Breville Barista Espresso Machines: Barista Express w/ Grinder

lensbutter

Mar 4, 2024 4:26 AM

246 Comments

Joined May 2015

lensbutterMar 4, 2024 4:26 AM

246 Comments

I've had the "express" model for at least 6-7yrs, it's been solid and still makes a great cup of coffee after all this time of doing 2-3cups a day. I've only had the pump ($25) fail during ownership and it was easy enough to open and DIY repair it.

Well worth the money!

codemancer

Mar 4, 2024 4:41 AM

441 Comments

Joined Feb 2009

codemancerMar 4, 2024 4:41 AM

441 Comments

I have a Pro. Been very happy with it.

slickd888

Mar 4, 2024 4:51 AM

1.5K Comments

Joined Nov 2019

slickd888Mar 4, 2024 4:51 AM

1.5K Comments

Quote from BeamCheese

:

This is a good machine for people who want an automatic machine without having to mess with anything. You won't pull great shots with it since you can't adjust the pressure or brew temp, but it will be consistent. One suggestion for people who get this is to pick up a 54mm bottomless portafilter for less than $20 on AliExpress. That will give a thicker crema and tastier shot.

Quality fresh beans gives you better taste and more crema (which is why I roast my own beans in the garage). Bottomless portafilter mainly just helps you detect issues like channeling which is a great tool to have but on its own it won't magically improve the shot without taking steps to address the issues.

2

TenseScene1475

Mar 4, 2024 4:59 AM

248 Comments

Joined Dec 2023

TenseScene1475Mar 4, 2024 4:59 AM

248 Comments

Better get a Gaggia Classic Evo Pro + $200 grinder...much better investment in the long run

1

plafratt

Mar 4, 2024 5:29 AM

240 Comments

Joined May 2017

plafrattMar 4, 2024 5:29 AM

240 Comments

Some commentaries suggest the Bambino Plus with a separate grinder is a better value than the Barista Express. Thoughts?

https://youtube.com/shorts/Xbtivf...xQ-zxAX_n2

Last edited by plafratt March 3, 2024 at 09:51 PM.

3

NmnT

Mar 4, 2024 5:31 AM

487 Comments

Joined Jan 2008

NmnTMar 4, 2024 5:31 AM

487 Comments

Quote from ClintiePoo

:

I'm leery of all the one-star reviews on these and people saying that Breville has horrible customer service. I was looking at the Breville Touch Impress, but I'm worried the company doesn't seem to stand behind their products.

Breville Customer Support has been pretty solid actually. Just prior to covid, I purchased a Barista Express and the water temperature was NOT hitting 195 degrees; more like 185, even after warming up. Checked portafilter water with ThermoPop thermometer after pre-heating unit. Breville arranged for a replacement, explained my processes and results and they sent me a replacement no questions asked. Solid unit and water hits about 193 degrees.
I have been using this replacement machine ever since (4 years?) as I keep unit cleaned and follow the scheduled simple decalcification instructions whem machine notice pops up. Espressos come out about 8/10 compared to a good European-style coffee shop.

2

prankies

Pro

Mar 4, 2024 5:42 AM

1.9K Comments

Joined Mar 2010

prankies

Pro

Mar 4, 2024 5:42 AM

1.9K Comments

Our Barista Express has been pulling 2-4 shots/day for something like 8 years now with no maintenance other than cleaning it on schedule. I think I replaced the felt washer in the grinder once. It seems like a big cost up front, but you will save hundreds over time vs. the cheap Nespresso and Keurig machines that are just loss leaders to get you in their pod systems.

If you're pulling 2-4 shots/day of Nespresso, then the machine in this deal will pay for itself in like 6 months.

It does take a tiny bit of practice to get a new roast "dialed in" if you switch up your coffee often. Since you can't adjust the pressure on this unit, you instead have to adjust your tamp/grind to hit a sweet spot on the pressure gauge and cross your fingers. It generally takes a couple of trial-and-error shots to get it right, but that's a pretty minor inconvenience that only comes up if you are trying brand new roasts all the time.

Last edited by prankies March 3, 2024 at 09:48 PM.

2

kird

Mar 4, 2024 5:42 AM

225 Comments

Joined Apr 2009

kirdMar 4, 2024 5:42 AM

225 Comments

Quote from BeamCheese

:

This is a good machine for people who want an automatic machine without having to mess with anything. You won't pull great shots with it since you can't adjust the pressure or brew temp, but it will be consistent. One suggestion for people who get this is to pick up a 54mm bottomless portafilter for less than $20 on AliExpress. That will give a thicker crema and tastier shot.

