Breville Barista Express Impress vs Pro

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As a coffee enthusiast, I’ve spent countless hours testing different espresso machines to find the perfect one for my daily routine. Two models that stood out to me were the Breville Barista Express Impress and the Breville Barista Pro. Both are high-quality machines from a brand renowned for its commitment to coffee excellence, but after a thorough comparison, I’m convinced that the Barista Express Impress is the better choice. Let me take you through the key reasons why I believe this.

Introduction to the Breville Barista Express Impress and Pro

Before diving into the comparison, it's important to understand what each machine brings to the table. Both the Breville Barista Express Impress and the Barista Pro are semi-automatic espresso machines designed to offer an elevated coffee-making experience for home users. They both feature built-in grinders, automatic tamping, and temperature control to ensure a smooth, consistent cup of coffee every time.

However, despite having similar features, there are key differences between the two models that can make one more appealing than the other depending on your needs. I’ll break these down, focusing on the aspects that make the Barista Express Impress the superior option in my opinion.

Ease of Use and Design

When I first unboxed the Barista Express Impress, the first thing that struck me was its sleek, modern design. It’s compact yet robust, which makes it perfect for home kitchens where space might be limited. The design is easy on the eyes, with stainless steel accents that give it a professional look.

In comparison, the Barista Pro, while still visually pleasing, is a bit bulkier. This could be an issue for those who are working with limited counter space. The Barista Express Impress, on the other hand, is well-designed to fit seamlessly into any kitchen, even with a smaller footprint.

The Grinder: A Game-Changer

One of the key components of any espresso machine is the grinder, and the Breville Barista Express Impress takes it to the next level. The machine features a built-in conical burr grinder with 16 grind size settings. This feature allows for precise control over the grind size, ensuring that you can adjust your grind to suit your taste and the type of coffee you're brewing.

The Barista Pro, while also equipped with a conical burr grinder, doesn’t offer the same level of customization. The grind size settings are a bit more limited, and I found that the Express Impress gave me a greater sense of control over my coffee’s flavor profile.

What stood out to me with the Barista Express Impress is the "Impress" function. This unique feature combines automatic grinding and tamping, making it incredibly easy to get a consistent and uniform espresso shot each time. The machine automatically tamps the coffee grounds to the ideal pressure, which is something the Barista Pro doesn't do as seamlessly. This is particularly beneficial for beginners like myself, who might struggle with getting the tamping just right on their own.

Espresso Quality: A Major Difference

When it comes to the final product—the espresso—there's a clear winner in this comparison. The Breville Barista Express Impress delivers a richer, more balanced espresso shot. The machine's precise control over the grind size and tamping pressure, combined with its impressive thermal system, ensures that each shot is brewed to perfection.

On the other hand, while the Barista Pro also makes a great espresso, I found that it sometimes struggled to produce the same level of consistency that the Express Impress does. The Barista Pro’s more manual approach to tamping means that there is more room for error, which can result in an uneven espresso shot if you’re not meticulous about tamping every time.

Milk Frothing: The Same, But Still Impressive

Both the Breville Barista Express Impress and the Barista Pro feature Breville’s signature steam wand, which allows for excellent milk frothing capabilities. This feature is a must-have for anyone who enjoys lattes or cappuccinos, and both machines excel in this department. The steam wand is powerful enough to create rich, velvety milk froth for all your favorite coffee beverages.

However, I noticed that the Barista Express Impress’ steam wand seems to offer slightly more control, making it easier to achieve the perfect microfoam. This subtle advantage gives the Impress the edge in terms of overall performance. That said, the Barista Pro is no slouch, and the difference in frothing quality is minor.

Heating Time: A Quick Winner

When I’m rushing in the morning and craving a cup of coffee, I don’t want to wait around for the machine to heat up. Thankfully, both the Barista Express Impress and the Barista Pro have a relatively quick heat-up time, but the Barista Pro has a slight edge in this area. It takes about 3 seconds to heat up and is ready to brew right away.

However, I didn’t find this to be a significant drawback for the Express Impress. The difference is minimal, and the Barista Express Impress still heats up quickly enough for me to get my caffeine fix without unnecessary delays. In my experience, the speed difference is not a dealbreaker for the Express Impress.

Customization: The Express Impress vs. Pro

When it comes to customization, the Barista Express Impress offers more flexibility, especially for those who enjoy experimenting with different coffee styles. The built-in grinder allows for precise grind settings, and the automatic tamping ensures consistency with each shot. Additionally, the water temperature control is more finely tuned on the Barista Express Impress, giving you the ability to tweak the brewing process to suit your specific preferences.

On the other hand, the Barista Pro is more streamlined and automatic, which can be great for someone who wants a more hands-off approach. However, the lack of advanced customization options means that you're not able to fine-tune the machine as much as you can with the Barista Express Impress.

