Breville Barista Touch Impress vs. Barista Touch: A Closer Look
Today, we’re diving into the similarities and differences between two popular machines from Breville’s Barista lineup: the Barista Touch Impress and the regular Barista Touch. We’ll share what we like, love, and maybe don’t need about each model.
Here’s everything you need to know to decide which machine best suits your coffee needs and skills.
Overview of the Breville Barista Touch Impress
The Breville Barista Touch Impress is a brand-new model from Breville, launched just this past summer.
It introduces two key innovations:
- Barista Guidance: This new feature helps dial in your espresso, letting you know if your shot is good or needs improvement. It guides you through adjustments to achieve the ideal shot.
- Impress Puck System: This system uses an assisted tamping handle, as seen previously on the Breville Express Impress. Pulling down the lever will give you consistent tamping pressure every time, along with a bit of polishing. This feature is especially beneficial for multi-person households, where everyone may have slightly different tamping pressure.
Note: Barista Guidance technology is still relatively new, and it may require calibration, especially with seasonal changes that can affect beans (like temperature and humidity). As colder months approach, you might need to recalibrate the machine to adapt to these environmental changes.
Key Features of the Breville Barista Touch Impress
- Large Bean Hopper: The Impress model has an ample bean hopper.
- Upgraded Steaming Wand: This wand is designed to deliver better froth for alternative milks, such as oat and almond milk, which can be a plus if you prefer non-dairy options. Look for the red ring on the machine to indicate this feature.
Overview of the Breville Barista Touch
The Barista Touch has been on the market for a few years and remains a solid choice.
Here’s what sets it apart:
- Touchscreen with Pre-programmed Recipes: Like the Impress, the regular Barista Touch also has a touchscreen that makes it easy to brew popular drinks. The recipes are pre-programmed, making it ideal for beginners who might not know the exact specifications for drinks like cappuccinos or lattes.
Both machines have a 54 mm portafilter, but there are a few critical differences in how each machine handles tamping and dialing in espresso.
Comparison of Espresso Extraction: Volumetric vs. Timed
One of the most significant differences between these two machines is how they manage the espresso extraction.
- Barista Touch Impress: This machine uses a volumetric method, meaning it will always pour a set amount of espresso (2 oz). If your espresso grind is too fine and nothing comes out, it won’t pour, signaling that you need to adjust your grind setting. Volumetric extraction helps streamline the process and makes it easier for beginners to get consistent results.
- Barista Touch: This model uses a timed extraction method, pouring for a set amount of time regardless of volume. So, while the Barista Touch will pour for the programmed time, the actual amount of espresso may vary. This method can be tricky when dialing in, as you’ll need to monitor the volume of espresso rather than the seconds. If your espresso pours too quickly, make it finer; if it’s too slow, make it coarser.
Price Point Differences
The price difference between these two models reflects the additional features offered by the Impress model:
- Barista Touch: Approximately $1,600
- Barista Touch Impress: Approximately $2,200
This price increase on the Impress model accounts for the upgraded intelligent systems, including Barista Guidance and the Impress Puck System.
Other Notable Differences
- Milk IQ: The Impress model also features the Milk IQ system, which can make a difference when using alternative milks. However, this may not be a significant factor for those who use regular milk.
- Water Tank Size: Both machines have a 2-liter water tank standard for home espresso machines.
- Bean Hopper Capacity: The Impress model’s bean hopper is slightly larger (340 grams) than the Barista Touch’s (250 grams).
Brewing and Steaming Process
Here’s a step-by-step look at how each machine handles brewing and steaming milk.
- Select Beverage: Both machines have pre-programmed beverages, making it easy to brew your favorite drinks. Simply click on the icon for your drink, and the machine will take it from there.
- Grinding and Tamping:
- Impress Model: The Impress model uses its built-in tamping system, which means there’s no mess. It automatically tells you when you’ve tamped correctly with a check mark. If it needs additional tamping, it prompts you to tamp again. It will also indicate if there’s too much espresso, allowing you to trim the excess.
- Barista Touch: You’ll need to tamp manually on the Barista Touch, so knowing how to dial in your espresso is crucial.
- Steaming: Both models come with automatic steaming wands:
- Impress Model: The Impress model’s steaming wand has an insulated design, which provides additional safety. You can program the temperature and froth level, depending on your preference. It will automatically purge after steaming to prevent clogging, but only when you use the Breville steaming jugs, as they are calibrated to the machine’s sensors.
- Barista Touch: The Barista Touch also has an automatic steam wand that is not insulated. You can program the temperature and froth level, but it may not be as efficient for non-Breville jugs.
Cleaning Up
The Impress model offers a cleaner experience overall, with minimal mess around the portafilter. On the Barista Touch, you may find some coffee grounds left on the counter after tamping, even with the included dosing funnel.
Warranty and Grinder Type
Both machines come with a two-year warranty from Breville, an excellent assurance for home espresso machines. They also feature fast conical burr grinders, making the grinding process quick and consistent.
Final Thoughts on the Breville Barista Touch Impress vs. Barista Touch
- Barista Touch Impress is ideal for users who want an almost super-automatic experience. Features like the Impress Puck System, Barista Guidance, and Milk IQ simplify the process and provide consistency without much mess.
- Barista Touch: This machine is perfect for those who want a more hands-on approach. It has the flexibility of the touchscreen and pre-programmed recipes. It’s less automated but still delivers a great coffee experience.
If you have any questions about these machines, post them in the comments section. Also, don’t forget to follow us on social media, subscribe to our channel, and give us a thumbs up if you found this comparison helpful!
FAQs
What is the main difference between the Breville Barista Touch Impress and the regular Barista Touch?
The main difference lies in the features aimed at simplifying the espresso-making process. The Barista Touch Impress includes the Impress Puck System for assisted tamping and Barista Guidance for shot optimization, making it more user-friendly for beginners. The regular Barista Touch requires manual tamping and doesn’t provide shot guidance.
How does the espresso extraction method differ between the two machines?
The Barista Touch Impress uses a volumetric extraction method, ensuring a consistent 2 oz shot every time, which helps dial in. In contrast, the Barista Touch uses a timed extraction method, pouring based on time rather than volume, which may require more adjustments to achieve the right amount of espresso.
Is the Milk IQ feature on the Impress model useful for regular milk drinkers?
Milk IQ is particularly beneficial for users who prefer alternative milks like oat or almond milk, as it helps achieve better foam. However, this feature may not significantly improve the frothing quality for regular milk drinkers.
Does the Barista Touch Impress handle seasonal changes in coffee better than the regular Barista Touch?
Yes, the Barista Touch Impress includes Barista Guidance, which can help adjust for seasonal changes that affect coffee beans, such as temperature and humidity. However, it may still require recalibration in extreme weather changes to ensure optimal shot quality.
Can I use any milk jug with these machines for steaming?
The Impress model’s steaming wand works best with Breville’s steaming jugs, as they are calibrated to the machine’s sensors. While other jugs might work, they may not accurately trigger the temperature and foam sensors.
Why is there a price difference between the Barista Touch Impress and the regular Barista Touch?
The price difference reflects the additional features on the Impress model, including the Impress Puck System, Barista Guidance, and the Milk IQ system. These features provide more automation and guidance, making the Impress model more straightforward and consistent, especially for beginners.