Breville Barista Express Impress vs Pro

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As someone who enjoys a great cup of coffee, I often find myself researching new coffee machines to elevate my morning routine. Recently, I had the opportunity to compare two popular models from Breville: the Breville Barista Express Impress and the Breville Barista Pro. Both are excellent choices, but one stands out as the better option overall. After carefully considering various aspects, I am confident that the Breville Barista Pro takes the lead for a variety of reasons.

I’ve had my fair share of coffee machines over the years, from entry-level models to more advanced espresso makers. When I first tried out the Barista Express Impress, I was impressed by how user-friendly it was. The automatic tamping system and easy-to-use interface made it feel almost like a cheat code for getting consistently good espresso without much effort. But after spending some time with both the Barista Express Impress and the Barista Pro, I realized that the Barista Pro offered a more refined and customizable experience that suited my preferences better. Whether you’re just starting your espresso journey or already know your way around an espresso machine, both of these models have their merits, but let me explain why I think the Barista Pro comes out on top.

The Breville Barista Express Impress: An Overview

The Barista Express Impress is the newest addition to Breville’s line of semi-automatic espresso machines. One of its most standout features is the automatic tamping system, which is a game-changer for anyone who might struggle with the precision of tamping. For a beginner, this is a big deal. The Barista Express Impress ensures a perfectly tamped puck every time, making it much easier to pull a great shot of espresso without having to worry about the tamping technique.

Another feature I really liked about the Barista Express Impress was the simplicity of its design. With an intuitive interface, it’s quite easy to set up and start brewing. The grinder is built into the machine, meaning you don’t need to worry about purchasing a separate one. For someone new to espresso, it’s a very approachable option.

The Breville Barista Pro: A Step Up in Espresso Brewing

The Breville Barista Pro, on the other hand, caters to those who want a more hands-on approach. While it has similar features to the Barista Express Impress, the Barista Pro takes things a step further. One of the first things I noticed was how quickly it heats up. Unlike the Barista Express Impress, which takes a full 45 seconds to warm up, the Barista Pro reaches optimal brewing temperature in just three seconds. This makes it much more efficient, especially if you’re someone who enjoys making multiple cups in a row.

The Barista Pro also boasts a digital display that allows you to control the grind size, brew temperature, and shot time with precision. This gives you the flexibility to adjust your brew to perfection, which is something I really appreciated as someone who likes to fine-tune every shot. It might not be necessary for someone who just wants a quick cup, but for someone who values the artistry of espresso making, the Barista Pro offers that extra level of control.

Design and Build Quality: A Closer Look

When it comes to design, both machines are sleek and professional-looking, featuring stainless steel finishes. However, the Barista Pro feels a bit more polished. The angular design is modern, and the digital display adds a nice touch of sophistication. It has a retractable power cord, which is a thoughtful feature that makes it easier to store when not in use.

The Barista Express Impress has a more classic design, similar to the earlier Barista Express model. While still solid and well-built, it lacks some of the updated features that make the Barista Pro feel more refined. It’s still a great machine, but if you’re looking for a more contemporary aesthetic, the Barista Pro is the better choice.

Espresso Brewing: A Critical Comparison

When it comes to the actual espresso brewing experience, both machines deliver high-quality results, but they do so in slightly different ways. The Barista Express Impress makes things incredibly easy by automating the tamping process. For someone new to espresso or someone who doesn’t want to think too much about their technique, this is a big plus. The grinder and the automatic tamping system work together to take a lot of the guesswork out of brewing.

That being said, I found that the Barista Pro offers more flexibility. With its grind size and dose control, I had the freedom to adjust my espresso shots to exactly how I like them. I’m someone who enjoys experimenting with different grind sizes to find the right balance of flavor, and the Barista Pro allowed me to do that with ease. The digital display also made it simple to tweak my settings, whether I was adjusting the grind or changing the shot time. It’s this level of customization that makes the Barista Pro the better choice for someone who is looking to take their espresso-making to the next level.

Steaming Milk: Which One Wins?

For anyone who enjoys lattes or cappuccinos, the milk steaming process is just as important as brewing the espresso. This is another area where the Barista Pro outperforms the Barista Express Impress. Thanks to its faster heating system, the Barista Pro is able to steam milk in a fraction of the time. It reaches steaming temperature almost immediately after brewing, and you can be frothing milk in about 40 seconds. This is ideal for anyone who’s making drinks back-to-back or needs to serve multiple people.

The Barista Express Impress, while still effective at steaming milk, takes a bit longer. It’s not a huge difference, but for someone who’s trying to make drinks quickly in the morning, every second counts. The Barista Pro is definitely the better option if you’re looking for speed and efficiency in your milk steaming.

