Breville Barista Express vs Barista Pro

Disclosure: TheCoffeeGearReport is reader-supported. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. If you buy through our links we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

The short answer

Buy the Breville Barista Pro if you want faster mornings: its ThermoJet heater is ready in about three seconds versus about 30 seconds for the Express, it has 30 grind settings instead of 16, and an LCD shot timer. Buy the Breville Barista Express if you want to save money or prefer an analog pressure gauge for dialing in. Both share the same 54 mm portafilter, 2 L water tank and 230 g bean hopper, so espresso quality is very similar.

Spec comparison

Spec	Barista Express (BES870)	Barista Pro (BES878)
Heating	Thermocoil with PID	ThermoJet with PID
Heat-up time	About 30 seconds	About 3 seconds
Grinder	Conical steel burrs, 16 settings	Conical steel burrs, 30 settings
Display	Buttons, dials and a pressure gauge	LCD with shot timer and grind readout
Portafilter	54 mm	54 mm
Water tank	2 L (67.6 oz)	2 L (67.6 oz)
Bean hopper	230 g (8.1 oz)	230 g (8.1 oz)
Steam to brew switch	Slower	Near-instant
Warranty (per published reviews)	1 year	2 years
Amazon	Check price	Check price

We compared specs, Breville’s listings, owner reviews and published reviews. Specs can vary slightly by production run and region.

Heat-up and workflow

This is the biggest practical difference. The Express uses a thermocoil heater, so it needs around 30 seconds to be ready and a short wait when switching from brewing to steaming. The Pro’s ThermoJet heater gets there in about three seconds and switches to steam almost immediately. If you make two or three milk drinks back to back, the Pro saves real time every morning.

Winner: Barista Pro.

Grinder

Both use stainless steel conical burrs, but the Pro offers 30 grind settings to the Express’s 16. More steps make it easier to dial in a light roast or a new bag without jumping from too fast to too slow. Published reviews of the Express mention its coarse steps as a weak point. Neither built-in grinder matches a good standalone espresso grinder, but the Pro’s is the more usable of the two.

Winner: Barista Pro.

Controls and feedback

The Express has a front pressure gauge, which many beginners find helpful: you can see whether your shot is in the right range while it’s pulling. The Pro replaces the gauge with an LCD that shows a shot timer, grind setting and menu options. A timer is arguably more useful once you weigh your shots, but some people simply like the gauge.

Winner: tie, depending on preference.

Milk steaming

Both have a manual, swiveling steam wand that can make microfoam for latte art. The Express’s steam is often described as slow to build, while the Pro’s ThermoJet delivers steam faster. Neither can steam and brew at the same time; for that you’d need a dual boiler machine.

Winner: Barista Pro.

Price and value

The Express is typically the cheaper machine and goes on sale often. The Pro usually costs more, but you get faster heat-up, a better grinder range and, per published reviews, a longer warranty. Sales can narrow the gap, so check current price for both before deciding.

Winner: Barista Express on price; Barista Pro on value per feature.

Which is better for a beginner?

Both are excellent first machines. The Express’s pressure gauge gives beginners an at-a-glance signal: if the needle sits low, your grind is probably too coarse; if it pins high, too fine. The Pro gives you a shot timer instead, which is the more precise tool once you also weigh your output on a scale. Beginners who plan to follow a recipe (for example, 18 g in, about 36 g out, in 25–30 seconds) will get more from the Pro’s timer. Beginners who just want visual feedback while they learn will like the Express.

The Pro’s 30 grind settings are also more forgiving when you change beans. On the Express, one click can be the difference between a gusher and a choked shot; owners often use the internal upper-burr adjustment to shift the whole range finer. The Pro gives you smaller steps without opening anything up.

Ownership and maintenance

Day to day, both machines are maintained the same way: purge and wipe the steam wand after each use, rinse the portafilter and baskets, empty the drip tray, and run a cleaning cycle with a cleaning tablet when the machine prompts you. Both use a replaceable water filter in the tank, and both will ask you to descale on a schedule that depends on your water hardness. Grinder burrs on both can be removed for brushing out old grounds, which helps keep grinding consistent.

Footprint is nearly identical, so whichever you choose, plan for roughly the same counter space and the same need for clearance above the bean hopper.

Other options to consider

If you want even less fuss, the Barista Express Impress adds assisted dosing and tamping to the Express platform. If you want a touchscreen and automatic milk frothing, look at the Barista Touch.

Check the Barista Express Impress on Amazon →
Check the Barista Touch on Amazon →

Verdict

Choose the Barista Express if you’re on a tighter budget, you make one or two drinks a day and don’t mind a short warm-up, or you like the pressure gauge as a learning aid.

Choose the Barista Pro if you want the quickest morning routine, make several milk drinks in a row, want finer grind adjustment for different beans, or value the LCD shot timer.

Check the Breville Barista Express on Amazon →

Check the Breville Barista Pro on Amazon →

Before you buy: quick checklist

• Cabinet clearance: both are roughly 16 inches tall with the hopper on top. Measure the space under your cabinets.
• Scale: neither weighs your dose, so a 0.1 g coffee scale helps a lot.
• Water: use the included filter and descale when prompted.
• Beans: fresh, medium roasts are easiest to dial in on a built-in grinder.
• Accessories: both include a tamper, milk jug and dual-wall baskets; a dosing funnel and a heavier tamper are popular, inexpensive upgrades.
• Upgrade path: if you think you’ll get serious, consider a standalone grinder later. Both machines work with pre-ground coffee too.

FAQ

Is the Barista Pro worth the extra money over the Barista Express?

For most people, yes. You get about 3-second heat-up instead of about 30 seconds, 30 grind settings instead of 16, an LCD shot timer and faster steam. If you rarely make milk drinks, the Express is still a great value.

Do the Barista Express and Barista Pro make the same espresso?

Very similar. Both use a 54 mm portafilter and PID temperature control. The Pro’s extra grind settings make it easier to dial in, which can improve consistency.

Does the Barista Pro have a pressure gauge?

No. The Barista Pro replaced the analog gauge with an LCD that shows a shot timer and grind setting. The Barista Express keeps the pressure gauge.

Can you steam milk and brew at the same time on either machine?

No. Both have a single heating system, so you brew and steam one after the other. The Barista Pro switches between them much faster.