Comprehensive review of Breville Barista Touch Impress espresso machine features and performance

Description

Sleek Design and Build Quality

The Breville Barista Touch Impress Espresso Machine BES881BSS is a piece of machinery that instantly catches your eye. Its brushed stainless steel exterior exudes sophistication, making it a stylish addition to any kitchen. I found the overall build to be solid and durable, with attention to detail in every corner. The compact dimensions—13.62″ D x 14.09″ W x 16.42″ H—mean it doesn’t hog too much counter space, though it’s not exactly petite either. The modern style fits seamlessly into both minimalist and contemporary kitchens. Despite its 24.2-pound weight, moving it around isn’t particularly challenging, though I wouldn’t recommend frequent relocations.

What stood out to me was the touchscreen interface, which adds a premium feel to the machine. It’s responsive, intuitive, and provides step-by-step guidance that even a beginner like me could appreciate. The interface allows you to easily swipe through eight café-quality drink presets or customize up to eight drinks. This customization is great for households with varied coffee preferences, though navigating through too many saved profiles could be a bit tedious.

Performance and Features

If there’s one thing this machine nails, it’s performance. The ThermoJet heating system blew me away with its 3-second heat-up time. I barely had the chance to grab my cup before it was ready to brew. The integrated precision conical burr grinder with 30 grind settings ensures that you get the exact grind size for maximum flavor extraction. Grinding and dosing coffee felt like having a professional barista at my disposal.

The Impress Puck System is another standout. The assisted tamping mechanism applies 22 pounds of pressure with a 7° barista twist, ensuring a consistent puck every time. It’s a life saver for someone like me who struggles with manual tamping. The system even auto-corrects the next dose if something goes awry, which I found to be a thoughtful touch.

The auto steam wand, also known as Auto MilQ, impressed me with its ability to create silky-smooth microfoam. Whether I used whole milk or oat milk, the foam texture was spot-on, perfect for latte art. The machine even offers alternative milk settings, adjusting air injection and temperature to suit the type of milk. This feature feels like a nod to the growing popularity of plant-based options, and it worked beautifully in my tests with almond and soy milk.

Key Benefits

• ThermoJet heating system ensures no waiting around with its 3-second heat-up time.
• Integrated grinder with 30 settings lets you achieve the perfect grind for any coffee type.
• Step-by-step guidance simplifies the process for beginners, offering real-time feedback.
• Assisted tamping and auto-correction elevate consistency, even for novices.
• Customizable drink profiles make it versatile for households with diverse preferences.

Areas of Concern

• Touchscreen navigation can feel slow if you have too many saved profiles.
• At 24.2 pounds, it’s not the most portable option out there.
• The price point is on the higher side, which might deter casual users.
• Cleaning the auto steam wand thoroughly after every use feels like a chore.

Competing Products

The espresso machine landscape is crowded, so I compared this one to a couple of popular options. The De’Longhi Dinamica Plus offers similar features but lacks the same level of intuitive guidance. While the De’Longhi has an edge with its slightly quieter grinder, it doesn’t provide the same hands-on customization or alternative milk settings. On the other hand, the Jura E8 is a premium contender, boasting an advanced milk frothing system and a sleeker design. However, it comes at a significantly higher price, which makes the Barista Touch Impress feel like a more balanced choice for its price-to-quality ratio.

When it comes to convenience, this machine stands its ground. While other brands might claim to offer one-touch systems, the step-by-step touchscreen guidance here feels more tailored and user-friendly. For someone like me who values customization but doesn’t want to spend hours learning barista techniques, this machine hits the sweet spot.

Affordable Quality

Considering the features, the machine offers excellent value for money. It’s not the cheapest option on the market, but its combination of automation and customization justifies the investment. The durable build and premium materials suggest it’s built to last, which adds to its cost-effectiveness over time. While the price might initially seem steep, the ability to replicate café-quality drinks at home could save you a fortune in coffee shop visits.

The Breville Barista Touch Impress isn’t for everyone. If you’re a casual coffee drinker who just wants a quick caffeine fix, you might find this overkill. But if you’re someone who genuinely enjoys the process of crafting a great cup of coffee, this machine offers the perfect blend of automation and manual control. Its smart features, like assisted tamping and alternative milk settings, cater to both newbies and aficionados alike.

Additional information