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Breville Barista Pro Review: Is It Worth $700?
Breville Barista Pro (BES878) reviewed: ThermoJet heat-up, 30-position grinder, LCD timer. Honest verdict on this all-in-one espresso machine.
Elena Marchetti The Breville Barista Pro (BES878) is the best all-in-one espresso machine for home baristas who want ThermoJet 3-second heat-up and a 30-position built-in grinder in a single body. The runner-up is the Barista Express (~$100 less), which pulls identical espresso but takes 3 minutes to warm up — a daily friction the Barista Pro eliminates completely.
Who is the Breville Barista Pro for?
The Barista Pro is built for the home espresso drinker who wants an all-in-one setup — grinder and machine in one body — without the daily frustration of a 3-minute warm-up. The ThermoJet element means you walk up, press the button, and pull a shot within seconds. For anyone who makes espresso every morning before a commute, this is the single biggest quality-of-life improvement available at this price tier.
It is the right machine if:
- You want an all-in-one machine without managing a separate grinder
- Morning speed matters — the 3-second heat-up eliminates the pre-commute warm-up ritual
- You want an LCD display with shot timer to aid dialing in and extraction feedback
- Budget is around $700-800 and you want the best all-in-one at that price
It is the wrong machine if:
- You want auto-steam or a touchscreen — the Barista Touch adds both for approximately $200 more
- You want 58mm commercial-standard portafilter compatibility — the Barista Pro uses 54mm
- You already own a quality standalone grinder — a separate grinder paired with the Bambino Plus gives better extraction without paying for a redundant built-in
- Budget is the priority — the Barista Express pulls identical shots for ~$100-150 less
Build quality and hardware specs
| Product | Best for | Rating | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heating system | ThermoJet — ready in 3 seconds | — | Single thermoblock; fastest heat-up in the all-in-one category at this price | — |
| Portafilter | 54mm stainless steel portafilter | — | Includes dual-wall pressurized and single-wall unpressurized baskets; 54mm limits some 58mm-specific aftermarket accessories | — |
| Built-in grinder | Conical burr grinder with 30 grind positions | — | Wider adjustment range than the 16-position Barista Express; adjustable via external dial on top of the machine | — |
| Pump | 9-bar vibration pump — genuine espresso pressure | — | Identical pump architecture to the Barista Express — shared shot quality ceiling between both machines | — |
| LCD display | Shows extraction time, brew temp, grind setting | — | Small but practical — shot timer and temperature readout aid dialing in without a separate timer or phone | — |
| Steam wand | Manual single-hole steam wand | — | Fully manual; capable of real microfoam with practice. No auto-steam mode unlike the Barista Touch | — |
| Water tank | 2L removable reservoir | — | Same 2L capacity as the Barista Express; adequate for 4-6 double shots between refills | — |
| Grind dosing | Timer-based auto-dose with adjustable grind amount | — | Not weight-based like the La Specialista sensor system; consistent once dialed in, but needs periodic recalibration as beans age | — |
| Dimensions | 13.1 x 12.5 x 15.8 inches | — | Large all-in-one footprint — plan for significant counter space | — |
| Weight | 21.7 lbs (9.8 kg) | — | Stable on the counter; heavier than standalone machines due to the integrated grinder housing | — |
The Barista Pro body is brushed stainless steel with a solid build at this price — noticeably more substantial than budget machines, with a portafilter engagement that feels firm and consistent. The grind chute sits directly above the portafilter cradle: grind directly into the portafilter, dose, tamp, pull. The workflow is genuinely streamlined for an all-in-one machine.
The 54mm portafilter is the practical limitation of the all-in-one design. Most premium aftermarket baskets, puck screens, and distribution tools are designed for 58mm (the commercial standard). VST and IMS produce 54mm baskets, but the selection is narrower. For home use this is a minor inconvenience rather than a deal-breaker — the included baskets perform well and most owners never feel the constraint.
Espresso shot quality
The Barista Pro pulls excellent espresso. The 9-bar pump with the single-wall unpressurized basket, combined with the 3-second ThermoJet preheat, produces shots with real crema, body, and complexity — a meaningful step above pressurized pod machines.
