About this Review: This review is my honest opinion of the espresso machine, which I purchased with my own money in May of 2023.

My take

The Breville Barista Pro is a well-rounded, semi-automatic espresso machine ideal for both new and experienced home baristas. Fairly priced and outfitted with convenient features, the Barista Pro makes my daily routine easier without sacrificing the quality espresso I expect in my morning cup.

About the gear

• Model: 2023 Breville the Barista Pro
• Boiler Type: Thermocoil
• Pump Type: Vibratory

About me

I’ve been a professional barista for roughly three years and a coffee enthusiast for over a decade. Working for specialty coffee shops like Tōv in Portland, Oregon, and quick-service coffee franchises like Dutch Bros. taught me the importance of convenient, flavorful espresso drinks. I have hands-on barista experience and trade show knowledge, and I’ve also written for coffee enthusiast blogs and websites like Curated and beyond.

Test conditions

• When I bought it: May 2023
• Days used: 250
• Cups per day: 2
• Grinder used: Integrated conical burr grinder with 30 grind settings
• Coffee beans used: Multiple medium roasts, both single origin and blends, from Cerberus Coffee
• Milk used: Whole, oat, coconut, and almond
• Drink made: Lattes, Americanos, cappuccinos, espresso shots

How it performs

What I was looking for

I wanted a home espresso machine that bridged the gap between my professional barista skills and the skills of my novice partner. My preference for a built-in grinder was also a high priority, as I didn’t want to purchase two separate appliances. Finally, I wanted a machine that looked good but was convenient to clean for under $1,000.

Why I chose this gear

The Barista Pro became a stand-out machine for me because of its manual features (such as tamping, dialing in grind settings, and milk steaming). I also appreciated its integrated grinder with auto-dosing features to take some of the guesswork out of pulling shots when my partner makes drinks. Priced at around $850 regularly (and on sale for $675 when I purchased it!), the Barista Pro suited my budget, which became a deciding factor as I debated between this model and the Barista Touch from Breville.

What I love about it

• Time to heat up: Breville’s Thermojet heating system ensures that my machine is ready within three seconds of hitting the start button. I love how convenient it is for my busier mornings working from home. Even before my freshly ground and precisely dosed coffee hits the portafilter, the Barista Pro is ready to pull shots.
• Efficiency: With an auto shut-off feature and quick heat-up time, the Barista Pro is definitely capable. The hot water and steam function works quickly, and pre-infusion shot technology ensures my espresso turns out flavorful without fail.
• Size: Given that this espresso machine has an integrated grinder with 30 settings, I’m impressed with its overall size and shape. It can easily fit under a 16" tall counter and weighs 20lbs, making it sturdy without overwhelming smaller kitchens. The water tank (located on the back of the machine) has a convenient handle for removing the reservoir that lays flat when unused.
• Pre-infusion/Post-infusion: Breville’s put in the work to ensure their pre and post-infusion technology is top-notch. The pre-infusion works quickly and seamlessly, ensuring my shots have fantastic flavor and crema. With nine bars of pressure for the extraction process, my shots are consistently delicious and easy to dial in.
• Ease of use: While my partner’s a professional barista now, the Barista Pro got them started in terms of their espresso skills. It’s an intuitive and easy-to-use machine, especially where it matters most. Figuring out my ideal grind is always tricky since it changes so often, and the Barista Pro takes the guesswork out of weighing my grounds, deciding what I need for a single or double shot, and milk steaming. Plus, these features have manual overrides for getting more hands-on and technical about my espresso.
• Features: The integrated hot water dispenser is endlessly convenient, with a three-second heat-up time. I can pre-heat my portafilter before grinding shots, and hot Americanos are easy to make, too. Plus, all of the accessories and drip trays are dishwasher safe, making my life so much easier when I inevitably scatter coffee grounds everywhere.
• Home/Commercial: Given that this machine can’t pull shots and steam milk simultaneously, I don’t think it can stand up to commercial use. However, it’s perfect for home baristas of any skill level. I’ve used the Barista Pro daily for nine months, multiple drinks per day, and it’s worked like a champ. Plus, I have my two-year limited warranty should anything go wrong, giving me that peace of mind.
• Other: Breville’s included accessories (such as the dosing funnel attachment and precision dose trimming tool) with the Barista Pro helped my partner learn how to pull their own shots easily. The tamper, in particular, can be used either in its storage slot on the machine or removed to tamp on countertops.

Issues I’ve encountered

• Durability: Like any espresso machine, maintenance is a must for the Barista Pro. While it has helpful automatic reminders for when my machine needs flushing, I’ve struggled to seal the rubber valve over my portafilters for this process. Plus, the water tank, tamper handle, and other parts of the machine are made of plastic. While this helped me keep my costs down initially, I anticipate needing to replace certain items over time. Everything still seems great after nine months of use, especially the machine's stainless steel body.
• Heat control: I think the Barista Pro takes a great deal of trust in terms of its heat control. While it heats up quickly, I have no control over my temperatures for shot extraction and hot water or steam power. I feel as if the hot water dispenser could be hotter; I’ve used it for tea and instant noodles, but it struggles to steep either of these items properly. Likewise, the steam wand needs a few seconds to heat up and pump accurately, making it inconvenient if I already have it resting inside of my milk pitcher.
• Steam Wand: If I had to choose the biggest drawback of the Barista Pro, it’s definitely the steam wand. After working with professional espresso machines, the microfoam and steam technology on the Barista Pro simply can’t compare. Not only does the steam wand take a couple of extra seconds before it’s ready to foam my milk, but it also needs more time than expected to steam a larger pour. I’ve been able to achieve latte art, but it’s not always a guarantee, especially with plant-based milks. Finally, the steam wand is the most difficult part of the machine to clean. I’ve never had milk stick to a steam wand as it sticks to the wand on the Barista Pro. I scrub that thing for at least 30 seconds after purging the line.

Favorite moment with this machine

I loved teaching my partner how to tamp shots and steam milk with this machine. The very first time they made latte art with it, we both gasped and applauded the silly little, inconsistent shapes plopped into the foam. But, more than anything, I adore starting up the Barista Pro and dosing my first double shot of the day. The freshly ground coffee scent in my kitchen brings me so much peace.

Value for the money vs. other options

I feel as if the Barista Pro is a great value for the money, especially with Breville’s helpful customer service and warranty options. However, I wonder about the longevity of this machine compared to other, more manual choices like the Ascaso Dream Home Espresso Machine and the Rocket Espresso Appartamento. Ultimately, these espresso machines were outside of my budget and couldn’t give me the same convenient features as the Barista Pro.

Final verdict

The Barista Pro is a great machine for any budding coffee enthusiast hoping to broaden their skills or knowledge of espresso. It blends manual and automatic features extremely well, striking a balance that suits my experienced and novice household perfectly.