Breville Barista Touch Review (2023) – Experience Magic Touch

Welcome to the ultimate Breville Barista Touch review! If you’re looking for a dependable espresso machine, then you have come across this beauty. But you’re not sure whether it is worth it or not.

I understand that it’s hard to find an espresso maker that produces delicious coffee with minimum fuss – and this is exactly what The Breville Barista Touch does best.

This part-manual, part-automated coffee-making machine puts precision control of all your favourite drinks in the palm of your hand while maintaining the user experience of traditional machines.

Read on for a comprehensive review of the Breville Barista Touch—from detailed features to unique first-hand experience—so you can decide if it’s worth investing in!

Breville Barista Touch Overview

I personally love the work the Australian manufacturer does with their machines. A while ago, I also had the opportunity to review Barista Pro, which is a larger and less automated version of Breville Barista Touch.

The latter seems to be more geared toward less experienced home baristas. The main difference between the Barista Pro and Touch is that the latter grinds beans and froths milk automatically depending on which one of the preset drinks you choose to make.

Still, since Breville Barista Touch is a hybrid, there is still some need for manual action.

Unlike Oracle Touch, which is another of Breville’s top dogs that I reviewed, Barista Touch is not going to tamp the ground coffee for you automatically. And you still need to move the portafilter from station to station to start the brew.

Nonetheless, Barista Touch impressed me with its intuitive operation and ease of use among many other things.

The machine is incredibly user-friendly mostly thanks to its intuitive touchscreen display. This display allows you to easily customize the parameters of your coffee, from grind size to milk texture.

And as I mentioned, the machine’s automatic milk-frothing system streamlines the milk-frothing process, allowing even the least experienced baristas to act like pros. And if you are a pro, you can switch to manual frothing instead.

But the Barista Touch’s ease of use wouldn’t matter if it didn’t deliver quality coffee, and trust me, it does.

This machine features Breville’s signature technology such as a built-in conical burr grinder, ThermoJet heating system, 15-bar Italian pump, PID controller and pre-infusion for the best results every time.

The only considerable drawback might be a single boiler setup. Unlike dual boiler heating found on Oracle Touch, a single boiler setup on Barista Touch means that you can’t froth milk and brew espresso at the same time.

But hey! Not everything can be to my liking.

All in all, if you’re looking for a premium espresso machine for beginners to the home espresso brewing game, the Breville Barista Touch is an excellent choice. In the rest of my Breville Barista Touch review, I’ll show you why in more detail.

Build Quality & Design

Before I delve into this review and reveal the pretty much amazing features of Barista Touch, let me share a few about the build quality and the overall design.

Right off the bat, I have to say that it’s hard to miss the fact that Barista Touch is a part of the Breville espresso machines lineup. The flagship stainless steel construction gives it away from a distance!

Personally, for this price range, I believe you can find sturdier espresso machines, such as Gaggia Classic Pro, for example. However, Breville compromised on build quality to offer you an amazing brewing experience. Fair play.

As for the size, its dimensions and weight make it perfect for home use, without occupying too much space on your kitchen counter. It’s a bit smaller than Barista Pro and even Barista Express, so it might be a good fit if your kitchen is smaller.

The build quality of each individual part of the machine is a bit better than the build quality of the housing. The portafilter feels durable in your hand, and the tamper has a nice weight to it, giving you maximum control over the espresso grounds.

Overall, I’m always under the impression that home espresso machine manufacturers can do better when it comes to building quality. That’s probably because I was used to working with commercial espresso machines.

Nonetheless, Barista Touch is still a well-made machine that will probably withstand years of home use. That is, of course, if you take good care of it. To make sure that you do, I’ve left you some tips on how to clean and maintain it at the end of this Breville Barista Touch review.

Ease Of Use

One of the standout features of this machine is its intuitive operation. The entire process of making an espresso could not be easier thanks to the Barista Touch’s intelligent touchscreen system.

Grinding coffee beans, brewing espresso, and even frothing milk is mostly automated and requires little to no experience, which is great for you if you are an espresso noob.

If you love making a latte, cappuccino, and even flat white as I do, the automated milk frothing is probably going to be your favourite feature. The Breville Barista Touch features an automatic micro-foam milk texturing system that froths milk to perfection (more about it later in the review).

Main Features

Now that you are familiar with the overall feel of the Breville Barista Touch, let me tell you a few words about all its individual features.

