In this article, we will compare the Breville Barista Pro vs Touch coffee machines.
Both of these products are top-of-the-line models from the popular Australian appliance manufacturer, Breville.
Breville has probably been the most present brand in my coffee life.
From the start, I could tell that their products had something special – so it’s safe to say that I’ve been a little bit of a Breville fanboy over the past… decade.
In the process, I’ve become nothing short of an expert on most of their products.
Whether you’re a coffee enthusiast looking to upgrade your home setup or a café owner in search of a reliable commercial machine, I’ve got you covered with my review of Breville Barista Pro and the Breville Barista Touch.
So, sit back, relax, and let’s dive into the world of Breville coffee machines.
Breville Barista Pro Vs Touch Review: At a Glance
The Breville Barista Touch stands out as the superior machine due to its advanced touchscreen interface and automatic milk-frothing capabilities.
Yet, the Breville Barista Pro offers a more traditional coffee-making experience and a higher level of customization, making it a better choice for coffee purists.
That being said, the “best” machine ultimately depends on your individual needs and preferences. If you’re looking for a hassle-free experience with consistent results, the Touch may be the way to go.
On the other hand, if you enjoy tinkering with your coffee and want more control over the brewing process, the Pro is definitely worth considering.
Regardless of which machine you choose, both offer exceptional build quality and a range of features that are sure to impress any coffee lover.
So, keep reading to dive deeper into the differences between the Breville Barista Pro vs Touch and find out which one is the perfect fit for you.
Comparing the Breville Barista Pro Vs Barista Touch Features
Interface
One of the standout differences between the Breville Barista Pro vs Touch is their interface. The Pro has a more traditional button interface, while the Touch boasts an intuitive touchscreen.
With the Pro, you have full control over every aspect of the brewing process. The buttons allow you to adjust the coffee dose, water temperature, and brew time to your liking. However, this level of customization can be overwhelming for some, and the lack of a user-friendly interface may deter less experienced users.
On the other hand, the Touch’s touchscreen interface is easy to navigate and offers a range of pre-programmed settings. Simply select your desired beverage, and the machine will handle the rest.
Additionally, the Touch comes equipped with automatic milk frothing capabilities, making it a great option for those who enjoy lattes and cappuccinos.
Overall, while the Pro offers more customization options, the Touch’s ease of use and automatic milk-frothing capabilities make it the winner in this category.
Winner: Breville Barista Touch
Design
Both the Breville Pro and the Breville Touch are beautifully designed machines. The Pro has a sleek stainless steel finish with a classic espresso machine silhouette, while the Touch has a more modern, minimalist aesthetic.
The Pro’s design is more traditional and may appeal to those who prefer a more classic look in their kitchen appliances. However, it may also seem a bit bulky and outdated to some.
The Touch’s design, on the other hand, is sleek and minimalist, fitting in seamlessly with modern kitchen aesthetics. Its smaller footprint also makes it a great option for those with limited counter space.
Ultimately, design is subjective and comes down to personal preference. However, we have to give the edge to the Touch for its modern and space-saving design.
Winner: Breville Barista Touch
Milk Frothing
Both the Breville Pro and the Breville Touch offer milk-frothing capabilities, but the way they approach it is quite different.
The Pro comes equipped with a steam wand, allowing you to froth milk manually. This is a great option for those who enjoy the process of crafting their latte art and want full control over the frothing process.
The Touch, on the other hand, has an automatic milk frother built-in, taking the guesswork out of milk frothing. It also offers a range of different froth textures, from silky flat whites to thick and creamy cappuccinos.
While the Pro’s manual steam wand allows for more control and customization, the Touch’s automatic milk frother is convenient and produces consistent results. Depending on your preferences, either machine could be the winner in this category when comparing the Breville Barista Pro vs Touch.
Winner: Tie depending on preference
Grind Settings
When it comes to making a great cup of coffee, having freshly ground beans is crucial. The Breville Pro and Breville Touch both have different approaches to grinding.
The Pro offers a whopping 60 grind settings, giving you complete control over your coffee’s flavor and texture. This level of customization is perfect for those who like experimenting with different beans and brewing methods.
However, for some users, the sheer number of grind settings can be overwhelming and may not be necessary.
On the other hand, the Breville Touch has five pre-programmed grind settings, which are designed to cover most brewing methods, from espresso to drip coffee.
