Nespresso Creatista Plus vs Breville Barista Express: One that gives you a quick and convenient shot of espresso from pods and one that gives you a real shot of espresso from fresh ground coffee.
I’ve decided to let the Nespresso Creatista Plus be the winner here since it’s the best bang for the price. It doesn’t give you delicious shots like espresso machines, but there’s a lot to love, like a ThermoJet fast-heating element, a menu of one-touch drinks, a powerful automatic wand, and more.
I also understand why the Breville Barista Express is so popular. Not only does it look great and is priced well, it also provides everything needed in high quality for the best possible espresso experience, such as a multi-level integrated grinder, quality accessories, adjustable pre-infusion, etc.
Nespresso Creatista Plus Vs Breville Barista Express: Specs & Features Comparison Chart
Last update on 2024-12-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Nespresso Creatista Plus Vs Breville Barista Express: Differences
The Creatista Plus emerged victorious over the Barista Express with a score of 3-2. Continue reading to discover more details!
Coffee Flavor & Brewing System
Winner: Breville Barista Express
Built-in Grinder
The Barista Express is an espresso and grinder combination machine with a stainless steel conical burr grinder that grinds beans and dispenses the fresh grounds right into the stainless steel portafilter. So it spares you from having to shell out for an additional grinder.
I have to say, I’m genuinely impressed with this built-in grinder. It’s a significant step up from Breville’s old-generation Smart Grinder and is on par with the company’s current Dose Control Pro grinder.
On the machine’s left side, a dial offers a selection of 18 grind settings, ranging from very coarse to extremely fine. What should I say? There is lots of room to experiment with it.
The Creatista Plus, on the other hand, uses pre-ground, packaged pods, significantly reducing the mess and hassle often associated with traditional coffee brewing methods. It is compatible with the widely available Nespresso Original capsules, ensuring you have a broad range of coffee flavors and styles at your fingertips.
Dosing & Tamping
The Barista Express isn’t just about its powerful grinder. It comes with a nice 54-millimeter portafilter, a decent magnetic tamper, and four filter baskets (one already snugly fitted into the portafilter, ready to go). You’ll also find a stainless-steel milk jug and an array of cleaning accessories. It’s like Breville thought of everything.
The portafilter is made out of stainless steel and feels very sturdy. The two dual-wall baskets are designed for pre-ground coffee, which is great for those times when you just want a quick decaf espresso without grinding beans. The other two single-walled baskets are there for you to get the most out of freshly ground beans.
The tamper isn’t the best one, but it does the job pretty well. It slots into the front left of the machine and will become pretty intuitive after a couple of weeks (I mean, you can take it out or insert it without thinking).
The Creatista Plus doesn’t come with such accessories since it really doesn’t need them. It just comes out of the box with a professional-grade stainless steel jug for your choice of milk.
Heating System
Winner: Nespresso Creatista Plus
If you’ve ever been stuck drumming your fingers on the counter, waiting for a traditional single-boiler espresso machine to heat up, you know the struggle. The good news is that these machines don’t leave you hung on for your drinks.
The Breville Barista Express, with its thermocoil technology, is ready to go in about 30 seconds. But I recommend waiting a few extra minutes for the first shot, allowing the portafilter and group head to get enough time to get perfectly ready.
But if you thought the Barista Express’s 30 heating-up seconds were impressive, the Creatista Plus would blow your mind. Yes, the Creatista Plus can heat up in just 3 seconds, all thanks to its ThermoJet heating element. So gone are the days of waiting around for your coffee machine to catch up with your morning hustle.
Brewing System
The Creatista Plus uses a 19-bar pump to extract maximum flavor and aroma from capsules. So simply insert a pod, press a button, and the machine will prepare a quick espresso within seconds. It’s quick and convenient, but for the coffee purists who swear by the sanctity of fresh ground beans, pod-based drinks are truly blasphemous.
Meanwhile, the Barista Express is capable of bringing to the table a cup of authentic and rich espresso with an adjustable pre-infusion feature and a 15-bar pressure pump! Essentially, pre-infusion is about gently soaking the coffee grounds with low-pressure water before starting the full-pressure extraction, allowing for a more even saturation of the coffee puck.
Better yet, you can tailor the pre-infusion time to your liking. Simply initiate the pre-infusion process by pressing and holding the brew button, and the longer you hold it, the longer the process. Then, when you’re ready, release the button to commence the extraction phase.
Design & Convenience
Winner: Nespresso Creatista Plus
Dimensions & User Interface
| Nespresso Creatista Plus | Barista Express | |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 15.1 x 12 x 6.7 inches | 16.2 x 12.5 x 12.7 inches |
| Weight | 11.4 lbs | 26.4 lbs |
The Barista Express isn’t the most chunky coffee machine, but it eats almost double the space of the Creatista Plus. But hey, for the coffee magic it performs, I’d say it’s a worthy trade-off!
Both machines come in a sleek, polished stainless steel finish, showing off their durability. But if you’re looking to add a splash of color to your coffee corner, the Barista Express also boasts a gorgeous Black Sesame option, whereas the Creatista Plus comes in options like Black Truffle, Sea Salt, and Damson Blue. All look very upscale and professional.
The user interface of the Barista is more traditional, yet it remains user-friendly. All functions are well-marked, but initial familiarization with advanced settings like programmed shot volume, water temperature, and pre-infusion time may require consulting the user manual a few times. Central to the interface is an exceptionally precise pressure gauge. Many users rely on the gauge to adjust their grind and dosage meticulously, achieving optimal espresso shots.
