The Breville Barista Express is an all-in-one semi-automatic espresso machine with a built-in grinder, made for beginners, while the Breville Dual Boiler is a professional-grade machine for enthusiasts who want simultaneous brewing and steaming and precise temperature control. The core difference comes down to workflow and performance: the Barista Express is a convenient, single-boiler starter package, whereas the Dual Boiler is a more powerful, specialized machine built for consistency, requiring a separate grinder.
Here's everything you need to know to choose the right Breville espresso machine for your home cafe.
Breville Barista Express
The Barista Express is one of the most popular entry-level espresso machines on the market for a reason. It packs an integrated conical burr grinder, precise shot control, and a manual steam wand into a compact and relatively affordable unit. It's designed to give novice home baristas everything they need to go from bean to cup in a single machine without a huge learning curve.
- What it is: A semi-automatic, single-boiler espresso machine with an integrated burr grinder.
- Key features: Built-in conical burr grinder with dose control, hands-on microfoam milk texturing, Digital Temperature Control (PID), low-pressure pre-infusion for even extraction.
- Price: Around $700-$750
- Dimensions: Approximately 12.5" x 12.6" x 13.1"
- Materials/Construction: Brushed stainless steel casing with some durable plastic components.
- Pros: All-in-one design saves space and simplifies coffee prep. Great value for the features provided. Manual controls offer room to grow your skills. Relatively quick heat-up time.
- Cons: Single boiler means you can't brew coffee and steam milk simultaneously. Built-in grinder is decent for beginners but lacks the range of higher-end standalone grinders. Can have some temperature fluctuations between shots.
The Barista Express is ideal for anyone starting their home espresso journey who wants a capable all-in-one machine without the complexity or cost of a multi-boiler setup.
Shop this product: breville.com/us/products/espresso/bes870.html
Breville Dual Boiler
The Breville Dual Boiler is a powerhouse machine built for the serious home barista who refuses to compromise on quality and consistency. Its main advantage lies in the name: two dedicated boilers (one for brewing, one for steaming) allow you to pull a perfect shot of espresso while simultaneously steaming velvety microfoam for latte art. Packed with commercial-grade features, it provides ultimate control over every variable in the brewing process.
- What it is: A professional-grade dual boiler espresso machine designed for maximum control and efficiency.
- Key features: Dual stainless steel boilers for simultaneous brewing and steaming, exceptional PID temperature stability for both boilers, heated group head, over-pressure valve (OPV) for controlled extraction pressure.
- Price: Around $1,200-$1,400
- Dimensions: Approximately 14.7" x 14.8" x 14.7"
- Materials/Construction: A robust, all stainless steel build designed for heat stability and durability.
- Pros: Unbeatable temperature stability for highly consistent shots. Ability to brew and steam at the same time is a huge workflow improvement. Commercial-style features give you pro-level control. Powerful steam wand produces excellent microfoam.
- Cons: High price point and requires the purchase of a separate, high-quality grinder. Larger footprint takes up more counter space. Has a longer heat-up time compared to single-boiler machines. Has a steeper learning curve to master all features.
The Dual Boiler is for the coffee enthusiast who prioritizes shot-to-shot consistency and workflow efficiency and is ready to invest in a machine that rivals cafe equipment.
Shop this product: breville.com/us/products/espresso/bes920.html
Breville Barista Express vs. Breville Dual Boiler Comparison
Performance & Workflow
This is the most significant difference between the two machines. The Barista Express operates on a single thermocoil heating system. This means you must switch between brewing and steaming modes, waiting for the machine to heat up or cool down for each task. It's perfectly fine for making one or two drinks but can be slow if you're entertaining guests.
The Dual Boiler completely changes the game. With one boiler precisely held at brewing temperature (around 200°F) and another ready with powerful steam (around 265°F), you can pull your shot and texturize your milk at the same time. This not only cuts down on wait times but also ensures temperature stability, which is critical for consistent espresso extraction. The Dual Boiler provides a true cafe-level workflow.
Dimensions & Design
The Barista Express is designed with home kitchens in mind. At roughly 12.5" wide and 13" deep, it has a fairly compact footprint for an all-in-one machine. Its brushed stainless steel combines with some plastic for a look that's modern without being overly bulky.