Integrated Grinder

What I love about the integrated grinder on the Barista Touch is its ability to grind and dose coffee beans with just a single touch. Of course, I’m speaking from a beginner’s point of view. If you are an advanced barista, you probably want to hear more.

The good news is that there are 30 different grind settings to choose from. Just like on the Barista Pro and Express, you can adjust the coarseness based on your own brewing method and personal preferences.

On the other hand, I prefer Oracle Touch precision burrs with 45 grind settings as it allows you to micro-tune your grind and even more room for experimentation.

Nonetheless, thanks to the precision conical burr design, you can trust that the grinder will deliver consistent results every time, which is essential for achieving a perfect brew.

The grinder also includes a Dose Control Funnel, which seems to become a standard accessory on Breville’s espresso machines with grinders. I’ll share more under Grinding Performance in my Breville Barista Touch review.

Programmed Drinks

The programmed drinks feature allows you to create a variety of espresso-based drinks with just the touch of a button. From classic espressos and lattes to more complex drinks like cappuccinos and flat whites, the Barista Touch has you covered.

Keep in mind that you still need to set the portafilter and milk jug into place to make espresso and froth milk. Then, you need to manually mix the two to get your selected drink.

That said, unlike true super-automatic espresso machines like for example, Jura E8, the Breville Barista Touch allows you to train your barista skills, which is why I believe that it is a great premium espresso machine if you don’t have any barista skills at all.

On the other hand, the customization options allow even experienced baristas to fine-tune their drinks to perfection. So there is something for everyone!

If you are an advanced home barista, you will love the fact that the machine lets you adjust the grind size, shot volume, milk temperature, and texture. This allows for your unique taste preferences to shine through every time you make a cup.

The Barista Touch also includes a feature where you can program and save up to 8 of your favourite settings. This is perfect for those who have a go-to drink but want the convenience of a one-touch button.

One thing to note is that the machine requires a bit of setup and practice to perfect your ideal drink. But once you have it dialled in, the consistency and quality of your beverages will rival that of your favourite coffee shops.

Tamper

The tamper on the Breville Barista Touch is more than just a tiny accessory; it’s an essential feature that improves the coffee-making experience. The tamper is designed to ensure that the coffee grounds are packed tightly and evenly, which leads to a rich and creamy espresso shot.

However, compared to commercial-grade tampers that I’m used to, this little accessory on Barista Touch falls short. Still, it is great to get one with your machine.

The tamper has a magnetic lock that secures it in place, which is quite convenient. I found the same feature on Barista Express and Pro models, which is quite cool.

Portafilter

The Breville Barista Touch comes equipped with a 54mm portafilter, which is a solid size for producing high-quality espresso shots at home.

Alongside the portafilter, you also get both single and dual wall filter baskets. This means that you can customize your espresso brewing game even more and experiment with different beans and grind settings.

As I said at the beginning of my Breville Barista Touch review, one of the standout features of the portafilter is the quality of its construction. This portafilter is made from durable materials that are sure to withstand years of use.

On top of it, the handle of the portafilter is ergonomically designed for a comfortable grip, which makes it easy to use even for long periods of time.

Steam Wand

The steam wand on the Barista Touch is quite nice. It’s not as good as the steam wand on Barista Pro, but it does a pretty good job when it comes to frothing milk. I’ll reveal the performance later in my Breville Barista Touch review.

It is a stainless-steel Panarello-style steam wand. It is programmed with a powerful 15-bar Italian pump and allows for optimal milk frothing and steaming.

The steam wand on Barista Touch also features adjustable temperature control. This enables you to customize the milk temperature according to your preferences. The rest of the process is automated.

A great feature here is the automatic purge. After every use the wand will clean itself, saving you time and effort. This not only makes cleaning the wand easier but also ensures a hygienic and safe milk frothing experience.

Pre-infusion

So, what exactly is pre-infusion? Put simply, it is the process of wetting the coffee grounds before the extraction process begins.

With the Breville Barista Touch, this is achieved through a low-pressure pre-infusion stage that allows the coffee to bloom and release more flavour compounds before being extracted at full pressure.

I personally like to see that Breville makes sure to include even this small, but significant feature into all their machines. It shows me that they are all about helping you brew high-quality espressos at home.

One of the things I appreciate most about the pre-infusion feature on the Breville Barista Touch is its consistency.

With manual espresso machines, it can be difficult to achieve a consistent pre-infusion each time, as the water flow and saturation can vary. However, the Barista Touch takes care of this for you, ensuring that each cup of coffee is of the highest quality.

