Breville Barista Pro vs Breville Barista Touch

If you’re in the market for a high-quality home espresso machine, there’s a good chance you’ve narrowed your options down to the Breville Barista Pro and the Breville Barista Touch. Both of these machines promise café-quality espresso, both have built-in grinders, and both are designed for ease of use. But they also have key differences that might make one a better choice for you than the other.

So, after spending a good amount of time testing both, I’ll break down their differences and help you decide which one is right for you.

Breville Barista Pro vs Breville Barista Touch Comparison Chart

Feature	Breville Barista Pro	Breville Barista Touch
	Check the best price on Amazon	Check the best price on Amazon
Design & Build	Brushed stainless steel, LCD display	Brushed stainless steel, full-color touchscreen
Dimensions (W x D x H)	13.9” x 16.1” x 16”	12.7” x 15.5” x 16”
Weight	20 lbs (9.1 kg)	26.8 lbs (12.2 kg)
Interface	LCD screen with buttons	Full-color touchscreen
Heating System	ThermoJet (3-second heat-up)	ThermoJet (3-second heat-up)
Pre-Infusion	Manual control	Automatic
Extraction Pressure	15-bar pump (9-bar extraction pressure)	15-bar pump (9-bar extraction pressure)
Grinder Type	Integrated conical burr grinder	Integrated conical burr grinder
Grind Settings	30 grind levels	30 grind levels
Dosing Control	Manual	Automatic
Portafilter Size	54mm stainless steel	54mm stainless steel
Hands-Free Grinding?	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Pre-Programmed Drinks	❌ No	✅ Yes (5 default drinks)
Customizable Drink Profiles	❌ No	✅ Yes (Save up to 8)
Shot Control	Manual start/stop	Automatic shot timing
Milk Frothing System	Manual steam wand (powerful, great for latte art)	Automatic milk frothing (adjustable temperature & texture)
Steam Wand Purge	Manual	Automatic
Water Tank Capacity	67 oz (2L)	67 oz (2L)
Drip Tray	Removable	Removable
Hot Water Dispenser	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Cleaning Alerts	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Power Consumption	1680W	1680W
My individual reviews	Breville Barista Pro review	Breville Barista Touch review

Key Takeaways from the Comparison

✅ Barista Pro Wins If:

• You want manual control over espresso extraction and milk frothing.
• You enjoy tweaking settings like grind size, shot timing, and pre-infusion.
• You want a more affordable option without sacrificing espresso quality.

✅ Barista Touch Wins If:

• You prefer one-touch convenience with pre-programmed drinks.
• You want automatic milk frothing with adjustable temperature & texture.
• You like saving custom drink profiles for multiple users.

📌 Bottom Line:

• The Barista Pro is best for espresso enthusiasts who enjoy hands-on brewing.
• The Barista Touch is ideal for those who want automation and ease of use.

Either way, both machines offer premium espresso-making capabilities! ☕

Design & Build Quality: A Detailed Breakdown

When investing in a home espresso machine, design and build quality matter a lot. You don’t just want something that brews excellent espresso—you want a machine that looks great on your counter, feels durable, and is designed for everyday use without hassle.

Both the Breville Barista Pro and Breville Barista Touch share a common design language: brushed stainless steel, compact footprints, and a modern aesthetic that fits well in any kitchen. However, when you look closer, you’ll notice subtle yet significant differences in their construction, interface, and overall feel.

Let’s break it down.

Overall Aesthetic & Materials

At first glance, the Barista Pro and Barista Touch look nearly identical. Both machines have a sleek, polished stainless steel body that immediately gives them a premium, professional feel. The clean lines, minimalist curves, and compact form factor make them stylish but functional, ensuring they don’t dominate your kitchen counter.

✅ Brushed Stainless Steel Construction:
Both machines are made from high-quality brushed stainless steel, which is not only aesthetically pleasing but also highly durable. Unlike plastic-heavy espresso machines in the same price range, the use of metal ensures long-term reliability and a premium feel.

✅ Compact Footprint:
One of the things I love about both machines is that they don’t take up a ton of space. Despite having a built-in grinder, water tank, and steam wand, they maintain a compact design that fits well in smaller kitchens.

📏 Size Comparison:

• Breville Barista Pro: 13.9″ (W) x 16.1″ (D) x 16″ (H)
• Breville Barista Touch: 12.7″ (W) x 15.5″ (D) x 16″ (H)

While the Barista Touch is slightly narrower, the difference is minor, and both fit well under kitchen cabinets.

However, when you use them daily, the difference in controls and interface becomes noticeable.

The Control Interface: LCD vs. Touchscreen

The biggest design difference between these two machines is the control panel. This is where your user experience is either enhanced or limited, depending on what you prefer.

Breville Barista Pro – LCD Display & Physical Buttons

The Barista Pro features a high-contrast LCD display with physical buttons and a rotary dial for adjustments.

✅ Simple Yet Effective:
The LCD screen displays real-time information about grind size, shot timing, and temperature settings. It’s not touchscreen, but it provides all the essential details you need without unnecessary clutter.

✅ Tactile Button Control:

• The dial allows you to adjust settings quickly.
• Physical buttons for single/double shots and steam/hot water provide quick access without digging into menus.

