Breville Barista Express Impress vs Pro

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When I was in the market for a home espresso machine, I found myself torn between two popular options: the Breville Barista Express Impress and the Breville Barista Pro. Both machines promise a high-quality coffee experience but cater to different user preferences and skill levels. After researching and using both, I’ve come to the conclusion that while both are impressive, the Breville Barista Pro is the better choice for those looking for a versatile and faster machine.

Build Quality and Design of Breville Barista Express Impress vs Pro

When I first unboxed the Breville Barista Pro, I immediately noticed its modern design, which features a sleek, angular look and several color options. Compared to the Express Impress, the Pro’s newer chassis is sturdier and more polished, with a retractable power cord and a conveniently located water spout. Meanwhile, the Express Impress follows a traditional design, with a solid build but lacking some of the Pro’s refined finishes and conveniences.

User Experience: Breville Barista Pro vs Barista Express Impress

A standout feature of the Breville Barista Pro is its fast heat-up time. With a 3-second heat-up, I could start my espresso in almost no time, while the Express Impress takes around 45 seconds. This might not seem like much, but it adds up, especially during busy mornings. Additionally, the Pro’s digital interface makes adjusting settings intuitive and easy, allowing me to fine-tune shot times and temperatures without consulting a manual. The Express Impress lacks this interface, making it less user-friendly for on-the-fly adjustments.

Espresso Brewing on Breville Barista Express Impress vs Pro

One of the key factors when comparing the Breville Barista Pro to the Express Impress is the espresso brewing experience. On the Pro, I have full control over the grind size, tamping pressure, and shot settings, which allows me to perfect my espresso. For an experienced user, this freedom is a major benefit, enabling more precise adjustments.

In contrast, the Express Impress includes an intelligent dosing and tamping system, which simplifies the process significantly. I found this feature helpful for beginners, as it takes away some of the trickier aspects of espresso making, like dosing and tamping evenly. The machine remembers the optimal dose after initial adjustments, so anyone can achieve consistent shots. While this feature is convenient, the Pro’s manual controls ultimately allow for better fine-tuning and customization.

Steaming Performance Comparison: Barista Pro vs Barista Express Impress

When it comes to steaming milk, the Breville Barista Pro truly shines. Thanks to its advanced heating system, the Pro heats up in just 3 seconds and quickly reaches steaming temperature, making it ideal for creating microfoam and latte art. For me, the Pro’s faster steaming speed was invaluable when making multiple drinks back-to-back, as it only takes 40 seconds to steam milk.

The Express Impress, on the other hand, takes about 30 seconds to heat up for steaming, and an additional 75 seconds to complete the steaming process. While both machines produce excellent milk foam, the Pro’s efficiency is a significant advantage if you often make lattes or cappuccinos in succession.

Breville Barista Express Impress vs Pro: Espresso Quality

In terms of espresso quality, both machines can produce an impressive shot. However, the Pro’s manual control gives it an edge for those who enjoy experimenting with different grind sizes, doses, and extraction times. With the Pro, I was able to achieve a rich, balanced espresso by making small adjustments to suit each coffee bean’s characteristics. The Express Impress, while user-friendly, doesn’t offer the same level of control, which may be limiting for experienced baristas or those who enjoy tweaking their shots.

The Pro’s lack of an integrated dosing system means you have more control over tamping and distribution, resulting in a richer espresso experience when executed properly. The Express Impress, with its dosing and tamping assistance, is excellent for beginners but may feel restrictive for advanced users.

Which Machine is More Beginner-Friendly: Barista Express Impress vs Pro?

For someone new to espresso, the Barista Express Impress has a lot to offer. The intelligent dosing and tamping system simplifies the process, reducing the margin for error. This feature is a lifesaver if you’re still learning to make espresso, as it ensures you start with the right amount of coffee and an even tamp. The machine even checks for the correct dose before allowing you to brew, making it easier to achieve consistent results.

However, if you’re willing to learn, the Barista Pro allows for more growth in your coffee journey. It doesn’t hold your hand like the Express Impress, but the manual control enables a deeper understanding of espresso making, which can be a rewarding experience in the long run.

Speed and Convenience: Breville Barista Pro vs Express Impress

From my experience, the Pro is significantly faster in terms of both heat-up time and milk steaming, which is ideal for someone who wants to make espresso and milk-based drinks efficiently. The retractable power cord and digital interface further contribute to its convenience, keeping the counter tidy and making navigation straightforward.

The Express Impress, while slower, still delivers a solid coffee experience. Its front-facing water spout and fixed power cord design may be minor inconveniences, but they don’t detract much from the overall user experience. However, if speed and convenience are priorities, the Pro is undoubtedly the better choice.

Which Breville Espresso Machine is Better for You?

After using both machines, I believe the Breville Barista Pro is the better choice for those who want a fast, customizable, and highly capable espresso machine. The Pro’s speed, manual controls, and refined design make it a more versatile option, particularly if you’re willing to spend a little time learning the ins and outs of espresso making.

