The Wirsh Home Barista Plus is a solid espresso machine capable of producing a nice shot of espresso or smooth-tasting latté. Like any espresso machine, it has a learning curve. Unlike some of the more premium models, it’s a bit light on included accessories—there’s no milk frother, for instance.
If you’re a bit low on cash but still want the results that the best espresso machines can offer, the Wirsh Home Barista Plus is more than capable. You don’t have to drop the same kind of money premium models require; some can get over a thousand dollars.
Of course, you must consider how involved you want to be in making your morning coffee, as it takes a little more work than many of the best coffee makers. You’re making a single shot of espresso at a time, after all. But, if you like a more elevated coffee drink, this might be right for you. Read on to find out.
James Holland has spent the last three years testing, reviewing, and writing about all sorts of tech, from computers and related peripherals to smart home devices, robot vacuums, and kitchen appliances.
His work has been published in TopTenReviews, TechRadar, T3.com, and Android Police. When he’s not working, he plays music or at least pretends to. He also likes to eat questionable fusion-type foods.
James tested the Wirsh Home Barista Plus over a few weeks, using it regularly to get a caffeine fix from both espresso shots and lattés.
Wirsh Home Barista Plus: Key specs
| Model no: | Wirsh Home Barista Plus |
| Type | Espresso |
| Wattage | 1450 |
| Pressure | 20bar |
| Water tank | 42 ounces |
| Bean hopper | None |
| Grinder | None |
| Dimensions | 13.0 x 6.5 x 12.1 in |
| Weight | 9.0 pounds |
| Accessories | 2-in-1 tamper, portafilter, single shot filter basket, double shot filter basket |
Wirsh Home Barista Plus: Price and availability
The Wirsh Home Barista Plus has a list price of $299.99 and can be purchased directly from Wirsh or Amazon.
Paying $299.99 for an espresso machine might seem pricey if you haven’t considered the competition. Some more premium models can cost over a grand. However, this is an entry-level model, so the price tag is on par.
That said, it is regularly discounted. At the time of writing, it was available to buy for $159.99, shown as a 46% savings on the Wirsh website, whereas it didn't appear to be discounted on Amazon.
Score: 4 out of 5
Wirsh Home Barista Plus: Setup
The Wirsh Home Barista Plus comes in a cardboard box that is not much bigger than the unit itself. There’s just enough space for the two pieces of styrofoam packing to keep the unit safe. The actual espresso machine is also wrapped in plastic. Getting it and its handful of accessories out of the box and onto the counter took five minutes.
When I first unpacked the Wirsh Home Barista Plus, I was surprised by its slim profile. It didn’t require much counter space, so I didn’t have to make a bunch of room in an already crowded kitchen.
On a similar note, going from box to countertop was easy, as the setup was about as simple as one could expect. There weren’t too many things to pull out of the box, so it was just a matter of transferring the espresso machine and washing the reservoir before use.
The gauge on the front above the controls gave me pause, so I looked at the manual instead of diving right into use. And if you end up with one of these, I encourage you to do the same. As I’ll discuss, there’s a small learning curve. However, this espresso machine is pretty straightforward and falls into the “what you see is what you get” camp.
Wirsh Home Barista Plus: Design
The Wirsh Home Barista Plus is an elegant-looking piece of kit. It’s slim, so it doesn’t take up much space on the counter, and its stainless steel and black colorway, complemented by a pressure gauge, makes it an attractive addition to any kitchen.
More specifically, regarding its slim profile, Wirsh has placed the water reservoir in the back of the product to keep it to its 6.5-inch width. I also appreciate that that reservoir holds 42 ounces, so you can make quite a few shots of espresso before filling up.
This is an espresso machine; it also has a steam wand with an adjustable pressure dial for frothing milk. The controls, which sit below the pressure gauge, include the power button, single shot, double shot, and steam. The pressure gauge is more than just for aesthetics, as it will tell you if there’s too much or not enough pressure when making shots of espresso (which is related to the coarseness and amount of coffee ground used).
Some other things to note: the top of the unit is made of cheaper plastic that automatically warms whatever sits on top. This is meant to keep cups warm. Also, the drip tray lifts completely out, so you can easily empty any spillover.
