Life is simply too short to settle for subpar coffee. After three years of rigorous daily operation, one machine continues to stand out as my top recommendation for anyone serious about their home brew. As a former professional barista and self-confessed coffee aficionado, when friends and family ask which coffee machine they should invest in, my answer remains unequivocal: the Breville Barista Express.
Unmatched Value in Home Espresso
Are there more sophisticated machines available on the market? Absolutely. Do some models offer additional features or greater social media appeal? Certainly. However, when it comes to genuine value for money, the Breville Barista Express is in a league of its own. I purchased this machine over three years ago and have put it through its paces every single day since. My affection for it has only grown stronger with time.
I firmly believe that in terms of dollars spent versus the quality of coffee produced, the Breville Barista Express represents one of the smartest purchases you can make. And right now, it is available at a discounted price, making it an even more compelling proposition.
What You Get With This Machine
The Breville Barista Express comes equipped with a built-in conical burr grinder and a manual tamper, providing everything you need to craft professional-grade espresso at home. There is also an Impress model that features a built-in tamper, but in my opinion, the extra two hundred dollars is not justified for that addition alone.
Key features include an easily accessible water tank with a replaceable filter, a powerful steam wand for frothing milk, and a removable drip tray. The machine offers extensive customisation, allowing you to adjust the grind size, grind amount, and water temperature to suit your preferences.
You can also program the one-cup and two-cup buttons to your desired extraction times. Personally, I have set my one-cup button for a quick three-second purge and the two-cup button to deliver a perfect 45 to 47 millilitre double espresso in approximately 26 to 29 seconds.
The Sweet Spot for Coffee Quality
Generally, the adage you get what you pay for holds true in the world of coffee machines. As you spend more money, you typically achieve better espresso quality. However, this correlation begins to plateau around the price point of the Barista Express.
Beyond this level, additional expenditure often yields diminishing returns, providing more accessories and convenience features rather than significantly improving the taste and consistency of your coffee. The Breville Barista Express sits precisely at this crucial juncture, where value meets exceptional performance.
Consumers will not see a substantial improvement in coffee quality until they invest thousands of dollars on separate grinders and more complex setups. This is a primary reason why I hold this machine in such high esteem; it punches well above its weight class consistently.
Comparison With the DeLonghi La Specialista
Frequently mentioned as an alternative in this price bracket, the DeLonghi La Specialista often goes on sale and boasts similar specifications. My honest assessment? It simply does not measure up.
While it may appear more stylish at first glance, the La Specialista suffers from a cheaper-feeling portafilter handle and overall inferior construction quality. Most importantly, it fails to deliver the same level of consistency in espresso extraction as the Breville model, which can lead to buyer's remorse.
Final Verdict and Recommendations
If you are eager to embark on a journey towards brewing the best coffee in your neighbourhood and are willing to learn a few barista techniques along the way, then the Breville Barista Express is an obvious choice. Similarly, if you have worked in cafes and grown accustomed to high-quality coffee but do not have thousands to spend on professional equipment, this machine is your ideal solution.
Happy brewing! The Breville Barista Express is currently available on Amazon Australia for eight hundred and forty-seven dollars. Please note that all prices are accurate at the time of publication.