✅ More Hands-On:
If you love making small adjustments manually, you might appreciate this layout. It gives a barista-like experience, requiring more interaction but offering more control.

🎯 Who Will Love It?
If you prefer tactile feedback, enjoy pressing buttons instead of navigating menus, and like a simple, no-fuss display, the Barista Pro’s LCD interface will feel intuitive.

Breville Barista Touch – Touchscreen for One-Tap Control

The Barista Touch, as its name suggests, replaces the LCD screen and buttons with a sleek, full-color touchscreen display.

✅ Modern, Intuitive, and Easy to Use:
The touchscreen interface is by far the most noticeable upgrade. It looks sleek, modern, and minimalistic, making it feel more high-tech and user-friendly.

✅ One-Touch Drink Selection:

• Pre-programmed drinks like espresso, latte, cappuccino, and flat white are available at a single tap.
• You can customize and save up to 8 personalized drinks with names, strength preferences, and milk settings.

✅ Step-by-Step Guidance:
For beginners, the touchscreen provides clear guidance on how to make each drink, from grinding to extraction to milk frothing.

🎯 Who Will Love It?
If you prefer automation and convenience over manual adjustments, the Barista Touch is the clear winner. The touchscreen makes the machine more approachable, especially for beginners who want high-quality coffee without a steep learning curve.

Build Quality & Durability

Both machines are built to last, but there are some differences in how they feel in daily use.

✅ Metal vs. Plastic Components:

• Both machines feature stainless steel housing, making them durable and resistant to fingerprints and smudges.
• However, the Barista Touch has a touchscreen, which means fewer physical buttons and moving parts—this could mean less wear and tear over time.

✅ Portafilter & Group Head:

• Both come with a 54mm stainless steel portafilter, which is high-quality and professional-grade.
• The group head on both machines is solidly built, ensuring consistent temperature stability for better espresso extraction.

✅ Drip Tray & Water Tank:

• Both feature removable drip trays that are easy to clean.
• The water tank is 67 oz (2L) on both models, which is large enough for multiple drinks without constant refilling.

Ergonomics & Daily Usability

Beyond looks, how these machines feel to use daily is just as important.

Barista Pro – More Hands-On, More Engagement

• The buttons and rotary dial feel sturdy, providing tactile feedback that some users prefer.
• The steam wand is manual, meaning you’ll need to put in some effort to texture milk correctly.
• Using the LCD screen requires manual adjustments, which can be enjoyable if you love experimenting with espresso settings.

Barista Touch – More Effortless, More Convenience

• The touchscreen is incredibly easy to navigate, making it perfect for beginners or those who want quick, consistent results.
• The automated milk frothing means you don’t have to learn how to steam milk manually—it does the work for you.
• If you love convenience and customization without extra effort, the Barista Touch wins here.

Cleaning & Maintenance

Both machines are designed for easy maintenance, but there are some slight differences.

✅ Cleaning Alerts & Reminders:

• Both machines notify you when they need cleaning or descaling, which is helpful for longevity.

✅ Drip Tray & Portafilter Cleaning:

• The drip trays slide out easily for quick rinsing.
• The portafilter needs regular cleaning, but it’s the same on both machines.

📌 Key Difference:
The Barista Touch automatically purges the steam wand after every use, making cleaning easier. With the Barista Pro, you need to do this manually.

Final Verdict: Which One Wins in Design & Build Quality?

🚀 Choose the Barista Pro if you:
✔️ Prefer physical buttons and a more hands-on experience.
✔️ Enjoy making manual adjustments for espresso shots.
✔️ Don’t mind a small learning curve.

🎯 Choose the Barista Touch if you:
✔️ Want an easy-to-use touchscreen for one-tap drink selection.
✔️ Prefer automation and guided steps.
✔️ Like the idea of storing custom drink profiles.

Winner? It depends on what you prioritize. If you love full control, the Barista Pro is the best choice. If you want a sleek, modern interface with automation, the Barista Touch is unbeatable. Either way, you’re getting a high-quality espresso machine with a premium build. ☕

Ease of Use & Learning Curve: How Beginner-Friendly Are They?

When it comes to home espresso machines, ease of use is one of the most important factors—especially for beginners or those who don’t want to spend months mastering the art of espresso making. While both the Breville Barista Pro and Barista Touch are designed to be more user-friendly than traditional semi-automatic espresso machines, they take different approaches to usability.

The Barista Pro is designed for users who enjoy hands-on control and are willing to learn the finer details of espresso making. Meanwhile, the Barista Touch aims to automate and simplify the process as much as possible, making it a great choice for those who want convenience over manual control.

Let’s break down how easy each machine is to use, including how they handle grinding, brewing, steaming milk, and cleaning.

Initial Setup & First-Time Use

When you first unbox an espresso machine, the last thing you want is a complicated, frustrating setup process. Fortunately, both the Barista Pro and Barista Touch are relatively easy to set up, even for beginners.

Breville Barista Pro – Quick Setup, Manual Adjustments Required

• Setting up the Barista Pro takes about 10–15 minutes, including:
  • Installing the water filter in the 2L water tank.
  • Flushing the system with water.
  • Adjusting the grinder settings to match your coffee beans.
• Since the Barista Pro is more manual, there is a slight learning curve when it comes to adjusting the grind size, tamping pressure, and extraction time.

