The Breville Dual Boiler and the Profitec Go represent two distinct philosophies in home espresso machines, differing mainly in boiler configuration, features, and price. The Breville is a feature-rich dual boiler machine designed for convenience and simultaneous brewing and steaming, while the Profitec Go is a premium single boiler machine focused on exceptional build quality, fast heat-up times, and a compact design. The Dual Boiler is for the versatile home barista, while the Go is for the espresso purist.
Here’s everything you need to know to decide between these two excellent machines from Breville and Profitec.
Breville Dual Boiler
The Breville Dual Boiler is a user-friendly espresso machine packed with professional features. As its name suggests, its core feature is the dual boiler system, which allows you to pull espresso shots and steam milk at the same time, making it a popular choice for home baristas who frequently make lattes and cappuccinos.
- What it is: A dual stainless steel boiler espresso machine designed for home users who want professional workflow capabilities and precise control.
- Key features: Simultaneous brew and steam, digitally-controlled PID for temperature stability in both boilers, shot clock, pressure gauge, programmable pre-infusion, heated group head, and an intuitive LCD screen.
- Price: ~$1,599
- Dimensions: 14.7" W x 14.8" D x 14.9" H
- Materials/Construction: It has a high-quality stainless steel housing and stainless steel boilers. While robust for a consumer appliance, it incorporates more plastic in its internal construction compared to prosumer machines.
- Style: Sleek brushed stainless steel with a modern, appliance-like aesthetic that fits well in contemporary kitchens. The digital display gives it a high-tech look.
- Pros: Excellent temperature stability rivals more expensive machines. Dual boilers create an efficient workflow for milk drinks. Highly programmable and beginner-friendly. Packed with features for the price.
- Cons: A larger countertop footprint. Can take 15-20 minutes to fully heat up and stabilize. While well-built, it is not as easily repairable or built-for-life as many prosumer machines.
This machine is for the home barista who loves making milky drinks like lattes and cappuccinos efficiently and values a tech-forward, guided brewing experience.
Shop this product: breville.com/us/en/products/espresso/bes920.html
Profitec Go
The Profitec Go is a compact, single-boiler machine from a respected German brand known for its prosumer-grade engineering. The Go brings that focus on build quality and thermal stability to a smaller, more accessible package. It’s designed for simplicity and performance, heating up quickly and producing excellent espresso shot after shot.
- What it is: A high-performance single boiler espresso machine celebrated for its German engineering and premium build quality.
- Key features: A single 0.4L brass boiler, an external PID for precise temperature control, display that doubles as a shot timer during extraction, and an expansion valve for pressure adjustment (OPV), and a commercial-quality 58mm portafilter.
- Price: ~$950
- Dimensions: 9" W x 15" D x 15" H
- Materials/Construction: Powder-coated steel housing available in several colors with high-quality internal components, including a durable brass boiler designed for longevity and thermal stability.
- Style: Minimalist and classic with a touch of fun thanks to different color finishes available. Its clean lines and compact switches give a tactile impression of high workmanship.
- Pros: Outstanding build quality for its price point. Heats up in just 5-10 minutes. Extremely compact footprint is perfect for small spaces. PID provides excellent temperature control.
- Cons: Single boiler design means you have to switch modes and wait between pulling an espresso shot and steaming milk. Workflow-wise, it is slower and not ideal for crafting several cappuccinos in a row. Not a full shiny stainless steel model like other Profitec ones.
The Go is ideal for an espresso enthusiast with limited space who values exceptional build quality and materials more than smart features, and is not crafting several milky drinks at once or in a row.
Shop this product: wholelattelove.com/products/profitec-go-single-boiler-espresso-machine
Breville Dual Boiler vs. Profitec Go Comparison
Boiler System & Workflow
This is the most significant difference between the two machines. The Breville Dual Boiler allows you to pull your espresso shot and steam your milk at the same time. This is invaluable when making multiple cappuccinos or lattes, cutting your preparation time in half and mimicking the workflow of a commercial cafe.
The Profitec Go uses a single boiler. You pull your shot at one temperature, then flip a switch and wait for the boiler to heat up to steam temperature (~240-270°F). It has impressive steam power for its size, but you cannot do both tasks simultaneously. This workflow is perfectly fine for an individual but becomes cumbersome if you're serving drinks to guests.
