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Ever dreamed of being a barista but can’t be bothered with all that pesky training?
The Breville Barista Touch is about to make your caffeinated dreams come true. This shiny piece of kitchen wizardry promises to turn you into a coffee connoisseur faster than you can say “venti soy no-foam latte with a twist of pretentiousness.”
Key Takeaways
- Touchscreen interface that’s so intuitive, even your technophobe grandma could use it
- Built-in grinder that’s quieter than your cat judging you for another cup of coffee
- Automatic milk texturing for those who can’t tell a microfoam from a macro mistake
- Pre-programmed coffee options for when decision-making is harder than rocket science
- Customizable settings for when you finally figure out what the heck you’re doing
- Sleek stainless steel design that’ll make your kitchen look like a hipster café
- Please refer to user guide or user manual or user guide (provided below in PDF) before first use.Tamping : Manual remova…
Quick Overview: The Swiss Army Knife of Espresso Machines
The Breville Barista Touch is like the Swiss Army knife of espresso machines – it does everything except your taxes (and trust me, you wouldn’t want it to). This semi-automatic marvel is designed for home baristas who want cafe-quality coffee without the need for a PhD in Coffee Science.
Priced at a cool $999.95, it’s not exactly pocket change, but hey, think of all the money you’ll save by not going to Starbucks every day. Plus, it’s cheaper than hiring a personal barista (trust me, I’ve looked into it).
Who’s it for?
Anyone who’s ever stood in line at a coffee shop, watched the barista work their magic, and thought, “I could do that… if I had a machine that did 90% of the work for me.” So basically, all of us.
Product Specifications: The Nitty Gritty Details
- Product Dimensions: 12.5″ x 15.5″ x 16″ (slightly larger than your average toaster, but way cooler)
- Product Weight: 26.8 lbs (about the weight of a small child or a very large cat)
- Grinder: Integrated conical burr grinder with 30 adjustable settings (because 29 just wasn’t enough)
- Water Tank Capacity: 67 oz (that’s a lot of espresso shots, folks)
- Bean Hopper Capacity: 1/2 lb (perfect for those who like their beans fresh, not fossilized)
- Heating System: ThermoJet (heats up faster than your high school relationship)
- Pump: 15 bar Italian pump (it’s got a fancy accent and everything)
- Power: 1680 Watts (enough to power a small village, or in this case, your caffeine addiction)
Design and Build Quality: Sleeker Than a Greased-Up Otter
The Breville Barista Touch is the George Clooney of espresso machines – sleek, sophisticated, and guaranteed to make your kitchen look good. With its brushed stainless steel exterior, it’s fingerprint-resistant (because who wants to see evidence of their 3 AM coffee runs?).
The build quality is solid enough to withstand your pre-caffeine clumsiness. The water tank and drip tray are easy to remove and clean, which is great news for those of us who treat cleaning kitchen appliances as an annual event.
The star of the show is the 3-inch LCD touchscreen. It’s colorful, responsive, and makes you feel like you’re piloting a coffee spaceship. The interface is intuitive enough that you can probably figure it out even before your first cup of the day.
Key Features: Because Making Coffee Shouldn’t Require a User Manual
1. Touchscreen Interface
The touchscreen is so user-friendly, it’s practically asking you out on a date. It guides you through the coffee-making process step by step, like a caffeinated GPS. You can create and save up to 8 personalized coffees, because sometimes you want your latte to taste like Monday morning regret, and other times you want it to taste like hopes and dreams.
2. Integrated Grinder
The built-in grinder is quieter than a mouse tiptoeing on cotton balls. With 30 grind settings, you can experiment until you find that perfect grind. Or just pick a random number and pretend you know what you’re doing. We won’t judge.
3. Automatic Milk Texturing
The automatic milk frother is like having a tiny cow whisperer in your machine. It textures milk to your preferred temperature and style, from silky latte to frothy cappuccino. It’s so good, you might start judging other people’s latte art. Harshly.
