Breville Barista Express Impress vs Pro

==>> It is currently in stock. Get it here from the best distributor

When it comes to home espresso machines, I’ve had the chance to experiment with a range of options, but two models that really stand out in the Breville lineup are the Barista Express Impress and the Barista Pro. As someone who enjoys a good cup of espresso every morning and likes to get the most out of my coffee, choosing between these two models wasn't an easy task at first. Both machines offer impressive features, but after using them both, I’ve come to realize that the Barista Express Impress offers a more refined and consistent experience overall.

If you’ve been considering one of these Breville machines, you might be wondering: which one is better? In this article, I’ll share my personal experience with both machines and break down the key differences that have led me to choose the Barista Express Impress as the superior option. I’ll take you through design, ease of use, brewing quality, and much more—highlighting why the Barista Express Impress stands out as the better choice for those who want a more consistent, hands-off espresso-making experience. Know Using a single basket with a Breville or Sage home espresso machine

Why I Chose the Barista Express Impress Over the Barista Pro

As a regular coffee drinker, my espresso machine needs to be easy to use, reliable, and produce consistent, quality results. Both the Barista Express Impress and the Barista Pro are excellent machines, but the Express Impress’s thoughtful features, like the Impress tamping system, ultimately make it my go-to choice. The fact that it automatically applies the correct tamp pressure means I no longer need to worry about tamping inconsistencies, which used to be one of my biggest challenges when making espresso at home.

The Barista Pro, with its faster heat-up time and sleek touchscreen, also offers a solid experience. But after using both machines for a few weeks, I found that the Impress made espresso brewing feel more intuitive and forgiving. Whether you're a beginner or have some experience with making espresso, the Express Impress simplifies the process, which is why it’s the machine I reach for most mornings.

Design and Build Quality: The Impress Shows Thoughtful Design

First off, let’s talk about the design of both machines. Both the Barista Express Impress and the Barista Pro have a sleek, stainless-steel exterior that looks fantastic on any kitchen counter. But beyond aesthetics, it’s the functionality that really stands out to me in the Barista Express Impress.

One of the standout features of the Impress is its Impress tamping system. This clever addition automatically applies consistent tamp pressure every time you brew, ensuring that your espresso grounds are compressed with the correct amount of force. Before I used the Impress, tamping was one of the trickiest parts of the espresso-making process for me. It always felt like I was either over-tamping or under-tamping, which led to inconsistent shots. The Impress tamping system solves this problem, making it far easier to achieve consistent results without worrying about technique.

The Barista Pro, while also well-built, doesn’t have this automated tamping feature. While the Pro’s design is very modern and offers a touchscreen interface, I found that I had to be more careful with my tamping, which sometimes led to a bit of trial and error. The Impress just seems like it was designed with more attention to how real people, especially home baristas, use the machine. 

Grinding and Espresso Extraction: The Impress Delivers Consistency

Both the Barista Express Impress and the Barista Pro come with built-in grinders, which is a huge convenience if you’re like me and want to avoid the hassle of using a separate coffee grinder. The Express Impress features a conical burr grinder that’s easy to adjust, with the ability to fine-tune grind size and dose. However, the real magic of the Express Impress lies in how it takes those freshly ground beans and automatically applies the correct tamping pressure to ensure that your shot is extracted evenly.

In my experience, this means the Barista Express Impress delivers a more consistent and reliable espresso shot than the Barista Pro, which can sometimes be more finicky, especially when it comes to tamping. The grind on the Impress is just as good as the Pro’s, but the added benefit of the automatic tamping system made it easier for me to consistently pull shots that tasted balanced, rich, and smooth.

One area where the Pro edges out the Impress is in its grinder speed—the Pro’s grinder is a little faster at producing the right amount of grounds. However, in the grand scheme of things, I didn’t find the time difference to be a dealbreaker, especially given how much easier the Impress makes the whole espresso-making process.