Price: The Value Proposition

While both the Barista Express Impress and Barista Pro are positioned in a similar price range, the Barista Express Impress offers better value for the features it provides. The combination of the built-in grinder, automatic tamping, precise grind settings, and overall ease of use makes the Express Impress a much more attractive option.

Considering that the Barista Pro comes at a comparable price point but with fewer customization options, I feel that the Barista Express Impress offers a more well-rounded, feature-packed experience for the price.

Durability and Build Quality

In terms of build quality, both the Barista Express Impress and the Barista Pro are durable machines that are built to last. The stainless steel construction ensures that these machines can withstand the rigors of daily use. The Barista Express Impress, however, feels slightly sturdier due to its more solid build, making it a better long-term investment in my opinion.

The Convenience Factor

One of the reasons I personally find the Barista Express Impress to be such a standout option is the convenience it provides. As someone who is often short on time but still wants a quality espresso, the "Impress" feature was a game-changer. This automatic tamping system took the guesswork out of the process and allowed me to focus more on enjoying my coffee instead of worrying about whether I had tamped correctly.

While I enjoy the ritual of making espresso, having a machine that can make the process more efficient without compromising on quality is a huge win. I found that the Barista Pro required a little more attention to detail, especially when it came to tamping, and while that’s ideal for someone who loves perfecting their technique, it’s not always practical on busy mornings.

Long-Term Value

I’ve been using the Breville Barista Express Impress for several months now, and I can honestly say that it has been a reliable workhorse in my kitchen. The consistency of the espresso shots, coupled with the ease of use, has made it my go-to machine for daily brewing. Plus, the fact that it can handle everything from grind size to tamping with ease means that it’s perfect for both beginners and experienced coffee makers alike.

The Barista Pro, while still a fantastic machine, didn’t feel quite as durable over time. The more hands-on nature of the machine sometimes led to inconsistency, and I found myself cleaning and adjusting it more frequently than the Express Impress.

Final Thoughts: Why the Barista Express Impress Is the Winner

After using both the Breville Barista Express Impress and the Barista Pro, it’s clear to me that the Barista Express Impress is the superior machine. The automatic tamping, advanced customization options, and precise control over the espresso-making process make it the perfect choice for both beginners and seasoned coffee enthusiasts. While the Barista Pro is a fantastic machine, it just doesn’t offer the same level of flexibility and consistency that the Barista Express Impress does.

If you’re looking for an espresso machine that combines ease of use with the ability to experiment and craft the perfect cup of coffee, the Breville Barista Express Impress should be your go-to choice. It’s an investment that will elevate your coffee-making experience to a whole new level.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What’s the main difference between the Breville Barista Express Impress and the Barista Pro?
A: The main difference is that the Barista Express Impress features automatic tamping, which makes it easier to achieve consistent results. The Barista Pro, while offering great performance, requires more manual intervention for tamping and lacks the Impress function. Additionally, the Barista Express Impress offers more customization options for grind size and water temperature.

Q: Is the Barista Express Impress suitable for beginners?
A: Yes, the Barista Express Impress is highly suitable for beginners. The automatic tamping system helps ensure consistency, and the machine is relatively easy to use compared to other espresso machines. It allows beginners to make great coffee with less effort, while still providing room for customization as they gain experience.

Q: Does the Barista Pro heat up faster than the Barista Express Impress?
A: Yes, the Barista Pro heats up a bit faster, taking around 3 seconds to reach the ideal brewing temperature. However, the difference in heat-up time is minimal, and the Barista Express Impress still heats up quickly enough for most users, so it isn’t a major concern.

Q: Can I make lattes and cappuccinos with both machines?
A: Yes, both the Barista Express Impress and the Barista Pro are equipped with powerful steam wands that allow you to make rich, velvety froth for lattes, cappuccinos, and other milk-based coffee drinks. The Barista Express Impress may offer slightly more control over frothing, but both machines perform well in this regard.

Q: How easy is it to clean the Barista Express Impress?
A: The Barista Express Impress is relatively easy to clean. It features a self-cleaning function for the steam wand, and the drip tray, portafilter, and water tank are easy to remove and clean. Regular maintenance, such as cleaning the grinder and descaling the machine, is necessary to keep it in optimal condition.

Q: Is the Barista Express Impress durable?
A: Yes, the Barista Express Impress is built with stainless steel, which provides excellent durability. The machine is designed to withstand daily use, and with proper maintenance, it should last for many years. Its solid build makes it a reliable investment for home espresso enthusiasts.

Q: Can I adjust the grind size on both machines?
A: Yes, both the Barista Express Impress and the Barista Pro feature conical burr grinders with adjustable grind sizes. However, the Barista Express Impress offers more grind size settings, providing you with more control over your espresso's flavor profile.