The Breville Barista Pro (878) and the Barista Express (870) are two of the best all-in-one espresso machines a home barista can buy, but they serve different needs through their core technology. The 878 heats up in seconds and uses a sleek digital interface for a faster workflow, while the 870 uses a traditional heating system and analog controls that offer great feedback for those who enjoy the hands-on process. At its core, the choice comes down to the speed and modern convenience of the Barista Pro versus the classic control and lower price of the Barista Express.
Here’s everything you need to know to choose the right Breville espresso machine for your kitchen counter.
Breville BES878 Barista Pro
The Breville Barista Pro is the modern and faster version in this matchup, designed for those who want excellent espresso without the wait. Its standout feature is the ThermoJet heating system, which gets the machine ready to pull a shot in just three seconds. This speed, combined with an intuitive LCD screen that provides real-time feedback, makes it exceptionally user-friendly for both beginners and experienced users who value a quick, seamless morning coffee routine.
- What it is: A semi-automatic, all-in-one espresso machine with an integrated conical burr grinder and a rapid-heating ThermoJet system.
- Key features: 3-second heat-up time, LCD interface with brewing animations and progress, precise digital grind and dose control, powerful steam wand for microfoam milk.
- Price: Around $850.
- Dimensions: 13.9" W x 13.5" D x 16" H.
- Materials/Construction: High-quality brushed stainless steel housing, ThermoJet heating system, integrated conical burr grinder.
- Style: Sleek and modern with a minimalist digital interface that fits well in contemporary kitchens.
- Pros: Extremely fast heat-up time speeds up your workflow. Intuitive LCD screen is great for beginners learning to dial in shots. Slightly more compact footprint than the Barista Express. Powerful and quick steam wand.
- Cons: Higher price point. Some coffee purists may miss the tactile feedback of an analog pressure gauge.
The Barista Pro is perfect for anyone who prioritizes speed and convenience in their coffee routine and appreciates a modern, digital user experience.
Shop this product: breville.com/us/en/products/espresso/bes878.html
Breville BES870 Barista Express
The Breville Barista Express is a classic, beloved by home espresso enthusiasts for its robust control and excellent value. This machine uses a more traditional thermocoil heating system and features an analog pressure gauge right on the front, giving you direct visual feedback as you pull your shot. While it takes a bit longer to heat up, the machine offers a more hands-on, rewarding experience for those who want to master the art of espresso making.
- What it is: A semi-automatic, all-in-one espresso machine with an integrated conical burr grinder and manual controls for the hands-on user.
- Key features: Integrated dose-control conical burr grinder, analog pressure gauge for precise extraction feedback, thermocoil heating system, manual override for shot volume.
- Price: Around $750.
- Dimensions: 12.5" W x 12.6" D x 13.1" H.
- Materials/Construction: Durable stainless steel housing, thermocoil heating system, integrated grinder.
- Style: Classic and slightly industrial espresso machine look, with tactile buttons and dials for operation.
- Pros: More affordable than the Barista Pro. Analog pressure gauge provides excellent feedback for learning extraction. Proven, reliable performance that has made it a bestseller for years. Gives the user more of a traditional barista feel.
- Cons: Slower startup, taking about 30-45 seconds to heat up. Has a steeper learning curve for absolute beginners. Controls are less intuitive than the Pro’s LCD screen. Can be slightly bulkier on the countertop.
The Barista Express is ideal for the aspiring home barista who enjoys the process, wants direct control and feedback, and prefers saving money over ultimate speed.
Shop this product: breville.com/us/en/products/espresso/bes870.html
Breville 878 vs. Breville 870 Comparison
Heat-up Time & Workflow
The biggest difference between these two machines is speed. The Barista Pro's ThermoJet system is ready to go in just 3 seconds, meaning you can turn it on and pull a shot almost immediately. The Barista Express uses a thermocoil which takes about 30-45 seconds to come to temperature.
This single difference dramatically changes the morning workflow. With the Barista Pro, the process feels fluid and instant. With the Barista Express, there's a short but noticeable pause. If you're always in a rush, the Barista Pro is the clear winner, if you enjoy a more measured pace, the Express's startup time is negligible.