You can absolutely adjust the water temperature on this. You can even set the amount of water for extraction.

https://www.breville.com/inspirat...emperature

The internal burr grinder settings can even be adjusted to reach an even finer grind compared to the default out of the box settings.

https://youtu.be/c7Xqxrnrjwk?si=elqK-72KVTAJEpxh

1

djpuma

Mar 4, 2024 5:46 AM

242 Comments

Joined Sep 2016

djpumaMar 4, 2024 5:46 AM

242 Comments

Quote from NervousNest2521

:

Ive had this for about 8 months now, saves me and the wife money everyday, not one problem since I've had it. Once you have this at home and get the hang of it you'll be making the best coffee and home, not to mention it's a great conversation piece and eye catching appliance.

We have this model at work and it's my main reason for going into the office now!

1

3asym0ni3s9862936

Mar 4, 2024 6:28 AM

4.2K Comments

Joined Mar 2007

3asym0ni3s9862936Mar 4, 2024 6:28 AM

4.2K Comments

Quote from DavidZ1908

:

trolling right? I have a Keurig, I want one of these. They're not even the same type of machine.
This makes an espresso aka high pressure brewing, concentrated shot of coffee. Keurig makes kind of watered down low extraction but easy coffee, basically opposite end. Nespresso is somewhere in the middle and you get "okay" espresso but it's really not an espresso at all.

I'm used to drinking Nescafe instant coffee. Would Keurig be an upgrade for me?

Shamu23

Mar 4, 2024 6:32 AM

881 Comments

Joined May 2007

Shamu23Mar 4, 2024 6:32 AM

881 Comments

Quote from NervousNest2521

:

Ive had this for about 8 months now, saves me and the wife money everyday, not one problem since I've had it. Once you have this at home and get the hang of it you'll be making the best coffee and home, not to mention it's a great conversation piece and eye catching appliance.

Love our Breville! Had it for over a year now. Best lattes ever. The ones at the coffee shops can't even compare. Plus it's fun to make your own espressos and lattes!

Hambone191817151

Mar 4, 2024 6:34 AM

82 Comments

Joined Dec 2017

Hambone191817151Mar 4, 2024 6:34 AM

82 Comments

I have this model. It has been working for 8 years, probably pulled 6 double shots a day on average. I have changed the filters and cleaned it occasionally. Quality machine. I would probably buy this just as a backup. I bought for 600 at w sonoma in 2014?

Krayg

Mar 4, 2024 6:46 AM

9 Comments

Joined Nov 2018

KraygMar 4, 2024 6:46 AM

9 Comments

I got the Barista Express Impress last summer. It's been my daily driver for coffee. The self tamping takes a lot of work out of the dosing, though it take a big getting use to. The freshness of the beans is such a crucial factor. When I first got the machine I just used whole beans from Costco. The machine wasn't "working" and I thought of RMAing it. Then I found some tutorials about using only freshly roasted beans from local shops: it's a night and day difference on this machine. With fresh beans, suddenly everything seemed to work: pressure gauge, crema, taste, etc.

1

DavidZ1908

Mar 4, 2024 6:59 AM

266 Comments

Joined Sep 2014

DavidZ1908Mar 4, 2024 6:59 AM

266 Comments

Quote from easymonies

:

I'm used to drinking Nescafe instant coffee. Would Keurig be an upgrade for me?

I like Keurig for the convenience. It is by no means an amazing cup of coffee but it tastes fine and I don't think I'm that picky. The machines aren't that expensive, I think I paid < $50 for mine, it's basically just a hot water maker that pushes a stream of water through a pod containing preground coffee + a filter. Brew time is a bit low so it does come out a bit watery, but some people might like that (I think it tastes ok). The pods themselves are honestly the bulk of the cost. I don't like instant coffee, so to me, it would be a decent upgrade.
You can also look into more premium instant coffee, Blue Bottle makes some allegedly pretty good instant coffee but at a premium price.
Or you can get an aeropress (~$40) and eventually a good grinder (grinding fresh coffee makes a notable difference).
It's a slippery slope and you can easily sink hundreds or thousands of dollars into coffee. I'm happy with my ~$100 hand grinder + aeropress for now for when I want a "good cup" of coffee, and keurig for when I'm lazy.

2

sshlyk

Mar 4, 2024 7:21 AM

3.3K Comments

Joined Dec 2006

sshlykMar 4, 2024 7:21 AM

3.3K Comments

Quote from youra6

:

You still need to flush every few months or so and same with descaling (even with a water softener). Also have to clean out the grinder every so often as well.

Both automatic and manual require flushing.
Both of them have grinder as well. Automatic just grinds, tamps and throws it away it for you. With manual you have more control over amount of coffee, pressure you use to tamp it and time. Way to go

Breville Barista Espresso Machines: Barista Express w/ Grinder

$560

$700

Editor's Notes

Original Post

Editor's Notes

Original Post

Community Voting

Top Comments

Join The Conversation

177 Comments

Join The Conversation

Related Searches

Popular Deals

Trending Deals