Breville Barista Express Impress Espresso Machine BES876BSS, Brushed Stainless Steel
If you’re a coffee enthusiast looking to elevate your at-home coffee game, the Breville Barista Express is a compelling option that promises to bring the café experience to your kitchen. With its impressive features and quality build, it’s a machine that warrants a closer look.
Pros:
Cons:
Design & Build Quality
Image credit: Breville
The Breville Barista Express boasts a sleek stainless steel design that adds a touch of sophistication to your kitchen. Its compact dimensions (14.9″D x 12.9″W x 16.1″H) make it suitable for smaller spaces. The stainless steel construction not only enhances durability but also adds to its overall aesthetic appeal. The machine’s ascetics blend seamlessly with its functionality, and it exudes a premium feel.
In terms of convenience, this espresso machine is designed with the user in mind. The intelligent dosing and precision measurement systems simplify the espresso-making process, ensuring consistency in your shots. The included accessories, such as the stainless steel portafilter and milk jug, are high-quality and contribute to the overall user experience.
Power & Performance
Image credit: Breville
The Breville Barista Express is a powerhouse when it comes to performance. It offers a range of features that make it stand out. The intelligent dosing system is a game-changer, allowing you to achieve the perfect dose of coffee every time, without any guesswork. The 25 grind settings provide the flexibility to fine-tune your coffee to your taste.
The thermocoil heating system with PID control ensures that the temperature, flow rate, and contact time are precisely controlled for a consistent and great-tasting coffee. The built-in microfoam steam wand adds another layer of versatility, allowing you to craft lattes and other milk-based beverages with ease.
Cleaning and Maintenance
Image credit: Breville
While the Breville Barista Express offers advanced features, it’s designed with ease of cleaning and maintenance in mind. The machine comes with a cleaning tablets accessory, which helps keep it in top condition. The removable components, like the drip tray and water tank, are easy to clean, ensuring that the maintenance process is not a hassle.
What’s the Alternative?
Image credit: Gaggia
Comparing the Breville Barista Express and the Gaggia Classic Evo Pro reveals distinct approaches to home espresso making. The Barista Express prioritizes user-friendliness with its intelligent dosing system, precision measurement, and customizable settings, ideal for those seeking convenience without sacrificing quality. Its integrated grinder, precise temperature control, and microfoam steam wand cater to enthusiasts valuing consistency and versatility, albeit at a higher price point.
Conversely, the Gaggia Classic Evo Pro emphasizes traditional craftsmanship and commercial-grade components, appealing to purists who value authenticity and durability. While lacking some advanced features, its 9-bar extraction capability and commercial steam wand offer robust espresso shots and precise milk frothing, suiting those preferring a hands-on approach to espresso making. The choice hinges on individual preferences regarding ease of use, customization, and budget, with both machines promising to elevate the home coffee experience.
Conclusion – Should You Buy the Breville Barista Express?
The Breville Barista Express is a fantastic choice for coffee enthusiasts who want to step up their home coffee game. It brings the third wave specialty coffee experience to your kitchen, offering rich flavors, precise temperature control, and the ability to customize your brew.
While there may be a slight learning curve to get the settings just right, the machine’s intelligent dosing and precision measurement systems make manual espresso making accessible to all. It’s perfect for those who want to enjoy café-quality coffee without the fuss of going to a coffee shop.
Though it’s not the most budget-friendly option, the Breville Barista Express is a worthy investment for anyone looking to upgrade from pod machines and enjoy the convenience of at-home espresso making. With its exceptional build quality and impressive features, it’s a coffee lover’s dream come true.
