Breville Barista Express Impress vs Rancilio Silvia
Quick take: The Breville Barista Express Impress costs $100 less; the Breville Barista Express Impress has a built-in grinder; the Breville Barista Express Impress heats up faster (30 seconds).
| Spec | Breville Barista Express Impress | Rancilio Silvia |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $750 | $850 |
| Rating | 4.5★ (3,400) | 4.4★ (3,200) |
| Type | Semi-Automatic | Semi-Automatic |
| Boiler | Thermoblock | Single Boiler |
| Built-in grinder | Yes | No |
| Pump pressure | 15 bar | 15 bar |
| Water capacity | 67 oz | 40 oz |
| Warm-up time | 30 seconds | 15 minutes |
| Steam wand | Manual | Commercial Manual |
| Basket type | Pressurized & Unpressurized | Pressurized & Unpressurized |
| Best for | Enthusiasts | Purists |
| Dimensions | 13.5 x 12.5 x 15.8 in | 9.4 x 11.4 x 13.4 in |
| Weight | 23 lbs | 30 lbs |
| Warranty | 2 years | 2 years |
Pros & cons
Breville Barista Express Impress
- ✓Integrated grinder saves counter space
- ✓Assisted tamping for consistency
- ✓Good grind quality
- ✓Great value all-in-one
- ✗Large footprint
- ✗Thermoblock not ideal for back-to-back shots
- ✗Learning curve
Rancilio Silvia
- ✓Exceptional build quality
- ✓Brass boiler for thermal stability
- ✓Powerful steam wand
- ✓Will last decades
- ✗No PID (available as add-on)
- ✗Single boiler
- ✗Small water tank
- ✗Expensive for single boiler