Philips Barista Brew PSA3228/01 Semi-automatic espresso machine

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Pros and cons

• Excellent coffee machine that has transformed my routine

  Maximus·3 Nov 2026

  Couple · 18⁠–⁠25 years · Full-time job

  Having only previously used pod machines, Aeropress, and cafetières, this machine has changed the game for me. Starting with the design, it is a beautiful brushed metal, which is relatively compact and fits even in our smaller kitchenette - with a sizeable water tank that lasts several coffees without needing to be replenished. The coffee machine has three options - single, double, and Americano, as well as a milk frother and hot water option, meaning you can create several different drinks by combining options - my preference being cafe lattes! There is lots of room for coffee beans, and the dual hopper means you can have two seperate bean types loaded at once! Grinding is super quick and not overly loud. One struggle point is finding the correct pressure based off of the grind size and fineness, however the pressure guage helps you quickly discover the perfect options - this is something to keep in mind if you're going to be switching up the beans often, as it doesn't automatically select the best options. Finally, the coffee - it tastes just like a coffee shop coffee! Aided by the milk frother and grinding the beans fresh, you can save so much money for the same quality as you'd get at a local coffee shop! Overall, I am extremely satisfied with this beautiful machine, and it means I get coffee shop quality coffee every morning within about three minutes!

• Philips Barista Brew PSA3228/01

  Pat·2 Nov 2026

  Family with children · 36⁠–⁠45 years · Self-employed

  This is a great looking machine and looks expensive .I was a little worried when I unpacked it but I found instructions on Phillips web site and it did take a couple of days practice to master the perfect coffee . Once you have learnt about the machine it really is easy to use .Negative it is quite messy but positive it makes a great coffee

• Barista Brew one week in

  Jon·2 Nov 2026

  Single · 56⁠–⁠65 years · Full-time job

  newbie switching from pod to semi-auto espresso machine. had high hopes i would be a professional barista on day one. not the case!. unboxing - impressed, all presented easily and unpacked in an orderly and methodical way - made it simply to prepare and follow to set up. set up - very simple. instruction manual limited but clear enough to follow if you read it through once before setting up. using the machine - hit and miss. one week in and i am more frustrated than disappointed. my main issues are: the gap between the coffee spout and the tray is small. unable to use the majority of my cups as they will not fit underneath. appreciate it is an espresso machine but it also has americano and milk functions so should be able to fit a larger cup. the grinder - very messy when grinding - coffee dust is not contained in the basket. they need to make the bracket larger and wider to stop the coffee from spraying over. the machine and counter top dusted with coffee bits after grinding. i am still trying to find the optimal pressure brewing. i have tried all suggested methods - increasing/decreasing dose amount, grind size, temperature etc but as yet not hit the perfect brew. i don't think this is necessarily a fault of the machine, more the lack of experience of the user!, however i would have preferred it to be easier,, just grind tamp and brew. i am currently using the lowest grind setting and max dose and still cannot get the pressure gauge to reach optimum level. things that i like about the machine after one week: it is small and compact, sits neat on the counter top and looks very smart. the water tank is large. this has been very handy given the amount of coffees i have made trying to perfect the perfect espresso. hopefully will soon fine tune the brewing process, however i cannot control the limited space for cup size and the mess made when grinding which are major negatives for me.

• Great for tuning your coffee, with a few quirks

  Andrew·30 Oct 2026

  Family with children · 36⁠–⁠45 years · Full-time job

  The Barista Brew gives you plenty of control over how your coffee turns out. Between the adjustable grinder and the temperature settings, you can tune each cup to your exact liking, and that is what earns it four stars. One star is deducted for some ground coffee mess! Grinder and espresso consistency The built-in grinder produces a decent, even grind and is adjustable to your taste. With every new bean I needed a few attempts to adjust the coarseness, but once it was dialled in, shots were consistent with good crema. Pressure gauge The gauge is a helpful guide when dialling in a new bean. Once I’d found the right grind, the needle responded quickly and sat in the ideal zone, so it felt accurate and trustworthy. Temperature and pre-infusion Temperature was good, and you can adjust the water temperature to your level by following the manual. I didn’t notice much difference from pre-infusion. Steam wand and milk frothing Frothing was excellent. The wand heats milk quickly and the texture was smooth and silky. The jug is a really nice touch, with temperature indicators on the side so you can see when the milk is ready. Dual bean hopper This is the weak spot. The idea of keeping two beans loaded is great, but beans sometimes got mixed, which defeats the purpose and makes switching less convenient than it should be. Workflow and tamping Grinding, tamping and pulling a shot is as straightforward as on other machines, but it takes a bit of experience, so I wouldn’t recommend it for complete first-timers. Noise About what you’d expect from this type of machine, but not as loud. Cleaning and maintenance All parts come out easily for cleaning. The hardest area is inside the grinder below the bean pot, where coffee grounds tend to get stuck. Design notes The water tank is at the back, but you can fill it by opening the lid and pouring water in, so there’s no need to pull the machine out. The milk wand button is on the right side, so it’s not ideal against a side wall

