Breville Barista Express Impress vs Pro

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As someone who loves coffee and has a deep appreciation for well-brewed espresso, I’ve spent quite a bit of time experimenting with various espresso machines. The Breville Barista Express Impress and Breville Barista Pro have both found their way into my kitchen, and I’ve spent enough time with each to form a solid opinion about them.

I’ll be honest—when I first started using both machines, I had high expectations. I wanted something that could deliver café-quality espresso, with a consistent shot every time. After testing both models side by side for several weeks, I’ve come to a conclusion: the Barista Express Impress is the better machine for me—and I think it might be the better option for many home coffee enthusiasts as well.

While both machines are excellent in their own right, it’s the Express Impress that stood out in terms of ease of use, espresso quality, and overall user experience. In this article, I’ll walk you through my experience with both machines, highlighting the key features and differences, so you can make an informed decision about which one best suits your needs.

The Experience of Using the Barista Express Impress

When I first unboxed the Barista Express Impress, I was immediately impressed by the build quality. The brushed stainless steel gives it a premium feel, and it looks right at home on any kitchen counter. But what really struck me was how easy it was to get started. I’m not a professional barista—just someone who loves a good espresso—but the Express Impress felt like it was designed for someone like me.

The standout feature for me was the Impress Puck System. I’ve never been great at tamping. My previous machine, which didn’t have this feature, often left me frustrated as I tried to perfect my technique. With the Impress, tamping became effortless. The machine automatically applies the right amount of pressure, creating a consistent puck every time. This makes a huge difference in the final shot.

After brewing my first shot, I was hooked. The espresso was smooth, balanced, and had a perfect crema on top. I found that the machine delivered excellent results time after time, without requiring much attention to detail. This was a game-changer for me.

Exploring the Barista Pro: A More Manual Approach

After spending some time with the Express Impress, I decided to switch gears and dive into the Barista Pro. The first thing I noticed was the difference in controls. The Pro has a sleek LCD display that gives you more options for customizing your brew. It certainly feels like a more advanced machine, and there’s something satisfying about having more control over the process.

However, this added control comes with its own challenges. The Pro doesn’t have the same automatic tamping system as the Express Impress, so you need to manually tamp the coffee to ensure an even shot. For someone like me who doesn’t have a barista background, this was a bit tricky. I had to spend more time adjusting the grind size, tamp pressure, and dose to get everything just right. While the espresso quality was still very good, I found that I could get inconsistent results without putting in extra effort.

Grind Quality and Consistency: How the Express Impress Holds Up

One of the things I appreciate about both machines is the built-in grinders. Using freshly ground coffee is a must for a great espresso shot, and having an integrated grinder ensures that I’m always brewing with the freshest possible beans.

Both the Express Impress and Barista Pro feature conical burr grinders with a range of settings, allowing you to adjust the grind size to suit your preference. However, I found that the Express Impress was easier to dial in. The 25 grind settings provided enough flexibility, but I didn’t feel like I had to tweak them constantly to get a good shot.

With the Barista Pro, I did notice a slight learning curve when adjusting the grind size and dose to achieve optimal results. It took a bit longer for me to get consistent, high-quality shots, especially because I had to manually tamp each shot.

For someone who wants a reliable espresso machine without spending a lot of time experimenting with settings, I found that the Express Impress was much more straightforward.

Milk Frothing: A Comparison Between the Two

As a fan of lattes and cappuccinos, milk frothing is an essential part of my espresso experience. Both the Barista Pro and Express Impress have steam wands that allow you to froth milk, but there are some subtle differences in how they perform.

The Barista Pro heats up incredibly quickly, thanks to its ThermoJet system. If you’re someone who’s always in a rush in the morning, this quick heat-up time is definitely a plus. The steam wand also works great for frothing milk to a silky texture, perfect for latte art.

The Express Impress, while slightly slower to heat up, still produces excellent microfoam. I found that it was just as capable of frothing milk to the consistency I prefer for lattes and cappuccinos. While I didn’t notice a huge difference in milk texture between the two machines, the Express Impress did win in terms of ease of use. The steam wand was slightly easier to handle and control.

