The Saeco Picobaristo HD8927/47 Espresso Machine Review

Superautomatic espresso machines are incredibly convenient. With just the touch of a few buttons, you can have the perfect macchiato in your hands in minutes. No grinding, no tamping, no risk of human error, just delicious coffee. But they can also be large, expensive, and difficult to maintain.

The Saeco HD8927/47 Picobaristo is a mid-priced espresso and latte machine that avoids at least one of those potential pitfalls, requiring much less upkeep than others in its class. Does that make it the perfect machine for you? Read our Saeco espresso machine review to find out.

Summary: The Saeco HD8927/47 Picobaristo

• A fully automatic, easy-to-use espresso machine at a reasonable price.
  
• Includes a ceramic burr grinder and removable milk carafe.
  
• The patented Aquaclean filter system makes it very low maintenance.

The trick is in the advanced technologies inside this machine controlling every step of the brewing process, just like a barista does.

– Tommaso, Professional Barista

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The Saeco Picobaristo Review

The sleek and stylish Saeco Picobaristo is a super-automatic espresso machine that leaves nothing to chance. With a built-in ceramic burr grinder and milk frother, you can enjoy your favourite espresso beverage at just the touch of a button. 

What sets the Picobaristo apart from the competition is its patented Aquaclean filtration system. This innovation keeps mineral build-up inside the machine to a minimum, meaning less tiresome descaling and purer water for great tasting espresso. 

If you’re looking for a superautomatic espresso machine without the usual maintenance hassles, the Picobaristo delivers.

Saeco Picobaristo HD8927/47 Review

• Brewing Capability
• ‘Make-Life-Easy’ Features
• Milk Frothing
• Cleaning
• Build Quality

4.2

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Brewing Capability – 5/5

An Italian company, Saeco was the very first to launch a super automatic espresso machine, and their long-standing expertise is evident here. The Picobaristo is a highly capable super-automatic espresso machine.

Whether your drink is a cortado or a latte, you can choose between five brew strengths and three temperatures as well as adjust the drink size. If that sounds overwhelming, don’t worry, you can store your favourite beverage options with just one touch.

This espresso maker, which is also one of the best latte machines, is equipped with a built-in ceramic burr grinder, which every coffee enthusiast knows is the best way to grind your beans for optimum flavour (1). The grinder has ten different grind size options, which is more than many higher-priced models and provides yet another way to customize your brew.

‘Make-Life-Easy’ Features – 4/5

Automatic espresso machines are designed to make your life easier, and this one is no exception. Its large-capacity water tank and bean hopper mean less time wasted refilling, and its equally large-capacity ground coffee bin means fewer trips to the rubbish. And when things are getting too empty or too full, this coffee machine’s easy-read LCD screen warns you. Never again will the water tank run dry, causing potential damage. The water reservoir can be removed, for easy filling at the kitchen sink.

The Picobaristo is also fast. Thanks to quick heat boiler technology, there’s no extra waiting for that precious first cup or the ones that come after. It only takes about two and a half minutes from turning it on to savouring (or gulping) that first shot.

There is also a bypass doser which allows you to introduce grounds without using the bean hopper. This will be a great convenience if someone in your household prefers pre-ground beans or drinks decaf, for example.

Milk Frothing – 4/5

Like its espresso maker, the Picobaristo’s milk frother is fully automatic as well, so it’s easy to use. Simply plug in the included milk carafe, filled with the dairy or non-dairy milk of your choice, and await the light and foamy results. Conveniently, when not in use, the carafe can be stored in the fridge to keep milk fresh.

A downside to the carafe system, as opposed to a standard steam wand, is that the carafe must be removed and a separate spout installed to get hot water out of this machine. The degree to which this is inconvenient will depend on the drink habits in your household.

Cleaning – 5/5

Ease of cleaning is one of the big selling points of this coffee machine, and it comes with a booklet detailing a cleaning schedule.

If you live in a region with hard water (2), this number may be lower, but the Picobaristo will still require significantly less descaling than comparable machines. The Aquaclean filter ensures that the water from the reservoir takes a longer path before entering the machine. Not only does this reduce mineral deposits and minimize the need for cleaning, but it provides purer water for better-tasting coffee.

Saeco also employs a unique hygiesteam system to clean the milk carafe. After each use of the milk carafe, the whole system, from spout to milk tubes, is automatically cleaned by a jet of hygienic steam.

The brew head can be easily removed with a one-click system that allows it to be quickly rinsed as necessary, and the drip tray comes with a floating device that warns you when it is reaching capacity. No more messy overflows.

Build Quality – 3/5

The Picobaristo comes in two versions, one plastic and one with stainless steel surfaces. Though it is several hundred dollars more expensive, the stainless steel model is still priced very moderately as compared with others within this class, and it’s hard to beat stainless when it comes to quality — not to mention its sleek and modern appearance. Both models, however, lack a cup warmer, which is a surprising omission for such a high-end machine.

This machine loses a few points on the design and construction of the bean hopper. It’s a rather unusual shape, making it difficult to easily funnel beans in, and the door magnet can be unreliable.

The drip tray, too, is not ideally designed. When it is removed, a good portion of the front of the machine comes with it, a bit of a hassle for something as simple and common as rinsing a drip tray.

Do Not Buy the Saeco Picobaristo If…

You enjoy the craft of pulling the perfect espresso – The Saeco is a superautomatic espresso machine. For many people, this is a plus; it takes all the guesswork out of making great coffee, not to mention all the hard work. But for others, the trial and error required to pull that perfect shot is half the fun (3). If you’re in the latter camp, consider a semi-automatic machine like the Sage Barista Express, or if you’re feeling really ambitious, a manual machine like the beautiful La Pavoni Professional.

You don’t mind descaling – The biggest advantage of the Picobaristo when compared to Saeco’s lower-priced models is the unique Aquaclean water filter, which means this machine needs to be descaled much less often than its competition. If you don’t mind descaling, or you live in a region with soft water, an automatic machine like the Saeco Intelia Deluxe will still make great espresso and will save you some cash. 

You don’t have a lot of counter space – Compared to others in its class, the Picobaristo has a fairly large footprint, measuring 21.5 x 42.9 x 33 cm. If you have a small kitchen with limited counter space or particularly low upper cupboards, something more compact like the Mr. Coffee Cafe Barista or the Breville Cafe Roma might be more to your liking.

The Verdict

With its built-in burr grinder, detachable milk carafe, and array of highly customizable beverage options, the Saeco HD8927/47 Picobaristo is like an at-home barista, and you’re its regular customer. It knows your favourite drink and just how you like it. Latte macchiato, extra hot? No problem. Almond milk cappuccino? Coming right up.

If you’re looking for an automatic espresso maker that’s as easy to maintain as it is to use, this might very well be your ideal candidate.

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