Breville Barista Express vs. Barista Touch: A Comparison

If you’re passionate about making high-quality coffee at home, you’ve likely encountered the Breville Barista Express and Breville Barista Touch espresso machines. Both models offer excellent performance and are designed to bring café-quality espresso to your kitchen, but they cater to slightly different needs and preferences. The Barista Express is known for its simplicity and reliability, making it an ideal choice for those who want a straightforward espresso-making experience. Meanwhile, the Barista Touch stands out with its advanced features, including a touchscreen interface, automatic milk frothing, and a higher level of customization. In this guide, we’ll dive into a detailed comparison of these two popular machines to help you decide which one best fits your coffee-making style and budget.

1. Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine

The Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine is a top-tier option for coffee enthusiasts who want to experience high-quality espresso at home. With its built-in precision conical burr grinder, this machine ensures that each shot of espresso is made with freshly ground beans. The integrated grinder is easy to control, allowing users to adjust the grind size to match their preferences. One of the standout features of the Barista Express is its low-pressure pre-infusion system, which gradually increases pressure to ensure even extraction, resulting in a balanced and flavorful cup of coffee. Additionally, the machine offers precise temperature control with its PID system, ensuring optimal extraction every time.

While the Breville Barista Express delivers exceptional performance and ease of use, it is not without its drawbacks. Some users have reported issues with the grinder, either not functioning properly or failing prematurely, which can be frustrating given its key role in the brewing process. Despite this, the overall design, which includes a manual steam wand for milk texturing and a user-friendly control panel, makes it a great choice for those looking to replicate café-quality espresso drinks at home.

Key Features, Pros, and Cons

Key Features:

1. Integrated conical burr grinder with grind size control.
2. Low-pressure pre-infusion for balanced flavor extraction.
3. PID-controlled digital temperature for precise brewing.
4. Manual steam wand for milk texturing and latte art.
5. Comes with a range of accessories including portafilter, tamper, and cleaning tools.

Pros:

1. Excellent espresso quality with consistent extraction.
2. Easy-to-use control panel and intuitive settings.
3. Built-in grinder saves time and provides fresh grounds.
4. Stylish and durable brushed stainless steel design.
5. Includes comprehensive accessories for convenience.

Cons:

1. Some reports of the grinder malfunctioning or failing prematurely.

2. Breville Barista Touch Espresso Machine

The Breville Barista Touch Espresso Machine is a great option for anyone looking to make professional-quality coffee at home. It is equipped with a high-quality integrated burr grinder, which offers 30 precise grind settings, giving users the flexibility to adjust their grind to suit different coffee beans. The machine’s 1680-watt heating system ensures rapid warm-up times, allowing for a quick espresso shot with minimal wait. One of the standout features of this model is its easy-to-use touch screen display, which makes it simple for beginners to master espresso-making. The machine also includes programmable settings, enabling you to fine-tune your coffee preferences with ease.

While the Breville Barista Touch delivers a great coffee experience, some users have mixed opinions on its overall value for money. The machine is quite large and may take up considerable counter space, which could be a concern for smaller kitchens. Additionally, although the machine is easy to use and clean, a few users have noted that the tamping process with the manual magnetic tamper can be less than ideal, particularly for those unfamiliar with the art of espresso.

Key Features, Pros, and Cons

Key Features:

1. Integrated burr grinder with 30 precision grind settings.
2. Programmable settings for personalized coffee preferences.
3. Touchscreen display for easy navigation.
4. Includes a manual magnetic tamper for tamping the coffee grounds.
5. 1680-watt heating system for rapid warm-up.

Pros:

1. Simple and intuitive to use, perfect for beginners.
2. Customizable settings for tailored coffee flavors.
3. Easy to clean and maintain.
4. Sleek and modern brushed stainless steel design.
5. Integrated grinder saves time and effort compared to manual grinding.

Cons:

1. Larger size may be too bulky for small kitchens.

Breville Barista Express vs. Breville Barista Touch: A Comprehensive Comparison

When it comes to home espresso machines, the Breville Barista Express and the Breville Barista Touch are two of the most popular options on the market. Both machines are known for delivering high-quality coffee, but they come with different features, designs, and price points.

Grinder and Grind Settings

Both the Breville Barista Express and the Barista Touch come with an integrated burr grinder, which is essential for producing fresh, flavorful espresso. However, they differ in terms of grind settings and customization options.

The Breville Barista Express features a precision conical burr grinder with adjustable grind size settings. While it offers good control over grind size, it only provides 18 grind settings, making it slightly less customizable compared to the Barista Touch. Users who prefer a simpler machine with fewer settings may find the Barista Express sufficient for their needs.

On the other hand, the Breville Barista Touch features a more advanced integrated burr grinder with 30 precision grind settings. This allows for finer adjustments, making it ideal for those who like to experiment with different grind sizes based on the type of beans they’re using. The extra grind settings give users greater flexibility to fine-tune their espresso shots.

Feature	Barista Express	Barista Touch
Grind Settings	18 grind settings	30 grind settings
Grinder Type	Precision conical burr grinder	Hardened steel conical burr grinder

Ease of Use and Controls

One of the standout features of the Breville Barista Express is its simple, user-friendly design. The machine has analog dial controls, which make it intuitive for users to adjust the grind amount, tamp, and shot volume. It’s a great option for those who appreciate straightforward control but may not need advanced features like a touchscreen.

In contrast, the Breville Barista Touch features a modern, intuitive touchscreen display. The touchscreen makes it incredibly easy to navigate settings, choose between espresso, cappuccino, or latte, and adjust grind settings or milk frothing preferences. Additionally, the Barista Touch offers programmable settings, allowing you to save your coffee preferences for later use. For beginners or those looking for a more streamlined espresso experience, the Barista Touch offers a significant advantage with its touchscreen interface.

