Review · Espresso machines
Philips Baristina review: small espresso machine with a built-in grinder
The Philips Baristina is £299.99 at Currys and Philips UK (checked 3 Oct 2026). It grinds, tamps and brews when you swipe the handle, but there's no steam wand. Here's who it suits.
Looking for a Philips Baristina review UK buyers can use? This one covers the BAR300 and the BAR303, which is the same machine sold with a separate milk frother. The Baristina is an unusual machine: you pour in beans, swipe the handle, and it grinds, tamps and brews an espresso. The black BAR300/60 was in stock at £299.99 at Currys, checked 3 Oct 2026. We haven’t tested this in person. Our verdict is based on Philips UK’s specs, Currys’ listings and UK prices checked 3 Oct 2026. TechRadar has published a review of the Baristina, which we haven’t summarised here. We haven’t found owner reviews we could link. Read how we compare.
Philips Baristina review UK: the short answer
Buy the Baristina if you mostly drink espresso or lungo, you have very little worktop space, and you want fresh-ground coffee without learning to dose and tamp. Philips UK lists it at 180mm wide, with a ceramic grinder and a 16-bar pump.
Who it isn’t for: anyone who wants milky drinks from one machine. There’s no steam wand. Philips’ BAR303 bundles add a separate milk frother.
Choose a manual machine instead if you want to learn espresso and steam milk yourself. Our Sage Bambino review covers a compact machine with a steam wand, though you’ll need ground coffee or a grinder. Sage Bambino SES450: See it at Sage for Sage Bambino SES450 (opens in a new tab)
Who it isn’t for: anyone who wants coffee in one swipe. The Bambino needs you to dose and tamp.
Skip the Baristina if you want milk and more capacity from one machine. The Philips 2200 bean-to-cup is £279 at John Lewis, checked 3 Oct 2026, and, according to Philips, adds a classic milk frother, a 275g bean container and a 1.8-litre tank. Philips Series 2200 EP2220/10: See it at John Lewis for Philips Series 2200 EP2220/10 (opens in a new tab)
Who it isn’t for: anyone short on space. Philips lists the 2200 at 246mm wide and 433mm long, against the Baristina’s 180mm wide and 380mm deep.
What it costs right now
These are the prices we found on 3 Oct 2026:
- Baristina BAR300/60 (black): in stock at £299.99 at Currys, and £299.99 at Philips UK. See the BAR300/60 at Currys
- Baristina BAR300/00 (white): in stock at £299.99 at Currys.
- Baristina BAR303/60 (black, with milk frother): in stock at £379.99 at Currys, and £379.99 at Philips UK. See the BAR303/60 at Philips UK
- Baristina BAR303/00 (white, with milk frother): in stock at £339.99 at Currys. See the BAR303/00 at Currys
Currys prices can change. On these prices, the white frother bundle was £40 less than the black one at Currys. John Lewis’s site didn’t respond when we checked, so it isn’t included.
Who it isn’t for: anyone with a budget under £150. The De’Longhi Dedica EC685BK, a manual machine, was £149 at Currys on the same day. De’Longhi Dedica Style EC685: See it at Currys for De’Longhi Dedica Style EC685 (opens in a new tab)
How the swipe-to-brew works
Philips says you swipe the handle and the Baristina grinds the beans, tamps them into the portafilter and brews at 16 bar. Philips also says it adjusts to different bean types, and lists espresso brew time at under 60 seconds.
You choose espresso or lungo, and there’s an intensity boost for a stronger cup. Philips lists the coffee volume as adjustable. Currys lists two strength settings.
What you don’t get is control. Philips doesn’t list grind settings or dose adjustment, so you’re trusting the machine. That’s the point for some people and a deal-breaker for others.
Who it isn’t for: anyone who enjoys dialling in espresso by hand. There’s nothing to dial in.
Milk: no steam wand
The BAR300 has no milk system. Philips UK lists the BAR303’s milk as “via Milk Frother Accessory”, and Currys describes it as a standalone milk frother in the box. You froth milk in the frother and pour it over your espresso.
