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Breville Barista Pro Review: Top Espresso Machine for 2024

Ryan Marshall
Last Updated: December 30th, 2023

Over the past two decades, there has been a major influx of new home espresso machines to hit the market, and these days it is commonplace to find high-quality espresso makers in the households of average people.

The Breville Barista Pro is a great example of a high-quality espresso maker that is capable of producing a full cafe menu worth of different espresso beverage styles. While a machine with this many features would cost upwards of $1000 in recent memory, the Breville Barista Pro costs just under $850.

In this article, we will take a closer look at this popular home espresso machine with our own Breville Barista Pro review to help you determine if it is a good fit for your needs.

Breville Barista Pro Espresso Machine
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Things To Consider Before Buying a New Espresso Maker

things before buying a new espresso maker
Image: Angela CoffeeRank

With so many different brands, styles, and models of espresso machines on the market today, it can be tough to pin down which option is the best fit for your needs. Some people find the espresso machine shopping process to be confusing, so we have chosen four of the most important factors to consider, simplifying the shopping process.

Price and Value

Espresso machines range in price from $30 and under for entry-level options to upwards of $1000 for the best machines on the market.

Many espresso enthusiasts believe that the Breville Barista Pro represents one of the best values on the market due to its loaded features and reasonable price point of under $1000.

While there are espresso machines on the market that are significantly more affordable, what makes the Breville Barista Pro such a great value is its combination of durability, quality, and features. It is made with high-end durable hardware that is designed to last for many years.

Features and Technology

The Breville Barista Pro is loaded with a very deep list of features, making it one of the most versatile and capable options on the market today.

One of the first features many people notice is the top-loading espresso bean hopper, which is connected to the integrated adjustable grinder.

While there are many different iterations of the Breville Barista, one of the most noticeable features that set the Pro model apart is the LCD display, which makes it intuitive to operate and easy to keep an eye on its operation.

Brand Reputation

Breville is one of the most popular and trusted brands in the home espresso industry, and their machines have a great reputation for quality design and durability. The company also has a very good reputation for customer service, with replacement parts readily available.

The Breville Barista line of espresso machines has become so popular that it has inspired many “knock off” designs by less reputable brands. Choosing a less established brand is always a risky proposition, as there is no guarantee that they are made using high-quality hardware.

Ease of Use

The Breville Barista Pro is a fairly simple machine to both operate and maintain, and simple push-button controls make it intuitive to use even for new users. The LCD display also makes it very simple to keep an eye on the settings and operation, making it one of the best options on the market.

Another factor that adds to the simplicity of the entire line of Breville Barista machines is the fact that you do not need to grind or add espresso beans to the machine each morning.

Making a cup of fresh ground espresso is as simple as pushing a button and placing your favorite mug under the machine.

Breville Barista Pro Review

Presenting the Breville Barista Pro

The Breville Barista Pro is one of the top-selling and most highly reviewed espresso machines on the market today.

It showcases all of the features necessary to make a full cafe menu worth of different espresso-based drinks, and it is one of the easiest machines to operate on a daily basis.

One of the first features that stand out to people when they see the Breville Barista Pro for the first time is the top-loading espresso bean hopper that is connected to the integrated grinder. This makes it simple to load full of espresso beans and have fresh ground espresso at the push of a button.

Many people enjoy the fact that the Breville Barista Pro features analog controls that are clearly labeled and simple to use. While the convenience of touchscreen models may seem appealing at first, they can be confusing and harder to operate for those who are more technologically challenged.

Pros:

  • Thoughtfully designed to automatically handle the espresso drink-making process
  • Showcases a traditional aesthetic that is based on the look of Italian espresso machines
  • Automatically grinds coffee to different textures to achieve the best espresso pull

Cons:

  • Some people prefer versions that feature LED or touchscreen technology
  • One of the larger machines on the market, not a good fit for smaller kitchens
  • Some people prefer “boxier” machines that feature nonvisible bean hoppers

Alternatives to the Breville Barista Pro

alternatives to the breville barista pro

While the Breville Barista Pro is one of the most popular, efficient, and reliable machines on the market today, it is far from the only option in terms of high-end home espresso machines.

We have hand-selected three other machines to help you get a better idea of the best alternatives.

1. Gaggia Brera Super Automatic

Gaggia is a highly respected Italian manufacturer that is well known for the production of high-end espresso machines. Many serious espresso enthusiasts request these machines by name, and the Brera Super Automatic is one of the most well-rounded offerings in their lineup.

One of the best features of this compact and efficient espresso machine is the integrated espresso bean grinder and reservoir that is built into the top of the machine. This allows for freshly ground espresso each morning at the push of a button without having to see the beans.

2. Philips 1200 Series

Many coffee and espresso enthusiasts believe that the Philips 1200 Series represents one of the best values of any home espresso machine. It boasts many of the same features present on machines that cost hundreds of dollars more and showcases a sleek boxy design.

Another fantastic aspect of this high-end Philips machine is the fact that it is able to make both espresso and traditional drip coffee drinks. This makes it one of the most versatile machines on the market today, and the price point of just under $500 is tough to beat.

3. DeLonghi La Specialista

When it comes to competition for the Breville company in the espresso machine manufacturing space, the number one company fighting for market share is DeLonghi.

The DeLonghi company produces a comparable machine for just about every Breville model, and the La Specialista is the closest option in terms of design to the Barista Pro.

At first glance, these machines look very similar, with metallic finishes and top-loading espresso bean hoppers placed on the top left section of both. The La Specialista and the Barista Pro models showcase nearly identical features, and choosing between the two is a matter of personal preference.

Breville Barista Pro Review – Conclusion

The Breville Barista Pro is one of the top-selling home espresso machines on the market, and many people claim it is the last espresso machine they will ever buy.

It is fairly simple both to use and maintain, and it produces high-quality espresso drinks that are on par with upscale cafes around the world.

Click here to take a closer look at the Breville Barista Pro, and see for yourself if it is a good fit for your needs and lifestyle!

About The Author

Ryan Marshall

Ryan is a full time freelance writer who can most often be found on the disc golf course or local coffee shop when not behind a keyboard. He is an avid traveler and lover of all things sports and outdoors. Ryan is also a certified level one sommelier, and is endlessly curious about the world of high end beverages. Writing about wine, coffee, and other specialty beverages has given him a chance to take a deeper dive into his research, and he loves helping people find the perfect drink for their palates and preferences!

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