Heating & Boiler

Breville Barista Touch espresso machine utilizes their patented and if I may say, a revolutionary ThermoJet heating system, which allows for a lightning-fast heat-up time of only 3 seconds.

Cheaper Breville models like Bambino Plus and Barista Express use a Termocoil heating system, which is less advanced but heats up the machine to the perfect temperature eventually.

As I mentioned earlier in the review, because Barista Touch is a single-boiler, you cannot steam and brew simultaneously. The good news is that it jumps from one to the other quickly thanks to ThermoJet technology so you don’t have to wait too long.

On top of that, it’s important to mention that the ThermoJet heating system does not heat the group head, which may be a downside for some users. Despite this, I found the Barista Touch to produce consistently hot and flavorful espresso shots.

Overall, while the heating system and boiler of the Barista Touch may have their limitations, it still manages to provide a speedy and enjoyable coffee experience. I’ll share more about this below in my review.

PID Controller

I was not surprised to discover that the Breville Barista Touch utilizes a PID controller to maintain the temperature inside the boiler. PID stands for proportional, integral, and derivative, which are the three components of the controller algorithm.

The PID controller helps maintain a consistent temperature throughout the brewing process, which is essential for extraction. The controller monitors the temperature of the water as it flows through the boiler and adjusts the heating element accordingly to maintain a stable temperature range.

Don’t worry if this sounds too technical. What I want to say really is that this system ensures that the coffee is brewed at the optimal temperature, resulting in a flavorful and consistent cup every time.

What sets the Breville Barista Touch apart from the competition is its PID controller boasts an impressive accuracy of 1 degree Fahrenheit. This level of precision ensures that your coffee is brewed to perfection, with no risk of under or over-extraction.

Plus, you can control the temperature level with 8 temperature settings.

This level of control and precision is usually found in prosumer espresso machines. Needless to say, Breville dances on the border. If they would only improve the build quality of their machines and components.

Accessories

As always, I wasn’t surprised to see the Breville, once again, threw in all the critical accessories in the box. It’s what I love about them.

• Firstly, we have the Dosing Funnel™ Attachment, a nifty little tool that helps prevent coffee grinds from getting scattered and scattered around during use.
• Next up, the 480ml Stainless Steel Jug is the perfect partner in crime when you’re whipping up milk for your lattes and cappuccinos.
• The ClaroSwiss Water Filter is another impressive addition to the Breville Barista Touch accessory package. It works wonders when it comes to removing impurities from tap water, ensuring a pure and clean taste in every cup.
• Additionally, the Razor™ Precision Dose Trimming Tool is a game-changer for those of us who take our coffee seriously. This tool helps us achieve consistent dosing by levelling off the coffee grounds for an even extraction.
• For those who like to keep their equipment clean and well-maintained, the Cleaning Kit included with the Breville Barista Touch is a must-have accessory.
• Lastly, the Water Hardness Test Strip is a handy tool for those of us who thrive on the more technical side of coffee-making. This strip helps determine the hardness of your water supply, which is essential when it comes to the quality and overall taste of your coffee.

Grinding Performance

As a barista, I know that grinding coffee beans is one of the most critical components of preparing a perfect cup of coffee. This process sets the foundation for the aroma, flavour, and texture of the coffee.

Therefore, it’s essential to have a reliable and efficient coffee grinder. In this regard, the Breville Barista Touch stands out as a unit that delivers professional-grade grinding performance.

One of the main features of the Breville Barista Touch’s integrated grinder is that it offers 30 different grind settings. These settings allow you to set the grinder to produce a consistent and precise grind size for your espresso coffee.

The grind size is essential because it determines the amount of surface area of the coffee that will come into contact with water, affecting the coffee’s overall taste.

And with the multiple grind settings, you can experiment and find the perfect grind size for each type of coffee and brewing method.

Another impressive aspect of the Breville Barista Touch’s grinder is its hands-free operation. This means you can program the grinder to produce a particular dose by time, and the machine does the rest of the work.

However, there are times when you might prefer to dose manually. The Breville Barista Touch caters to this preference by offering a grind button that you can use while holding the portafilter.

Overall, the Breville Barista Touch provides excellent grinding performance. Of course, there is always room for improvement. But given the price of the machine, you get a very good grinder that performs great.

