Breville Barista Touch Impress Review, an easy espresso machine

To be honest, my morning coffee is as much about the caffeine as it is about the ritual. I want to feel like I’m in a small European cafe. In reality, I’m in my pajamas negotiating with a six-year-old convinced that three cherry tomatoes constitute 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 the knobs to extract a perfect espresso seemed like too much of a commitment.

Enter the Breville Barista Touch Impress, a machine that would allow me, a pod-popper lover, to take a cafe-quality shot. Of course, 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. Could the Barista Touch Impress be the coffee maker that finally puts my pod machine out of business?

This is absolutely the case. I would tell anyone on the fence about owning a fancy espresso machine to buy this one. The touchscreen, ease of use, and cafe-quality handles almost made me think I could open my own corner cafe.

The main specifications and features.

Here’s a quick overview of everything that makes this machine so amazing and the terms you’ll see me use throughout this review.

• Impressive 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 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: Cycle through 8 coffee presets or save up to 8 custom drinks.
• Integrated grinder: Includes Baratza precision burrs with 30 grind settings.
• Large water tank: It holds 67 ounces, so you won’t be constantly refilling it.

First impressions.

Like I said, I half expected this thing to join my graveyard of abandoned kitchen gadgets. But right out of the box, it was clear that this machine was different. It looks amazing right out of the box. Large, but the stainless steel gives it that cafe aesthetic I was looking for. It’s not particularly heavy, around 25 pounds, but it is bulky. My advice is to do a little measuring beforehand and decide on the general area where it will live. This way you don’t move it all over the kitchen beforehand.

As for the actual setup, I don’t have the patience to wade through a 20-page instruction manual. I don’t see anyone doing it. Luckily, Breville has partnered with the BILT app, which offers step-by-step 3D instruction manuals. An external app might be too heavy for your 70-year-old mom or dad, but it walked me through the setup seamlessly. No wordy booklet. No confusing diagrams. I was ready to make coffee in minutes.

Once set up, the real star is the touchscreen interface. He’s my little personal barista in waiting. It walks you through every step, from grinding beans to frothing milk, and makes you feel like you actually know what you’re doing. After a water hardness test, it will even take into account the quality and pH of your water. If my old pod machine was like a quick Starbucks run, this new Breville is like that European coffee I’ve been dreaming of.

Why this is a game changer.

First and foremost, the touchscreen interface. It’s intuitive and customizable, allowing me to save up to eight personalized drinks. I kept everything from a double espresso to my husband’s flat white for easy access. It’s as simple as inserting a plastic pod. It makes you feel like a pro, even if it’s as simple as inserting a plastic pod into a plastic machine. Add the Impress Puck system, which is like having a personal coffee coach at your side. It walks 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 get it wrong. The automatic tamping system uses 22 pounds of pressure to ensure your coffee grounds are perfectly packed. What if you’re wrong somehow? It automatically adjusts the next dose to correct your mistake.

Then there’s the ThermoJet heating system, which heats up in just three seconds. I’ve just decided if I need a double dose to get through the day, and it’s ready to go. Honestly, the speed and efficiency is a game-changer, especially for chaotic mornings when I’m working on breakfast negotiations with a six-year-old. This was the biggest obstacle to my using a pod machine, but now it’s completely irrelevant.

Another feature that got me my love? The Auto MilQ system for frothing milk. Whether I use dairy or not, it delivers the perfect foam every time. I can adjust the temperature and texture to achieve that silky finish only found in the best lattes. My attempts at latte art always look like blobs, but hey, they’re delicious blobs, and that’s what really matters.

What are the disadvantages?

As much as I love this machine, there are a few things to keep in mind. The first is space. I live in an apartment in New York with a small kitchen. This machine is not the biggest on the market, but it takes up a lot more space than my old small pod machine. If counter space is limited, you’ll need to get creative with your kitchen layout.

Then there’s the price. At almost $1,500, it’s an investment. It’s a justifiable question, 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 in one year and you’ll have ten more years to continue using it . That said, this is still a big change to begin with.

Finally, although the machine is user-friendly, it requires a bit of a learning curve. My first espressos were far from perfect, more bitter than balanced. It almost seemed welcome, though. It wouldn’t be a real espresso machine if you didn’t have settings to change. Once I found the right grind size and tamping pressure, it was smooth sailing. If you’re coming from a simple pod system, be prepared to do a little work before you start brewing cafe-quality drinks. But again, it really holds your hand while DIYing. You’re not going to randomly turn knobs hoping to get better coffee. Everyone should be able to figure it out on a quiet Saturday morning.

How does it compare to other machines?

That’s the real question, isn’t it? I experimented with various machines. My journey to this machine involved more trial and error than I would like to admit. Compared to the Nespresso Vertuo Latissima, the Breville Barista Touch Impress is on a completely different level. 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 Esquire editors love. De’Longhi matches the Breville in terms of features, but it lacks the same level of user guidance. The De’Longhi model is ideal if you’re already comfortable making espresso, but the Barista Touch Impress wins with its step-by-step guidance and intuitive touchscreen. This is perfect for those of us who still have trouble telling the difference between jamming and twisting. For ultra-high-end enthusiasts, machines like the La Marzocco Linea Mini are incredible, but cost almost $6,000 more.

The Breville Barista Touch Impress strikes a happy medium. You get professional-level control without the steep learning curve or steep price tag. Is it expensive? Yes, but it has the technology to guarantee it. If you want something more complex than a pod maker, but not space-age complicated, this is the machine you should buy.

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Some tips to consider.

If you’ve made it this far and decided to buy a machine, here are some helpful first-time tips.

• Adjust your milk settings: Play with the temperature settings if you are using plant-based milk. I have found that soy milk froths best at 130°F, while oat milk froths best at 140°F. Thank you, Auto MilQ, for making me a non-dairy foam expert.
• Keep a dump cup nearby: Use a spare cup to throw away used coffee pucks instead of making trips to the trash. It’s a small thing, but it makes a big difference when you’re in a hurry.
• Personalize your drinks: The touch screen stores up to 8 personalized drinks. I saved my husband’s oat milk caramel latte and my favorite double shot espresso as presets. It makes mornings a little easier.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is it difficult to clean?

No. The machine features a self-purging steam wand and minimal mess thanks to the Impress Puck system. Remember to change the water filter every three months.

Q: Can I use plant-based milk?

Absolutely. The Auto MilQ system is designed with settings specifically for almond, oat and soy milk. Simply set it to the right temperature for your milk of choice and you’re golden.

Q: Do I need a separate grinder?

No. The built-in grinder with 30 settings ensures you get the freshest beans ground to your liking.

Why trust Esquire?

At Esquire, we’ve tested everything from budget coffee makers to high-end espresso machines, so we know what makes a good cup of coffee. Our reviews are based on real-world testing, not just unboxing hype. We put every machine through its paces, making everything from quick shots to frothy lattes, and we’re here to give you the honest truth: no fluff, just the facts. We’ll tell you if something is worth your time and space.