• Very good

  Gemma·28 Oct 2026

  Family with children · 36⁠–⁠45 years · Full-time job

  I found the milk frothing jug amazing very good to get the milk to temperature and make it so I could try milk art the bean hopper was confusing but got it in the end I think it was abit hard to set up and cups don’t fit properly under the coffee spill very good and the silver straches easily the bet part was how it made a coffee to perfection Very easy to clean and very easy to tamp the coffee down with the tamper Very good coffee consistency

• Creamy coffee and delicious recipes!

  Evian·28 Oct 2026

  Couple · 36⁠–⁠45 years · Full-time job

  We've been using the Philips Barista Brew since 15th October, making lattes mainly and cappuccinos for two most days, and it's been a real treat. The dual bean hopper is brilliant. We filled it with our two favourite beans, and the grinder is very easy to use. You can even blend the two, though we haven't tried that yet. The espresso has been very consistent, with a lovely creamy taste and the coffee at just the right temperature. The milk side is just as good. I checked the milk jug's temperature indicator against a thermometer and it was accurate. The steam wand heats up quickly and is so easy to use, giving really silky, smooth foam. Latte art is definitely possible; I just need more practice! (I also made a hot chocolate with this!) Tamping is easy, and the daily wipe-down is quick, as everything is simple to clean. A lovely bonus is the HomeID app, which has some amazing recipes. I didn't know about this app until this coffee machine - we have so many other Philips machines! We tried the honey shaken black coffee and the lavender latte, and both were delicious. Overall, it's an easy, enjoyable machine that makes cafe-quality drinks at home. I am really a beginner so I expect I will need to explore and learn more but I can't wait to get to know the machine better!

• Incredible machine, terrible user.

  Chelsea·28 Oct 2026

  Family with children · 26⁠–⁠35 years · Not working

  My 14 days testing the Philips Barista Brew are officially up so here is my verdict! Setup was straightforward right from day one, though it would’ve been quicker if I’d actually read the instructions 🤦‍♀️. In my defence, I was excited. One of my absolute favourite features is the dual bean hopper. I can’t have caffeine because of my health, so being able to keep both regular and decaf beans in the machine meant everyone could get their coffee of choice without sacrificing their caffeine hit. A very important household consideration! Why is this not a feature in every coffee machine? The coffee quality has been top tier throughout the test. Every espresso comes out with a beautiful, thick crema and zero bitter taste. It’s also super easy to tweak the grind amount and size whenever you’re changing beans which made switching things up really quick and easy. We’ve had multiple visitors comment on how nice the coffee is. Naturally I took full credit, sorry Philips! However, I heavily overstated my barista skills. I can’t steam milk to save my life 💀 Meanwhile, my partner puts me to absolute shame with his fancy latte art so he has officially inherited the title of household barista. It’s much quieter than I expected, takes up way less room on my counter than my usual bean to cup machine and it looks so sleek. Cleanup is effortless too, the milk wipes right off the steam wand without a struggle and a quick purge clears it after use. TL;DR I’m genuinely impressed! It fits seamlessly into daily life and makes incredible coffee. If only it magically fixed my milk frothing skills, or lack of...

