Breville Barista Touch Impress Review

As someone who loves starting their day with a perfect cup of coffee, I’ve spent years searching for the ultimate espresso machine to bring café-quality coffee to my kitchen. I’ve tried several machines, from manual espresso makers to fully automatic models, and recently, I got my hands on the Breville Barista Touch Impress. After spending weeks testing it, I’m here to share my honest experience, what I liked, what I think could be improved, and who this machine is really for.

If you’re someone who enjoys good coffee but doesn’t want to spend hours learning the intricacies of espresso making, this machine might be worth considering. It’s sleek, smart, and simplifies the brewing process, making barista-level coffee accessible to everyone.

Why I Chose the Breville Barista Touch Impress

I chose the Breville Barista Touch Impress because I wanted an espresso machine that could balance convenience and quality. I’m not a professional barista, but I enjoy experimenting with coffee to find the perfect flavor. I needed something that wouldn’t overwhelm me with too many manual steps but still allowed for enough control to fine-tune the coffee-making process.

Breville has a strong reputation for its durable, high-performing coffee machines, and the Touch Impress seemed to offer the best of both worlds: automation with a touch of manual flair. It promised café-style coffee without the steep learning curve, which was exactly what I was looking for.

Design and Build: Stylish and Functional

The first thing you’ll notice about the Breville Barista Touch Impress is its stunning design. It has a sleek, modern look that feels premium and professional. The stainless-steel body looks right at home in a modern kitchen, and it doesn’t take up too much counter space.

The touchscreen display is one of its standout features. It’s bright, responsive, and incredibly easy to navigate. The interface feels intuitive, with step-by-step prompts that guide you through the brewing process. Even if you’re completely new to making espresso, the touchscreen makes it simple to customize your drink.

On the functionality side, the machine includes a built-in conical burr grinder, automatic tamping, and a steam wand for frothing milk. These features work seamlessly together to give you an all-in-one experience without needing additional accessories or tools.

Making Coffee with the Breville Barista Touch Impress

Here’s what it’s like to make coffee with this machine:

1. Grinding the Beans: The built-in grinder does an excellent job of producing consistent coffee grounds. You simply add your beans to the hopper, select your drink, and the machine grinds and doses the right amount of coffee. While the grind settings are somewhat limited, they work well for most coffee beans I’ve tried.
2. Automatic Tamping: One of the standout features is the automatic tamping system. It applies the right amount of pressure every time, ensuring consistency with each shot. For beginners, this feature is a huge win because tamping incorrectly can often lead to poor-tasting espresso.
3. Pulling the Espresso Shot: The machine delivers a smooth, rich shot of espresso with a decent crema. The process feels almost effortless—just a tap of the screen, and the machine handles the rest. I found the quality of the espresso to be surprisingly good, though it’s worth experimenting with the grind size and bean freshness to fine-tune the flavor.
4. Frothing the Milk: If you’re a fan of milk-based drinks like lattes or cappuccinos, the steam wand is where the magic happens. The automatic milk frother creates silky, microfoam milk that’s perfect for latte art. You can customize both the milk texture and temperature, which is a big plus for anyone who likes their milk just right.

What I Loved About the Machine

The Breville Barista Touch Impress has several features that really stood out to me:

• Ease of Use: The touchscreen interface simplifies the coffee-making process. It feels like having a barista guide you every step of the way.
• Automatic Features: The built-in grinder and automatic tamping system take the guesswork out of making espresso. These features are perfect for beginners or busy people who want consistent results without much effort.
• Milk Frothing: The ability to customize the milk texture and temperature is a game-changer for latte and cappuccino lovers. The steam wand delivers smooth, creamy foam every time.
• Quick Heat-Up Time: The machine heats up in seconds, which is a lifesaver on busy mornings when I’m in a rush but still want good coffee.

Things That Could Be Improved

While I’ve been impressed with the Breville Barista Touch Impress, there are a couple of areas where it falls short:

• Limited Grind Adjustments: The built-in grinder works well, but it doesn’t offer as much precision as some standalone grinders. If you’re a coffee enthusiast who loves tweaking grind sizes, this might feel a bit restrictive.
• Price: There’s no denying that this is a pricey machine. While it offers excellent features, it’s an investment, and for the cost, I expected a bit more manual control.
• Noise Level: The grinder and steam wand are a bit noisy. It’s not a dealbreaker, but something to consider if you live with light sleepers.

