Breville Barista Pro Review: Espresso Machine Pros & Cons

In this Breville Barista Pro review we'll consider the pros and cons of using the commercial grade espresso machine as a premium home espresso machine. We'll look at customer testimonials to see if it indeed can deliver cafe-quality coffee in the comfort of your own kitchen.

Packed with advanced features and a sleek design, this machine (Breville Barista Pro BES878BSS) aims to satisfy even the most discerning coffee enthusiasts. Is it all it's cracked up to be though?

Breville Barista Pro Espresso Machine Specs

Let's delve into the key specifications and features of the Barista Pro (BES878BSS) espresso machine to help you make an informed buying decision. First up?

Brewing Capacity

The Barista Pro features a 2-liter water tank (water reservoir), allowing you to brew multiple shots of espresso without the need for frequent refills. It also includes a dedicated hot water outlet for making Americanos or teas.

Built-In Grinder

Equipped with a high-quality integrated conical burr grinder, the Barista Pro allows you to grind coffee beans directly into the portafilter for maximum freshness. The grinder offers precise grind size adjustments (grind settings) to suit different coffee preferences.

ThermoJet Heating System

With Breville's ThermoJet heating technology, the Barista Pro heats up rapidly, ensuring a quick start to your coffee-making process. Whether you're going for a single shot of espresso or immediately going for double shots, the machine reaches precise espresso extraction temperature in just a few seconds, reducing waiting time.

Pressure Control

The Barista Pro provides precise control over the extraction process with its digital temperature control and low-pressure pre-infusion. This helps to ensure balanced flavors and optimal extraction for a perfect espresso shot.

Milk Frothing

Featuring a powerful steam wand, the Barista Pro enables you to create rich, velvety micro-foam for lattes and cappuccinos. The steam wand also allows for manual control, giving you the flexibility to customize milk texture and temperature.

Interface and User Experience

The machine boasts an intuitive interface with a clear LCD display that provides real-time feedback on various parameters, such as grind size, shot duration, and water temperature. The user-friendly interface (LCD screen) makes it easy to navigate and adjust settings according to your preferences.

Customer Testimonials

The specifications certainly indicate that the Breville Barista Pro has a ton to offer, but what do customers have to say about it? Let's take a look!

Customer #1

I've had my fair share of espresso machines over the years, and I must say that the Breville Barista Pro Espresso Machine has quickly become my favorite. Let me walk you through my experience with this exceptional machine, comparing it to the Barista Express along the way.

First off, the overall appearance of the Barista Pro is sleek and well-built. The brushed stainless steel version adds a touch of elegance, and I particularly appreciate the magnetic tamper holder located underneath the top of the unit. It's a small but thoughtful feature that ensures I always know where to find my tamper. Speaking of which, the tamper itself is of high quality, unlike the thin plastic ones found in many other brands.

When it comes to the materials used in this espresso machine, I'm glad to see that most, if not all, components that come in contact with hot liquids are made of metal. Although the portafilter does have some plastic parts, I personally use a naked bottom portafilter to minimize any potential contact with plastic. It's a personal preference stemming from my concern about heated plastics.

Now, let's dive into the performance aspects. Starting with the grinder, I must address some misconceptions I've come across. Despite a few complaints from more experienced coffee enthusiasts, I find the grinder to be quite capable. It offers fine adjustments through the dial on the left side of the machine and larger scale adjustments located under the bean hopper.

While the larger adjustments may require some extra care, following the provided directions makes it manageable. Personally, I mainly rely on the fine adjustments and make sure to grind while adjusting to prevent any clogging issues.

I'm impressed by how little mess the grinding process creates, and once I dialed in the dosage amount and grind size, it remained consistent. Switching between single and double dose is also a breeze.

When it comes to pulling shots, it does take some time to get optimal espresso extraction just right. The size and dosing of the grinds, along with the tamping force, play crucial roles in achieving excellent results.

With the right grind size and amount, I consistently achieve great shots. Unlike my previous experience with the Breville Barista Express, where the second shot often turned out more bitter and less flavorful if pulled within a few minutes of the first shot, the Barista Pro allows me to pull multiple shots back-to-back without any issues or difference in taste.

The three-second heat-up time is also a notable improvement over the Barista Express, indicating a more advanced heating unit that contributes to better shot quality during subsequent pulls.

The hot water spout is conveniently angled, allowing me to dispense hot water directly into the cup after pulling a shot without having to move the cup. This small detail adds to the overall user-friendly experience, and I prefer it over the design of the Barista Express.

Lastly, let's talk about the steam wand. While there isn't much advertised about the improvements in comparison to the Barista Express, I can confidently say that the steam wand on the Barista Pro is far more powerful. Steaming milk and achieving the proper texture for latte art is much easier and faster with this machine. I've noticed a significant difference in power and performance, which alone - in my opinion - justifies the higher price tag when compared to the Barista Express.

I've also tried a semi-automatic espresso machine or two in the past, and while they offer convenience and a smaller learning curve, they often fall short in terms of shot quality and taste. Personally, I enjoy the process of manually going from grind to shot and appreciate the artistry behind it.

In conclusion, I wholeheartedly recommend the Breville Barista Pro Espresso Machine to anyone who wants to enjoy exceptional espresso drinks from the comfort of their own home. It surpasses the capabilities of the Barista Touch and other machines within its price range. Within just a few months, the machine pays for itself compared to buying lattes frequently from a coffee shop. So why settle for anything less when you can indulge in top-notch espresso at home?

Customer #2

I was never much of a coffee drinker, but I purchased the Breville Barista Pro Espresso Machine as a gift for my wife, who has always been a coffee enthusiast. Given the lack of good coffee shops near our home, this investment turned out to be absolutely worthwhile.

I must admit, this machine has completely transformed my relationship with coffee. The quality of the drinks it produces is outstanding, and I appreciate the convenience of having everything integrated into one unit. The presence of both the steam wand and water spout is fantastic, and the onboard grinder is simply marvelous.

One of the standout features for me is the heat pump, which works incredibly fast. From an empty cup to a perfectly crafted latte, the process takes less than 2 minutes without any sense of rushing. It's even faster than using a drip coffee maker or a French press.

The digital display is a great addition, and I particularly appreciate how it keeps track of important service intervals, such as when the machine needs to be flushed or descaled. This feature ensures that each cup of coffee tastes perfect every single time.

I must mention that the flushing process can create quite a mess, although it's not significant enough to deduct a star from my overall rating. To mitigate the issue, I've found it helpful to tie a paper towel around the spouts of the portafilter, as the water tends to spray quite vigorously in all directions. It can get quite wild.

As an additional accessory, we purchased a stainless dosing funnel that fits perfectly onto the portafilter. This little tool helps keep things cleaner during the coffee preparation process, and I highly recommend it.

All things considered, the Breville Barista Pro Espresso Machine has become our favorite appliance in the kitchen. You simply can't go wrong with Breville, and this machine is a testament to their commitment to quality and craftsmanship.

Conclusion

The Breville Barista Pro Espresso Machine combines convenience and advanced features to deliver a remarkable coffee experience at home. With its impressive brewing capacity, integrated grinder, and precise temperature control, this machine offers the tools necessary to achieve professional-quality espresso shots.

The sleek design and user-friendly interface further enhance the overall experience. While it's essential to consider personal preferences and budget, the Barista Pro is undoubtedly a compelling option for coffee enthusiasts looking to elevate their home brewing setup.

Despite having a higher price point, the Breville Barista Pros are arguably the best espresso machines money can buy!

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