The Breville Barista Touch and the Breville Barista Express are two of the best home espresso machines, but they target very different users. The key difference is their interface and level of automation: the Barista Touch uses a color touchscreen with automated milk frothing for ultimate convenience, while the Barista Express relies on manual dials, buttons, and a traditional steam wand for a hands-on, authentic barista experience.
Here’s everything you need to know to choose the right Breville machine for your daily coffee routine.
Breville Barista Touch
The Barista Touch is Breville's answer for the coffee lover who wants café-quality drinks without the steep learning curve. It combines a premium all-in-one grinder and brewing system with an intuitive touchscreen interface and automated features. Its main selling point is the ability to select a drink like a latte or cappuccino, and the machine walks you through the steps and even froths the milk for you to the perfect temperature and texture.
- What it is: A semi-automatic espresso machine with a user-friendly touchscreen and automated milk steaming designed for speed and convenience.
- Key features: An intuitive color touchscreen menu with 5 pre-programmed cafe drinks, an integrated conical burr grinder, automatic milk frothing with adjustable temperature and texture settings, and an incredible 3-second heat-up time via its ThermoJet heating system.
- Price: Typically around $999.95
- Style: Sleek and modern with a brushed stainless steel finish and a clean, high-tech aesthetic that complements contemporary kitchens.
- Materials/Construction: Features a durable brushed stainless steel exterior with high-quality accents integrated into its user-friendly interface.
- Pros: Extremely easy for beginners to use. The 3-second heat-up time means no waiting. Automatic milk frothing creates consistent, hands-free results. The touchscreen simplifies the entire brewing process.
- Cons: A significantly higher price point. The reliance on automation provides less control for experienced baristas who want to fine-tune their drinks. The touchscreen, while convenient, introduces another electronic component that could fail long-term.
This machine is ideal for anyone seeking convenience and consistency, delivering excellent coffee drinks with minimal effort and virtually no waiting time.
Shop this product: breville.com/us/products/espresso/bes880.html
Breville Barista Express
The Barista Express is a modern classic in the world of home espresso and has arguably kickstarted the hobby for thousands of people. It’s a true semi-automatic machine that provides all the tools you need - including a quality built-in grinder and a manual steam wand - while giving you full control over the process. It's designed for the aspiring barista who enjoys the craft of pulling a perfect shot and steaming creamy milk for latte art.
- What it is: A highly popular all-in-one semi-automatic espresso machine that emphasizes manual control and hands-on skill development.
- Key features: An integrated conical burr grinder with dose control grinding, a pressure gauge for real-time extraction feedback, volumetric shot control, and a powerful manual steam wand for creating microfoam.
- Price: Typically around $699.95
- Style: A classic, industrial-inspired look with a robust stainless steel finish that looks like a miniature commercial machine on your countertop.
- Materials/Construction: A heavy-duty brushed stainless steel chassis gives it a professional feel and ensures long-term durability.
- Pros: Excellent value for the price. Gives the user complete manual control over every variable of the espresso-making process. Great for learning and practicing latte art. A massive online community exists for tips and tricks.
- Cons: Has a much steeper learning curve than the Touch. Heat-up time is longer (around 30-45 seconds). Requires manual skill and practice to get consistent results, especially with milk frothing.
The Barista Express is perfect for the coffee enthusiast who wants to dive deep into the hobby, master their technique, and have complete control over their brew.
Shop this product: breville.com/us/products/espresso/bes870.html
Breville Barista Touch vs. Barista Express Comparison
User Experience & Ease of Use
This is the most significant difference between the two machines. The Barista Touch is built for simplicity. You select a drink from a picture menu, and the screen guides you on grind time and prompts you to start the extraction. The automatic steam wand is the main draw - just place the milk jug under it, and it does the work for you, producing consistent microfoam every time.
The Barista Express offers an analog, hands-on experience. You control the grind size and amount with dials, tamp the coffee yourself, and manually steam your own milk. This requires practice and skill but is incredibly rewarding. The pressure gauge provides valuable feedback to help you "dial in" your shot, making it an excellent teaching tool for aspiring baristas.