Brewing Performance

I can’t deny my obsession with finding the perfect way to make espresso at home. I’ve tried numerous machines in the past, but the Breville Barista Touch has completely blown me away in terms of its brewing performance.

Ok, maybe I’m exaggerating a bit here. What I want to say is that Breville is known as a brand that takes care that your experience is nothing short of great.

Firstly, brewing espresso with this machine is incredibly newbie-friendly. Instead of having to manually grind the beans and froth the milk, the Barista Touch’s integrated conical burr grinder and an automatic steam wand will do all the leg work.

You just need to grind the coffee beans into the portafilter, tamp them nicely using even pressure, insert the portafilter into the group head, and simply wait for the magic to kick in.

What really sets the Barista Touch apart is its advanced espresso brewing and I would like to say, patented technology.

During the extraction, the machine uses digital temperature control and a pre-infusion function to ensure that the coffee is extracted at the optimal temperature and pressure.

The result? Perfectly extracted espresso. Balanced flavours and aroma. And thick crema on top of every cup you make with this machine.

Needless to say, just like all other Breville espresso machines, Barista Touch is capable of making a high-quality coffee-shop-rivalling espresso.

Additionally, the Barista Touch allows for complete customization in terms of strength and temperature. I love this because I love to experiment with my espressos.

Milk Frothing & Steaming

One of the standout features of the Breville Barista Touch is its automatic milk frother with a temperature sensor built into a drip tray. If you prefer done-for-you-frothed milk, this feature is definitely going to be one of your favourites.

Frothing is done by pushing a button and the steam wand does all the work, frothing the milk perfectly for a latte or cappuccino. All you need to do is place the steam wand into the milk jug and wait.

I just want to note that although Barista Touch froths milk automatically, you will still have to swirl the jug and slam it a few times against your kitchen counter after the machine is done to get rid of the little bubbles and create that velvety structure.

The good news is that the Breville Barista Touch goes above and beyond automatic milk frothing. It also features a manual process with an adjustable steam wand that can be moved up or down to achieve the perfect consistency of milk.

This is especially helpful if you are used to making your own milk for your lattes, as it allows you to adjust the froth and steamed milk ratio to your liking.

The Barista Touch also comes equipped with a temperature control feature, allowing you to set the perfect temperature for your milk, so it doesn’t scorch or become too hot.

And there is texture control as well. This feature is quite helpful for achieving the perfect microform for your latte art. Once again, you will still have to swirly and slam the jug a few times to get a perfect result.

Cleaning & Maintenance

While working as a barista, I very well learned that cleaning and maintaining an espresso machine is critical for making great espressos consistently. This also stands true for home espresso machines.

The good news is that the Breville Barista Touch, like more or less all Breville machines, is straightforward and easy to clean and maintain.

Firstly, it is important to understand the different cleaning cycles available on the Barista Touch. The machine will prompt you when cleaning is needed, which can range from a simple rinse cycle to a more thorough cleaning and descaling.

These cycles can be accessed through the main menu, where you can choose the appropriate option depending on the cleaning required.

Descaling is an essential process that removes any mineral build-up in the machine’s internal components. Don’t overlook this!

It is recommended to perform this every 2-3 months, depending on the frequency of use. Descaling can be easily done with Breville’s cleaning tablets and the machine’s descaling cycle.

I also recommend cleaning the portafilter and the group head after each use. This prevents any leftover coffee grinds from spoiling the next brew. I recommend using a soft-bristled brush to clean the portafilter basket and group head.

In addition, regular cleaning of the external components such as the drip tray, water tank and milk jug is important to maintain hygiene and prevent any bacteria growth.

These parts on Breville Barista Touch can be easily removed and washed with warm water. As for the filter, you will need to change it after about 3 months of use. You can get a set of 4 replacement water filters for Barista Touch on Amazon.

I have to warn you that using water that is too hard or not filtered can affect the machine’s performance. Breville recommends using filtered or bottled water to prevent mineral buildup and prolong the lifespan of the Barista Touch.

Who Is Breville Barista Touch For?

As an ex-barista and now a home espresso enthusiast, I can confidently say that Breville Barista Touch is an excellent machine that produces exceptional espresso shots.

However, it may not be for everyone.

First of all, I would say that Barista Touch is perfect for newbie home baristas who don’t have experience with espresso-making and want to have the convenience of making café-quality coffee in their own kitchen.

Its intuitive menu and easy-to-use touchscreen, built-in grinder, milk frother, and automatic milk temperature and texture controls make it easy to brew your coffee, without the need for additional equipment or special barista skills.

