Breville Barista Pro vs Touch: An Expert Comparison of Espresso Dynamos

Summary

Feature	Breville Barista Pro	Breville Barista Touch
Interface	Basic blue backlit LCD screen with buttons	Color touchscreen interface
Milk Texturing	Manual steam wand for full control	Automatic microfoam milk texturing for convenience
Customization	Allows control over coffee dose, water temperature	Offers personalized coffee settings through touchscreen
Grind Settings	Up to 30 grind settings for precision	30 grind settings and saves up to 8 pre-programmed settings
Heating System	Thermojet technology for rapid heat-up times	Thermojet technology for quick heat-up
Milk Frothing	Manual steam wand for frothing milk	Automatic steam wand adjusts milk temperature and texture
Dimensions and Weight	13 x 12 x 13 inches, 20 pounds	12.7 x 15.5 x 16 inches, 26.8 pounds
Product Page	Breville Barista Pro at Majesty Coffee	Breville Barista Touch at Majesty Coffee

When it comes to choosing the right espresso machine for your home, Breville offers some of the most talked-about options on the market. The Barista Pro and the Barista Touch are two models that stand out for their quality, design, and brewing capabilities. As avid coffee lovers, we understand the importance of having a reliable machine that delivers consistent results and fits seamlessly into our daily routine.

The Breville Barista Pro boasts an intuitive interface, complete with a manual steam wand and an LCD display, offering a hands-on approach to espresso making. On the other hand, the Barista Touch raises the bar with its integrated touchscreen and automatic microfoam milk texturing, catering to those seeking convenience without compromising on quality. Whether you prioritize personalization or simplicity will play a significant role in deciding which machine suits you best.

Key Takeaways

• Our experience leads us to acknowledge both the Barista Pro and Barista Touch as top contenders in espresso making.
• The Barista Pro shines with manual controls, while the Barista Touch offers advanced automatic features.
• Choosing between them depends on weighing the trade-offs between customization and convenience.

Design and Build Quality

In comparing the Breville Barista Pro and the Touch, we find that both models showcase the sleek, modern design Breville is known for. However, they differ significantly in their control interfaces and build components, which are crucial aspects that affect both the machine’s functionality and user experience.

Aesthetic and Form Factor

• Breville Barista Pro:
• Display: Basic blue backlit LCD screen with buttons
• Form Factor: More traditional espresso machine look with tactile controls
• Breville Barista Touch:
• Display: Color touchscreen interface
• Form Factor: Modern and streamlined with touch capabilities enhancing the interface

Both models boast a premium feel but the Barista Touch takes a notable step forward with its full-color touch display, aligning with contemporary kitchen appliance trends. The Barista Pro, on the other hand, opts for a more classic approach that some users might prefer for manual adjustments.

Material and Durability

We observe that both machines are primarily constructed with brushed stainless steel, a material choice that speaks to their:

• Durability: Stainless steel offers robustness for daily usage.
• Maintenance: The material is relatively easy to clean and maintains its luster over time.
• Stability: Both machines have a solid construction that is built to last, giving them a sturdy presence on the countertop.

The choice in materials ensures that both the Barista Pro and the Touch not only look the part but are built to withstand the rigors of regular espresso making. Breville’s commitment to quality means we can expect a level of durability that aligns with the expectations set by their reputable design standards.

Features and Technology

In comparing the features and technology of Breville Barista Pro and Touch, we must examine the elements that contribute to their performance. These include control and display options, grinder settings, temperature control, and milk frothing capabilities, all of which are critical for crafting the perfect espresso.

Control and Display Options

• Breville Barista Pro: Equipped with a manual control system including buttons and a basic blue backlit LCD screen.
• Breville Barista Touch: Offers a more advanced interface with a full-color touchscreen display which allows personalized coffee settings.

Grinder and Grind Settings

• Grinders: Both machines boast built-in conical burr grinders for freshly ground coffee.
• Grind Settings:
• Barista Pro: Offers up to 30 grind settings for precision.
• Barista Touch: 30 grind settings and saves up to 8 pre-programmed settings for convenience.

