Breville Barista Touch Impress Review

As a dedicated coffee enthusiast, I'm always on the lookout for ways to bring the café experience into my home. I love the smell of freshly brewed espresso and the ritual of creating the perfect cup. Recently, I decided to test out the Breville Barista Touch Impress, a machine that promises the ultimate combination of ease and quality. After weeks of using this impressive machine, I’m ready to share my detailed review. Here’s everything you need to know about the Breville Barista Touch Impress and how it holds up to its reputation.

Unboxing the Breville Barista Touch Impress

The moment I unboxed the Breville Barista Touch Impress, I knew I was in for a treat. The packaging was sleek and secure, with every component carefully arranged. The machine itself had a stylish stainless steel finish that immediately caught my eye. Its relatively compact size made it a good fit on my kitchen counter, and I appreciated that it came with all the necessary accessories—portafilter, tamper, milk jug, and cleaning tools.

Setting up the machine was surprisingly simple, even for someone like me who can get easily intimidated by advanced coffee machines. The step-by-step guide on the touchscreen was easy to follow, and within minutes, I had the machine plugged in, the water reservoir filled, and was ready for my first brew.

Breville Barista Touch Impress Touchscreen: A Game Changer

One of the first features that I fell in love with was the interactive touchscreen. Unlike traditional espresso machines that can feel overwhelming with dials and buttons, the Breville Barista Touch Impress simplifies the entire process with its modern and intuitive screen. The screen displays various drink options—everything from espresso to latte—and the user simply selects their drink of choice.

The interface also allows you to customize your drinks with ease. For instance, if you’re picky about how strong your espresso is or the temperature of your milk, you can adjust these settings directly on the screen and even save them for future use. As someone who loves consistency in my coffee, I found this feature to be extremely helpful.

Brewing Espresso with the Breville Barista Touch Impress

Brewing with the Breville Barista Touch Impress is both fun and rewarding. The machine has a built-in grinder, which means you can use fresh coffee beans for every brew. The grinder has 25 settings, allowing you to choose the right grind size for your preferred brew. I found that the assisted tamping function was a standout feature. It’s designed to ensure that your coffee is tamped with the perfect amount of pressure every time—no more guessing if you've tamped too lightly or too hard.

The Impress Puck System made the entire tamping process practically effortless. It automatically adjusts the grind dose and provides the perfect pressure for tamping. This precision resulted in a consistently rich espresso shot, topped with a smooth crema. This is ideal for someone like me, who enjoys good espresso without the guesswork.

How the Breville Barista Touch Impress Handles Milk Steaming

For those who love milk-based drinks like lattes or cappuccinos, the Breville Barista Touch Impress does not disappoint. The steam wand is automatic and creates beautifully textured microfoam, which is perfect for latte art. I simply had to choose my desired milk temperature and texture on the touchscreen, and the steam wand handled the rest.

The milk texturing capabilities are one of my favorite features. I’ve used other machines before that required manual steam wands, which can be a bit tricky to master. The Breville Barista Touch Impress takes all the guesswork out of it, allowing even beginners to produce perfectly textured milk. I’ve started practicing my latte art, and though I’m not an expert yet, this machine gives me the foundation I need to keep improving.

Customizing Your Perfect Cup with the Breville Barista Touch Impress

Customization is where the Breville Barista Touch Impress truly shines. If you’re like me and enjoy experimenting with different coffee strengths, milk textures, and temperatures, you’ll love the level of control this machine offers. The touchscreen lets you create and save up to eight different personalized drinks, which is great if multiple people in your household have different preferences.

I customized my morning latte to have an extra shot of espresso and set the milk to a higher temperature for those cold winter mornings. Meanwhile, my partner prefers a regular flat white with medium heat, and the machine can store both of these preferences under our names. This feature makes the Breville Barista Touch Impress feel like it’s truly tailored to our needs.

Cleaning and Maintenance of the Breville Barista Touch Impress

One of my biggest worries with espresso machines has always been cleaning and maintenance. Let’s be honest—no one likes spending extra time scrubbing and descaling their coffee machine. The Breville Barista Touch Impress makes the cleaning process straightforward and manageable.

The machine provides reminders on the touchscreen for when it’s time to clean or descale. The drip tray and the water reservoir are easy to remove, making it a breeze to keep everything clean. The steam wand also has an automatic purge function, which means it self-cleans after every use, preventing milk buildup. For someone who values convenience, this made all the difference.

Comparing the Breville Barista Touch Impress to Other Machines

I’ve had the opportunity to use a variety of espresso machines over the years, and I’ll admit that not all of them were easy to operate. The Breville Barista Touch Impress stands out because of its blend of automation and control. It’s more advanced than entry-level espresso machines like the Breville Bambino Plus, and it provides more control and customization compared to the Breville Barista Express.