Milk Frothing and Texturing

Both machines come equipped with a steam wand for milk frothing, but there are key differences in performance and ease of use.

The Breville Barista Express features a traditional steam wand that allows for manual milk texturing. While this gives users the freedom to create their own microfoam, it requires a bit more skill and practice to achieve consistent results. This might be challenging for beginners or those who want quick and easy frothing.

The Breville Barista Touch, however, comes with a more advanced automatic milk frothing system. The steam wand in the Barista Touch has a more powerful performance and is designed to create high-quality microfoam with less effort. The automatic system provides users with a consistent frothing experience and even allows for the creation of latte art with minimal skill required. It’s an ideal choice for users who want a more hands-off experience while still getting café-quality milk froth.

Size and Build Quality

Both the Barista Express and the Barista Touch have a similar build quality, with brushed stainless steel finishes that offer durability and a premium look. However, they differ in size.

The Barista Express is slightly more compact, measuring 12.5″ W x 13.8″ D x 15.9″ H. This makes it a great choice for users who have limited counter space but still want to enjoy high-quality espresso. Despite its compact size, it comes with a sizable 67 oz water tank and a 1/2 lb bean hopper.

On the other hand, the Barista Touch is slightly larger, measuring 15.5″ W x 12.7″ D x 16″ H. While it offers more features and an enhanced touchscreen display, it may take up more counter space. It also includes a larger water tank and a bean hopper with a similar capacity as the Barista Express.

Feature	Barista Express	Barista Touch
Dimensions (WxDxH)	12.5″ x 13.8″ x 15.9″	15.5″ x 12.7″ x 16″
Water Tank Capacity	67 oz	85 oz
Bean Hopper Capacity	1/2 lb	1/2 lb

Price and Value for Money

The Breville Barista Express tends to be more affordable than the Breville Barista Touch. As a result, it offers great value for those who are looking for an espresso machine with a built-in grinder but don’t need the advanced features of the Barista Touch.

The Breville Barista Touch, while more expensive, justifies its higher price with its additional features, including the touchscreen display, more customizable grind settings, and automatic milk frothing system. For users who prioritize convenience and a high-tech experience, the Barista Touch might be worth the extra investment.

FAQ

What is the difference between the Breville Barista Express and Barista Touch?

The main difference between the Breville Barista Express and Barista Touch lies in their level of technology and customization. The Barista Express features analog controls with fewer grind settings (18 options) and relies on manual steam wand frothing. It’s a more traditional and budget-friendly option, perfect for those who enjoy hands-on espresso preparation. On the other hand, the Barista Touch offers a more advanced experience with a touchscreen interface, 30 grind settings, and automatic milk frothing. It’s ideal for users who want a more automated process with additional features for ease of use and customization.

Is the Breville Barista Touch worth the higher price?

The Breville Barista Touch justifies its higher price through its enhanced features, such as the touchscreen display, customizable grind settings, and automatic milk frothing. For users who value convenience, precision, and a more modern design, the Barista Touch is worth the extra investment. The ability to program your coffee preferences and the automatic milk texturing system makes it a great option for those who want a seamless and high-tech coffee-making experience. However, if you’re on a budget or prefer a simpler, hands-on approach, the Barista Express might offer better value.

How difficult is it to use the Breville Barista Touch for beginners?

The Breville Barista Touch is very beginner-friendly, thanks to its intuitive touchscreen interface. The machine guides you through the coffee-making process, from selecting your brew type to adjusting the grind size and frothing the milk. The automatic milk frothing system further simplifies the process, allowing you to achieve café-quality drinks with minimal experience. Its user-friendly features make it a great choice for people who are new to making espresso at home or those who want to skip the learning curve.

How do I clean and maintain the Breville Barista machines?

Both the Breville Barista Express and Barista Touch are relatively easy to clean and maintain. They come with built-in cleaning programs, including a cleaning cycle for the steam wand and a descale alert. You’ll need to regularly clean the drip tray, portafilter, and the grinder. The Barista Touch also includes an automated cleaning reminder and has a self-cleaning steam wand, which makes maintenance easier compared to the Barista Express. Both machines also come with a cleaning brush, tools for removing coffee grounds, and water filters to ensure optimal performance over time.

Can I make lattes and cappuccinos with both machines?

Yes, both the Breville Barista Express and Barista Touch are capable of making lattes and cappuccinos. The key difference lies in the milk frothing process. The Barista Express requires manual frothing with a steam wand, which means you’ll need some practice to achieve the perfect microfoam for latte art. In contrast, the Barista Touch has an automatic milk frothing system, making it easier to create smooth, creamy froth with less effort, perfect for lattes and cappuccinos. The Barista Touch simplifies the process, especially for beginners, while the Barista Express offers more hands-on control for experienced baristas.

Conclusion

Both the Breville Barista Express and the Breville Barista Touch are excellent espresso machines, but they cater to different types of users. If you’re a beginner or someone who values simplicity and affordability, the Barista Express is a great choice. It provides solid performance, ease of use, and quality espresso without the need for advanced features.

However, if you’re someone who enjoys more control over their coffee-making experience and wants a machine that offers a touch of modern technology, the Barista Touch is likely the better option. With its intuitive touchscreen, enhanced grind settings, and automatic milk frothing, it’s perfect for users looking for convenience and versatility.

Enjoyed this guide of Breville Barista Express vs. Barista Touch? Then be sure to check out our other espresso machine guides and reviews.

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