The Casabrews 5700 Pro and espresso machines from Breville serve different segments of the home barista market, differing primarily in build quality, target audience, and price. The Casabrews 5700 Pro is a professional-grade machine with commercial-quality components for serious enthusiasts demanding high performance and durability, while Breville models like the popular Barista Express offer an accessible, user-friendly, and more affordable all-in-one solution for everyday home use.
Here's everything you need to know to decide which of these popular espresso machine brands is the right fit for your kitchen counter.
Casabrews 5700 Pro
The Casabrews 5700 Pro is built for the coffee connoisseur who wants the performance and longevity of a commercial machine at home. It's a specialty, semi-automatic espresso maker with heavy-duty components, precise brewing controls, and a robust stainless steel construction designed for consistent, high-volume use without compromising on quality.
- What it is: A professional-grade, semi-automatic espresso machine designed for serious home baristas or small commercial settings.
- Key features: Commercial-grade stainless steel body, advanced and precise temperature control systems, customizable brewing parameters, dual boiler system for simultaneous brewing and steaming.
- Price: $2,200 to $2,500
- Style: Sleek but industrial, with a minimalist stainless steel aesthetic that looks like a scaled-down version of professional café equipment.
- Materials/Construction: Built entirely with commercial-grade stainless steel and heavy-duty internal components for maximum durability and longevity. It is notably heavier and larger than typical home machines.
- Pros: Exceptional build quality and robustness for long-term use. Provides professional-level precision and control over brewing variables. Can handle high-volume, frequent use with ease. Dual boilers improve workflow efficiency.
- Cons: A significant investment with a much higher price point. Requires ample counter space due to its larger size and weight. Requires a separate, high-quality grinder, adding to the overall cost.
This machine is ideal for the dedicated espresso enthusiast who prioritizes professional performance, durability, and a hands-on brewing process over convenience or budget.
Shop this product: casabrews.com/products/casabrews-professional-espresso-machine-cm5700-pro
Breville Barista Express
The Breville Barista Express is one of the most popular entry-to-mid-level espresso machines on the market, praised for combining an intuitive interface with an all-in-one design. Featuring a built-in grinder and user-friendly controls, it aims to make the process of grinding, dosing, and extracting fresh espresso approachable for beginners while still offering enough manual control for intermediate users. It's a perfect starting point for anyone serious about upgrading from pods or pre-ground coffee.
- What it is: An all-in-one, semi-automatic espresso machine that includes a built-in conical burr grinder for a "bean-to-cup" experience at home.
- Key features: Integrated conical burr grinder, dose-control grinding, thermocoil heating system, simple button interface, pressure gauge display.
- Price: $700 to $800
- Style: Modern, compact, and stylish design intended to complement contemporary kitchen aesthetics without dominating the countertop.
- Materials/Construction: Uses a mix of high-quality stainless steel and durable plastic components to balance cost, aesthetics, and functionality.
- Pros: Excellent value for money, combining a grinder and machine in one package. The all-in-one design saves space and simplifies the workflow. Very user-friendly and great for those new to espresso. Widely available from major retailers.
- Cons: Not as durable as commercial-grade machines for high-volume use. The built-in grinder has limitations compared to higher-end standalone grinders. Its thermocoil heating system is less consistent than a dual boiler.
The Breville Barista Express strikes a brilliant balance between performance and affordability, making it an excellent choice for home users who want great-tasting espresso without a huge investment or steep learning curve.
Shop this product: breville.com/us/en/products/espresso/bes870.html
Casabrews 5700 Pro vs. Breville Comparison
Dimensions & Scale
There is a significant difference in physical presence. The Casabrews 5700 Pro is a larger and heavier machine designed for a dedicated coffee station. Its commercial-grade parts contribute to a substantial footprint that requires considerable, sturdy counter space.
The Breville Barista Express, by contrast, is engineered for the typical home kitchen. It's more compact and lightweight, designed to fit neatly under standard cabinets without overwhelming the space. Its all-in-one nature also means you don't need a separate area for a grinder, making it far superior for smaller kitchens.
Materials & Construction
The Casabrews 5700 Pro is built like a tank. It uses commercial-grade stainless steel for its entire body and houses heavy-duty internal components designed for longevity and consistent performance under stress. This level of construction is what you'd expect to find in a small café and ensures the machine will last for years with proper care.