User Interface & Control
The Barista Pro features a bright LCD screen that shows grind size, shot duration, and other settings. It's clean, intuitive, and helps guide new users through the process. In contrast, the Barista Express is an analog experience. It uses tactile buttons and dials, combined with a prominent pressure gauge.
The gauge on the Express is invaluable for learning, as it shows you in real-time if your grind and tamp are correct for optimal extraction pressure. The Pro gives you this information via a timer and visual flow, but some purists prefer the direct feedback of the needle gauge. Your choice here depends on if you prefer a digital guide or an analog dashboard.
Dimensions & Countertop Footprint
While both are comprehensive all-in-one machines, their dimensions are slightly different. The Barista Pro is a bit wider and deeper, while the Barista Express is taller. The Express, however, often feels bulkier due to its layout and protruding gauge. Measure your counter space and cabinet clearance carefully. For tighter spaces, the Barista Pro often has a sleeker and more space-efficient feel thanks to its modern design, despite some dimensions appearing larger on paper.
Price & Value
The Barista Express is consistently about $100 cheaper than the Barista Pro. Both machines are capable of making identical-tasting espresso when dialed in correctly, as they share similar grinders and brew group engineering. The extra $100 for the Barista Pro gets you speed and a modern interface. For many, this is a price worth paying for convenience. For others looking for the best performance-per-dollar, the Barista Express offers tremendous value and delivers the exact same quality in the cup, just with a little more patience required.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both of these Breville machines are a fantastic investment for home coffee, but they are clearly designed for different priorities.
Choose the Breville Barista Pro (878) if:
- You're always in a rush and need your machine ready in seconds.
- You prefer a modern digital interface that's easy to read and intuitive.
- You're a beginner who would benefit from the guided experience the LCD screen provides.
- A sleek, contemporary design is a priority for your kitchen aesthetic.
Choose the Breville Barista Express (870) if:
- You're working with a tighter budget and want maximum value for your money.
- You enjoy the hands-on, tactile process of making espresso.
- You want the feedback from an analog pressure gauge to help you perfect your technique.
- You don't mind waiting 30-45 seconds for your machine to heat up.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the main difference between the Breville 878 and 870?
The single biggest difference is the heating system. The Barista Pro (878) has a ThermoJet system that heats in 3 seconds, while the Barista Express (870) uses a thermocoil that takes about 30-45 seconds. The second major difference is the interface - the Pro uses a modern LCD screen, and the Express uses analog dials and a pressure gauge.
Is the Breville Barista Pro worth the extra money?
For most people, yes. The incredible speed of the ThermoJet system drastically improves the daily user experience and reduces waiting time. If you make coffee daily, especially on busy mornings, the convenience is often worth the extra ~$100 investment.
Which Breville machine is better for beginners?
The Barista Pro is generally considered better for beginners. Its LCD screen provides clear, animated feedback on your shot time and grind settings, making the learning process more intuitive than interpreting the analog gauge on the Express.
Do both machines have a built-in grinder?
Yes, both the Barista Pro and Barista Express feature an integrated conical burr grinder with adjustable grind settings. This is a key feature that makes them excellent all-in-one solutions.
Can you froth milk for lattes on both machines?
Absolutely. Both machines come with a powerful manual steam wand that can create the rich, silky microfoam needed for latte art and other milk-based drinks. The Barista Pro's wand heats up a little faster due to the ThermoJet system.
How do you clean these Breville machines?
Both devices have automated cleaning alerts and cleaning cycles. Regular maintenance involves flushing the group head after use, wiping the steam wand, and periodically running a descale cycle with Breville's cleaning tablets.
What accessories are included?
Both models typically come with everything you need to get started: a 54mm portafilter, single and dual-wall filter baskets (for both pre-ground and fresh beans), a stainless steel milk jug, Breville's Razor dosing tool, and cleaning supplies.
Which machine makes better tasting espresso?
Neither. When dialed in correctly by a user with good technique, both the Barista Express and Barista Pro are capable of producing identical, cafe-quality espresso. The core components that affect taste - the grinder and the 9-bar pressure pump - are very similar. The difference is in the user's workflow and experience.
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