Compared to the Breville Barista Express Impress, which requires a bit more manual input, the Breville Barista Touch Impress is more suitable for someone who wants quality espresso with minimal effort. The touchscreen, automated tamping, and automatic milk steaming are features that elevate this machine, making it a premium choice for those who appreciate good coffee without the hassle.

Is the Breville Barista Touch Impress Worth the Investment?

If you’re considering investing in the Breville Barista Touch Impress, you’re likely someone who values high-quality coffee and convenience. At its price point, it’s definitely an investment, but for me, it’s been worth every penny. The convenience of having café-quality coffee at my fingertips, without having to leave my house, is hard to put a price on.

The consistent quality of the espresso, the ease of use, and the level of customization all contribute to making this machine a standout choice. If you’re tired of subpar coffee makers or long lines at your local café, the Breville Barista Touch Impress might just be the solution you’ve been looking for.

My Favorite Drinks to Make with the Breville Barista Touch Impress

I’ve had so much fun experimenting with different coffee drinks using the Breville Barista Touch Impress. My go-to drink is a double-shot latte with slightly frothy milk—the richness of the espresso pairs so well with the creamy texture. I’ve also enjoyed making cappuccinos, Americanos, and even flat whites for friends and family who come over.

The machine’s ability to switch seamlessly between different drinks makes it feel like I’m my own barista. The touchscreen provides detailed instructions for each type of drink, which is a great learning tool for anyone wanting to expand their coffee repertoire.

Pros and Cons of the Breville Barista Touch Impress

Pros:

• Easy-to-use touchscreen interface
• Built-in grinder with multiple grind settings
• Assisted tamping for consistent espresso shots
• Automatic milk texturing with adjustable temperature and froth level
• Customizable drink settings for up to eight different drinks
• Compact design with a premium finish

Cons:

• Price may be steep for some budgets
• Limited to two coffee bean types without frequent hopper changes
• The water reservoir could be slightly larger for less frequent refills

These minor drawbacks, in my opinion, are far outweighed by the convenience and quality of the machine. The Breville Barista Touch Impress delivers consistently great coffee and makes the process enjoyable rather than daunting.

Product Review Conclusion: Is the Breville Barista Touch Impress Right for You?

The Breville Barista Touch Impress is a fantastic choice for anyone who loves great coffee and wants a machine that simplifies the process without compromising on quality. From the easy-to-use touchscreen to the consistent grind and tamp, every feature is designed to make brewing coffee at home an enjoyable experience. The ability to customize drinks and save your preferences adds a personal touch that many other machines lack.

While it’s certainly an investment, I believe the Breville Barista Touch Impress is worth it for those who want a top-tier espresso experience at home. Whether you're a seasoned coffee enthusiast or a beginner looking to up your coffee game, this machine provides a perfect blend of technology, convenience, and quality. I know I’ll be enjoying my homemade café-quality coffee for years to come.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is the Breville Barista Touch Impress suitable for beginners?

A: Absolutely! The Breville Barista Touch Impress is perfect for beginners. The touchscreen guides you through each step, from grinding the beans to steaming the milk. The automated features like assisted tamping and automatic milk texturing make it easy to achieve quality results without extensive experience.

Q: How much customization does the Breville Barista Touch Impress offer?

A: The machine offers extensive customization. You can adjust the strength of your espresso, the milk temperature, and the texture to your liking. Additionally, you can save up to eight personalized drink settings, making it easy to recreate your favorite beverages consistently.

Q: Is it easy to clean the Breville Barista Touch Impress?

A: Yes, the Breville Barista Touch Impress is designed with ease of cleaning in mind. It has automatic cleaning functions, such as the steam wand purging itself after each use. The machine also provides reminders when it’s time to descale or run a cleaning cycle, and its components are easy to disassemble for thorough cleaning.

Q: How does the Breville Barista Touch Impress compare to the Breville Barista Express?

A: The Breville Barista Touch Impress has a more advanced touchscreen interface and offers more automated features compared to the Barista Express. While the Barista Express requires more manual intervention, the Touch Impress is ideal for those seeking convenience and consistency with minimal effort.

Q: Can I make multiple types of drinks with the Breville Barista Touch Impress?

A: Yes, the Breville Barista Touch Impress allows you to create a wide range of beverages, including espresso, lattes, cappuccinos, and flat whites. The touchscreen interface makes it easy to select and customize each drink, making it versatile enough for various preferences.

Q: Is the Breville Barista Touch Impress worth the price?

A: While it is an investment, the Breville Barista Touch Impress is worth the price for those who value high-quality coffee and convenience. The automated features, customization options, and overall ease of use make it a great addition for anyone who loves great coffee at home.