On our test bench is the Solis Barista Perfetta Plus. At around €450/550 Swiss francs, it's no longer one of the cheapest espresso machines we've tested, but it's also nowhere near the price of classic Italian portafilter machines, which usually cost €1,000 or more.
As a coffee school and roastery, we look at the following points when testing a machine:
- Is the espresso quality good?
- Does the machine deliver consistently, from one serve to the next?
- What is the quality of the milk foam?
And, of course, there are numerous sub-questions that you can and should look at. We'll do that in this review.
One conclusion in advance: when it comes to milk foam quality, no other espresso machine can compete with the Solis Barista Perfetta Plus. We produced perfectly creamy milk foam and poured latte art. Unfortunately, the espresso can't quite keep up with the milk foam quality.
As always, we purchased the Solis Barista Perfetta Plus, and this review is independent. As coffee makers, we've set out to explore the entire espresso machine market to provide you with advice and support in your purchase decision.
If you'd like to support us in testing other machines, you can do so by purchasing the Solis Barista Perfetta from Amazon using the following commission link . It won't cost you any more, but we'll get a piece of the pie and use it for further testing.
Dream foam and not construction foam!
Let's start with the machine's absolute strength. "This is 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 the Swiss Barista Championships.
The machine may seem small, but the steam power hidden within is truly a delight. The Solis Barista Perfetta Plus easily whips up a large 0.6-liter carafe. With smaller espresso machines, we often recommend only foaming for a cappuccino and using the 0.35-liter carafe. Not so with the Solis. It hums along without a murmur. Pulling phase, rolling phase – the result is perfect milk foam, perfect for creating all sorts of latte art patterns.
This is a practical feature for beginners. The machine is very powerful, but the temperature of the milk foam isn't very hot. This allows for long frothing. This would be a disadvantage in the restaurant industry, but for those just learning how to froth milk, it's an advantage. You can go through the stages and tips in our latte art videos step by step, without any stress.
Powerful features and crisp, compact design
The Solis Barista Perfetta comes at a price. For that, you get a truly well-made machine with a stainless steel casing. The compact machine weighs just 5.7 kg. It is 37.2 cm high, 18.7 cm wide, and 32.1 cm deep. The 1.7-liter water tank is easily removed for refilling, and there's an attachment for a small Britta water filter.
In addition to the espresso machine, the package also includes a collection of more or less essential tools. A total of five sieves are included. However, if you're serious about coffee, you'll probably only use the double espresso sieve, perhaps the single sieve for a few occasions. Also included:
- A pod filter. Seriously, anyone spending €450 on an espresso machine is definitely not going to put pods in the portafilter. At most, they'd use it for decaffeinated coffee , but even then, there are so many better methods available these days.
- Two double-walled fake sieves. With these sieves, the espresso is first pressed through numerous "normal" sieve openings, before then having to pass through a second barrier. This consists of a single hole. Tremendous pressure builds up at this hole, creating crema. Crema on espresso indicates that the coffee beans used are fresh and the grind is set correctly. The fake sieve simulates the formation of crema through increased pressure. We do have crema on espresso, but we also have it on old or pre-ground coffee. The eye thinks: oh, delicious. The mouth says: that doesn't taste good.
We generally recommend using the "standard and professional" sieves. This is the only way to properly adjust the espresso and achieve the perfect taste.
We really like the materials used for the tamper. This stainless steel machine weighs around 350 grams and can easily cost €50 if purchased individually. A good tamper is an important tool. So, well done, Solis.
The milk jug is also solid, though it could be a bit larger. But it's perfect for a cappuccino, and the "nose," which isn't straight on so many inexpensive jugs, is at a clean angle to the center of the jug.
The drip tray has a small float that appears as soon as a marginal amount of water has been collected.
Espresso quality – unfortunately only so-so
If the fantastic milk foam is accompanied by a good espresso, then the Solis Barista Perfetta Plus is worth well over €500. Unfortunately, it disappoints us in this core task.
Although the extractions are consistent, and the pressure build-up seems similar from extraction to extraction, the espresso still fails to reach its full potential despite fine-tuning the grinder. It exhibits the typical characteristics of an uneven extraction caused by a drop in temperature: it tastes bitter on the one hand, and sour and somewhat hollow on the other.
Unfortunately, measuring the brewing temperature confirms this suspicion. While the machine has a temperature control and can be set to three different base temperatures, we chose the highest temperature to ensure a sufficient brewing temperature. The machine then starts at 98 degrees Celsius, but drops dramatically within a few seconds, settling at 82 degrees Celsius.
We measured the temperatures without coffee in the filter. With coffee present as counterpressure, the flow rate decreases and the temperature is also slightly higher. Nevertheless, the brewing temperature is much too low (and too high). Consistent temperatures in the range of 90–94 degrees Celsius would be desirable.
At these low temperatures, the machine is less suited for complex, high-quality coffees with a lighter roast. These are often fruitier and only balanced and sweet at higher temperatures.
Although the low temperatures are too low for darker roasts, they still produce decent results.
Pressure gauge of the Solis Barista Perfetta. The machine also has a PID controller, but still doesn't impress with its 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 and then misses the ball while standing free in front of the goal.
In this example, the one-two punch is the milk foam. We've rarely celebrated an espresso machine in this price segment for its steam pressure as much as the Solis Barista Perfetta Plus.
The missed opportunity is espresso and its quality. The PID control is built in, transforming a thermoblock into a competitive heating unit. The Decent espresso machine does just that – in a different price segment and with many more temperature sensors.
The days of large stainless steel kettles are over. Who wants to heat up 1.5 liters to drink an espresso?! Thermoblock machines with precise temperature control are already taking over the market and will continue to rock it. Unfortunately, the implementation in the small Solis Barista Perfetta Plus isn't yet optimal. And so it's not suitable for everyone.
You'll enjoy this machine if you value milk foam over espresso and prefer darker roasts. However, there's a risk that the coffees will have a slightly acidic flavor due to the low brewing temperatures.