4. ThermoJet Heating System
This fancy heating system gets the machine ready in 3 seconds. That’s faster than it takes most of us to decide whether we really need that extra shot of espresso. (Spoiler alert: We always do.)
5. Pre-Infusion Function
This feature gently soaks the coffee grounds before extraction, ensuring even extraction and optimal flavor. It’s like giving your coffee a relaxing spa treatment before you brutally drink it.
Performance: Turning Coffee Novices into Pretentious Experts Since 2018
The Breville Barista Touch performs like a seasoned barista on their fifth espresso of the shift – efficient, consistent, and slightly jittery.
The espresso shots it produces are impressive – rich, full-bodied, and with a crema so thick you could practically use it as a spread. The integrated grinder ensures your beans are fresh, unlike that bag of pre-ground coffee that’s been sitting in your pantry since the Obama administration.
The automatic milk frother is a game-changer. It consistently produces silky, creamy microfoam that would make a professional barista weep with joy. Your latte art might still look like a blob with ambitions of being a heart, but hey, that’s on you, not the machine.
Temperature control is spot-on, delivering drinks at the perfect temperature every time. No more scalding your tongue on the first sip or wondering if someone secretly replaced your coffee with lukewarm dishwater.
User Experience: So Easy, You Might Actually Use It Before Noon
Using the Barista Touch is easier than convincing yourself you don’t need that fourth cup of coffee. The touchscreen walks you through each step, from grinding to brewing to milk texturing. It’s like having a tiny, caffeinated Yoda guiding you through the ways of the coffee force.
Customizing drinks is a breeze. You can adjust grind size, coffee strength, milk texture, and temperature with a few taps. Save your creations and boom – you’re one step closer to opening that pretentious coffee shop you’ve been dreaming about.
Clean-up is surprisingly painless. The machine prompts you when it needs cleaning, and the process is straightforward. It’s almost like Breville understands that most of us would rather wrestle a caffeinated bear than clean an appliance.
Competitive Analysis: How Does It Stack Up?
Let’s see how the Barista Touch fares against its coffee-making comrades:
| Feature | Breville Barista Touch | Breville Barista Express | DeLonghi La Specialista | Gaggia Classic Pro |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $999.95 | $699.95 | $899.95 | $449.00 |
| Touchscreen | Yes | No | No | No |
| Built-in Grinder | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Automatic Milk Frothing | Yes | No | Semi-automatic | No |
| User-Friendly | Very High | High | Medium | Low |
| Customization | High | Medium | Medium | High |
| Best For | Tech-savvy beginners | Aspiring home baristas | Intermediate users | Espresso purists |
The Barista Touch is like the overachiever in a group project. It’s got all the bells and whistles, but it comes at a price. If you’re a coffee nerd who enjoys the manual process, you might prefer the Gaggia Classic Pro. If you want something in between, the Barista Express or La Specialista might be your jam.
Pros and Cons: The Good, The Bad, and The Jittery
Pros:
- User-friendly touchscreen interface (so intuitive, your dog could probably use it)
- Consistent, high-quality espresso shots (say goodbye to your barista’s mood swings affecting your coffee)
- Automatic milk texturing (because who has time to learn how to make latte art?)
- Quick heat-up time (for those mornings when you need coffee five minutes ago)
- Customizable and saveable drink options (for when you finally crack the code to the perfect latte)
- Quiet grinder (won’t wake up your roommate when you’re making your 3 AM espresso)
- Sleek design (makes your kitchen look like a fancy café)
Cons:
- Expensive (might need to sell a kidney, but hey, you’ve got two)
- Large footprint (say goodbye to counter space)
- Learning curve for advanced features (but think of it as a fun, caffeinated puzzle)
- Regular cleaning required (but it reminds you, like a nagging but well-meaning coffee parent)
- Limited to 8 custom drinks (for those with more than 8 coffee personalities)
Value for Money: Is It Worth Selling Your Soul for Great Coffee?
