Mr. Coffee Espresso and Cappuccino Maker Review (2024)

A friend recently told me that the Mr. Coffee Cafe Barista is my gateway to coffee bliss at an affordable price.

And while I love going to my favorite coffeehouse, I know I can save more money at home.

I’ve tried and tested this coffee maker for several months. Here’s my Mr. Coffee Cafe Barista review, so you can decide if this is the best espresso machine for you.

Mr. Coffee Espresso and Cappuccino Maker Review – My Ratings & Top Features

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Why Should You Buy Mr. Coffee?

Overall, I rate the Mr. Coffee Cafe Barista 4.8 out of 5. It gets full marks for the ease of use and affordable price.

• Automatic milk frother — Steams the milk for you
• Brews six drinks — Makes espresso-based drinks in various sizes
• Control panel — Choose a drink with one touch
• 15-bar pump system — Optimal pressure for flavorful extraction

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Who Should Buy Mr. Coffee?

The Mr. Coffee semi-automatic machine is perfect for coffee enthusiasts seeking a budget-friendly and user-friendly option.

This is a great choice if you’re just entering the world of espresso and want to explore.

It’s also a good option for individuals with limited kitchen space due to its compact design.

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Why I Decided To Review The Mr. Coffee Espresso and Cappuccino Maker

As an avid coffee lover and enthusiast, I couldn't resist the allure of the Mr. Coffee Espresso and Cappuccino Maker.

Its reputation for affordability, versatility, and user-friendly features caught my attention.

I wanted to uncover the true capabilities of this coffee machine to help others make an informed decision to elevate their coffee experience.

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What’s It Like To Live With The Mr. Coffee Espresso and Cappuccino Machine

What’s In The Box?

Here’s what you get in the Mr. Coffee Cafe Barista Maker box:

• The espresso machine — The main appliance
• Portafilter — A handle-like device that holds the coffee grounds and attaches to the espresso machine to brew espresso
• Single and double filters — Inserted into the portafilter to control the amount of brewed coffee
• ESE pod portafilter — For using ESE capsules
• Tamper — A tool used to compress the coffee grounds in the portafilter
• Drip tray — A removable tray that catches any excess water and spills
• Instruction manual — Details about the product’s use and warranty

Pulling My First Espresso Shot on Mr. Coffee Cafe Barista

Here’s how I pulled my first shot on the Mr. Coffee Cafe Barista:

1. Clean the machine — I washed the water and milk reservoirs, the portafilter, the filter baskets, and the tamper. I made sure they were dried and returned to the espresso machine (with the water reservoir filled). I also cleaned the inside of the machine by choosing the “prepare cappuccino” option without any ground coffee in the filter.
2. Prime the machine — I ran the steam cycle by filling the water tank and milk reservoir to the MAX level. I locked in the portafilter and placed the tip of the steaming wand pointed in the cup. I turned on the machine and waited for the “espresso heater” and “steam heater” lights to stop blinking. Finally, I pressed the manual espresso button and the manual froth button and waited until the panel lights turned solid again.
3. Lock in the portafilter — I added freshly ground coffee to the portafilter and tamped it to compact the coffee. I locked the portafilter into the group head.
4. Start brewing — I placed the espresso cup under the spot and pressed the button for a single espresso shot. The machine was done brewing in about 30 seconds.

As a rule, I never expect much from the first shot when using a new espresso device.

It usually takes at least a few tries to get the coffee volume and grind level right.

However, I was surprised by the Mr. Coffee Cafe Barista shot. It was decent on the first try, and it only got better the more I experimented and learned to use the machine.

First Time Frothing Milk

Mr. Coffee Cafe Barista has an interesting milk frothing process. The process is done automatically using a removable milk reservoir with a built-in steam wand. Here’s how it went, step-by-step:

1. I filled the milk reservoir with milk
2. I placed the frothed milk tube so it’s directed into my cup
3. I adjusted the froth control knob, which lets me control how much froth I want to be added to the drink
4. I pressed the cappuccino button and let the machine do the work.

Mr. Coffee Cafe Barista automatically frothed milk in the reservoir and dispensed it into my cup. The process was quick and fun to watch.

