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.

ClearPick Score
8.7 / 10
Very Good

Sourced from Amazon reviews  ·  Reddit owner communities  ·  Expert publications

Performance
9.5
Ease of Use
8.0
Build Quality
9.5
Versatility
8.5
Value
8.0

Sources analyzed: Amazon.ca Reddit (r/Coffee) Reddit (r/espresso) Home-Barista.com · Why you can trust this score →

ClearPick Editorial  ·  No sponsored rankings  ·  Sources verified

Full Specs
Heat-Up3 seconds — ThermoJet (faster than Barista Express)
GrinderIntegrated conical burr, 30 grind settings
DisplayBacklit LCD
Pump15-bar Italian
Best ForEspresso enthusiasts who want speed + precision + integrated grinder
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Breville Barista Pro (BES878BSS) product photo
🏆 Best Mid-Range Espresso Machine
Breville Barista Pro (BES878BSS)
~$1,100 CAD est. on Amazon.ca
View on Amazon.ca → Opens Amazon.ca · Affiliate link
✅ Ships to Canada
✅ Prime eligible (most orders)
✅ 30-day Amazon returns
✅ No extra cost to you

What Buyers Say

✅ 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

What Real Buyers Are Saying

What buyers love

"The ThermoJet heat-up is real — going from the Barista Express to the Pro, the 3 second heat-up changes your morning routine completely."

Source: Reddit r/espresso verified owner

"The LCD display makes dialling in so much more intuitive — I was pulling good shots within the first week, which took me months on my previous machine."

Source: Verified Amazon.ca buyer

"Best all-in-one espresso machine for someone who wants grinder convenience but more control than the Express offers."

Source: Reddit r/espresso community consensus

Common complaints

No PID temperature controller — thermocoil causes shot-to-shot temperature variation

The Barista Pro uses a thermocoil heating system rather than a PID-controlled boiler; temperature fluctuations between shots affect extraction consistency, particularly noticeable when pulling back-to-back espresso. Upgrading to the dual-boiler Oracle or BES920 resolves this.

Source: r/espresso, Home-Barista.com

54mm portafilter limits aftermarket accessory options

The commercial standard is 58mm; the 54mm portafilter significantly reduces third-party basket, distribution tool, and tamper compatibility; buyers who want to build a precision workflow find the selection narrow.

Source: r/espresso, r/Coffee

Grinder still requires regular cleaning — integrated burrs clog with oily dark roasts

Same maintenance demands as the Barista Express: oil buildup from dark roast beans requires disassembly cleaning every 1–2 weeks under regular use; the convenience of built-in grinding comes with a maintenance trade-off.

Source: r/espresso, r/Coffee
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.

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Sources & Further Reading