Heat-Up Time & Speed
The Barista Touch is the clear winner here. Its modern ThermoJet heating system heats water to the ideal extraction temperature in just 3 seconds. This makes it perfect for busy mornings when you can’t wait for a machine to warm up. The Barista Express uses an older Thermocoil system that is still fast compared to many machines, but it takes around 30-45 seconds to be ready to brew.
Materials & Construction
Both machines are made with Breville's signature brushed stainless steel and are built to last. The Barista Express has a slightly more "industrial" and robust feel, with fewer plastic components. The Barista Touch, while still very well-made, integrates a large touchscreen and features a slightly more streamlined, modern construction. Both feel premium and sturdy on the counter.
Price & Value
The Barista Express is typically about $300 cheaper than the Barista Touch. For that lower price, you get a powerful, capable machine that can produce exceptional espresso if you’re willing to learn. It represents phenomenal value for anyone wanting to get serious about their coffee hobby. The higher price of the Barista Touch buys you convenience, speed, and advanced technology. The value here comes from its ability to replicate café-style drinks effortlessly and consistently with the touch of a button.
Who Each One Works Best For
The Barista Touch is designed for individuals or families who want consistent, premium coffee drinks without the fuss. If your priority is a quick, easy latte on a busy morning, this machine is an excellent investment. It removes the guesswork and makes the entire process incredibly straightforward.
The Barista Express is for the coffee hobbyist, the tinkerer, and the person who views making coffee as a relaxing ritual. It's for anyone who gets satisfaction from perfecting a new skill, wants to pour their own latte art, and desires full creative control over their drink from start to finish.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both of these Breville machines produce fantastic espresso, but they cater to very different home baristas.
Choose the Breville Barista Touch if:
- You prioritize speed and convenience above all else.
- You want lattes and cappuccinos without having to learn how to steam milk manually.
- You prefer a sleek, modern look with a digital touchscreen interface.
- You are willing to invest more for automation and ease of use.
Choose the Breville Barista Express if:
- You are excited by the idea of learning a hands-on craft.
- You want total control over every variable in the espresso-making process.
- You dream of pouring your own latte art with perfectly textured milk.
- You're looking for the best performance and control for under $700.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the main difference between the Barista Touch and Express?
The main differences are the user interface and milk frothing. The Touch has a color touchscreen and automatic milk steaming, while the Express uses manual dials and buttons and has a manual steam wand for you to froth milk yourself.
Which Breville machine is better for a beginner?
The Barista Touch is easier for a complete beginner to use right out of the box due to its guided interface and automation. However, the Barista Express is arguably better for a beginner who actually wants to learn the craft of making espresso.
How fast do they heat up?
The Barista Touch features a ThermoJet heater and is ready to brew in just 3 seconds. The Barista Express's Thermocoil system takes about 30-45 seconds to heat up properly.
Is the built-in grinder good on these machines?
Yes, for an all-in-one machine, the integrated conical burr grinders on both models are excellent. They offer a wide range of settings appropriate for espresso and are more than capable for most home users.
Can I make good latte art with these machines?
You have a much better chance with the Barista Express. Its manual steam wand gives you full control over the milk texturing process, which is essential for creating the silky microfoam needed for detailed art. The Touch's automatic system creates great foam for drinks, but it's not designed for practicing latte art.
Is the Barista Touch worth the extra money?
It's worth it if your main priorities are speed, simplicity, and repeatable results. The automated systems and lightning-fast heat-up time are premium features that command a higher price. If you don't mind a more hands-on approach, you can save money with the Express.
How do you clean these Breville machines?
Both models make cleaning easy. They have built-in alerts that tell you when it's time to run a cleaning cycle or descale the machine. Routine maintenance involves regular backflushing, wiping down the steam wand, and emptying the drip tray.
Do these machines come with all the necessary accessories?
Yes, both typically come with a portafilter, single and dual-wall filter baskets, a stainless steel milk jug, a tamper, and cleaning tools. You'll have everything you need to start making coffee right away except for the beans.
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