Ease of Use: A Machine for Beginners vs. Experienced Users

For beginners, the Barista Express Impress is incredibly user-friendly. With its automatic tamping and dosing system, it eliminates many of the challenges that come with making espresso. It’s essentially a plug-and-play machine, meaning you can start brewing without much knowledge of the nuances of espresso-making.

However, as someone who’s been making espresso for a while, I found the Barista Pro more rewarding. The control it offers over grind size, dose, and temperature allows for a more personalized experience. Sure, it requires a bit more attention, but for me, that’s part of the fun. The Barista Pro strikes a balance between ease of use and control, which is why I think it’s the better choice for anyone who wants to grow their espresso skills over time.

Conclusion: Why the Barista Pro is the Better Option

If you’re new to espresso-making and just want a simple machine that produces good results without much effort, the Barista Express Impress is an excellent choice. It’s straightforward, automated, and takes much of the guesswork out of the process. But if you’re someone who is passionate about espresso and wants a machine that offers more control and flexibility, the Breville Barista Pro is the better option. It gives you the ability to experiment, adjust, and perfect your espresso shots, all while delivering faster heat-up times and better milk steaming.

In my experience, the Barista Pro is the machine that will continue to serve me well as I grow in my espresso-making journey. It offers a level of customization and precision that just isn’t matched by the Barista Express Impress. While both machines are great in their own right, if you’re serious about espresso and want something that will evolve with you as your skills improve, the Barista Pro is the better choice.

FAQ

Q: What is the main difference between the Breville Barista Express Impress and the Breville Barista Pro?

A: The primary difference is the level of control and speed. The Barista Express Impress is designed for ease of use, with automatic tamping and dosing, making it ideal for beginners. The Barista Pro offers more control over grind size, brew temperature, and shot time, which makes it a better choice for experienced users who want to customize their espresso.

Q: Which machine is better for beginners, the Barista Express Impress or the Barista Pro?

A: The Barista Express Impress is better for beginners because it simplifies the espresso-making process. Its automatic tamping and dosing system ensures consistent results, even if you’re not familiar with espresso techniques.

Q: How long does it take for the Barista Pro to heat up?

A: The Barista Pro has a fast heat-up time of just 3 seconds, thanks to its ThermoJet heating system. This is much quicker than the Barista Express Impress, which takes around 45 seconds to warm up.

Q: Does the Barista Pro make better espresso than the Barista Express Impress?

A: While both machines can make excellent espresso, the Barista Pro offers more flexibility and control. The ability to adjust grind size, dose, and temperature allows you to customize your espresso shots, which can result in a more refined taste. The Barista Express Impress is great for consistency but lacks the level of customization that the Barista Pro provides.

Q: Can you make lattes and cappuccinos with both the Barista Express Impress and the Barista Pro?

A: Yes, both machines are equipped with steam wands that allow you to froth milk for lattes and cappuccinos. However, the Barista Pro has a faster steaming time, reaching the ideal temperature more quickly than the Barista Express Impress, which may be helpful when making multiple drinks in a short period.

Q: Is the Breville Barista Pro easier to clean than the Barista Express Impress?

A: Both machines are relatively easy to clean, with removable drip trays and a cleaning cycle for the group head. However, the Barista Pro has a more refined design with a clearer interface, which might make it slightly easier to maintain in terms of cleaning and upkeep.

Q: Do I need to buy a separate grinder if I get the Barista Pro?

A: No, both the Barista Express Impress and the Barista Pro come with built-in grinders. The Barista Pro features a more advanced burr grinder, allowing for more precise grind settings compared to the Barista Express Impress, which can be important for customizing your espresso.

Q: Which machine is more compact, the Barista Express Impress or the Barista Pro?

A: The Barista Express Impress is slightly more compact than the Barista Pro. However, both are still relatively large compared to typical drip coffee makers, as they include a built-in grinder and steam wand. If space is a concern, the Barista Express Impress might be a better fit.

Q: Is the Barista Pro worth the extra cost compared to the Barista Express Impress?

A: If you're an experienced coffee maker or want more control over your espresso, the Barista Pro is worth the extra cost. It offers faster heat-up times, better steaming capabilities, and more precise customization options. However, if you're just starting out or want a simpler machine, the Barista Express Impress provides excellent value at a more affordable price point.

Q: Can I use both machines to brew coffee other than espresso, like drip coffee or pour-over?

A: Both the Barista Express Impress and the Barista Pro are designed specifically for espresso brewing, and neither can brew regular drip coffee or pour-over. However, you can make espresso-based drinks like lattes, cappuccinos, and Americanos using both machines. If you want to brew regular coffee, you’d need a separate coffee maker.