Scott Wilkerson
Breville is a familiar name on the espresso scene. Founded in Sydney in 1932, Breville has had the time and experience to perfect the home espresso machine. Whether you are looking for an ultra-simple espresso maker that uses pods or a multi-function brewer for specialty drinks, Breville has the machine for you. Knowing that they have such a wide range of machines may make it difficult to decide which is right for you. Not to worry, we have done the research for you. In this article we will be taking a look at six of Breville’s espresso makers, showing you the ins and outs to help simplify the decision-making process. Before we talk about the specific machines, let’s take a quick look at what you can expect when buying a Breville.
What to Know
Breville makes home espresso machines for every coffee lover. All you have to do is decide how creative you want to be. Do you want to grind your own beans and froth the milk yourself, giving you all the control to create the perfect brew? Or would you prefer a less hands-on approach? Well here is what to look for, no matter which side you are on.
The Grind
If you love coffee, then you know that fresh is better. Freshly ground coffee has a better aroma and flavor than grounds that have been sitting around getting stale. Not only that, but the way you grind your beans can change the flavor as well. The coarser the grind, the weaker the flavor. On the other hand, if you grind it too much, your coffee could become too bitter. Many coffee enthusiasts take pride in grinding their coffee beans to perfection. If you are an enthusiast and already have everything you need to grind your beans, then you can choose one of Breville’s classic espresso machines which leave the responsibility of grinding to you.
That being said, some coffee lovers do not want to or do not have the time to grind their own beans. That is okay! Breville has taken that into consideration and designed espresso machines with built-in grinders. Some have strength settings on them so you can still control the level of grind if you want to. These machines come with airtight bean hoppers so that your beans never lose their freshness, whether you make ten cups a day or only one.
Taking the Heat
One very important thing to know about espresso is that it is heat sensitive. You may think that hot water is hot water, but to espresso, even a 2-degree temperature change can mean a bitter brew. The best temperature for brewing espresso is between 195 and 205 degrees Fahrenheit. If the water is not hot enough, it will not extract enough flavor. If it is too hot, you have the potential of burning your grounds, creating bitter harsh espresso. Many espresso machines offer temperature options for brewing, but Breville takes this a step further. Many of their machines offer rapid heating and digital temperature controls so you can make your espresso quickly, without having to worry about diminishing the flavor.
Have Milk
What would a latte be without milk? An espresso. It would be an espresso. And though that may sound delicious some, many coffee lovers enjoy their espresso perfectly blended with smooth frothy milk. Some like their milk to be frothed just enough to add a little smoothness, others prefer the firmness of microfoam. Not to worry, Breville machines offer frothing wands that work for even the least experienced barista. With automatic frothing, you simply choose the option that is right for you and your Breville does the rest.
If you're in a Rush!
Customer Reviews
Do not just take our word for it, take a look at what customers are saying:
-
Julie Newman
“Wonderful Product… Amazing Coffee!
I don’t normally write reviews, but feel somewhat obligated to share my views on this superior product.” 
-
Namm
“Heaven for coffee lovers but should know how to make it right way”
-
K Dunn
“Makes great tasting & creamy coffee
I am really enjoying my new Nespresso machine. I have used it to make regular cups of coffee & also to make lattes. The frother that came with it works great! Makes both hot & cold froth! I also bought a pod holder that you can put the machine on top of & I’m really glad I’ve got that storage space for the pods. I’ve had my machine a couple of weeks now and I would definitely recommend it to anyone interested in a pod type of machine. Makes way better tasting coffee than my previous Keurig did.”
The Machines
Now that you have a basic overview of things to consider when looking at home espresso machines, here are a few of Breville’s espresso machines that are worth looking into.
Breville Vertuo
Remember how we mentioned that there would be an ultra-simple option? Well, this is it. The Vertuo offers no muss, no fuss. Just one-touch coffee perfection. All you need are Nespresso pods and water. Do not be fooled by the simplicity, you can still have the espresso options you want with Nespressos wide range of pods. From single and double espresso to 14oz coffees in a variety of flavors, they have what you are looking for. Plus, this is still pressurized espresso brewing, so you will still get that delicious crema. Want the simplicity of coffee pods, but do not want to miss out on lattes and cappuccino? You can purchase a bundle package, the Vertuo with the Aeroccino milk frother, so you can have the best of both worlds.
