Barista Express vs Barista Pro: what the extra money buys
Breville's own pages document the exact differences: grind settings, heating system, interface, and what the Pro drops.
Both are Breville's integrated-grinder semi-autos dosing into a 54 mm portafilter with single and dual wall baskets. The differences are real and documented on Breville's own pages, checked 2026-09-22.
| | Barista Express (BES870) | Barista Pro (BES878) | |---|---|---| | Price (US, checked 2026-09-22) | $699.95 | $849.95 | | Grind settings | 16 | 30 | | Heating | Thermocoil | ThermoJet — ready in 3 seconds, PID | | Interface | Buttons + analog gauge | LCD + buttons | | Pressure gauge | Yes (extraction feedback) | None | | Dosing | Grind amount dial + Razor tool | Volumetric 1 & 2 cup, manual override, programmable; Dosing Funnel + Razor | | Milk | Manual 360° swivel wand, jug included | Manual texturing, 480 ml jug included | | Tank | ~67 oz class | 67 oz | | Weight | ~20 lb class | 20.92 lb | | Warranty | 2 years | 2 years limited |
What the Pro actually changes
- Workflow speed: the 3-second ThermoJet is the headline difference — the Express's thermocoil needs a heat-up wait the Pro doesn't.
- Grind resolution: 30 settings vs 16 — finer adjustment steps for dialing in.
- Readouts, not gauges: the Pro's LCD replaces the Express's analog pressure gauge. If you use the gauge to judge your grind, the Pro removes it; if you never looked at it, the LCD is a pure upgrade.
Which needs favor which
- First machine, like visual pressure feedback — the Express.
- Faster mornings, finer grind control, volumetric shots — the Pro.
Both use Breville's 54 mm accessory family and its water filters. Figures from manufacturer pages and manuals; no hands-on testing claims.