Expert Comparison: Breville the Barista Pro Espresso Machine vs Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine

Published on 02/08/2024 · 6 min readCompare Breville the Barista Pro Espresso Machine and Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine. Get expert insight below!
August Croft, Coffee Expert
Kameron Truett, Coffee Expert
Donovan Talbot, Coffee Expert
Contributed By Coffee Expert August Croft, Kameron Truett, Donovan Talbot, Noe Lopez, Roger Brown and others

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Side by side comparison

Most recommended
Breville the Barista Pro Espresso Machine
Out of stock
Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine
Price
$679.95
20% off
See Price and Details
Color options
+ 1
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User rating
4.57(992)
4.27(1035)
The Curated Take

Best for those seeking high-quality, consistent espresso with a semi-automatic machine.

Best for beginners stepping into espresso making, offering high-quality extraction and ease of use.

Housing material
Stainless steel, Plastic
Stainless steel
Features
Auto shut off, Cup tray, Solenoid valve
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In the world of espresso machines, Breville has made a name for itself with two standout models: the Barista Pro and the Barista Express. Both machines are designed to bring the café experience into your home, but they each have their unique strengths. The Barista Pro is a blend of automatic and manual features, making it ideal for households with mixed experience levels. It heats up in seconds and its pre-infusion and extraction tech ensures smooth, flavorful shots. On the other hand, the Barista Express is a budget-friendly, all-in-one machine that's perfect for beginners. It has a built-in grinder, a powerful steam wand, and a pressure gauge for optimal extraction. Both machines are excellent choices, but your final decision will depend on your budget, experience level, and personal preferences.

The Breville Barista Pro Espresso Machine is a marvel of engineering, designed to bring the café experience right into your kitchen. This machine is a perfect blend of automatic and manual features, making it ideal for both experienced and inexperienced baristas. It's automatic where it counts most - shot extraction and dosing, but manual enough for experienced baristas to have some programmability.

One of the standout features of the Barista Pro is its quick heat-up time. In just three seconds, the machine is ready to make espresso, a feature that's perfect for those busy mornings when you need your caffeine fix fast. The machine also boasts pre-infusion and extraction technology, ensuring smooth and flavorful shots every time.

The Barista Pro also comes with a built-in grinder with 30 grind settings, allowing for high-quality and consistent espresso. This feature is a game-changer, as it allows you to optimize your espresso taste and performance.

However, the Barista Pro is not without its drawbacks. Some users have noted that the steam wand could use a better coating to avoid milk buildup, and the plastic components may break over time. Despite these minor issues, the Barista Pro has proven to be a reliable machine, holding up well even after months of use.

This machine is automatic where it counts most (shot extraction and dosing) and manual enough for experienced baristas like me to have some programmability. It blends automatic and manual features extremely well, making it perfect for my household full of mixed experience levels.

August Croft
Coffee Expert

Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine summary

The Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine is a fantastic all-in-one option for those just starting out on their espresso journey. This machine is budget-friendly and easy to use, making it a great choice for beginners.

One of the key features of the Barista Express is its integrated grinder. This feature saves space and allows you to optimize your espresso taste and performance. The machine also boasts a quick heat-up time of only 30 seconds, so you can enjoy your espresso without the wait.

The Barista Express also comes with a powerful steam wand for frothing milk. This feature is perfect for those who love milk-based espresso drinks like lattes and cappuccinos.

However, the Barista Express does have some limitations. Some users have noted that the grinder struggles with lighter roasts and the steam handle can be tough to use. Despite these minor issues, the Barista Express is a reliable and versatile machine that delivers café-quality espresso drinks right at home.

This machine is just perfectly suited for anyone who just getting started in their espresso game. This machine has a lot of great qualities like an integrated grinder. It has a manual steam wand capable of making beautiful microphone. It really gives you a no-pressure barista experience.

Kameron Truett
Coffee Expert
Out of stock

Similarities

Both the Breville Barista Pro and the Barista Express are designed to bring the café experience into your home. They both feature built-in grinders, allowing you to optimize your espresso taste and performance. Both machines also have quick heat-up times, ensuring you can enjoy your espresso without the wait.

In terms of design, both machines are sleek and modern, making them a stylish addition to any kitchen. They also both feature powerful steam wands for frothing milk, perfect for those who love milk-based espresso drinks.

Both machines also offer a degree of customization, allowing you to adjust the grind size and extraction to suit your taste. This feature is perfect for those who want to experiment and find their perfect cup of espresso.

Differences and Who They're Good For

While the Breville Barista Pro and the Barista Express share many similarities, they also have some key differences. The Barista Pro blends automatic and manual features, making it ideal for households with mixed experience levels. It's perfect for those who want a bit more control over their espresso-making process.

On the other hand, the Barista Express is a budget-friendly, all-in-one machine that's perfect for beginners. It's easy to use and maintain, making it a great choice for those who are new to the world of espresso.

In terms of grinder settings, the Barista Pro offers more options with 30 grind settings, while the Barista Express has 15 settings. This means the Barista Pro offers more control over the grind size, which can impact the taste of your espresso.

In terms of who these machines are good for, the Barista Pro is ideal for those who have some experience with espresso machines and want more control over their brewing process. The Barista Express, on the other hand, is perfect for beginners who want a simple, easy-to-use machine that still delivers high-quality espresso.

Analysis on Who’s the Winner

When comparing the Breville Barista Pro and the Barista Express, it's clear that both machines excel in different areas.

  1. Ease of Use: The Barista Express wins in this category. Its all-in-one design and user-friendly features make it a great choice for beginners.

  2. Customization: The Barista Pro takes the lead here. With more grind settings and a blend of automatic and manual features, it offers more control over the brewing process.

  3. Price: The Barista Express is the more budget-friendly option, making it a great choice for those who want a high-quality espresso machine without breaking the bank.

  4. Performance: Both machines perform well, delivering high-quality espresso. However, the Barista Pro's quick heat-up time and pre-infusion and extraction technology give it a slight edge in this category.

Overall, the winner depends on your specific needs and preferences. If you're a beginner looking for an easy-to-use, budget-friendly machine, the Barista Express is a great choice. If you're more experienced and want more control over your brewing process, the Barista Pro is the way to go.

Conclusions

In conclusion, both the Breville Barista Pro and the Barista Express are excellent espresso machines that can bring the café experience into your home. The Barista Pro offers more control and customization, making it ideal for those with some experience with espresso machines. On the other hand, the Barista Express is a budget-friendly, all-in-one machine that's perfect for beginners.

Both machines deliver high-quality espresso and have quick heat-up times, powerful steam wands, and built-in grinders. However, the Barista Pro has more grind settings, giving you more control over your espresso's taste and quality.

Ultimately, the choice between the Barista Pro and the Barista Express will depend on your budget, experience level, and personal preferences. But no matter which machine you choose, you're sure to enjoy delicious, café-quality espresso right at home.

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Breville the Barista Pro Espresso Machine
$679.95$849.95
Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine
Breville the Barista Pro Espresso Machine
$679.95$849.95

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