2024’s in-depth breville barista pro review: top home espresso choice?

Heating Systems: ThermoJet vs Thermocoil

In comparing the Breville Barista Pro and Barista Express, one of the pivotal differences lies in their heating systems: the ThermoJet and the Thermocoil, respectively. These systems are crucial as they directly affect the machine’s heat-up time and the consistency of the shots produced.

ThermoJet Heating System

The ThermoJet heating system, utilized by the Breville Barista Pro, is lauded for its rapid heat-up capabilities. With this system, the Barista Pro can reach the optimum brewing temperature in just:

Heat-up time: Approximately 3 seconds

The quick heat-up is advantageous for brewing multiple shots consecutively, offering minimal wait time and higher temperature stability. This makes the ThermoJet system particularly efficient for users who are time-conscious and prefer a quick transition between espresso shots and steam function.

Thermocoil Heating System

In contrast, the Thermocoil heating system is the technology behind the Breville Barista Express. The characteristics of this system include:

Heat-up time: Roughly 30 seconds

Although it takes longer to reach the right temperature compared to the ThermoJet, the thermocoil still performs effectively for standard home use. The Breville Barista Express provides a balance between performance and cost, suitable for users who may prioritize value over speed.

Breville Barista Pro Review Overview

I’d call the Barista Pro a diamond in the rough, but that implies Breville’s other machines, such as the Barista Express or Barista Touch, are a shoddy bunch. Both of those machines shine brightly on their own, which is why I think the Barista Pro is so easy for people to overlook.

However, I think it’s time we all pay close attention, because there are a lot of impressive features involved with this machine. As I’ll demonstrate in this Breville Barista Pro review, it’s the missing puzzle piece that connects the Barista Touch to the Barista Express.

At 849.95, it’s a more affordable machine than the Barista Touch – but it has many of the features that I wish the Barista Express had. Still, there is one glaring omission that left me feeling pretty frustrated. I’ll get to that a little later.

Features aside, if you’re a fan of Breville’s usual retro aesthetics, the Barista Pro’s appearance may disappoint. The machine has traded analog controls and pressure gauges for an LCD screen. Personally, I appreciate the updated look of the Barista Pro. It’s a good indicator that this is a higher end machine with lots going on under that stainless steel housing.

At 20 pounds (9.1 kilograms), it’s also one of the more lightweight machines in Breville’s lineup. Still, I’m not sure it’s compact enough for me to dub this a great option for RVs or studio apartments. After all, you’ll find plenty of ultra compact espresso machines around this price range.

Anyway, I don’t think most people will mind giving up a few extra inches of counter space when they see what kind of capabilities the Barista Pro is packing under its hood.

Key Features Compared

When examining the Breville Barista Pro and the Breville Barista Express, it’s essential to consider the specific features that contribute to the espresso-making process. Let’s start with the heating systems. The Barista Pro employs the innovative ThermoJet technology, which significantly reduces the heat-up time to a mere 3 seconds, whereas the Barista Express uses the Thermocoil system, which takes about 30 seconds to heat up.

Display and Controls

• Breville Barista Pro: It boasts an LCD display offering real-time feedback on the coffee-making process, including grind size, dose, and water temperature.
• Breville Barista Express: Comes with an analog pressure gauge and more manual controls, providing a traditional espresso machine experience.

Grinding

Both units come equipped with an integrated conical burr grinder, but the Pro offers 30 grind settings as opposed to the Express’ 18 settings. This provides us with a more precise grind size control on the Pro which can impact the taste of the espresso.

Feature	Barista Pro	Barista Express
Heating System	ThermoJet	Thermocoil
Display	LCD digital display	Analog pressure gauge
Heat-up Time	3 seconds	30 seconds
Grind Settings	30	18

Performance

• The Barista Pro and the Barista Express both enable us to froth milk for creamy milk-based drinks, make use of a professional-grade 54mm portafilter, and come with a tamper for even coffee distribution.
• The water tank capacity is ample in both models, ensuring we don’t have to refill frequently.

User Experience

• The Barista Pro’s additional features tend to lean towards more automation and ease, potentially providing a smoother experience, especially for beginners.
• The Barista Express may appeal more to those of us who enjoy the hands-on aspect of pulling the perfect shot, as it offers more manual involvement.

