Article Summary
With so many coffee makers on the market today, it can be difficult to find the one best suited to your needs that will make a consistent, high-quality espresso every time. If you’re looking for something small and portable to take camping or traveling (and prefer espresso to regular coffee), the Barsetto Espresso Coffee Machine may be just what you’re looking for. We’ll break down the features here and highlight the biggest takeaways from the reviews so you can see if this might be the coffee maker you’ve been waiting for.
Espresso you can make anywhere
While there are many portable coffee makers available, it’s much more difficult to get a true, layered espresso (including crema!) from a machine designed for travel. That’s just what the Barsetto Espresso Coffee Machine gives you, though. It’s even easy to make! You can use any ground coffee you want, or you can use the Barsetto brand coffee pods. It is not recommended to use other brands of coffee pods (see review section for more details). Their simple hand-press method will allow anyone to make espresso that rivals any barista.
Combined brewer + mug gives you maximum portability
This hand-press is compact and lightweight, but the press is also detachable so the bottom can be used as a mug. Press your shot straight into your mug, remove the press, and enjoy your espresso. There’s also a lid for the mug that detaches from the bottom. It’s fast and simple, and at just 600g, lightweight enough to fit easily into your camping gear. The compact design makes this machine just as easy to slip into a carry-on bag, so you never have to worry about finding the perfect espresso when you’re on the road. If you’re worried about bumps or scratches, a protective travel case is also available (sold separately).
Full list of features and specs
- 15 Bar high-pressure extracts coffee oil and creates layered, rich-tasting espresso
- Double-wall vacuum cup provides thermal insulation and helps prevent burns
- Usable with any kind of ground coffee, as well as Barsetto coffee pods
- Ultra lightweight at just 600g (1.27 lbs)
- Detachable design for easy use, carrying, and cleaning
- Handcrafted, stainless steel press handle brewer
- Food grade double-wall mug with lid
- Dimensions are 2.8 x 2.8 x 8.8 in
- 2 year product warranty includes 24/7 customer service
Customer ratings and reviews
After 33 reviews, the Barsetto Espresso Coffee Machine has a 3.3/5-star rating, with 63% of total ratings being 5 stars. With so few total reviews, it’s hard to draw full conclusions about how happy most customers are with this product.
Most of the lower star reviews are from customers having problems with the machine breaking. The breakage seems to be caused by the pressure created when making the espresso but may also be related to using coffee pods not made by Barsetto. This is the other primary complaint from reviewers who want to use pods from their home machines in this one.
One reviewer details how trying off-brand pods caused their machine to break and Barsetto customer service sent them replacement parts. They have since started poking a hole in the off-brand pods and checking after screwing down the filter to make sure the pod is being punctured and not crushed. Since doing this they haven’t reported any problems with their machine breaking and have been able to use off-brand pods, but this use is not recommended by the manufacturer.
Overall, most reviews were positive and stated the espresso was the best tasting of similar travel espresso machines. Reviewers praised the portability and compact design and the simplicity of making a shot of espresso. They cautioned that new buyers should let the machine cool off between making shots to help prevent breakage. Many also noted that it might be helpful to watch a video online to help with getting started since there many parts and it can be somewhat confusing. They praised the consistently high-quality shots of espresso they get from this machine.
Final verdict
The Barsetto Espresso Coffee Machine is one of the best options for a portable espresso maker. It’s compact, lightweight, and well-designed for travel, camping, and even home use. Although some customers report issues with breakage, the two years warranty can help make sure you get a replacement if you need it. There are also many videos and detailed reviews to help you get started using this machine in ways that will help prevent breakage. Overall, we highly recommend this for frequent travelers, adventurers, and anyone who wants to make a consistent, high-quality espresso without paying a barista.
