Review: Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine
By Curated Experts
Kameron Truett and Zachery Calderon
Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine
See Price and Details
21 photos
The Curated Take
3.9/5
The Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine is ideal for beginners and home baristas looking to create cafe-quality espresso in the comfort of their kitchen. Its easy-to-use interface, fast heat-up time courtesy of Breville's Thermoblock system, and built-in grinder make it a convenient all-in-one solution. While it offers programmable options like water temperature and grind size for those who wish to customize their espresso, it has limitations in high-volume consistency and a slower steam wand. These features appeal to those starting or looking to refine their espresso-making skills at home, providing a balance of simplicity, functionality, and the opportunity to explore espresso brewing.
Ideal for
- Easy to use
- Fast heat-up time
- Built-in grinder
Not ideal for
- Not great for high-volume consistency
- Slower steam wand
Milk Frothing
The steam wand is small and only has a single hole so that I can get good microfoam, but it takes time and practice. If someone is used to a...Read more
This machine gives baristas the opportunity to steam beautifully silky-smooth microfoam. They can create a gorgeous morning cappuccino for themselves and loved ones while also impressing guests with their latte...Read more
Heat Time
For how capable the Barista Express is, it may surprise many to know that it has a 30-second warm-up time. This machine will do the trick every time for those...Read more
In my past experiences with this machine, it can take about 10-15 minutes to heat up properly. This is not a big deal as long as I'm on top of...Read more
Programmability
One can program all the basics: water temperature, grind size, and volume of espresso. While there are limitations, Breville gives just the right options for those not well-versed in espresso...Read more
This machine has a number of built-in features that take the programmability to the next level. First off, the Breville Barista Express has a built-in PID. This gives someone the...Read more
Portafilter Size
I'm not a big fan of plastic on the internal components of my portafilters, so it's not a shining star in this category. However, there is also not much to...Read more
The Breville Barista Express is a machine that has a 54mm portafilter. This is slightly smaller than the 58mm the commercial coffee industry has accustomed us to. While the 54mm...Read more
Steam Wand
When using a steam wand, I love to have control of the microfoam, and I get that with this machine, but I don't get it quickly by any standard. I...Read more
The steam wand on the Breville Barista Express is everything that one could hope for and expect with this price range and quality of the machine. It is versatile and...Read more
Tank Capacity
In our house, we make multiple coffees every day, and the size of the water tank is always sufficient for everyone to make their morning latte. Refilling the tank is...Read more
The Breville Barista Express has a 2L water tank capacity. This is more than enough to be able to make a multitude of drinks consecutively without needing to worry about...Read more
Espresso Extraction
The Barista Express offers a fast espresso experience, so I can get my morning coffee quickly. If someone is looking for back-to-back lattes, they may lose some quality. I have...Read more
Grind Size Control
Whenever one integrates two parts of the coffee-making process, there will usually be limitations on performance. If someone is looking for accuracy and precision, there are better grinders on the...Read more
The integrated grinder is the only aspect of this machine that does not impress me. That said, it can create a grind size that will produce good espresso. But, when...Read more
Versatility
The Barista Express can make various beverages, as espresso is a versatile beverage. This machine's use should be limited to home use, though, as it just won't be able to...Read more
With an integrated grinder, this machine is limited in the depth I can take it to. While the grinder is more than good enough to produce espresso, it is not...Read more
Curated Experts are not sponsored by brands. Their reviews are based on their honest experiences testing products.
Kameron Truett
Zachery Calderon
About the espresso equipment
- Model: Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine
Test conditions
- Where I’ve used it: Family kitchen serving coffee to guests
- How many times I've used it: 300
Expert Reviews of the Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine
Kameron Truett The Barista Express is a great all-in-one solution made by Breville, a powerhouse name in home espresso. With the grinder built straight into the Barista Express, one will have everything they need if they are just starting out making home espresso. While there are some limitations as far as power for back-to-back espresso drinks, this machine is a great place for beginners to start and learn. Utilizing Breville's Thermoblock heating system, this machine is ready to go in just 30 seconds. Using this machine is also extremely simple; with just a few simple buttons, anyone can learn this machine in a matter of minutes.