Understanding the variances between these two can help us align their features with our espresso preferences and needs.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are answers to some common questions about the Breville Barista Pro:

Is Breville Barista Pro worth it?

Absolutely! If you want to have a great-tasting espresso drink, the Breville Barista Pro is perfect for you. This machine has faster heat-up time and richer extraction control with PID technology which means that it can give your coffee just the right taste every single cup! It also comes with an integrated grinder so that each dose of beans will be perfectly ground before being brewed into delicious espresso drinks. If these features are what make up a good machine, then this one’s worth $1000!

What is the difference between Breville Barista Express and Pro?

You can differentiate Barista Express from Barista Pro based on its physical features of the control panel, the grinder settings, and the steam pressure. When you operate the Express to brew coffee or adjust the grind settings,  you will need to read the manual first, so you’ll know which buttons to press on its analog display. Yet, when you brew coffee with Barista Pro, the digital display makes it easy to operate the machine with your fingertips.

The grinder settings of Express are not as fine-tuned as Barista Pro, where the grind step adjustment size is smaller compared to that of Express’. But it isn’t a big deal because the Barista Pro only provides a more acceptable adjustment resolution. Lastly, the Barista Express steam pressure caters to a single back-back espresso shot, while the Barista Pro’s steam pressure leans towards brewing coffee for large groups.

Does the Breville Barista Pro make coffee?

Yes. The Barista Pro has a 3-second heat up, a built-in smart grinder, and precise espresso extraction functions. Such main features categorize the Pro as a bean-to-cup coffee maker. 

How to Clean the Breville Barista Pro?

When cleaning the Barista Pro, you can use a soft cloth or a mild detergent but never an alkaline cleaning agent. You can either have the flush cleaning cycle or descaling depending on what the control panel indicates for maintenance.For the flush cleaning cycle, you should:* Insert the cleaning disc into the filter basket located inside the portafilter.* Put the cleaning tablet at the top of the disc.* Secure the portafilter into the group head by locking it.* Before you fill the water tank up to the MAX mark, empty first the drip tray.* Press the Menu button to view the main menu settings.* Navigate the grind amount dial to FLUSH before pressing the SELECT option, and you will see that the 1-CUP button lights up.* Press the 1-Cup button to start the flush cleaning cycle. Once the machine starts cleaning, you’ll see the timer on the screen display.* The espresso machine will beep to notify you that it completed the flush cleaning cycle and is ready for brewing.* Before you brew, make sure that you empty and wash the portafilter and the drip tray and remove the cleaning disc. If you find that there’s still a cleaning tablet left, repeat the flush cleaning cycle.

What do users say about the Barista Pro?

Positives

Many reviewers of this coffee machine love the addition of the Thermojet heating feature. Users appreciate the three-second heat-up time, and its ability to keep hot water ready from pulling shots to steaming milk.

Likewise, this advanced heating system does make easy work of brewing consecutive espresso shots without the device overheating. The Barista Pro is also quieter than its predecessor (the Barista Express), which makes the brewing experience more pleasant. 

Users have also found the updated LCD digital display makes the grinder and coffee machine easy to use. While there is a learning curve for figuring out the brewing time and grind that works best, the interface makes fine-tuning your brewing specifications seamless. The backlit display also compliments the stainless steel appearance of the Barista Pro, making it a sleek and modern addition to any kitchen space. 

Furthermore, one of the most comment points of praise for the Breville Barista Pro is the convenience behind its all-in-one brewing design. With the purchase of this coffee machine, users also gain access to a quality burr grinder and refined milk frother.

The build quality and thoughtful engineering of all features on this device not only make it great value but also allow for it to last for years if well-maintained.

Negatives

One of the primary flaws cited with the Barista Pro is its lack of a pressure gauge. For many reviewers of this coffee maker, the shift from a pressure-based brewing system to a time-focused system was a struggle. Many users found it difficult to time their shot for a quality cup of coffee. While many reviews voiced some difficulty in adjusting to a time-based brewing system, many mentioned finding success after some practice. 

Likewise, users have found that the extraction level to be inconsistent when brewing consecutive cups of coffee. So while this device excels once you lock in the timing, under-extracted coffee is common after multiple shots. Users have found that between shots, they need to alter the grind of the coffee or the brewing time in order to achieve a more consistent extraction rate.