Materials & Build Quality
The Profitec Go has a clear edge here. It leverages Profitec's reputation for high-end German engineering, using a robust steel housing and a heavy brass boiler - materials chosen for durability and thermal performance. It feels solid and is designed to be maintainable for years.
The Breville Dual Boiler is very well constructed for an appliance brand, featuring a handsome stainless steel exterior and internal boilers. However, it incorporates more plastic parts in its construction. While reliable, it's generally considered less of a "lifelong" machine and can be more difficult to source parts for self-repair compared to enthusiast brands like Profitec.
Features & User Experience
Breville excels at creating a user-friendly, feature-rich experience. The Dual Boiler’s LCD screen provides all the information you need, from temperature to a shot timer. It offers programmable auto-on times so your machine is hot when you wake up, and precise control over pre-infusion. It's a "smarter" machine that guides the user.
The Profitec Go subscribes to a minimalist philosophy. Its PID controller is clear and simple, offering a shot counter feature only during lever activation. It is a straightforward classic espresso machine with the main and only scope being to deliver a perfect shot and offer the possibilities to steam milk when needed. Less automation means the process relies a little bit more on user expertise.
Price & Value
With an approximate price of $1,599, the Breville Dual Boiler packs an incredible amount of functionality - namely, its dual boiler system is an excellent performer for that amount.
At around $950, the Profitec Go offers exceptional value in a different way. You're paying for prosumer-grade build quality, a fast heat-up time, and compact design. A machine that is built to last.
Dimensions & Footprint
Both are designed to fit under standard kitchen cabinets, but their footprint differs. The Profitec Go is noticeably more compact at 9" wide, making it a fantastic option for kitchens with limited counter space.
The Breville Dual Boiler is wider and deeper, at just under 15" wide and deep. You'll need to dedicate a more substantial spot for its place and also consider leaving access space to manually refill its top-loadable water tank from time to time.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both machines are excellent, but they are built for different users with different priorities.
Choose the Breville Dual Boiler if:
- You regularly make lattes, cappuccinos, or other milk-based drinks for yourself or for guests.
- You want a frictionless workflow that allows you to brew and steam simultaneously.
- You appreciate a digital interface with programmable features, shot timers, and auto-start functions.
- You have adequate counter space and a budget of around $1,600.
Choose the Profitec Go if:
- You primarily drink espresso or only make the occasional milk drink.
- Build quality, longevity, and durability are your top priorities in a coffee machine.
- You are short on counter space and need a compact machine.
- You appreciate simplicity and a tactile, manual brewing experience and want the machine warm and ready to brew a shot in a bit more than 5 minutes every day.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the main difference between the Breville Dual Boiler and the Profitec Go?
The core difference is the boiler system. The Breville has two boilers, allowing you to pull espresso shots and steam milk at the same time. The Profitec has one boiler, so you must perform those tasks sequentially, with a short wait time in between.
Which espresso machine heats up faster?
The Profitec Go heats up significantly faster, ready to pull shots in just 5-10 minutes. The Breville Dual Boiler takes about 15-20 minutes to reach full thermal stability.
Is the Breville Dual Boiler easy for a beginner?
Yes, its abundance of features like the integrated PID, pressure gauge, and shot timer make it very welcoming for beginners. These tools provide instant feedback that helps you learn to dial in your shots faster.
Is the Profitec Go good for making lattes?
It's capable of producing powerful, dry steam for excellent microfoam. However, because it's a single boiler, the workflow is slower as you must brew your espresso first, then switch to steam mode and wait. It’s great for one or two lattes, but less practical for a group.
Which machine is more durable and built to last?
The Profitec Go is widely regarded as the more durable machine. Its German engineering, simple design, brass boiler, and high-quality components are all focused on long-term performance and repairability.
Are both machines equipped with 58 mm portafilter?
Yes, both machines come with an industry-standard 58-millimeter sized portafilter that will accept classic accessories like baskets and tampers.
Why is the price difference so big if both make espresso?
You are paying for different technologies. The dual boilers and complex electronics in the Breville add to its cost. With the Profitec, the cost is in the prosumer-grade materials and construction, even with a simpler single-boiler system.
Is a PID temperature controller important?
Yes, it's essential for consistent results and is a key feature both machines have. PID ensures that the brew water is at the precise temperature you set, making it a non-negotiable feature for anyone really looking into espresso quality.
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