First-Time Espresso Experience on the Barista Pro:

• You’ll need to adjust the grind size based on your beans.
• You’ll have to manually tamp the coffee to the correct pressure.
• When extracting espresso, you’ll need to monitor the timing to get the right shot.

For someone new to espresso making, this might take a few tries to get right, but the LCD screen helps by providing real-time feedback on grind settings, shot timing, and temperature.

✅ Best for users who don’t mind learning and tweaking settings manually.

Breville Barista Touch – Guided Setup & Step-by-Step Instructions

• The Barista Touch takes ease of use to another level with a touchscreen setup wizard that guides you through the initial setup.
• Instead of manually figuring out grind size and shot timing, the machine walks you through each step visually, making it a foolproof process for beginners.

First-Time Espresso Experience on the Barista Touch:

• The touchscreen allows you to select your drink, and the machine automatically adjusts grind size and extraction time.
• There’s no guesswork involved—you just follow the on-screen prompts.
• The automatic milk frothing means you don’t need barista skills to create latte-style milk foam.

✅ Best for users who want a seamless, guided experience without having to manually tweak settings.

Grinding & Dosing – How Easy Is It?

Both machines come with an integrated burr grinder, which eliminates the need for a separate grinder—one of the biggest advantages of Breville’s all-in-one espresso machines.

Barista Pro – More Control Over Grinding

• The Barista Pro gives you more control over the grinding process, which is great for people who want to fine-tune their espresso shots.
• It features 30 grind settings, allowing you to adjust the grind size manually depending on the type of beans you use.
• The dose amount is also adjustable, meaning you can experiment to find the perfect balance.
• However, for beginners, this manual adjustment process can take some trial and error before finding the best setting.

Barista Touch – Automatic Grind Adjustments

• With the Barista Touch, you don’t have to manually adjust grind settings—the machine does it for you based on the drink you select.
• It still has 30 grind settings, but instead of experimenting with manual adjustments, the touchscreen interface helps guide you to the right one.
• If you’re new to espresso making, this is a huge advantage since you don’t have to worry about grind size and dosing precision.

Brewing & Extraction – Manual vs. One-Touch Simplicity

Once you have your coffee grounds in the portafilter, it’s time to brew espresso. This is another area where the Barista Pro and Barista Touch differ significantly.

Barista Pro – Manual Shot Control

• With the Barista Pro, you have to start and stop the shot manually.
• The LCD screen provides real-time shot timing, which is useful for dialing in your espresso.
• However, if you’re new to espresso, you might pull a few bad shots before getting the hang of it.

✅ Best for users who want full control over their espresso shots.

Barista Touch – Automated Shot Timing

• The Barista Touch automates shot timing, meaning you don’t have to manually start and stop the shot—it does it for you.
• The touchscreen allows you to select single or double shots, and the machine takes care of the rest.
• This ensures consistency every time, reducing the chance of making mistakes.

✅ Best for users who want easy, foolproof espresso brewing.

Milk Frothing – Manual vs. Automatic

One of the biggest differences between these two machines is milk frothing.

Barista Pro – Manual Steam Wand

• The Barista Pro requires manual milk steaming, which means you need to learn how to texture milk properly.
• While this takes practice, it allows you to create latte art-quality foam.
• If you enjoy the process of perfecting your milk frothing skills, the Barista Pro gives you full control.

✅ Best for users who want to learn the art of milk frothing.

Barista Touch – Automatic Milk Frothing

• The Barista Touch automates milk frothing, so you don’t need any barista skills.
• You can adjust milk temperature and foam texture via the touchscreen.
• This makes it easier to create consistently good lattes and cappuccinos.

✅ Best for users who want perfect froth without effort.

Cleaning & Maintenance

Both machines are easy to clean, but the Barista Touch has a slight advantage due to its automatic steam wand purge.

• The Barista Pro requires manual cleaning of the steam wand.
• The Barista Touch automatically purges the steam wand after every use, making maintenance easier.
• Both machines notify you when they need descaling and cleaning.

✅ The Barista Touch wins in terms of easier maintenance.

Final Verdict: Which Machine Is Easier to Use?

🚀 Choose the Barista Pro if you:
✔️ Want to learn the fundamentals of espresso making.
✔️ Enjoy manual control over shot timing and milk frothing.
✔️ Don’t mind a slight learning curve.

🎯 Choose the Barista Touch if you:
✔️ Want one-touch simplicity with guided instructions.
✔️ Prefer automatic shot timing and milk frothing.
✔️ Want a hassle-free, beginner-friendly experience.

📌 Bottom Line: If you love learning and experimenting, the Barista Pro is great. But if you want a foolproof, no-fuss experience, the Barista Touch is unbeatable. ☕

Grinding & Dose Control: How Do They Compare?

One of the most important aspects of making high-quality espresso is grinding and dosing. A great espresso machine alone isn’t enough—your coffee grind size, dose, and consistency play a massive role in flavor, crema, and extraction quality.

The Breville Barista Pro and Barista Touch both feature an integrated conical burr grinder, which is a game-changer for home users. This means you don’t need a separate grinder, saving counter space and making the coffee-making process much more streamlined.

But while they share the same grinder technology, their approach to grinding, dose control, and user experience is slightly different. Let’s dive deep into how these machines handle grinding, dosing, and the overall process of preparing espresso grounds.

