Breville Barista Pro Review 2026: Is the Upgrade Over the Barista Express Worth It?
Breville Barista Pro Espresso Machine BES878BSS
Espresso machine with built-in grinder, 3-second heat-up and LCD display
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Table of Contents
What Is the Breville Barista Pro?
The Breville Barista Pro (BES878BSS) is the step-up sibling of the Barista Express. It keeps the built-in conical burr grinder but adds Breville's ThermoJet heating (about 3 seconds to temperature), an LCD display that shows grind and shot information, and faster switching from espresso to steam.
It holds 4.4 stars across 3,431 ratings, with 700+ bought in the past month as of October 11, 2026.
How We Picked This
This isn't a hands-on test writeup. We picked the Barista Pro because it's the most common upgrade path for people who want a grinder-in-one machine that's faster and easier to read than the Barista Express. The features below come from the manufacturer's published specs on the Amazon listing, and the rating data is Amazon's own aggregate verified-purchase data as of October 11, 2026.
We also looked at what the product does not do well, or what buyers need to know before ordering, and put that in the cons and FAQ rather than burying it. The main question is price: on sale, the gap to the Barista Express can be small, but at full price it's significant.
Key Features
Five features explain what the Pro adds over the Express.
Built-In Conical Burr Grinder
The integrated grinder doses straight into the 54mm portafilter, with many grind settings for dialing in different beans.
3-Second ThermoJet Heat-Up
ThermoJet heating reaches extraction temperature in about 3 seconds, versus a longer warm-up on thermocoil machines.
LCD Display
An intuitive LCD shows grind size, shot timer and settings, which makes dialing in easier for beginners.
Fast Steam Transition
It switches from brewing to steaming quickly, so milk drinks don't involve a long wait.
PID and Pre-Infusion
Digital temperature control and low-pressure pre-infusion help make shots more consistent.
What Amazon Buyers Say
As of october 11, 2026, the Barista Pro listing holds 4.4 out of 5 stars across 3,431 ratings. The listing shows 700+ bought in the past month.
Lower ratings typically mention the learning curve on grind and dose, the price at full retail, and occasional grinder or pump issues after long use.
Where to Buy the Breville Barista Pro
The Barista Pro comes in several finishes, and prices vary by finish.
| Retailer | Price | Shipping | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon | ~$570-$850 | Varies by delivery location | List price $849.95; Amazon has sold it for $679.95 and, for Prime members, $569.99 in 2026 — confirm the live price |
Breville Barista Pro Pros & Cons
Pros
- 4.4 stars across 3,400+ Amazon ratings
- Built-in conical burr grinder
- 3-second heat-up and quick steam
- LCD display makes dialing in easier
- Has sold far below list price in 2026
Cons
- Expensive at full price ($849.95)
- Still a learning curve on grind and tamp
- Manual steam wand takes practice
- No drip coffee or cold brew mode
Who Should Buy the Breville Barista Pro?
It's a great gift for someone serious about espresso who wants a faster, easier-to-read machine than the Barista Express, with the grinder built in.
The Barista Pro is NOT right for you if: you want push-button drinks (look at the Ninja Luxe Café Premier), or the budget is tight (the Barista Express often costs less).
Other Home & Lifestyle Picks
Not direct substitutes for the Breville Barista Pro — just other researched picks in the same category:
- Breville Barista Express — the cheaper classic with a grinder
- Breville Bambino Plus — a compact machine with automatic frothing
- Ninja Luxe Café Premier — a guided 3-in-1 alternative
Final Verdict: Is the Breville Barista Pro Worth It?
On desk research, the Barista Pro is the best upgrade over the Barista Express: 4.4 stars across 3,400+ ratings, a built-in grinder, 3-second heat-up and an LCD display. It's worth it at a sale price around $570-$680; at full price, the Express is the better value.
Amazon Rating: 4.4/5 (Amazon, 3,431 ratings)
Research-based pick, not an in-house hands-on test — see disclosure above.
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