The perfect cup of coffee is no mean feat, especially if you’re trying to replicate café-quality brews at home. The go-to solution for many is investing in an espresso machine, particularly semi-automatic models. The lure of these machines often comes down to their combination of manual controls with automated features, which allow users to manage brewing variables like water flow and shot timing while the machine handles tasks like temperature regulation and pressure. However, these types of machines can be intimidating to some, with their myriad of buttons and knobs - and usually come with a steep learning curve.
Home appliances giant, Philips, is looking to simplify all that with its all-new Barista Brew. This hybrid espresso machine combines pro-level touches such as a 58mm portafilter and PID temperature control (an instrument used in industrial control applications to regulate temperature, flow, pressure, speed and other process variables) - with beginner-friendly features, such as a calibrated tamper and pre-programmed drink options. The promise? To deliver barista-level coffee without overwhelming newcomers.
Over the past few weeks, I’ve been testing the Barista Brew - using it as a replacement for my everyday coffee machine and brewing everything from rich espressos to velvety lattes - to see if this machine deserves a spot on your kitchen counter.
PHILIPS BARISTA BREW REVIEW: PRICE AND AVAILABILITY
The Philips Barista Brew espresso machine is currently priced at £529.99 in the UK, and can be picked up from the appliance giant’s official website, or at retailers such as Amazon and John Lewis. While this places it on the higher end of mid-range espresso machines, it still undercuts premium models from Sage like the Barista Pro, which typically costs over £700.
It’s also worth keeping an eye out for occasional discounts that may bring the price closer to £500. Still, at this price point, you’re getting a decent bang for your buck with the Barista Brew.
PHILIPS BARISTA BREW REVIEW: DESIGN
If there’s one thing the Philips Barista Brew espresso machine does well, it’s striking a balance between style and functionality. It boasts a polished, professional look that’s bound to impress as it stands proud on your kitchen countertop.
The machine’s brushed stainless steel exterior resists fingerprints, keeping it sleek and smudge-free, while subtle black plastic accents around the controls (while a little cheap looking) lend a modern, understated aesthetic overall. It’s also rather compact for an espresso machine at just 32cm wide and 33cm tall, making it easy to tuck under cabinets, though accessing the rear water tank might prove a bit inconvenient if space is tight.
One of the machine’s standout features, however, is the 58mm portafilter - a professional-grade size that allows for even coffee extraction while adding to the machine’s premium feel. It’s paired with a calibrated tamper, which ensures consistent pressure for better brewing results.
Another great feature is the Barista Brew’s control panel. It’s intuitive and neatly laid out, with buttons for single or double espressos, Americano, and grinder operation - all clearly labelled and complemented by a pressure gauge that helps you get the perfect temperature depending on the coffee you’re brewing. When it comes to steam, there’s a large knob on the right-hand side that allows you to control the steam wand and hot water functions.
One small downside is the design of the water tank. While its 2.3-litre capacity is impressive, the tank’s narrow shape can make it tricky to refill and clean thoroughly. Similarly, the cup clearance beneath the portafilter is limited to 9.4cm, which might make it tricky to fit taller mugs underneath.
However, Philips by far makes up for this by including a wide selection of accessories, such as four filter baskets (both single- and dual-wall options for one or two shots), a stainless-steel milk jug, and a dosing funnel to reduce coffee grounds mess. These extras make the machine suitable for beginners while offering enough flexibility for more experienced baristas.
PHILIPS BARISTA BREW REVIEW: PERFORMANCE
When it comes to performance, the Philips Barista Brew is hard to fault. The espresso machine excels in making the espresso brewing process approachable for beginners while offering enough flexibility for intermediate users. It delivers consistent, rich shots with minimal fuss, thanks to features like pre-infusion and a pressure gauge. If you were wondering, pre-infusion gently soaks the coffee grounds with low pressure before brewing, which helps extract the flavours evenly for a better-tasting shot. And a pressure gauge lets you keep an eye on the brewing pressure for more consistent results. It’s these elements that help take the guesswork out of pulling a great espresso - perfect for those without much experience.
If I had to find a downside to the Barista Brew, it’s the machine’s bean grinder. While it seems powerful and works well for the most part, it's super loud during operation, producing a high-pitched whine that takes away from an otherwise polished experience. This isn’t great if you’re using the machine on early mornings and don’t want to wake up other members of the household (or neighbours!). The grinder also has just 15 grind settings, which coffee enthusiasts might find limiting - especially compared to machines like the Sage Barista Pro, which offers more than double the settings. That said, the included dosing funnel and calibrated tamper make coffee preparation easier than ever, helping keep mess to a minimum and ensuring evenly packed coffee grounds.
As for brewing, coffee is extracted quickly and easily thanks to its programmable options for single or double espresso shots (there’s also an Americano button that combines espresso with hot water). I found it to offer a great crema on the top of each espresso I brewers, giving it a lovely silky taste. What’s more, the machine heats up almost instantly thanks to its thermoblock system, so you can start brewing within a minute of turning it on. Although it’s worth noting that if you want to adjust shot volumes and brew temperatures, it’s possible but requires some manual tinkering, as the controls for these settings aren’t so intuitive.
Let's move onto milk frothing. The steam wand, while functional, works relatively well but isn’t anything to write home about. It takes 15–20 seconds to preheat and produces a loud screech during operation. That said, you can achieve a silky microfoam for lattes or cappuccinos, it will just require some practice. The wand’s power is moderate at best, so beginners might struggle initially with finding the right angle and depth for frothing milk, but mastering this will come in time. It’s also worth noting that you can’t brew coffee and steam milk simultaneously, which slows down drink preparation for larger batches. Nevertheless, the Barista Brew espresso machine delivered consistently great results overall during testing.
PHILIPS BARISTA BREW REVIEW: VERDICT
The Philips Barista Brew espresso machine strikes a great balance between user-friendly design and pro-level features. Its standout 58mm portafilter, pre-infusion tech and calibrated tamper give it a premium edge and ensure it consistently delivers great quality espresso.
While the grinder’s 15 settings may limit more advanced users, and the steam wand could be quieter and faster, these are minor issues that most home baristas won’t miss. With reliable performance, the right level of customisation for beginner and intermediate users and quality coffee results, it’s a top choice for those exploring semi-automatic machines.
At £530, it’s not exactly cheap. But it’s a hundred or so pounds cheaper than similar rivals - and still an investment worth considering for anyone wanting to elevate their coffee-making game. With a bit of practice, especially with milk frothing, this stylish and durable machine will make an excellent addition to any kitchen.
