The Breville Espresso Touch and the Breville Espresso Pro are both top-tier machines from Breville, but they serve two very different home baristas. The Espresso Touch is an all-in-one solution with a built-in grinder and user-friendly touchscreen designed for convenience and speed, while the Espresso Pro is a high-performance dual boiler machine built for coffee enthusiasts who demand professional-level control and the ability to brew and steam milk simultaneously.
Here's everything you need to know to decide which of these exceptional espresso machines is right for your kitchen counter.
Breville Espresso Touch
The Breville Espresso Touch (model BES880) is a sleek, semi-automatic espresso machine that simplifies the brewing process without sacrificing quality. It combines a built-in conical burr grinder with an intuitive touchscreen to guide you through making everything from a simple shot to a complex latte. Its ThermoJet heating system is a major feature, bringing the machine to an optimal brewing temperature in just three seconds, making it perfect for quick morning routines.
- What it is: An all-in-one semi-automatic espresso machine with a touchscreen interface and integrated grinder.
- Key features: Intuitive color touchscreen with pre-programmed cafe drinks, integrated conical burr grinder with dose control, ThermoJet heating system (3-second heat-up), hands-free milk texturing with an auto-purge steam wand.
- Price: Around $700–$800
- Style: Modern and compact with clean lines. Available in brushed stainless steel and premium black finishes.
- Dimensions: Approximately 12.5" (W) x 13.7" (D) x 16" (H).
- Pros: Extremely fast heat-up time. The built-in grinder simplifies the workflow and saves counter space. A user-friendly touchscreen makes it accessible for beginners. Consistent and reliable results for everyday use.
- Cons: The single boiler design means you cannot brew espresso and steam milk at the same time. Less precise temperature control compared to the Pro. Relies on some plastic components which are less durable than the Pro’s all-metal build.
This machine is ideal for the coffee lover who prioritizes convenience, speed, and great results without a steep learning curve.
Shop this product: breville.com/us/products/espresso/bes880.html
Breville Espresso Pro
The Breville Espresso Pro (model BES920) is designed for the serious home barista who wants to replicate a café experience. As a dual boiler machine, its standout feature is the ability to extract espresso and steam milk simultaneously, cutting down prep time for lattes and cappuccinos. It provides meticulous control over every variable, featuring precise PID temperature control, adjustable pre-infusion, and a commercial-style steam wand for perfect microfoam latte art.
- What it is: A professional-grade, dual boiler espresso machine for enthusiasts seeking maximum control and cafe-quality results.
- Key features: Dual stainless steel boilers for simultaneous brewing and steaming. PID temperature control for shot-to-shot consistency. Heated group head for thermal stability. Dedicated steam boiler with a commercial-style wand. Digital LCD display for detailed shot feedback and customization.
- Price: Around $1,200–$1,400
- Style: Industrial, robust, and professional. Its polished stainless steel exterior has the look and feel of a commercial machine.
- Dimensions: Approximately 14.9" (W) x 14.7" (D) x 14.8" (H).
- Pros: Dual boilers allow for a professional workflow (simultaneous extraction and steaming). Extremely precise temperature and pressure control leads to superior espresso. The commercial-grade steam wand produces exceptional microfoam. Built with heavy-duty, durable components for longevity.
- Cons: Significantly more expensive. Requires a separate, high-quality grinder, adding to the total cost and footprint. Larger and heavier than the Touch. Has a much steeper learning curve to master all the features.
The Espresso Pro is for the dedicated coffee hobbyist who views brewing as an art and is willing to invest in an appliance that offers complete control and professional performance.
Shop this product: breville.com/us/products/espresso/bes920.html
Breville Espresso Touch vs. Pro Comparison
Dimensions & Scale
The two machines have noticeably different footprints. The Espresso Touch is designed to be relatively compact, preserving valuable counter space with its integrated grinder. At roughly 12" x 14" x 16", it fits well in most modern kitchens without being overly dominant.
In contrast, the Espresso Pro is a more substantial machine, measuring about 14" x 14" x 16". It's not just wider, but its heavy, all-metal construction adds significant weight, requiring a sturdy surface. Considering you also need a separate grinder for it, the Pro demands a dedicated coffee station or a very spacious countertop.
Features & Functionality
This is where the machines diverge the most. The Espresso Touch focuses on accessibility and speed. Its ThermoJet system heats up in three seconds, and the touchscreen guides users through the brew process. The built-in grinder is a significant feature, streamlining the process from bean to cup into one machine.
