Breville Duo Temp Pro vs Barista Express: The Breville Duo Temp Pro and the Barista Express are two popular espresso machines known for their quality and performance. Both are designed for home users who want to create café-style drinks without the hassle of going out. While they share some features, each machine has unique qualities that cater to different needs and preferences.
The Duo Temp Pro is praised for its simplicity and ability to produce rich, flavorful shots with ease. It focuses on providing consistent temperature control, which is crucial for great espresso. On the other hand, the Barista Express offers a more integrated experience, featuring a built-in grinder for convenience. This machine is ideal for those who want to grind their beans fresh for each cup. Each machine has its strengths, making the choice between them depend on what users value most in their brewing experience.
The Barista Express is a great choice for people who love espresso. It has many features that make it stand out. One of its best features is the built-in grinder. This lets you grind fresh coffee beans right before you brew. Fresh beans mean better flavor, which makes your espresso taste amazing.
Another cool feature is the pressure gauge. It helps you keep an eye on the brewing process. This way, you can make changes to get the best flavor. The Barista Express also offers more options for customizing your drink. You can try different grind sizes, tamping pressures, and brewing times. While it costs more, it’s a good investment for serious espresso fans who want to improve their skills and enjoy café-quality drinks at home.
On the other hand, the Breville Duo Temp Pro is a more affordable and smaller option. It’s perfect for beginners who are just starting with espresso. It’s easy to use and great for those who might feel lost with more complicated machines. Even though it doesn’t have a built-in grinder or pressure gauge like the Barista Express, it still makes good espresso. With reliable temperature control and a simple brewing process, the Duo Temp Pro helps newcomers learn the basics of making espresso without feeling overwhelmed. It’s a great way to start your journey into the world of espresso.
Breville Duo Temp Pro vs Barista Express: Comparison
The Breville Barista Express BES870XL and the Breville Duo Temp Pro BES810BSS are both popular espresso machines with distinct features. Here’s a comparison of their specifications:
- Dimensions:
- Barista Express: 12.5 x 12.6 x 13.1 inches
- Duo Temp Pro: 11 x 10 x 13 inches
- Capacity:
- Barista Express: 1.9 liters
- Duo Temp Pro: 1.7 liters
- Material:
- Barista Express: Steel
- Duo Temp Pro: Stainless Steel
- Color:
- Barista Express: Stainless Steel
- Duo Temp Pro: Brushed Stainless Steel
- Weight:
- Barista Express: 23 pounds
- Duo Temp Pro: 18.9 pounds
- Heating System:
- Both: 1600W Thermocoil–Integrated
- Power:
- Both: 1600 watts
- Warranty:
- Both: 1 year limited product warranty
The Breville Barista Express stands out with its user-friendly barista-grade setup and precise temperature control for both espresso and steaming. It offers better control over espresso grind size and has a more durable design, making it ideal for coffee enthusiasts. Meanwhile, the Duo Temp Pro is simpler and perfect for first-time buyers, providing a polished all-stainless steel design. Here are some of the features:
- Breville Barista Express BES870XL:
- Pre-Infusion Function
- Dose Control Grinding
- Built-In Grinder
- Compact Footprint
- Hands-Free Operation
- Price: $695.99
- Breville Duo Temp Pro BES810BSS:
- Purge Function
- Precise Espresso Extraction
- Minimal controls for quick shot-pulling
- Price: $460.00
Breville Duo Temp Pro vs. Barista Express: A Detailed Comparison
In the showdown between the Breville Barista Express and the Duo Temp Pro, the Barista Express stands out as the champion, securing a 2-0 victory with 2 ties in various categories.
Coffee Flavor & Brewing System
Winner: Tie
Both machines deliver rich and flavorful coffee. Their brewing systems are designed to extract the best flavors from your coffee beans, ensuring a delightful experience in every cup.
Grinder
Winner: Breville Barista Express
The Barista Express features a built-in stainless steel conical burr grinder with 18 grind settings. This convenience allows you to grind your coffee fresh each time without needing a separate grinder. The 8-ounce bean hopper makes it easy to store enough beans for multiple brews.
While the grinder operates quietly, users may find it challenging to achieve a perfect espresso shot due to the lack of micro-adjustment options. Nonetheless, for those looking for an all-in-one solution, the Barista Express is a solid choice.
In contrast, the Duo Temp Pro does not come with a built-in grinder. This means you can select a separate grinder that fits your preferences, allowing for more customization. A popular recommendation is the Baratza Encore ESP, known for its excellent grind quality.
Boiler System
Winner: Tie
Both machines utilize a Thermocoil heating system, allowing them to heat up quickly—about 30 seconds from a cold start to brew. However, for optimal espresso quality, it’s beneficial to let the machine warm up for a few additional minutes to ensure the group head and portafilter are heated properly.
Neither machine allows simultaneous brewing and steaming, but the transition between the two is smooth, minimizing hassle during your morning routine.