Steaming and Milk Frothing: The Impress’s Steam Wand is More Reliable

Steaming milk is one of the most enjoyable parts of owning an espresso machine, and both of these Breville machines come equipped with a steam wand that performs admirably. I’ve used both the Barista Pro and the Barista Express Impress for making lattes, cappuccinos, and flat whites, and I have to say, both machines have plenty of steaming power.

However, I found that the Impress steam wand was a bit easier to control. The Barista Pro steam wand, while powerful, can be a bit tricky to master, especially when you’re trying to froth milk to the perfect texture. The Express Impress made frothing feel more predictable and reliable, which was a huge benefit in the morning when I’m in a bit of a rush but still want to enjoy a great cup of coffee.

That being said, if you’re someone who loves to experiment with different milk textures or frothing techniques, the Pro’s steam wand might give you more control. However, for most people who are looking for consistency without the need for advanced barista skills, I’d recommend the Barista Express Impress. 

Heat-Up Time: The Pro Is Faster, but It’s Not a Game-Changer

One of the most noticeable differences between the Barista Pro and the Barista Express Impress is the heat-up time. The Pro heats up in about 3 seconds thanks to its ThermoJet heating system, which is great for those mornings when you’re in a rush and don’t want to wait. The Impress, on the other hand, uses a ThermoCoil heating system, which takes about 5 minutes to reach the ideal brewing temperature.

While the Barista Pro is clearly the winner here in terms of speed, the Impress’s slightly longer heat-up time hasn’t been much of an inconvenience for me. After all, 5 minutes is just long enough to grind the beans, get my milk ready, and prepare for the perfect shot of espresso. In fact, I’ve found that the Impress’s longer warm-up time gives me a bit of extra breathing room to get everything set up before I brew. 

Ease of Use: The Impress Is More User-Friendly

As someone who’s always looking for efficiency in my coffee-making routine, I’ve found that the Barista Express Impress is easier to use overall. The Pro has a sleek touchscreen interface, which is appealing in a high-tech sense, but I didn’t find it to be all that intuitive at first. It’s a great feature for those who are already familiar with espresso machines and want to fine-tune their settings, but it took me a bit longer to get used to compared to the more straightforward dial system on the Impress.

The Impress’s intuitive controls make it easy to adjust grind size and dose, and I really appreciate the tactile feedback it provides. I don’t need to rely on a screen to tell me what’s going on; I can just adjust the grind and tamp manually, trusting that the Impress tamping system will take care of the rest. For someone who likes simplicity without sacrificing quality, the Express Impress definitely feels more accessible.

Product Review Conclusion: Why the Barista Express Impress is the Better Choice

After spending several weeks with both the Breville Barista Express Impress and the Breville Barista Pro, I can confidently say that the Barista Express Impress has earned its place as my go-to espresso machine. While the Pro excels in a few areas, like heat-up time and the sleek touchscreen interface, I’ve found the Express Impress to be the more consistent, user-friendly option overall.

The automatic tamping system alone makes a big difference, providing a level of consistency that has made my espresso shots more reliable and enjoyable. Combine that with the solid performance of the built-in grinder, the reliable steam wand, and the thoughtful design, and the Express Impress simply offers a more well-rounded experience. It’s a great option for both beginners and more seasoned coffee drinkers who want to elevate their at-home espresso game without the steep learning curve.

If you’re someone who wants an espresso machine that’s easy to use, produces excellent results, and has all the right features for a consistent cup of coffee, the Breville Barista Express Impress is the machine I’d recommend. It’s a solid choice that balances quality, convenience, and value—something I find to be crucial when it comes to making the perfect cup of espresso.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What is the main difference between the Breville Barista Express Impress and the Barista Pro?
A: The biggest difference lies in the Impress tamping system on the Express Impress, which automatically applies the correct tamping pressure to your coffee grounds, ensuring consistent espresso shots. The Barista Pro, while offering similar features like a built-in grinder and steam wand, lacks this automatic tamping, requiring more manual effort and skill to achieve the same consistency. Additionally, the Pro heats up faster (in about 3 seconds vs. 5 minutes for the Impress), and has a touchscreen interface, whereas the Impress uses more tactile controls.

