Breville Barista Touch Impress Review

As someone who loves coffee and takes great joy in crafting my perfect cup every morning, I was eager to try the Breville Barista Touch Impress. The promise of a semi-automated espresso machine that still provides enough control to bring out the inner barista in me was intriguing. After a few weeks of brewing, steaming, and sipping, I feel confident enough to share my insights on this machine. Here’s my in-depth Breville Barista Touch Impress review, including what stood out and what left me wanting more. 

Unboxing and First Impressions of the Breville Barista Touch Impress

The moment the Breville Barista Touch Impress arrived, I was impressed by the sleek packaging and the careful thought put into how the machine was presented. From the moment I lifted it out of the box, I could tell that it was built to be a centerpiece on my kitchen counter. The stainless-steel finish was elegant, and the whole unit felt incredibly sturdy.

The touchscreen display is one of the first features that grabbed my attention. It’s clear, vibrant, and easy to understand. I couldn’t wait to dive into the functions and see how this espresso machine could help me streamline my coffee-making ritual. Everything was laid out with precision – from the portafilter to the tamper and even a nice stainless steel milk jug. It’s clear that Breville knows what it takes to make coffee, and they’ve provided all the tools necessary. 

Setting Up the Breville Barista Touch Impress

One of the main benefits of the Breville Barista Touch Impress is that it bridges the gap between manual espresso making and automation. Setting it up was a breeze. The machine walked me through the process, starting with choosing my water hardness level and then moving on to personalization options.

I was impressed by the integrated grinder and assisted tamping system. The grinder settings range from fine to coarse, allowing plenty of adjustment based on your preferences. The assisted tamping mechanism—something Breville calls “Impress Puck System”—is a game-changer for consistency. It automatically tamps the coffee grounds with a perfect 10kg of pressure, which means even beginners can achieve consistent shots.

Breville Barista Touch Impress Review: Design and Build Quality

If you’re like me and care about how things look in your kitchen, you’ll be pleased with the Barista Touch Impress. The stainless-steel finish, minimalist design, and intuitive touchscreen all combine to give it a premium feel. It’s compact enough to fit comfortably on a small kitchen counter while still packing in all the features one would expect from a top-tier espresso machine.

I especially loved the high-resolution color touchscreen, which makes the experience feel sophisticated yet approachable. Instead of fiddling with buttons and dials, you simply select your drink of choice from the touchscreen—whether it’s a latte, flat white, cappuccino, or straight-up espresso. The menu customization is a real perk, allowing me to create my own profiles and save my favorite drinks. 

Brewing with the Breville Barista Touch Impress

Getting that perfect shot of espresso is what separates a good machine from a great one. The Breville Barista Touch Impress did not disappoint. After filling the bean hopper with my favorite coffee beans, I selected the “Espresso” option on the touchscreen. The integrated conical burr grinder got to work, and in just a few seconds, I had the perfectly dosed grounds ready to tamp. 

The assisted tamping mechanism is one of my favorite features. It consistently tamps the grounds with just the right amount of pressure and even polishes the surface for a smooth puck. This feature removes the guesswork for those new to espresso while providing a satisfying level of precision for experienced users.

I appreciated how fast the ThermoJet heating system was. It’s ready to brew in just about three seconds, which is perfect for someone like me who doesn’t want to wait too long for my caffeine fix in the morning. Once I started pulling the shot, I noticed a thick layer of crema, and the aroma was simply divine.

Milk Frothing with the Breville Barista Touch Impress

When it comes to milk-based drinks, the Breville Barista Touch Impress shines. The steam wand is automatic, and it’s designed to froth milk to a silky texture perfect for lattes and cappuccinos. You can also adjust the temperature and froth level, which was perfect for me as I enjoy experimenting with different milk textures for my drinks.

I’ve always struggled to achieve that perfect microfoam manually, but the Barista Touch Impress takes all the difficulty out of the equation. The automatic milk frothing allows even a beginner to create barista-quality foam, which is essential if you’re into making latte art.

User Experience: The Convenience Factor

One thing I absolutely love about the Breville Barista Touch Impress is how user-friendly it is. I’ve used espresso machines that required an engineering degree to operate, but this one makes the process simple and intuitive. The touchscreen guides you through every step of making your favorite coffee, and the pre-programmed drink options make it easy to get started.

However, the customization is where the machine truly shines. You can adjust everything—the grind size, dose, shot temperature, milk texture—and save your personalized settings for future use. It’s like having a personal barista who remembers exactly how you like your coffee.

Cleaning and Maintenance of the Breville Barista Touch Impress

No espresso machine review is complete without discussing the cleaning process. Fortunately, the Breville Barista Touch Impress makes maintenance as painless as possible. It has a built-in cleaning cycle, and the touchscreen even provides step-by-step instructions.

The drip tray and water tank are both removable, which makes cleaning easy. There’s also an alert that notifies you when it’s time to clean the steam wand, ensuring that milk residue doesn’t build up. Descaling is recommended every few months, depending on how often you use the machine, and Breville makes it simple by providing detailed prompts for this as well.

