Comparing the Breville Duo Temp Pro and the Barista Express feels a bit like an unfair fight. The Barista Express clearly takes the crown. It not only has all the best features of the Duo Temp Pro but also includes a built-in grinder, a pressure gauge, and more customization controls. These added perks come at a slightly higher cost, making it a worthwhile investment for serious espresso enthusiasts.
On the flip side, the Breville Duo Temp Pro is a more budget-friendly and compact alternative. It’s an excellent starting point for beginners who want to embark on their espresso journey without being overwhelmed by too many customization options. While it may lack some of the extra features of the Barista Express, it’s still more than capable of producing satisfying espresso shots. ☕✨
Breville Duo Temp Pro vs Barista Express: Specs & Features Comparison
When comparing the Breville Duo Temp Pro and Barista Express, it’s clear that both models have their strengths. The Breville Barista Express (BES870XL) is a standout with its comprehensive features, including a built-in grinder, precise temperature control for espresso and steaming, and a more professional, user-friendly setup. It boasts dimensions of 12.5 x 12.6 x 13.1 inches, a capacity of 1.9 liters, and weighs 23 pounds. The Barista Express is made from stainless steel and is priced at $549.95, making it a robust and durable choice for serious coffee enthusiasts.
On the other hand, the Breville Duo Temp Pro (BES810BSS) is a compact and budget-friendly option, ideal for beginners. With dimensions of 11 x 10 x 13 inches, a capacity of 1.7 liters, and weighing 18.9 pounds, it’s slightly smaller and lighter than the Barista Express. This model also features a 1600W Thermocoil-integrated heating system, pre-infusion function, and a clean, brushed stainless steel design. Priced at $299.95, the Duo Temp Pro offers minimal controls for quick shot-pulling, making it easy to use and clean.
While the Barista Express includes extra features like dose control grinding and hands-free operation, which provides better control over the espresso grind and size, the Duo Temp Pro is perfect for those who prefer a simpler, streamlined design. Both models come with a one-year limited product warranty. Ultimately, the Barista Express is a higher investment for those wanting more advanced features, while the Duo Temp Pro is great for those starting their espresso journey.
Breville Duo Temp Pro vs Barista Express: Key Differences and Which Wins
In the battle between the Breville Duo Temp Pro and the Barista Express, it’s clear the Barista Express takes the crown in several areas, winning 2-0 with 2 categories tied. Here’s how they stack up in key aspects:
Coffee Flavor & Brewing System
Winner: Tie
Both machines brew exceptional coffee, using similar Thermocoil heating systems to ensure consistent temperature for a rich, flavorful cup.
Grinder
Winner: Barista Express
The Barista Express is an all-in-one machine, equipped with a built-in stainless steel conical burr grinder featuring 18 settings. It’s a game changer for convenience, eliminating the need for a separate grinder and giving you full control over your grind size with its 8-ounce bean hopper. While it offers great performance, it lacks micro-adjustment options, which can be a minor challenge for achieving the perfect espresso shot.
On the other hand, the Duo Temp Pro lacks an integrated grinder, which gives you the freedom to choose your own. While it does take up more counter space, opting for a separate grinder like the Baratza Encore ESP allows for a higher degree of customization.
Boiler and Heat-Up Time
Winner: Tie
Both machines feature Thermocoil boilers, allowing them to heat up impressively fast—ready to brew in about 30 seconds. While neither can steam milk and pull a shot simultaneously, the switch between the two is smooth and efficient, minimizing any hassle. ☕✨
So, there you have it! The Barista Express offers more built-in convenience, but the Duo Temp Pro gives you the flexibility to customize. Choose the one that fits your coffee-making style best! 🌟
Filter Basket & Portafilter
Winner: Tie
Both machines come with 54mm stainless steel portafilters and include pressurized and non-pressurized filter baskets. These dual-wall baskets make pulling a consistent shot easy, even if you’re new to espresso-making. However, switching to the single-wall basket can significantly improve your technique and shot quality once you’re more experienced.
Design & Convenience
Winner: Barista Express
The Barista Express is slightly larger (15.9 x 12.5 x 13.8 in) and heavier (23 lbs), giving it a sturdier presence in the kitchen. While it may need strategic placement due to its built-in bean hopper, the overall convenience of having everything in one machine is hard to beat.
The Duo Temp Pro, on the other hand, is more compact (12.6 x 12.6 x 10.1 in), making it easier to fit into smaller spaces. Its lack of a built-in grinder means you’ll need to dedicate more counter space for a separate grinder, but it still boasts a sleek and durable design with stainless steel casing.
User Interface
Winner: Barista Express
The Duo Temp Pro keeps things simple with a minimalistic design—just a power button, a central dial for brewing, and a couple of buttons for steam and hot water. This makes it incredibly intuitive for beginners.
The Barista Express, while more advanced, remains user-friendly with clearly labeled buttons and a pressure gauge that acts as a real-time coach, helping you perfect your espresso extraction. The extra programmability, including shot volume, water temperature, and pre-infusion time, gives you more control over your coffee.
Water Tank
Winner: Barista Express
The Barista Express offers a slightly larger 67.6-ounce (2-liter) water tank, compared to the Duo Temp Pro’s 61-ounce (1.8-liter) capacity. While the difference is small, it’s noticeable, especially if you’re making multiple drinks in one session. Both machines have easy-to-remove tanks with handles, adding convenience to the brewing process.
