If you’re serious about espresso and love the idea of brewing café-quality shots from your kitchen—without a massive machine or power cable—then the 9Barista Espresso Machine Mk.2 might just be your new obsession.
This espresso maker doesn’t look or work like your average countertop machine. In fact, it doesn’t plug in at all. Instead, the 9Barista uses stovetop pressure and clever engineering to pull shots that rival what you’d get from a commercial espresso machine.
Intrigued? So were we.
Here’s our full review after testing the 9Barista Mk.2—its performance, ease of use, shot quality, and whether it’s worth the price tag for coffee lovers and home baristas alike.
- What Is the 9Barista Espresso Machine?
- How the 9Barista Espresso Machine Mk.2 Works
- Setup and First Impressions
- Brewing Experience
- 9Barista Espresso Machine Mk.2 Taste Test: Is It Real Espresso?
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- What We Love About the 9Barista Mk.2
- A Few Trade-Offs
- Who Should Buy the 9Barista Mk.2?
- Final Verdict: Is the 9Barista Mk.2 Worth It?
What Is the 9Barista Espresso Machine?
The 9Barista is a stovetop espresso machine made entirely of high-quality brass and stainless steel, with zero electronics. It’s designed by a former jet engineer (yes, really), who used heat and pressure principles from aviation to build a machine that consistently delivers 9 bars of pressure—the gold standard for espresso extraction.
The 9Barista Mk.2 is an updated version with several user-friendly improvements, including a redesigned pressure relief valve and easier cleaning components.
Unlike moka pots or traditional espresso machines, this thing actually hits 9 bars of pressure, which means it produces real espresso with crema and all.
How the 9Barista Espresso Machine Mk.2 Works
The 9Barista is essentially a three-chamber system:
- Bottom Boiler Chamber: You fill this with water and place it directly on the stove. It builds up pressure as it heats.
- Middle Heat Exchanger: This controls the temperature so the brew water stays around 90–95°C—ideal for espresso.
- Top Brew Group: Add your coffee grounds here (like a portafilter), then screw everything together.
As the pressure in the bottom chamber reaches 9 bars, water is forced up through the puck of coffee and into the upper collection chamber.
It sounds complex, but it’s a beautifully simple system once you’ve used it once or twice.
Setup and First Impressions
Unboxing the 9Barista feels more like opening a precision-engineered gadget than a typical coffee brewer. The build quality is stunning. Every part is solid brass, weighty, and polished to a shine. It feels luxurious and indestructible—like something you’d pass down to your grandkids.
Setup takes a few minutes, but the manual is clear, and there’s plenty of community support online. Just make sure you have:
- A gas or electric stovetop (induction users need an adapter)
- A good burr grinder (you’ll need a fine espresso grind)
- A tamper or puck prep tool
Brewing Experience
Using the 9Barista feels somewhere between making a moka pot and prepping a manual espresso shot. Here’s the process:
- Fill the boiler with water to the line. Preheat the top half while the boiler heats up (optional, but recommended).
- Add ground coffee to the filter basket and tamp it lightly.
- Assemble and place on the stove over medium heat.
- Wait 3–5 minutes until espresso flows up into the collection chamber.
- Remove from heat and enjoy.
The entire brew process takes about 6–8 minutes from start to finish—including cooling time.
And the best part? The espresso looks and tastes legit. We’re talking rich body, dense crema, and clarity of flavour that genuinely rivals machines 3x the size and price.
9Barista Espresso Machine Mk.2 Taste Test: Is It Real Espresso?
In short—yes.
We pulled shots using a few different beans: a fruity Ethiopian single-origin, a chocolatey Brazil roast, and a house blend. All produced thick crema and bold, full-bodied espresso with great flavor clarity.
You’ll want to dial in your grind carefully (espresso-fine, but not choked). Once you nail your recipe, the 9Barista is remarkably consistent, especially for a non-electric machine.
Pro Barista Tip: Use fresh, high-quality beans and a proper burr grinder. This machine rewards precision.
Cleaning and Maintenance
The 9Barista is refreshingly easy to clean:
Unscrew the top, discard the puck, and rinse all parts. Occasionally, you’ll want to remove the boiler gasket and safety valve for a deep clean (especially if you live in a hard water area).
No backflushing, no descaling lines, no electronic parts to worry about. Just simple mechanical maintenance.
What We Love About the 9Barista Mk.2
- True Espresso Pressure (9 Bars): Unlike moka pots or AeroPress, this is real-deal espresso. Crema included.
- Unplugged Power: It runs entirely on stovetop heat. Great for small kitchens, travel, or even off-grid brewing.
- Incredible Build Quality: The all-metal construction is premium and durable. It feels like a serious tool—not a gadget.
- Compact and Stylish: It takes up less space than a toaster and looks beautiful on display.
- Satisfying Process: If you love hands-on brewing, this is a dream machine. It’s meditative, rewarding, and educational.
A Few Trade-Offs
- Learning Curve: There’s a little trial and error in the beginning. You’ll need to dial in your grind, dose, and stove settings.
- Not for Frothy Drinks: There’s no steam wand, so if you’re a die-hard cappuccino fan, you’ll need a separate milk frother.
- Requires Precision Tools: A good espresso grinder is essential. Blade grinders won’t cut it.
- Not Ideal for Entertaining: It makes one shot at a time. Not great if you’re hosting a brunch party.
Who Should Buy the 9Barista Mk.2?
The 9Barista is perfect for:
- Coffee geeks who want café-quality espresso at home
- Apartment dwellers or minimalists who want a compact, stylish brewer
- Travelers, campers, and vanlifers who want espresso without power
- Design lovers who appreciate beautiful engineering
It’s not ideal for those who drink mostly milk-based drinks or want one-button convenience.
Final Verdict: Is the 9Barista Mk.2 Worth It?
The 9Barista Mk.2 is a brilliant, barista-approved piece of kit. It’s unique, well-made, and capable of producing genuinely exceptional espresso—without the footprint, noise, or complexity of traditional machines.
Yes, there’s a learning curve. And yes, it’s not built for lattes or high-volume brewing. But if you’re passionate about espresso and want a stripped-back, ritualistic experience, this is one of the most satisfying ways to pull a shot.
Rating: 9/10 — A true espresso lover’s dream.
Where to Buy: You can order directly from 9barista.com or through select specialty coffee retailers.