Grinder Type & Quality

Both machines come with a high-quality, built-in conical burr grinder, which is far superior to blade grinders that many budget espresso machines rely on.

✅ Conical Burr Grinder Benefits:

• Produces uniform coffee grounds, ensuring even extraction.
• Minimizes heat buildup, preserving coffee flavor.
• More control over grind size, which is crucial for dialing in espresso shots.

The fact that both machines include a burr grinder is a huge plus—many espresso setups require a separate grinder, which can easily cost an extra $300–$600 for a good one. The fact that Breville includes an integrated burr grinder at this price point adds a ton of value.

Grinder Performance Comparison

Feature	Breville Barista Pro	Breville Barista Touch
Grinder Type	Conical burr grinder	Conical burr grinder
Grind Settings	30 levels	30 levels
Hands-Free Grinding?	Yes	Yes
Automatic Dosing?	No (manual control)	Yes (automatic dosing)

While both grinders offer the same level of grind consistency, the difference comes in user experience—whether you prefer manual control (Barista Pro) or automated assistance (Barista Touch).

Grind Size Adjustments – Manual vs. Automatic

Barista Pro – Full Manual Grind Size Control

The Barista Pro offers full manual control over the grind size, allowing you to fine-tune your espresso shots.

✅ Dialing in Your Espresso:

• You have 30 grind size settings, meaning you can precisely adjust the coarseness or fineness of your coffee grounds.
• If your espresso is extracting too fast, you can adjust to a finer grind to slow extraction and increase flavor intensity.
• If your espresso is extracting too slowly or tastes bitter, you can adjust to a coarser grind for a more balanced shot.

💡 This manual control is great for coffee enthusiasts who love tweaking and experimenting with their espresso recipes. However, if you’re a beginner, there’s a learning curve, as it takes a few attempts to find the perfect grind setting for your beans.

Barista Touch – Automated Grind Adjustments

The Barista Touch simplifies the grinding process by automating grind size suggestions based on the drink you select.

✅ How It Works:

• When you select a drink from the touchscreen menu, the machine suggests a grind size and dose for optimal results.
• You still have 30 grind settings, but you don’t have to manually figure out the right one—the machine helps guide you.
• If needed, you can fine-tune the grind size manually, but the default settings are optimized for most users.

🎯 Best for users who want a hassle-free experience—you don’t have to guess which grind size is best, making it ideal for beginners or those who prefer convenience.

Dosing – How Much Coffee Does Each Machine Grind?

Dosing refers to how much ground coffee the machine dispenses into the portafilter. Getting the right dose is crucial for making a balanced and flavorful espresso shot.

Barista Pro – Manual Dosing for Full Control

With the Barista Pro, you get manual dosing, meaning:
✅ You control how much coffee is ground for each shot.
✅ You must manually start and stop the grinding process.
✅ If you want a 16g dose instead of 18g, you can adjust it precisely.

💡 This is great for people who love experimenting, but for beginners, it requires practice to get the correct dose consistently.

Barista Touch – Automatic Dose Control

The Barista Touch takes the guesswork out of dosing by using automatic dose control.

✅ How It Works:

• The machine automatically grinds and doses the correct amount of coffee based on the drink you select.
• If you select espresso, it grinds the optimal amount for a single or double shot.
• This makes it easier to get a consistent espresso shot every time.

🎯 Best for users who want simplicity—you don’t need to worry about dosing errors.

Hands-Free Grinding & Portafilter Compatibility

Both machines offer hands-free grinding, meaning you don’t have to hold the portafilter in place. You simply lock it into the cradle, press the button, and the machine does the rest.

✅ Portafilter Size:
Both machines use a 54mm stainless steel portafilter, which is the same size as many commercial espresso machines.

✅ Single & Double Shot Options:
Both machines allow you to grind for either a single shot (~9g coffee) or a double shot (~18g coffee), giving you flexibility in how much espresso you want.

Adjusting the Dose for Different Coffee Beans

One important factor that many new espresso users overlook is that different coffee beans require different grind settings and doses.

• Lighter roasts often require a finer grind and slightly longer extraction time to bring out their bright flavors.
• Darker roasts usually need a coarser grind and shorter extraction to avoid bitterness.

✅ Barista Pro – More Control for Bean Adjustments:

• If you frequently switch between different types of coffee beans, the Barista Pro gives you more control over grind size and dose, allowing you to tweak it perfectly.

✅ Barista Touch – More Automation, Less Guesswork:

• If you mainly stick to one or two types of beans, the Barista Touch’s automation makes the process simpler and more consistent.

Final Verdict: Which One Wins in Grinding & Dose Control?

🚀 Choose the Barista Pro if you:
✔️ Want full manual control over grind size and dose.
✔️ Like to experiment with different coffee beans and recipes.
✔️ Enjoy the traditional espresso-making process.

🎯 Choose the Barista Touch if you:
✔️ Want a faster, more automated grinding and dosing process.
✔️ Prefer a machine that optimizes settings for you.
✔️ Don’t want to worry about grind size and dose adjustments every time you make coffee.

📌 Bottom Line: The Barista Pro is best for users who love customization, while the Barista Touch is ideal for those who want effortless, consistent grinding and dosing. Either way, both machines offer high-quality burr grinders that deliver café-quality results. ☕

Brewing & Espresso Quality: How Do the Shots Compare?

