Breville Barista Express Impress vs Pro

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As someone who’s been brewing coffee for years, I’ve used my fair share of espresso machines. From entry-level models to more advanced machines, I’ve seen the evolution of coffee technology and have a pretty good sense of what works. When I first got my hands on the Breville Barista Express Impress, I had high expectations—after all, Breville is known for delivering great quality. But I wasn’t just interested in how it looked on paper; I wanted to see how it performed in real-life, day in and day out. Having used it for several months now, I can confidently say that this machine is a keeper. It ticks off all the right boxes for me and has made my daily coffee routine much more enjoyable. Here’s why I think the Barista Express Impress outperforms the Barista Pro, and why it could be the right choice for you too.

Design and Build Quality: A Machine that Feels Solid

When I first unpacked the Barista Express Impress, I was immediately impressed by its build quality. I’ve owned my share of machines that feel flimsy or light, but this one has a solid, premium feel. The stainless steel body is both sleek and sturdy, and it sits comfortably on my kitchen counter without feeling out of place. Compared to the Barista Pro, which is also built well, the Impress just feels like it has a bit more heft, making it feel more professional.

One of the things I really appreciate is the machine’s footprint. It's compact enough to fit on my counter, yet spacious enough to hold everything you need for an excellent coffee-making experience. Whether I’m pulling a quick espresso shot or making a latte, I never feel cramped for space. 

Grinder Performance: A Key to Quality Espresso

Let’s talk about what makes or breaks an espresso machine—the grinder. If you’re anything like me, you know that a good grind is essential for pulling great espresso. The Barista Express Impress comes with an updated grinder that really caught my attention. What I love about it is how consistent it is, which is critical when you’re trying to get that perfect shot.

The Impress Grind system offers a more precise and even grind than the one in the Barista Pro, which I noticed right away. With the Pro, I found myself needing to adjust the grind settings a bit more often to achieve consistency. But with the Impress, it’s as if the machine knows exactly what it’s doing, delivering the right grind every time. That’s a big deal for someone like me who values both quality and efficiency in the morning.

Ease of Use: Simplified Brewing with Consistency

One of the things that stood out to me when I first started using the Barista Express Impress is how user-friendly it is. As someone who loves coffee but doesn’t always have time to get into the nitty-gritty of brewing, I appreciate that the Impress takes a lot of the guesswork out of the process. The automatic grind dosing and the auto-tamping feature, in particular, have been lifesavers.

I’ve had espresso machines in the past where I had to manually tamp each shot, trying to get the right pressure. It was tedious and often didn’t lead to the best results. With the Impress, the tamping is done for me, ensuring consistency with every shot. And with its easy-to-navigate interface, I never feel overwhelmed by complicated settings. The digital display is intuitive, showing me everything I need to know, from grind size to extraction time. It’s these little features that make my daily coffee-making experience so much more enjoyable. 

Grinder Performance

A critical component of any espresso machine is its grinder, and the Barista Pro does not disappoint in this area. The integrated grinder in the Pro model delivers a consistent grind size with minimal retention, ensuring that each shot is as fresh as possible. The grind size selector is easily adjustable via the digital interface, allowing me to experiment with different settings to match my preferred brewing method.

On the other hand, the Barista Express's grinder, while competent, tends to be noisier and slower. It also holds onto more grounds, which can affect the freshness of subsequent grinds. This difference becomes noticeable when brewing multiple cups in a short period, as the Pro maintains its performance without compromising on grind consistency. 

Temperature Control

Temperature control is paramount for extracting the best flavors from coffee beans, and the Barista Pro excels in this department. The precise temperature control system ensures that the water is always at the optimal temperature for espresso extraction, which is crucial for achieving a balanced and flavorful shot.

The Barista Express, while adequately managing temperature, lacks the same level of precision. This can lead to slight inconsistencies in flavor, especially when making multiple drinks consecutively. The Pro's ability to maintain a stable temperature throughout the brewing process contributes significantly to the superior taste of its espresso.

Steaming Performance: Perfect Milk Froth Every Time

For me, one of the key factors in choosing an espresso machine is how well it froths milk. I love making lattes, and I’m picky about the texture of the milk. The Barista Express Impress does an excellent job at this. The steam wand is powerful and quick, which is something I really appreciate during busy mornings. The Impress consistently produces smooth, creamy microfoam with ease, even if I’m not always the most precise with my frothing technique.

