Barista Touch Impress vs Barista Express
Based on tests by TechRadar (Jun 2023). How we score
Save $700Depends. The Barista Express for most people.
Buy the Barista Touch Impress if you want the machine to dose, tamp and froth milk for you.
From 1 tester: TechRadar
From 1 tester: TechRadar
Amazon prices as of Sep 29, 9:38 PM EDT (details)
What the testers found
TechRadar rated it 4.5 out of 5. It grinds straight into the portafilter, but you tamp, trim and steam milk yourself. The reviewer needed eight cups to dial it in, then got "consistently great espresso every time." The con: "Coffee dispensing, tamping and using the razor can be messy." Steaming was easy to learn "no matter whether it was dairy or non-dairy milk." It has a 1-year warranty.
Specs side by side
| Spec | Barista Touch Impress | Barista Express |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,199.95 | $499.95 |
| Cost per year | — | — |
| Warranty | — | 1-year limited |
| Style | Semiautomatic with assisted dosing, tamping and frothing | Semiautomatic |
| Grinder | Built-in, Baratza burrs, 30 settings | Built-in conical burr, 16 settings |
| Tamping | Assisted lever (Impress Puck System) | By hand, plus a trimming tool |
| Milk frothing | Automatic (AutoMilQ), with dairy, oat, almond and soy settings | Manual steam wand |
| Heating | One ThermoJet shared by brewing and steaming | — |
| Portafilter | 54 mm | — |
| Warm-up | — | About 40 sec (TechRadar) |
| Water tank | — | 67 oz |
Sources: TechRadar: Sage (Breville) Barista Express review (July 20, 2022), TechRadar: Breville Barista Touch Impress review (June 9, 2023), Manufacturer specs via Amazon listing