At the heart of every espresso machine is its ability to brew a rich, flavorful, and well-balanced espresso shot. No matter how advanced the features are, if the machine doesn’t extract high-quality espresso, then everything else is just extra bells and whistles.

Both the Breville Barista Pro and Breville Barista Touch are designed to deliver café-quality espresso at home, but they take slightly different approaches to brewing. While they share the same heating system and pressure mechanics, the way they allow you to control and adjust extraction differs.

Let’s take a deep dive into how these machines handle brewing, how their features impact espresso quality, and which one might be the best fit for your coffee preferences.

Heating System – ThermoJet Technology

The heating system is one of the most important components in an espresso machine because it affects speed, consistency, and temperature stability.

✅ Both machines use Breville’s ThermoJet heating system, which is a major improvement over traditional thermoblock or single boiler systems.

💨 Why is ThermoJet a big deal?

• It heats up in just 3 seconds, meaning there’s virtually no waiting time when turning on the machine.
• Unlike older models (like the Breville Barista Express, which takes about 30 seconds to heat up), the ThermoJet system lets you brew shots and steam milk almost instantly.
• The system also ensures more consistent brewing temperatures, which helps with better extraction and flavor balance.

Heating System Comparison

Feature	Barista Pro	Barista Touch
Heating System	ThermoJet (3-sec heat-up)	ThermoJet (3-sec heat-up)
Brew Temperature Control	Manual adjustments	Automatic
Heat-Up Time	~3 seconds	~3 seconds
Switching Between Brewing & Steaming	Instant	Instant

Since both machines share the same heating system, they perform equally well in terms of heat-up speed and efficiency.

Pre-Infusion – Enhancing Espresso Extraction

Both machines use low-pressure pre-infusion, which is an essential step for a well-balanced espresso shot.

✅ What is pre-infusion?

• Before full pressure is applied, the machine gently soaks the coffee grounds with a small amount of water.
• This helps release gases from the coffee, preventing channeling and ensuring even extraction.

✅ How do these machines handle pre-infusion?

• The Barista Pro allows for manual pre-infusion control, meaning you can adjust the duration to better suit different coffee beans and roasts.
• The Barista Touch automates pre-infusion, ensuring a consistent result every time without user intervention.

🎯 Which is better?

• If you like to experiment and fine-tune pre-infusion settings, the Barista Pro gives you more control.
• If you prefer consistency and automation, the Barista Touch ensures optimal pre-infusion automatically.

Extraction Pressure – 9-Bar Precision

Both machines use a 15-bar Italian pump, but they brew espresso at the optimal 9-bar pressure (the gold standard for espresso extraction).

💡 Why is 9-bar pressure important?

• Too much pressure (above 10 bars) can result in over-extraction, making the coffee taste bitter.
• Too little pressure can lead to under-extraction, resulting in a sour, weak espresso.
• The 9-bar sweet spot ensures a balanced, flavorful shot with a good amount of crema.

Since both machines extract at 9 bars, the actual shot quality depends more on grind size, dose, and tamping technique than on the machine itself.

🎯 Winner: Tie. Both machines maintain consistent extraction pressure for high-quality espresso.

Shot Timing & Brewing Control

Where these two machines really differ is in how they handle shot timing and brewing control.

Barista Pro – Manual Shot Timing & Control

• The Barista Pro requires you to start and stop the shot manually unless you program it.
• The LCD screen provides real-time feedback on shot timing, which helps with dialing in the perfect espresso.
• If you enjoy tweaking the extraction time, this machine gives you full control.

✅ Great for users who:
✔️ Want to manually time their espresso shots.
✔️ Enjoy customizing extraction based on different beans.
✔️ Don’t mind a slight learning curve.

Barista Touch – Automatic Shot Timing

• The Barista Touch automates the shot timing, meaning it stops the shot at the optimal moment based on the drink you select.
• This makes it far more beginner-friendly since you don’t have to worry about over-extraction or under-extraction.
• You can still adjust shot volume and strength, but the machine ensures consistency every time.

✅ Great for users who:
✔️ Want a set-and-forget experience.
✔️ Prefer consistent, hands-off brewing.
✔️ Don’t want to manually time their espresso shots.

🎯 Which one is better?

• If you love hands-on control, the Barista Pro is better.
• If you prefer automation and ease, the Barista Touch is the clear winner.

Crema Quality & Espresso Taste

When it comes to actual shot quality, both machines produce rich, full-bodied espresso with a nice crema.

✅ Factors that influence crema quality:

• Freshness of the beans – The fresher the beans, the better the crema.
• Grind size – Too fine or too coarse affects extraction.
• Tamping pressure – Inconsistent tamping leads to uneven extraction.

Since both machines use the same brewing technology, the espresso quality is nearly identical—the main difference is in user control.

🎯 If you love dialing in your shots manually, the Barista Pro is the best choice. If you want a machine that does the work for you, the Barista Touch makes it effortless.

Final Verdict: Which Machine Brews Better Espresso?

🚀 Choose the Barista Pro if you:
✔️ Want manual shot timing and control.
✔️ Love tweaking pre-infusion, extraction time, and grind settings.
✔️ Enjoy a more hands-on espresso-making experience.