Breville Barista Touch Impress vs Other Breville Models

I’ve owned other Breville espresso machines in the past, including the Barista Express and the Barista Pro. Compared to these models, the Breville Barista Touch Impress is a significant upgrade in terms of automation and convenience. The touchscreen alone makes it a more approachable machine, especially for beginners.

The Barista Express, while a fantastic machine, requires more manual involvement, which might not appeal to everyone. The Barista Touch Impress, with its assisted tamping and automatic milk frothing, offers an easier path to that perfect cup while still delivering on flavor and quality.

What I Loved About the Breville Barista Touch Impress

There are several features that stood out to me during my time using this espresso machine. First and foremost, the assisted tamping system is an incredible addition. It takes the variability out of one of the most critical steps in making espresso, which is ideal for beginners and experts alike.

The touchscreen is another highlight. It’s easy to use and makes the entire coffee-making process feel seamless. I also loved how customizable the drinks are. Being able to save my preferences for each type of coffee means I can get my perfect cup every time, without fiddling with settings.

Finally, the automatic milk frothing is a standout feature. It’s consistently good, and I no longer have to worry about the learning curve that comes with manually frothing milk. Plus, it’s so quick—I can go from bean to cup in just a few minutes.

Potential Drawbacks of the Breville Barista Touch Impress

No product is perfect, and the Breville Barista Touch Impress has a few drawbacks worth mentioning. For one, it’s definitely on the pricey side. This machine is an investment, and while I believe it’s worth the cost for the features it offers, it may not be within everyone’s budget.

Another minor issue I noticed is that the grinder, while efficient, can be a bit noisy. It’s not a deal-breaker for me, but if you’re sensitive to noise early in the morning, it’s something to consider. Additionally, the automatic features, while convenient, might take away some of the satisfaction that comes from mastering the art of espresso for those who enjoy a fully hands-on experience.

Who Is the Breville Barista Touch Impress Best For?

If you’re someone who loves high-quality coffee but doesn’t want to deal with the intricacies of a fully manual espresso machine, the Breville Barista Touch Impress is perfect for you. It’s also an excellent option for households with multiple coffee drinkers, thanks to the ability to create and save multiple profiles.

For those who are just starting their espresso journey, this machine is a great way to learn without the frustration that can sometimes come with dialing in a manual machine. More experienced users will appreciate the quality of the espresso and the level of control over customization, even if some of the processes are automated.

Conclusion: Is the Breville Barista Touch Impress Worth It?

After using the Breville Barista Touch Impress for several weeks, I can confidently say that it’s an impressive machine that bridges the gap between automation and manual espresso-making in a way that few other machines do. The assisted tamping system, automatic milk frothing, and intuitive touchscreen make it accessible for beginners while still offering enough customization for those who are more experienced.

The machine is not without its drawbacks—it’s pricey, and some coffee purists might miss the fully manual experience—but overall, it’s a well-designed, high-quality product that delivers on its promises. If you’re looking for a convenient way to enjoy barista-quality coffee at home, the Breville Barista Touch Impress is certainly worth considering.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Breville Barista Touch Impress

Q: Is the Breville Barista Touch Impress suitable for beginners?A: Absolutely! The Breville Barista Touch Impress is perfect for beginners due to its intuitive touchscreen and assisted tamping system. It walks you through each step of making espresso, ensuring a consistent and delicious result every time.

Q: How long does it take for the Breville Barista Touch Impress to heat up?A: The Breville Barista Touch Impress features a ThermoJet heating system that heats up in about three seconds. This means you can start brewing your coffee almost immediately, which is perfect for those rushed mornings.

Q: Can I customize the drink settings?A: Yes, you can customize everything from the grind size, dose, shot temperature, to the milk texture. You can even save your personalized settings for future use, making it easy to create your favorite drinks consistently.

Q: How difficult is it to clean the Breville Barista Touch Impress?A: Cleaning is quite straightforward. The machine has a built-in cleaning cycle and provides step-by-step instructions on the touchscreen. The drip tray, water tank, and steam wand are all easy to remove and clean. Additionally, the machine provides alerts when it’s time to clean or descale.

Q: Does the Breville Barista Touch Impress have automatic milk frothing?A: Yes, it does. The steam wand is fully automatic and can froth milk to a variety of textures. You can adjust the temperature and texture, which makes it great for creating lattes, cappuccinos, and even practicing latte art.

Q: Is the grinder noisy?A: The integrated grinder can be a bit noisy, especially early in the morning. However, it’s efficient and grinds the coffee quickly, so the noise doesn’t last long.

Q: Is the Breville Barista Touch Impress worth the price?A: While it’s on the pricier side, the features and convenience it offers make it a worthwhile investment for coffee enthusiasts. If you value a combination of quality, ease of use, and customization, this machine is worth considering.