The Espresso Pro is all about performance and control. Its dual boiler system is the main differentiator, allowing you to pull an espresso shot and steam milk at the same time - a crucial feature for those who frequently make milk-based drinks. The PID controller offers precise temperature stability that the Touch cannot match, leading to more consistent extraction. Furthermore, the Pro's commercial-style steam wand offers a level of power and control necessary for creating true microfoam, a must-have for latte art enthusiasts.
Materials & Construction
Both machines feature Breville's signature brushed stainless steel finish, but the underlying construction reflects their price points. The Espresso Touch uses a mix of high-quality steel and some plastic components to remain accessible and lightweight. It's solid and well-built for daily home use.
The Espresso Pro, however, is a tank. It's constructed with commercial-grade stainless steel and heavy-duty components designed to withstand intense use and last for years. Everything from its 58mm commercial-style portafilter to its internal boilers feels more robust and professional, justifying its higher cost.
Price & Value
With the Espresso Touch coming in around $700–$800 and the Espresso Pro at $1,200–$1,400 (plus the cost of a separate grinder), there is a significant price gap. The value proposition here is entirely dependent on the user. The Espresso Touch offers incredible value for its price, providing an all-in-one system that consistently produces excellent coffee with minimal fuss.
The Espresso Pro's value is in its professional-grade performance. For a serious hobbyist, the ability to control every aspect of the brew and achieve cafe-quality results at home is worth the premium. It's an investment in a specialized appliance, similar to a high-end camera for a photographer.
Who Each One Works Best For
The Espresso Touch is perfectly suited for daily coffee drinkers who want to move beyond pod machines and enjoy fresh, high-quality espresso without a complicated process. Its speed, ease of use, and compact, all-in-one design make it perfect for busy individuals, couples, or anyone who values convenience as much as quality. If you want a great latte in the morning with just a few taps on a screen, this is your machine.
The Espresso Pro is for the aspiring or experienced home barista who finds joy in the ritual of making coffee. It's for the person who wants to experiment with grind size, dose, temperature, and pre-infusion to pull the perfect shot. If you want to master latte art, discuss extraction yields, and won't settle for anything less than cafe-level performance from your equipment, the Espresso Pro is the clear choice.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both Breville machines are excellent, but they cater to very different priorities and skill levels.
Choose the Breville Espresso Touch if:
- You prioritize convenience and speed in your coffee routine.
- You want an all-in-one machine with a built-in grinder to save space and money.
- You're new to home espresso and want a machine that is easy to learn and use.
- You want consistently good espresso without having to master technical skills.
Choose the Breville Espresso Pro if:
- You are a serious coffee enthusiast who wants maximum control over brewing.
- You frequently make lattes or cappuccinos and need to brew and steam simultaneously.
- You're passionate about perfecting latte art and need a powerful, commercial-style steam wand.
- You already own (or plan to buy) a high-quality burr grinder and have dedicated counter space.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the main difference between the Espresso Touch and Pro?
The biggest difference is the heating system. The Espresso Touch has a single ThermoJet heater for fast warm-ups, but you can't brew and steam at the same time. The Espresso Pro has dual boilers, allowing you to pull an espresso shot and froth milk simultaneously, which is a professional feature for a faster workflow.
Can the Espresso Touch make good latte art?
Yes, its steam wand can create nicely textured milk for basic latte art. However, the Espresso Pro's commercial-style steam wand is much more powerful and capable of producing the silky microfoam required for intricate, professional-quality latte art designs.
Does the Espresso Pro have a built-in grinder?
No, it does not. The Espresso Pro is designed for users who prefer to use a separate, dedicated high-performance grinder, which offers more control over grind consistency than most built-in models.
Which machine heats up faster?
The Espresso Touch is the clear winner here. Its ThermoJet heating system is ready to brew in just 3 seconds. The dual boilers in the Espresso Pro take several minutes to heat up fully, though it maintains better thermal stability once warm.
Is the Breville Espresso Pro worth the extra money?
For a serious coffee hobbyist who will use its advanced features, absolutely. The precise control, durability, and simultaneous operation are worth the investment. For the average user who just wants a great, fresh coffee drink with minimal fuss, the Espresso Touch offers a much better value.
Which one is better for beginners?
The Espresso Touch is undoubtedly better for beginners. Its intuitive touchscreen guides you through the process, and the integrated grinder simplifies the workflow, making it far less intimidating than the Pro's array of manual controls.
Can I brew coffee and steam milk at the same time on the Touch?
No. As a single-heater machine, you must first brew your espresso, then switch the machine to steam mode to froth your milk. There will be a short delay between these two steps. The Pro's dual boilers eliminate this wait.
How much counter space do I need for the Pro?
You'll need a significant amount of space. The machine itself is larger than the Touch, and you must also account for a separate, often bulky, espresso grinder beside it. It's best for a dedicated coffee bar or a large kitchen.
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