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To be honest, my morning coffee is as much about the caffeine as it is the ritual. I want it to feel as if I’m in a little European café. In reality though, I’m in my pajamas negotiating with a six-year-old who’s convinced that three cherry tomatoes are an acceptable breakfast. For years, I stuck with my quick-and-easy pod coffee maker—it’s easier when you’re a busy parent, or so I thought. Tamping and turning knobs to extract a perfect espresso shot felt like too much of a commitment for me.
Enter the Breville Barista Touch Impress, a machine that would let me, an amateur pod-popper, pull a café-quality shot. Sure, I was skeptical at first. I have a graveyard of pour-over kits, French presses, and an overly complicated espresso machine already collecting dust in my pantry. Would the Barista Touch Impress be the coffee maker that finally retires my pod machine?
It absolutely has. I would tell anyone on the fence with a fancy espresso maker to buy this one. The touch screen, ease of use, and café quality pulls, it’s almost made me think I could open my own corner coffee shop.
Breville Barista Touch Impress
Cons
- Takes up significant counter space
- Still takes practice to perfect
- Need to use it often to justify the price tag
The main specs and features.
Here’s a quick rundown of everything that makes this machine so amazing, and the terms you’ll see me use throughout this review.
- Impress Puck System: This system guides you through grinding, dosing, and tamping like a personal coffee coach. It uses 22 lbs of pressure for a perfect puck and even corrects itself if you mess up.
- ThermoJet Heating System: Heats the machine up in just 3 seconds.
- Auto MilQ Steam Wand: This tool froths milk or alternatives to silky perfection. You can customize the temperature and texture.
- Touchscreen Interface: Swipe through 8 café presets or save up to 8 custom drinks.
- Integrated Grinder: Features Baratza Precision Burrs with 30 grind settings.
- Large Water Reservoir: It holds 67 ounces, so you won’t constantly refill it.
First impressions.
As I said, I half-expected this thing to join my graveyard of abandoned kitchen gadgets. But right from the unboxing, it was clear this machine was different. It looks incredible straight out of the box. Big, but the stainless steel gives it that café aesthetic I was looking for. It’s not especially heavy, at around 25 pounds, but it is unwieldy. My advice is to do a little bit of measuring before hand and decide on a general area where it will live. That way you’re not moving it all around the kitchen beforehand.
When it comes to the actual setup, I don’t have the patience to wade through a 20-page instruction manual. I can’t think of anyone who does. Thankfully, Breville teamed up with the BILT app, which offers 3D, step-by-step instruction manuals. An external app might be too much for your mom or dad in their 70s, but it walked me through the setup seamlessly. No wordy booklet. No confusing diagrams. I was ready to make a coffee within a few minutes.
Once setup, the real star is the touchscreen interface. It’s my little personal barista on standby. It guides you through every step, from grinding beans to frothing milk, and it makes you feel like you actually know what you’re doing. After a water hardness test, it’ll even take the quality and the pH of your water into account. If my old pod machine is the equivalent of a quick run to Starbucks, this new Breville is like that European café I was dreaming of.
Why it’s a game changer.
First and foremost, the touchscreen interface. It’s intuitive and customizable, allowing me to save up to eight personalized drinks. I’ve saved everything from a double-shot espresso to my husband’s flat white for easy access. It’s just as easy as popping a pod in. It makes you feel like a pro, though it’s just as easy as popping a plastic pod into a plastic machine. Add the Impress Puck System, which is like having a personal coffee coach by your side. It guides you through grinding, dosing, and tamping (I know what that is now) with real-time feedback. Even if you have no idea what you’re doing, it’s almost impossible to mess up. The auto-tamping system uses 22 pounds of pressure to ensure your coffee grounds are packed just right. And if you do somehow mess up? It auto-adjusts the next dose to correct your mistake.
Then there’s the ThermoJet heating system, which heats up in just three seconds. I’ve barely decided whether I need a double shot to face the day, and it’s ready to go. Honestly, the speed and efficiency are a game-changer, especially for those chaotic mornings when I’m working through those breakfast negotiations with a six-year-old. That was the biggest barrier to keep me using a pod machine, but now it’s totally irrelevant.