Shot quality is essentially identical to the Barista Express. Both machines share the same pump architecture and portafilter size. In blind tasting, experienced baristas cannot consistently distinguish shots pulled on the Barista Pro from the Barista Express at the same grind, dose, and technique. The Barista Pro advantages — ThermoJet heat-up, 30 grind positions, LCD timer — are workflow and consistency improvements, not extraction improvements.
The built-in grinder sets the ceiling. The conical burr grinder in the Barista Pro performs at roughly the level of a standalone burr grinder in the $80-120 range. That is good but not exceptional — a Baratza Encore ESP ($230) or Eureka Mignon Filtro ($350) will produce more uniform particle distribution. For most home users who simply want good daily espresso without managing two machines, the built-in grinder is a worthwhile trade-off. For baristas who want the best possible extraction from each bean, a separate grinder paired with a Bambino Plus is the better system.
Temperature precision is adequate for most roasts. ThermoJet heats on demand with reliable temperature accuracy for medium and dark roast espresso at standard parameters. For light-roast single origins where 2-3°C temperature shifts noticeably change flavor, a PID-equipped dual-boiler machine offers more precision. The Breville Dual Boiler is the natural upgrade path when temperature control becomes the limiting factor.
LCD display and shot timer
The Barista Pro LCD display is small and simple, but it surfaces the three most useful pieces of information for dialing in espresso: extraction time, brew temperature, and current grind setting.
Shot timer is the most immediately practical feature. Espresso extraction time — targeting 25-35 seconds for a 1:2 ratio at standard parameters — is a primary diagnostic for under- or over-extraction. On the Barista Express, you need a separate phone timer or estimate by eye. On the Barista Pro, the display counts from the moment you trigger the shot. For beginners building their intuition and anyone who dials in regularly, removing the need for a separate timer reduces friction meaningfully.
Temperature readout helps diagnose extraction problems quickly. Shots pulling bitter? Check if the temperature is running high. Sour and under-extracted? Low temperature may be the cause. Having the readout on the machine speeds up the diagnosis without guesswork or additional tools.
Grind setting indicator shows your current position across the 30-stop range, making it easy to recall your dialed-in position for a specific bean and return to it precisely after adjusting for a new bag or a different roast.
Steam wand and milk drinks
The Barista Pro uses a fully manual single-hole steam wand — the same architecture as the Barista Express. There is no auto-steam mode. Milk texturing requires learning the wand positioning technique: angle the tip just below the milk surface, open the steam valve, and use a subtle circular motion to incorporate air before driving the foam through the milk.
Learning curve for manual steam is real but achievable. Most home baristas reach a consistent result — adequate microfoam for lattes and cappuccinos — within two to four weeks of daily practice. The single-hole tip on the Barista Pro produces adequate steam pressure for a single milk pitcher without overwhelming the milk for beginners.
Single thermoblock limitation: like the Barista Express, the Barista Pro uses one thermoblock for both brewing and steaming. After pulling your shot, you need to switch the machine to steam mode and wait 30-60 seconds for the element to reach steam temperature. This is a genuine daily inconvenience for latte and cappuccino drinkers who make back-to-back milk drinks. The DeLonghi La Specialista Prestigio at a similar price point includes a second steam boiler that eliminates this wait.
For auto-steam and simultaneous brewing in the Breville lineup, the Barista Touch is the answer — it adds auto-steam and a color touchscreen for approximately $200 more than the Barista Pro.
