Solis · ThermoblockBarista Perfetta Plus
A compact thermoblock single-boiler with adaptive PID, automatic pre-infusion, and an integrated manometer — unusual features at this price point, packaged in a 18.7 cm-wide footprint that suits small kitchens and first-time home baristas.
The short version
The Barista Perfetta Plus gets more right than most machines under $400: real PID, a genuine manual steam wand, volumetric programming, and a pressure gauge.
The ceiling is real, though — thermoblock temperature stability and a plastic-heavy group head mean you will outgrow it once your palate and skill catch up.
Why people buy it
- Adaptive PID with multi-stage temperature control (brew, steam, hot water) is rare in this class
- Integrated manometer lets you monitor extraction pressure without extra hardware
Why they don’t
- Thermoblock temperature stability is weaker than a proper boiler — experienced palates will feel the ceiling
The full tally
- Adaptive PID with multi-stage temperature control (brew, steam, hot water) is rare in this class
- Integrated manometer lets you monitor extraction pressure without extra hardware
- Five included baskets (pressurized, non-pressurized, ESE) and a 54mm portafilter with wide aftermarket accessory compatibility
- 40-second heat-up and 3 configurable auto-shutoff modes make daily use genuinely low-friction
- Thermoblock temperature stability is weaker than a proper boiler — experienced palates will feel the ceiling
- Group head is plastic-heavy despite the stainless steel exterior, limiting longevity expectations
- Single boiler means you must wait between pulling a shot and steaming milk — no simultaneous brew/steam
What the community knows
Years of owner threads, distilled — well regarded.
Thermoblock entry machine punches hard on steam, workflow accessibility, and professional feature density per dollar — specialty retailer-backed with real owner enthusiasm — but plastic construction and shot ceiling ceiling gap mean most owners see it as a 2–3 year stepping…
Value
price-to-performance the community respects
Beginner fit
kind to first-timers
Ecosystem
mods, guides, and community know-how around it
All 9 community measures
price-to-performance the community respects
shows up every morning, year after year
parts and repairs — you are never stranded
mods, guides, and community know-how around it
kind to first-timers
years before you outgrow or replace it
how far the cup can go, per dollar
speed and simplicity, day to day
Worth knowing before you buy — Most owners wish they had spent the difference on a better grinder and either accepted the thermoblock ceiling or stretched for an HX/lever from the start.
Known weak points — Plastic body durability concerns noted by community but no specific failure modes (solenoid, thermoblock seal, pump) heavily documented yet; water quality sensitivity typical of thermoblock machines not yet singularized in owner reports.
“When it comes to milk foam quality, no other espresso machine can compete with the Solis Barista Perfetta Plus. We produced perfectly creamy milk foam and poured latte art.”
“The Solis Barista Perfetta Plus has a proper professional steam wand, an excellent step up from the Pannarello-style wands found on many home models.”
“It's got plenty of accessibility features that help you brew cafe-quality drinks without a steep learning curve, and enough professional functionality and upgradability that it will continue to serve you well.”
The measurements
Scored 0–5 on the same rubric as everything on file — the words matter more than the numbers.
The measurements
0–5, one rubric- Shot ceiling
- capable3
- Steam power
- workable2.5
- Built to last
- fair2.5
- Easy daily
- demanding2
Position in the market
Every dot is a rival, measured the same way. The gold one is this.
- Lower half for shot ceiling
- a higher ceiling than 80 of the 237 machines we’ve measured
- A value pick at this level
- 90% of machines this capable cost more
- Lower half for build
- sturdier than 16% of the field, by the community’s own record
Every dot is a machine measured on the same rubric. See the whole market
Living with it
The part spec sheets skip: counter space, upkeep, and what owners learn later.
The honest note — Most owners hit the ceiling when they start noticing thermoblock temperature variance affecting shot-to-shot consistency, or when they want to steam and brew simultaneously for multiple drinks. Natural next steps are a heat-exchanger or dual-boiler machine (e.g. ECM Synchronika, Breville Dual Boiler, Lelit Bianca) paired with a proper espresso grinder upgrade.