Breville machines use quality materials, including a brushed stainless steel finish, but incorporate more plastic components to keep the weight and cost down. While well-built for home use, the overall durability and construction are consumer-grade and not intended for the same high-volume, long-term punishment the Casabrews machine is designed to handle.
Price & Value
The price difference is the most obvious differentiator. At over $2,200, the Casabrews 5700 Pro is a serious financial commitment aimed at dedicated hobbyists. The value is found in its decade-plus lifespan, repairability, and professional-level performance that can't be matched by less expensive machines.
Priced around $700-$800, the Breville Barista Express offers tremendous value for home users. By bundling a capable grinder with a more-than-capable espresso maker, it provides everything a beginner needs to start pulling great shots for about one-third of the price of the Casabrews, before even buying a separate grinder.
Style & Aesthetics
The Casabrews machine features an industrial, utilitarian design. Its aesthetic is a direct result of its function - it looks professional, sturdy, and forgoes fashionable flair in favor of timeless, performance-oriented visuals. It makes a statement that you are very serious about your coffee.
Breville puts more emphasis on a stylish, consumer-friendly look. The Barista Express has polished details, intuitive button layouts, and a clean profile that blends seamlessly with other modern kitchen appliances. It's designed to be approachable and attractive on any countertop.
Who Each One Works Best For
The Casabrews 5700 Pro is unapologetically engineered for the obsessive home barista, prosumer, or small office that requires café-quality output and bulletproof reliability for multiple cups a day. It's for the person who enjoys the ritual and technical side of espresso making and is willing to invest in equipment that matches their passion.
The Breville Barista Express is aimed squarely at the aspiring coffee lover who wants to move beyond automatic machines or pods. It's for someone who values convenience, affordability, and a minimal learning curve but still wants the ability to produce authentic, high-quality espresso at home. It's the perfect first "real" espresso machine.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both machines produce excellent espresso but are built for very different users and priorities.
Choose the Casabrews 5700 Pro if:
- You are a dedicated coffee enthusiast who demands commercial-grade performance and control.
- Longevity and durability for high-volume daily use are your main priorities.
- You have a generous budget and see the machine as a long-term investment.
- You already own (or plan to buy) a separate, high-quality burr grinder.
Choose the Breville Barista Express if:
- You are a beginner or intermediate home barista looking for a user-friendly, all-in-one solution.
- You prioritize value and want the best performance for your budget.
- You have limited counter space and need a compact machine.
- Simplicity and convenience are more important to you than ultimate precision and commercial durability.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the main difference between the Casabrews 5700 Pro and Breville?
The key differences are build quality and target audience. The Casabrews is a professional-grade machine with commercial parts built for extreme durability and precision control. Breville machines are high-quality consumer appliances focused on user-friendliness, convenience, and a more accessible price point for home use.
Which espresso machine is better for a beginner?
The Breville Barista Express is overwhelmingly better for beginners. Its integrated grinder, clear instructions, and straightforward controls make the learning process much more manageable. The Casabrews 5700 Pro has a steeper learning curve more suited to an experienced user.
Is the Casabrews 5700 Pro worth the price?
For the right person, absolutely. If you are a serious coffee enthusiast who makes multiple espresso drinks per day and values the long-term reliability and precise control that commercial components provide, it is a worthwhile investment that can last for years.
Does the Breville Barista Express have a built-in grinder?
Yes, one of its main selling points is the integrated conical burr grinder. This creates a convenient, space-saving "bean-to-cup" process where you grind fresh beans directly into the portafilter.
Which machine is more durable?
The Casabrews 5700 Pro is significantly more durable. It is constructed with commercial-grade materials specifically designed to withstand the wear and tear of frequent, high-volume use over many years.
Do I need a separate grinder for the Casabrews 5700 Pro?
Yes. The Casabrews 5700 Pro does not include a built-in grinder. To get the best results from a machine of its caliber, you will need to pair it with a separate, high-quality espresso grinder, which is an additional cost to consider.
How much counter space do these machines need?
The Breville Barista Express is designed to be compact and fits comfortably on most kitchen counters. The Casabrews 5700 Pro is larger and heavier and will require a dedicated, sturdy spot with more clearance.
Can the Casabrews 5700 Pro be used in a small café?
Yes, its construction and performance are suitable for a low-volume commercial setting like a small cafe, office, or catering business. Its durability is a key advantage for this use case.
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