The Touch’s pre-programmed settings make it more straightforward and easy to use, especially for those who are new to brewing coffee or who prefer simplicity.
If you’re someone who values complete control over your grind settings and wants to experiment with different beans and brewing methods, then the Breville Pro is the clear winner. Yet, if you prefer simplicity and ease of use, then the Touch is the better option for you.
Winner: Breville Barista Pro
Cleaning
Keeping your coffee machine clean is essential to ensure that it continues to produce great-tasting coffee.
Both the Breville Pro and Breville Touch have different approaches to cleaning. The Pro has a removable drip tray and water tank, making it easy to clean. However, it requires more manual effort to clean the group head and steam wand, which can be a little more time-consuming.
On the other hand, the Breville Touch has an automated cleaning cycle that cleans the milk frother and descales the machine. This feature makes it a more hands-off approach to cleaning, as you simply need to initiate the cleaning cycle, and the machine takes care of the rest.
If you’re someone who values ease of cleaning, then the Breville Touch is the winner. The automated cleaning cycle is a convenient and time-saving feature that makes cleaning your coffee machine hassle-free.
But if you don’t mind a bit of manual cleaning and prefer a more hands-on approach, then the Pro may be the better option for you.
Winner: Breville Barista Touch
Display
Both the Breville Pro and Breville Touch have built-in displays that show various information about your coffee, such as grind size, water temperature, and shot time. However, they differ in their display type and ease of use.
The Pro has a simple LCD screen that displays the necessary information about your coffee. While this screen is functional, it can be a little difficult to read in certain lighting conditions, such as direct sunlight.
On the other hand, the Breville Touch has a large, full-color touchscreen display that is easy to read and navigate. The Touch’s touchscreen display makes it easy to adjust settings, select pre-programmed coffee recipes, and customize your coffee to your liking.
If you’re someone who values ease of use and wants a display that is easy to read and navigate, then the Breville Touch is the clear winner.
But if you don’t mind a more basic display and prefer a more hands-on approach to coffee brewing, then the Pro may be the better option for you.
Winner: Breville Barista Touch
Breville Barista Pro Vs Touch: The Winning Espresso Maker
Overall, trying to be as objective as possible between the Breville Barista Touch and Barista Pro, I believe the Barista Touch offers more. Convenience tends to win out against most other features. Would I buy it? Well, I’m not so sure. I might be the type of person to go for the more analog feel of the pro – even though that one is actually quite far from what I consider analog.
For the coffee purist who enjoys tinkering with their coffee and wants a more hands-on experience, the cheaper Barista Pro is better. Stick with the Barista Pro if you want a solid, more basic semi-automatic espresso machine that’ll let you confidently brew espresso for years.
- Best for coffee purists who love to engage and tinker with their espresso machines.
- More manual and hands-on, with settings that allow more customizability on all fronts.
- Not as convenient or beginner-friendly as the Breville Touch.
Its traditional button interface and manual steam wand allow for full control and customization over the brewing process.
For the busy coffee lover who values convenience and consistency, the Breville Barista Touch is the way to go. Its touchscreen interface and automatic milk-frothing capabilities make it easy to brew a perfect cup of coffee every time. While the Barista Pro has an LCD screen, the Barista Touch takes things up a notch from the Pro with a color touch screen. The Barista Touch has many little upgrades that make using this espresso machine daily simply faster and easier.
- Best overall thanks to convenience, consistency, and usability.
- Doesn't offer as much customizability as the Pro.
- Superior for modern life and daily use, with automatic features that make using it enjoyable.
Regardless of which machine you choose, the Breville Pro and Barista Touch models offer exceptional build quality and a range of features that will impress any coffee lover. So while deciding between the Breville Barista Pro and Touch may feel hard, I have good news: You can’t go wrong with either one.
If you’re ready to purchase one of these machines, be sure to check it out on Amazon.
Breville Barista Pro Vs Touch – FAQs
What are the main differences between the Breville Barista Pro and Breville Barista Touch?
The Breville Barista Pro and Barista Touch both have impressive features, but the main differences lie in the touch screen on the touch model, and the easy-to-use digital interface on the pro. The Touch also offers more preset drinks and an automatic steam wand, whereas the Pro focuses more on manual control.
How does the heating system differ between the Barista Pro and Barista Touch?
Both machines use the ThermoJet heating system for rapid heat-up times, but the Barista Touch’s system tends to be a bit more advanced, providing more consistent temperature control during extraction.
