An affordable and compact home espresso machine.
The Brewsly 15-Bar Espresso Machine is one of the more affordable home espresso machines on the market. I hadn’t heard too much about this espresso machine I went on a deep dive researching the Brewsly 15-Bar Espresso Machine.
I looked into the good, the bad, and the ugly… Here’s what I found.
Contents
The Short and Sweet
Affordable and compact, the Brewsly 15-Bar Espresso Machine seems too good to be true. That just might be the case when you consider the pros and cons of this machine. Its small footprint and 2-in-1 features (espresso brewing and milk steaming) make this a great gadget to add to your kitchen but if you are looking for longevity or to really grow your barista skills, this is not the machine for you.
- Item Package Dimension: 14.2L x 12.4W x 9.9H inches
- Item Package Weight - 11 Pounds
- Item Package Quantity - 1
The Full Review – 2/5
While the Brewsly 15-Bar Espresso Machine boasts a lot of features, this machine is somewhat limited in its usage as well as the quality of the machine and the espresso it puts out. With that said, the Brewsly 15-Bar Espresso Machine does have a few features going for it and isn’t a terrible pick for folks looking for an affordable gadget-type espresso machine for their home (especially if you plan to use pre-ground coffee).
Product Highlights
- Dual temperature control
- Adjustable steam wand
- A removable and adjustable drip tray
Build Quality and Materials – 2/5
The Brewsly 15-Bar Espresso Machine is not of the greatest build, however, its design is sleek and compact. The materials are neither top of the line nor bottom of the barrel. The machine itself is made of plastic parts and stainless steel.
The design is very concise. As a 2-in-1 machine it does require loads of power and, therefore, does not require loads of space. This makes the Brewsly 15-Bar Espresso Machine great for anyone with a small kitchen space or wanting to keep their machine out on the counter without obstructing counter usage.
One of our favorite features is the removable drip tray. The Brewsly 15-Bar Espresso Machine offers a double drip tray that can be removed to accommodate larger glassware, a great feature for those who want to pull shots directly into the glass.
Additionally, a more technical positive feature is the dual temperature control. The Brewsly 15-Bar Espresso Machine’s dual temperature control means that the temperature for the espresso can be controlled separately from the steam wand temperature. This is a crucial point when it comes to brewing and steaming as otherwise, you have to wait for anywhere between one to five minutes between usage of the brewing component versus the steaming component.
Overall, the build and materials are mediocre despite the stylish and compact design offered by the Brewsly 15-Bar Espresso Machine. Nevertheless, when it comes to home espresso machines, form does not override function… ideally, we can have both! If not, I will always opt for function over a pretty face.
User Experience – 2/5
The user experience is fairly straightforward. The perks of the Brewsly 15-Bar Espresso Machine are the customizable features such as the temperature control, pressure control, adjustable drip tray, and adjustable steam wand.
The functionality of these features is another thing. The steam wand build is somewhat inadequate so, despite the adjustable features, it does not hold up to prolonged usage.
Again, the adjustable/removable drip tray feature is the highlight of this machine. It may seem like a small win but being able to fit just about any cup, not just a specialized vessel, between the portafilter and the drip tray is quite a luxury.
Lastly, the portafilter is designed as a 2-in-1 filter and is supposed to effectively deliver one or two shots depending on your preference. This is inherently flawed as the brewing pressure will interact differently with the coffee if the basket is not appropriately sized.
The Steam Wand – 2/5
As I mentioned above, the steam wand is not the best in the world but it’s definitely not the worst. The adjustable steam feature allows you to steam different milk types more easily, including alternative milk like soy, almond, oat, and more.
Unfortunately, the steam wand does not hold up long term and can be finicky when it comes to steaming technique and quality. If you are a big fan of milk drinks like lattes and cortados, this is not the steam wand for you. However, if you enjoy a big, fluffy cappuccino, this steam wand will work well for you.
Pros
- Very simple user interface.
- Customizable temperature control and pressure control with an adjustable steam wand.
- The removable drip tray allows any size of cup/mug to fit.
Great for a gadget-type espresso machine meant for occasional use for dry cappuccino lovers.
Cons
- I don’t think the steam wand is particularly suitable for high froth drinks.
- The build quality is less than I would expect.
Not so great for anyone hoping to fine-tune their home barista skill set or use their home espresso machine on a daily basis.
Should I Buy Brewsly Espresso Machine?
The coffee quality of the Brewsly 15-Bar Espresso Machine is somewhat mediocre. Chances are you will be using pre-ground espresso with this machine, otherwise, you will need to purchase a grinder separately. If purchasing a grinder separately, will drive the price near enough to a better quality machine with a built-in grinder, making the Brewsly 15-Bar Espresso Machine obsolete.
Otherwise, if you do not purchase a separate grinder, you will be stuck using pre-ground coffee which will likely not do well with this machine. While the machine advertises enough pressure and heat, the small format does not retain either very well.
Additionally, the Brewsly 15-Bar Espresso Machine is not widely available and does not offer the support and service provided by a larger and more reliable company. Another red flag for the Brewsly 15-Bar Espresso Machine is that this particular machine is offered many times over under different branding. This means that Brewsly is not the sole seller of this machine, let alone the actual manufacturer.
I rate the Brewsly 15-Bar Espresso Machine a 2/5.
- Item Package Dimension: 14.2L x 12.4W x 9.9H inches
- Item Package Weight - 11 Pounds
- Item Package Quantity - 1
Specifications
- 37 oz water tank
- detachable frothing nozzle
- detachable drip tray