About Barista Lab

Barista Lab exists because home espresso advice on the internet is, frankly, a mess. Forum threads from 2015 recommending machines that don't exist anymore. Gear reviews written by people who clearly haven't used the thing. Affiliate sites that rank whatever pays the highest commission.

We started this site because we wanted a resource we'd actually use — one that gives you a straight answer to “what should I buy?” without burying the answer in 4,000 words of hedging.

How We Approach Gear Reviews

We write about machines and grinders we've actually used. Where that's not possible, we draw on community data — thousands of hours of forum discussion, owner reviews, and real-world long-term feedback — and we say so clearly.

We don't rank by commission rate. We rank by what we'd actually buy in each tier. Sometimes the best machine for the money pays $8 in commission. Sometimes it pays $80. Doesn't matter.

Affiliate Disclosure

We use affiliate links — primarily Amazon (tag: baristalab-20), plus occasional links to Breville, Pro Coffee Gear, and Whole Latte Love. If you buy something through one of our links, we earn a small commission at no cost to you.

Affiliate revenue is what keeps this site running. It doesn't change our recommendations. We'd rather send you somewhere that's right for you and earn nothing than push you toward the wrong gear.

What We Cover

• Home espresso machines — from beginner semi-automatics to full prosumer setups
• Coffee grinders — burr grinders for espresso, from hand grinders to flat burr machines
• Milk frothers and steam — for lattes, cappuccinos, and everything in between
• Coffee bar setup — how to build a functional, good-looking home coffee station
• Technique — dialing in, troubleshooting, and understanding what's happening in your cup

Questions? Reach out via the contact page. We read everything.