The Breville Barista Express has been the go-to recommendation for getting into home espresso for years, mainly because the grinder is built in. Most espresso machines at this price expect you to buy a separate burr grinder, which runs another $200 minimum and takes up a second slot on the counter. The Barista Express skips that step. It’s still semi-automatic, so you’re pulling shots and steaming milk yourself rather than pressing a button. However, the bean-to-cup workflow is streamlined since it’s all in one machine.
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An espresso machine that can create barista-quality coffee
The grinder is what makes the Barista Express worth the extra money over a basic machine, and it’s a conical burr that grinds straight into the portafilter. Cheaper espresso setups usually pair the machine with a blade grinder that chops beans into uneven pieces, which results in inconsistent extraction. Conical burrs crush beans between two rotating cones, which produces grounds at a uniform size every time. A dial on the side gives you 25 settings to fine-tune the grind for different beans. Grinding right before pulling the shot also keeps the beans fresh, since pre-ground coffee starts losing flavor within minutes.
