The main difference between a Breville espresso machine and one from Philips comes down to control versus convenience. Breville machines like the Barista Express (BES870XL) and Barista Pro (BES878BSS) are semi-automatic, giving you hands-on control over your grind and shot for café-quality results, whereas Philips machines are typically super-automatic, offering one-touch simplicity at a more affordable price.
Here's a complete guide to help you decide which espresso machine is the right fit for your kitchen counter and coffee habits.
Breville Barista Express (BES870XL)
The Breville Barista Express is an iconic all-in-one espresso machine that has become a gateway for countless home coffee enthusiasts. It combines a high-quality conical burr grinder, precise temperature control, and a manual steam wand into a single, robust stainless steel unit, giving you all the tools needed to pull a perfect shot of espresso.
- What it is: A semi-automatic espresso machine with an integrated conical burr grinder designed for aspiring home baristas.
- Key features: Integrated steel conical burr grinder with dose control, 15-bar Italian pump, thermocoil heating system, pressure gauge for optimal extraction, 360-degree swivel steam wand for microfoam.
- Price: Around $700 - $800
- Dimensions: 12.5" x 12.6" x 13.2"
- Style: Professional and modern, with a classic brushed stainless steel finish that looks at home in any serious kitchen.
- Materials/Construction: Built primarily from high-quality stainless steel for durability and a premium feel.
- Pros: Excellent value for an all-in-one machine, gives you precise control over brewing variables, durable stainless steel build, high-performance steam wand for latte art.
- Cons: Has a noticeable learning curve for beginners, the thermocoil system is slower to heat up compared to newer models, the grinder can be loud.
The Barista Express is ideal for someone who wants to learn the craft of making espresso and enjoys the hands-on process of dialing in the perfect shot.
Shop this product: breville.com/us/en/products/espresso/bes870.html
Breville Barista Pro (BES878BSS)
The Barista Pro is the upgraded sibling to the Express, offering key improvements in speed and user experience. It features a faster heat-up time, an intuitive LCD screen that provides real-time feedback, and a more advanced grinder, making the process of pulling a great shot a bit quicker and more streamlined without sacrificing control.
- What it is: A semi-automatic espresso machine that improves upon the Barista Express with a digital interface and faster performance.
- Key features: ThermoJet heating system heats up in 3 seconds, intuitive LCD interface with shot timer, integrated grinder with 30 size settings (compared to 16 on the Express), powerful steam wand.
- Price: Around $800 - $900
- Dimensions: 13" x 13" x 14"
- Style: Sleek and contemporary, with a digital interface that gives it a more high-tech look than the analog-focused Express.
- Materials/Construction: Similar high-quality stainless steel build as the rest of the Breville Barista series.
- Pros: Incredibly fast 3-second heat-up time, digital screen makes it easier to use and more precise, more grind settings offer finer control, powerful steam performance.
- Cons: More expensive than the Express, a slightly larger footprint on the counter, still requires a commitment to the hands-on brewing process.
The Barista Pro is perfect for the serious coffee lover who wants the control of a semi-automatic machine but values speed, convenience, and a more modern user interface.
Shop this product: breville.com/us/en/products/espresso/bes878.html
Philips Espresso Machines
Philips focuses on creating fully automatic (or "super-automatic") espresso machines that prioritize convenience and simplicity. Instead of manual dosing, tamping, and shot pulling, Philips machines typically handle the entire process - from grinding the beans to brewing the coffee and frothing the milk - at the touch of a button. They are designed for people who want good coffee quickly, without the fuss.
- What it is: A line of super-automatic espresso machines focused on affordability and ease of use.
- Key features: One-touch brewing for espresso, cappuccino, and other drinks, integrated grinders, automatic milk frothing systems (like the LatteGo), durable ceramic grinders, easy to clean with removable brew groups.
- Price: Typically ranges from $200 - $500.
- Dimensions: Varies by model, but generally more compact and designed to save counter space (e.g., around 10" x 8" x 12").
- Style: Simple, minimalist, and functional, often with plastic casings to keep costs down. Fit well in modern but utilitarian kitchen environments.
- Materials/Construction: Primarily made of durable plastic, though some models may have stainless steel accents. Prioritizes lightweight design over a premium feel.
- Pros: Extremely easy to use with one-touch operation, very little learning curve, highly convenient for busy mornings, more affordable than Breville's lineup.
- Cons: Limited control over brewing variables, coffee quality may not be as rich or nuanced as from a semi-automatic, plastic construction feels less premium, auto-frothers can be harder to clean than manual wands.
A Philips machine is the right choice for anyone who values convenience above all and just wants a decent cup of coffee or a latte with minimal effort.