The Wirsh Home Barista Plus comes with a plastic-free portafilter, a single-shot filter basket, a double-shot filter basket, and a 2-in-1 tamper to scoop coffee grounds and tamp them in properly into the portafilter. I wish you didn’t have to buy separately a frothing pitcher or espresso shot glasses.
Score: 4 out of 5
Wirsh Home Barista Plus: Performance
Before we get into how well the Wirsh Home Barista Plus performs, it’s important for you not to confuse using this for your morning coffee as being the same as a bean-to-cup coffee maker, a single-serve model like a Keurig or a drip coffee machine. This baby is all manual. The only thing you don’t need to do every time is fill up the water thanks to that large reservoir.
This means that there’s a little more work involved and a bit of a learning curve. You must learn to put the proper amount of coffee grounds into the portafilter; otherwise, it won’t fully or easily close. Or, you’ll end up with a watered-down or bitter-tasting shot of espresso. You also need to learn the proper placement of the steam wand (and to press the steam button before turning the dial; otherwise, it will shoot out hot water instead of steam) in your milk to froth it properly.
However, it’s not as hard as I just made it sound. The manual gives insight into reading the pressure gauge to see if you’re putting too much or not enough coffee in the portafilter and if you’ve ground it fine enough or too finely. It also tells you how to place the steam wand and clear it out after each use for the best results.
After spending some time with the manual, I only had one or two tries before making good-tasting espressos and lattés. If you’re okay with the manual process, you’ll give up spending money at Starbucks just for a coffee fix. Once you get it, it’s easy.
The manual will also provide directions for cleaning, which are easy but must be done every time. For instance, you need to use a damp cloth or towel on the steam wand while turning the dial to clear it of build-up. You also need to empty and wash the filter basket after every use. But that's par for the course with a manual coffee machine like this.
The only real issue with how anything performed is the warming element on top. It doesn’t get warm enough to seem to do much. Outside of that, this is a pretty solid espresso machine.
Regarding volume, pulling an espresso shot is not particularly loud, coming in at around 53 dB. However, using the steam wand is not quiet as it gets closer to 80 dB. While that’s a bit annoying, it’s not anything you haven’t experienced if you’ve waited for a latté at a café.
When you turn the Wirsh Home Barista Plus on, it takes a little over half a minute to heat up. The lights behind the buttons continuously flash while the water heats up, and you’ll only be able to use the espresso machine in any capacity once the buttons stay lit up.
Score: 4 out of 5
Wirsh Home Barista Plus: taste test
Of course, the most important factor is the quality of the beans you use. However, as long as you use the right amount of coffee grounds and at the right consistency, you will produce a smooth shot of espresso. I also found that using the steam wand to steam milk offers consistent results.
To make myself a latté, I would steam a quarter of a cup of milk in a mug. Then, I would pull a shot of espresso into that same mug since a frothing pitcher wasn’t included to finish it. Even without sugar or syrup, I would have a smooth, rich-tasting latté. You might have to play around with the ratio of coffee to milk to meet your preference. But the Wirsh Home Barista Plus can be used if you’re willing to learn how to use it.
Should you buy the Wirsh Home Barista Plus?
| Attribute | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Price | The price is right here for an affordable espresso machine. | ★★★★ |
| Design | It’s slim and easy to use, though I wish a frothing pitcher was included. | ★★★★ |
| Performance | The cup warming function is underwhelming, but otherwise this espresso machine performs as expected. | ★★★★ |
Buy it if...
Don’t buy it if…
How does the Wirsh Home Barista Plus compare?
If the Galanz Retro Pump Espresso Coffee Machine is anything to go by, getting a budget espresso machine that does a good job is not hard. It’s not as slim or discreet looking as the Wirsh Home Barista Plus, but it does have a lower starting price of $149.99.
If you want something slightly more automated, you’ll probably have to pay for it. However, we highly recommend the Breville Barista Express Impress if you do. It not only does a great job making espresso and frothing milk, but it has a built-in burr grinder as well, with some automation included.
How I tested the Wirsh Home Barista Plus
To test the Wirsh Home Barista Plus, I made single and double espresso shots. I also used the milk frother with a few different types of milk. I also used the two functions in conjunction to make lattés. Everything got a taste test, of course. I also tested the cup's warming function.
See more about how we test.
- First reviewed: April 2024
