In-depth review
Breville Barista Pro Review
In-depth review of the Breville Barista Pro BES878: ThermoJet 3-second heat-up, 30-setting grinder, LCD shot timer, and whether it beats the Express.
Breville Barista Pro BES878
The Express with ThermoJet speed, a finer grinder, and an LCD shot timer.
- Heat-up: ThermoJet, 3 seconds
- Grinder: Integrated conical burr, 30 settings
- Display: LCD with shot timer
Our verdict
The Barista Pro is the Express for impatient mornings: ThermoJet 3-second heat-up, a 30-setting grinder for finer dial-in, and an LCD that shows the shot timer while you brew. In the cup, the difference over the Express is modest; this upgrade buys speed, precision, and feedback, not a new flavor tier. The manual steam wand keeps the learning curve intact, which is either the point or the dealbreaker. Compare it directly in Barista Express vs Barista Pro, or see where it lands in our best Breville ranking.
What we like
- ThermoJet heating reaches brewing temperature in 3 seconds
- 30 grind settings allow finer dial-in than the Express
- LCD shows grind size, shot timer, and extraction progress
- 67 oz tank and 54mm portafilter match the rest of the Barista line
What to watch out for
- Shot quality in the cup is close to the Express, so the upgrade is mostly speed
- Manual steam wand still needs technique for latte art quality foam
- Costs more than the Express without changing the brewing fundamentals
Who it is for
Upgraders from the Express generation and rushed-morning drinkers who want the same formula with faster heat and finer grind control.
Speed and heating
ThermoJet is the headline: 3 seconds from power-on to brew-ready, plus fast recovery when switching to steam. For a two-latte morning, the practical effect is a routine measured in minutes, not the warm-up-plus-wait rhythm of the thermocoil Express. This is the single biggest quality-of-life difference in the Barista line.
Grinder and shot feedback
Thirty grind settings versus the Express's 16 give meaningfully finer steps for dialing in, especially with medium and light roasts. The LCD adds a shot timer and extraction progress display, so you can correlate a 28-second shot with its taste and repeat it tomorrow. Beginners improve faster with this feedback loop.
Milk and daily use
The steam wand is manual, same skill requirement as the Express, and ThermoJet's fast steam recovery shortens the gap between pulling the shot and texturing milk. The 67 oz tank and 54mm portafilter carry over unchanged, so accessories and workflow transfer directly from an Express.
How it stacks up
Against the Barista Express, the Pro trades up on heat-up (3 seconds vs thermocoil minutes), grinder resolution (30 vs 16 settings), and feedback (LCD shot timer vs analog gauge) for a higher price and near-identical cup quality. Against the Barista Touch, the Pro is the manual alternative: same ThermoJet heating and 30-setting grinder, but a hand-operated steam wand and LCD instead of touchscreen presets and automatic microfoam, at a lower price.
Key specifications
- Heat-up
- ThermoJet, 3 seconds
- Grinder
- Integrated conical burr, 30 settings
- Display
- LCD with shot timer
- Water tank
- 67 oz (2 L)
- Portafilter
- 54 mm
Sources: Breville official product specifications, Major retailer product listings, Published coffee gear reviews
What owners report
Owners praise
- Owners praise ThermoJet heating for reaching brewing temperature in 3 seconds
- Many owners say the 30 grind settings allow finer dial-in than the Express
- Owners like the LCD showing grind size, a shot timer, and extraction progress
Common complaints
- Some owners feel shot quality in the cup is close to the Express, so the upgrade is mostly about speed
- Owners note the manual steam wand still needs technique for latte art quality foam
- A common complaint is paying more than the Express without the brewing fundamentals changing
Also consider
Breville Barista Express BES870XL
The machine that defined home espresso: grinder, gauge, and steam wand in one box.
- Pump: 15-bar Italian pump
- Grinder: Integrated conical burr, 16 settings
Sources: Breville official product specifications, Major retailer product listings, Published coffee gear reviews
Check current price
Breville Barista Touch BES880
Touchscreen drink presets plus automatic microfoam for hands-off milk drinks.
- Interface: Touchscreen with drink presets
- Milk: Automatic microfoam, adjustable temp and texture
Sources: Breville official product specifications, Major retailer product listings, Published coffee gear reviews
Check current priceResearch-based assessment. TheBrewLedger has not hands-on tested this product; this evaluation synthesizes manufacturer specifications, retailer documentation, and published expert reviews.
Questions, answered
Is the Barista Pro worth it over the Barista Express?
If heat-up speed and grind precision matter to you, yes: 3-second ThermoJet heating and 30 grind settings are tangible daily upgrades. If you brew unhurried single drinks, the Express delivers close-enough shots for less.
Does the Barista Pro have automatic milk frothing?
No. The steam wand is manual, like the Express. For automatic microfoam you need the Barista Touch or Touch Impress.
What does the LCD display show?
Grind size setting, shot timer during extraction, and extraction progress, plus prompts for the machine's functions. The shot timer is the genuinely useful part for dialing in.
Can I use the same accessories as the Barista Express?
Yes. Both use the 54mm portafilter standard, so tampers, baskets, and distribution tools carry over between the two machines.