On the other hand, the Barista Express Impress is perfect for beginners who want a straightforward, consistent espresso-making process. Its dosing and tamping assistance take away some of the more challenging aspects of espresso, making it a great entry point into the world of home espresso.

Product Review Conclusion: Breville Barista Express Impress vs Pro

In conclusion, choosing between the Breville Barista Express Impress and Barista Pro comes down to your skill level and personal preference. The Breville Barista Pro is the clear winner if you prioritize control, speed, and the ability to fine-tune your coffee. With its digital interface, rapid heating, and steaming capabilities, the Pro is ideal for someone who wants a premium, versatile espresso experience.

However, if you’re new to espresso or prefer a simpler, user-friendly machine, the Breville Barista Express Impress is an excellent option. Its intelligent dosing and tamping system make it a breeze to use, providing consistency without the steep learning curve. Both machines are high-quality options, but for those looking to take their home espresso skills to the next level, the Pro stands out as the superior choice.

FAQ about the Breville Barista Express Impress and Breville Barista Pro

Q: What is the main difference between the Breville Barista Express Impress and the Barista Pro?
A: The main difference is in the features and ease of use. The Barista Pro has a faster heat-up time (3 seconds) and a digital interface, allowing for more precise control over shot timing and temperature. The Express Impress, on the other hand, includes an intelligent dosing and tamping system, which simplifies the espresso-making process, making it more beginner-friendly but with fewer customizable options.

Q: Is the Breville Barista Pro worth the higher price compared to the Express Impress?
A: The Breville Barista Pro is worth the extra cost if you value speed, manual control, and versatility in espresso-making. Its faster heating system, digital display, and more customizable options make it ideal for coffee enthusiasts who want a high degree of control. However, if you’re a beginner, the Express Impress may be a better fit due to its automated dosing and tamping, which simplifies the espresso-making process.

Q: Which machine is better for beginners, the Barista Express Impress or the Barista Pro?
A: The Breville Barista Express Impress is generally better for beginners. Its intelligent dosing and tamping system automates much of the process, making it easier for newcomers to achieve consistent results. The Barista Pro, while faster and more customizable, may have a steeper learning curve due to its manual controls.

Q: Can the Breville Barista Pro produce better-tasting espresso than the Express Impress?
A: Both machines can produce high-quality espresso, but the Pro has a slight edge due to its greater customization options. The Pro allows for more precise control over grind size, shot timing, and temperature, enabling experienced users to fine-tune their espresso to their exact preference. The Express Impress is consistent and beginner-friendly but has fewer options for customizing each shot.

Q: Does the Barista Pro take up more counter space than the Barista Express Impress?
A: Both machines are fairly similar in size, but the Pro has a more compact and modern design with a retractable power cord, which can help save some counter space. Both models are suitable for most kitchen counters, but if space is a concern, measure your space to ensure a good fit.

Q: How does the milk frothing performance compare between the Barista Pro and Express Impress?
A: The Barista Pro heats up for steaming in just 3 seconds and can create microfoam more quickly, which is ideal for latte art and preparing multiple drinks in succession. The Express Impress takes about 30 seconds to heat up for steaming and an additional 75 seconds to froth milk, so it’s slower but still produces quality microfoam.

Q: Is maintenance different for the Breville Barista Express Impress and Barista Pro?
A: Maintenance for both machines is quite similar, involving regular cleaning of the drip tray, portafilter, and steam wand. Both machines also have a built-in cleaning alert and require periodic descaling to keep them functioning optimally. However, the Pro’s digital interface provides a bit more clarity on maintenance reminders.

Q: Can I adjust the grind size on both machines?
A: Yes, both the Barista Express Impress and the Barista Pro have built-in grinders with adjustable grind size settings. This allows you to choose a grind that best suits your coffee beans and preferred espresso strength. However, the Pro’s interface allows for more precise adjustments in terms of dose and extraction timing.

Q: Does the Barista Pro come with an automatic dosing and tamping system like the Express Impress?
A: No, the Barista Pro does not have the intelligent dosing and tamping system found in the Express Impress. The Pro requires manual tamping and dosing, which allows for more control but requires more skill. The Express Impress automates these steps, making it easier for beginners.

Q: Which machine is faster to use in the morning rush?
A: The Barista Pro is faster overall, with its 3-second heat-up time and quicker milk steaming. This makes it ideal for those who want to make a quality espresso drink quickly. The Express Impress is a bit slower, with a 45-second heat-up time, but its automated features make it quick to use once it’s ready.

Q: Can I make multiple drinks in a row on the Barista Pro or the Express Impress?
A: Yes, you can make multiple drinks in a row on both machines. However, the Pro is better suited for this, as its fast heat-up time and efficient milk steaming allow for quicker turnaround between drinks. The Express Impress can handle multiple drinks as well, but it may take longer due to its slower heating and steaming times.