philips Baristaina Espresso Machine review!

Water Tank

Given the Philips Baristina’s compact footprint, it’s no surprise that it has a small water tank. Then again, it’s good to use fresh water and refilling the 47-ounce (1.2-liter) reservoir isn’t exactly a big deal.

Made from BPA-free plastic, the removable water reservoir attaches to the rear of the machine and sports the same ribbed design as the main body. Oh, and there’s no water filter involved, so using the right coffee water in this machine is of vital importance.

Milk Foam

For those who only drink straight espresso or americanos, the Philips Baristina could be just fine. However, if you like to whip up a cortado or cafe latte in the morning, you’re out of luck. Well, almost.

Philips does offer a matching Baristina Milk Frother for $89.95. But let’s face it – no one has ever bought a milk frother in the hopes of being able to create latte art. Besides, there are plenty of great standalone models out there costing a fraction of the price. Sure, they won’t match your espresso machine, but you’ll be saving a small fortune. Check out my guide to the best milk frothers if you want some inspiration.

How to Use the Philips Baristina

By now, I hope you’ve cottoned on to the fact that the Philips Baristina Espresso Machine is incredibly easy to use. In fact, I’d say you’ll be able to ignore the user manual altogether.

Once you’ve unboxed the machine, I’d recommend thoroughly rinsing all removable parts, including the water tank, portafilter and drip tray. Then, plug in the machine and wait for it to heat up. Incidentally, this won’t take long, thanks to the Baristina’s thermoblock heating system.

Next, fill the reservoir with cold, filtered water and add your best espresso beans to the hopper. Select your desired beverage – either espresso or lungo – then place the portafilter in the brew group and push it to the right. Oh, and you can also press the “Intensity Boost” button for a “stronger” shot.

The machine will now grind and tamp before sending the portafilter back to the brew group. At this point, you should make sure there’s a cup underneath. Oh, and I’d recommend using the handy cup riser if you’re brewing into a demitasse cup.

Coffee Volume & Adjustable Settings

While you aren’t able to adjust the dose of ground coffee for a shot, at least you can change the volume of espresso that ends up in your cup. Then again, I didn’t need to make a change because the factory-set volume was ideal:

If you want to change something, it’s fairly intuitive: press the respective drink button for a long time until it flashes. Then, press the button again when you’re happy with the volume.

If you want a stronger coffee, press the middle Intensity Boost button before pressing the drink button. This will prompt the machine to add more ground coffee to the portafilter. Unfortunately, you aren’t able to adjust the amount of coffee the Intensity Boost button delivers, but at least you have the option.

Deep in the operating instructions you’ll find the instructions for bypassing the grinder and using the Baristina as a standalone espresso machine:

My Observations

If a machine doesn’t allow me to take charge of the brewing process, the fully automatic result has to be really convincing. Otherwise, the machine is pointless.

Fortunately, I was reassured to find that the Baristina does a great job. The espresso is delivered at 140 degrees Fahrenheit (60 degrees Celsius) and displays a thick layer of crema. What’s more, I was pleased by the notes of chocolate and hazelnut, as well as the umami character of what landed in my espresso glass.

Overall, the aroma is more intense than from almost any mid-range fully automatic machine, and even surpasses some premium models.

At 154 degrees Fahrenheit (68 degrees Celsius), the lungo is substantially hotter. Plus, it tastes a little more basic and smoky, with less body and minimal acidity. In other words, I was left feeling rather disappointed.

Best Coffee for the Philips Baristina

If you like to play around with espresso and experiment with coffee origins, you should avoid using your beans with the Philips Baristina. On the flip side, those who repeatedly buy the same, reliably chocolatey espresso blend will be satisfied.

Seeing as you can’t adjust the grinder, you can forget about teasing out complex, fruity notes and subtle undertones. However, the machine does a good job of highlighting nuts, roasted aromas and chocolate.

I would choose coffee beans with a medium roast profile, making sure that all the elements are well tied together.

This is the case, for example, with omni roasts, which are crafted for any type of preparation method. Oh, and in case you were wondering, I achieved perfectly good results with my Coffeeness Espresso Blend.

Philips Baristina Espresso Machine Cleaning

There can be little doubt the Philips Baristina Espresso Machine has been designed with convenience in mind. As I mentioned earlier, the manufacturer obviously wants to convert pod users with this thing.

So, cleaning and descaling aren’t going to take up much of your precious time. Of course, you shouldn’t neglect your machine, so make sure to empty the portafilter of used coffee grounds after each use. Philips makes this easy on you by including a sort of “puck release” button on the portafilter handle, which I absolutely love. While you’re at it, wipe off the group head screen to remove any stray grounds.

Once in a while, you’ll have to descale the machine, and it’ll let you know when the time is nigh. I’ll leave it to the user manual to explain the process.

Philips Baristina Specifications

Verdict: Philips Baristaina Espresso Machine Review

Having reached the end of my initial Philips Baristina Espresso Machine review, I have a much clearer idea of the kind of folks this machine is targeted toward. And I have to say that I do actually understand the appeal, even if this isn’t the machine for me.

Ultimately, the Baristina fulfills its promise of a super-simple workflow with reliable, automatic results. You get real espresso without having to understand what an espresso is. What’s more, the machine’s attractive design and compact footprint make it ideal for any kitchen.

On the other hand, there’s nowhere to go with this espresso machine. I mean, you don’t learn anything, you can’t adjust anything important and there’s no milk frother.

Listen, we all know that coffee capsules are terrible for the environment, and yet they are still selling like hot cakes. So, rather than succumb to the Keurig or Nespresso temptation, consider a machine like the Philips Baristina. It’s just as convenient, and I can guarantee it’ll make better coffee.

Plus, you’ll end up spending less on coffee beans each month than you would on capsules containing stale grounds.