Heating System and Temperature Control

• Thermojet Heating System: Each machine utilizes Breville's Thermojet technology, ensuring rapid heat-up times.
• Digital Temperature Control (PID): Helps maintain the optimum temperature during extraction for balanced espresso flavors.

Milk Frothing Capabilities

• Steam Wands:
• Barista Pro: Comes with a manual steam wand for frothing milk, giving us full control.
• Barista Touch: Features an automatic steam wand which adjusts the milk temperature and texture for us, offering convenience and consistent results.

Performance and Coffee Quality

As we examine the Breville Barista Pro and the Barista Touch, it's vital to focus on how these machines extract espresso, the resultant flavor and texture, and their ability to texture milk for latte art.

Espresso Extraction

• Grind Size: With the Barista Pro, we have access to 30 grind settings which allows us to achieve highly precise grind sizes for various coffee beans. The Barista Touch offers 5 pre-programmed settings for convenience.
• Pressure: Consistent pressure is key for a balanced extraction, and both machines boast Breville's pre-infusion and 9 bar extraction pressure for a quality outcome.
• Water Temperature: The precise PID temperature control present in both machines ensures the water temperate is optimal for espresso extraction, contributing to a high-quality coffee.

Flavor and Texture

• The Barista Pro and the Barista Touch are designed to maximize flavor extraction, resulting in rich and full-bodied espresso shots.
• The texture of the espresso is smooth and consistent due to the machines' ability to maintain stable brewing conditions.

Latte Art and Milk Texturing

• Microfoam Milk: The Barista Touch has an automatic steam wand that produces fine, silky microfoam ideal for latte art. Barista Pro offers a manual milk frothing option which requires a bit more skill but can still achieve good microfoam.
• Texture: The automatic texturing on the Touch ensures consistent texture every time, while the manual steam wand on the Pro allows for customization based on personal technique and preferences.

Ease of Use and Convenience

We find that when comparing the Breville Barista Pro and the Touch, ease of use and convenience are fundamentally shaped by their interface and maintenance features.

Touchscreen Interface and Pre-programmed Drinks

The Barista Touch stands out with its color touchscreen interface, enhancing user interaction. This feature allows us to simply tap our choices for a range of pre-programmed drinks, making the process straightforward, particularly for beginners. On the other hand, the Barista Pro employs a more traditional approach with a blue backlit LCD and button-based control, which we observe is less intuitive but still quite user-friendly after the initial learning curve.

Cleaning and Maintenance

Regarding cleaning, both the Barista Pro and Barista Touch require regular maintenance to ensure longevity and consistent taste of the beverages. Here's what we need to keep in mind:

• Barista Pro: Frequent manual cleaning is required, particularly the steam wand, which must be purged and wiped down after each use.
• Barista Touch: Offers an automatic cleaning cycle for the milk frothing mechanism, which we find particularly convenient for those who often make milk-based drinks like lattes and desire efficiency in cleaning after creating latte art.

Capacity and Specifications

In comparing the Breville Barista Pro and Touch, two essential aspects to consider are their capacities and various specifications. These factors influence both the functionality and the convenience of usage for our daily coffee brewing experience.

Water Tank and Bean Hopper

Breville Barista Pro and Touch both feature a water tank capacity of 1.9 liters, ensuring ample water supply for multiple servings without the need for frequent refills. Additionally, the coffee bean storage for each is quite generous at 9 ounces, allowing us to store a good amount of coffee beans, which translates to less frequent reloading.

• Water Tank Capacity: 1.9 Liters
• Bean Hopper Capacity: 9 Ounces

Dimensions and Weight

The dimensions and weight of a coffee machine can affect where you can place it in your kitchen, as well as how easily it can be moved. The Breville Barista Touch is slightly larger at 12.7 x 15.5 x 16 inches and also heavier, weighing in at 26.8 pounds. The Barista Pro, on the other hand, has more compact dimensions of 13 x 12 x 13 inches and is lighter, with a weight of 20 pounds.