Zachery Calderon This machine is a great addition to any barista's home. It is simple enough for beginners to be able to get great at-home espresso yet has enough depth for more advanced baristas to explore the more nuanced side of what espresso can be. The integrated grinder is a big win for counter space and ease of use. In addition, the volumetric controls create easy pathways for baristas of any skill level to produce decadent, cafe-quality espresso. While the steam wand and steam power do take a bit longer than ideal, they are enough to create silky and smooth microfoam for the more advanced latte art enthusiasts.
Product Specs
| Housing material | Stainless steel |
| Features | Cup tray, Internal grinder, Milk frother, Solenoid valve |
| Volts | 110-120 |
| Manufacturer warranty | 1 year limited |
| Boiler configuration | Single boiler |
| Water capacity (oz) | 67 |
Review Ratings
Averaged between reviewers, view below how all experts voted.
Milk Frothing
4/5
Kameron Truett gave 3 of 5 stars. The steam wand is small and only has a single hole so that I can get good microfoam, but it takes time and practice. If someone is used to a more powerful steam wand, they will likely not be impressed; however, if they are just starting, the Express is perfect to learn on.
Zachery Calderon gave 4 of 5 stars. This machine gives baristas the opportunity to steam beautifully silky-smooth microfoam. They can create a gorgeous morning cappuccino for themselves and loved ones while also impressing guests with their latte art skills. The first time that I used the steam wand on this machine, it took a little getting used to, and I could not quite produce great microfoam. Once I realized that the steam power was a bit lower, meaning I would need to incorporate air for a longer time, the adjustment was easy to make, and the milk quality shot through the roof. If someone is willing to steam slightly longer, they will be gifted with a beautiful silky smooth microfoam that gives endless opportunities for latte art.
Heat Time
5/5
Kameron Truett gave 5 of 5 stars. For how capable the Barista Express is, it may surprise many to know that it has a 30-second warm-up time. This machine will do the trick every time for those who value the option to power up and start pulling espresso right when they wake up. There is no need to wait or turn it on ahead of time.
Zachery Calderon gave 4 of 5 stars. In my past experiences with this machine, it can take about 10-15 minutes to heat up properly. This is not a big deal as long as I'm on top of turning on my machine to heat up before needing to use it. Unfortunately, this is not something I am always great at. I would recommend making it a habit to turn the machine on once someone gets to their coffee set-up. That way, it has ample time to get ready to produce incredible espresso for them.
Programmability
5/5
Kameron Truett gave 4 of 5 stars. One can program all the basics: water temperature, grind size, and volume of espresso. While there are limitations, Breville gives just the right options for those not well-versed in espresso extraction.
Zachery Calderon gave 5 of 5 stars. This machine has a number of built-in features that take the programmability to the next level. First off, the Breville Barista Express has a built-in PID. This gives someone the most steady and constant temperature control to excel in their espresso game. This PID helps regulate the machine's water temperature, creating uniformity in espresso. Next are the volumetric controls. These buttons located on the machine's face are programmable to fit the ratios and recipes that baristas like for their espresso. They are easy to set up and even easier to use.
Portafilter Size
4/5
Kameron Truett gave 3 of 5 stars. I'm not a big fan of plastic on the internal components of my portafilters, so it's not a shining star in this category. However, there is also not much to complain about. It's hefty and features an 18g basket.
Zachery Calderon gave 4 of 5 stars. The Breville Barista Express is a machine that has a 54mm portafilter. This is slightly smaller than the 58mm the commercial coffee industry has accustomed us to. While the 54mm portafilter won't be able to give the same espresso quality ceiling, it is more forgiving and approachable when it comes to one's espresso prep.
Steam Wand
3/5
Kameron Truett gave 2 of 5 stars. When using a steam wand, I love to have control of the microfoam, and I get that with this machine, but I don't get it quickly by any standard. I have to stretch the milk for almost the whole duration of the steaming process, and it takes practice to get this technique down if I plan on pouring latte art.
