Both the Breville Cafe Roma vs Infuser are non-grinder espresso machines in the Breville lineup, yet that’s pretty much where their similarities end. The Breville Cafe Roma is older and worse than the Breville Infuser in every aspect.
The only advantage that the Cafe Roma holds is its very cheap price tag. But opting for it means you’ll miss out on several useful features such as pre-infusion, hot water function, and professional single-wall filter baskets, among others.
Breville Cafe Roma Vs Infuser: Specs & Features Comparison Chart
Last update on 2024-12-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Breville Cafe Roma Vs Infuser: Differences
The Infuser defeated Cafe Roma with a comprehensive score of 4-0. Now let’s delve into the specifics of how they truly differ from each other
Coffee Flavor & Brewing System
Winner: Breville Infuser
Built-in Grinder
A built-in grinder is the lack thereof in both of these models. First off, it seems like the Cafe Roma was designed with pre-ground coffee in mind, so a built-in grinder isn’t part of the deal.
So why did I say that? The Cafe Roma ships with three dual-wall filter baskets, which are more forgiving for grind size, so they are ideal for pre-ground coffee. And just for a bit of extra fun, one of these baskets is specially designed for ESE pods.
I’m all about fresh ground coffee, no two ways about it. The whole concept of using pre-ground coffee or pods? Not really my cup of coffee, if you know what I mean. Coffee tends to lose its aroma and flavor very quickly after being ground. But hey, I get it – for some folks on a tight schedule, dashing out the door with no time to grind those fresh beans, these options can be a real lifesaver.
As for the Infuser, it comes with two sets of filter baskets: a duo of single-wall filter baskets and another pair of dual-wall ones. This is Breville’s nod to pairing it with a standalone grinder as you can get professional-grade results with single-wall baskets as long as you get the perfect grind size.
Dosing & Tamping
And while I’m on the topic of filter baskets, I’d like to say that the Cafe Roma uses a 50-mm portafilter, whereas the Infuser is better with a 54-mm portafilter. I’m glad that Breville also included a stainless steel milk jug with them since a lot of brands seem to “forget” this little detail.
As with most semi-automatic machines, you’ll need to tamp your grounds when preparing your shot. The Infuser comes with a stainless steel tamper that sports a plastic handle. It does the job, but if you’re looking for the best action, I’d suggest an upgrade.
The Cafe Roma’s tamper can double as a dosing scoop for ground coffee, but it is made of plastic and is despicably flimsy. Hence, it is necessary to upgrade to a stainless steel tamper right off the bat.
Heating System
Both come equipped with a single boiler, which means multitasking isn’t on the menu – you can’t brew and steam simultaneously. This means you either start with brewing your coffee or using the steam wand first, and then switch to the other.
Still, the Infuser only takes about one minute to reach the proper temperature for brewing with its Thermocoil heating element. This is great but still slower compared to the Cafe Roma with its thermoblock.
A thermoblock can heat your water pretty swiftly, in roughly 30 seconds. Still, it doesn’t always offer the consistent temperature regulation you get from a thermocoil.
I have to admit, I’m a bit surprised to see a thermoblock in the Cafe Roma since Breville usually leans towards the more durable Thermocoil system. But then again, the Cafe Roma is an older model in Breville’s lineup, which might explain the different approach.
Brewing System
The Infuser boasts a low-pressure pre-infusion feature, something the Cafe Roma lacks. This furthers my argument that you can never reach true barista-level quality with the Cafe Roma.
Pre-infusion is all about gently saturating the coffee grounds with hot water for a few seconds before full extraction kicks in. This not only ensures an even extraction but also leads to a more robust and flavorful espresso shot.
What’s more impressive about the Infuser’s pre-infusion feature is the manual control it offers. Yes, you can actually customize the pre-infusion time to your liking just by pressing and holding the coffee button.
Espresso extraction ideally requires 9 bars of pressure or more to get that perfect shot. Fortunately, both models come equipped with a 15-bar high-pressure pump, so they’ve got you covered in this department.
Design & Convenience
Winner: Breville Infuser
Dimensions & User Interface
| Breville Cafe Roma | Breville Infuser | |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 11.8 x 8.6 x 8.7 inches | 12.3 x 10.2 x 13.1 inches |
| Weight | 13 lbs | 17 lbs |
These machines might not be taking home any trophies for their design, but their overall build quality is pretty solid – something I really value as I love gadgets that don’t feel and look cheap. Plus, their compact size is a huge bonus, making them perfect picks for anyone working with limited countertop space.
The Cafe Roma’s front panel is intuitive and simple with a pressure gauge and a few buttons, while the Infuser has only one dial for both brewing and steaming. So, even if you’re a complete newbie to espresso brewing, I’m confident you’ll find navigating these machines a breeze.