Keep in mind this espresso machine uses a milk reservoir to froth. This means you don’t have manual control over the froth.

Also, the reservoir doesn’t have any measurements, so you need to use a measuring cup to make sure you have precise amounts of milk.

Overall, milk frothing is automatic and seamless.

Also, there’s no manual control over the frother, which means no chance for latte art, but honestly, expecting that at this price point is overreaching.

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How Much Control Do You Have Over the Mr. Coffee Cafe Barista?

You don’t have much control over the Mr. Coffee Cafe Barista coffee maker, and you can’t create custom coffee drinks.

You can choose the size of your espresso, such as single or double shots.

You can also adjust the level of milk foam in the milk you steam.

There’s a dial on the milk frother, which you turn. The lower end is for lattes, and the opposite end is for cappuccinos.

You can’t adjust the brewing temperature or the milk frothing temperature. These are automatically controlled by the machine.

How Does It Handle Different Roasts?

Mr. Coffee Cafe Barista maker doesn’t handle all roasts equally well.

It faired worse when using lightly roasted beans. I noticed the Mr. Coffee Café Barista didn’t extract complex flavors in the light roast as well as my other espresso makers.

This happens because of a lack of consistent brewing temperatures and pressure. This is a budget coffee pump espresso maker, which means no PID.

PID stands for Proportional Integral Derivative and is a device that constantly monitors the temperature and makes adjustments in case of fluctuations to ensure consistent extraction.[1]

I had more success with dark roasts. The flavors were nicely extracted. Also, dark roasts pair better with milk, which is great if you like milk-based beverages. 

Here are the roasts I had the best results with when using Mr. Coffee Cafe Barista Espresso Maker:

• Community Coffee French Roast — Extra dark French Roast for bold and intense espresso flavor.
• Italian Roast Blend — A blend made from 100% Arabica beans for a dark, bold body.
• Illy Classico ESE Pods — Medium roast coffee with chocolate and caramel notes.

Look, Feel, and Size Of The Machine

Considering how affordable it is, Mr. Coffee is extremely well-built. It has a black plastic exterior with stainless steel front panel and drip tray.

You even get two drip trays: one in the unit underneath the portafilter, so you can place full-size mugs.

The second drip tray pulls out from under the milk reservoir, so you can fit smaller espresso mugs without fearing your precious brew will spill.

The design is well-thought-out and enables intuitive use. All parts are clearly labeled. 

For example, by pressing espresso, you start a single-shot brewing process. Pressing it twice, you’ll get a double shot. When pressing three times, the machine goes into custom-brewing mode, where it pushes water through the filter until you press again to stop.

The same goes for Cappuccino and Latte, except that a long press starts manual frothing.

Overall, the machine is sleek and fits nicely into most kitchen decors. It’s also compact, with dimensions 14.7" L x 8.5" W x 12.6" H.

What Drinks Can Mr. Coffee Cafe Barista Make?

Mr. Coffee Cafe Barista can make these espresso drinks, cappuccino, and latte selections:

Espresso:

• Single shot — 1.25 oz
• Double shot — 2.5 oz

Cappuccino:

• Small: 7.5 oz
• Large: 15.5 oz

Latte:

• Small: 13.5 oz
• Large: 18.5 oz

You can’t have drip coffee, but the drink option covers the most popular choices coffee lovers go for.

How Easy Is It To Use?

Out of all the semi-automatic machines I’ve tried, Mr. Coffee is one of the easiest to use.

It has three buttons and indicator lights, which is all you need to make coffee. 

This machine gives you manual and automatic options and lets you easily choose between a single or double shot with one or two presses of a button.

Most importantly, it can froth milk automatically and dispense it in your coffee without any work from you. It really doesn’t get much easier than this.

How Long Does It Take? (From Heat Up To First Sip)

It takes around 7 minutes to heat up, finish the brewing process, and steam milk.

The preheating time takes around five minutes (but can take much less, depending on when you last used it). Espresso brewing time takes around 30 seconds, and the automatic milk frother needs about a minute to froth your milk.

It’s not the quickest coffee machine I’ve used, but you’ll get your morning cup reasonably fast.