• Breville Barista Touch Dimensions: 12.7 x 15.5 x 16 Inches
• Barista Touch Weight: 26.8 Pounds
• Breville Barista Pro Dimensions: 13 x 12 x 13 Inches
• Barista Pro Weight: 20 Pounds

Comparison and Contrasts

In this comparison of the Breville Barista Pro and the Breville Barista Touch, we highlight the key aspects where these two espresso machines differ and where they share features. Each model caters to different user preferences within the semi-automatic espresso machine space.

Differences Between Barista Pro and Touch

• Interface: The Barista Touch boasts a touchscreen interface which allows for more intuitive navigation, while the Barista Pro uses a manual button interface with an LCD display that provides feedback during the coffee-making process.
• Milk Texturing: The Barista Touch includes an automatic steam wand for milk frothing, offering hands-free convenience. On the other hand, the Barista Pro is equipped with a manual milk frothing wand, requiring the user to texture the milk by hand.
• Customization: Although both machines allow for customization of drinks, the Barista Touch has the additional advantage of saving personalized coffee settings through its user-friendly interface.

Similarities and Shared Features

• Performance: Both espresso machines boast robust performance capabilities and are designed to create high-quality espresso. They integrate Breville's ThermoJet heating system for quick heat-up times.
• Design: Sporting the trademark Breville stainless steel design, both the Barista Pro and Barista Touch have a sleek aesthetic that is consistent across Breville's line of semi-automatic espresso machines.
• Grinder: Each machine is equipped with an integrated conical burr grinder that provides consistent grounds for a flavorful espresso, underlining their shared focus on delivering a café-quality cup of espresso at home.

Cost Considerations

When choosing between the Breville Barista Pro and Breville Barista Touch, it's important for us to consider the initial investment and how it aligns with our budget. Both models cater to different needs and budgets, making it essential for us to weigh the price against the features each offers.

Price Comparison

• Breville Barista Pro: Typically, we find this model is priced lower than its counterpart. It offers a balance of automation and manual features that appeal to those of us with a tighter budget but still want quality.
• Breville Barista Touch: This model comes at a higher price point due to its advanced features like the touch screen and automatic milk texturing. It’s designed for us who are willing to invest in convenience and technology for a more streamlined experience.

Value for Money

When considering the Breville Barista Pro, we're looking at a cost-effective option that doesn't compromise on the essentials needed to produce high-quality espresso. It's a budget-friendly choice for us who want professional-grade coffee without the premium price tag.

Conversely, the Breville Barista Touch justifies its higher cost with user-friendly features that simplify the brewing process. We should consider this model if budget is less of a constraint and our preference leans towards a more intuitive, technology-driven coffee making experience.

Additional Aspects

When looking at the Breville Barista Pro vs. Touch, we consider not only the machines themselves but also the accompanying accessories and the support provided by the brand. These factors can greatly enhance our experience and satisfaction with our choice.

Accessories and Customization

• Breville Barista Pro:
  
  
• Comes with essential accessories such as a tamper, milk jug, and cleaning kits.
• Offers manual milk frothing, which allows for more hands-on customization of milk texture.
• Breville Barista Touch:
  
  
• Includes similar basic accessories as the Barista Pro.
• Features an automatic steam wand that simplifies milk texturing but can be less customizable for experienced users.

We find that while both machines provide necessary accessories to get started, the level of customization can differ, especially in milk texture and temperature control.

Brand Reputation and Support

• Breville:
• Known for producing high-quality kitchen appliances, Breville is reputable in the espresso machine market.
• Provides customer support through various channels including phone support and online resources.

In our experience, Breville's customer service and support for both the Barista Pro and Barista Touch are commendable and in line with their strong brand reputation. Feedback from users through reviews often highlights the brand's attentiveness to customer needs and issues.

