Breville Barista Express Review

The Barista Express is the perfect machine for the espresso aficionado who is willing to make an investment in a nice machine without spending over a grand. It makes top-notch drinks and has a built-in grinder so you'll be ready to go without an additional purchase.

Performance Comparison

Espresso Quality

A straight shot or a latte made well with the Barista Express is going to match the expectations one would have when walking into a coffee shop. Yes, there are some much more expensive machines that can produce slightly higher-quality drinks, but the differences are small enough to only be evident in a side-by-side taste test.

We awarded the Barista Express one of our highest espresso quality scores for its ability to consistently produce tasty espresso with sweet undertones and rich, beautiful crema. Our machine turned 19 grams of grounds into 30 grams of brewed espresso in 29 seconds. All of these figures were on par with other top-grade machines we tested.

Some of our testers — who swore drinking straight espresso just wasn't for them — were pleasantly surprised by the nuanced flavors this machine was able to synthesize. However, all anecdotal results aside, our scientific tests also left us very impressed. The Barista Express produced one of the highest extraction yields — a fancy, scientific measurement that basically shows how much coffee is in your coffee.

During our tests, we used a refractometer to determine the amount of dissolved solids in each brew and then converted that measurement into a percentage. Industry standards determine the best extraction yields (for espresso) to be between 18-22%. The Barista Express consistently yielded a well-balanced extraction of 19.4% — one of our top results. However, it is important to note that the extraction process can be complicated for all levels of baristas and is affected by roast, grind settings, and filter type. The Barista Express offers both auto and manual capabilities. Generally, the manual option produces the best quality espresso but will require patience, practice, and a lot of trial and error — also known as dialing in the machine.

Ease of Use

The Barista Express asks the user to make some sacrifices in convenience to end up with a tastier drink. Accordingly, it didn't earn the highest score for this metric, but take that with a grain of salt if you're on the hunt for a true coffee pro experience.

Thanks to the Bilt App, we found the initial setup for this machine to be straightforward and easy to understand, but it was still one of the most laborious processes of the bunch. It required 35 minutes of soaking, cycling, and flushing — and a roll of paper towels to wipe up the spillover. Detailed instructions guided us through the entire process, so it isn't overly difficult; it's just time-consuming.

The Barista Express has the look, feel, and function of a commercial espresso machine, so it requires a bit of study and practice to master. It requires the user to grind and tamp the coffee and steam the milk manually. This can take some getting used to and resulted in slightly slower cappuccino production during our timed trials.

We liked this machine's conical burr grinder. It offers 16 individual settings, which allows for a broad range of customization but also requires a willingness to explore. It simply takes a bit of time to get used to the machine and dial in exactly how to grind and tamp to get a great shot.

We predict most users will feel confident and be pulling great shots after making 20-40 drinks on the machine. However, once the learning curve is behind you, making your own go juices will save you a ton of money. However, overall, the cost per shot during the lifetime of the Barista Express is a little more expensive than the average of our entire lineup.

Once you get to this point, grinding, tamping, and steaming start to feel like second nature and not so arduous. Seeing as this machine produced some of the best espresso we tested, this additional labor and learning curve may be worth it for the right person. One thing to note about the Barista Express is its pre-infusion feature, which allows low-pressure water to saturate the puck before being subjected to full brewing pressure. This allows the coffee to both pressurize and extract more evenly, creating a more consistent shot.

The interface on the Barista Express lives up to Breville's great reputation. All buttons are clearly marked and light up when pressed, and the pressure gauge lets you easily tell if you've messed something up in the prep process and aren't reaching a good brewing pressure (indicated on the gauge).

The water tank is 67 ounces, big enough to require less frequent refilling. The included tamper is of high quality and conveniently stored right on the machine in a magnetic port. The steam wand's position has a wide adjustment range, adding a level of convenience and finesse to milk steaming.

Ease of Cleaning

Any espresso machine is a bit complicated by nature. To perform at their best, they require constant cleaning and upkeep, and the Barista Express is no exception. It earned average scores for this metric, as did the vast majority of the machines on our list. Let's face it: if you're going to own one, you're going to have to do a fair amount of kitchen duty.