• A great coffee machine for coffee lovers

  Samuel·28 Oct 2026

  Family with children · 36⁠–⁠45 years · Full-time job

  The Philips Barista Brew semi-automatic espresso machine is a fantastic addition to any kitchen for anyone who enjoys café-style coffee at home. It has a stylish, modern design and feels like a great choice for making delicious coffee without having to visit a coffee shop every day. I love the idea of being able to make a variety of coffees at home, from rich, full-bodied espresso to creamy cappuccinos and lattes. The machine gives you more control over the coffee-making process, making it enjoyable to experiment with different flavours and strengths until you find your perfect cup. The milk frothing feature is particularly appealing for anyone who enjoys milk-based coffees, helping you create that lovely creamy finish. Once you get the hang of the different settings and techniques, making coffee becomes an enjoyable part of your daily routine. Another big advantage is the potential savings compared with buying takeaway coffees regularly. It is also ideal when entertaining family and friends, allowing you to serve delicious coffee from the comfort of your own home. Although there may be a little learning involved at first, especially if you are new to semi-automatic espresso machines, the opportunity to develop your barista skills makes it worthwhile. Like any coffee machine, it also needs regular cleaning to keep everything working properly and ensure your coffee continues to taste great. Overall, the Philips Barista Brew semi-automatic espresso machine is an excellent option for anyone looking to upgrade their home coffee experience. It combines style, versatility and the enjoyment of making coffee your own way. I would recommend it to coffee lovers who want to bring a little café experience into their everyday lives.

• Brilliant item

  Rachael·27 Oct 2026

  Couple · 56⁠–⁠65 years · Self-employed

  This barrister coffee maker is absolutely fantastic. It is so easy to use. The instructions are really clear. The machine is quiet in use. It produces a really nice expensive tasting coffee. It makes coffee really quickly and easily. The machine looks really expensive and stylish

• Excellent

  Elton·27 Oct 2026

  Family with children · 46⁠–⁠55 years · Full-time job

  Very impressed with the Philips Barista Brew. The build quality is excellent, with a solid, premium feel rather than the cheap plastic feel of some other machines. It makes great-quality espresso, and there are plenty of adjustable settings to fine-tune the coffee to your personal taste. Overall, a well-built machine that offers excellent control over your espresso. Highly recommended!

• First Bean to Coffee Experience

  Angie·26 Oct 2026

  Family with children · 56⁠–⁠65 years · Part-time job

  Unboxing & Initial Set-up The unpacking and initial look at the contents proved quite daunting, as the accessory box was full of lots of weird and wonderful bits and pieces. I always worry about unboxing in case I need to return the item and can't remember where everything goes. However, Philips very helpfully illustrated the box contents on the lid in the exact position they sit—brilliant! I took the time to look through the user manual. While it was somewhat helpful for identifying specific parts, the most useful instructions came from the video clips on the Philips website, accessed via the QR code on the box. I watched the initial set-up and first-use videos a couple of times before turning the machine on. The 58mm portafilter basket already in place was perfect for me, and the video suggestion to start with a double espresso kept the initial workflow simple. Grinder Performance & Dual Bean Hopper The grinder could be considered noisy, but it runs for such a short time that I don’t see it as an issue; the bonus of freshly ground coffee completely negates the noise for me. Tamping the coffee grinds with the included tamper is easy enough, though some grinds do escape even with the powder ring attached, leaving a small mess to clear up. The dual bean hopper is an incredibly convenient and useful accessory. Having made the mistake of brewing two standard espressos at 10:00 PM, I quickly realised the benefit of being able to load decaf beans into the second side. It completely eliminates the need to physically swap hoppers out when you want to switch bean types. Workflow, Espresso Consistency & Pressure Gauge The overall workflow takes some getting used to. It took me a while to work out how to insert the portafilter under both the grinder and the brewing head. Locking it into the brewing head felt very stiff initially—I thought I was going to break it at one point—but it felt fine once I figured out the angle. During extraction, I was obsessed with watching the pre

• Philips Barista Brew PSA3228/01 semi-automatic espresso machine

  Jane·25 Oct 2026

  Single parent · 56⁠–⁠65 years · Not working

  I've been testing the Philips Barista Brew PSA3228/01, and my experience so far has been a mixture of positives and things I'm still getting used to. The coffee tastes lovely, and after trying a few different varieties of beans, I've found that I prefer the stronger ones. The machine does take time to learn, particularly when understanding the settings and getting the milk frothing right. I'm still practising to achieve the milk texture I want, and I would like to improve my technique with the steam wand and latte art. I've also been exploring the different coffee beans and would like to understand the dual bean hopper better, particularly how convenient it is to switch between varieties. I still need to assess the pressure gauge, pre-infusion, brewing temperature consistency and the effects of different grind settings more thoroughly. The grinder and tamping process are also part of the learning curve. Cleaning has been straightforward so far, which is a definite plus. I haven't used the machine enough to assess the descaling process properly. Overall, the coffee is enjoyable, especially with stronger beans, but there are still features I'm learning to master.

• Game changer!

  Katrina·24 Oct 2026

  Family with children · 36⁠–⁠45 years · Full-time job

  It’s very easy to use. It is our first time using one and we really thought it’s complicated but it’s so user friendly and simple but does it job perfectly. The sleek design looks very professional. Starting it up is quick as well. A few seconds and you can use it immediately. Perfect even for busy morning. Makes perfect crema every time.