🎯 Choose the Barista Touch if you:
✔️ Prefer one-touch automation for consistent results.
✔️ Want a machine that optimizes shot timing for you.
✔️ Value ease of use and minimal effort.

📌 Bottom Line: Both machines brew outstanding espresso, but if you love control and customization, the Barista Pro is for you. If you want consistent, hassle-free brewing, the Barista Touch is the best choice. ☕

Steam Wand & Milk Frothing: Manual vs. Automatic Texturing

Milk frothing is one of the most important aspects of home espresso making, especially if you love lattes, cappuccinos, flat whites, or macchiatos. The ability to create smooth, velvety microfoam can make or break the quality of your milk-based drinks.

While both the Breville Barista Pro and Barista Touch are equipped with steam wands, they take very different approaches to milk frothing. The Barista Pro features a fully manual steam wand, while the Barista Touch offers automatic milk texturing—making a big difference in the user experience and learning curve.

Let’s break down how each machine handles milk frothing, their differences in performance and ease of use, and which one might be better suited to your coffee needs.

The Type of Steam Wand: Manual vs. Automatic

The main difference between these two machines lies in how the steam wand functions.

Feature	Breville Barista Pro	Breville Barista Touch
Steam Wand Type	Manual	Automatic
Control Over Milk Frothing	Full control	Automatic frothing & temperature control
Skill Level Required	Requires practice	Beginner-friendly
Latte Art Capability	Excellent (if skilled)	Good, but not as precise

Both machines use powerful steam wands, but the level of control they offer is very different.

Barista Pro – The Manual Steam Wand Experience

The Barista Pro features a powerful, professional-style manual steam wand, allowing you to froth milk exactly the way you like it.

✅ What Makes It Great?

• Full manual control over milk texturing, meaning you can create fine microfoam for latte art.
• Strong steam pressure allows for quick, efficient frothing (about 30–45 seconds for a milk jug).
• More powerful than entry-level espresso machines, making it easier to achieve café-quality results.

However, there’s a learning curve—if you’re new to espresso, it will take some practice to learn how to position the wand, angle the milk jug, and create the right amount of foam.

🎯 Who Is the Barista Pro Best For?
✔️ Those who want to learn and master manual milk frothing.
✔️ Latte art enthusiasts who want full control over milk texture.
✔️ Users who don’t mind the extra effort for barista-level results.

Barista Touch – Automatic Milk Frothing Made Easy

The Barista Touch takes a different approach by automating the milk frothing process. Instead of requiring you to manually control the steam wand, this machine steams and textures the milk for you.

✅ What Makes It Great?

• One-touch automatic milk frothing—you simply select your milk texture and temperature, and the machine does the rest.
• The touchscreen allows you to adjust the milk temperature and foam level, so you can customize it for lattes, cappuccinos, or flat whites.
• The steam wand purges itself after each use, making cleanup much easier than on the Barista Pro.

Since the Barista Touch handles the steaming for you, it’s perfect for beginners or anyone who wants a hassle-free experience. However, because the milk frothing is automated, it doesn’t offer the same level of precision as the manual steam wand on the Barista Pro.

🎯 Who Is the Barista Touch Best For?
✔️ Beginners who want easy, consistent frothing.
✔️ Users who don’t want to learn manual steaming techniques.
✔️ Those who prioritize convenience over full control.

Milk Texture & Latte Art Capabilities

A major consideration for many coffee lovers is latte art. Creating beautiful designs in your coffee requires smooth, silky microfoam, which is best achieved using a manual steam wand.

Barista Pro – Ideal for Latte Art

• The manual steam wand allows for finer milk texture control, which is crucial for creating perfect microfoam.
• If you’re willing to practice, you can achieve café-quality latte art.
• Because the steam wand is powerful, it creates smooth, glossy microfoam, rather than big bubbles.

💡 The Verdict? If latte art is important to you, the Barista Pro is the better choice.

Barista Touch – Good, But Less Precise for Latte Art

• The automatic frothing system is great for creating good milk foam, but it isn’t as precise as manual frothing.
• Because you can’t control the positioning of the steam wand, it can sometimes produce slightly more airy foam than the Barista Pro.
• While you can still make basic latte art, it’s harder to get super fine microfoam compared to manual steaming.

💡 The Verdict? If you just want good frothy milk with no effort, the Barista Touch is fantastic. But if you love making latte art, the Barista Pro gives you better control.

Speed & Efficiency – Which One is Faster?

When it comes to frothing speed, both machines are fairly quick, but there are some differences.

• The Barista Pro’s powerful steam wand can froth milk in about 30–45 seconds, but it requires manual control.
• The Barista Touch takes slightly longer (45–60 seconds) because it’s fully automated, but it requires zero effort from the user.

🎯 Which One is More Efficient?

• If you want to steam milk as fast as possible, the Barista Pro wins.
• If you prioritize automation over speed, the Barista Touch is better.

Cleaning & Maintenance – Which One is Easier?

Cleaning the steam wand after every use is important to prevent milk residue buildup.

Barista Pro – Manual Cleaning Required

• After frothing, you need to purge the steam wand manually by turning the steam on briefly to clear out milk residue.
• You should also wipe the wand with a damp cloth immediately after use.

