Breville Barista Express Impress vs Pro

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As a home coffee enthusiast, I’ve spent years perfecting my morning espresso routine. Over time, I’ve come to appreciate the ease and quality that a great espresso machine can offer. Recently, I had the opportunity to test both the Breville Barista Express Impress and the Breville Barista Pro, two popular super-automatic espresso machines. Each promises to deliver a high-quality coffee experience, but as I tested them side by side, I quickly realized that there are some key differences worth considering.

In this article, I’ll walk you through my personal experience with both machines, detailing the features, performance, and overall value of each. If you’re wondering whether the extra investment in the Barista Pro is worth it, or if the Barista Express Impress offers everything you need, I’ll give you a closer look at both, based on my firsthand experience.

Design and Build Quality: Breville Barista Express Impress vs Pro

When it comes to the design and build quality of these two machines, there are some notable differences.

The Breville Barista Pro features a sleek, modern design with a more angular shape and a stainless steel finish that gives it a professional, polished look. The digital display and the overall layout feel streamlined, making it clear that this is a more advanced model. As soon as I set it on my counter, I could see that it was a machine built to stand out—both in terms of looks and performance.

On the other hand, the Barista Express Impress maintains the classic, familiar design of the Barista Express. It has that same solid metal construction, but the layout is a bit more traditional, with a series of dials and buttons. This design feels a bit more familiar, especially if you’ve used a Breville machine before. Personally, I found both designs appealing, but the Barista Pro’s modern aesthetic felt a bit more suited to a professional kitchen setup.

User Interface and Controls: Breville Barista Express Impress vs Pro

In terms of usability, the Barista Pro truly shines. The main advantage of the Pro is its digital display, which gives you real-time feedback on things like grind size, shot time, and temperature. I found it incredibly easy to make adjustments and monitor the brewing process without having to fiddle with knobs or guesswork. If you’re someone who likes to have a bit of control over every step of the coffee-making process, the Barista Pro provides a very user-friendly experience.

On the other hand, the Barista Express Impress has a more traditional control panel with dials and buttons. While functional and reliable, it doesn’t offer the same level of precision or instant feedback as the Barista Pro. The controls are straightforward, but I did feel like I had to spend more time experimenting to get the settings just right. If you're new to espresso-making, it could take a little while to dial in the perfect cup.

Grinding Mechanism: Breville Barista Express Impress vs Pro

Both machines come equipped with built-in grinders, but the grinding experience differs between the two. The Barista Pro features a ceramic burr grinder with 30 grind settings, which allows for fine-tuning the grind size to match your coffee preference. I found this feature particularly useful for experimenting with different types of beans. Whether I was brewing a dark roast or a more delicate light roast, the Barista Pro was able to deliver a consistent grind size that made a noticeable difference in flavor.

In contrast, the Barista Express Impress has a slightly less advanced grinding mechanism. It still offers a built-in grinder, but with fewer grind settings than the Barista Pro. While the Express Impress performs well, the ability to precisely adjust grind size is more limited. For someone who enjoys fine-tuning their coffee to a specific taste profile, the Barista Pro definitely has the edge here.

Heating System: Breville Barista Express Impress vs Pro

Another key difference between these two machines is the heating system. The Barista Pro features Breville’s ThermoJet technology, which heats up the machine in just three seconds. This quick warm-up time is a game-changer when you’re in a rush for that morning espresso. I was pleasantly surprised by how quickly it was ready to go—no waiting around for the machine to heat up.

On the other hand, the Barista Express Impress uses a traditional heating system that takes longer to reach optimal brewing temperature. While it’s not a major inconvenience, I did notice that the Pro’s faster heat-up time made it more efficient, especially during those busy mornings when I needed my coffee quickly.

Milk Frothing: Breville Barista Express Impress vs Pro

If you enjoy milk-based beverages like lattes or cappuccinos, then milk frothing capabilities will be a big factor in your decision. In my experience, the Barista Pro's steam wand is significantly more powerful, with a 4-hole steam tip that creates smoother, finer microfoam. I found it much easier to create café-quality milk textures for my lattes, which made a noticeable difference in the final result.

The Barista Express Impress, while still offering milk frothing capabilities, features a single-hole steam wand, which doesn’t deliver the same quality of microfoam as the Barista Pro. While it’s still functional for making milk-based drinks, I found it a bit more difficult to achieve that rich, velvety texture I prefer for a cappuccino.

Maintenance and Cleaning: Breville Barista Express Impress vs Pro

One thing I really appreciated about the Barista Pro is the automatic cleaning cycle. The machine prompts you when it’s time to clean or descale, making maintenance much easier. I was able to quickly follow the on-screen instructions, and the process was relatively hands-off. This made it more convenient, especially for busy mornings when I didn’t want to spend too much time cleaning.

The Barista Express Impress doesn’t feature the same level of automation. While it’s still relatively easy to maintain, it lacks the helpful prompts and automatic cleaning cycles of the Pro. You’ll need to be more proactive with cleaning, but it’s not too difficult to manage if you’re used to maintaining an espresso machine.

