Is the Breville Barista Express Impress Worth It?
Based on tests by TechRadar (Sep 2022). How we score
Save $150Depends. Barista Express for most people.
Amazon prices as of Sep 29, 9:38 PM EDT (details)
Why
TechRadar rated the Barista Express Impress 4.5 out of 5, the same as the plain Barista Express. At heart it's the same machine: "It has many of the same features as its predecessor, such as a 2L water tank, 54mm portafilter and steel conical burrs." It adds 25 grind settings instead of 16 and an assisted tamping lever, with a dose indicator that shows a smiley face when the dose is right. That targets the Express's main complaint in TechRadar's review: "Coffee dispensing, tamping and using the razor can be messy." You still steam milk by hand, and it still took TechRadar "the first 10 or so cups" to dial in. Splurge if you want tidy, guided dosing and tamping; save if you don't mind tamping by hand.
Cheaper alternatives, scored against the Barista Express Impress
Barista Express Espresso Machine
From 1 tester: TechRadar
From 1 tester: TechRadar
TechRadar rated it 4.5 out of 5, the same as the Impress. After eight cups of dialing in, it made "consistently great espresso every time," and steaming was easy to learn "no matter whether it was dairy or non-dairy milk." The con the Impress fixes: "Coffee dispensing, tamping and using the razor can be messy." Its milk jug has a temperature strip, which the Impress's jug lacks.
Sources: TechRadar: Sage (Breville) Barista Express review (July 20, 2022), TechRadar: Breville Barista Express Impress review (Sept. 20, 2022)
Common questions
What's the difference between the Barista Express and the Barista Express Impress?
TechRadar rated both 4.5 stars. The Impress keeps the Express's water tank, 54 mm portafilter and conical burrs, and adds 25 grind settings (vs 16), an assisted tamping lever and a dose indicator. Both steam milk by hand.
Does the Barista Express Impress froth milk automatically?
No. It has a manual steam wand, like the Barista Express. For automatic frothing, Breville's Barista Touch Impress or Bambino Plus do it for you.
Sources: TechRadar: Breville Barista Express Impress review (Sept. 20, 2022), TechRadar: Sage (Breville) Barista Express review (July 20, 2022), Manufacturer specs via Amazon listing
