Breville Barista Express vs Pro: Price-wise, the Barista Pro comes with a price tag almost double that of the Barista Express, and it begs the question: is it worth it? After a thorough head-to-head comparison, I believe investing those extra bucks in the Pro is a wise decision.
So, costing nearly $1000, what does the Breville Barista Pro bring to the table compared to the Breville Barista Express? Well, those are an integrated grinder with more grind settings, a more powerful steam wand, a faster heating system, and more.
Breville Barista Express Vs Pro: Specs & Features Comparison Chart
Last update on 2024-12-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Breville Barista Express Vs Pro: Differences
This showdown ended with a score of 4-2, favoring the Barista Pro. Now, let’s delve into a detailed comparison of these two!
Coffee Flavor & Brewing System
Winner: Breville Barista Pro
Built-in Grinder
Both the Barista Express and the Barista Pro come equipped with a built-in conical burr grinder. I have to mention, though, that this grinder gets the job done, but it might not be the best out there. Still, considering the fact that you’re getting a grinder integrated into the machine, thereby saving you from the additional expense of a standalone grinder, it’s still a feature worth appreciating.
That said, it’s interesting to note that many espresso enthusiasts still opt for a separate grinder. That will mean they make a two-step investment: first in a high-quality espresso machine like the Breville Bambino Plus and then in a standalone grinder like the Breville Smart Grinder Pro.
The Express offers respectable 18 grind settings, while the Pro is even more impressive with 30 settings. More grind settings mean you have finer control over this crucial aspect, increasing your chances of dialing in the espresso just right.
The “Pause Grind” function of the Barista Pro is another standout feature, easily activated by inserting the portafilter into the grinding chamber and pushing slightly further until a click is heard. This allows you to pause the grinder at any moment to evenly distribute the coffee in the portafilter, a functionality I find extremely useful.
Portafilter
Both the Express and Pro come equipped with a professional-grade 54mm portafilter and both single- and double-wall filter baskets. The portafilter on these machines feels sturdy and well-made, a noticeable step up from some of the ones you might find with lower-end Breville models.
For those who might be newer to the espresso world, the double-wall baskets are particularly meant for beginners since they are quite forgiving. They feature only one hole for the espresso to pass through, compensating for grind size and tamping inconsistencies. That way, they make it easier to pull a decent shot even if your technique isn’t perfect.
But I always recommend transitioning to single-wall baskets as you become more comfortable with your espresso-making skills.
Yes, using single-wall baskets means you’ll need to spend more time honing your technique, such as getting your grind size, tamping pressure, and extraction time just right. Still, let me tell you, the difference in taste you get from a well-pulled shot using a single-wall basket is absolutely worth the effort.
Each comes with a tamper that is genuinely usable. I mean, they are heavy enough to effectively compress the grounds in the portafilter. Even better, they attach neatly to the machine to, you know, avoid getting lost. Who wants to start their day playing hide and seek with a tamper?
Heating System
One of the biggest differences between the Express and Pro lies in their heating systems. Barista Pro flaunts a Thermojet system, heating up in just 3 seconds – so fast that if you blink, you might just miss it!
On the other hand, the Barista Express features a thermocoil system, warming up in under a minute. It’s not as swift as the Pro, but it’s still impressively quick.
A benefit of the Express’s thermocoil system is its ability to heat the portafilter and the machine’s top cup warmer. As for the Pro, you can pull a blank shot or two directly into your mug. Just a small trick to achieve a similar effect!
Brewing System
My loyal readers know that I can’t resist a good rant about the importance of the pre-infusion stage in espresso extraction. And guess what? I’m going to dive into it again here because both the Barista Express and the Barista Pro feature this crucial step. But that’s not all. They also allow you to customize the length of the pre-infusion, which is pretty awesome.
So, what is this guy rambling about? You ask. Pre-infusion is a process where the espresso machine gently dampens the coffee grounds under low pressure before the full brewing process begins. This initial stage helps the coffee grounds to swell evenly and start releasing their flavors, setting the stage for a more even and thorough extraction.
Why does this matter? Well, pre-infusion plays a big role in enhancing the flavor of your espresso shot. It reduces the chances of over-extraction or under-extraction, which can lead to bitterness or a lackluster flavor profile. With these machines, not only do you get pre-infusion, but you also get the option to tweak its duration, giving you an extra layer of control over your espresso’s flavor.
After the pre-infusion stage, these machines ramp up to the full 15 bars of pressure to ensure the espresso is properly extracted. By the way, both have a PID controller, which is responsible for maintaining a stable temperature at the brew head. We all agree that a consistent temperature is key to achieving consistently high-quality espresso shots, right?
Design & Convenience
Winner: Tie
Dimensions & User Interface
| Breville Barista Express | Breville Barista Pro | |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 12.5 x 12.7 x 16.2 inches | 13.5 x 16.1 x 16 inches |
| Weight | 26.4 lbs | 27.5 lbs |
When it comes to design and build quality, these models are real head-turners, sporting sleek and rounded edges that make them look like they’re ready for a photo shoot at any moment. They may not be what you’d call compact, but they will fit comfortably in most kitchen spaces.
Both are available in a stainless steel finish, which is the most popular. Still, Breville offers a range of color options to spice things up, so there’s always an option to suit your kitchen.
Their control panels also look very different. To my mind, the Pro is easier to adjust all the settings with its updated button-controlled LCD screen, whereas the Breville Barista Pro is more straightforward to dial in your shot with its button-operated panel and visible pressure gauge.
