Breville Barista Express vs Barista Express Impress
Whether the machine tamps the dose for you, for $100.
The short version
| Criterion | Breville Barista Express | Breville Barista Express Impress |
|---|---|---|
| Tamping | By hand, with an integrated tamper included | Assisted tamping |
| Grind settings | 16 | 25 |
| Dimensions | 15.9 x 13.1 x 12.4 in (W x D x H) | 16.6 x 14.4 x 12.2 in (W x D x H) |
| Price | $699.95 | $799.95 |
Which one fits
Consider Breville Barista Express if
- You want 16 grind settings on a dial built into the machine
- You want published PID temperature control at $699.95
- You want an integrated tamper and expect to press each dose yourself
Consider Breville Barista Express Impress if
- You want the machine to measure the dose and tamp it for you
- You want 25 grind settings, and every dose tamped the same way
- You want assisted tamping at $799.95 and a steam wand you still work yourself
Main tradeoffs
- Assisted tamping and 25 grind settings$799.95 and a wider, deeper machine
- $699.95 and 16 grind settingsevery dose tamped by hand
At a glance
| Criterion | Breville Barista Express | Breville Barista Express Impress |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Someone who wants grinding and brewing in one machine at $699.95 and is willing to tamp each dose and texture the milk by hand | Someone who wants the dosing and tamping taken out of their hands at $799.95 while keeping control of the shot and the milk |
| Pricing | $699.95 | $799.95 |
| Key differentiator | 16 grind settings, published PID temperature control and a 54 mm portafilter, in a machine that grinds, doses and brews for $699.95 | Assisted tamping and 25 grind settings with published PID temperature control, for $799.95 |
| Category | Espresso Machines | Espresso Machines |
Key facts
| Fact | Breville Barista Express | Breville Barista Express Impress |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $699.95 | $799.95 |
| Machine type | Semi-automatic: you dose, tamp and start the shot | Assisted semi-automatic: the machine doses and tamps, you run the shot |
| Grinder | Integrated conical burr grinder | Integrated conical burr grinder |
| Grind settings | 16 | 25 |
| Tamping | By hand, with an integrated tamper included | Assisted tamping |
| Heating system | Thermocoil | Thermocoil |
| Temperature control | PID temperature control, water delivered at 200°F | PID temperature control, water delivered at 200°F |
| Pump pressure | 15 bar Italian pump | 15 bar Italian pump |
| Brew pressure | 9 bar extraction | 9 bar extraction |
| Portafilter | 54 mm stainless steel, with 1 and 2 cup single and dual wall baskets | 54 mm stainless steel, with 1 and 2 cup single and dual wall baskets |
| Milk system | Manual: steam wand you work yourself | Manual: steam wand you work yourself |
| Dimensions | 15.9 x 13.1 x 12.4 in (W x D x H) | 16.6 x 14.4 x 12.2 in (W x D x H) |
| Housing | Brushed stainless steel | Stainless steel |
Two machines from the same Breville line, with the same thermocoil, the same PID temperature control, the same 54 mm portafilter and the same steam wand you work yourself. What changes is the dose: the Express ships an integrated tamper you press, and the Express Impress tamps for you. $699.95 against $799.95, 16 grind settings against 25.
Take the next step
Breville Barista Express
Breville Barista Express Impress