Starbucks Barista Home Espresso Machine - Stainless Steel

My family loves its espresso and we've tried around 4-5 espresso machines over the last 20 years. So what makes the Starbucks Barista fabulous? It flat-out works!

Additionally:

* Reasonably priced

* There is no auto-anything. (ie, no frills that'll just break later)

* It's heavy and solid a quality piece of workmanship

* Actually made by Saeco (and just re-branded by Starbucks)

How does it compare to other machines I've used?

We've tried the cheap models (~$100) and they broke or wore out after a year or so. We've tried the really expensive models (~$1000) and with a bunch of internal moving parts and auto-grinder, auto-tamper, auto-cleaner, etc. etc. These often gum up, break, or insist some internal plastic piece is out of place (think "PC LOAD LETTER" for an espresso machine).

I've owned a Starbucks Barista for about ten years now. In fact, I decided to find a second one in case the 1st one decides to give it up. It's a workhorse of a machine, which I use at least five times a day for Americano-style regular cups on-demand and for espresso on occasion. The white version is probably the most practical since it is easiest to keep looking clean, whereas the graphite or stainless versions are somewhat more "perpetual care." The color finishes are extremely durable and made to last for many years. The stainless version case is about 2mm thick nice and strong.

Since these are no longer being made (at least not under the Starbucks name, and I'm not finding them elsewhere) it seems a good idea to locate a little-used one because a comparable machine would be at least twice the price this model sold for when new, and even then, those higher priced ones are not highly rated unless you get to the commercial end of the market, four or more times the price.

It's worth cleaning the upper gasket-seal regularly so it doesn't get worn away by trapped grounds and to check the stainless insert that receives the coffee grounds to ensure that the holes are not being plugged-up with too finely ground coffee. A tiny fishing float added to the tank will aid in monitoring the water level in low-light situations.

The Starbucks Barista can't be beat for good, clean design and functionality.

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We've been using one of these for about six or seven years. Actually my wife uses it every day; I generally use a Keurig, but now and then I make a latte. I was hesitant to spend this much money on an espresso machine, but this model is nothing if not durable. We've never had even a single minor issue with it.

It makes the best espresso because it uses a pump. Cheaper models simply heat the water until it is too hot, and the resulting espresso is not as good. This model heats the water to the exact right pressure and then pumps it through the coffee. The result is espresso that tastes exactly like it does at Starbucks.

My biggest concern was that the pump would give out. But as I said, my wife has used it every single day for at least the past six years. That means more than 2000 times now. And it still works just as well now as it did when it was new. Calculate the cost of buying a coffee from Starbucks every day (which my wife would do if we didn't have this), and the savings per cup by making it at home, and it has paid for itself many times over.

We have broken the glass receptacle more than once, and now we have a metal replacement. Other than that, it's exactly as it was the day we bought it.

Another plus is that it's not made of cheap materials. We can give it a vigorous cleaning and it still looks almost brand new. Virtually no visible signs of wear. Built like a tank!

When this thing does finally break down, I have no doubt we will buy an exact replacement, if it's still available.

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