Breville Barista Express Impress vs Pro

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As someone who loves coffee, I’ve spent quite a bit of time trying different machines, looking for the perfect blend of ease of use, consistency, and espresso quality. Over the past few months, I’ve had the chance to use both the Breville Barista Pro and the Barista Express Impress, and I can confidently say that the Barista Pro has emerged as my favorite. In this article, I’ll dive into the details of both machines and explain why the Barista Pro is the better choice for me, based on my personal experiences.

Design and Build Quality

When it comes to choosing a coffee machine, I find that design plays a significant role. Both the Barista Pro and the Barista Express Impress are well-built machines, but they each have their own aesthetic appeal. The Barista Pro features a sleek, modern design with a robust feel and curved lines that make it stand out. It looks great on my countertop and blends well with the rest of my kitchen appliances. The finish options, like stainless steel and Damson Blue, allow me to personalize my coffee station.

On the other hand, the Barista Express Impress has a more traditional, boxy design. While it’s sturdy and functional, it doesn’t have the same refined look and feel that the Barista Pro offers. The Pro’s design makes it feel like a more advanced machine, and I personally enjoy having a coffee maker that not only performs well but also looks appealing.

User Experience: Ease of Use

If you're like me and enjoy brewing coffee every morning, the Barista Pro will feel like a natural fit. One of the most significant advantages of this machine is its 3-second heat-up time. Every morning, I love being able to start making my coffee quickly, especially on busy mornings when I’m rushing to get out the door. The Barista Pro heats up so fast, which means I never have to wait long before I’m able to pull my first shot of espresso.

The Barista Express Impress, on the other hand, takes around 45 seconds to heat up, which is still fast but feels longer when you’re used to the Pro’s speed. In my experience, having a quick startup time has been a major convenience and one of the reasons I gravitate toward the Barista Pro every day.

Another feature I appreciate is the intuitive digital display on the Barista Pro. It’s easy to navigate, and I can adjust things like brew temperature and shot time without any confusion. The display provides helpful feedback, which is great for someone like me who likes to experiment with different coffee beans and settings. The Barista Express Impress doesn’t have a digital display, and while it’s still fairly easy to use, the manual adjustments aren’t as precise or as streamlined.

Espresso Brewing Performance

As a coffee lover, the quality of the espresso is, of course, one of the most important factors when choosing a machine. Both the Barista Pro and the Barista Express Impress are capable of delivering good espresso, but I’ve found that the Pro consistently provides superior results.

The Pro uses Breville’s ThermoJet heating system, which ensures that the water temperature remains stable throughout the extraction process. This consistency is key to pulling a great shot. Whether I’m using light or dark roast coffee, I’ve found that the Barista Pro extracts the flavors evenly, producing a smooth shot of espresso with rich crema.

In contrast, the Barista Express Impress, while good, doesn’t provide the same level of consistency. The automated tamping system is convenient, but it can sometimes lead to shots that are slightly uneven in flavor, especially when using beans with different roast profiles. For someone who values precision in their espresso shots, the Pro’s ability to fine-tune variables like grind size, dosing, and tamping is a big advantage.

Grinder and Bean Preparation

The integrated grinder in both machines is a crucial component, and I’ve spent a lot of time comparing how each one performs. The Barista Pro features a built-in conical burr grinder, which allows me to grind fresh beans every time I brew. I’ve noticed that the grinder on the Pro delivers a more consistent grind size compared to the Barista Express Impress. This is important because the grind size directly affects the extraction and the overall quality of the espresso shot.

The Barista Express Impress also has a burr grinder, but I find that the grind quality isn’t always as even as the Pro’s. For someone like me who enjoys experimenting with different coffee beans and finding the perfect grind size, the Pro provides the flexibility to really dial in my preferences.

Milk Frothing and Latte Art

I’ve always enjoyed making cappuccinos and lattes at home, and both machines come with a steam wand for frothing milk. The Barista Pro's steam wand is impressive—it’s powerful and easy to control, allowing me to create velvety microfoam for lattes and cappuccinos. The Pro's steam wand heats milk quickly, and I can easily adjust the texture to suit my taste.

The Barista Express Impress also performs well with its steam wand, but I find that it’s not as powerful or quick as the one on the Pro. If you’re someone who enjoys making latte art, the Pro gives you more control over the milk texture, helping you achieve better results when steaming.

Maintenance and Cleaning

Both machines require regular maintenance, but I find that the Barista Pro makes it easier. The Pro has a handy cleaning prompt on its display, which reminds me when it’s time to clean the group head, water filter, or steam wand. The cleaning process is straightforward, and I’ve found it to be less of a chore compared to other machines I’ve used.

The Barista Express Impress does require cleaning too, but without the digital prompts, it’s easy to forget or overlook some of the necessary tasks. While the Express Impress is still relatively easy to maintain, the Pro’s automatic reminders and more accessible design make it a more user-friendly option in this regard.

Conclusion: The Better Choice for Me

After spending several months with both the Breville Barista Pro and Barista Express Impress, it’s clear to me that the Barista Pro is the better option. Its quick heat-up time, superior brewing consistency, user-friendly interface, and improved milk frothing capabilities make it the more reliable machine for daily use. Whether you’re a seasoned coffee enthusiast or just starting to explore the world of espresso, the Barista Pro offers more control and flexibility in crafting the perfect cup. For me, it has truly enhanced my coffee experience. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What’s the main difference between the Breville Barista Pro and the Barista Express Impress?
A: The main difference is in the heat-up time and user experience. The Barista Pro heats up in just 3 seconds, while the Barista Express Impress takes around 45 seconds. The Pro also features a more modern design with a digital display for easier control, while the Express Impress uses more manual adjustments.

Q: Is the Barista Pro easier to use than the Barista Express Impress?
A: Yes, the Barista Pro is generally easier to use, especially for those who enjoy more precision in their coffee-making process. It has a digital display that simplifies adjusting settings, and its faster heat-up time makes the entire process more convenient.

Q: Can I make latte art with both machines?
A: Yes, you can make latte art with both machines. However, the Barista Pro’s steam wand is more powerful, which allows for better milk texture and control, making it easier to create high-quality latte art compared to the Barista Express Impress.

Q: How consistent are the espresso shots with each machine?
A: The Barista Pro delivers more consistent espresso shots due to its precise temperature control and even grind size from the built-in grinder. The Barista Express Impress is still good, but it can be less consistent, especially if the beans or grind size vary.

Q: Is the Barista Pro suitable for beginners?
A: Yes, the Barista Pro is suitable for beginners. The digital display simplifies the brewing process, and while it offers more customization, the interface makes it easy for anyone to get started with making espresso.

Q: Does the Barista Pro require a lot of maintenance?
A: Both machines require regular maintenance, but the Barista Pro makes it easier with automatic cleaning prompts on the digital display. This helps remind you when it’s time to clean the group head, steam wand, or water filter.

Q: What’s the advantage of the Barista Pro’s grinder over the Express Impress?
A: The Barista Pro’s grinder is more consistent, which helps in extracting a better, more balanced shot of espresso. The grinder on the Express Impress, while still good, can sometimes produce uneven grinds, affecting the quality of the espresso shot.

Q: Does the Barista Pro take up more counter space than the Barista Express Impress?
A: The Barista Pro is slightly larger due to its advanced features and digital display, but it’s still compact enough to fit on most countertops. The Barista Express Impress is similarly sized but has a more traditional, bulkier design.