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Expobar Office SA review

Manual home espresso coffee machine. Priced at $1927.

CHOICE Expert Rating

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CHOICE Expert Rating

This is the product's overall performance score, based on key tests conducted by our industry experts in the CHOICE labs.

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The product's best features and benefits

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Machine type View more details.

For more on types, see our buying guide. Fully automatic machines (that grind, dose and make the espresso) are covered in a separate report.

Manual
Recommended View more details.

We recommend models which score 70% or more overall, so long as they also score well on other crucial factors including taste and milk frothing.

CHOICE Expert Rating View more details.

The CHOICE Expert Rating, our overall score, is made up of taste (60%), ease of use (20%), milk frothing ability (15%), and coffee temperature consistency over consecutive cups (5%).

Taste test score View more details.

Three experts test the espressos in a 'blind' tasting, checking the colour and thickness of the crema (the tan-coloured foam on the top of an espresso), aroma, flavour, mouth-feel (for example, creaminess or wateriness) and aftertaste.

Ease of use score View more details.

How easy the machines are to use. We try the controls, fill the water tank and the bean hopper, adjust the grinder, make a coffee, and clean inside and out.

Milk frothing score View more details.

We experiment with each machine to find how it best froths milk, looking for fine, pourable froth. We use what the manufacturer recommends (a milk frother, milk-based capsule or coffee capsule extracted over milk).

Coffee temperature consistency score View more details.

We measure the consistency of four consecutive coffees for each machine after it warms up.

Measured heat-up time View more details.

Not scored, but will affect how quickly you can turn out a cup of coffee.

Time taken to froth 200mL milk
Shop Ethical rating View more details.

Shop Ethical rates the environmental and social impact of the company (not the product or the pod supplier, if applicable) using independent sources. This rating is not included in our total score. N/A means there is no rating for that company

N/A
Brand reliability score View more details.

Brand reliability scores are based on responses from more than 2700 coffee machine owners in 2019. We ask whether they have run into a problem with their appliance in the last 12 months. Scores are based on brand, not model. Not all brands have scores as we require a minimum of 50 responses per brand.

Brand satisfaction score View more details.

Brand satisfaction score is based on how satisfied 2724 surveyed members are with their coffee machines from a scale of excellent to terrible (survey conducted in 2019). Not all brands have scores as we require a minimum of 50 responses per brand.

Warranty (years)
Not stated
Country of origin
Spain
Availability
Tested model
Price View more details.

The manufacturer's recommended retail price. Prices are often flexible, so shop around both online and in bricks-and-mortar stores for options.

$1927
Capsule type View more details.

The recommended capsule (pod) type for each model. Nespresso (original) refers to the older-style capsules, while Nespresso Vertuo is the newer patented and barcoded system which comes in different sizes (these are incompatible with third-party capsules).

N/A
Type of heating system View more details.

Thermoblock heats up only a very small quantity of water on demand as it flows through the system. Boilers heat a larger amount of water and keep it heated fairly consistently. A dual boiler includes two boilers; one for making coffee and one for steaming. Heat exchanger models use a single boiler but are designed to produce coffee and steam at the same time. 

Heat exchanger
Water reservoir capacity (L)
2.8
Stated pump pressure (bar) View more details.

The pressure the pump exerts when pushing hot water through the ground beans; measurement given in 'bar'. Some trial and error with the pressure and grind is required. A high bar does not necessarily mean a superior machine. We optimise the machines before giving them a taste test to give them their best chance.

Not stated
Dimensions (cm, HxWxD)
38 x 24 x 45
Weight (kg)
17.4
Contents of packaging
Espresso machine, 1 and 2 cup group handles, 1 and 2 cup filter baskets (single wall), blind filter, tamper, measuring spoon, 2 handles for top cover, 1 water filter and literature.
Website
expobar.com.au
Jug for milk frothing View more details.

Whether the machine comes with a milk jug for frothing or not.

No
Milk frothing View more details.

Manual machines generally contain integrated milk frothers. Capsule machines often have a separate milk frother which you either need to buy separately, or as part of a bundle. Some capsule machines use milk-based capsules.

Steam wand
Standby mode
No
Automatic power turn-off
No
Removable water reservoir
Yes
Water tank empty reminder
Yes
Hot water nozzle
Yes (separate nozzle)
Removable drip tray
Yes
Cup warming plate
Yes
Recycle scheme View more details.

Some capsule manufacturers provide a recycling scheme.

Cord storage
Yes
Programmable coffee quantity View more details.

Whether you can adjust the amount of water that pours into the shot.

No
Digital display
No
Espresso pressure or milk temperature gauge
No
Adjustable water temperature for coffee making
No
Adjustable steam pump rate
No
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