Who Is This Machine For?

The Breville Barista Touch Impress is perfect for people who want high-quality coffee without the steep learning curve of a fully manual espresso machine. If you’re a beginner or someone who values convenience, this machine offers an impressive balance of automation and quality.

It’s also a great option for busy households. With its quick heat-up time and intuitive touchscreen, you can make café-style drinks in minutes. Whether you enjoy espresso, lattes, cappuccinos, or flat whites, the machine delivers consistent results that rival your favorite coffee shop.

My Final Verdict

After using the Breville Barista Touch Impress for several weeks, I can say it’s an impressive machine that makes high-quality coffee accessible to everyone. Its stylish design, intuitive touchscreen, and automatic features take the hassle out of brewing espresso, while still giving you room to customize your drinks.

That said, if you’re an experienced coffee enthusiast looking for ultimate control and precision, you might find this machine a little too automated. For the price, there are other machines that offer more manual adjustments and customization.

However, for someone who values ease of use, consistency, and convenience, the Breville Barista Touch Impress is a fantastic choice. It simplifies the art of coffee-making without sacrificing quality, making it an ideal machine for beginners and busy coffee lovers alike.

In the end, the Breville Barista Touch Impress strikes a great balance between user-friendliness and performance. It’s not perfect, but it delivers café-quality coffee at home, and for most people, that’s more than enough.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is the Breville Barista Touch Impress easy to use for beginners?
A: Yes, the Breville Barista Touch Impress is very user-friendly, thanks to its intuitive touchscreen interface. The machine walks you through the coffee-making process, and it has pre-programmed options that make it easy to prepare drinks like lattes, cappuccinos, and flat whites. It’s a great choice for beginners who want to make quality coffee without a steep learning curve.

Q: Does the Breville Barista Touch Impress grind beans for you?
A: Yes, the Breville Barista Touch Impress has a built-in conical burr grinder. It automatically grinds the beans to the right consistency based on your drink selection. You can also adjust the grind size, though the options are somewhat limited compared to standalone grinders.

Q: How long does it take for the Breville Barista Touch Impress to heat up?
A: The Breville Barista Touch Impress heats up incredibly fast, in less than three seconds, thanks to its ThermoJet heating system. This quick heat-up time means you can start making your coffee almost immediately, which is perfect for busy mornings.

Q: Can I customize the milk texture and temperature with the Breville Barista Touch Impress?
A: Yes, you can fully customize both the texture and temperature of the milk. This feature is especially great for making drinks like lattes and cappuccinos, as it gives you control over the quality of the foam and the warmth of the milk.

Q: How often do I need to clean the Breville Barista Touch Impress?
A: Regular cleaning is important to keep the machine running smoothly. The touchscreen will prompt you when it’s time to clean or descale the machine. The milk steam wand also needs to be wiped down and purged regularly to prevent buildup. The overall cleaning process is straightforward and doesn’t take much time.

Q: Is the Breville Barista Touch Impress worth the price?
A: The Breville Barista Touch Impress is on the pricier side, but it offers a lot of convenience and high-quality features for the price. If you’re looking for an easy-to-use, all-in-one espresso machine that can make café-quality drinks, it’s a solid investment. However, if you’re an experienced coffee enthusiast who wants more control over every aspect of the brewing process, you might find it limiting.

Q: Can the Breville Barista Touch Impress make other types of coffee drinks?
A: Yes, in addition to espresso, the Breville Barista Touch Impress can make a variety of other drinks, including lattes, cappuccinos, flat whites, and even americanos. The machine allows for customization to suit your preferences, so you can enjoy a wide range of coffee beverages.

Q: Is the Breville Barista Touch Impress noisy when operating?
A: The Breville Barista Touch Impress can be a bit noisy, particularly during grinding and frothing milk. While it’s not excessively loud, it’s something to keep in mind if you live in a quiet household or need to make coffee early in the morning without waking others.

Q: How durable is the Breville Barista Touch Impress?
A: The Breville Barista Touch Impress is built with high-quality materials and designed to be durable. It should last for several years if properly maintained. Regular cleaning and descaling are essential for maintaining the machine's longevity.

Q: Does the Breville Barista Touch Impress come with a warranty?
A: Yes, the Breville Barista Touch Impress typically comes with a 1-year limited warranty, which covers defects in materials and workmanship. Be sure to check the specific warranty terms provided by the retailer at the time of purchase.