On our test bench is the Solis Barista Perfetta Plus. At around 450 €/550 francs, it is no longer among the cheapest espresso machines we have tested, but it is still far from the price range of classic Italian lever machines, which usually cost 1000 euros and more.
As a coffee school and roastery, we focus on the following points when testing a machine:
- Is the espresso quality good?
- Does the machine deliver consistently, shot after shot?
- What is the milk foam quality?
And of course there are numerous follow-up questions that need to be examined. We do that in this test report.
A conclusion upfront: when it comes to milk foam quality, no other espresso machine can hold a candle to the Solis Barista Perfetta Plus. We steamed 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. We have set ourselves the task as coffee makers to explore the entire espresso machine market to assist you with advice and support in your purchasing decision.
If you want to support us in testing further machines, you can do so by purchasing the Solis Barista Perfetta via the following affiliate link on Amazon. It doesn't cost you any more, but we get a cut and invest it in further tests.
Dream foam and no fake foam!
We start with the machine's absolute strength. "That's amazing!" says Michel in the Solis Barista Perfetta video and test on YouTube. And the man knows what he's talking about, having been awarded best cappuccino several times at Swiss barista championships.
The machine looks small – but the steam power hidden in it is really impressive. The Solis Barista Perfetta Plus easily handles a large 0.6-liter pitcher without any problem. With smaller espresso machines, we often recommend: only steam for one cappuccino and use the 0.35-liter pitcher. Not so with the Solis. It hums away without complaint. Draw phase, roll phase – the result is perfect milk foam with which you can create any latte art pattern.
Practical for beginners. The machine has plenty of power, but the temperature of the milk foam is not very hot. This allows steaming for an extended period without any issues. In gastronomy, this would be a disadvantage, for those learning to make milk foam, it's an advantage. You can work through the phases and tips of our latte art videos step by step without stress.
Powerful equipment and impressively 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 just 5.7 kg. It is 37.2 cm tall, 18.7 cm wide and has a depth of 32.1 cm. The 1.7l water tank can be easily removed for refilling and an attachment for a small Brita water filter is included.
In addition to the espresso machine, the package also includes an assortment of more or less important tools. A total of five baskets are included. As serious coffee enthusiasts, however, you will only use the double espresso basket, possibly the single basket for a few situations. Also included:
- a pod basket. But really. Anyone spending 450 euros on an espresso machine will certainly not put pods in the portafilter. At most for a decaffeinated coffee, but even then there are much better methods nowadays.
- two double-wall fake baskets. With these baskets, the espresso is first pressed through numerous "normal" basket openings, then has to pass through a second barrier. This consists of a single hole. Enormous pressure builds up at this hole, which creates crema. Crema on espresso indicates that the coffee beans used are fresh and the grind size is correctly set. The fake basket simulates crema formation through increased pressure. We do get crema on the espresso, but also with old or pre-ground coffees. The eye thinks: oh yummy. The mouth says: that doesn't taste good.
We generally recommend working with "normal and professional" baskets. Only with these can you properly adjust the espresso and achieve the perfect flavor.
We really like the materials used in the tamper. This stainless steel brute weighs around 350 grams and costs about 50 euros if bought separately. 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 cheap pitchers, stands here at a clean angle to the center of the pitcher.
The drip tray has a small float that appears once a borderline amount of water has been collected.
Espresso quality – unfortunately just okay
If good espresso were to complement 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.
The shots are consistent, the pressure buildup appears similar from extraction to extraction – but the espresso cannot reach its potential despite fine-tuning the grinder. It shows the typical characteristics of uneven extraction caused by temperature drop: it tastes bitter on one hand and sour and somewhat hollow on the other.
When measuring the brew temperature, this suspicion is unfortunately confirmed. The machine does have temperature control and can be set to three different base temperatures. We chose the highest temperature to achieve sufficient brew temperature at all. The machine does start at 98 degrees, but drops significantly within seconds and settles at temperatures around 82 degrees.
We measured the temperatures without coffee in the basket. When coffee is present as back pressure, the flow decreases and the temperature is slightly higher. Nevertheless, the brew temperature is far too low (and too high). Constant temperatures in the range of 90 – 94 degrees would be desirable.
With these low temperatures, the machine is less suitable for complex, high-quality coffees that are lightly roasted. These are often fruitier and only balanced and sweet at high temperatures.
For darker roasts, the low temperatures are also too low, but they do deliver decent results.
Pressure gauge of the Solis Barista Perfetta. The machine also has PID control but fails to impress in terms of brew temperature.
Conclusion and for whom the Solis Barista Perfetta is suitable
The Solis Barista Perfetta Plus is like a winger who prepares the chance with beautiful passing and then misses the goal standing alone in front of it.
The passing is the milk foam in this example. We have rarely celebrated an espresso machine in this price segment for its steam pressure as much as the Solis Barista Perfetta Plus.
The missed chance is the espresso and its quality. The PID control is installed, which makes a thermoblock a competitive heating unit. The Decent espresso machine does exactly that – in a different price segment and with many more temperature sensors – ahead of the curve.
The days of large stainless steel boilers are over. Who still wants to heat up 1.5 liters to drink an espresso?! Thermoblock machines with clean temperature control are already rolling through the market and will rock it more and more. 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 slightly acidic tendency due to the low brew temperatures.
