Gaggia Classic Pro if you're willing to mod it with a PID kit and if you're willing to wait 15 minutes for it to heat up. BBP if you want your espresso fast with no wait time.
Comparison
Kitchen Appliances
Breville Barista Pro (BES878BSS)
Best Mid-Range Espresso Machine
The Breville Barista Pro sits between the Bambino Plus and Barista Express — it combines ThermoJet's 3-second heat-up time with an integrated conical burr grinder and a backlit LCD display for precise control over grind size, dose, and extraction time. Unlike the Barista Express which uses a thermocoil, the Barista Pro's ThermoJet system reaches optimal brew temperature faster and more consistently, making it the better pick for anyone who wants café-quality espresso with minimal waiting.
10 mentions · 4 threadslast mention Aug 2025ClearPick Score
8 / 10
Good
Score informed by 10 owner mentions across 4 Reddit threads · see every quote ↓
4 positive2 mixed4 negative
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Best Mid-Range Espresso Machine
Breville Barista Pro (BES878BSS)
~$1,100 CAD est. on Amazon.ca
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Every mention, sourced
Real comments from Reddit, linked to the original thread. Nothing paraphrased.
Yeah, In general the Breville hate is kind of irrational imo. The machines are really good value for money.
Praise
Gaggia. Because eventually everything breaks, and with the Gaggia you can fix it. And there are mods for it that you can use to get a better shot. And because the built-in grinders on the Brevilles pretty much get panned by a lot of users who struggle to get quality results from them. Brevilles are decent machines, just avoid models with built-in grinders.
Complaint
There is nothing wrong with the grinder. It grinds coffee beans. And the internal burr can be adjusted to grind even finer should you need it to. I have had this machine for 2 years and not once thought 'that's a bad grinder'. My espressos are tasting great, have a great texture and the machine is consistent. I would recommend the machine, unless you want to spend more of course.
Praise
The reason not to buy the barista pro is that the grinder isn't very good. There are much better options available if you buy a separate espresso machine and grinder, and they can be upgraded separately if you decide you want better results down the road. I also enjoy the instant heat up, that's why I use the Bambino Plus along with a DF64, but the not-plus Bambino and the DF54 seem to be great options as well for a lower cost.
Comparison
I'd not buy those Breville machines. I'd get a (non plus) Bambino and pair it with a nice grinder, if I were to buy a Breville. Or maybe the Breville dual boiler, again with a nice grinder. Of the three you show, I'd get the Gaggia, and a nice grinder. I've used the grinder on a BBE extensively. I'm not a fan of it.
Complaint
Not uncommon. Clean out with vinegar and rinse really well. The sunlight, even reflected, will cause algae to grow.
Complaint
Your apartment humidity will have nothing to do with it. There will be a level of humidity trapped inside of the reservoir if it's warm enough, but algae needs food so the most likely culprit will be in the water you're using. Clean the reservoir and buy a couple bottles of purified water to see if it happens again. If not, figure out a better water source
Mention
indeed so.. but honestly for milk drinks nobody can tell the difference.. i have a single dose grinder for any specialty/random coffees i buy and use the hopper for the daily milk drinks
Praise
Better burrs, but still no change to step size and issues with retention, from my understanding.
Complaint
✅ What Works
- ThermoJet heating system reaches optimal extraction temperature in 3 seconds — combines the Bambino Plus's fast heat-up with the Barista Express's built-in grinder in one machine
- LCD display with guided settings walks users through grind size, dose, and extraction time — the most beginner-friendly interface of any Breville machine with a built-in grinder
- Integrated conical burr grinder with 30 grind settings gives more precise control than the Barista Express's 16 settings — meaningful for dialling in espresso to specific beans
- Steam wand delivers manual microfoam with professional-level control — for users who want to learn latte art, this is the machine that makes it achievable
⚠️ Worth Knowing
- Premium pricing positions it between the Barista Express and the more expensive Dual Boiler — the ThermoJet system is the primary justification over the Express
- Single boiler means you can't steam milk and pull a shot simultaneously — there's a brief wait between extraction and steaming, which experienced espresso drinkers notice during high-volume morning routines
- Better for home use than high-volume entertaining — the single boiler limitation becomes more apparent when making multiple drinks back to back
ClearPick Verdict
The Breville Barista Pro is for Canadian espresso enthusiasts who want the convenience of a built-in grinder with the performance and control to grow their skills. The ThermoJet heating and 30-setting grinder make it a meaningful step up from the Barista Express. If you're serious about espresso but not ready for a separate grinder and dual boiler setup, the Barista Pro hits the sweet spot between convenience and capability.