At $999.95, the Breville Barista Touch isn’t exactly pocket change. But let’s break it down:
- Average cost of a fancy coffee shop latte: $5
- Lattes per week: 7 (we’re not judging)
- Weeks in a year: 52
- Annual coffee shop spending: $1,820
Suddenly, that $999.95 doesn’t look so bad, does it? Plus, you get to be your own barista, without the pesky need for social interaction before caffeine.
Compared to its competitors, the Barista Touch offers more automation and a user-friendly interface. If you’re a beginner who wants great coffee without the learning curve, it’s worth the investment. If you’re a coffee purist who enjoys the manual process, you might find it a bit too… helpful.
Personal Experience: Confessions of a Caffeine Addict
I’ve been using the Breville Barista Touch for three months now, and let me tell you, it’s been a wild, jittery ride.
- Day 1: Unboxing was like Christmas morning, if Santa was heavily caffeinated and obsessed with stainless steel.
- Week 1: Spent more time playing with the touchscreen than actually making coffee. Created a drink called “Midnight Panic Attack” – not recommended.
- Month 1: Finally figured out how to make a latte that doesn’t taste like hot milk with a coffee aftertaste. Progress!
- Month 3: I now judge other people’s homemade coffee with the disdain of a Parisian waiter. The Barista Touch has turned me into a coffee snob, and I’m not even sorry.
Long-term Usage and Durability: Will It Outlast Your Caffeine Addiction?
After three months of heavy use (we’re talking 5-6 drinks a day, because sleep is for the weak), the Barista Touch is still going strong. The stainless steel exterior looks as good as new, probably because it’s fingerprint-resistant (a godsend for those of us who turn into uncoordinated zombies before our morning coffee).
The grinder is still as quiet as a library mouse, and the milk frother continues to produce foam so silky, you’ll want to use it as a pillow. The touchscreen is as responsive as ever, showing no signs of wear despite my aggressive tapping when I’m in dire need of caffeine.
One minor issue: the water tank can develop some mineral buildup if you’re using hard water. But the machine reminds you to clean it, so unless you’re ignoring it like those pesky software updates on your phone, you should be fine.
Setup and Maintenance: Because Even Coffee Machines Need TLC
Setting up the Barista Touch is easier than explaining why you need a fifth cup of coffee. It comes with a step-by-step guide that’s actually helpful, unlike those IKEA instructions that make you question your life choices.
Initial setup takes about 15 minutes, most of which is spent admiring how shiny it is. The touchscreen guides you through the initial settings, and before you know it, you’re making your first (probably mediocre) latte.
Maintenance is straightforward:
- Daily: Wipe the steam wand, empty the drip tray (unless you enjoy small indoor ponds)
- Weekly: Clean the grinder and brew head
- Monthly: Deep clean cycle (the machine will remind you, like a caffeinated Jiminy Cricket)
- Every 2-3 months: Replace the water filter
The machine comes with all the cleaning tools you need, so no excuses for letting it get grimy!
Sustainability and Ethical Considerations: Saving the World, One Cup at a Time
The Breville Barista Touch isn’t just a pretty face – it’s got some eco-friendly features too:
- Energy-efficient standby mode (uses less power than your phone charger)
- Reusable filter baskets (because who needs more waste?)
- Recyclable packaging (so you can feel good about that massive box)
Breville as a company has made commitments to sustainability, including using recycled materials and reducing energy consumption in production. They also have a repair program to extend the life of their products, because a broken coffee machine is a tragedy we wouldn’t wish on anyone.
As for ethical considerations, Breville sources its materials responsibly, but as with any electronic device, there are always concerns about the supply chain. If you’re worried, pair your machine with some fair-trade, organic coffee beans, and you can sip your latte with a slightly clearer conscience.
