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Breville Barista Pro vs Express – Which One is Better

Ryan Marshall
Last Updated: February 8th, 2024

Breville is one of the top producers of home espresso machines in the world, and the Breville Barista Pro and Breville Barista Express are both very popular machines.

While they make look quite similar at first glance, there are many differences between these two popular machines, and choosing the best option for you involves taking a closer look at the subtle differences between each of them.

When choosing between the Breville Barista Pro vs Express models, everything from budget and price to features and design needs to be considered, as there is no “one size fits all” option that will suit all espresso enthusiasts.

Things To Consider Before Buying a Breville Machine

things to consider before buying a breville machine

Breville has grown to become one of the most popular and trusted names in home coffee machine production for a variety of reasons. Many people love the convenience and simplicity of their high-quality machines, and there are many different models and machines to choose from.

When shopping for your new Breville espresso machine, there are quite a few often-overlooked considerations that need to be made. The first of these is the amount of space that the machine takes up, as even the best espresso machines are rendered useless if they do not fit in your kitchen space.

A good first step is to take either a ruler or tape measurer and find the dimensions of the area where you plan to place your new espresso machine. It is important to measure the length and depth of the intended area, as well as its height. Write these dimensions down and keep them on hand throughout the shopping process.

Different espresso machines are built in different shapes, and some machines fit better into narrow and tight spaces compared to others. Some people prefer the convenience of these sleek and slim machines, while others have ample kitchen space to accommodate larger ones.

Both the Breville Barista Pro and Breville Barista Express are considered to be “medium-sized” machines. They showcase a considerable amount of high-level features that can not fit into smaller models while still maintaining a reasonable footprint that fits into the kitchens of most people.

Once you have decided on the proper size for your new espresso machine, the next step is to decide on a budget for your new purchase. It is important not to spend more than you can afford on a new espresso machine, as there are multiple expenses that come along with machine ownership over time.

The largest expense over the lifetime of an espresso machine is by far the purchasing of actual espresso beans. Quality espresso beans come at a considerable cost, and a good machine will be durable enough to handle thousands of grind and brew cycles over the years.

Along with not providing enough space, spending too much on an espresso machine is another common mistake that many make when buying a new machine. It is important to set a realistic budget so that there is plenty left over for espresso beans and milk or creamer down the line.

Presenting the Breville Barista Pro and the Barista Express

breville barista pro and the barista express

  • Precise Espresso Extraction
  • Manual Microfoam Milk Texturing
  • Auto Purge
  • Precise Espresso Extraction
  • Dose Control Grinding
  • Optimal Water Pressure

While Breville features a full line of different espresso machine options, the Barista Pro and Barista express are two of their top-selling machines. The Pro is essentially the new and upgraded version of the Barista Express, which helped set the industry standard for high-quality and durable home espresso machines.

The Barista Pro and Barista Express are both capable of making a wide variety of different espresso-based drinks. They both heat up fairly quickly, and feature streaming wands to froth milk, or nondairy milk alternatives for lattes, cappuccinos, macchiatos, and more!

Both of these machines feature built-in grinders that allow you to freshly grind espresso beans each morning, which has proven to be one of the best ways to achieve a high-quality cup of espresso. The integrated grinders are located on top of the machines and are attached to clear hoppers that hold the espresso beans.

Having either of these espresso machines is a great way to turn your kitchen into a miniature espresso bar, and these Breville machines are both capable of doing everything necessary to make a wide variety of the most popular espresso drinks in the world.

Breville Barista Pro vs Express – Features & Benefits

breville barista pro vs express features & benefits

Simply put, the Breville Barista Pro is a newer and upgraded version of the Breville Barista Express. There are five key differences between these two machines, and we have taken a closer look at each of them to help simplify the shopping process for you.

Price

One of the first things that many people look at when shopping for a new espresso machine is the price of the machine itself. The Barista Express has an MSRP of $750, while the Barista Pro has a suggested price of $850.

Both of these machines can be found at lower prices, and many of the top retailers run sales often.

