Disclosure: I independently research and rate every product using the
RefDat Score system. I earn a commission if you buy through some of the links below.
Breville Barista Express (BES870) vs Breville Barista Pro (BES878)
Last updated: 5 Feb 2026 · Australian pricing and availability
My Verdict
The Breville Barista Express wins on value. Unless 3-second heat-up is genuinely important to you, save $200+ and get the Express. Both are excellent machines with identical Australian support.
★ Winner
Breville Barista Express (BES870)
Breville
RefDat
4.3
$549
Buy on eBay
Check Price on Amazon
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Detail | Winner |
|---|---|---|
| Espresso Quality | Both use the same 54mm group head and similar extraction systems. Shot quality is comparable. | Tie |
| Heat-up Time | 3 seconds (ThermoJet) vs 30 seconds (thermocoil). The Pro's headline feature. | Breville Barista Pro (BES878) |
| Grinder | 30 settings vs 16. More granular dialling, but 16 is adequate for most users. | Breville Barista Pro (BES878) |
| Value | ~$649 vs ~$892. The Express does 80% of what the Pro does for 30% less. | Breville Barista Express (BES870) |
| Repairability | 4.1/5 vs 4.0/5. Both excellent. Express has a larger repair community due to higher sales volume. | Breville Barista Express (BES870) |
| Display | LCD screen vs basic buttons. Easier to see grind and shot settings. | Breville Barista Pro (BES878) |
| AU Support | Identical Breville AU service network, warranty, and parts availability. | Tie |
Detailed Comparison
I see this question asked on OzBargain every single week, and the answer is simpler than most people think. Here's the straight answer: the Barista Pro's only real advantage is the three-second heat-up. The Express takes 30 seconds. That's genuinely the main headline feature separating them. You get 30 grind settings instead of 16, which sounds useful but functionally isn't really (16 is plenty for most people to dial in). The Pro has an LCD display where the Express has buttons. But the espresso quality? Identical. Both use a 54mm group head, both pull the same pressure, both make excellent shots consistently. The coffee quality is the same. The price difference is $200 to $300. The community consensus on Whirlpool and Reddit is overwhelming: unless you're making espresso multiple times a day and genuinely losing your mind waiting 30 seconds, the Express is better value. If you really can't wait half a minute in the morning, fair enough, the Pro's heating speed fixes that issue. But if waiting 30 seconds isn't actually destroying your morning routine or sanity, save the $200 and get the Express. Breville AU support is identical on both machines anyway, so you're not sacrificing service or warranty coverage at all.Buying in Australia
| Breville Barista Express (BES870) | Breville Barista Pro (BES878) | |
|---|---|---|
Which Should You Buy?
Buy the Breville Barista Express (BES870) if:
Buy the Breville Barista Pro (BES878) if:
See all my ranked picks in Best Espresso Machines in Australia.
Need help deciding? Read my Espresso Machines buyer's guide.