5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic Machine of excellent quality all round.

M.M. · 13 June 2025

(function() { P.when('cr-A', 'ready').execute(function(A) { if(typeof A.toggleExpanderAriaLabel === 'function') { A.toggleExpanderAriaLabel('review_text_read_more', 'Read more of this review', 'Read less of this review'); } }); })(); .review-text-read-more-expander:focus-visible { outline: 2px solid #2162a1; outline-offset: 2px; border-radius: 5px; } This machine is top class! It’s so professionally made and works as good as any coffee shop machine.All the parts and accessories are well made and of strong robust quality, nothing feels cheap and plastic and the 58 MM Portafilter makes making a proper 2 shot of espresso very simple.The water temperature and how quickly it makes the espresso is perfect and very quick.The steam milk frother is strong and robust and the steam power heats the milk in the provided steel jug in seconds.The machine is simple to clean and very very easy to use.I have to say I was worried about what the quality of a home machine would be like as I always think the home pod type machines are cheap plastic and the water temp is lucky to be like warm but this machine is quality all round and its operation and result is as good as any of your big name coffee shops.If you buy one I suggest getting a milk jug thermometer…it’s much easier to get the correct temperature of the milk. The machine does not come with one but suggests you do the milk based on the temp the jug gets in your hand. I tried it an even when the jug became to hot to handle the milk wasn’t quite warm enough to drink….as soon as I got a thermometer it was simple and you know exactly when the milk is at 60 degrees.Also I would say if you’re worried about space…don’t be with this machine as it is very slimline and hardly takes up any space at all. I have a very small kitchen with limited work space however I don’t even need to put it away it takes up that little space on the worktop.You won’t be dissapointed with this machine I promise.

5.0 out of 5 stars No more expensive pods for me.....

A. · 31 May 2025

Say goodbye to my pod machine.I wanted a machine that was simple, good quality and delivered a great cup of coffee.This has ticked all the boxes, is great quality and works perfectly well.No more expensive pods for me, I am really happy with how it works and my first coffees were awesome.Steaming the milk like a pro made me smile.....Get yours you won't regret it.

5.0 out of 5 stars Like bought coffee!

C.W. · 13 July 2025

Takes minutes to master. Great coffee maker.

4.0 out of 5 stars The Coffee Chronicles: My Journey from Tassimo, Nespresso, and Dolce Gusto to Breville's Barista Max

o. · 28 March 2025

** Shorter Version ** Here’s my humble opinion: If you’re serious about your coffee and willing to put in the time to learn, the Breville Barista Max is an outstanding choice. Sure, it might not be perfect right out of the box, but with a little patience, a few accessories, and a willingness to practice, you’ll soon be making coffee that’s leagues ahead of anything you’d get from those capsule machines.** In conclusion: Skip the pods. Get the Breville Barista Max. And embrace the mess—it’s all part of the process.**** Longer Version ** After years of a love-hate relationship with several Tassimo, Dolce Gusto, and Nespresso machines, and hundreds of underwhelming, muddy, and bitter cups of supermarket-quality coffee (often with a hefty dose of steam but zero flavor), I found myself at a crossroads. My quest for the perfect cup of coffee had led me to Bolo, where I would make my next life-changing decision: purchase a 'real' coffee machine.** A Personal Decision: Why I Chose Manual Over Automatic **Admittedly, my decision to go for a manual espresso machine wasn’t entirely rooted in my pursuit of the ultimate coffee; it was partly due to my preference for a manual gearbox over an automatic one. But let’s not get bogged down in car metaphors—this is about coffee, after all.My search boiled down to two contenders: Sage and Breville. I was leaning towards Sage, but then—like a well-timed sale on Black Friday—the Breville Barista Max dropped to an irresistible price. With my finger hovering over the "buy" button, I made the purchase. Let’s just say, the discount definitely pushed me over the edge.** The First Brew: A Learning Curve and a Lot of YouTube **I’ll be honest—this machine isn’t one of those plug-and-play gadgets. There’s a learning curve. A steep one. But after about two hours of watching YouTube tutorials and grinding through 30 cups of coffee that tasted more like regret than espresso, I was finally pulling perfect shots. My latte art, though, still resembled something a 4-year-old might attempt, but let’s be real: I’m not exactly Da Vinci in the kitchen.** Build Quality and Features: A Love-Hate Relationship **The Barista Max is well-built for the most part, though I do have a few qualms about the plastic elements. In my humble opinion, the cheap-feeling plastic doesn’t take away from the overall aesthetics too much, but it’s worth noting. Now, as for the good stuff—this machine delivers on many fronts.The grinder, for instance, has more levels than you’ll ever need. It’s also functional, though loud and messy. The reality is, it’s not the “tap and go” miracle machine it’s marketed to be. Grinding coffee isn’t a silent, smooth experience. You’ll likely need to tap the portafilter a couple of times to get the coffee evenly distributed, but with practice (and a scale to weigh the beans), this becomes a non-issue.When it comes to features, this machine has a lot to offer. A customizable espresso temperature, a reservoir that holds enough water for about 20 double shots, and a steam wand that heats milk to 65°C in under 90 seconds are just a few of the highlights. Plus, the 58mm portafilter is solid and, while the cup warmer feature isn’t a game-changer, it’s certainly not useless.** The Grind: Getting Messy and Learning the Tricks **Let’s talk about the grinder. As other reviewers have pointed out, it’s loud and messy. But, I’ll be honest—I didn’t mind it much. At first, it frustrated me, and I was tempted to buy a higher-end grinder. But after a few weeks, I developed a routine that worked. I now weigh the beans before grinding, and while the grinder does leave some mess, using a dosing funnel keeps things relatively clean. If you're really committed to making the perfect espresso, you might also want to get a bottomless portafilter, a milk thermometer, and a reusable stainless steel puck screen. Trust me, these upgrades will make your coffee-making experience far more enjoyable.** The Bottomless Portafilter: A Game-Changer **If you’re serious about espresso, ditch the stock portafilter. The plastic insert in the stock version negatively affects the taste over time. A bottomless portafilter will elevate your coffee-making game and provide a cleaner, purer extraction. With a bottomless portafilter, you’ll see exactly how the espresso is pulling, which is invaluable for perfecting your technique.** The Dosing Funnel and Paper Filters: Small Investments, Big Impact **You’ll also want to invest in a dosing funnel. It’s a small addition, but it will save you from making a mess every time you grind. Similarly, using a 51mm paper filter at the bottom of the basket and a 58mm filter or mesh screen at the top will help ensure a smooth extraction by evenly distributing the water through the puck. Don’t skimp on the details—these small tweaks make a big difference.** The Hopper and Coffee Quantity: Efficiency vs. Freshness **Rather than filling the hopper to the brim, I only put 20 grams of beans in when I make a cup. The hopper isn’t airtight, and I’ve found that small batches keep the coffee beans fresher for longer. Depending on your grind size, 20 grams will either fill half or almost all of the double basket. But don't be tempted to eyeball it—use a scale. It’s worth it.** The Final Verdict: Why It’s Worth It (For Coffee Lovers) **Now, let me be blunt: this machine won’t change your life overnight. There’s a bit of a learning curve, and the grind is noisy and messy. But once you get the hang of it, the Breville Barista Max becomes an absolute joy to use. It’s a well-built, functional machine with everything you need to make cafe-quality espresso at home.

