Breville Barista Express vs. Barista Pro: A Comprehensive Comparison

Pravi Patil

— 5 min read
Breville Barista Express vs. Barista Pro: A Comprehensive Comparison

When comparing the Breville Barista Express and the Breville Barista Pro, the price difference is immediately noticeable. The Barista Pro is nearly double the cost of the Barista Express, prompting the question: is the extra investment worth it? After a thorough examination of both models, I believe the Barista Pro justifies its price tag, thanks to its enhanced features and greater convenience for coffee enthusiasts.

So, what exactly does the Breville Barista Pro offer that makes it a more appealing option compared to the Barista Express? Let’s break it down:

  • Integrated Grinder: The Barista Pro comes with a built-in grinder featuring more grind settings, offering greater control over grind size for a superior coffee experience.
  • Powerful Steam Wand: The Pro’s steam wand is more powerful, allowing for smoother, creamier microfoam – perfect for lattes and cappuccinos.
  • Faster Heating System: The Barista Pro’s ThermoJet heating system provides faster heat-up times compared to the Express, getting your coffee brewed quicker.
  • Advanced Interface: The Pro has a more advanced and user-friendly interface, which makes it easier to customize and control your coffee drinks.

If you’re ready to take your coffee experience to the next level, the Breville Barista Pro could be the right choice for you.

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Breville Barista Express vs. Barista Pro: Detailed Comparison

Both machines come from the same brand, Breville, but they cater to different user preferences and budgets. Here’s a deeper look at how they compare:

Breville Barista Pro

  • Dimensions/Weight: 13.5 x 16.1 x 16 inches / 27.5 lbs
  • Interface: Non-touch screen
  • One-touch Drink Options: 22
  • Built-in Grinder: Stainless steel conical burr grinder
  • Grinding Settings: 30
  • Heating System: Single ThermoJet
  • Pump Pressure: 15 Bars
  • Pre-Infusion: Yes
  • Milk Frothing System: Manual steam wand
  • Water Reservoir/Bean Hopper: 2 L / 0.25 kg
  • Spigot Type/Cup Clearance: Dual / 4 inches
  • Filter: Yes (Optional)
  • Price: Not Available

Pros:

  • Built-in burr grinder with 30 grind settings, offering greater control
  • Adjustable pre-infusion for a more customizable brew
  • ThermoJet fast heating system for quicker coffee preparation
  • User-friendly interface
  • Excellent build quality

Cons:

  • Higher price point compared to the Barista Express
  • Requires frequent drip tray emptying

Breville Barista Express

  • Dimensions/Weight: 12.5 x 12.7 x 16.2 inches / 26.4 lbs
  • Interface: Button-operated
  • One-touch Drink Options: 0
  • Built-in Grinder: Stainless steel conical burr grinder
  • Grinding Settings: 18
  • Heating System: Single Thermocoil
  • Pump Pressure: 15 Bars
  • Pre-Infusion: Yes
  • Milk Frothing System: Manual steam wand
  • Water Reservoir/Bean Hopper: 2 L / 0.25 kg
  • Spigot Type/Cup Clearance: Dual / 4 inches
  • Filter: Yes (Optional)
  • Price: $679.99

Pros:

  • Adjustable grinder with 18 grind settings
  • Solid steam wand for milk frothing
  • Great-tasting espresso with a simple design
  • Easy to use and clean

Cons:

  • Requires a hands-on approach, which may take some time to master
  • Frequent cleaning and descaling needed

Barista Pro vs. Barista Express: Key Differences

1. Coffee Flavor & Brewing System

  • Winner: Breville Barista Pro
    Both machines feature an integrated conical burr grinder, which allows you to grind fresh coffee beans for every cup. However, the Barista Pro wins for its additional 12 grind settings, totaling 30 options. This gives users more precise control over the grind size, improving the flavor and consistency of their espresso shots. The Pro also offers a “Pause Grind” function, which allows for evenly distributed coffee grounds in the portafilter.

Both machines come with a professional-grade 54mm portafilter and include both single-wall and double-wall filter baskets, making them ideal for both beginners and experienced users. The Barista Express offers 18 grind settings, while the Barista Pro has 30, giving you more flexibility to adjust grind size and experiment with flavor.

2. Heating System

  • Winner: Breville Barista Pro
    One of the most significant differences between these two models is the heating system. The Barista Pro is equipped with a ThermoJet system, which heats up in just 3 seconds – perfect for users in a hurry. On the other hand, the Barista Express uses a Thermocoil system, which takes under a minute to heat up. While the Thermocoil system is effective, it can’t match the speed and convenience of the ThermoJet.

Both machines offer pre-infusion, which gently moistens the coffee grounds before the full pressure is applied, helping to extract more flavor from the beans. Additionally, both models feature PID controllers to maintain stable water temperatures for consistent extraction.

3. Design & Convenience

  • Winner: Tie
    In terms of design, both machines have sleek, modern, and rounded designs with a stainless steel finish. The Barista Pro comes with a non-touch screen interface, which is more advanced, offering an easier and more intuitive setup, while the Barista Express has a simple button-operated interface.

Both machines come with dual spouts and 4-inch cup clearance, making them suitable for a variety of cups and even travel mugs. Both have a 2L water reservoir and 0.25 kg bean hopper.

4. Milk Frothing System

  • Winner: Breville Barista Pro
    Both machines feature a manual steam wand, but the Barista Pro takes the lead with its more powerful wand and four-hole tip, which steams milk in about 45 seconds. The Barista Express, in comparison, takes about 75 seconds to steam milk. The Barista Pro provides faster milk frothing, giving you a better experience when preparing cappuccinos or lattes.

Quick Rundown of Breville Barista Pro

  • Model: Breville Barista Pro Espresso Machine with Grinder & Milk Frother, BES878BSS
  • Key Features: Built-in burr grinder with 30 grind settings, ThermoJet heating system, manual steam wand, adjustable pre-infusion, non-touch screen interface
  • Pros: Fast heating, customizable settings, powerful steam wand
  • Cons: Heavier (27.2 lbs), single boiler

Quick Rundown of Breville Barista Express

  • Model: Breville BES870XL Coffee Maker
  • Key Features: Built-in conical burr grinder, thermocoil heating system, manual steam wand, pre-infusion, simple interface
  • Pros: Affordable, good espresso, easy to use
  • Cons: Takes longer to froth milk, requires manual operation

Conclusion: Which One Should You Choose?

If you're willing to invest a bit more for advanced features like a faster heating system, more grind settings, and a better steam wand, the Breville Barista Pro is the better choice. It's perfect for those who want an upgraded, more user-friendly experience and a faster path to enjoying their espresso. On the other hand, the Breville Barista Express is still a solid machine for home baristas who prefer a hands-on approach and are looking for a more affordable option without sacrificing quality.

Choose the one that aligns with your coffee-making style, and get ready to enjoy your perfect cup of espresso!

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