PHILIPS Barista Brew Semi Automatic Espresso Machine – Single & Double Espresso + Americano Button, 250g Bean Container, Intuitive Guidance, Calibrated Tamping, Metal Silver (PSA3218/01)

Such a great at home machine!!!
 I love how easy this is to use + that the grinder is built in! Such a great price compared to other at home machines and compact so it doesn’t take up so much space on your counter. It’s really easy to clean and and only make noise when it’s grinding the beans, other wise it’s not that loud.

WORTH IT!
If you usually buy lattes when leaving the house, this is SO worth it! I actually hadn’t ever tried an Americano, I really like it. It works great, very user friendly and very simple cleaning. I would say it’s worth it for sure to save money in the long run of buying at coffee shops and just making things right at home!!! Plus, I can make more than one in a day!

The best
 Super easy to use- love the frother. The espresso taste ways more fresh. Love that it has options on how to grind the beans. Comes with a lot of utensils which is great to have options.

Perfect!
I got this to try out and we love it! This machine is so awesome, it looks intimidating but it’s really easy to use. It has a sleek design and is heavy duty! We use it every day now.

This espresso machine is impressive. It’s easy to use and I enjoy making delicious lattes almost daily. I am not a morning person, so this machine has done a lot to make my morning a little bit better. Overall, I’m very happy with the grinding and brewing abilities. I’m still ‘warming up’ to the milk steamer, since that is not automatic and I’m still figuring out best techniques.What I liked✅ Grounded cord – I always have more confidence using a kitchen appliance when I see there’s a grounded cord. Especially because there’s water involved.✅ Grinder setting is easy to change, as is the amount dispensed.✅ Drip tray is easy to insert and remove. On another machine that I’ve tried, it had a very fussy drip tray that would need several attempts to sit right after re-inserting. I’m much happier with the tray on the Philips Barista Brew.✅ Drip tray has a dedicated section for grinds, presumably if you accidentally start to grind your beans before attaching the portafilter.✅ The smell of freshly ground beans. I had previously been buying espresso grind beans for another machine, and nothing compares to freshly ground.✅ Watching the pressure gauge. I don’t drink espresso pure, but use it for soy milk lattes and cappuccinos. So, I always tolerated a little wiggle room with the extraction on another machine. Having the pressure gauge on the front of the machine has allowed me to fine tune the grind settings to craft the perfect extraction.✅ Water tank handle placement. I love how visible and accessible it is to pull off the tank for emptying.✅ Removal of filter basket is smooth. I can remove the filter basket (once cooled) from the portafilter with just my fingertips. On another machine, I had to use a dull knife inserted into groove to pop it out. This is much safer.✅ Calibrated tamper. I needed this in my life!What I didn’t like❌ Narrowed opening to the milk jug. I find that tapered angle makes it harder to judge how full it is when filling. It also makes it harder to clean because I’d love to get my fingers in there, right to the bottom to give it a good scrub.❌ Temperature gauge on the milk jug is inaccurate and hard to read. With my jug, the “too hot” red shows up before the “just right” green. Maybe it’s because I’m using soy milk instead of dairy, but figuring out the right temperature using the jug’s colour indicators has been constant frustration.❌ Narrow and hidden water tank. I really wish it would be more common for water tanks to be on the side of machines so they are easier to monitor while in use. I also wish that this tank was wide enough that I could get my hand inside for scrubbing down the walls periodically.❌ I find the Americano spout height gets in the way. I don’t need that coffee shop look at home, so I don’t have dedicated glasses/mugs for espresso and cappuccinos. I just want to make a basic latte using my favorite coffee mugs, which are a standard coffee mug height. My mugs fit under the portafilter, but the Americano spout blocks it from sliding in further. If the spout was just a touch higher, it would be perfect for me.❌ The steaming wand takes A LOT of practice. And it will squeal at you in the most high pitched way if you’re using it wrong. I’ve scared pets with it and I’ve had one awkward question from a neighbour. (“Is everything OK at home? I’ve been hearing some concerning noises the past few mornings.”)Overall, this is a very good espresso machine. 4.5 stars.

Up until recently I had two coffee machines sitting on my counter, and would use them both daily as I like to have options.I use the K brand in the morning for my regular coffee, and the N brand for afternoons and after dinner espressos.This machine now replaces the two, but I will admit that my coffee bean collection has started to grow.If you like a variety of coffee blends and flavours (like the options available to you with the two aforementioned brands) then a dedicated machine like this might not be for you.I don’t mind housing a few different flavoured beans, especially when my local shop allows me to buy small quantities to try them out.Once you get the beans home is where the fun starts, and being able to select your coarseness of beans is just the beginning.I wish this machine had the hopper that allowed you to put two different flavoured beans in at once like others have, but it’s not a deal breaker that’s for sure.A good thing to remember when selecting your grind setting, is how you like your coffee.A simple rule is the finer the grind the more time the water has to filter through the “beans” the greater chance of it becoming bitter, but it is the recommended setting for espresso.The larger the grind the faster the water will pass over the “bean”, and you run the risk of it being too weak in flavour.This machine will allow you the ability to mix things up, so don’t get discouraged if your first few cups aren’t the best.One of the other good things about this machine is that you can adjust the water temperature to make a hotter beverage……which for me is great as I like a hot cup of coffee.

I like the whole process of filling the bean hopper, adding the filter to the portafilter, tamping down the beans, and then even giving the milk frother a go, but the best part that always makes me laugh is calling out the wrong name of my wife every time I have her coffee ready, it makes me feel like a real barista. LOL…If you don’t mind taking a bit of time to truly make yourself a good espresso or coffee, then this machine is perfect for you.

My husband is the only espresso drinker in the household, which wasn’t a big deal in the past because he could get his fix while at work. He retired this year so I thought it would be a good idea to have a proper espresso machine in the house so that he wouldn’t have to always go out to get his fix and to also save the cost of buying individual espresso’s.This espresso machine is pricey but is an investment that will be worth it in the long run. The Philips barista brew semi automatic espresso machine arrives with everything you need to make an espresso with the exception of the beans and espresso cups. The manufacturer ensures that the machine and it’s accessories arrive in flawless condition.The first thing that I noticed when unpacking the machine is it wasn’t quite as heavy as I was expecting. The shiny steel is sleek, modern and high end looking, the matte anti fingerprint casing is much lighter and doesn’t have that sleek, modern and higher end look. While it controls fingerprints I would have preferred more of a shiny steel casing. This may be a me thing, my personal preference.The machine is easy to use, easy to follow instruction booklets are included. I basically plugged it in and it was ready to go. The operation of the machine is with simple touch buttons and each button is clearly labelled. Pretty much every button, knob and fill line is clearly labelled. The entire machine is compact and I appreciate that is was made square and with a lower profile.While this machine ensures that you can make an exceptional and easy cup or 2 cups of espresso, you’ll still need to source quality beans to guarantee a good espresso. Being able to easily grind the beans as you need them ensures freshness. The accessories that come with the machine are all made of high quality steel and have a nice weight to them.The PHILIPS barista brew semi automatic espresso machine is a good value for the price.