1.0 out of 5 stars Very disappointed. The machine never worked!

T.p.w.e. · 2 June 2025

Not happy about the product. The product was broken when received. The packing was good, but the machine was broken. I didn’t check before I left the country to gift it to one of my friends who lived in another country paying for excess luggage. And then to realize that the machine never started nor worked at all. It was quite embarrassing for me to gift something which was broken to a friend. I wish I never bought this product. No value for a gift. It was too much to carry all the way back paying excess luggage, so I just dumped the machine before I got back. Very disappointed and a complete waste of money!

5.0 out of 5 stars Great integrated grinder Espresso machine.

G. · 26 June 2025

I decided to go down the home espresso rabbit hole after returning from a trip to Australia in January and bought a Barista max + on a deal from Bolo. I’ve overall been quite happy with it. I bought a dosing funnel on Ebay to fix the spilling grinds issue, no problem. It took a while, a long while, to get all the settings dialed in to my preference but I got there and now can make a consistent coffee, just the way I like it, whenever I like. It’s a good machine for me.

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic tasting coffee!

d.j. · 4 July 2025

Fantastic coffee machine! I bought this one to replace my last barista max and it really does not disappoint.

5.0 out of 5 stars Cafe quality coffee at home

A.T. · 9 March 2025

Awesome machine. Well worth spending the money. It takes a little while to get your head around the different grind settings but with a little fiddling, I get the best cup of coffee I've ever had. The crema it produces is better than most coffee shops I've been to.Maintenance is fairly straight forward as we only use filtered water so no limescale to worry about. You'll need to purchase cleaning tablets separately.And I don't use any fancy beans either. I'm quite satisfied using the Sainsbury's Fairtrade coffee beans!

Amazing machine

S. · 13 October 2022

(function() { P.when('cr-A', 'ready').execute(function(A) { if(typeof A.toggleExpanderAriaLabel === 'function') { A.toggleExpanderAriaLabel('review_text_read_more', 'Read more of this review', 'Read less of this review'); } }); })(); .review-text-read-more-expander:focus-visible { outline: 2px solid #2162a1; outline-offset: 2px; border-radius: 5px; } I absolutely love this coffee machine. It’s very easy to use and makes delicious coffee. It does take time to get used to the steam wand like other reviews mentioned but after few attempts the process gets easy. Totally recommend :)

آلة قوية. وممتازة

m. · 14 March 2024

رائعة

Coffee grinder not working as it should.

Y.G. · 5 June 2025

We recently bought this coffee machine, but when we put the coffee in to grind, it comes out extremely coarse. We've already used half a bag of coffee, which is not cheap to be able to throw away. I DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS PRODUCT.

Very good quality machine

A.C. · 17 October 2022

The machine is very good. Been using it for a while now and can make coffee as good as I coffee shops.

رائع

S. · 20 July 2022

رائعة فقد كان لدي مشكلة مع طريقة التبخير اما الآن تعلمت الطريقة الصحيحة والنتائج رائعة والجودة عالية