Breville Espresso Machines and Coffee Makers Compared

Delicious hot coffee is a great way to start the day. But how that coffee is prepared can make all the difference. At-home espresso machines and coffee makers have never been more popular. And it’s no wonder, with regular coffee shop customers now spending roughly $2,000 per year on average on their favorite barista-served beverages. Thankfully, it’s a cost that coffee lovers can slash by getting a machine at home.

Manufacturers such as Breville now produce an incredible range of espresso machines and coffee makers. So, whether someone is a fan of a simple Americano or a fancier cappuccino, frappe, or mocha, today it’s easier than ever to whip up a hot brew in the comfort of your own kitchen. Espresso machines and coffee makers are also an increasingly popular addition to effective home office setups and other spaces. However, it’s vital to remember that a person’s drink preference is integral in choosing the best appliance for the task.

Most consumers make the choice between a standard coffee maker and a more focused espresso machine. With any number of coffee systems now available, deciding one way or another can be somewhat overwhelming. With that, it’s a good idea to compare espresso machines and coffee makers, in particular. And with the 90-year-old Australian brand a long-standing market leader, where better to start than with multi-award-winning manufacturer Breville?

Most coffee lovers agree that espresso machines provide a more authentic, richer, and creamier result than basic carafe-style coffee makers. Espresso machines also allow for greater control, particularly as far as desired strength. That said, they’re generally more costly. They’re also trickier to use, often requiring a little trial and error to get the best results, especially at the outset.

When it comes to simplicity, it’s hard to argue with the proposition on offer from Breville’s Bambino espresso machine. Still, this simplicity comes at a cost. The Bambino retails for $299.95, which is way ahead of the price of entry-level coffee makers. Where Breville’s Bambino excels, though, is in providing professional results at home. Delivering barista-quality performance, its sole purpose is to turn freshly ground beans into hot, delicious coffee.

Much beyond that, the coffee-making process is down to the individual adding water, milk, or anything else necessary to create the perfect drink. Of course, coffee purists will simply enjoy their espresso as a shot. And while there’s no automation to speak of, perfectly tailoring that shot is wholly possible thanks to the Bambino’s optimal water pressure and precise temperature control.

Unlike cheaper alternatives from other brands, Breville’s proprietary ThermoJet heating system also ensures that the Bambino achieves the optimum temperature in just three seconds. As a result, there’s never any need to wait for that all-important next shot of espresso.

Compared to espresso machines, coffee makers are a more straightforward proposition. However, their ease of use continues to make them a go-to appliance for many people, including even discerning coffee aficionados. There’s often a value to be had in their simplicity, especially when looking for a grab-and-go option.

Where a grab-and-go solution is the order of the day, it’s hard to beat Breville’s best-selling Precision Brewer Glass. Unlike basic coffee makers, it promises to automatically brew the perfect cup of filter coffee every time. Features include six brewing presets such as fast, strong, and iced, as well as customizable parameters for brew temperature, flow rate, and bloom time.

Precision Brewer Glass buyers also get the same proprietary heating system found in Breville’s Bambino espresso machine, designed to grant a great-tasting, sensor-controlled pot of coffee with every use. What all of this does mean, however, is that while it’s possible to pick up cheap coffee machines from other brands for under $50, the Breville Precision Brewer Glass costs $279.95.

That’s roughly the same cost as the more focused espresso-only Breville Bambino. With that, and viewed side-by-side, the pair nicely demonstrates the main differences between espresso machines and coffee makers, even from the same brand and at an almost identical price point.

Breville’s range of appliances is ever-growing, from coffee makers and espresso machines to blenders, bread makers, food processors, juicers, microwaves, mixers, and toasters. And while all come with at least a one-year limited warranty, they should go on to last for a decade or more when carefully looked after. An extended appliance warranty is a great way to ensure that your small appliances are well-cared-for.

With Upsie, coverage is available at up to 70 percent less than the cost of small appliance warranties sold elsewhere. In addition, the benefits of an Upsie coffee machine warranty include complete protection against manufacturing defects, mechanical faults, and other failures. With Upsie, customers can make unlimited claims up to an appliance’s purchase price with no deductible.