Another feature that’s earned my love? The Auto MilQ system for frothing milk. Whether I’m using dairy or non-dairy options, it delivers the perfect foam every single time. I can adjust the temperature and texture to get that silky finish you only find in the best lattes. My attempts at latte art still look like blobs, but hey, they’re delicious blobs, and that’s what really matters.
What are the downsides?
As much as I adore this machine, there are a few things to keep in mind. First is space. I live in a New York City apartment with a small kitchen. This machine isn’t the biggest on the market, but it takes up quite a bit more space than my old little pod machine. If counter space is at a premium, you’ll need to get creative with your kitchen setup.
Then there’s the price point. At nearly $1,500, it’s an investment. It’s a justifiable one, though. If you’re someone who’s used to spending $5, $6, or $7 a day at your local coffee shop, the Barista Touch Impress pays for itself within a year, and you’ll have another decade to keep using it. That said, it’s still a chunk of change upfront.
Lastly, while the machine is user-friendly, there is a bit of a learning curve. My first few espresso shots were far from perfect, more bitter than balanced. That almost felt welcomed, though. It wouldn’t be a true espresso machine if you didn’t have things to settings to tinker with. Once I found my right grind size and tamp pressure, it was smooth sailing. If you’re coming from a simple pod system, be prepared to work a little before you start making café-quality drinks. Again though, it does really hold your hand through the tinkering. You’re not going to be twisting random knobs hoping for a better coffee. Anyone should be able to figure it out on a calm Saturday morning.
How does it stack up against other machines?
This is the real question, isn’t it? I’ve experimented with a range of machines. My journey to this machine has involved more trial and error than I’d like to admit. Compared to the Nespresso Vertuo Latissima, the Breville Barista Touch Impress is on a completely different level. The Nespresso is quick and convenient, but it doesn’t offer the same control over your brew.
Then there’s the De’Longhi La Specialista line, which the Esquire editors love. De’Longhi matches the Breville in terms of functionality, but it lacks the same level of user guidance. The De’Longhi model is great if you’re already comfortable making espresso, but the Barista Touch Impress wins with its step-by-step guidance and intuitive touchscreen. It’s perfect for those of us who still struggle with the difference between tamping and twisting. For super high-end enthusiasts, machines like the La Marzocco Linea Mini are incredible, but come at an almost $6,000 premium.
The Breville Barista Touch Impress offers a happy middle ground. You get pro-level control without the steep learning curve or the especially large price tag. Is it expensive? Yes, but it has the tech to warrant that. If you want something more involved than a pod maker, but not space-age complicated, this is the machine you should buy.
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Some hacks to consider.
If you made it this far and decide to purchase a machine, here are some helpful tips for your first time firing it up.
- Adjust Your Milk Settings: Play around with the temperature settings if you’re using non-dairy milk. I found that soy milk froths best at 130°F, while oat milk does better at 140°F. Thank you, Auto MilQ, for making me a non-dairy frothing expert.
- Keep a Dump Mug Nearby: Use a spare mug to dump used coffee pucks instead of running back and forth to the trash. It’s a small thing, but it makes a big difference when you’re in a hurry.
- Customize Your Drinks: The touchscreen saves up to 8 custom drinks. I’ve got my husband’s oat milk caramel latte and my go-to double-shot espresso saved as presets. It makes mornings feel just a little bit easier.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is it hard to clean?
Nope. The machine has a self-purging steam wand and minimal mess from the Impress Puck System. Just don’t forget to change the water filter every three months.
Q: Can I use non-dairy milk?
Absolutely. The Auto MilQ system is designed with settings specifically for almond, oat, and soy milk. Just set it to the correct temperature for your milk of choice, and you’re golden.
Q: Do I need a separate grinder?
Nope. The integrated grinder with 30 settings ensures you get the freshest beans ground to your liking.
Breville Barista Touch Impress
Cons
- Takes up significant counter space
- Still takes practice to perfect
- Need to use it often to justify the price tag
Why trust Esquire?
At Esquire, we’ve tested everything from budget-friendly coffee makers to high-end espresso machines, so we know what makes a great cup of coffee. Our reviews are based on real-world testing, not just unboxing hype. We put each machine through its paces, brewing everything from quick shots to frothy lattes, and we’re here to give you the honest lowdown—no fluff, just facts. We’ll tell you if something is worth your time and counter space.
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