Barista Touch – Automatic Cleaning

• The Barista Touch automatically purges the steam wand after every use, which helps prevent clogging.
• You still need to wipe the wand, but the machine does most of the work for you.

🎯 Which One is Easier to Maintain?
The Barista Touch is easier to clean because of its automatic purge system, but the Barista Pro is still fairly simple to maintain with regular wiping and purging.

Final Verdict: Which Machine Has the Better Steam Wand?

🚀 Choose the Barista Pro if you:
✔️ Want full manual control over milk frothing.
✔️ Are willing to learn and practice latte art.
✔️ Prefer more powerful steaming for café-quality microfoam.

🎯 Choose the Barista Touch if you:
✔️ Want a fully automated milk frothing system.
✔️ Prefer effortless, consistent milk texture.
✔️ Don’t want to manually clean the steam wand after every use.

📌 Bottom Line: If you love latte art and full control, the Barista Pro is the best choice. If you want simple, foolproof milk frothing, the Barista Touch is unbeatable. Either way, both machines make delicious, café-style milk-based drinks at home. ☕

Customization & Pre-Programmed Drinks: How Much Control Do You Have?

One of the biggest advantages of having a high-quality espresso machine at home is the ability to customize your drinks to suit your taste. Some coffee lovers want full control over every step, while others prefer pre-programmed options that make brewing effortless.

The Breville Barista Pro and Breville Barista Touch take very different approaches when it comes to drink customization. The Barista Pro is more hands-on, while the Barista Touch automates a lot of the process with customizable presets.

Let’s take a deep dive into how much control each machine gives you over espresso, milk frothing, and drink customization, and which one might be the best fit for your needs.

The Customization Experience: Manual vs. Digital Controls

One of the biggest differences between the Barista Pro and Barista Touch is how you interact with the machine.

Feature	Breville Barista Pro	Breville Barista Touch
Customization Method	Manual adjustments	Digital touchscreen settings
Pre-Programmed Drinks	No	Yes (5 default + 8 customizable)
Customizable User Profiles?	No	Yes (Save up to 8)
Milk Frothing Customization	Manual	Adjustable via touchscreen
Strength & Shot Volume Control	Manual	Adjustable via touchscreen

Both machines allow for some degree of customization, but the Barista Touch offers much more automation for those who prefer one-touch convenience.

Customization on the Barista Pro – Hands-On Espresso Crafting

The Barista Pro is designed for people who love to experiment and manually fine-tune their espresso shots.

✅ How Do You Customize Drinks on the Barista Pro?

• You can adjust grind size (30 levels) to control extraction speed and flavor.
• You control shot volume manually, which means you can stop the shot when you think it’s perfect.
• Pre-infusion time can be adjusted manually to experiment with different levels of extraction.
• Milk frothing is completely manual, meaning you control temperature and texture by how you move the steam wand.

🎯 Who Is This Best For?
✔️ Coffee lovers who want full manual control over brewing and milk frothing.
✔️ Users who enjoy experimenting with shot timing and grind settings.
✔️ People who don’t need pre-programmed drink recipes and prefer to adjust settings manually.

💡 Key Takeaway: The Barista Pro gives you a more authentic barista experience, but you’ll need to manually dial in your shots every time.

Customization on the Barista Touch – Effortless Personalization

The Barista Touch takes customization to another level by offering digital pre-programmed drinks and the ability to save user profiles.

✅ How Do You Customize Drinks on the Barista Touch?

• The touchscreen allows you to select different drink options (Espresso, Latte, Cappuccino, Flat White, Americano).
• You can adjust shot strength, volume, and milk temperature with a simple tap.
• Once you find a setting you love, you can save it as a custom drink with a unique name.
• You can save up to 8 custom drink profiles, making it great for households with multiple coffee drinkers.

🎯 Who Is This Best For?
✔️ People who prefer convenience and automation.
✔️ Families or couples who want to save personalized drink settings.
✔️ Users who want consistent results without adjusting settings manually.

💡 Key Takeaway: The Barista Touch makes it super easy to create and save custom drinks, meaning you don’t have to manually adjust settings every time.

Pre-Programmed Drinks – One-Touch Convenience on the Barista Touch

One of the biggest advantages of the Barista Touch is the built-in drink menu.

☕ Pre-Programmed Drinks on the Barista Touch:

• Espresso – A classic single or double shot.
• Latte – Espresso with steamed milk and light foam.
• Cappuccino – Espresso with thick, creamy foam.
• Flat White – Espresso with microfoam, smoother than a latte.
• Americano – Espresso with added hot water.

If you don’t want to tinker with settings every morning, the pre-programmed drinks are a game-changer. Just tap your desired drink on the screen, and the machine does the rest.

✅ Best Feature? You can adjust and customize each drink—so if you prefer a stronger cappuccino or less milk in your latte, you can modify the recipe and save it.

💡 How Does This Compare to the Barista Pro?

• The Barista Pro does not have any pre-programmed drinks—you have to manually control every aspect of the shot and milk frothing.
• The Barista Touch automates everything, allowing for one-touch brewing with personalized settings.

🎯 Which One Is Better?

• If you love full control, go with the Barista Pro.
• If you want effortless one-tap coffee making, the Barista Touch wins hands down.

Milk Customization – How Much Control Do You Have?

Milk frothing customization is another big difference between these machines.