On the other hand, the Creatista Plus sports a digital color display screen that is a rarity in pod-based machines. It’s bright, cool, and super intuitive to use. You navigate through the options with a simple twist of the knob underneath – easy as a child’s play.
Spout Type & Cup Clearance
| Nespresso Creatista Plus | Barista Express |
|---|---|
| 5.5 inches | 4 inches |
Both have enough room to accommodate all your standard espresso cups. But if you’re in the mood for something taller, like a latte glass or a travel mug, you will need to remove the Barista Express’s drip tray to get more clearance.
The Creatista Plus features a nifty pop-out cup raiser. You press it, it pops out, you pull it, and your cup is closer to the dispenser. This reduces splashes and preserves that gorgeous layer of crema on your espresso.
Water Reservoir & Bean Hopper
| Nespresso Creatista Plus | Barista Express | |
|---|---|---|
| Water Reservoir | 1.5 litres | 2 liter |
| Used Capsule Container/ Bean Hopper | 12 pods | 0.25 kilogram |
Peeking around the back of both the Barista Express and the Creatista Plus, you’ll find their water tanks. Both tanks are crafted from transparent plastic, making it super easy to keep an eye on your water level, so a quick glance is all it takes to know when it’s time to top up. There is a sturdy handle on each tank, so removing the tank from the rear of the machine feels almost effortless.
Now, here’s where the Barista Express gets an extra bonus. Breville includes a water filter with the Barista Express, which is all about enhancing the taste of your coffee and protecting your beloved machine. Softened water means a smoother cup of coffee and a happier, longer-living machine. It’s a win-win. But remember, it needs replacing every month, and after the first one, it is no longer free.
Milk Frothing System
Winner: Nespresso Creatista Plus
Oh, the joys of milk frothing! If you’re like me, getting that perfect milk texture for your cappuccino or latte can feel like a quest for the Holy Grail. The Barista Express’s secret weapon for this job is a professional-grade steam wand, while the Creatista Plus uses an automatic wand.
The Barista Express’s manual wand does a fantastic job of steaming milk as long as your milk-frothing skills are “okay” (no judgment here). The wand rotates 360 degrees, facilitating easy milk froth creation. What’s more, it features a nifty handle, giving you a safe place to grab the wand without getting burned.
The Creatista Plus’s full-automated wand does the job well, like a real barista. For those of us who have wrestled with steam wands on other espresso machines, trying to tilt the jug just to get the perfect steamed milk, the Creatista Plus offers a delightful change. No tilting, no guesswork. Just place it on a sensor on the drip tray and forget it.
There’s more to love about this wand. Once it’s done creating that perfectly steamed milk for your latte or cappuccino, it cleans itself. The wand automatically purges, dispensing hot water into the drip tray to wash away any milk residue inside. Of course, you still need to give the outside of the wand a quick wipe.
Pre-programmed Coffee Options & Programmability
Winner: Nespresso Creatista Plus
Drink Options
| Nespresso Creatista Plus | Barista Express |
|---|---|
| Ristretto Espresso Lungo Flat white Cafe latte Cappuccino Latte macchiato Milk foam | Espresso Hot Water |
The Creatista Plus boasts a list of eight preset cafe-style drinks, from espresso to cappuccino and beyond, while the Barista Express focuses on delivering top-notch espresso.
The Barista Express has a separate tap for hot water, ensuring your tea or hot chocolate is prepared with pure water that is free from coffee residue or milk residue.
Now, if you’re using the Creatista Plus and in need of hot water, you can pull a “blank shot” to get hot water. But seeing as the hot water and espresso come out of the same outlet, you’ll need to run a couple of cycles to clear out all the coffee residue. It’s not a huge deal, but you might need a bit of patience.
Programmability
| Adjustable Settings | Nespresso Creatista Plus | Barista Express |
|---|---|---|
| Coffee Strength | No | Yes |
| Coffee Temperature | No | Yes |
| Milk Foam Temperature | Yes | No |
| Milk Foam Texture | Yes | No |
When it comes to adjustability, the Creatista Plus and the Barista Express are like yin and yang. I mean, each shines in its own way, offering control where it counts.
The Creatista Plus gives you control over the milk frothing process with 11 temperature settings and 8 texture settings. The Barista Express, on the other hand, allows you to control coffee strength and brewing temperature with a couple of levels.
But despite their differences, these machines share a common ground – the ability to adjust the shot volume. This means you can customize the amount of coffee dispensed.
Other Features
Winner: Breville Barista Express
Auto Off
The Creatista Plus will automatically turn off after 9 minutes of inactivity. The Barista Express slips into sleep mode after an hour of non-use and goes into auto shut-off mode if you don’t nudge it for another 2 hours.
This auto-off feature not only saves energy but also gives you peace of mind, especially on those busy mornings when you’re running out the door. Say goodbye to “oops, I forgot to turn off the coffee machine” moments.
Built-in Cup Warmer
There is a cup warmer on top of the Barista Express, making sure your cups are toasty and ready. In case you don’t know, pouring hot coffee into a cold cup will lose its heat instantly. We all want to get something as perfect as possible from every single shot, right?
Quick Rundown Of Breville Nespresso Creatista Plus
- Please refer to user guide or user manual or user guide (provided below in PDF) before first use
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 Nespresso Creatista Plus: https://www.breville.com/us/en/products/nespresso/bne800.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.