Spout Type & Cup Clearance
| Breville Cafe Roma | Breville Infuser | |
|---|---|---|
| Spout Type | Dual | Dual |
| Cup Clearance | 4 inches | 4.5 inches |
They only fit espresso cups, so things might get tricky when you’re in the mood for a cappuccino or latte. If your go-to cup doesn’t snugly fit under their portafilters, you can gain some extra height by removing the drip tray, or you can brew your shot into a smaller cup and then simply transfer it into a larger mug.
Water Reservoir & Bean Hopper
| Breville Cafe Roma | Breville Infuser | |
|---|---|---|
| Water Reservoir | 1.2 liters | 1.8 liters |
| Bean Hopper | None | None |
The Infuser’s water tank is slightly larger and has room for an included water filter to soften water, leading to better-tasting coffee and potentially extending the life of the machine. The Cafe Roma’s tank is on the side and features a front-facing slot for monitoring the water level.
Milk Frothing System
Winner: Breville Infuser
Both feature a built-in steam wand with a plastic finger loophole for easy dealing with. The Infuser’s wand features a 360°-swivel action for precise positioning of the milk jug and the right stretching power to whip up some beautifully silky microfoam with ease.
Moreover, the Infuser’s wand is designed with a steam pressure control knob on the side – a fantastic feature as it lets you adjust the steam pressure mid-frothing. And after you’re done using the steam wand, the machine purges its heating system itself to keep things hygienic.
On the flip side, the Cafe Roma’s wand doesn’t boast the 360-degree rotation like the Infuser’s, so you’ll find its movement a bit more limited when frothing milk. You may not be able to whip up milk foam thick enough for complicated latte art designs with this steam wand, but it’s still good for heating up and steaming milk to top off a latte or a cappuccino.
Drink Options & Programmability
Winner: Breville Infuser
Drink Options
| Breville Cafe Roma | Breville Infuser |
|---|---|
| Espresso | Espresso Hot Water |
Don’t set your sights on finding one-touch coffee specialties with these entry-level semi-automatic machines. Instead, be prepared to roll up your sleeves and put in a bit of elbow grease to froth milk yourself and top up your espresso to craft those coffee specialties you’re craving.
The Breville Infuser also features a hot water outlet for making Americanos, pre-heating cups, or just brewing tea. The Cafe Roma doesn’t have this nifty feature, which is a bit of a letdown.
Programmability
| Adjustable Settings | Breville Cafe Roma | Breville Infuser |
|---|---|---|
| Coffee Strength | No | No |
| Coffee Temperature | No | Yes |
| Milk Foam Temperature | No | No |
| Milk Foam Texture | No | No |
There’s really not much to say here because both just allow you to manually control the shot volume, but the Infuser even allows you to adjust the coffee temperature in °F increments. For beginners, this isn’t necessarily a downside since the machine handles everything. Still, for those looking to have more hands-on involvement in the brewing process, this limitation might be a disappointment.
Quick Rundown Of Breville Infuser
- The Breville Infuser delivers optimal flavor in every cup creating third wave specialty coffee at home using the 4 keys formula, ensuring the right dose of beans, optimal water pressure, precise temperature control and microfoam milk for latte art
- VOLUMETRIC AND SHOT CONTROL: Control the volume of each pour at the touch of a button and choose 1 shot, 2 shot or manually control over how much espresso ends up in your cup for the perfect dose every time
- 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: Maximize flavor potential with low pressure pre-infusion, digital PID temperature control, adjustable in 2°F increments complete with pressure gauge that guides you to the right extraction every time
- MANUAL MICROFOAM MILK TEXTURING: High power 1650W element for high pressure steam wand and faster heat-up to create the microfoam necessary for a third wave specialty taste and essential for creating latte art at home
Last update on 2024-12-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Quick Rundown Of Breville Cafe Roma
- Note: 1)Too coarse a grind, too little coffee, or insufficiently tamping the grounds before brewing can all lead to inadequate pressure for a proper brew. 2)It is important to note that the amount of espresso extracted will vary depending on the grind size and amount and reprogramming may be needed when the size and amount are adjusted
- Stainless-steel Espresso machine with 15-bar thermo block pump
- Dual-wall filter system for excellent crema; froth Enhancer, cup-warming plate
- Accessories: stainless steel frothing pitcher tamping tool/measuring Spoon/cleaning tool
- Removable drip tray and grid; frothing jug included
Last update on 2024-12-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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References:
- Breville Infuser: https://www.breville.com/us/en/products/espresso/bes840.html
- Breville Cafe Roma: https://www.breville.com/ca/en/products/espresso/esp8.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.