Bosch Tassimo Finesse review

Easy and straightforward to make use of, the Bosch Tassimo Finesse is a compact espresso machine that effectively delivers a sizzling pod espresso in essentially the most easy approach attainable.

Espresso machine design

• 0.7 litre tank
• 5 color choices
• Compact kind: 34x12x23cm

Type-wise, Bosch has gone for perform over kind. We examined the jet black mannequin and located a modest matt black machine with a clear 0.7 litre pull-out water tank on the again, a flip-up pod node on the entrance above the drip tray, and a giant shiny button to the entrance proper.

The Finesse is available in 5 colourways: jet black, cream, radiant purple, snow white and lupine blue. The white and purple fashions nonetheless characteristic a black shell, however the cream and blue fashions are two-tone. If you’re on the lookout for a pod machine with somewhat extra fashion, you would possibly need to take a look at these color fashions. The Finesse in cream has an early’ 90s retro vibe, which we discovered somewhat alluring.   

At solely 2.75kg, it’s one of many lightest pod machines we’ve examined. With dimensions of 34cm deep by 12cm huge and 23cm excessive, it appears that evidently Bosch has designed this pod machine for households the place area is at a premium.

The flip aspect is the small water tank, which solely makes about three 250ml mugs of espresso earlier than you have to refill, so if that is a matter, you’ll want a much bigger machine. That mentioned, the tank is straightforward to drag out and refit after filling; there’s no have to fiddle about with levers or stability the tank on a swing-out base.      

The twine is 70cm lengthy, which supplies you some wriggle room, and the machine comes with the guarantee and the person handbook printed on recycled paper. The handbook options pictogram directions for operation. Clearly, this can be a boon when you have purchased the machine for somebody who has issue with textual English, or who’s within the means of studying English and wishes common doses of espresso to assist them via their examine.     

Arrange and efficiency

• Dispenses into espresso cup sizes
• Barcode reader for computerized brewing
• Flavour enhance choice

As with most espresso machines, you have to run an preliminary cleansing cycle with the Finesse. You unpack the machine, plug it in, replenish the tank, pop a 250ml mug on the drip tray beneath the spout, and pop the orange provided lid into the pod tray. One can find the orange lid within the slot on the left-hand aspect of the underside of the machine.

Then you definately simply press the button. The Finesse will judder for a number of seconds and sizzling clear water will start to run via the machine. You don’t have to hover to press the button to cease the move; the Finesse will cease meting out water earlier than your 250ml mug is full. Throw this sizzling water away.

Run via this cycle a complete of 3 times. By the tip of this course of, many of the water tank will probably be empty, so simply refill the tank and also you’re able to make your first pod espresso.   

Simplicity is the secret with the Finesse. Flip up the highest of the pod dock, insert your T Disc, click on the pod dock high again down, put a cup underneath the spout and press the button. The machine will learn the barcode on the pod and dispense the right amount of sizzling water via the pod earlier than stopping robotically.  

For our first check, we used a Kenco 100% Colombian pod and located the Finesse distributed rapidly, with hardly any heat-up time, and gave a espresso with a deep wealthy color and delicate crema. For a pod machine, it was a great outcome, and we have been impressed. We additionally observed that there was no encompass splash or spluttering. 

Our second check employed a L’OR Espresso Fortissimo pod. Once more, the dispense was fast and straightforward, and the ensuing espresso pleasurable and wealthy.

Alex Greenwood / Foundry

The Finesse additionally has an “Depth Enhance” perform, which injects your drink with a extra concentrated flavour, be it an espresso, latte, sizzling chocolate, or cappuccino. You simply press the button for 3 seconds, and also you robotically get a extra intense style. We tried it; we discovered it really works.   

By way of the drip tray, there are two positions: one for a 250ml mug and one other 5cm greater for an espresso or cappuccino cup. For a latte cup, you will have to take the drip tray out solely, however it’s value noting that that is, certainly, a compact pod machine that is ready to dispense into a standard tall latte cup within the first place. Most compact espresso machines lack this characteristic – as do lots of the barista machines we’ve examined.   

Alex Greenwood / Foundry

How does the Tassimo Finesse make milky espresso?

The Tassimo T Disc system works in the identical approach because the Nescafe Dolce Gusto pods. For milky coffees, there’s a two-stage course of: meting out via the milk pod after which via the related espresso pod. We discovered that the Finesse delivered a sizzling milk base for the Costa Caramel Latte with a good bloom of sunshine, ethereal froth, fairly outstanding for a machine with no mechanical frothing perform. 

Tassimo T Disc vary

As with all pod espresso machines, it’s the pod vary that actually issues. With the Finesse, it’s the Tassimo T Disc vary that features Jacobs, Costa, L’Or, and Kenco, with a sizzling chocolate from each Cadburys and Milka, and a Tassimo tea vary of Chai Latte and Inexperienced Tea & Mint. There are additionally 4 decaffeinated choices from Kenco, Marcilla, L’Or and Cafe HAG, and a spread of speciality pods, akin to Creme Brulee Latte and Salted Caramel Scorching Chocolate.   

They’re priced at roughly £4.50-£5.50 for 16 pods, though the recent sweets and restricted version drinks are pricier: espresso and sizzling sweets of every kind work out to be between 28p and 37p per cup.

Value and availability

The Finesse isn’t obtainable within the US. Within the UK, it has a RRP of £119, which is its worth level on the Bosch web site. Nevertheless, we expect that is an excessive amount of to pay for it. On the time of writing, you should purchase it on sale from Tassimo for £39.99, and we expect that is what the Finesse is value – it’s an identical worth to Nescafe Dolce Gusto machines, that are a comparable product.

For even higher worth, Tassimo has a bundle low cost during which you may get the Finesse machine and 5 packs of the T Disc pods, for £49.99.

Verdict

The Finesse does what it’s purported to, and it does it nicely. Contemplating the compact nature of the equipment, and the simplicity of operation, we have now to say that we actually struggled to search out something adverse to say about it. It’s neat, it’s straightforward to make use of, it’s straightforward to refill, you may’t actually screw something up. In black, it’s not the prettiest machine on this planet, however purchase it in one of many different colourways and it’ll have a bit extra character.

For extra capsule espresso machine choices, and to see how the Tassimo Finesse measures up, take a look at our round-up of the perfect pod espresso machines we’ve examined.