The steam wand is fairly easy to clean if you're diligent about purging and wiping it off right after each use. However, if you neglect it, a thick and stubborn residue can quickly build up. The portafilter also requires cleaning after each use, an inconvenience not present with super-automatic machines. If you've dialed in your brewing process, the spent grinds in the portafilter will be compact, fairly dry, and easy to remove. If you're still in beginner mode the grinds may be a bit muddier and create more of a mess.

As for regular housekeeping routines, the water filter on the Barista Express should be replaced every two months, and the entire system needs to be routinely backflushed. An indicator light will let you know when it's time. It's important to note this process requires cleaning tablets, which will be an additional purchase; however, this is typical of these machines. One of our favorite simple conveniences of the Barista Express is its high-capacity drip tray, which doesn't need to be emptied every day. It also has a friendly indicator that tells you when it's full. It's fairly easy to remove, empty, and clean.

Recent changes to this machine's descaling process earned big points from us during this most recent round of testing. Past versions of the Barista Express required a process that took more than 30 minutes, including a bit of in-home chemistry. However, the newer model we tested completed the task in just over nine minutes. An indicator light alerts the user when descaling needs to be completed. Two drawbacks of the process are Breville recommends only using their specific solution, and the user must be present during the entire descaling cycle.

Milk Steaming

The Barista Express has one of the best steam wands we've seen on a home espresso machine. It can create rich microfoam that pours like paint, allowing you to create cafe-quality lattes and cappuccinos right in your own kitchen.

If that rich and creamy cafe-style latte is what you seek, look no further than this machine. It's one of the few we tested that can create that elusive perfect steamed milk with a thin layer of foam that takes lattes to the next level. The same goes for latte art. If you're hoping to impress your friends with little foam leaves or hearts, this machine will give you all the tools (if not the skill) you need to succeed in that quest. The wand's steam heats the milk slowly, so if you don't have perfect technique, you can still get good foam. However, this also makes the process a little slower than many of the machines on our list.

Another small downside of the steam wand's slower pressurizing time is that your espresso shot sits out in the air for a bit while you're prepping the milk. This could lead to oxidation and the espresso getting bitter if it sits out too long. The easy fix for this is throwing a small splash of milk into your espresso right after you pull the shot (or maybe some flavored syrup, if that's your thing). That will hold the espresso's flavor while you wait for the steam wand to warm up and the milk to be prepped.

Machine Customization

Tons of conveniences and control options earned the Barista Express some of our highest marks in this metric. We liked the breadth of its features, which allow the user to fine-tune many of the most important steps in making high-quality espresso.

Water temperature is key to making great espresso. It is crucial when dealing with different roast and grind size. The Barista Express uses Proportional Integral Derivative (PID) technology to more effectively control brew temps, giving the user the ability to change the temperature from 196°F to 204°F in two degree increments. Other convenient features include allowing for auto or manual dosing of the grinder, pre-programming single or double shots for a specific volume, and the ability to manually control pre-infusion.

Should You Buy the Breville Barista Express?

The Barista Express certainly is not cheap. However, after witnessing it perform on par with more expensive commercial-grade machines, we feel the extra cost is worth it for an espresso aficionado who wants an all-in-one option for at-home brewing. If the barista in you likes the idea of dialing in the whole process, from grinding to steaming, you'll enjoy being at the controls of this machine. However, if you lean more toward pre-ground coffee and automated processes, you will most likely be frustrated with the manual requirements of the Barista Express.

What Other Espresso Machines Should You Consider?

If you want the same quality that the Barista Express offers but like the idea of having a few more automated features, we recommend reading up on the Breville Bambino Plus. It's more simple to use, but it doesn't offer a built-in coffee grinder. Espresso machines are generally expensive, so if cost is your biggest concern, you may want to consider the De'Longhi Stilosa. However, it isn't as convenient or easy to use as the Breville Bambino Plus, and it doesn't produce the same espresso quality.