Philips Baristina BAR305/60: espresso from freshly ground beans

The Philips Baristina BAR305/60 is for you if you want espresso from fresh beans but don't want a large portafilter setup with grinder and tamper on your worktop. At around 18 cm wide, it fits even in small kitchens.

Operation is deliberately simple: you swipe the lever on the portafilter to the side, then the ceramic grinder grinds the beans, the coffee is automatically dosed and tamped, and it's then brewed at 16 bar pump pressure. You can choose between espresso and Café Crema, and the intensity function gives you a stronger coffee if you like. The grind size is selected automatically to suit the drink.

The bean container holds 170 g, and the water tank holds 1.2 litres and has a level indicator. After brewing, you eject the coffee puck at the push of a button and give the portafilter a quick rinse under the tap. The drip tray is dishwasher-safe, and there's automatic shut-off too.

Worth knowing: this version doesn't come with a milk frother, so you'll need a separate device for cappuccino or latte. It's also not the right choice if you want to fine-tune the grind size yourself, as the machine relies on automation rather than manual settings.