One final quirk that is common in Barista Pro reviews is the steam wand can be difficult to clean. Some of this has to do with the temperature level of the milk frother while it’s heating. Many users have mentioned the milk frother gets so hot that the milk dries on the wand, making it difficult to clean. Likewise, this can cause the milk frother to clog. Regular cleaning, and soaking the steam wand with hot water can help with this issue.

Breville Barista Pro Cleaning

The real joy of owning an espresso machine comes from cleaning and descaling it, right? Well, maybe it’s just me that feels like that. Either way, I can’t wrap up my Breville Barista Pro review without telling you how to keep your machine looking and performing its best.

As far as espresso machine maintenance goes, caring for the Barista Pro is no different than most semi automatics. There are things you’ll need to do after every use, as well as occasional descaling.

Speaking of descaling, the Barista Pro does include a water filter, which should eliminate the need for frequent cleaning cycles. Oh, and before you ask, yes, you’ll need to eventually replace the water filter. Fortunately, it’s easy to get hold of a replacement Breville Claro Swiss Water Filter on Amazon.

Even with the water filter installed, you’ll probably need to run the cleaning cycle every couple of months. The good news about descaling the Barista Pro? The machine will remind you when it’s time to descale. I recommend using Durgol Descaler for the best results.

There’s also a second indicator that lets you know when it’s time to run a flush cycle. A flush cycle does exactly what you’d think. It flushes coffee oil residue from the group head and prevents buildup. For this, you’ll need to get hold of Breville espresso machine cleaning tablets.

Of course, you will need to keep up with more frequent maintenance too. This includes wiping off the portafilter after each use. To purge the group head, run hot water through the portafilter after every espresso shot. You can use a similar tactic on the steam wand by purging the milk residue from the wand.

That may seem like a lot to keep up with. However, all things considered, the Barista Pro is still relatively low-maintenance.

Общая характеристика

ABOUT THIS REVIEW – AND OUR REVIEWER

Cynthia Lawrence is a freelance lifestyle and homes/interiors journalist, and writes for various national publications. With an unhealthy obsession for all things homes and gardens, she also has an interior design . When she’s not spending time surfing online for decor inspiration to revamp her 1930s home, she is busy reviewing some pretty awesome home appliances.

A regular contributor to Real Homes, she has written for Livingetc., Gardeningetc., Ideal Home, T3.com, Top Ten Reviews and House Beautiful amongst others. 

The Gastroback Design Espresso Barista Pro Coffee Machine was loaned to Cynthia by . It was tested extensively over a period of  two weeks. This was while Cynthia and her husband were working from home which meant it got plenty of use with regular (and much needed!) coffee breaks. While this was her first barista style pro coffee machine to test, it certainly passed for her favourite cappuccinos and lattes. 

Barista Express vs Touch vs Pro Comparison

The Barista Touch and Barista Express sit either side of the Pro in Breville’s line-up. The table below shows the differences between each machine.

	Barista Touch	Barista Pro	Barista Express
Link to Instruction book	BES880	BES878	BES870
RRP	$1,699	$1,299	$999
Check Price	Catch, Bing Lee, The Good Guys	Amazon, Bing Lee, The Good Guys	Amazon, Bing Lee, The Good Guys
Boilers	Single	Single	Single
Heating System	Dual ThermoJet	Thermojet	Thermocoil
Power	1680 Watts	1680 Watts	1850 Watts
Dimensions	32 x 41 x 32 cm (WxDxH)	35 x 41 x 41 cm (WxDxH)	33.8 x 31.3 x 40.7 cm (WxDxH)
Material	Brushed Stainless Steel	Brushed Stainless Steel	Brushed Stainless Steel
Pump Pressure	Not stated	9 Bar	15 Bar
Pre Infusion	Yes	Yes	Yes
Auto Purge Function	Yes	Yes	Yes
PID Temperature Control	Yes	Yes	Yes
Over Pressure Valve	No	No	No
Espresso Pressure Gauge	No	No	Yes
Water Tank Size	2.5L	2L	2L
Integrated Grinder	Yes	Yes	Yes
Bean Hopper Capacity	250g	250g	250g
Automatic Dosing	Yes	Yes	Yes
Colour Touch Screen	Yes	No	No
Backlit LCD Screen	n/a	Yes	No
Rapid Heat Up	Yes	Yes	No
Auto On	No	No	No
Auto Off	Yes	Yes	Yes
Shot Volume Control	Yes	Yes	Yes
Programmable Shot Temp	No	Yes	Yes
Shot Clock	No	Yes	No
Instant Hot Water	Yes	Yes	Yes
Auto Milk Texturing	Yes	No	No
Saved Coffee Settings	8	2	2
Dual Wall Filter Baskets	Yes	Yes	Yes
Portafilter Size	54mm	54mm	54mm
Heated Group Head	No	No	No
Dry Puck Feature	Yes	Yes	Yes
Warranty	2 Years	2 Years	1 Year