How do the milk texture and frothing capabilities compare?
The milk texture on the Barista Touch can be achieved with its automatic steam wand, making it easier for beginners. The Barista Pro, however, gives the user full control over frothing with its manual steam wand, ideal for honing your barista skills.
Can you explain the differences in the conical burr grinder between the two models?
Both the Barista Pro and Barista Touch come equipped with a built-in conical burr grinder, ensuring fresh and consistently ground coffee. However, the Barista Pro offers more grind settings, allowing for finer customization.
What’s the price point difference between the Barista Pro and Barista Touch?
Generally, the Breville Barista Touch comes at a higher price point due to its added features, such as the touch screen and automatic functionalities. The Barista Pro is slightly more affordable but still offers robust capabilities for making espresso drinks.
How does the water reservoir capacity compare?
Both models have a similar water reservoir capacity, making maintenance and refilling easy. The Barista Pro and the Barista Touch typically hold enough water to brew multiple espresso shots and steam milk, accommodating the needs of most home baristas.
Is there a learning curve when using the Barista Touch?
Using the Barista Touch might be easier for beginners due to its intuitive touchscreen and automatic features. However, those who enjoy experimenting and perfecting their espresso shot might prefer the manual controls of the Barista Pro.
What kind of espresso drinks can you make with the Barista Pro and Barista Touch?
Both machines are versatile and capable of making a wide range of espresso drinks, including lattes, cappuccinos, and flat whites. The Barista Touch, with its preset drink options, simplifies the process even further.
How do the Barista Pro features compare against the Breville Barista Express?
The Barista Pro features a quicker heating system (ThermoJet) and a more advanced interface compared to the Barista Express. The Pro model also comes with more grind settings and a faster start-up time, making it a bit more convenient for users in a hurry.
Would you recommend the Breville Barista Pro or Touch for a beginner?
For beginners, I would recommend considering the Breville Barista Touch due to its user-friendly interface and automatic features. However, if you’re eager to improve your barista skills and appreciate a hands-on approach, the Barista Pro might be a better fit.
How does the Barista Pro compare to the Breville Oracle Touch in terms of features?
The Breville Oracle Touch is more advanced, offering features like automatic grinding, dosing, and milk texturing. The Barista Pro doesn’t have these automated features but allows more manual control for home baristas.
Is the Breville Barista Pro easier to use than the Barista Express?
Yes, the Breville Barista Pro is easier to use because it has a more intuitive interface and faster heat-up time compared to the Barista Express. However, both machines require a learning curve for the perfect brew.
Can the Breville Barista Pro make espresso as good as the Breville Oracle?
While the Breville Barista Pro makes excellent espresso, the Breville Oracle offers more consistency and automation, leading to a more foolproof process. But with practice, the Pro can produce similarly high-quality espresso.
What technologies do the Pro and Barista Touch offer that set them apart?
The Barista Pro is equipped with ThermoJet heating technology for faster heat-up, while the Barista Touch boasts a touch screen and customizable coffee settings. Both add convenience and efficiency to your coffee-making experience.
Is the Barista Pro’s steam wand better than the one on the Barista Express?
The steam wand on the Barista Pro is more efficient and easier to use. It heats up faster and provides better froth quality compared to the Barista Express, making it ideal for those who love milk-based drinks.
What’s the price difference between the Barista Pro and the Barista Touch?
Generally, the Barista Touch is more expensive due to its advanced features like the touch screen and automatic settings. The Barista Pro is more budget-friendly while still offering excellent performance.
For a beginner home barista, which is better: the Barista Pro or the Barista Express?
The Barista Pro is generally considered better for beginners because of its intuitive operation and faster heat-up time. However, the Barista Express is also a great choice and might be more suitable for those who prefer manual control.
Does the Barista Pro allow for grinding and tamping like the Barista Express?
Yes, the Barista Pro allows for grinding and tamping just like the Barista Express. Both have built-in grinders and provide great control over the coffee-making process.
What are the advantages of the Breville Barista Pro over other machines like the Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine?
The Breville Barista Pro has a faster heat-up time, an improved steam wand, and a more intuitive interface. These features make the Pro more efficient and easier to use than the Barista Express while still delivering top-quality espresso. To learn more, check out our Breville Barista Pro Vs Breville Barista Express article.
