The Breville Barista Pro (878) and the Breville Barista Express (876) are two of the most popular all-in-one espresso machines, but they differ primarily in heating technology, interface, and price. The Barista Pro 878 features a rapid 3-second ThermoJet heating system and an LCD screen for precise control, while the Barista Express 876 uses a slower thermocoil system and relies on analog buttons and a pressure gauge, making it a more budget-friendly choice for hands-on learning.
Here’s a detailed comparison to help you decide which Breville machine is the right fit for your home coffee bar.
Breville Barista Express (876)
The Breville Barista Express is an iconic semi-automatic machine that has become a gateway for countless home baristas. It integrates a quality conical burr grinder and a manual steam wand into a durable stainless steel body, offering a complete bean-to-cup experience with enough manual control to learn the fundamentals of espresso making.
- What it is: A best-selling, all-in-one semi-automatic espresso machine with a built-in grinder, designed for home use.
- Key features: Integrated conical burr grinder, thermocoil heating system, analog pressure gauge for extraction feedback, single and double shot buttons, and a manual steam wand for milk frothing.
- Price: Around $700 - $750.
- Style: Utilitarian and classic, featuring a robust stainless steel finish with physical buttons, a rotary dial for grind size, and a prominent pressure gauge.
- Materials/Construction: Built with a durable brushed stainless steel body and high-quality internal components designed for longevity.
- Pros: Fantastic value for an all-in-one machine. The pressure gauge provides direct feedback, which is great for learning. Robust and proven design with years of positive reviews.
- Cons: Slower heat-up time (around 30-60 seconds) compared to the Pro. The learning curve can be steeper due to the analog controls. A slightly bulkier and more dated appearance.
The Barista Express is ideal for the aspiring home barista who wants hands-on control and values the craft of making espresso without wanting to spend a premium on modern conveniences.
Shop this product: breville.com/us/en/products/espresso/bes870.html
Breville Barista Pro (878)
The Breville Barista Pro is the modern evolution of the Express, designed for users who prioritize speed, precision, and a streamlined workflow. Its standout feature is the ThermoJet heating system, which gets the machine ready for extraction in just three seconds. This, combined with a clear LCD interface, makes dialing in the perfect shot faster and more intuitive.
- What it is: A high-performance, all-in-one semi-automatic espresso machine that emphasizes speed and ease of use through a digital interface and advanced heating technology.
- Key features: ThermoJet heating system with 3-second heat-up time, integrated conical burr grinder with more adjustment steps, intuitive LCD display showing grind and extraction progress, and a powerful manual steam wand.
- Price: Around $900 - $1,000.
- Style: Sleek, modern, and minimalist with a premium brushed stainless steel finish and a digital display that provides a clean, high-tech look.
- Materials/Construction: Shares the high-quality stainless steel build of the Express but with a more refined and compact profile.
- Pros: Extremely fast startup time is perfect for busy mornings. The LCD screen makes it easy to track shot times and settings. More precise grinder control. Sleek, contemporary design fits well in modern kitchens.
- Cons: Significantly more expensive than the Barista Express. Some users may miss the tactile feedback of the analog pressure gauge. The higher price may not be justifiable for casual users.
The Barista Pro is built for the coffee lover who wants excellent espresso without the wait, valuing a quick, consistent, and user-friendly experience day after day.
Shop this product: breville.com/us/en/products/espresso/bes878.html
Breville Barista Express vs. Barista Pro Comparison
Heat-up Time & Performance
The most significant performance difference is the heating system. The Barista Express uses a thermocoil, which takes about a minute to reach brewing temperature. The Barista Pro's ThermoJet system is ready in just three seconds. This makes the Pro vastly superior for anyone who needs a quick coffee in the morning. While both can pull delicious shots and steam milk effectively once heated, the Pro's speed radically changes the daily workflow and removes the friction of waiting.
Interface & User Experience
This is a battle between analog and digital. The Barista Express features tactile buttons and a prominent analog pressure gauge that gives a real-time, visual measurement of the pressure during extraction. This is excellent for learning cause and effect. The Barista Pro swaps the gauge for a bright LCD display. The screen provides clear information, like grind size setting, shot duration, and cleaning alerts. While it lacks the raw feedback of a gauge, the shot timer on the display provides the key metric most baristas use to dial in their shots, making the process more repeatable and arguably easier for beginners.
