84
Final score
Compared side by side
Barista Express vs Barista Express Impress
Reliability scores
76
Final score
Scores compared
Pulled from each product’s full review.
- Reliability
- 84 / 100
- 76 / 100
- Review depth
- Barista Express 52%
- Barista Express Impress 38%
Pros and cons
Good and bad, as each full review tells it.
Barista Express
Strengths
- Built-in grinder makes it a compact, all-in-one setup — ideal for small kitchens
- Many owners have used it daily for 4–7+ years without major issues
- Quick heat-up time and straightforward workflow for beginners
- Good value for money, especially when on sale — shots rival café quality when dialed in
Concerns
- Grinder has only 16 coarse steps, making fine adjustments difficult — some owners resort to changing dose weight instead
- Thermocoil struggles with consistency after 2–3 back-to-back shots, causing over- or under-extraction
- Some units arrive unable to reach proper pressure — a reported defect that requires return or repair
- Steam wand is slow (about 90 seconds for 6–8 oz of milk) and can accumulate calcium buildup over time
Barista Express Impress
Strengths
- Produces good espresso shots
- Aesthetic appeal and compact design
- Offers a hands-on espresso making experience
- Considered an upgrade from basic super-automatic machines
Concerns
- Steam wand can be slow and underpowered
- Built-in grinder may limit high-end espresso quality
- Concerns about long-term durability and potential malfunctions
- Automatic dosing function can stop working
The verdict
Our bottom line after lining up both full reviews.
Bottom line
The Breville Barista Express stands out as the superior choice for home baristas seeking a reliable and enduring entry-level espresso machine. Its proven longevity and consistent performance, despite a slightly steeper learning curve, offer a stronger signal of quality. The newer Barista Express Impress, while appealing for its design and simplified workflow, struggles with early reports of durability concerns and less consistent steam performance, making the original Barista Express the more robust and dependable investment.
Performance
While both machines produce good espresso, the original Barista Express excels with consistent results for skilled users, though it demands a learning curve for its grinder and pressure management. The Barista Express Impress aims for simplified operation with assisted tamping and dosing, but early owners report specific issues with steam performance and occasionally underwhelming shot quality, suggesting its automation isn't flawless.
Durability
The Barista Express boasts a strong reputation for lasting 'years of reliable daily use,' with minimal recurring complaints beyond initial pump issues in some units. In contrast, the newer Barista Express Impress has already sparked 'concerns about long-term durability' among early adopters, indicating potential component weaknesses or overall build quality issues that may affect its longevity.
Community sentiment
The Barista Express is firmly established as the 'go-to starter espresso machine,' earning widespread praise for its value and reliability over time. The Impress, while appreciated for its aesthetics and ease of use, has a less positive overall sentiment due to noted performance quirks and durability worries, preventing it from garnering the same enthusiastic, long-term endorsement as its predecessor.