Final Recommendations

In determining which Breville machine fits your coffee-making needs, we focus on user preferences and practical functionality.

Choosing Based on User Preferences

• For the coffee enthusiast who treasures precision and enjoys the process of manual preparation, the Breville Barista Pro is a standout choice.
  
  
• Its manual milk frothing allows for more control over the texture and temperature of your milk.
• A clear LCD interface invites hands-on interaction, perfect for those who appreciate crafting their espresso with a more traditional touch.
• The Breville Barista Touch suits the home barista seeking convenience and simplicity.
  
  
• The touchscreen automatic features streamline the brewing process, with the machine handling most of the nuances of espresso-making automatically.
• It's perfect for users who prefer a quicker and straightforward operation, without compromising on the quality of their coffee.

Conclusion and Verdict

• Both machines have a 1.9 Liter capacity and high-quality burr grinders for excellent espresso.
• The Barista Touch is slightly larger in dimensions and offers an automatic steam wand, contrasting with the Barista Pro's manual version.
• In terms of power, the Barista Pro operates at 1680W and the Barista Touch at 1800W.

When it comes to deciding between the Breville Barista Pro and Touch, we recommend selecting the model that aligns with your daily coffee ritual and personal preferences. Both are excellent machines; however, the choice ultimately hinges on whether you prioritize automation and ease or the satisfaction involved in a more hands-on approach to espresso-making.

Product Summation

When considering the Breville Barista Pro and the Breville Barista Touch, we're assessing two reputable espresso machines that cater to the home barista seeking quality and convenience. Each offers distinct features that suit different preferences and skill levels.

Breville Barista Pro:

• Interface: Traditional button operation with an LCD screen.
• Milk Texturing: Manual steam wand for personalized frothing.
• Customization: Allows control over coffee dose, water temperature.

Breville Barista Touch:

• Interface: Intuitive touchscreen operation.
• Milk Texturing: Automatic microfoam milk texturing for ease of use.
• Drink Options: Comes with pre-programmed beverages and personalized coffee settings.

In terms of aesthetics, both machines have a sleek design with the Breville Barista Touch available in matte black and the Barista Pro in several different colors, including the popular brushed stainless steel. The Barista Touch is particularly recognized for its user-friendly interface, while the Barista Pro affords the user more involvement in the brewing process. These considerations are paramount when deciding which machine best aligns with our espresso making preferences and lifestyle.

Frequently Asked Questions

We gathered the most common inquiries regarding the Breville Barista Pro and Barista Touch to help clarify their differences and capabilities.

What features differentiate the Breville Barista Pro from the Barista Touch?

• Interface: The Barista Pro features an LCD screen with buttons, while the Barista Touch boasts a touchscreen display.
• Milk Texturing: The Barista Touch automates the milk frothing process, making it easier for users.
• Customization: Barista Touch allows for personalized coffee settings that the Barista Pro does not offer.

Is there a significant quality difference in the espresso produced by the Barista Pro and the Touch models?

Espresso Quality: Both the Barista Pro and the Barista Touch use the same heating technology, producing high-quality espresso without significant difference in taste.

How do the steaming capabilities compare between the Barista Pro and Barista Touch?

• Barista Pro: Offers manual milk frothing, giving users control over the texture of the microfoam.
• Barista Touch: Comes with an automatic steam wand for consistency and ease of use in milk texturing.

What types of drinks can I make with the Breville Barista Touch?

Drink Variety: The Barista Touch provides a variety of drink options due to its intuitive interface and automated features suitable for different espresso-based beverages.

Does the Breville Barista Pro offer a manual espresso extraction option?

Manual Control: Yes, the Barista Pro allows for manual espresso extraction, catering to those who prefer a hands-on approach to their coffee making.

In terms of user-friendliness, how do the Barista Pro and Touch compare?

• Barista Pro: Has a slight learning curve due to manual settings, targeting users who enjoy more involvement in the process.
• Barista Touch: Streamlines the experience with its touch interface and automated features, ideal for efficiency and ease of use.