Barista Pro vs Barista Express vs Barista Touch
| Product | Best for | Rating | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heating system | Barista Pro: ThermoJet 3-second heat-up | — | Barista Express: 3-minute thermocoil warm-up; Barista Touch: ThermoJet 3-second heat-up but no grinder | — |
| Built-in grinder | Barista Pro: 30-position conical burr grinder | — | Barista Express: 16-position conical burr grinder; Barista Touch: no grinder included | — |
| Portafilter | Barista Pro and Express: 54mm | — | Barista Touch: 58mm commercial standard — broader aftermarket compatibility | — |
| Display | Barista Pro: LCD with shot timer, temperature, grind setting | — | Barista Express: no display; Barista Touch: color touchscreen with 5 guided drink programs | — |
| Steam wand | Barista Pro: manual only | — | Barista Touch: auto-steam plus manual mode; Barista Express: manual only, same single-hole tip | — |
| Shot quality | All three pull excellent espresso at their price tier | — | Grinder determines the ceiling; Barista Touch with a quality separate grinder has highest ceiling via 58mm access | — |
| Approximate price | Barista Express: ~$699; Barista Pro: ~$799; Barista Touch: ~$900 | — | Barista Pro premium over Express: faster heat-up and 30-position grinder; Touch adds 58mm and auto-steam | — |
The practical choice comes down to priorities. For morning speed in an all-in-one: the Barista Pro over the Barista Express. For 58mm hardware and auto-steam convenience: the Barista Touch with a separate burr grinder. For the lowest price with acceptable workflow: the Barista Express. None of the three pulls noticeably better espresso than another — the machine is not the limiting variable.
Pros and cons
Pros
- ThermoJet 3-second heat-up eliminates morning wait — the biggest all-in-one workflow improvement at this price
- 30-position grinder gives fine dial-in control; adjusting for new bean bags is precise and repeatable
- LCD display with shot timer externalizes extraction feedback without needing a separate timer
- 54mm portafilter with unpressurized baskets pulls genuine 9-bar espresso — not a pressurized compromise
- All-in-one design: grinder, machine, timer in one body — no second machine to manage or power
- Solid stainless steel build with consistent portafilter engagement and a stable footprint
Cons
- 54mm portafilter limits access to some premium 58mm-specific aftermarket baskets and accessories
- Single thermoblock requires 30-60 second mode switch between brew and steam — daily inconvenience for milk drinks
- Built-in grinder performs at the $80-120 standalone equivalent — capable but not competition grade
- Manual steam wand only — no auto-steam like the Barista Touch; milk technique requires practice to develop
- Timer-based dosing needs occasional recalibration as beans age and optimal grind setting shifts
- At ~$799, the Barista Express pulls identical shots for ~$100-150 less if heat-up speed is not a priority
Our verdict
Best for home baristas who want an all-in-one machine with fast heat-up and fine grind control
Breville Barista Pro Espresso Machine (BES878)
The Barista Pro earns its price premium over the Barista Express on one variable: the ThermoJet heat-up. If you pull a shot every morning and the 3-minute warm-up on the Express is a friction point, the Barista Pro solves it cleanly. The 30-position grinder and LCD timer are genuine workflow improvements on top of that. The 54mm portafilter and single thermoblock are the real limitations — if either matters to you, the Barista Touch (58mm, auto-steam) or a separate-grinder setup gives more headroom. For most home baristas who want a capable all-in-one at this price, the Barista Pro is the right machine.
★★★★★ 4.6 · 4,200 reviews
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Frequently asked questions
Is the Breville Barista Pro worth the extra cost over the Barista Express?
What is the portafilter size on the Breville Barista Pro?
Does the Breville Barista Pro have auto-steam?
How does the Barista Pro grinder compare to a standalone burr grinder?
Can I use the Breville Barista Pro with pre-ground coffee?
How long does the Breville Barista Pro take to heat up?
Bottom line
The Breville Barista Pro (BES878) is the best all-in-one espresso machine for home baristas who prioritize workflow speed and dialing precision over 58mm portafilter access. The ThermoJet 3-second heat-up eliminates the most common friction point in daily espresso making. The 30-position grinder with LCD shot timer gives you enough feedback and control to dial in consistently without additional tools.
The honest limitation: the 54mm portafilter narrows your aftermarket accessory options, the single thermoblock means a wait between brew and steam, and the built-in grinder is capable rather than exceptional. If you want 58mm hardware and auto-steam, the Barista Touch is the upgrade. If the heat-up time does not bother you and budget matters, the Barista Express pulls the same shot for less.
For where the Barista Pro fits against the Barista Express: Breville Barista Pro vs Barista Express. For how it compares to an alternative all-in-one: De’Longhi La Specialista vs Breville Barista Pro. For all machines with built-in grinders at this price tier: best espresso machines with grinder. For the Breville Barista Touch comparison: Breville Barista Touch review.