Highlights:
- Ultra-Simple
- Simple Flavor Options
- Pressurized Pod Brewing
Breville Cafe Roma
Feel like coffee pods are cheating? Then perhaps you would prefer the Cafe Roma, which offers the authentic barista experience at home. Offering 15 bar pressure combined with pre-infusion, this machine is sure to brew delicious espresso every time. You can brew single or double shots of espresso with ease. This machine comes with a milk frother and cup warming plate, so you can really enjoy the full experience. If all of this sounds good, but you still like the idea of pods, it is compatible with espresso pods too. All of that and it is super compact, only 9” x 9” x 12”, meaning you can have the barista experience without giving up all your counter space.
Highlights:
- Espresso Pod Compatible
- 15 Bar Pump
- Compact
Breville Bambino
The catchphrase for the Bambino is, “Compact without Compromise.” That says it all. This classic espresso machine has everything you need to make the perfect espresso. One of the best features on this one is that it is rapid-heating. It is ready to brew in three seconds, which means you never have to wait. It also offers three heat settings, so you choose the strength of your brew. Speaking of three options, that is what the Bambino offers for milk frothing as well. With auto-frothing, you simply place the wand in the milk, choose how frothy you want it and the wand does the rest. You can brew single or double shots with the 19 gram portafilter. And when they say compact, they mean it. It is only 7.6” wide, 12.5” high, and weighs only 3.5lb, meaning it will fit just about anywhere and you can move it with ease.
Highlights:
- Rapid-Heat
- Temperature and Froth Options
- Super Compact
Breville Infuser
The Infuser comes with a few more bells and whistles, but still retains that no-nonsense feel that is common to Breville machines. It has all the basics you need, such as single and double shot espresso dispensing, 15 bar pressure, and brewing temperature options. In addition, this espresso maker comes with four optional pressure baskets for the portafilter and a grounds tamper that magnetically attaches to the front of the machine for easy storage. As the name somewhat implies, the Infuser also offers pre-infusion. Pre-infusion is where the coffee grounds are pre-moistened before the pressurized water comes through. Pre-infusion helps to further extract flavor meaning that you get a rich, smooth espresso, every time.
Highlights:
- Extra Pressure Baskets
- Attached Tamper
- Pre-Infusion
Breville Express
For those of you waiting for the built-in grinder, your wait is over. The Express comes with everything you need to go from bean to cup in three simple steps. The grinder, which has multiple settings, grinds directly into the portafilter, so all you have to do is tamp it down and brew. Once your espresso is ready, you can use the steamer to froth your milk as much or as little as you like. This steamer is capable of creating microfoam, so your dreams of latte art are about to come true. This model also comes with multiple pressure baskets, attached tamper, and options for manual and automatic operation. What more could you ask for?
Highlights:
- Hands-free Grinder
- Microfoam Steamer
- Simple Operation
Breville Barista Touch
Well, Breville thought of a few more things you might ask for and added them to the Barista Touch. For example, who doesn’t need an interactive touchscreen that shows you how to flawlessly make your favorite specialty drinks? It comes with five preprogrammed drinks and the option to program in your favorites as well. On top of that, it comes with multiple brewing options, for both strength and temperature, as well as milk options like temperature and froth density. With the attached 1/2lb bean hopper, 64oz water reservoir, and 3-second rapid heating, the Barista Touch is ready whenever you are. This machine will give you the real barista experience in a way that even a beginner can understand and enjoy.
Highlights:
- Touchscreen
- Programmable
- 1/2lb Bean Hopper
With almost 90 years of espresso experience, it is no surprise that Breville knows their stuff. They have created espresso machines with every coffee lover in mind. No matter how much barista experience you have, you can find a Breville that will fit your needs. Armed with your new-found knowledge, you should have no trouble choosing the perfect machine. The biggest decision you have to make now is what to make first. Happy Brewing!