In comparison, the Barista Pro is also good at steaming milk, but I find it takes a bit longer to achieve the same quality of froth. The steam wand on the Pro is a little less powerful, and it requires more attention to get the right texture. For anyone who enjoys milk-based drinks and prefers a more hands-off experience, the Impress definitely offers a more efficient steaming process.

Cleanliness and Maintenance: Keeping Things Simple

Cleaning an espresso machine is never the most fun task, but it’s a necessary part of maintaining good performance. Both the Barista Express Impress and Barista Pro come with built-in cleaning cycles that make maintenance easier, but I’ve found that the Impress goes a step further. The auto-cleaning feature for the group head and portafilter is really helpful—it reduces the amount of time I have to spend wiping down the machine after every use.

Another important aspect is the water filter system, which the Impress has in place to prevent scale build-up. This helps to extend the life of the machine, and over time, I’ve noticed my coffee tasting better because of it. While the Barista Pro does have a water filter, it doesn’t offer the same level of protection against build-up, which means I’m less likely to need frequent descaling. 

Price vs Performance: Is It Worth It?

The Breville Barista Express Impress is priced a bit higher than the Barista Pro, which might make some people hesitate. I get it—no one wants to spend more than necessary, especially when both machines deliver great results. But in my opinion, the Impress justifies the extra cost. The added features, like the improved grinder, automatic tamping, and more powerful steam wand, make a real difference in the overall quality of the coffee.

As someone who drinks espresso every day, the Barista Express Impress has improved my coffee routine significantly. I’m getting better shots with less effort, and that’s worth the investment for me. While the Pro is an excellent machine, if you’re someone who values precision and convenience, the Impress is the clear winner.

Conclusion: A Great Investment for Coffee Lovers

If you're serious about making café-quality espresso at home, the Breville Barista Express Impress is an excellent choice. Whether you're new to espresso machines or have experience with more complex setups, this machine offers something for everyone. It delivers consistent, high-quality results, simplifies the brewing process, and offers great value for the price. While the Barista Pro is also a strong contender, the Impress’s upgraded features and ease of use make it my top pick. If you're looking for a machine that balances performance with convenience, the Barista Express Impress is definitely worth considering.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What’s the difference between the Breville Barista Express Impress and the Breville Barista Pro?
A: The primary difference between the two machines is in the grinder and ease of use. The Barista Express Impress features an improved, more consistent grinder with automatic grind dosing and an auto-tamping system, making it more user-friendly and precise. The Barista Pro, while still excellent, requires more manual adjustments and doesn’t have the same level of automation.

Q: How does the steam performance compare between the two machines?
A: The Barista Express Impress offers a more powerful and efficient steam wand, making it quicker and easier to achieve the perfect milk froth. The Barista Pro’s steam wand is also good but takes a little longer and requires more attention to achieve the same level of microfoam.

Q: Is the Breville Barista Express Impress easier to use for beginners?
A: Yes, the Barista Express Impress is more beginner-friendly due to its automatic grind dosing, auto-tamping system, and easy-to-use digital display. It takes a lot of the guesswork out of brewing, ensuring consistent results with minimal effort, which is especially helpful for those new to espresso making.

Q: How often do I need to clean the Breville Barista Express Impress?
A: Both machines feature built-in cleaning cycles, but the Barista Express Impress includes an auto-cleaning system for the portafilter and group head, which reduces the amount of manual maintenance needed. You should clean the machine regularly, especially the milk wand, to maintain its performance and taste quality.

Q: Is the Breville Barista Express Impress worth the extra cost compared to the Barista Pro?
A: For many users, yes. The extra features like the improved grinder, auto-tamping, and more powerful steam wand make the Impress a more convenient and consistent option, which justifies its slightly higher price. If you value automation and ease of use, the Impress is a great investment.

Q: Can I make other coffee drinks besides espresso with the Barista Express Impress?
A: Absolutely! The Barista Express Impress allows you to make a wide variety of coffee drinks, including lattes, cappuccinos, and americanos. With its powerful steam wand, you can easily froth milk for your favorite espresso-based beverages.