Shop this brand: usa.philips.com/c-m-ho/coffee
Breville vs. Philips Comparison
Price & Value
There's a significant price gap here. Breville machines occupy the premium home enthusiast space, with the Barista Express starting around $700 and the Pro closer to $850. They offer tremendous value by packing a grinder, machine, and pro-level features into one unit. For the price, you get tools that can produce genuine café-quality espresso and latte art.
Philips operates in the more accessible budget-to-mid-range market, with most machines falling between $200 and $500. The value proposition for Philips is convenience. You get a completely automated coffee-shop menu at your fingertips for less than the cost of a base-model Breville.
Materials & Construction
Breville builds its espresso machines like premium kitchen appliances. Both the Barista Express and Pro feature heavy-duty stainless steel casings, giving them a sturdy feel and a look that suggests longevity. Components like the portafilter are commercial-grade, designed for repeated use.
Philips machines are generally built with durable plastic bodies. While they are reliable for daily use, they lack the heft and premium feel of the steel Breville models. This choice of materials keeps them lightweight and affordable but may impact their long-term durability compared to the tank-like construction of a Breville.
Control & Ease of Use
This is the most critical point of comparison. Breville is for the hands-on creator. You control the grind size, dose amount, tamp pressure, and shot duration. This micro-management is what allows you to extract the perfect espresso, but it requires practice and a willingness to learn.
Philips is for the user who wants zero fuss. You press a button for "cappuccino," and the machine does everything else for you. There are sliders to adjust aroma strength or milk quantity on some models, but you're fundamentally working within pre-set parameters. It's built for consistency and speed, not for craft.
Style & Footprint
The Breville Barista lineup is designed to be a centerpiece. The brushed stainless steel, analog pressure gauge (on the Express), and professional portafilter look impressive on any counter. They are larger machines, however, requiring a dedicated spot in your kitchen.
Philips machines have a more modern and compact footprint. Their minimalist design aims to blend in rather than stand out, and their smaller size makes them a great fit for apartments or kitchens with limited counter space.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both brands offer excellent machines, but they serve entirely different types of coffee drinkers.
Choose a Breville machine if:
- You want to learn the art of making true espresso from bean to cup.
- You enjoy the ritual and hands-on process of making coffee.
- You want the ability to create latte art with a powerful steam wand.
- Build quality and long-term durability are important to you.
- You want to fine-tune your coffee to get the best possible flavor. Pick the Barista Pro for speed and digital precision or the Express for a more classic, budget-friendlier starting point.
Choose a Philips machine if:
- Convenience is your number one priority.
- You want espresso, cappuccinos, or lattes at the single touch of a button.
- You have limited counter space and need a more compact machine.
- You're on a tighter budget and want a reliable machine for a few hundred dollars.
- You prefer consistency over the ability to experiment with your shots.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the main difference between Breville and Philips espresso machines?
The main difference is control. Breville offers semi-automatic machines that let you control variables like grind size, dose, and shot time, appealing to hobbyists. Philips sells super-automatic machines that do everything for you at the touch of a button, prioritizing convenience.
What's the difference between the Breville Barista Express (BES870XL) and the Barista Pro (BES878BSS)?
The Barista Pro is an upgrade to the Express. It has a ThermoJet heating system that heats up in just 3 seconds (vs. ~30 seconds for the Express), an LCD screen that provides detailed feedback, and a grinder with more settings for finer control.
Which is better for a beginner?
A Philips machine is far easier for a true beginner. There's virtually no learning curve. However, if a beginner wants to learn how to make real espresso, the Breville Barista Express is a fantastic and popular starting point for that journey.
Are the built-in grinders on Breville machines good enough?
Yes, for most users, the integrated conical burr grinders are excellent. They offer enough settings to properly dial in espresso and eliminate the need to buy a separate, expensive espresso grinder, which is one of their biggest selling points.
Are Philips machines easy to clean?
Yes, Philips designs its machines with easy maintenance in mind. Most models feature automated cleaning cycles and have removable brew groups and milk systems (like the LatteGo) that can be easily rinsed under a tap.
Can I use pre-ground coffee in these machines?
Yes, both Breville and many Philips models have a bypass doser that allows you to use pre-ground coffee, which is convenient for a guest who wants decaf or if you run out of whole beans.
Which one froths milk better for lattes?
The manual steam wands on the Breville machines, particularly the Barista Pro, are more powerful and capable of producing fine-celled microfoam suitable for high-quality latte art. The automatic frothers on Philips machines are convenient but create a thicker, bubblier foam that isn't ideal for artistry.
How long do these machines last?
With proper care and descaling, a Breville espresso machine can easily last 5-10 years. A Philips machine, with its plastic construction, is typically expected to last around 3-5 years with regular use before parts may start to wear out.
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