LCD Screen vs Analog Controls

When it comes to the way you actually operate these machines, one of the main differences that are immediately apparent is the fact that the Breville Barista Pro features an LCD screen, while the Breville Barista Express uses analog controls and an “old school” pressure gauge.

Some people prefer the look of the large traditional pressure gauge, which makes it simple to keep an eye on the machine’s performance during use. The LCD screen is easier to operate and “dial in” however, as it can be pre-programmed to a number of different pressure settings.

Grinder Quality

The grinder is a very important part of any high-quality at-home espresso machine, and these two machines feature different grinder mechanisms. The Breville Barista Express has a grinder with 16 different grinder settings, while The Breville Barista Pro has 30 different settings.

By allowing customers to adjust their espresso grind with more flexibility, the Breville Barista Pro allows customers to fully customize their cup of espresso. With 30 different settings to choose from, it is possible to get just the right texture of espresso for the perfect pour.

Water Heating System

The water heating system for any given espresso machine is sometimes referred to as the machine’s “engine.” The essence of any espresso machine is its ability to heat water quickly and efficiently, and it must feature durable hardware that can get the job done every single morning.

The Breville Barista Express uses a heating system that is called a “Thermocoil,” which heats up water in under one minute. It is a durable and time-trusted piece of hardware that produces fairly consistent water temperatures, though there are newer water heating technologies on the market.

The Breville Barista Pro uses a new and superior piece of water heating technology called the “Thermojet,” which heats up nearly instantly. It saves valuable time each morning, and it is equally as durable as the Thermocoil while providing superior water temperature regulation.

Steaming Wand

The steaming wand is an especially important part of a good espresso machine, especially for those who enjoy drinks made with frothed milk. This included lattes, cappuccinos, and macchiatos, and a good steaming wand quickly aerates and heats milk and non-dairy milk alternatives.

While both the Breville Barista Express and the Breville Barista Pro both feature high-quality stainless steel steam wands, the Pro features a wand with four steaming holes, while the Express’ wand only features one hole.

Alternatives

alternatives breville barista pro vs express

While the Breville Barista Pro and Barista Express are both high-quality machines when it comes to producing high-quality espresso at home, they are far from the only options on the market.

There are some machines made by competitors of Breville, as well as some upgraded models by the company.

1. De’Longhi La Specialista

The De’Longhi La Specialista is one of the most similar machines to both the Barista Pro and Barista Express, and it is made by another high-quality manufacturer. It also features a top-loading integrated bean grinder, as well as durable hardware and a quality steaming wand.

It has a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $699, though it can often be found for hundreds less with sales from some of the top retailers. It features a simple design with sleek analog controls and looks very similar to the Breville Barista Express at first glance.

2. Gevi 20 Bar Automatic Coffee Machine

The Gevi 20 Bar Automatic Coffee Machine is a high-end machine from another highly trusted and reputable manufacturer. It showcases a handful of interesting features including a removable water tank and integrated tamper holder that are not featured on Breville machines

This Gevi machine is priced at $799, which is considered to be fairly high for some considering the fact that it does not showcase an LCD screen or any other high-tech features like Bluetooth or WiFi connectivity.

3. Breville Barista Touch

The Breville Barista touch is an upgraded version of the Breville Barista Pro, which itself is an upgraded version of the Breville Barista Express. It features a high-end touch screen that customers use to easily select their preferred drink with a high-quality color display.

The manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $1099 is significantly higher than both the Breville Barista Express and the Breville Barista Pro, though many customers find the extra expense to be worth it for the high-tech color screen and touchscreen technology.

Breville Barista Pro vs Express – Conclusion

conclusion breville barista pro vs express

While the Breville Barista Pro and the Breville Barista Express are both fantastic machines that are capable of producing high-quality cups of espresso every morning, each machine has its own advantages that will appeal to different people.

The Breville Barista Express offers high-quality cups of espresso at a slightly lower price, while the Barisa Pro showcases more high-end parts and hardware with an upgraded LCD screen for easier operation.

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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