Breville Barista Pro

The Barista Pro is Breville's mid all-in-one: integrated conical burr grinder, 54mm portafilter, a fast ThermoJet heating system (ready in about 3 seconds), a 4-hole steam wand many find easier for milk, and a simple LCD. It's the upgrade path from the original Barista Express for people who want one machine that grinds and brews with quicker heat-up and nicer steaming.

The community views the Barista Pro as a strong, sensible all-in-one — the ThermoJet heat-up and the 4-hole wand are real improvements over the older Express, and the 30-setting grinder gives reasonable dial-in room. The familiar caveats: the built-in grinder is convenient but not as capable as a dedicated standalone, it's single-boiler so there's a brief brew-to-steam switch, and enthusiasts note the usual ceiling on a built-in-grinder machine. But for an everything-in-one-box experience without the assisted tamp of the Impress, it's well-liked.

It's best for buyers who want a single all-in-one with fast heat-up and good milk steaming, and who don't need the assisted tamping of the Impress models. At around $900 it sits above the Barista Express Impress in capability-of-steaming/heating but without the Impress tamp assist, and below the touchscreen Touch. Compared to a Bambino Plus plus a separate grinder, the Barista Pro trades ultimate grinder quality for the convenience of one box; compared to the Express Impress, you trade the assisted tamp for faster heat-up and the nicer 4-hole wand.