The full spec sheet
- Type
- Thermoblock / thermojet
- Heat-up time
- ~1 min
- Steam power
- 2.5/5
- Brew + steam at once
- No
- Guest recovery
- 2/5
- Shot quality ceiling
- 3/5
- PID temperature control
- Yes
- Milk system
- Manual steam wand
- One-touch drinks
- 2
- Removable brew group
- No
- Hot-water tap
- Yes
- Workflow demand
- 3/5
- Maintenance
- 2.5/5
- Noise
- 2.5/5
- Build longevity
- 2.5/5
- Dimensions
- 18.7 × 37.2 × 32.1 cm
Before it arrives
What completes this machine — the faded pieces can wait.
Descaler & backflush kit — Electric boilers scale up and grouts gunk up — a descaler plus backflush routine is what keeps the machine alive for a decade.
- Descaler & backflush kit — Electric boilers scale up and grouts gunk up — a descaler plus backflush routine is what keeps the machine alive for a decade.
- Coffee scale with timer — Espresso is a ratio. A 0.1g scale with a built-in timer is the single biggest consistency upgrade for any manual machine.
- Espresso cups & glassware — Proper demitasse and latte glasses keep the drink hot and look the part.
Feed it right
Week one is dial-in — and stale beans will lose it.
Coffee more than a few weeks past roast won’t extract predictably, and a new machine gets blamed for it. While you learn it, a forgiving medium-light roast keeps dial-in kind — bright enough to taste progress, sweet enough to drink the misses.
Pick your coffee — any of these dials in beautifully here:
Wild Ember - Ethiopian Buno Dambi UddoSCA 92Medium roast · Odo Shakiso, Guji Zone, Oromia · NaturalBlueberry · MarmaladeSteady and repeatable — right for this setup’s lane.CA$26.83 · roasted to order
Etherea - Ethiopian YirgacheffeSCA 88Medium roast · NaturalJasmine · BergamotSteady and repeatable — right for this setup’s lane.CA$24.16 · roasted to order
Sergio - Brazillian Fazenda Joia Rara Aerobic FermentedSCA 88Medium-light · Cerrado Mineiro · Aerobic FermentedHoney · OrangeSteady and repeatable — right for this setup’s lane.CA$29.18 · roasted to orderNo proper grinder yet? Sort that first — it decides more of the cup than the machine does. We ship whole bean, roast-dated, timed so it lands fresh the week your burrs do.
Roasted to order, daily, in Ajax, Ontario · ships Canada-wide. We’re the roastery behind this database — measuring the machines is how we make sure the coffee gets a fair shot.
On film
How it runs on camera, from around the community.
Common questions
Is the Solis Barista Perfetta the same as the Barista Perfetta Plus?
Yes. The machine is sold under both names interchangeably — it is a single model (Type 1170). The 'Plus' suffix appears in some markets and on Solis's global site; you may see either name used in reviews.
Does the 54mm portafilter limit accessory options?
Less than you might expect. Because Breville's Bambino and Barista Express also use 54mm baskets, a wide range of aftermarket baskets, distribution tools, and tampers are available at reasonable prices.
Can you brew and steam at the same time?
No. It is a single-thermoblock machine, so you pull your shot first, then switch the machine into steam mode. For one or two drinks this is fine; for entertaining a group it is a real constraint.
Does it come with a water filter?
Yes — a BRITA Intenza filter is included. It slots into the 1.7L water tank and reduces limescale, which also extends descaling intervals.
What grinder should I pair with it?
A midrange espresso grinder (Baratza Encore ESP, DF54, or similar 40-54mm flat-burr options) is the sweet spot. A premium grinder will outpace the machine's thermoblock ceiling; a budget hand grinder or blade grinder will hold you back before the machine does.
Worth comparing
Breville
Duo Temp Pro (BES810BSS)
Breville's entry-level manual machine that punches above its price with PID temperature control, low-pressure pre-infusion, and a proper manual steam wand — all without a built-in grinder or a solenoid valve.
US$399–499
Gemilai
Owl G3006A (2026)
A mid-range thermoblock semi-automatic with a genuine built-in OPV, dual-stage pre-infusion, independently adjustable brew and steam PID, and a fast 2-minute cold-extraction mode — the meaningful upgrade over the original Owl.
US$380–480
Breville
Bambino (BES450)
Breville's smallest and most affordable espresso machine: a 3-second ThermoJet heat-up, genuine 9-bar extraction with pre-infusion, PID temperature control, and a manual steam wand — all in a footprint smaller than most toasters.
US$299–300 · CA$345–360
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