For someone who enjoys a good latte but doesn’t want to spend too much time perfecting their frothing technique, the Express Impress is the better option.

Why I Prefer the Breville Barista Express Impress

After using both machines extensively, I’ve found that the Barista Express Impress is the one I reach for most often. Here’s why:

1. Consistency: The automatic tamping system takes all the guesswork out of the process, allowing me to consistently brew great espresso without putting in extra effort.
2. Ease of Use: While the Barista Pro has more features, I appreciate how user-friendly the Express Impress is. It’s simple to use and doesn’t overwhelm me with too many options.
3. Value for Money: The Express Impress offers excellent espresso quality, automatic tamping, and a great grinder all at a lower price point than the Pro.

For anyone who wants an espresso machine that delivers great results without requiring a lot of effort, the Barista Express Impress is a great choice.

Product Review Conclusion: Breville Barista Express Impress vs Pro

If you’re looking for a machine that offers excellent espresso with minimal fuss, the Breville Barista Express Impress is the way to go. It’s perfect for beginners or anyone who wants consistent, high-quality shots with less time and effort.

On the other hand, if you’re someone who enjoys experimenting with different settings and prefers more manual control, the Barista Pro could be a better fit. It offers more advanced features and customization options, but it does require more attention to detail to achieve the perfect shot.

Ultimately, my personal experience with both machines has made it clear that the Barista Express Impress is the winner for me. It’s easy to use, delivers great espresso, and doesn’t require a steep learning curve. Whether you’re a seasoned coffee lover or just starting your espresso journey, I believe the Express Impress is a solid investment that won’t disappoint.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the main difference between the Breville Barista Express Impress and the Barista Pro?
A: The main difference is that the Barista Express Impress features an automatic tamping system, making it easier for beginners to get consistent shots. The Barista Pro, on the other hand, requires manual tamping, which gives more control but can be more challenging for new users. Additionally, the Pro has a faster heat-up time with its ThermoJet system, while the Express Impress is a bit slower but still delivers great results.

Q: Is the Breville Barista Express Impress easy to use for beginners?
A: Yes, the Barista Express Impress is designed with ease of use in mind. Its automatic tamping system takes the guesswork out of the process, making it much easier for beginners to brew consistent, high-quality espresso without needing to master the tamping technique.

Q: Can I make lattes and cappuccinos with the Breville Barista Express Impress?
A: Absolutely! The Express Impress has a steam wand that allows you to froth milk for lattes, cappuccinos, and other milk-based drinks. It’s easy to use and creates silky, creamy microfoam for your coffee beverages.

Q: How long does it take for the Breville Barista Express Impress to heat up?
A: The Express Impress typically takes around 30 seconds to heat up, which is slightly slower than the Barista Pro. However, the difference is minimal, and it’s still quite fast for a home espresso machine.

Q: Is the Breville Barista Express Impress better for home use than the Barista Pro?
A: For most home users, the Barista Express Impress is the better choice. Its automatic tamping system makes it easier for beginners to get great espresso without a steep learning curve. The Pro offers more customization options, but it requires more effort and skill to use effectively.

Q: Does the Breville Barista Express Impress have a built-in grinder?
A: Yes, the Express Impress comes with a high-quality conical burr grinder built right into the machine. It provides fresh coffee grounds for each shot, ensuring the best possible espresso flavor.

Q: Can I adjust the grind size on the Breville Barista Express Impress?
A: Yes, the Barista Express Impress features 25 grind settings, allowing you to adjust the grind size to suit your preferences. This makes it easy to dial in the perfect grind for your espresso shots.

Q: Does the Breville Barista Express Impress make good espresso?
A: Yes, the Express Impress produces excellent espresso. Thanks to its automatic tamping system, consistent dose, and well-designed grinder, it delivers smooth, balanced shots with a rich crema every time.