Comparing the Breville Barista Touch and Pro: Which is Best for You?

Finding the right espresso machine to fit your lifestyle, preferences, and budget can be a daunting task. With so many choices available on the market, it can be difficult to narrow down your selection. However, the process can become a lot simpler when you’re looking at similar models. Two popular choices are the Breville Barista Touch and the Breville Barista Pro, and understanding the differences between them can help you make an informed decision.

Overview of the Breville Barista Touch

The Barista Touch is a stylish and lower-cost semi-automatic espresso machine. It has a fully automated grinding and tamping system that ensures each shot of espresso will be of consistent and high quality. The design is sleek and modern, with a stainless steel exterior that exudes sophistication.

The machine includes an intuitive touchscreen interface that makes preparing specialty coffee drinks easier than ever. Simply select from one of the many preset drinks and allow the machine to handle the rest. The touchscreen includes options for frothing milk, allowing for you to make cappuccinos and lattes with ease.

The Barista Touch also features a built-in water filter, which helps to reduce the amount of scale buildup in the machine. This helps to ensure that the espresso shots are of the highest quality and that the machine will last for many years. Additionally, the machine is easy to clean and maintain, making it a great choice for those who want to enjoy barista-quality coffee drinks without the hassle of a manual machine.

Overview of the Breville Barista Pro

The Breville Barista Pro is the higher-end model of the two machines. It is a manual machine that allows you to have full control over the espresso-making process. The machine itself is stainless steel with a beautiful, timeless design that will never go out of style. It includes a digital temperature control and shot timer to help you dial in your drink perfectly.

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The Barista Pro also includes a steam wand for frothing milk, another important tool for having complete control over your espresso making experience. The wand is linked to a milk reservoir rather than an external milk pitcher. This allows you to speed up the frothing process.

Comparing Features of the Two Machines

Both the Breville Barista Touch and Pro have many similarities in terms of features. Both machines have a durable stainless steel design, a quiet burr grinder, a powerful 15-bar Italian pump, and an advanced system for temperature control. However, there are some key differences that should be taken into consideration.

The biggest difference between the two machines is their cost. The Barista Pro is significantly more expensive than the Barista Touch, but also offers more control over the espresso-making process. The Barista Pro also has a built-in milk reservoir which makes it easier to froth milk and make specialty drinks like lattes and cappuccinos.

Design and Durability

Both machines offer a sleek and timeless stainless steel design. The Barista Touch is better for small spaces with its compact size and light weight. The Barista Pro is larger, weighing in at 6.9 kg, but includes a durable die-cast aluminum body that helps make it much more durable than its counterpart.

Grinding, Extraction, and Brewing Quality

When it comes to grinding, extraction, and brewing quality, both machines are neck and neck. The Barista Pro offers users full control over the grinding and extraction processes, allowing them to adjust parameters to match their tastes. The Barista Touch also has consistent performance when it comes to grinding, extraction, and brewing.

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Price and Value for Money

The Breville Barista Touch is much more wallet-friendly than its counterpart, coming in at around $800 – $900 US dollars, while the Barista Pro costs around $1,500 – $1,600 US dollars before any discounts. Although the Barista Pro offers more features and control than the Barista Touch, for most espresso lovers, the cost difference between the two may not be financially viable.

Pros and Cons of Each Model

Barista Touch

  • Pros: Lower price point, automated grinding/frothing system, simple touchscreen interface.
  • Cons: Not as durable as Barista Pro, takes up more counter space.

Barista Pro

  • Pros: More precise control over espresso making process, built-in milk reservoir, more durable chassis.
  • Cons: Higher cost, takes up more counter space.

What to Consider Before Making a Decision

Before selecting one of these two machines for your home café setup it is best to evaluate your own needs and preferences. If having full control over each shot of espresso is important to you, then the Barista Pro may be a better option. If you’re looking for a simple machine with preset drinks for making basic espresso drinks such as macchiatos, americanos, lattes, cappuccinos, etc., then the Breville Barista Touch is probably a better option.

It is also important to take into account your budget and the space available for your espresso machine. Both machines take up a considerable amount of counter space but due to its smaller size, the Barista Touch might be better suited if you have limited counter space in your kitchen.

Conclusion

When you’re deciding between the Barista Touch and Pro models of Breville espresso machines, keep in mind all of the factors discussed above. Consider what features are most important to you, as well as your lifestyle and budget. If you take all of these elements into consideration, you can make an informed decision regarding which machine is best suited for your needs.

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