Price Point: Breville Barista Express Impress vs Pro

When it comes to price, the Barista Pro is definitely the more expensive option, reflecting its advanced features and upgraded performance. For those who are willing to invest in a higher-end machine that offers faster heat-up time, better milk frothing, and more precise controls, the Barista Pro might be worth the extra cost.

However, the Barista Express Impress is still a solid option, offering great value for its price. If you’re not as concerned about having the most advanced features and just want a reliable espresso machine, the Express Impress might be more than enough to meet your needs.

Personal Experience and Use Cases: Breville Barista Express Impress vs Pro

After spending several weeks using both machines, I’ve found that the Breville Barista Pro has become my go-to for daily use. The speed and ease of use, especially with the digital display, have made it incredibly convenient for busy mornings. Whether I’m making a single shot of espresso or preparing a cappuccino, the Pro provides a more streamlined, consistent, and enjoyable experience.

That said, the Breville Barista Express Impress still has its merits. If you're just getting started with espresso or don’t mind taking a bit more time to perfect your cup, it’s a great option at a more affordable price. The analog controls can be a bit more hands-on, but they’re also very straightforward, and I found it easy to learn how to use.

Product Review Conclusion: Breville Barista Express Impress vs Pro

After putting both the Breville Barista Express Impress and the Barista Pro through their paces, I can confidently say that the Breville Barista Pro is the superior machine in terms of features, ease of use, and overall performance. The enhanced milk frothing, digital interface, and quicker heat-up time make it a standout choice for coffee enthusiasts who want precision and speed.

However, the Barista Express Impress still holds its ground as a solid espresso machine, especially for those who are just starting their coffee journey or want a simpler machine that doesn’t break the bank. Both machines offer a great coffee experience, but if you value convenience, customization, and top-notch milk frothing, the Barista Pro is the way to go.

Frequently Asked Questions about Breville Barista Express Impress vs Pro

Q: What’s the difference between the Breville Barista Express Impress and the Barista Pro?
A: The main differences between the Breville Barista Express Impress and the Barista Pro are the user interface, milk frothing capabilities, and heating system. The Barista Pro features a digital display for easier adjustments, a faster ThermoJet heating system that heats up in 3 seconds, and a more powerful steam wand for better milk frothing. The Barista Express Impress, while still a solid option, has a more traditional control panel and a single-hole steam wand.

Q: Which machine is better for beginners, the Barista Express Impress or the Barista Pro?
A: If you’re a beginner, the Breville Barista Express Impress might be easier to start with, as it has simpler controls and doesn’t overwhelm you with too many options. However, the Barista Pro, with its digital display and quicker heat-up time, also offers a more user-friendly experience for those who want to explore more customization as they improve their skills.

Q: Does the Breville Barista Pro heat up faster than the Barista Express Impress?
A: Yes, the Barista Pro heats up significantly faster than the Barista Express Impress. Thanks to its ThermoJet technology, the Barista Pro is ready to brew in just 3 seconds, while the Barista Express Impress takes a bit longer to reach optimal brewing temperature.

Q: How is the milk frothing performance on the Breville Barista Express Impress vs Pro?
A: The Breville Barista Pro has a more powerful steam wand, which delivers better milk frothing and creates smoother, finer microfoam suitable for latte art. The Barista Express Impress, with its single-hole steam wand, is less powerful and may not achieve the same quality of microfoam, though it still works for basic milk frothing.

Q: Can I make espresso and milk-based drinks with both machines?
A: Yes, both the Breville Barista Express Impress and the Barista Pro are capable of making espresso, cappuccinos, lattes, and other milk-based drinks. However, the Barista Pro’s steam wand and faster heat-up time make it a better choice for those who frequently enjoy milk-based beverages.

Q: Is the Barista Pro more expensive than the Barista Express Impress?
A: Yes, the Barista Pro is priced higher than the Barista Express Impress. This is due to its advanced features, such as the faster ThermoJet heating system, digital display, and more powerful milk frothing capabilities.

Q: How do I clean the Breville Barista Pro and the Barista Express Impress?
A: Both machines are relatively easy to clean, but the Barista Pro has an advantage with its automatic cleaning cycles and digital display prompts that remind you when it's time to clean or descale. The Barista Express Impress doesn’t have the same level of automation, but it’s still easy to maintain with basic cleaning practices.

Q: Which machine has better grind settings: the Barista Express Impress or the Barista Pro?
A: The Barista Pro offers more grind settings (30) compared to the Barista Express Impress, which gives you finer control over your coffee grind. This extra level of customization allows for a more precise coffee-making experience, especially if you prefer experimenting with different beans and grind sizes.

Q: Can both machines brew at the same time?
A: Both the Barista Express Impress and the Barista Pro can brew espresso and froth milk simultaneously, though the Barista Pro’s faster heat-up time and more powerful steam wand make it a bit quicker at multitasking.

Q: Which machine is better for people who are short on time?
A: If you’re short on time, the Barista Pro is the better option because of its fast 3-second heat-up time, efficient milk frothing capabilities, and user-friendly interface. It allows you to make your coffee faster without sacrificing quality. The Barista Express Impress, while still a good machine, takes longer to heat up and might not be as quick overall.