Secondly, if you fit the profile of the user that I described in the previous paragraph, e ready to spend because this espresso machine comes with a hefty price tag. In other words, it is for those who don’t mind spending four figures on a home espresso maker.

On the other hand, Breville Barista Touch may not be the best option for those who are advanced in the espresso-making game. I am, and I feel that it’s too automated for me and my set of barista skills.

In other words, it may not be suitable for those who prefer manual brewing methods or those who enjoy experimenting with different variables of the brewing process.

If you like the Breville brand and the idea of a built-grinder and advanced brewing technology found in Barista Touch, but you want more control over your shots, I would rather recommend Barista Pro. You’ll save about $250 for the same features.

And because its price point is higher than other entry-level espresso machines, it is not for those on a tight budget. If you want a Breville with a grinder that is capable of making a great espresso Barista Express is a great choice!

How Is Breville Barista Touch Different From Barista Pro?

As someone who has carefully compared the specifications and features of both the Breville Barista Touch and Barista Pro models, I can confidently attest that they are actually quite different from one another in several key ways.

To start, let’s talk about the similarities between the two models.

Both machines offer a wide range of customization options, allowing you to adjust everything from the grind size to the milk temperature.

Plus, both models feature Breville’s signature ThermoJet heating system, which ensures that your espresso is brewed at the perfect temperature.

On top of that, they both use a 15-bar Italian pump and have an integrated PID controller for maintaining the perfect temperature.

Now, on to the differences.

The first major distinction I noticed was in the design of the machines. While both are sleek and modern, the Barista Touch has a more compact footprint, making it a great option for those with limited counter space.

The Barista Pro, on the other hand, has a larger, more robust design, which may appeal to those who want a machine that feels a bit more substantial.

Another key difference between the two models is in the milk frothing capabilities. The Barista Touch features an automatic milk frother, which can create a range of different textures, from silky smooth flat whites to thick and foamy cappuccinos.

The Barista Pro, on the other hand, comes with a manual steam wand, which gives you greater control over the frothing process but may require a bit more practice to master.

Finally, there’s the question of cost. The Barista Pro is generally priced lower than the Barista Touch, making it a more accessible option for those who want a high-quality espresso machine without breaking the bank.

Ultimately, both the Breville Barista Touch and Barista Pro are excellent espresso machines that offer a range of customization options and consistently delicious results.

It’s up to you to decide which model is the best fit for your needs and budget. I hope my review has helped to decide!

Breville Barista Touch Review – Final Verdict

All in all, the Breville Barista Touch espresso machine is a great choice for those wanting to take the leap into serious espresso making. It has many features like its intuitive touchscreen controls, adjustable grind size and temperature, and automatic dosage.

One area where I would like to see improvements with this model in under $1000 price range would be better quality components like a larger portafilter, more settings on a coffee grinder, and an overall sturdier housing design.

This would ensure that you get the most out of your new machine for years to come.

On the whole, however, and for this price, I recommend a Breville Barista Touch as it offers everything you need to make exceptional pro-barista espressos every time without any previous skills or experience!

Breville Barista Touch Review – FAQs

Is the Breville Barista Touch easy to use for beginners?

Yes, the machine is designed to be beginner-friendly with its intuitive touchscreen display and step-by-step guidance. Additionally, the machine is highly customizable to individual preferences and skill levels.

What types of coffee drinks can the Breville Barista Touch make?

The machine can make a variety of coffee drinks, including espresso shots, lattes, cappuccinos, and Americanos. Users can also customize their coffee drinks with different milk textures, coffee bean preferences, and serving sizes.

What is the price range for the Breville Barista Touch?

The Breville Barista Touch falls in the mid-to-high price range for espresso machines, with prices ranging from $1,000 to $1,200.

How does the Breville Barista Touch compare to other espresso machines in terms of quality and price?

The Breville Barista Touch is a premium espresso machine that offers excellent value for its price. It is known for its consistent and high-quality espresso shots, user-friendly interface, and durable construction. While there may be cheaper options on the market, the Breville Barista Touch is well worth the investment for serious coffee enthusiasts.

How easy is it to clean the Breville Barista Touch?

Cleaning the machine is relatively easy, with several removable and dishwasher-safe parts. Additionally, the machine comes with a cleaning kit and automatic cleaning functions to help maintain its longevity.

PS. Credits to Breville’s product page for images.