Milk System
Winner: Tie
Both machines come with a manual steam wand that rotates 360 degrees, giving you full control over frothing milk for cappuccinos and lattes. While the steaming process takes a bit of time to build up pressure, both machines deliver silky, velvety microfoam once you get the hang of it. A stainless steel milk pitcher is also included.
Programmability
Winner: Barista Express
The Barista Express shines with its programmability, offering both shot volume and temperature control. You can adjust the temperature in 2-degree increments, which is crucial for fine-tuning your espresso. The Duo Temp Pro, while featuring PID temperature control for stability, doesn’t allow for user adjustments, making it a simpler option for beginners who prefer a hands-off approach. ☕✨
Both of these machines have their own unique strengths, but the Barista Express edges out with its advanced features and user-friendly design, perfect for those who want a bit more control over their coffee experience.
Quick Rundown of Breville Barista Express
Model: Breville BES870XL Coffee Maker, One Size, Brushed Stainless Steel
The Barista Express delivers third wave specialty coffee at home using the 4 keys formula and is part of the Barista Series that offers all-in-one espresso machines with an integrated grinder to go from beans to espresso in under one minute.
Key Features:
- Dose Control Grinding: Integrated precision conical burr grinder grinds on demand to deliver the right amount of freshly ground coffee directly into the portafilter for your preferred taste with any roast of bean.
- Optimal Water Pressure: Low-pressure pre-infusion gradually increases pressure at the start and helps ensure all the flavors are drawn out evenly during the extraction for a balanced tasting cup.
- Precise Espresso Extraction: Digital temperature control (PID) delivers water at precisely the right temperature, ensuring optimal espresso extraction.
- Manual Microfoam Milk Texturing: The powerful steam wand performance allows you to hand texture microfoam milk that enhances flavor and enables the creation of coffee art at home, helping you make the perfect cup of latte or cappuccino.
This machine is designed for coffee enthusiasts who appreciate both convenience and high-quality espresso at home. ☕✨
Pros
- All-in-One Solution: The built-in grinder makes it extremely convenient, providing a seamless experience from beans to espresso.
- Volumetric Control: Allows you to program shot volumes, giving you precise control over your coffee.
- Pressure Gauge: Offers real-time feedback during the extraction process, helping you achieve the perfect shot.
- Professional-Style Steam Wand: Enables expert-level milk frothing and latte art, making your homemade coffee look and taste like it’s from a café.
Cons
- Higher Price Point: It’s more expensive than the Duo Temp Pro, which might be a consideration for budget-conscious buyers.
- Grinder Limitations: The built-in grinder may not offer the level of precision some espresso aficionados require.
Quick Rundown of Breville Duo Temp Pro
Model: Breville BES810BSS Espresso Machine, One Size, Brushed Stainless Steel
Key Features:
- Precise Espresso Extraction: Low pressure pre-infusion helps ensure all the flavors are drawn out evenly during the extraction for a balanced tasting cup.
- Water Temperature: The 1600W Thermocoil–integrated stainless steel water path accurately controls water temperature.
- Manual Microfoam Milk Texturing: A high power 1600W element delivers sufficient steam to create microfoam that enhances flavor and enables you to produce latte and cappuccino art at home.
- Auto Purge: The Duo-Temp Pro Espresso Machine automatically purges the heat system after steaming, ensuring your next espresso is extracted at the right temperature.
Special Offers: Earn up to $200 cashback and receive two free bags of coffee beans when you purchase a selected Breville Espresso or Coffee machine. Valid from Sep 18, 2024, until Dec 31, 2025.
This machine is a fantastic option for those looking for a budget-friendly, yet high-quality espresso experience at home. ☕✨
Which feature stands out most to you?
Pros
- Affordable Option: It’s more budget-friendly compared to the Barista Express.
- Space-Saving Design: Its smaller size and absence of a built-in grinder make it a perfect fit for smaller kitchens.
- Beginner-Friendly Interface: The simple interface is ideal for those who want a hassle-free experience.
- Versatile Filter Baskets: It comes with both pressurized and non-pressurized filter baskets.
- Professional-Style Steam Wand: Capable of creating velvety, silky microfoam.
Cons
- Separate Grinder Needed: You’ll need to invest in a separate grinder.
- Limited Customization: Offers fewer customization options compared to the Barista Express
- Non-Adjustable PID Temperature Control: The temperature control is not adjustable.
Overall, the Breville Duo Temp Pro is a fantastic option for beginners or those looking for a compact and affordable espresso machine, while the Barista Express provides more advanced features for coffee enthusiasts. ☕✨
Conclusion: Breville Duo Temp Pro vs Barista Express: Which Is the Better Breville Espresso Machine?
Deciding between the Breville Duo Temp Pro and the Barista Express ultimately depends on your needs and preferences as a coffee enthusiast.
The Barista Express excels with its all-in-one design, built-in grinder, precise espresso extraction, and advanced customization options. It’s perfect for those who want a comprehensive, professional-grade coffee experience at home and are willing to invest a bit more for added convenience and control.
On the other hand, the Duo Temp Pro is a more affordable and compact option, ideal for beginners. Its simplicity and ease of use make it a great starting point for those new to making espresso. While it lacks some advanced features and requires a separate grinder, it still delivers excellent coffee and fits well in smaller spaces.
- Barista Express: Best for serious coffee enthusiasts seeking more features and control.
- Duo Temp Pro: Best for beginners or those looking for a budget-friendly, straightforward espresso machine.
Both machines are fantastic in their own right, so choose the one that best fits your espresso journey! ☕✨
Feel ready to make a choice? 😊