Customer Support and Warranty: In Case Your Coffee Relationship Needs Counseling
Breville offers a 2-year limited warranty for the Barista Touch. This covers defects in materials and workmanship, but not your bad latte art – sorry, you’re on your own there.
Customer support is available via phone, email, and live chat. They’re generally helpful and responsive, although they might judge you a little if you admit you’ve been putting flavored creamer in your artisanal espresso.
Breville also has a comprehensive online support center with videos, FAQs, and troubleshooting guides. It’s like having a coffee therapist on call 24/7.
Who Should Buy This? A.K.A. The Coffee Personality Test
The Breville Barista Touch is perfect for:
- Coffee lovers who want great espresso without a PhD in Coffee Science
- Tech enthusiasts who think their coffee machine should be as smart as their phone
- People who value convenience but still want to feel like they’re ‘making’ coffee
- Anyone who’s ever felt personally victimized by a manual milk frother
- Those who want to impress their friends with barista skills (without actually learning barista skills)
Maybe skip it if:
- You think ‘manual labor’ is a crucial part of the coffee experience
- Your idea of ‘splurging’ on coffee is buying the non-store brand
- You have more fun spending 20 minutes making latte art than actually drinking coffee
- You’re a professional barista looking to hone your craft (in which case, can I have your autograph?)
Ratings: Judging a Book by Its Shiny, Caffeinated Cover
Overall Rating: 4.5/5 ☕ Because perfection is a myth, but this comes pretty darn close.
Features: 5/5 ☕☕☕☕☕ More features than you can shake a coffee stirrer at.
Performance: 4.5/5 ☕☕☕☕½ Consistently great coffee, but still can’t read your mind (yet).
Design and Build Quality: 5/5 ☕☕☕☕☕ Sleeker than a greased-up penguin on an ice slide.
User Experience: 4.5/5 ☕☕☕☕½ So user-friendly, it’s like the golden retriever of coffee machines.
Value for Money: 4/5 ☕☕☕☕ Expensive, but can you really put a price on caffeine-fueled happiness?
Final Verdict: The Last Word (Before Your Next Coffee)
The Breville Barista Touch is like that overachieving friend who’s annoyingly good at everything. It’s smart, good-looking, and makes a mean cup of coffee.
Is it perfect? No, but it’s pretty darn close.
For coffee enthusiasts who want cafe-quality drinks without the barista training (or the judgmental stares when you order a quadruple shot), the Barista Touch is a game-changer. It automates the trickiest parts of espresso making while still letting you feel like you’re doing something other than just pushing buttons.
Yes, it’s expensive. Yes, it takes up more counter space than your average small appliance. And yes, you might find yourself becoming insufferably snobby about coffee. But trust me, once you’ve tasted the sweet, creamy microfoam this bad boy produces, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it.
Is it worth the investment?
If you’re serious about your coffee and have the budget for it, absolutely. It’s like having a tiny, uncomplaining barista living in your kitchen. Just remember to name it and talk to it occasionally – it gets lonely.
For those on a tighter budget or who enjoy the manual aspects of coffee making, you might want to look at some of the less automated options out there. But if you want the perfect blend of convenience and quality, the Breville Barista Touch is hard to beat.
If the Breville Barista Touch were a person, it would be that annoyingly perfect coworker who brings homemade, Instagram-worthy lunches to work every day. You want to hate them, but you can’t, because they also bring enough to share and it’s just so darn good.
So, go ahead, make the investment. Your taste buds will thank you, your Instagram followers will envy you, and your local barista… well, they might miss you, but they’ll understand. After all, true love is hard to resist, especially when it comes with perfectly steamed milk and a touchscreen interface.
Cal Hewitt is the owner and operator of Cal’s Best Finds, a website dedicated to sharing great deals from across the web. With a keen eye for value and a passion for helping others save money, Cal scours the internet to bring you the best finds across various categories. Cal’s Best Finds is your go-to resource for discovering quality products at unbeatable prices. Learn more here.