Zachery Calderon gave 4 of 5 stars. The steam wand on the Breville Barista Express is everything that one could hope for and expect with this price range and quality of the machine. It is versatile and allows me to produce great microfoam. It is very mobile, and the adjustable steam wand is not fixed in one place, so I can move it around a little bit and find the steam angle that fits me best. Once I got used to this steam wand, I now produce cafe-quality microfoam every single time.
Tank Capacity
5/5
Kameron Truett gave 5 of 5 stars. In our house, we make multiple coffees every day, and the size of the water tank is always sufficient for everyone to make their morning latte. Refilling the tank is a breeze. I lift the lid and pour, and I'm back on my way.
Zachery Calderon gave 5 of 5 stars. The Breville Barista Express has a 2L water tank capacity. This is more than enough to be able to make a multitude of drinks consecutively without needing to worry about refilling the tank. But when the time comes, it is such an easy process. The tank has a robust handle, making it incredibly easy to remove, refill, and replace. Even though it can hold a lot of water, I recommend keeping the water from sitting there too long. Use fresh water daily to keep one's espresso tasting the best.
Espresso Extraction
3/5
Kameron Truett gave 3 of 5 stars. The Barista Express offers a fast espresso experience, so I can get my morning coffee quickly. If someone is looking for back-to-back lattes, they may lose some quality. I have found the Breville PID finicky at times, which can affect that ideal extraction.
Grind Size Control
3/5
Kameron Truett gave 3 of 5 stars. Whenever one integrates two parts of the coffee-making process, there will usually be limitations on performance. If someone is looking for accuracy and precision, there are better grinders on the market, but let's be honest. It is really nice to save that extra bit of counter space, and the integrated grinder still performs well.
Zachery Calderon gave 3 of 5 stars. The integrated grinder is the only aspect of this machine that does not impress me. That said, it can create a grind size that will produce good espresso. But, when dealing with a more sensitive bean that requires more attention to detail, one may not have enough steps to dial it in perfectly. This is not to say that it is ineffective, but it is just limiting when it comes to a more sensitive bean. Only containing 18 grind adjustments, this machine could do with about double that to really be able to excel as a grinder.
Versatility
3/5
Kameron Truett gave 3 of 5 stars. The Barista Express can make various beverages, as espresso is a versatile beverage. This machine's use should be limited to home use, though, as it just won't be able to keep up with commercial or high-volume demands. If someone is looking to hone in their espresso from the comfort of their kitchen, they can do it all with this machine.
Zachery Calderon gave 3 of 5 stars. With an integrated grinder, this machine is limited in the depth I can take it to. While the grinder is more than good enough to produce espresso, it is not quite consistent enough to make changes on the fly to my espresso ratio and yield quickly. That said, this is a great machine for its price, and it doesn't really need to be anything else.
FAQs
What do you love about this product?
Kameron Truett My favorite thing about the Barista Express is that it gives me everything I need to craft a delicious latte all in one machine. There's no need for anything else, which can be nice when someone wants to save space or like to simplify.
What was your favorite moment with this gear?
Zachery Calderon This machine is an absolute memory creator. One of my favorite memories is when my buddy first invited me over to see his new espresso machine. I walked in to see him unboxing his Breville Barista Express. Little did I know that I was invited over to help him learn how to use it. That morning was filled with delicious lattes, bursts of laughter, and an overall great time around the machine.
Why did you choose this product?
Kameron Truett I chose the Barista Express because it was an all-in-one option and simple enough that my family members who have never touched an espresso machine could learn.
Zachery Calderon The list could go on and on with the reasons why I would choose this machine. A few of the main reasons are because of the ease of use, the ability to create decadent espresso, and the foaming ability. The ease of use of this machine is top-notch. There is a very small learning curve to being on my way to dialing in an incredible shot of espresso followed by creating beautifully steamed microfoam.
What is the value for the money versus other options?
Kameron Truett If someone is looking for value, then the Barista Express may not be the best option. With the same budget, one could get the Bambino Plus and a robust grinder and have more steam power than the Barista Express. There are many reasons to love the Barista Express; however, value is not at the top of the list.
Kameron Truett
Coffee ExpertZachery Calderon
Coffee ExpertShare article:
