Sage/Breville Barista Pro Review – Is It Worth the Upgrade from the Barista Express?
If you're diving into the world of home espresso and considering upgrading from the Barista Express, then the Sage (Breville) Barista Pro might just be your next best investment. In this post, we’re breaking down everything you need to know about this espresso machine—from the ThermoJet technology to real-world pros and cons—and even pulling a few shots (dark and light roasts!) to see how it performs.
🌟 What's New in the Barista Pro?
Think of the Barista Pro as the evolution of the Barista Express—same DNA, but with some impressive upgrades. A few key highlights:
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ThermoJet Heating System: Heats up in just 3 seconds, thanks to its pancake-shaped thermal block design. This means less waiting and more brewing.
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Upgraded Grinder Burrs: The newer models now feature Baratza burrs, which offer more precision.
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Digital Display: Makes navigating settings (like grind time, shot volume, and temperature) intuitive and straightforward.
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Stepless Grind Adjustment: While the display shows grind settings 1–30, the dial itself is stepless, allowing for fine-tuned adjustments.
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Hot Water Spout & Clean Stream: Unlike the Express, the Barista Pro has a clean, non-sputtering water stream, perfect for Americanos.
☕ ThermoJet Technology: Speed Without Sacrifice
One of the star features of the Barista Pro is its ThermoJet heating system, which not only heats up nearly instantly but also cools down just as quickly. It uses less water to purge after steaming compared to the Barista Express, meaning fewer trips to empty the drip tray.
That said, you should still run a blank shot or two before brewing your coffee. This warms up the portafilter and group head for better temperature stability.
🎛️ Features and Design Overview
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Steam Wand: A game-changer. It’s powerful, quick, and includes a four-hole tip—producing silky microfoam ideal for latte art.
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Water Tank Sensor: No more ruining a shot mid-brew by running out of water. This feature alone might save your morning.
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Magnetic Body: Small detail, but handy—you can stick tools to the side.
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Display vs Manometer: The digital display is helpful for ease of use but lacks a pressure gauge (manometer), which some espresso enthusiasts prefer for tracking brew pressure.
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Pre-Infusion Time: Limited to 10 seconds, which may be a drawback for those who love experimenting with longer pre-infusions.
🎥 Real-World Test: Pulling Shots (Dark Roast & Light Roast)
Dark Roast
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Dose: 16g in, 32g out (2:1 ratio)
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Taste Notes: Bittersweet chocolate with a slight bitterness—expected from older, darker beans.
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Tip: Lower brewing temperature for dark roasts helps reduce harshness.
Light Roast
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Beans: Fresh (3–4 weeks old), 100% Arabica
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Temperature: Set to the higher range
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Result: Impressive crema and vibrant taste—notes of tangerine and orange peel.
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Bottomless Portafilter: Great for observing flow and diagnosing channeling.
🥛 Milk Steaming: The Star of the Show
The steam wand on the Barista Pro is legit. Quick to heat, powerful enough for a vortex, and capable of producing incredibly creamy, textured milk.
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Latte Art Friendly: Shorter espresso ratios (e.g., 1.75:1) are great for latte pours.
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Silky Microfoam: Perfect for cappuccinos, lattes, and flat whites.
⚖️ Barista Pro vs. Barista Express: Pros and Cons
| Feature | Barista Pro | Barista Express |
|---|---|---|
| Heat-Up Time | ~3 seconds (ThermoJet) | ~30 seconds |
| Steam Wand | Fast and powerful | Slower |
| Grind Adjustments | Stepless | Stepped |
| Display | Digital | Manual buttons + gauge |
| Pre-Infusion | Max 10 sec | Manual duration possible |
| Pressure Gauge | ❌ Missing | ✅ Included |
| Temperature Control | Easy via menu | Harder (button combo) |
| Build Quality | More ergonomic | Slightly more heat-retentive brew group |
🛠️ Accessories That Make a Difference
If you're building out your home barista setup, here are some accessories worth having:
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Espresso Scale – Critical for consistent dosing and ratios.
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Bottomless Portafilter – Helps visualize your extraction and fix channeling.
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WDT Tool – For even coffee distribution.
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53.3mm Tamper – Fits more precisely than the stock tamper.
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Portafilter Stand – Makes grinding neater and easier.
☕ Final Verdict: Who Is This Machine For?
If you want:
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Lightning-fast heat up and milk steaming,
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A user-friendly, modern interface,
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And you enjoy light to medium roasts with milk drinks like cappuccinos or lattes…
👉 The Barista Pro is an excellent choice.
But if you:
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Prefer full control over pressure and longer pre-infusions,
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Want a machine that gradually warms up the brew group for ideal espresso temps,
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And you don’t mind a slightly older interface…
👉 Then the Barista Express still holds its ground—and may save you some money too.
Either way, you're getting an excellent machine. Happy coffee making!
Liked this review? Got questions or want to share your setup? Drop a comment below and let’s chat coffee! ☕💬
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