Breville Cafe Roma vs Duo Temp Pro: Which Reigns Supreme?

Breville Cafe Roma vs Duo Temp Pro

Are you thinking about buying your first home espresso machine to cut down on those rising coffee shop bills? Starting with a beginner-friendly model is a smart move, and you might be debating between the Breville Café Roma and the Duo Temp Pro. If so, I’m here to guide you towards the better option, and that’s the Duo Temp Pro!

What sets the Breville Duo Temp Pro apart from the Café Roma is its advanced pre-infusion technology, which boosts flavor by gradually increasing pressure at the start of extraction. This ensures a richer, more balanced cup of espresso. Additionally, the Duo Temp Pro comes with a more extensive and higher-quality set of accessories, including a stainless steel milk jug and cleaning tools, which makes it a more complete package for any coffee enthusiast. It also heats up much faster, so you can enjoy your coffee sooner without waiting.

For beginners looking for a smooth and flavorful espresso experience at home, the Duo Temp Pro offers better features and performance, making it the clear winner over the Café Roma.

Breville Cafe Roma Vs Duo Temp Pro: Specs & Features Comparison

The Breville Duo Temp Pro is a superior choice compared to the Breville Café Roma for entry-level espresso machines. It’s slightly larger and heavier, measuring 10 x 12.6 x 12.6 inches and weighing 18.2 lbs, compared to the Café Roma’s 11.8 x 8.6 x 8.7 inches and 13 lbs. The Duo Temp Pro features a faster-heating Thermocoil system, whereas the Café Roma uses a Thermoblock. It also offers two one-touch drink options, while the Café Roma has only one.

The Duo Temp Pro has a larger 1.8-liter water reservoir, making it more suitable for preparing multiple drinks at once, compared to the Café Roma’s 1.2 liters. Both machines have a 15-bar pump pressure and pre-infusion technology for quality espresso. Though the Café Roma is more compact and compatible with ESE pods, the Duo Temp Pro’s faster heating, larger water capacity, and extra drink options make it the better option.

The Breville Café Roma and Duo Temp Pro are both excellent entry-level espresso machines, but the Duo Temp Pro pulls ahead in multiple areas. Here’s a breakdown of how they differ.

Coffee Flavor & Brewing System:

The Duo Temp Pro stands out due to its pre-infusion technology, which gently wets the coffee grounds before extraction for a more balanced flavor. Both machines have a 15-bar pump, but the Duo Temp Pro’s pre-infusion gives it the edge in producing richer espresso.

Dosing & Tamping:

The Duo Temp Pro comes with both single-wall and dual-wall baskets, allowing more control over extraction for advanced users. The Café Roma, on the other hand, includes three dual-wall baskets, one of which is compatible with ESE pods for convenience. The Café Roma’s tamper, however, is flimsy, whereas the Duo Temp Pro offers a stainless steel tamper that can magnetically attach to the machine for easy access.

Heating System:

The Duo Temp Pro utilizes a Thermocoil heating system, which heats up faster than the Café Roma’s Thermoblock. This results in quicker transitions from brewing to steaming.

Design & Convenience:

While both machines boast durable stainless steel designs, the Café Roma is more compact and lightweight. However, the Duo Temp Pro offers a larger water reservoir (1.8L vs. 1.2L) and features a 360-degree swivel steam wand, making milk frothing easier and more precise.

Drink Options & Programmability:

The Duo Temp Pro offers more versatility with a hot water function and slightly more customizable features, making it the winner for those seeking more drink options.

In summary, the Duo Temp Pro wins in flavor, convenience, and versatility, making it a better investment for aspiring home baristas.

Capacity & Accessories:

  • The 61-fluid-ounce water reservoir provides ample capacity for multiple drinks before needing a refill.
  • Included accessories: Razor Dose Trimming Tool, Single & Dual Wall Filter Baskets, Stainless Steel Milk Jug, Allen Key, Water Filter Holder, and Water Filter.

With a 1600-watt power output, a range of thoughtful features, and a 1-year limited warranty, the Breville Duo Temp Pro is perfect for those who want to enjoy café-quality espresso and milk drinks in the comfort of their home.