Product Videos

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5. Breville Barista Pro Vs Touch: All the Differences & Similarities Between These Two Brevilles
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References

• Breville Barista Pro: https://www.breville.com/us/en/products/espresso/bes878.html
• Delonghi La Specialista: https://www.delonghi.com/en/ec9335-m-la-specialista-manual-espresso-maker/p/EC9335.M

Setting up

(Image credit: Gastroback)

In the box

Stainless steel milk jug – for texturing milk

Metal tamper for pressing the coffee powder

Different espresso filter baskets –1 or 2 cups 

Cleaning brush for the grinder 

Needle tool for cleaning clogged pores in the filter basket or the milk foam nozzle 

It’s definitely a sturdy bit of kit so lifting the machine out of the box and onto the kitchen worktop was quite a chore. Nevertheless, in comparison to similar, pro-style coffee machines, this is a decent size that’s not too cumbersome in size. 

Setting up the machine was surprisingly straightforward. The main machine is practically set up already, but you are required to install certain parts such as the bean hopper, the drip tray and the water tank, which also obviously needs to be filled with fresh water every time you use it. It’s fully programmable, so once you put your beans or ground coffee in, you’re ready to go at just a press of a button!

Breville: The Brand

As experts in the world of home appliances, we’re well-acquainted with Breville, a company that has made a substantial impact on the kitchen industry. This Australian brand, founded in Sydney in 1932, has established a reputation for innovative design and high-quality products. Breville has consistently been at the forefront of technology in small kitchen appliances, gaining global recognition and a loyal customer base.

We can attest to Breville’s dedication to performance and style, as they continually introduce products that blend fine craftsmanship with practicality. Espresso machines, like the Breville Barista Pro and Barista Express, are among their most popular offerings, embodying the company’s commitment to bringing professional-grade coffee-making to the home environment. With Breville, you’re only a touch away from the 4-keys formula used by professional coffee machines.

With a focus on user experience, Breville’s appliances often boast:

• Intuitive interfaces: Simplifying operation for users of all skill levels.
• Advanced technology: Implementing features such as precise temperature controls and powerful heating systems.
• Durability: Constructing devices with robust materials that stand the test of time.

In the realm of espresso makers, Breville excels with a broad range of options that cater to varying needs and preferences. Our knowledge confirms that the brand prioritizes both innovation and accessibility, making professional coffee brewing an attainable goal for home baristas.

Продукция «Нескафе»

How to Use the Breville Barista Pro Espresso Machine

I’ve spent a lot of time talking up this espresso maker in my Breville Barista Pro review, but that’s not all I’m here for. Let’s put words into action and talk about how to actually use this machine to prepare espresso.

If you’re using the Barista Pro for the first time, make sure to rinse all removable parts. After all, the last thing you want is dusty coffee that tastes like plastic! Once that’s done, the machine will perform an initial system flush. Just follow the onscreen instructions and you’ll be all set.

Drink Preparation

Operating some espresso machines can feel like rocket science, but the Barista Pro isn’t one of them. Pulling a shot is fairly easy, although you will probably need the user manual if you plan to tinker with some of its more advanced settings.

• Step one is fairly obvious. Turn on the espresso machine, add water to the reservoir and fill the hopper with coffee beans.

• Now it’s go time. Place the portafilter into the grinding cradle, then press and release for automatic dosing. If you want to dose manually, press and hold the portafilter in the grinding cradle.The default setting for grind size is 15, which isn’t a bad place to start for a first time user. You can always use the grind control dial to adjust it.