Barista Pro – Full Manual Control

• You control milk temperature and texture manually by how you position the steam wand.
• This allows for perfect microfoam for latte art, but it takes some practice.

Barista Touch – Digital Milk Customization

• The touchscreen allows you to set milk temperature and foam level before steaming.
• You don’t have to manually control the steam wand—the machine steams and textures the milk for you.
• While great for convenience, it doesn’t offer the same level of control as the Barista Pro.

💡 Which One is Better?

• If you want full barista control, the Barista Pro’s manual frothing is the way to go.
• If you want consistent, hands-off frothing, the Barista Touch is unbeatable.

Final Verdict: Which One Has Better Customization?

🚀 Choose the Barista Pro if you:
✔️ Want full manual control over shot timing and milk frothing.
✔️ Enjoy experimenting with grind size and extraction settings.
✔️ Prefer a more traditional espresso-making experience.

🎯 Choose the Barista Touch if you:
✔️ Want pre-programmed drinks for one-touch brewing.
✔️ Prefer automatic milk frothing with adjustable settings.
✔️ Love the idea of saving up to 8 custom drink profiles.

📌 Bottom Line:

• If you love dialing in your coffee manually, go with the Barista Pro.
• If you want an effortless, customizable experience, the Barista Touch is the winner.

Either way, both machines deliver amazing coffee—it just depends on how much control vs. convenience you want! ☕

Price & Value for Money: Which Machine Gives You More for Your Budget?

When investing in an espresso machine, price is always an important factor. While both the Breville Barista Pro and Barista Touch are premium home espresso machines, they come at different price points due to their varying features.

So, the real question is: Which machine offers the best value for money? Let’s break it down by cost, features, and long-term investment.

Price Comparison: How Much Do They Cost?

Machine	Price Range (USD)	Why the Price Difference?
Breville Barista Pro	$800 – $900	More manual control, no touchscreen, manual milk frothing
Breville Barista Touch	$1,100 – $1,300	Touchscreen interface, pre-programmed drinks, automatic milk frothing

💡 Price Fluctuations:

• Prices can vary based on sales, promotions, and retailer discounts.
• Refurbished models are sometimes available at a lower price.
• If you buy during holiday sales (Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Prime Day), you might save $100–$200.

What Are You Paying For?

The $300–$400 price difference comes down to automation and ease of use.

✅ Why Is the Barista Pro Cheaper?

• No touchscreen interface—uses an LCD screen with buttons instead.
• No pre-programmed drink menu—you must manually adjust shot settings.
• No automatic milk frothing—you must steam milk manually.
• Best suited for users who enjoy a hands-on experience.

✅ Why Is the Barista Touch More Expensive?

• Includes a full-color touchscreen for easier operation.
• Offers 5 pre-programmed drinks + the ability to save 8 custom drink profiles.
• Features automatic milk frothing, making lattes and cappuccinos effortless.
• Best suited for users who want convenience and automation.

Long-Term Value: Is the Higher Price Worth It?

Barista Pro – Best Value for Enthusiasts

• If you enjoy manual control over espresso making, the Barista Pro is the better deal.
• You get professional-grade performance at a lower price.
• If you don’t mind learning how to steam milk manually, you save money without sacrificing quality.

Barista Touch – Best Value for Convenience Seekers

• If you prefer one-touch simplicity, the Barista Touch is worth the extra cost.
• The automatic milk frothing alone justifies the price for beginners.
• If multiple people in your household drink coffee, saving custom drink profiles is a major benefit.

📌 Bottom Line:

• If you love manual control and don’t mind a learning curve, go with the Barista Pro to save money.
• If you prioritize convenience and automation, the Barista Touch is worth the extra investment.

Either way, both machines offer excellent value for their respective price points! ☕

Final Verdict: Which One Should You Buy?

At the end of the day, both the Breville Barista Pro and Barista Touch are fantastic home espresso machines—but they cater to different types of users. The choice between them ultimately comes down to how much control vs. convenience you want in your daily coffee routine.

Choose the Barista Pro If You:

✅ Want full manual control over espresso brewing and milk frothing.
✅ Enjoy tweaking settings like grind size, shot timing, and milk texture.
✅ Are willing to learn and experiment to perfect your espresso.
✅ Prefer a more traditional espresso-making experience with hands-on involvement.
✅ Want the best value for money while still getting high-end features.

💡 Best for: Coffee enthusiasts, espresso hobbyists, and those who love experimenting with different beans, grind sizes, and milk textures.

Choose the Barista Touch If You:

✅ Prefer a touchscreen with pre-programmed drinks for quick, easy brewing.
✅ Want a more automated experience with automatic milk frothing.
✅ Like the ability to save custom drink profiles for multiple users.
✅ Value speed and convenience over manual control.
✅ Are looking for a machine that requires minimal learning while still producing café-quality coffee.

💡 Best for: Beginners, busy coffee lovers, families, or anyone who wants high-quality espresso with minimal effort.

Final Thoughts

Both machines deliver exceptional espresso quality, but your decision depends on how involved you want to be in the process.

• If you love crafting your espresso manually, go for the Barista Pro.
• If you want one-touch simplicity and automation, the Barista Touch is unbeatable.

Either way, you’re getting a top-tier home espresso machine that will elevate your coffee experience! ☕