Does It Have A Water Filtration System?

No, Mr. Coffee Cafe Barista doesn’t have a filtration system in the water reservoir.

Water is full of impurities, which can build up over time and lead to bitter coffee.[2] This is why it’s important to regularly perform a cleaning process.

How Hard Is It To Clean and Descale Mr. Coffee Cafe Barista?

I recommend running one or two shots through an empty portafilter to keep the machine in good shape and have quality espressos.

The user manual also recommends disassembling and cleaning the portafilter every three months and descaling the machine every 40 to 80 brew cycles.[3]

The milk reservoir is the most complicated part to clean. You should place a large cup under the frothing wand and turn the knob to the clean position.

Finally, dispose of the cup content and wash the milk reservoir and its parts. Luckily, the reservoir and its lid are dishwasher-safe.

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My Favorite Parts About The Mr. Coffee Espresso Maker

My favorite part of this machine is the convenience. It’s a perfect entry-level machine that makes lattes and cappuccinos with one touch.

Moreover, it’s extremely affordable. You aren’t likely to find other espresso makers at this price point that can automatically make milk-based drinks.

Finally, the coffee machine can make versatile drinks. Choose between a single or dual shot and various cappuccino and latte sizes.

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My Least Favorite Parts

I didn’t like that you don’t have very consistent results on this coffee machine. The temperature can vary, and you need to be careful which beans you use.

Also, it doesn’t come with a grinder. You need a grinder that can create fine grounds for great espresso shots, and good grinders aren’t cheap.

Finally, the cleaning process isn’t the most straightforward, especially the milk system. You need to do several steps to maintain the machine and ensure great coffee.

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Mr. Coffee Vs Similar Espresso and Cappuccino Machines

Mr. Coffee vs DeLonghi EC155

The DeLonghi EC155 is another entry-level semi-automatic machine.

The main difference between Delonghi and Mr. Coffee is that DeLonghi doesn’t have a manual milk frother.

Instead, you need to froth the milk yourself. This also means more control over the milk foam, and you can develop your barista skills.

On the other hand, it also means a higher learning curve, especially if you’re new to coffee brewing.

Mr. Coffee vs Nespresso Vertuo

The Nespresso Vertuo is a pod-only machine. This means there’s no option to use ground coffee. You insert the Nespresso pod, press a button, and the machine automatically brews coffee for you.

On the other hand, Mr. Coffee has both options - You can use ESE pods or ground coffee.

The pods come in handy when you don't want to put in the work to create a puck, but it's great you also have the option to make espresso the traditional way.

Also, Nespresso Vertuo doesn’t have a built-in milk frother. You can buy a separate frothing attachment that automatically froths milk, which is an additional expense.

Related Article - Nespresso Vertuo Review

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FAQs

What coffee is best to use with the Mr. Coffee espresso maker?

It’s best to use dark beans with the Mr. Coffee espresso maker. These provide the best results for espresso and milk-based drinks.

Does Mr. Coffee Espresso Machine need filters?

Yes, the Mr. Coffee espresso machine needs filters. You need to use the ESE pod filter, single or double shot filter in the portafilter.

Can I use Mr. Coffee without a water filter?

Yes, you can use Mr. Coffee without a water filter. In fact, this espresso maker doesn’t come with water filters.

How do you make a latte with Mr. Coffee espresso machine?

You make a latte with Mr. Coffee espresso machine by filling the water tank, making a puck, locking in the portafilter in the group head, and filling up the water reservoir. Then you press the latte button, and the machine makes your drink.

How long do Mr. Coffee espresso machines last?

Mr. Coffee espresso machines can last up to five years with proper maintenance.

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Final Thoughts

The Mr. Coffee Cafe Barista Espresso machine is a great beginner machine. The setup and use are easy.

The overall design is elegant, and the main features are user-friendly.

You'll get the hang of making lattes and cappuccinos in no time. Overall, if you're on a low budget, you can't find a more affordable machine with an automatic milk system.

Resources:

1. https://www.omega.co.uk/prodinfo/pid-controllers.html
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7126548/
3. https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/C1PWZZl8RgS.pdf