Breville Barista Express vs Barista Pro: Which Espresso Machine Should You Buy?
Updated 2026-08-24
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Buy the Barista Pro (BES878) if you want a 3-second ThermoJet heat-up and an LCD display; buy the Barista Express (BES870) to save money — its Thermocoil takes roughly a minute to warm up but pulls the same quality shot. Both share a 54mm portafilter, integrated conical burr grinder, 15-bar pump and manual steam wand. The core espresso is nearly identical; you are paying for speed and screen.
Specs Comparison
| Spec | Breville Barista Express (BES870XL) | Breville Barista Pro (BES878) |
|---|---|---|
| Heating system | Thermocoil with PID temperature control | ThermoJet fast-heating system |
| Warm-up time | ~30-60 seconds | 3 seconds |
| Grinder | Integrated conical burr, dose control | Integrated conical burr, dose control |
| Grind settings | 16 | 30 |
| Portafilter | 54mm | 54mm |
| Display | Analog pressure gauge | LCD digital display |
| Steam wand | Manual steam wand | Manual steam wand |
| Bean hopper | 250g (8 oz) | 250g (8 oz) |
| Water tank | 2L (67 oz) | 2L (67 oz) |
| Pump pressure | 15 bar Italian pump | 15 bar Italian pump |
Pros & Cons
Breville Barista Express (BES870XL)
Pros
- Lower price for effectively the same espresso quality
- Analog pressure gauge gives a clear visual of extraction
- 54mm portafilter and 15-bar pump match the Pro
- Proven, widely reviewed workhorse with lots of user guidance
Cons
- Thermocoil warm-up is far slower than the Pro's ThermoJet
- No LCD display; fewer grind settings (16 vs 30)
Breville Barista Pro (BES878)
Pros
- ThermoJet reaches extraction temperature in about 3 seconds
- Near-instant switch between espresso and steam modes
- LCD screen shows grind and shot progress plus settings
- 30 grind settings for finer dial-in than the Express
Cons
- Higher list price than the Barista Express
- No pressure gauge — extraction feedback moves to the screen
Our Verdict
These machines pull espresso that is, in practice, indistinguishable — same 54mm portafilter, same 15-bar pump, same integrated conical burr grinder, same 250g hopper and 2L tank. The real split is heat-up and interface. The Barista Pro's ThermoJet hits extraction temperature in about 3 seconds and switches to steam almost instantly, while the Express's Thermocoil needs roughly 30-60 seconds and a pause between brewing and steaming; the Pro also adds an LCD display and 30 grind settings versus the Express's analog gauge and 16 settings. If you brew several drinks a day or hate waiting, the Pro's speed is worth the premium. If you brew once each morning and want to spend less, the Express gives you the same cup for less money. Neither is a mistake — pick on speed and price, not shot quality.
Best for Budget
Breville Barista Express (BES870XL)
Best for Features
Breville Barista Pro (BES878)
Buying Guide
- 1Start with how often you brew. The Barista Pro's ThermoJet advantage is time: about a 3-second warm-up and near-instant transition from espresso to steam. If you make back-to-back lattes or multiple drinks each morning, that speed compounds every day. If you pull one shot and walk away, the Express's ~30-60 second Thermocoil warm-up costs you a minute you probably won't notice.
- 2Decide whether you want a screen or a gauge. The Express shows extraction through an analog pressure needle, which many beginners like as a live read of whether the shot is running too fast or slow. The Pro replaces that with an LCD that displays grind time, shot time and settings. Neither controls shot quality — it's a preference for how you read feedback while you learn.
- 3Weigh the grinder settings. Both machines use the same integrated conical burr grinder with dose control, but the Pro offers 30 grind settings versus the Express's 16. For most beans and most drinkers, 16 steps are plenty; if you chase very fine single-origin dial-in, the extra resolution on the Pro helps you hit the sweet spot more precisely.
- 4Compare current prices, not just MSRP. The Express typically lists higher than its street price, and the Pro's higher list price is frequently discounted, so the two can land close together on sale. Check the live price on both before deciding — if the gap is small, the Pro's speed and display are easy to justify; if the Express is meaningfully cheaper, the savings are real for the same espresso.
- 5Know what you are NOT giving up on the Express. It keeps the 54mm commercial-style portafilter, 15-bar pump, PID temperature control, 250g bean hopper and 2L water tank — the same core hardware as the Pro. You are trading warm-up speed, screen and grind resolution, not shot quality or milk-steaming capability.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Barista Pro worth the extra money over the Barista Express?
Do the Barista Express and Barista Pro make the same quality espresso?
How much faster is the Barista Pro to heat up?
What is the main difference between the BES870 and BES878?
Does the Barista Express have a digital display like the Barista Pro?
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