The Dual Boiler is noticeably larger and more robust, measuring about 14.7" on all sides. It requires a dedicated spot on your countertop. Its full stainless steel construction feels heavier and more commercial, signaling it's a high-performance appliance.
Ease of Use & Learning Curve
With its integrated grinder and straightforward controls, the Barista Express is far more beginner-friendly. Breville provides clear instructions, and the whole "bean-to-cup" process is contained within one unit, which helps simplify the learning process dramatically. You can get good results quickly and then use the manual controls to improve your skills over time.
The Dual Boiler assumes a higher level of user knowledge. It does not have a built-in grinder, so you'll need to learn about dialing in a separate grinder. While it can operate in a simple manual mode, unlocking its full potential involves learning about pre-infusion times, brew temperatures, and shot programming. It's better suited for someone who already understands the fundamentals of espresso or is excited to master them.
Price & Value
At around $700, the Barista Express is a complete starter kit. You get a machine and a grinder for one price, which is an excellent value for a beginner. It has everything you need to start making great coffee immediately.
The Dual Boiler costs around $1,400 for the machine alone. You will still need to purchase a capable espresso grinder, which can add another $200-$600+ to your total investment. The value here is in long-term performance and capability. It’s an enthusiast-level machine that you won't outgrow, offering precision and durability that lower-priced options can't match.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both machines are excellent choices, but they are built for very different users and goals.
Choose the Breville Barista Express if:
- You are a beginner or intermediate user wanting a simple, all-in-one solution.
- You value convenience and have limited counter space.
- Your budget for a full espresso setup is under $1000.
- You primarily make espresso or one milk drink at a time.
Choose the Breville Dual Boiler if:
- You are a serious enthusiast who prioritizes workflow efficiency and shot consistency.
- You want to brew espresso and steam milk at the same time.
- You already own or are willing to invest in a high-quality standalone grinder.
- You enjoy fine-tuning every variable and pursuing the perfect shot.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the main difference between the Barista Express and Dual Boiler?
The primary difference is the heating system. The Barista Express has one heat-exchanger that toggles between lower temperatures for brewing and higher temperatures for steaming. The Dual Boiler has two separate boilers, one for each function, allowing you to perform both tasks at the same time with no waiting and with greater temperature stability.
Is the built-in grinder on the Barista Express good enough?
Yes, the grinder on the Barista Express is very capable for beginners and intermediate users. It offers enough adjustment range to get a good espresso extraction from most beans. However, die-hard espresso fans will eventually prefer the more precise, consistent grind from a dedicated standalone grinder.
Do I need to buy a separate grinder for the Dual Boiler?
Yes. The Dual Boiler does not have a grinder, and it is a requirement. Pairing a machine of this quality with a poor-quality grinder would be a waste of its potential, so budget for an espresso-focused burr grinder like the Baratza Sette or Breville's own Smart Grinder Pro.
Which machine is better for making milk drinks like lattes?
The Dual Boiler is the clear winner here. Its dedicated, powerful steam boiler produces professional-quality microfoam more quickly and easily. The ability to steam milk while the shot is pouring also makes the process much faster, which is key to preserving the flavor of the fresh espresso.
Is the Dual Boiler worth the extra money?
If you're an experienced user who values speed, consistency, and control, then absolutely. If you're a beginner or someone who prioritizes value and an all-in-one easy solution, the Barista Express offers much better value for your needs.
How much warm-up time does each machine need?
The Barista Express heats up relatively quickly, in just a minute or so, to be ready to pull a shot. The Dual Boiler, which houses two large boilers and a heated grouphead, will take longer - around 10-15 minutes or more to become fully temperature stable. This is often the trade-off that comes with getting this added stability and brewing power that pro hobbyists are looking for.
Can a beginner use the Dual Boiler?
A beginner can use it, but there is a steep learning process compared to the Barista Express. The machine is intuitive to operate manually, but learning to dial in an external grinder and leveraging its features requires time and a little patience. If you like to geek out and want room to grow, there is no reason not to choose the Dual Boiler.
Which one is easier to clean?
Both machines require regular cleaning, including backflushing, descaling, and cleaning the steam wand. The processes are similar for both machines. The Dual Boiler may have a more detailed descaling process as it contains double boilers, but ultimately they are fairly close in terms of difficulty to clean.
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