• Distribute the grinds evenly in the portafilter and tamp them down. Consistent tamping can take some practice, but once you get good at it, it’ll be like riding a bike.

• At this point, make sure to warm your espresso cups using the Barista Pro’s dedicated hot water spout.

• Lock your portafilter into the brew head, press the single or double shot button and watch the magic happen.

Don’t forget to check the extraction time. Remember – you’re aiming for 20 seconds for a single shot and around 30 seconds for a double. If you’re too far outside that range, you’ll need to adjust the grind and dose settings.

Breville Barista Pro Observations

As I already mentioned, the absence of a dosing funnel really colored my experience of using the Breville Barista Pro. I mean, if you’re using a hybrid espresso machine like this and coffee grounds are going absolutely everywhere, something’s wrong, right?

Still, once I calmed down and put aside my frustrations, I actually found a lot to love about this machine. While the grinder is really noisy, it works remarkably consistently. Clumping issues and some grind retention in the chute aside, I was able to dial in my shots with ease. 

Of course, I used my trusty coffee scale the whole time, which helped a lot. Still, the timed dosing function got me in the right zone and was consistently accurate.

I started out with a grinder setting of 15, and dosed the portafilter with 18 grams of coffee. I’ve found that dose to be the sweet spot with 54mm filter baskets. Still, you might need to increase or decrease by a gram or two depending on the beans you’re using.

As I mentioned earlier, Breville sends its machines out with an extended pre-infusion time, so I recommend dialing it back to about 5 seconds. You can either program this or just use the manual function. Personally, I prefer a more hands-on approach. 

Like I said, dialing in was painless, and I was getting great results after a couple of shots. I ended up going a couple of clicks finer and keeping the dose at 18 grams. My espresso was sweet, complex and syrupy – just how I like it. Plus, the Barista Pro produced some pretty darn impressive crema.

By the way, the user interface is awesome, and I loved the way the digital screen displays your shot’s status. And having a shot timer is always a huge bonus. Still, if only Breville would put a pressure gauge on all its machines …

Quick Rundown Of Delonghi La Specialista

De’Longhi La Specialista Espresso Machine with Sensor Grinder, Dual Heating System, Advanced Latte System & Hot Water Spout for Americano Coffee or Tea, Black, EC9335BK

• Note: 1)Too coarse a grind, too little coffee, or insufficiently tamping the grounds before brewing can all lead to inadequate pressure for a proper brew. 2)It is important to note that the amount of espresso extracted will vary depending on the grind size and amount and reprogramming may be needed when the size and amount are adjusted
• FRESHEST COFFEE, EVERY TIME: Integrated grinder with Patent Pending Technology delivers consistent grinding and optimal coffee dose.
• HANDCRAFTED PRECISION: Smart Tamping Station ensures the right pressure for flawless results
• 1 SECOND QUICK START Power the machine on and immediately start grinding
• ACTIVE TEMPERATURE CONTROL: Provides ideal temperature stability for optimal coffee extraction

Last update on 2024-06-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Pros

• Dual thermoblocks.
• Automatic tamping.
• Easy to use and clean.
• Foldable cup raiser.
• Upgraded Panarello steam wand.

Cons

• No single-wall basket.
• Feel cheap.

Buy on Amazon

Breville Barista Pro Alternatives

The Breville Barista Pro might be out of your league and budget, but we have a few more coffee makers that might suit you just as well.

De’Longhi La Specialista Espresso Machine

La Specialista by De’Longhi has an advanced latte system where you can choose between flat or foam to make your favorite drinks. It also features two different heating systems: a Thermoblock for precise coffee extraction and an independent heating system for texturing or steaming milk. You get a 2-year warranty automatically, and a 3rd year if you register the purchase with De’Longhi.

Advanced Latte System

De’Longhi La Specialista Espresso Machine

★
★
★
★
★

The De’Longhi La Specialista is a professional-grade espresso machine featuring Sensor Grinding Technology for precise, consistent grinding, and a Smart Tamping Station for mess-free, optimal tamping.

It offers Active Temperature Control with two independent heating systems for coffee extraction and milk texturing, ensuring optimal temperature stability. The machine also includes an Advanced Latte System for customizable froth, a 1-Second Quick Start function for immediate brewing, and a separate hot water spout for Americanos and tea.