Quick Overview Of Breville Duo Temp Pro

 
Specifications
Brand: Breville
Color: Brushed Stainless Steel
Product Dimensions: 10.12″D x 12.58″W x 13.15″H
Special Feature: Manual
Coffee Maker Type: Espresso Machine
Filter Type: Reusable
Style: Classic
Specific Uses For Product: Espresso
Operation Mode: Manual
Voltage: 120 Volts
Included Components: Water Filter Holder and Water Filter
54mm Stainless Steel Portafilter with Commercial Style Spouts
16 oz Stainless Steel Milk Jug
Cleaning Tool and Cleaning Tablets
Silicon Cleaning Disc
Razor Precision Dose Trimming Tool
1cup & 2cup Single & Dual Wall Filter Baskets (4 total)
Integrated Removable Tamper

The Breville Duo Temp Pro is a sleek and reliable espresso machine designed to help you brew third-wave specialty coffee right at home. Its brushed stainless steel finish gives it a modern, durable look, while its compact dimensions (10.12″ D x 12.58″ W x 13.15″ H) make it a practical fit for most kitchen spaces.

Key Features:

  • Precise Espresso Extraction: The Duo Temp Pro uses low-pressure pre-infusion to gently expand coffee grounds before high-pressure extraction. This ensures balanced flavors by drawing out the coffee’s sweetness, acidity, and bitterness evenly.
  • 1600W Thermocoil System: The integrated stainless steel water path accurately controls water temperature, giving you consistent results in every cup.
  • Manual Milk Texturing: The 1600W steam element allows you to create microfoam for perfect latte art and enhanced flavor in milk-based drinks like cappuccinos and lattes.
  • Auto Purge Feature: After steaming, the machine automatically purges excess heat, ensuring the right brewing temperature for the next shot.
  • Maintenance Alerts: Cleaning is simple with maintenance indicators that let you know when the machine or drip tray needs attention.

Pros

  • Thermocoil fast-heating system
  • Compact design
  • Excellent milk steaming capabilities
  • Sleek stainless-steel designv
  • Auto shut off feature

Cons

  • Limited customization settings
  • No built-in grinder

Quick Overview Of Breville Cafe Roma

Specifications
Brand: Breville
Color: Silver
Product Dimensions: 9″D x 9″W x 12″H
Special Feature: Manual
Filter Type: Reusable
Specific Uses For Product: Espresso
Recommended Uses For Product: Espresso
Exterior Finish: Stainless Steel
Included Components: Filter, Milk Frother
Operation Mode: Fully Automatic
Voltage: 110 Volts

The Breville Espresso Machine in sleek silver boasts a compact design with dimensions of 9″D x 9″W x 12″H and weighs 13 pounds. With a 40.58 fluid ounce capacity and a powerful 1000-watt thermo block pump, this machine is built to deliver rich espresso with a robust 15-bar pressure.

The dual-wall filter system ensures excellent crema and enhances frothing capabilities, while the included stainless steel frothing pitcher, tamping tool, and measuring spoon make it easy to achieve professional results at home.

The machine features a removable drip tray, cup-warming plate, and a 1.2-liter water tank, making it convenient for daily use and easy maintenance. Note that achieving the best brew requires proper grind size, coffee amount, and tamping to ensure adequate pressure. Additionally, some reprogramming might be necessary when adjusting grind size or coffee amounts. This model comes with a 1-year limited warranty.

Pros

  • Easy to use
  • Affordable price
  • Compatible with ESE pods
  • Thermoblock fast-heating system
  • Compact footprint

Cons

  • Non-rotating steam wand
  • No pre-infusion feature
  • Plastic tamper

Conclusion: 

When it comes to choosing between the Breville Cafe Roma and the Duo Temp Pro, the latter clearly takes the crown. The Duo Temp Pro stands out with its superior pre-infusion technology, which ensures a more balanced and flavorful espresso by evenly extracting the coffee’s flavors. Its advanced Thermocoil heating system and quick heat-up time offer more precision and efficiency compared to the Cafe Roma’s Thermoblock system.

While the Cafe Roma is a budget-friendly option with a compact design and compatibility with ESE pods, it falls short in several areas. It lacks a rotating steam wand, which can make frothing milk more cumbersome, and it does not feature pre-infusion, which affects the quality of the espresso. Additionally, the plastic tamper provided with the Cafe Roma is less durable and effective compared to the Duo Temp Pro’s stainless steel tamper.

In contrast, the Duo Temp Pro’s manual microfoam milk texturing, auto-purge feature, and better build quality make it a more versatile and reliable choice for those serious about their coffee. Overall, if you’re seeking a more advanced, feature-rich espresso machine that delivers excellent results, the Breville Duo Temp Pro is the clear winner.