Filter Basket & Portafilter
Winner: Tie
Both the Duo Temp Pro and the Barista Express come equipped with 54 mm stainless steel portafilters, ensuring durability and a comfortable grip. Each machine includes both pressurized and non-pressurized filter baskets, giving you flexibility in brewing.
The double-wall filter baskets are particularly helpful for beginners, as they compensate for inconsistencies in grind size or tamping pressure. However, many espresso enthusiasts recommend switching to single-wall baskets for a more authentic and flavorful experience, despite the learning curve.
Design & Convenience
Winner: Breville Barista Express
When it comes to design, both machines are aesthetically pleasing with stainless steel casings that exude durability. However, the Duo Temp Pro is more compact at 12.6 x 12.6 x 10.1 inches, making it easier to fit in smaller spaces. It lacks a top-mounted hopper, which frees up space for cups.
On the other hand, the Barista Express is larger (15.9 x 12.5 x 13.8 inches) and features a built-in hopper, adding to its height. This can make it a tight fit under cabinets, so careful planning is required for placement.
User Interface
Winner: Breville Barista Express
The Duo Temp Pro has a straightforward design with a power button and a large central dial for ease of use. This simplicity is perfect for newcomers to espresso brewing.
The Barista Express, while more complex, still maintains user-friendliness. It features clearly labeled controls, allowing adjustments for shot volume, water temperature, and pre-infusion time. The inclusion of a pressure gauge provides valuable real-time feedback, helping users refine their technique.
Water Tank Capacity
Winner: Breville Barista Express
The Duo Temp Pro has a 61-ounce (1.8 liters) water tank, which is standard but feels a bit flimsy during use. In contrast, the Barista Express boasts a larger 67.6-ounce (2 liters) tank, accommodating larger brewing sessions. Its well-designed handle also enhances usability when filling or removing the tank.
Milk System
Winner: Tie
Both machines utilize a professional-style manual steam wand that rotates a full 360 degrees, allowing for great control over milk frothing. Each comes with a stainless steel milk pitcher, making it easy to create café-quality drinks at home. While the steaming process does take a moment to ramp up, users will appreciate the silky microfoam it produces once it reaches optimal temperature.
Programmability
Winner: Breville Barista Express
The Barista Express excels in programmability, featuring buttons for single or double shots and volumetric control, which allows for precise filling of cups. Users can also adjust the water temperature by +/- 4 degrees in 2-degree increments, enabling fine-tuning for the perfect brew.
The Duo Temp Pro, while equipped with PID temperature control for stability, does not offer programmable shot control or temperature adjustments, making it less customizable for advanced users.
In this comparison, the Breville Barista Express shines with its all-in-one design, built-in grinder, enhanced programmability, and larger water tank, making it a top choice for coffee lovers seeking convenience and versatility. The Duo Temp Pro, while a solid option, may appeal more to those who prefer the freedom to select their own grinder and a simpler interface. Each machine has its strengths, so the best choice depends on individual preferences and brewing styles.
Overview of the Breville Barista Express
The Breville Barista Express (Model: BES870XL) is a premium coffee maker designed for home baristas who want to brew high-quality espresso. This machine is part of Breville’s Barista Series, which focuses on delivering specialty coffee at home using the “4 Keys Formula.” With this machine, you can go from whole coffee beans to a rich espresso in under one minute.
Key Features
- Dose Control Grinding:
- The Barista Express features an integrated precision conical burr grinder. This means it grinds coffee beans on demand, ensuring you get the right amount of freshly ground coffee directly into the portafilter. You can easily adjust the grind size and dose to suit your taste and the type of coffee bean you are using.
- Optimal Water Pressure:
- The machine utilizes a low-pressure pre-infusion method. This technique gradually increases the pressure at the start of the brewing process, ensuring that all the flavors from the coffee grounds are evenly extracted. The result is a balanced and flavorful cup of coffee.
- Precise Espresso Extraction:
- The Digital Temperature Control (PID) system is designed to deliver water at the perfect temperature. This precision is crucial for optimal espresso extraction, which directly impacts the taste and quality of your drink.
- Manual Microfoam Milk Texturing:
- The powerful steam wand allows you to create microfoam milk. This is essential for enhancing the flavor of your espresso and is perfect for making latte art. With practice, you can craft beautifully textured milk for lattes and cappuccinos right at home.
Pricing
- The Breville Barista Express is currently priced at $695.99 (originally $749.95, now on sale for $53.96 off) through Amazon Prime.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- All-in-One Solution: The built-in grinder eliminates the need for a separate grinder, making it convenient and space-saving.
- Volumetric Control: You can program shot volumes for consistency, tailoring each cup to your preference.
- Real-Time Feedback: The pressure gauge provides live feedback during the extraction process, helping you achieve the best results.
- Professional-Style Steam Wand: This feature allows for expert-level frothing and milk texturing, ideal for coffee enthusiasts.
Cons:
- Higher Price Point: Compared to other models like the Duo Temp Pro, it is priced a bit higher, which may not suit everyone’s budget.
- Grinder Limitations: While the integrated grinder is excellent, it may have limitations specifically for espresso, especially with certain beans.