Barista Express vs Barista Pro is one of the most common questions people ask before buying their first Breville. The two look like the same machine at two price points, and in the ways that matter most, they are close. Both have a built-in grinder, a 54mm portafilter, a manual steam wand and the same basic workflow. The differences are speed, grind range and how much the machine tells you during a shot. Whether those are worth the extra money depends on how you make coffee.
We have not tested either machine ourselves. This comparison is based on Breville’s product pages and instruction books, independent reviews we cite below, and Amazon listings checked on 20 October 2026. Where a figure comes from a reviewer rather than Breville, we say so.
Quick verdict: Barista Express vs Barista Pro
- Buy the Barista Express if you want the lower price, mostly make one or two drinks at a time, and don’t mind a short warm-up. It has 16 grind settings and a pressure gauge on the front.
- Buy the Barista Pro if you make several milk drinks in a row, want the machine ready almost immediately, or want more grind settings to dial in with. Breville says its ThermoJet system heats up in 3 seconds, and the grinder has 30 settings.
- Either way, budget for an espresso scale. Neither machine weighs your shot, and a scale will improve your coffee more than the gap between these two machines.
Barista Express vs Barista Pro: specs compared
| Barista Express (BES870) | Barista Pro (BES878) | |
|---|---|---|
| Grind settings | 16 | 30, with Baratza burrs (per Breville) |
| Heating system | Thermocoil with PID temperature control | ThermoJet |
| Heat-up time | About 30 seconds, as measured by Coffeeness | 3 seconds, per Breville |
| Shot feedback | Pressure gauge on the front | LCD that counts the shot time |
| Portafilter | 54mm | 54mm |
| Tamper | Integrated | Integrated, removable |
| Water tank | 2 L | 2 L |
| Breville US list price | Lower | About $150 higher |
Sources: Breville’s Barista Express and Barista Pro product pages, the Barista Pro instruction book (US and Australia and New Zealand editions), and Coffeeness for the Express heat-up time and tank size. Price difference based on Breville’s US list prices on 20 October 2026; Amazon prices vary.
Where the Barista Pro is genuinely better
It is ready almost immediately
Breville says the Pro’s ThermoJet system reaches extraction temperature in 3 seconds. Coffeeness measured the Express at around 30 seconds and suggested waiting longer so the group head warms up. If you make one coffee in the morning, that gap barely matters. If you make three lattes back to back, it adds up, because the Pro also switches between brewing and steaming faster.
More grind settings to dial in with
The Pro has 30 grind settings against the Express’s 16, and Breville’s manual describes an adjustable upper burr that extends the range further. In our assessment, smaller steps make it easier to fine-tune a shot, especially when you switch beans often. It doesn’t make the Express a bad grinder; it means the Pro gives you more control.
It shows the shot time
Breville’s instruction book says the Pro’s LCD counts up during the shot. On the Express you watch a pressure gauge instead, which shows pressure but not time. With the Pro you can track shot time without a separate timer, though you still need a scale to weigh the dose and yield.
Where the Barista Express holds up
- Price. Breville lists it for less, and that money could pay for a scale, a better tamper and a WDT tool.
- The pressure gauge. Some owners like seeing pressure build during the shot. It is a rough guide rather than a precise tool, but it is useful feedback while you learn.
- Same accessories. Both machines use 54mm portafilters, so every tamper, puck screen and funnel in our guides fits either one.
One caution: when we checked on 20 October 2026, Breville’s US site listed the Barista Express as out of stock, and the Amazon listing showed limited stock. Seattle Coffee Gear still lists it as a current model, so this looks like a supply gap rather than a discontinuation, but check availability before you set your heart on it.
What about the Barista Express Impress or Barista Touch?
Breville sells two close relatives. The Barista Express Impress adds assisted tamping and dosing to the Express formula. The Barista Touch keeps the Pro’s 3-second heat-up and adds a touchscreen and Auto MilQ, a steam wand that textures milk for you. If you mostly drink lattes and want the machine to handle the milk, the Touch is worth a look; our Barista Touch accessories guide explains what it already includes.
Which should you buy?
- Mostly espresso or one milk drink a day, on a budget: the Barista Express. Spend the difference on a scale and a 53.3mm tamper.
- Several milk drinks in a row, or you hate waiting: the Barista Pro. The fast heat-up is the feature you will notice every day.
- You want to experiment with lots of beans: the Barista Pro, for its wider grind range.
- You want the machine to steam milk for you: look at the Barista Touch instead.
Accessories for either machine
Whichever you choose, the first upgrades are the same: a scale to weigh your shots, a 53.3mm tamper for even pressure, and a WDT tool to break up clumps. Our guides cover each machine: Barista Express accessories and Barista Pro accessories. Our Breville portafilter size guide confirms which parts fit.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Barista Pro worth the extra money over the Barista Express?
If you make several drinks at a time or want the widest grind range, yes. If you make one or two coffees a day and are happy to wait half a minute, the Express does the same core job for less.
Do the Barista Express and Barista Pro use the same accessories?
Yes, for portafilter accessories. Both use a 54mm portafilter, so 53.3mm tampers, 53.3mm puck screens and 54mm funnels fit both.
Which is better for beginners?
Both work well for beginners. The Pro’s shot clock and faster heat-up make it a little easier to learn on, but a scale matters more than either. Our guide to using an espresso scale covers the basics.
Is the Barista Express discontinued?
Not as far as we can tell. Seattle Coffee Gear lists it as a current model, but Breville’s US site showed it out of stock on 20 October 2026.
Which heats up faster?
The Barista Pro. Breville says 3 seconds; Coffeeness measured the Express at about 30 seconds.
Our verdict
The Barista Pro is the better machine, mainly because it is faster and gives you more grind control. The Barista Express is the better value if you make fewer drinks and would rather spend the difference on a scale and a good tamper. Neither choice is a mistake: they share the same portafilter, accessories and workflow.
Sources
- Breville: the Barista Express product page
- Breville: the Barista Pro product page
- Breville Barista Pro instruction book (US edition, via Williams Sonoma)
- Breville Barista Pro instruction book (Australia and New Zealand edition)
- Coffeeness: Breville Barista Express review
- Seattle Coffee Gear: Breville espresso machine comparison guide
- Amazon US listings for both machines, checked on 20 October 2026