If you buy the BAR300 and change your mind, a separate milk frother is an alternative.
Who it isn’t for: anyone who wants latte art. A steam wand gives you far more control over milk texture.
Size, tank and what’s in the box
- Size: Philips UK lists 180mm wide, 345mm high and 380mm deep.
- Weight: 5kg (Philips UK); Currys lists 4.815kg.
- Beans and water: 170g bean capacity and a 1.2-litre tank, according to Philips UK.
- Cup height: up to 135mm, according to Philips UK.
- Noise and power: Philips lists a 72dB noise level; Currys lists 1550W.
- Water filter: Philips UK lists no water filter compatibility.
- Warranty: two years.
Philips lists the portafilter as the included accessory. The drip tray and its lid are dishwasher safe, and Philips says cleaning the portafilter is a rinse.
Who it isn’t for: heavy users. A 170g hopper and 1.2-litre tank mean more refilling than a full bean-to-cup machine.
Downsides
- Two drinks only: espresso and lungo, plus an intensity boost.
- No steam wand: milk needs the frother bundle or a separate frother.
- No grind control: Philips doesn’t list adjustable grind settings.
- Small capacity: 170g of beans and 1.2 litres of water.
- No water filter option listed by Philips.
Alternatives worth a look
Sage Bambino plus a grinder. The black truffle Bambino was in stock at £329.95 at Sage UK, checked 3 Oct 2026. It has a steam wand and Sage’s ThermoJet heating, but no grinder. Our Philips Baristina vs Sage Bambino comparison works through the total cost.
De’Longhi Dedica EC685BK. In stock at £149 at Currys, checked 3 Oct 2026; prices can change. A slim manual machine with a steam wand. Read our Dedica EC685 review.
Philips 2200 EP2220/10. £279 at John Lewis, checked 3 Oct 2026. A full bean-to-cup machine with 12 grind settings and a classic milk frother, according to Philips.
Where to go next
Compare more compact options on our espresso machines hub.
FAQ
Does the Philips Baristina have a steam wand? No. The BAR303 bundles come with a separate milk frother instead.
Can you adjust the grind on the Baristina? Philips doesn’t list grind settings. It says the machine grinds to the right size for the beans you use.
Can you use pre-ground coffee in the Baristina? Currys lists whole beans only, and Philips describes it as grinding beans for each shot.
What drinks can you make with the Baristina? Philips lists espresso and lungo, with an optional intensity boost. With the frother bundle you can add frothed milk yourself.
Is the Baristina quiet? Philips calls it quiet and lists a noise level of 72dB. We haven’t measured it.
Verdict
Philips Baristina BAR300 (and BAR303 with milk frother)
A narrow espresso machine that grinds, tamps and brews when you swipe the handle. It suits espresso and lungo drinkers with little worktop space who don't want to learn barista skills. The catches: it only makes two drinks, it has no steam wand, and milk needs the separate frother in the BAR303 bundle.
Pros
- Pro: Grinds, tamps and brews in one swipe, according to Philips
- Pro: 180mm wide, according to Philips UK
- Pro: Ceramic grinder and 16-bar pump, as Philips lists it
- Pro: Uses whole beans, so no capsules
Cons
- Con: Philips lists only espresso and lungo, with an intensity boost
- Con: No steam wand; milk needs the frother bundle or a separate frother
- Con: 170g bean capacity and a 1.2-litre tank, according to Philips UK
- Con: No grind-size adjustment listed by Philips
- Best for
- Espresso and lungo drinkers with a small kitchen who want fresh-ground coffee without learning to dose and tamp.
- Who it isn't for
- Anyone who wants lattes and cappuccinos from one machine, or who wants control over grind size and dose.
See it on the maker's site: Philips' UK page for the Baristina BAR303/60Link: Philips' UK page for the Baristina BAR303/60. Not an affiliate link.
Sources
- review of the Baristina (techradar.com)
- See the BAR300/60 at Currys (currys.co.uk)
- See the BAR303/60 at Philips UK (home-appliances.philips)
- See the BAR303/00 at Currys (currys.co.uk)