Spout Type & Cup Clearance
| Breville Barista Express | Breville Barista Pro | |
|---|---|---|
| Spout Type | Dual | Dual |
| Cup Clearance | 4 inches | 4 inches |
I’m glad that both offer a generous amount of headroom under the portafilter spouts to fit all the espresso cups, even some travel mugs. And if you’re planning to use an insulated coffee mug, you’ll need to remove the drip tray to accommodate the extra height. A handy feature of their drip trays is a pop-up indicator that reminds you to “empty me” when they’re full.
Water Reservoir & Bean Hopper
| Breville Barista Express | Breville Barista Pro | |
|---|---|---|
| Water Reservoir | 2 liter | 2 liter |
| Bean Hopper | 0.25 kilogram | 0.25 kilogram |
Both the Barista Pro and Barista Express boast tanks that are remarkably spacious and capable of holding enough water to last a couple of days. Still, I’d advise against letting water sit in there for too long because freshness is the key to a heavenly shot. You should fill the tank with fresh water daily, and trust me, your taste buds will thank you for that. Breville includes a water filter with both to ensure that your freshly ground beans are brewed with high-quality water.
Milk Frothing System
Winner: Breville Barista Pro
When I first laid eyes on the milk-steaming wands of both the Barista Express and the Barista Pro, I’ll admit, I was almost fooled into thinking they were identical twins.
But, as with many things in life, the devil is in the details, and upon closer inspection, I discovered a key difference: the Pro’s wand is more powerful and features a four-hole tip, in contrast to the Express’s wand, which has a single-hole design.
This difference gives the Pro an edge in terms of efficiency. In fact, the Pro steams milk in around 45 seconds, whereas the Express clocks in at around 75 seconds to achieve a similar result.
But just let’s put that difference on the back burner for a moment. Both wands are attached to a ball-shaped joint, offering flexible rotation. This design makes it easy to angle the wand just right for steaming milk, allowing you to easily experiment with latte art designs like a tulip, a heart, or an ever-elusive rosetta.
By the way, Breville throws in a high-quality stainless steel milk jug with both machines. That is great, considering many other brands would have you buy the jug separately, but not Breville.
Drink Options & Programmability
Winner: Tie
Drink Options
| Breville Barista Express | Breville Barista Pro |
|---|---|
| Espresso Hot Water | Espresso Hot Water |
I understand the allure of a machine boasting a myriad of one-touch drink options, but, my friends, they only brew one-touch espresso. You’d need to look at a more upscale investment, like the Delonghi Dinamica Plus, to get this ability.
Programmability
| Adjustable Settings | Breville Barista Express | Breville Barista Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Coffee Strength | Yes | Yes |
| Coffee Temperature | Yes | Yes |
| Milk Foam Temperature | No | No |
| Milk Foam Texture | No | No |
Both machines basically allow you to change everything about espresso brewing, including the grind size, brew time, pre-infusion time, and water temperature.
The Barista Pro simplifies the process with a dedicated menu for adjusting settings. Meanwhile, the Barista Express involves pressing and holding various combinations of buttons to tweak settings, and you’ll likely find yourself consulting the manual to understand how to operate it.
Quick Rundown Of Breville Barista Pro
- The Breville Barista Pro delivers third wave specialty coffee at home using the 4 keys formula and is part of the Barista Series that offers all in one espresso machines with integrated grinder to go from beans to espresso in under one minute
- DOSE CONTROL GRINDING: With a single touch, the integrated precision conical burr grinder with dose control delivers the right amount of coffee on demand, for maximum flavor
- OPTIMAL WATER PRESSURE: Low pressure pre-infusion gradually increases pressure at the start and helps ensure all the flavors are drawn out evenly during the extraction for a balanced tasting cup
- FASTER HEAT UP TIME: Innovative ThermoJet heating system achieves the optimum extraction temperature in 3 seconds with the instantaneous transition from espresso to steam
- PRECISE ESPRESSO EXTRACTION: Digital temperature control (PID) delivers water at the right temperature +/- 2°C, ensuring optimal espresso extraction
Last update on 2024-12-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Quick Rundown Of Breville Barista Express
- The Breville Barista Express delivers third wave specialty coffee at home using the 4 keys formula and is part of the Barista Series that offers all in one espresso machines with integrated grinder to go from beans to espresso in under one minute
- DOSE CONTROL GRINDING: Integrated precision conical burr grinder grinds on demand to deliver the right amount of freshly ground coffee directly into the portafilter for your preferred taste with any roast of bean
- OPTIMAL WATER PRESSURE: Low pressure pre-infusion gradually increases pressure at the start and helps ensure all the flavors are drawn out evenly during the extraction for a balanced tasting cup
- PRECISE ESPRESSO EXTRACTION: Digital temperature control (PID) delivers water at precisely the right temperature, ensuring optimal espresso extraction
- MANUAL MICROFOAM MILK TEXTURING: The powerful steam wand performance allows you to hand texture microfoam milk that enhances flavor and enables creation of latte art
Last update on 2024-12-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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References
- Breville Barista Pro: https://www.breville.com/us/en/products/espresso/bes878.html
- Breville Barista Express: https://www.breville.com/us/en/products/espresso/bes870.html
Felix Hendricks is a skilled barista with over 12 years of experience. He excels in crafting coffee and has a strong foundation in coffee machine mechanics. Felix holds a Coffee Machine Maintenance Certification from the Coffee Equipment Technical Institute, showcasing his ability to diagnose and repair coffee machines. He’s also worked as a quality control specialist, selecting premium coffee beans for optimal flavor. Felix has a diverse work history, including stints at renowned coffee spots like Café Euphoria & Starbucks. His expertise in both brewing and machine maintenance makes him a respected figure in the coffee industry.