Breville Barista Pro vs Express

As a home coffee enthusiast, I’ve spent a lot of time testing various espresso machines to find the one that best fits my needs. After using both the Breville Barista Pro and the Breville Barista Express, I can share my personal experience with these machines and give you a clearer idea of which one might be right for you. I’ll go over their key differences, features, and the reasons why I ultimately prefer the Breville Barista Pro. Whether you’re new to making espresso or a seasoned coffee drinker, I’ll highlight the strengths and weaknesses of each machine to help you make an informed decision.

Design and Aesthetics: The Barista Pro Offers a Sleek Upgrade

When I first set up both machines, the difference in design became immediately apparent. The Breville Barista Express is slightly bulkier, with a more traditional setup where the grinder is located on the side of the machine. While it’s a solid design, it takes up a bit more space on your kitchen counter. This is where the Barista Pro stood out for me. Its more compact design integrates the grinder seamlessly into the machine, which not only saves space but also gives the entire setup a more streamlined, modern look.

The stainless steel body of both machines is sturdy and easy to clean, but the Barista Pro’s more polished surface tends to resist fingerprints and water spots better than the Barista Express. Over time, this meant less maintenance for me in terms of wiping down the machine, which was a small but welcome convenience.

User Experience: The Barista Pro is Intuitive and Simple to Use

One of the things I appreciated the most about the Barista Pro was how intuitive it is to use. As someone who has been making espresso at home for a while, I understand how complicated some machines can be, with various knobs and settings that require a learning curve. However, the Barista Pro makes it much easier.

The color LCD screen is a standout feature. It provides a simple interface that shows you key information like the grind size, shot time, and milk temperature. This made it much easier to make adjustments and see exactly where I was in the process. Even for beginners, this display guides you through each step, which I found extremely helpful when I was first getting started.

On the other hand, the Barista Express uses more traditional buttons and dials for customization. While they’re functional, they’re not as straightforward as the digital screen on the Barista Pro. At times, I found myself having to adjust the dial a few times to get the exact setting I wanted. While both machines are user-friendly, the Barista Pro’s interface just felt more refined and accessible.

Grinder Performance: The Barista Pro Has the Edge

Both the Breville Barista Pro and Barista Express come equipped with conical burr grinders, which is a must-have feature for getting the perfect espresso shot. However, after using both machines, I noticed that the Barista Pro’s grinder was noticeably quieter and more efficient. I particularly appreciated the 30 grind settings that allowed me to fine-tune the grind to my exact preferences.

What impressed me most about the Barista Pro was its larger bean hopper. It holds up to 0.5 lbs of coffee beans, which is a decent size for someone like me who drinks multiple cups a day. The larger capacity means less frequent refills, making the process smoother when I’m in the middle of brewing multiple cups. In comparison, the Barista Express holds only 0.25 lbs, which requires more frequent reloading of beans, a small inconvenience when you're in a rush.

Another benefit of the Barista Pro’s grinder is the consistency of the grind. The Pro’s grinder produces a more uniform grind size, which is crucial for achieving the best espresso shots. The Barista Express, while still effective, doesn’t quite match the precision of the Pro’s grinder, which made a noticeable difference in the quality of the espresso shots I was pulling.

Heating System: The Barista Pro’s Thermocoil Wins

The heating system is another area where the Barista Pro stands out. It uses a Thermocoil system, which heats water more efficiently and reaches the ideal brewing temperature faster. In my experience, this meant that I didn’t have to wait as long to start brewing. It takes just a few seconds for the Barista Pro to heat up, which is perfect for those busy mornings when I need my coffee fix fast.

The Barista Express, on the other hand, uses a Thermoblock heating system. While it still gets the job done, I found that it took a bit longer to warm up. For those mornings when I’m in a rush, this extra time can feel like a bit of a hassle.

What I appreciate about the Barista Pro’s quicker heat-up time is that it ensures I can brew my espresso and froth my milk with minimal downtime. This means I can prepare a great cup of coffee faster, without sacrificing quality, which is a huge advantage in a fast-paced routine.

Milk Frothing: The Barista Pro's Steam Wand is Superior

As someone who enjoys cappuccinos and lattes, milk frothing is an essential part of the espresso process. The Barista Pro’s steam wand really impressed me. It’s powerful and delivers consistent pressure, making it easier to achieve the perfect milk froth. I’m able to create smooth, velvety microfoam with relative ease, which is essential for making café-quality drinks at home.

The Barista Express also comes with a steam wand, but I found that it didn’t offer the same level of power or control as the Pro. The milk froth I created with the Express was good but lacked the silky smooth texture I could achieve with the Barista Pro. If you love making specialty drinks like lattes or cappuccinos, the Pro’s steam wand will be a huge upgrade in terms of quality and ease of use.