Q: Is the Barista Express Impress suitable for beginners?
A: Yes, the Barista Express Impress is an excellent choice for beginners. The automatic tamping system takes the guesswork out of the process, helping you achieve consistent, high-quality espresso shots with minimal effort. Its easy-to-use controls and clear feedback make it user-friendly, even for those new to making espresso at home.

Q: Can I make both espresso and milk-based drinks with the Barista Express Impress?
A: Absolutely! The Barista Express Impress is equipped with a steam wand that allows you to froth milk for lattes, cappuccinos, and flat whites. The steam power is impressive and, combined with the automatic tamping system, ensures you get a consistent and delicious result every time.

Q: Does the Breville Barista Express Impress have a faster heat-up time than the Barista Pro?
A: No, the Barista Pro is faster in terms of heat-up time, taking only about 3 seconds thanks to its ThermoJet heating system. On the other hand, the Express Impress uses a ThermoCoil heating system, which takes about 5 minutes to reach the ideal brewing temperature. However, I’ve found the 5-minute wait to be manageable as it allows time for grinding the beans and preparing the milk.

Q: How easy is it to clean the Breville Barista Express Impress?
A: The Barista Express Impress is fairly easy to clean. It has a removable drip tray and portafilter that can be cleaned with warm water. The steam wand also has a self-cleaning function, which makes it easier to maintain after frothing milk. Overall, it requires the same level of maintenance as most semi-automatic espresso machines but is designed with convenience in mind.

Q: Can the grind size be adjusted on both the Barista Express Impress and the Barista Pro?
A: Yes, both machines allow you to adjust the grind size. The Barista Express Impress uses a conical burr grinder that offers easy grind size adjustment, while the Barista Pro also has a similar grind size feature. Both machines let you fine-tune your grind for optimal espresso extraction, but I personally found the Impress’s manual dial system a bit more intuitive and easier to control compared to the touchscreen controls on the Pro.

Q: Is the steam wand on the Barista Express Impress better than the Barista Pro’s?
A: The steam wand on both machines is powerful, but I found the Impress’s steam wand to be a bit easier to control and more forgiving when frothing milk. The Pro’s steam wand, while excellent, can take a little more practice to perfect. If you’re someone who values ease of use and consistency, the Impress might be the better choice for you.

Q: Does the Barista Express Impress come with a built-in grinder?
A: Yes, the Barista Express Impress includes a built-in conical burr grinder, which is one of its key features. This eliminates the need for a separate grinder and ensures that you get freshly ground coffee for each shot of espresso. The grind size and dose are adjustable, allowing you to customize your espresso to your liking.

Q: Can I make a cappuccino with the Breville Barista Express Impress?
A: Yes, making a cappuccino with the Barista Express Impress is simple and quick. The steam wand froths milk to the perfect texture for cappuccinos, and the automatic tamping system ensures your espresso shot is consistent every time. It’s a great machine for preparing espresso-based drinks like cappuccinos and lattes with minimal effort.

Q: Is the Barista Express Impress better for someone who wants a more hands-on approach to making espresso?
A: While the Barista Express Impress is great for beginners and those who want an easier, more automated espresso-making process, it still provides a hands-on experience. You can adjust the grind size, dose, and tamp manually, but the automatic tamping system takes care of the tricky part. If you're someone who wants a more hands-off espresso-making process without sacrificing quality, the Impress is ideal.

Q: What makes the Barista Express Impress a better choice than the Barista Pro for everyday use?
A: The Barista Express Impress is a more consistent and forgiving machine due to the automatic tamping system, making it easier to achieve a perfect shot every time without the need for precise tamping technique. For someone who wants simplicity and reliability with great results, the Impress is a better choice for daily use. The Pro, while faster in heat-up time and offering a touchscreen, requires a bit more manual control to ensure consistency.