• Love

  Abigail·22 Oct 2026

  Couple · 26⁠–⁠35 years · Full-time job

  A really easy to set up and use. They’ve made some really well-made, easy to follow instruction videos which we used. The coffee is amazing. I absolutely love this machine and I am so very tempted to purchase but I can’t afford it at the moment. But this was easy to pick up and the coffee tastes really nice. It also caters to whatever coffee you like best with options to suit most.

• Great machine

  Omer·22 Oct 2026

  Family with children · 26⁠–⁠35 years · Self-employed

  I've used a coffee machine before but there usually messy and I'm a clean freak but this makes it so easy to use and clean it's unreal id definitely recommend to everyone to use this as the coffee tastes great the adjustments are easy to use and are exactly right for everyone in the house to get there ideal strengths and it's very easy to clean and use

• Well built but loud

  Jon·22 Oct 2026

  Family with children · 46⁠–⁠55 years · Full-time job

  Easy to set up and get started with. Calibration can be a little fiddly, and you’ll need to waste a fair bit of coffee initially to find the sweet spot for the perfect shot. That said, this is pretty standard with most espresso machines. The steam wand works effectively and does a good job, although it can be surprisingly loud at times. Overall, a good machine once you’ve taken the time to dial it in.

• Amazing coffee, but so frustrating to use!

  Sviatlana·18 Oct 2026

  Family with children · 36⁠–⁠45 years · Looking for work

  I really wanted to love this coffee machine! It looks absolutely beautiful in my kitchen, very stylish and feels really solid and well made. The initial setup wasn’t particularly easy, but I managed to do everything myself following the instructions. And then I made my first espresso. OMG, it was absolutely amazing! Honestly, just like coffee in Italy! We were so impressed that we even started thinking about keeping this machine. But unfortunately, things went downhill after that. I’ve had so many problems trying to make a decent coffee. Sometimes the pressure doesn’t build up, sometimes hardly any coffee comes out, and I’ve had water left in the filter basket. One morning the grinder stopped working altogether. I had to remove the bean hopper, clear out the coffee beans and put everything back together. On the positive side, I really like the dual bean hopper. Switching between different beans is surprisingly easy and intuitive, which is a lovely feature. The milk frother is another thing I’m not keen on. It’s incredibly loud! Much louder than I expected. I understand that a semi-automatic machine takes some practice, but honestly, I just want to enjoy my morning coffee without all this stress! I’m giving it 3 stars because that first espresso was genuinely fantastic. So I know this machine is capable of making amazing coffee. But for me, it’s just too complicated and frustrating for everyday use. Maybe someone who enjoys experimenting with coffee would love it, but unfortunately, I don’t think it’s the right machine for me.

• Looks amazing but failed to deliver

  Paul·16 Oct 2026

  Couple · 56⁠–⁠65 years · Full-time job

  Attractive machine, disappointing coffee and design flaws The machine looks attractive, compact, solidly built and easy to clean. The large rear water tank reduces refilling, and the heavy portafilter feels well made. There is a good choice of filters, a hopper for two bean types/roasts, extensive customisation, clear displays and simple controls. It looks premium, so I expected premium results. The manual is vague and poorly written, relying on users to interpret drawings and work things out. We were two people with technical backgrounds, yet found it surprisingly difficult. There is too little space between the coffee spout and drip tray. None of our cups fitted comfortably, requiring awkward manoeuvring. You can make two espressos or one Americano, but not two Americanos. The fixed hot-water spout is too close to the coffee outlet, so very small cups are needed; it should be movable. Despite repeated grind adjustments and premium beans from a reputable supplier, we could not achieve the grind or decent crema expected at this price. Programmed water volumes came close but never matched our settings. Coffee temperature was consistent. The solid portafilter needs a fiddly plastic adapter and another plastic receptacle. This felt flimsy, sometimes failed to lock and seemed likely to break after hours. A stronger metal design is needed. The drip-tray cover scratched within hours, although our mugs have never scratched other surfaces. Tamping was easy; the flexible steam wand worked well, but there was no milk-temperature indicator, so I judged by touch. Cleaning was simple, noise acceptable, and descaling was not required during testing. My coffee-loving partner agreed the coffee was only okay. Our faster, easier pod machine makes better espresso and Americano with decent crema. I bought this as a gift and was genuinely excited, so the disappointment is real. I usually like Philips and own several products, making this a genuine let-down.

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