Breville Barista Touch

The Breville Barista Touch promotes the easiest way to make a delicious cuppa in 3 easy steps: grind, brew, and milk. It has an intuitive, swift, and select touchscreen display that allows you to adjust and save settings up to 8 personalized coffees. Its auto-steam wand adjusts the milk’s temperature to create a microfoam to your liking.

3-Second Heat-Up

Breville Barista Touch

★
★
★
★
★

The Breville Barista Touch espresso machine offers barista-quality performance with an easy-to-use touchscreen display, including pre-programmed coffee menus and automatic milk texturing within a compact design.

Key features include a ThermoJet heating system for a 3-second heat-up, an integrated grinder for fresh coffee on demand, and customizable settings for personalized coffee creations. It also boasts energy efficiency, precision burr grinders with 30 settings, and an interactive 3D setup guide, making it suitable for creating specialty coffee at home.

Details

Breville Barista Express

The Barista Express comes with an analog gauge button control. It also has the pre-infusion function of Barista Pro but is more advantageous than Barista Pro to pull out a single shot espresso and in micro-foam texturing. 

Built-in Grinder

Breville Barista Express

★
★
★
★
★

The Barista Express is a home espresso machine that grinds, doses, and extracts coffee to create third wave specialty coffee. It features an integrated conical burr grinder with precise temperature control and a manual steam wand for microfoam milk, essential for latte art.

It also features a 54mm stainless steel portafilter, PID temperature-controlled Thermocoil heating system, and an easy-to-use interface with volumetric shot control.

Details

Alternatives

How does Breville the Barista Pro compare to its competition?  We’ve lined it up against some of the best comparable coffee machines below.

Breville the Barista Express

This semi-automatic espresso machine is one of Breville’s most well-known models. While there are many similarities between the Barista Express and the Barista Pro, there are a few modifications made to distinguish these espresso machines in performance and price. 

The Breville Barista Express is a great mid-range espresso machine and was the design foundation for the Barista Pro model. While the Barista Pro includes an LCD display screen, the Barista Express features an analogue display.

The Barista Express also includes several additional buttons and an analogue pressure gauge. Instead of Thermojet heating, the Barista Express uses a Thermoblock heating system, which requires a slightly longer heat-up time. Like the Pro, the Breville Barista Express includes an integrated coffee grinder.

For users looking for a more affordable semi-automatic espresso machine, the Barista Express may be a suitable fit for you. While it doesn’t offer some of the bells and whistles the Barista Pro includes, it is an easy-to-use and reliable machine for users to gain experience.

DeLonghi La Specialista Pump Coffee Machine

The Delonghi La Specialista pump coffee machine offers similar features to the Breville Barista Pro for a more affordable price. This machine includes a built-in burr grinder, smart dosing control, and two independent heating systems for coffee and milk preparation. 

The La Specialista also includes some automated features to make the brewing process more efficient. This includes a smart tamping station to improve tamping effectiveness and consistency. Users can tamp directly into the filter holder by pushing a lever down on the machine. The tamping will stop when the correct pressure is delivered to the coffee grounds in the porta-filter.

Unique to the Specialista is an advanced latte system. Users are able to select between “flat” for hot milk or “foam” for milk frothing on the steam wand selector. Afterwards, users just place their milk jug under the steam wand and wait until the desired result is reached. 

Along with a few automated features, the Delonghi La Specialista includes three pre-set recipes for users to select an automatic brewing option. Users can also use the “My Function” to customize and save recipes for later uses.

Breville the Barista Touch

The Breville Barista Touch is great for users looking for the same high quality build as other Breville devices. While this coffee machine includes many features similar to the Barista Express and Pro, it integrates a touch screen display into the mix. 

Along with the integrated burr grinder, Thermojet heating, and a powerful steam wand, the Barista Touch includes an intuitive touch screen display that allows users to control every aspect of the brewing process from grinding to steaming.

Likewise, users can take ease of use to a new level by using the touch screen menu to adjust the coffee strength, milk texture, and temperature to suit their taste. This innovative device even allows users to save their brewing preferences for quicker coffee making.

The Barista Touch is more of an investment than the Barista Express or Barista Pro. For users looking for a machine that begins to bridge the gap between semi-automatic and fully automatic brewing, this device may be a good fit for you.