As you can tell, the design language is more reminiscent of the older machines in the brands’ line-up. This feature is essential if you care about consistency, and it’s usually only available on much more expensive devices. We tested 14 rolling pins and found the best one for all your cookie-making and pie-baking needs. On its face, we love this feature and think it would be a great addition to any semi-auto on the market, but there are a couple of issues we have with its implementation. The news comes just months after the brand had to recall similar drinks.
Sign up for our newsletter to get honest reviews on top products & services — delivered weekly to your inbox. Learn more about how our team of experts tests and reviews products at Insider here. To measure TDS, we used a device called the Atago Pocket Barista, which gave us concrete proof that some machines are better able to churn out a thicker, richer, more viscous potion without over-extracting than others. To save energy, it turns itself off automatically after nine minutes. It also includes a small dosing spoon and a plastic tamping device, which — I have to admit — feels a little cheap considering that the Classic Pro used to come with a nicely weighted stainless steel tamper.
We wanted something that did not require reading a novel-size manual, watching a lot of YouTube videos, or reading tons of articles about espresso pulling. Yes, making espresso does require some learning for the home brewer. That’s part of the fun, but the machine shouldn’t be discouraging to use out of the box. Accepting hamilton coffee maker this little gadget for what it is means adjusting expectations accordingly. Given that we didn’t expect it to perform to the level of a good semi-automatic espresso maker, there was nothing not to like. It also has the ability to make cold milk foam for iced lattes or flat whites—and here it really exceeded expectations.
The Bambino Plus also has a sleek, compact design, so it fits nicely in most kitchens. Finally, it’s time to talk about those disconcerting double-wall filter baskets that come with the Breville Barista breville espresso maker Express. I’ve already written a lot about these in my review of the DeLonghi Dedica EC685. When it comes to milk froth, the Breville Barista Express goes all out with a pro-style steam wand.
Though the portafilter is a bit on the heavier side, its wooden handle is the most ergonomic we’ve experienced, and the heavy-duty tamper packs your espresso dose reliably. This level of consistency over multiple shots reflects the Ascaso’s quick recovery time, which is impressive for a home machine. In comparison, with a machine like the Gaggia, for example, you’ll have to walk away after a while and let it rest. A wheel on the side of the machine adjusts the grind, and I was able to settle on a very fine grind that was consistent on the whole. In our testing, we noticed it had a tendency to generate clumpy grounds on the finer settings.
With the screen, you can easily swipe to select your preset drink of choice, with options including espresso, latte, cappuccino, flat white, and Americano. It’s then just as easy to customize any drink, setting your preferences for temperature, strength, and milk texture. Once you’ve designed your perfect drink, you can even give it a name and save it for the future. The Dual Boiler is the one Breville espresso machine that even the espresso geeks who routinely drop thousands of dollars on machines have to admit is a great buy. It has all the features you’d expect from a high-end prosumer espresso machine but is packed into friendly Breville packaging and at a far lower price. As far as price, the Infuser falls in the middle of the range while still offering some more expensive models, especially the PID digital temperature control.
One feature to keep an eye on is the pressure gauge on the front of the BES870XL. It immediately tells you if your settings will work together to produce enough pressure. It’s basically just a gauge that permanently monitors the temperature of the brew head, ensuring a more perfect espresso extraction in the filter basket. In spite of that, the Breville Barista Express has what it takes to teach you the skills necessary to pull a good shot of espresso.