The Solis Barista Perfetta Plus is on our test bench. At around €450/550 Swiss Francs, it is no longer one of the cheapest espresso machines we have tested, but it is also far from the realm of classic Italian portafilter machines, which usually cost 1000 Euros and more.
As a coffee school and roastery, we look at the following points when we test a machine:
- Is the espresso quality good?
- Does the machine deliver consistently, from shot to shot?
- How is the milk foam quality?
And, of course, there are numerous sub-questions that need to be considered. We address these in this review.
A conclusion upfront: in terms of milk frothing quality, no other espresso machine can rival the Solis Barista Perfetta Plus. We frothed perfect creamy milk foam and poured latte art patterns. Unfortunately, the espresso cannot quite keep up with the milk foam quality.
As always: we purchased the Solis Barista Perfetta Plus, and this test is independent. As Kaffeemacher, we have set out to explore the entire market of espresso machines to assist you with advice and support in your purchasing decision.
If you want to support us in testing other machines, you can do so by purchasing the Solis Barista Perfetta via the following affiliate link on Amazon. It doesn't cost you more, but we get a piece of the pie and invest it in further tests.
Dream Foam, Not Construction Foam!
Let's start with the absolute strength of the machine. "That's awesome!" says Michel in the video and review of the Solis Barista Perfetta on YouTube. And the man should know, having been awarded several times for the best cappuccino at Swiss Barista Championships.
The machine looks small – but the steam power hidden within is truly enjoyable. The Solis Barista Perfetta Plus effortlessly gets a large 0.6-liter pitcher bubbling. With smaller espresso machines, we often advise: only froth for one cappuccino and use the 0.35-liter pitcher. Not so with the Solis. It hums along without a hitch. Stretching phase, rolling phase – the result is perfect milk foam, with which you can create all kinds of latte art patterns.
Practical for beginners: the machine has a lot of power, but the milk foam temperature is not very hot. This allows for "long" frothing without issues. In gastronomy, this would be a disadvantage; for milk foam learners, it's an advantage. You can go through the phases and tips of our Latte Art videos step by step, without any stress.
Powerful Features and Crisply Compact
The Solis Barista Perfetta has its price. In return, you get a really well-made machine with a stainless steel housing. The compact machine weighs in at 5.7 kg. It is 37.2 cm high, 18.7 cm wide, and has a depth of 32.1 cm. The 1.7L water tank is easy to remove for refilling, and an attachment for a small Britta water filter is provided.
In addition to the espresso machine, there is also a collection of more or less important tools included. A total of five baskets are in the package. However, as serious coffee enthusiasts, you will only use the double espresso basket, possibly the single basket for a few situations. Also included:
- a pad basket. But really. Who spends 450 Euros on an espresso machine and then puts pads into the portafilter? At most for a decaffeinated coffee, but even for that, there are now much better methods.
- two double-walled fake baskets. With these baskets, the espresso is first pressed through numerous "normal" sieve openings, only to then have to pass through a second barrier. This consists of a single hole. An immense pressure builds up at this hole, ensuring that crema is created. Crema on espresso indicates that the coffee beans used are fresh and the grind size is correctly set. The fake basket simulates the creation of crema through increased pressure. We do get crema on the espresso, but also with old or pre-ground coffees. The eye thinks: oh delicious. The mouth says: that doesn't taste good.
We generally recommend working with the "normal and professional" baskets. Only with these can the espresso be adjusted correctly and the perfect taste achieved.
We really like the tamper's material. This stainless steel behemoth weighs around 350 grams and can easily cost 50 Euros when purchased individually. A good tamper is an important tool. So: well done Solis.
The milk pitcher is also solid, though it could be a bit larger. But for a cappuccino, it's perfect, and the "spout," which is not straight on so many inexpensive pitchers, is perfectly aligned with the center of the pitcher here.
The drip tray has a small float that appears when a critical amount of water has been collected.
Espresso Quality – Unfortunately, Only So-So
If good espresso were to accompany the magnificent milk foam, then the Solis Barista Perfetta Plus would be worth significantly more than €500. But unfortunately, it disappoints us in this core task.
Although the extractions are consistent and the pressure buildup appears similar from shot to shot, the espresso cannot unleash its full potential despite fine-tuning the grinder. It exhibits the typical characteristics of an uneven extraction caused by temperature drop: it tastes both bitter and sour, and somewhat hollow.
The measurement of the brewing temperature unfortunately confirms this suspicion. Although the machine has temperature control and can be set to three different basic temperatures, we chose the highest temperature to achieve sufficient brewing temperature at all. The machine then starts at 98 degrees, but drops massively within a few seconds and settles at temperatures of 82 degrees.
We measured the temperatures without coffee in the basket. If coffee is present as backpressure, the flow rate is reduced and the temperature is also slightly higher. Nevertheless, the brewing temperature is far too low (and too high). Desirable would be constant temperatures in the range of 90 – 94 degrees.
With these low temperatures, the machine is less suitable for complex, high-quality, lighter roasted coffees. These are often fruitier and only balanced and sweet with high temperatures.
For darker roasts, the low temperatures are also too low, but they still deliver decent results.
Manometer of the Solis Barista Perfetta. The machine also has PID control, but still fails to impress in terms of brewing temperature.
Conclusion and for Whom the Solis Barista Perfetta Is Suitable
The Solis Barista Perfetta Plus is like a winger who sets up a chance with a beautiful one-two pass and then misses when standing free in front of the goal.
The one-two pass in this example is the milk foam. Rarely have we praised an espresso machine in this price segment for its steam pressure as much as the Solis Barista Perfetta Plus.
The missed opportunity is the espresso and its quality. The PID control is installed, making a thermoblock a competitive heating unit. The Decent Espresso Machine does exactly that – in a different price segment and with many more temperature sensors – as an example.
The days of large stainless steel boilers are over. Who still wants to heat 1.5 liters just to drink an espresso?! Thermoblock machines with precise temperature control are already conquering the market and will increasingly dominate it. The implementation in the small Solis Barista Perfetta Plus is unfortunately not yet optimal. And so, it is not suitable for everyone.
You will enjoy this machine if milk foam is more important to you than espresso, and if you prefer darker roasts. However, there is still a risk that the coffees will have a sour tendency due to the low brewing temperatures.