Consistency and Performance: The Barista Pro Delivers Better Results

Consistency is key when it comes to making great espresso, and the Barista Pro has been far more consistent in my experience. The combination of the efficient grinder, faster heating system, and superior steam wand makes the Pro a more reliable machine overall. Whether I’m pulling a single shot or making a larger batch, the results are consistently great with the Barista Pro.

The Barista Express, while capable, required more adjustments to achieve the same level of consistency. I often found myself tweaking the grind size or shot time to get the flavor I wanted, which isn’t a huge issue for seasoned espresso makers but can be frustrating for beginners.

In my day-to-day use, I found that the Barista Pro made it easier for me to get a perfect shot every time, and I didn’t have to spend as much time dialing in the machine for optimal results.

Price Consideration: Worth the Investment

There’s no getting around it—the Breville Barista Pro is more expensive than the Barista Express. However, in my opinion, the extra cost is worth it. The Barista Pro’s superior grinder, faster heat-up time, better milk frothing capabilities, and overall ease of use make it a more refined machine. For someone like me who uses the espresso machine regularly and values consistency, the Pro’s features are invaluable.

That said, the Barista Express is still a great option for those who want a solid espresso machine at a more affordable price. It’s a good entry-level machine that can make excellent espresso, but if you’re looking for something that offers a more premium experience and better long-term performance, the Barista Pro is the better investment.

Conclusion: A Smarter Choice for Espresso Lovers

After spending time with both the Breville Barista Pro and the Breville Barista Express, I can confidently say that the Barista Pro is the superior option. It’s more user-friendly, more consistent, and offers an overall better experience, especially if you value convenience, quality, and ease of use. While the Barista Express is still a great machine, the Barista Pro provides that extra level of performance and refinement that makes a big difference when brewing espresso at home.

If you’re serious about your coffee and want to enjoy high-quality espresso drinks every day, the Barista Pro is a choice I’d recommend. It’s not just about getting the best shot of espresso; it’s about making the process as enjoyable and seamless as possible. The Barista Pro makes that a reality.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What’s the main difference between the Breville Barista Pro and Barista Express?
A: The main difference is that the Barista Pro has a built-in LCD screen for easier operation, a more advanced Thermocoil heating system for faster heat-up time, and a quieter, more efficient grinder with 30 grind settings. The Barista Express has a more traditional dial-based interface and uses a Thermoblock heating system, which takes a bit longer to heat up.

Q: Is the Barista Pro worth the higher price?
A: Yes, if you're looking for a more consistent and refined espresso-making experience, the Barista Pro offers better performance with features like the advanced grinder, quicker heat-up time, and superior steam wand. For those who use their espresso machine daily or want a more premium experience, it’s worth the investment.

Q: Does the Barista Pro make better espresso than the Barista Express?
A: Yes, the Barista Pro generally makes better espresso because of its more consistent grinder, better temperature control, and more powerful steam wand. These features help create a more precise and higher-quality shot, especially when you dial in the settings to your preference.

Q: How long does it take for the Barista Pro to heat up?
A: The Barista Pro heats up very quickly, typically in about 3-5 seconds, thanks to its Thermocoil heating system. This is much faster than the Barista Express, which can take a bit longer due to its Thermoblock system.

Q: Can the Barista Pro froth milk well for lattes and cappuccinos?
A: Yes, the Barista Pro has an excellent steam wand that creates smooth, velvety microfoam, perfect for lattes and cappuccinos. It provides consistent steam pressure, making it easier to achieve café-quality frothing at home.

Q: Is the Barista Pro suitable for beginners?
A: Yes, the Barista Pro is quite beginner-friendly thanks to its intuitive LCD screen and easy-to-navigate settings. It’s a great machine for someone just starting out because it guides you through the process, making adjustments simple and fast.

Q: How often do I need to clean the Barista Pro?
A: Like all espresso machines, the Barista Pro requires regular cleaning, especially the portafilter, steam wand, and drip tray. Breville recommends cleaning the machine after each use to maintain its performance, and descaling it every 2-3 months, depending on your water hardness.

Q: Can I adjust the grind size on the Barista Pro?
A: Yes, the Barista Pro offers 30 grind settings, allowing you to fine-tune the grind size for different types of coffee. This gives you more control over your espresso shots compared to the Barista Express, which has fewer grind settings.

Q: Is the Barista Pro easy to maintain?
A: Yes, the Barista Pro is relatively easy to maintain. It has a removable drip tray, a dedicated cleaning cycle for the steam wand, and alerts you when it's time to clean or descale. Regular maintenance ensures the machine performs well over time.

Q: Can I use pre-ground coffee with the Barista Pro?
A: While the Barista Pro is designed to be used with fresh coffee beans in the built-in grinder, you can use pre-ground coffee if necessary. However, using freshly ground beans will yield better-tasting espresso.