Similarities
At first glance, the Breville Barista Express and Pro obviously look different. The Pro has several upgrades that make it more — well — professional, but the two espresso machines still have a ton in common:
| Feature |
Barista Express BES870 |
Barista Pro BES878 |
| Machine type |
Semi-automatic |
Semi-automatic |
| Pump pressure |
15 bars |
15 bars |
| Water reservoir |
67 oz |
67 oz |
| Integrated grinder |
Stainless steel, conical burrs |
Stainless steel, conical burrs |
| Bean hopper |
8 oz |
8 oz |
| Integrated tamper |
Yes |
Yes |
| Bypass doser |
No |
No |
| Portafilter size |
54mm |
54mm |
| Pressurized portafilter baskets |
1 cup, 2 cups |
1 cup, 2 cups |
| Non-pressurized portafilter baskets |
1 cup, 2 cups |
1 cup, 2 cups |
| Pre-infusion |
Yes |
Yes |
| Variable brew temp |
5 settings |
5 settings |
| PID temp control |
Yes |
Yes |
| Frother |
360 degree wand |
360 degree wand |
| Cup clearance |
4" |
4" |
| Auto-off |
3 hours |
3 hours |
And now for the heart of this comparison: Barista Express vs Pro differences.
Differences
The Barista Pro's digital display is the most obvious difference, but its just one of many key distinctions you should know before buying.
| Feature |
Barista Express BES870 |
Barista Pro BES878 |
| Grind sizes |
18 sizes |
30 sizes |
| Digital display |
No |
Yes |
| Pressure gauge |
Yes |
No |
| Boiler type |
Thermocoil |
ThermoJet |
| Power |
1600W |
1680W |
| Heat-up time |
30 seconds |
3 seconds |
| Dimensions |
12.5"W x 13.2"D x 15.8"H |
13.9"W x 16.1"D x 16.0"H |
| Weight |
23 lbs |
20 lbs |
| Warranty |
1 year limited |
2 years limited |
The Breville Barista Express has 4 advantages over the more feature-rich Barista Pro:
- Pressure Gauge: The Express's pressure gauge, absent on the Pro, is both functional and, in my opinion, a great industrial, stylistic touch.
- Size: The Express is slightly more compact than the Pro, measuring about 1.5" narrower and almost 3" longer (less deep).
- Weight: Despite its smaller size, the Express weighs 23 lbs vs the Pro at 20 lbs. The 3 lbs isn't much, but the extra weight helps anchor the machine when using the integrated tamper and locking/removing the portafilter.
- Price: As the more basic model, the Express is less expensive than the Pro (usually around $100 cheaper).
Every other difference swings in favor of the Barista Pro:
- Grind Sizes: The Pro lets you choose from 30 different grind size settings compared to 18 grind sizes on the Express.
- Display: The Pro's blue backlit LCD display provides a stylish digital interface to monitor and change your brew parameters.
- Boiler: The Pro's ThermoJet boiler is an advanced version of the Express's Thermocoil-integrated heating element.
- Power: The Pro's 1680W heating element beats the Express's 1600W element.
- Heat-Up Time: The Pro's better ThermoJet boiler and greater power draw combine for an insanely-fast 3-second start-up time compared to 30 seconds on the Express.
- Warranty: The Pro comes with a 2-year limited manufacturer's warranty compared to a 1-year limited warranty with the Express.
Now, the most important question to cover in our Breville Barista Express vs Pro comparison...
Breville Barista Express vs Pro: Which Is Right For You?
Both the Barista Express and Pro have the same general brewing system, minus the Pro's more powerful 1680W ThermoJet boiler that still reaches your desired extraction temp — it just takes a little longer.
For my money, the Pro's extra features are worth the about $100 price difference — especially the digital LCD display and additional year of warranty — but those aren't must-haves on a mid-range home espresso machine. The Express has the same shot-pulling and milk-frothing capabilities as the pricier Pro. The only real brewing-related limitation is the 18 grind sizes vs the Pro's 30, but most entry and mid-level home baristas aren't dialing-in their grind size so precisely.
- If you want a proven, budget-friendly espresso machine, the Breville Barista Express is a tried-and-true stalwart in the entry-level, semi-automatic category.
- If you want more power, quicker start-up, and a stylish digital interface, the Breville Barista Pro has your name on it.
Curious about Breville's other models? Check out our list of the Best Breville Espresso Machines for our complete roundup.