Design & Footprint
Both machines have a similar footprint and share Breville's signature brushed stainless steel finish, but their aesthetics are distinct. The Barista Express has a more traditional, slightly rugged look with its buttons and large dial. The Barista Pro is sleeker and more minimalist, with a refined chassis and clean lines that center around the digital display. At approximately 12.6" x 12.2" x 14.9", the Pro is slightly more streamlined than the Express (12.5" x 12.5" x 16"), which can make a difference on a crowded countertop. The choice here comes down to preferring a classic, utilitarian design or a sleek, contemporary one.
Price & Value
With a price gap of around $200-$250, the decision hinges on how much you value speed and a modern interface. The Barista Express delivers incredible value, providing all the tools you need to make great espresso for hundreds of dollars less than the Pro. The Barista Pro's higher cost buys you significant upgrades in speed and user experience. If your budget is tight, the Express is a fantastic choice that doesn't compromise on coffee quality. If you can afford the upgrade and know you will be making coffee daily, the Pro's quality-of-life improvements are often worth the investment.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both are capable machines that anchor a great home coffee station, but they cater to slightly different users and priorities.
Choose the Breville Barista Express (876) if:
- You're working with a smaller budget but still want an all-in-one machine.
- You enjoy a hands-on, analog process and want to learn by feel and feedback.
- You don't mind waiting a minute for the machine to heat up.
- You appreciate the classic, industrial look of a traditional espresso machine.
Choose the Breville Barista Pro (878) if:
- Speed is a top priority - you want your coffee ready as quickly as possible.
- You prefer a modern digital interface that provides clear, on-screen information.
- You're willing to invest more for better workflow efficiency and a sleeker design.
- You appreciate the greater number of grind settings for more precise control.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the main difference between the Breville 876 and 878?
The three main differences are the heating system, the user interface, and the price. The Barista Pro (878) has a nearly instant ThermoJet heater and an LCD screen, while the Barista Express (876) uses a slower thermocoil system and has an analog pressure gauge and buttons.
Which Breville machine makes better espresso?
Both machines are capable of making excellent espresso, as they share similar grinders and 54mm portafilters. However, the Barista Pro's faster heat-up time contributes to better temperature stability and shot-to-shot consistency, which can lead to a more reliable result.
Is the Breville Barista Pro worth the extra money?
For many daily users, yes. The 3-second heat-up time is a massive quality-of-life improvement. If you're often in a rush or simply value convenience and a modern interface, the extra cost is easy to justify. If you're patient or on a stricter budget, the Barista Express offers better overall value.
Can a beginner use the Breville Barista Pro?
Absolutely. In fact, many beginners find the Barista Pro's LCD screen, which shows the shot timer, to be more helpful for learning than the Express's pressure gauge. It provides clear, actionable feedback for dialing in your espresso shots.
Do both machines have a built-in grinder?
Yes, both the Barista Express and Barista Pro are all-in-one machines that feature an integrated conical burr grinder. This allows you to grind fresh coffee beans immediately before brewing.
What is the difference between thermocoil and ThermoJet?
A thermocoil is a coiled tube that heats water as it passes through, typically taking about 30-60 seconds to reach brew temperature. ThermoJet is Breville's more advanced heating technology that heats water much faster, achieving the ideal temperature in about three seconds, allowing for a much quicker start-up and transition between brewing and steaming.
How do I clean and maintain these Breville machines?
Both models have automated cleaning cycles and will indicate when a cleaning or descaling cycle is needed. Regular maintenance includes daily rinsing of the portafilter and drip tray, frequent wiping of the steam wand, and periodic backflushing with a cleaning tablet. The user manuals provide detailed step-by-step instructions.
Is the steam wand better on the Barista Pro?
The steam wand on the Barista Pro is slightly more powerful due to the ThermoJet system's rapid steam production, which can make it faster to froth milk. However, both machines have capable manual steam wands that can produce excellent microfoam for latte art once you get the hang of it.
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