Breville Dual Boiler vs Barista Pro: Top 3 Main Reasons Why the Dual Boiler Cost More

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For those who are seeking a home espresso machine, it could be confused between Breville Dual Boiler vs Barista Pro. However, my comparison below will help you pick out the better one depending on your preferences.

The Breville Dual Boiler is the more premium model between these 2. Therefore, it definitely provides users with more advanced features that the Barista Pro doesn’t have. As this product is equipped with an LCD display with a simple operation and operation method, it can support any barista to make the perfect cup of coffee every morning with ease.

Breville Barista Pro, in the runner-up place, comes with highly functional features such as fast heat-up and an integrated burr grinder. This is the reason why this type of espresso machine becomes so attractive and is deemed as an investment worth considering.

Breville Dual Boiler vs Barista Pro: Comparison Chart

Image
The Winner (#1)
Breville BES920XL Dual Boiler Espresso Machine,84 oz, Brushed Stainless Steel
The Runner-up (#2)
Breville Barista Pro Espresso Machine, 2 liters, Brushed Stainless Steel, BES878BSS
Model
Breville Dual Boiler BES920XL
Breville Barista Pro BES878BSS
Dimensions
14.7 x 14.8 x 14.7 Inches
13 x 12 x 13 Inches
Capacity
2.4 Liters
1.9 Liters
Material
Stainless Steel
Stainless Steel
Color
Brushed Stainless Steel
Brushed Stainless Steel
Weight
30 Pounds
20 Pounds
Power
1700 Watts
1680 Watts
Portafilter size
58 mm
54 mm
Warranty
2 Year Repair Warranty
2 Year Limited Product Warranty
Heating system
Dual boiler
ThermoJet
Dose Control Grinding
LCD Display
Dose Control Grinding
Flexible Shot Control
Optimal Water Pressure
PID controller
What I like
Price
Price not available
$839.95
The Winner (#1)
Image
Breville BES920XL Dual Boiler Espresso Machine,84 oz, Brushed Stainless Steel
Model
Breville Dual Boiler BES920XL
Dimensions
14.7 x 14.8 x 14.7 Inches
Capacity
2.4 Liters
Material
Stainless Steel
Color
Brushed Stainless Steel
Weight
30 Pounds
Power
1700 Watts
Portafilter size
58 mm
Warranty
2 Year Repair Warranty
Heating system
Dual boiler
Dose Control Grinding
LCD Display
Dose Control Grinding
Flexible Shot Control
Optimal Water Pressure
PID controller
What I like
Price
Price not available
More info
The Runner-up (#2)
Image
Breville Barista Pro Espresso Machine, 2 liters, Brushed Stainless Steel, BES878BSS
Model
Breville Barista Pro BES878BSS
Dimensions
13 x 12 x 13 Inches
Capacity
1.9 Liters
Material
Stainless Steel
Color
Brushed Stainless Steel
Weight
20 Pounds
Power
1680 Watts
Portafilter size
54 mm
Warranty
2 Year Limited Product Warranty
Heating system
ThermoJet
Dose Control Grinding
LCD Display
Dose Control Grinding
Flexible Shot Control
Optimal Water Pressure
PID controller
What I like
Price
$839.95
More info

Last update on 2023-05-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Breville Dual Boiler vs Barista Pro: Differences

When doing this comparison, we realize that the Breville Dual Boiler has a convenient and portable appearance. In addition, this coffee machine brings great brewing experiences with high-quality espresso extraction. The result is that, in this competition, the Dual Boiler beat out the Barista Pro with the overwhelming score of 3-0.

Design

The winner: Breville Dual Boiler 

The Dual Boiler has a smooth and portable appearance
The Dual Boiler has a smooth and portable appearance

The first thing I want to mention when talking about the Breville Dual Boiler vs Barista Pro differences is their build designs. As you can see, the Dual Boiler does not have an integrated grinder. Having said that, this machine has a clean appearance with no extraneous details or complicated detailing. In consequence, cleaning the area behind and underneath the machine has become an easy and convenient process. Dual Boilers are also designed with an integrated castor system which enhances their portability.

It’s also worth mentioning that the Dual Boiler’s back is equipped with polished chrome, which gives it a retro appearance. Meanwhile, the water tank of the Barista Pro makes me a little disappointed because it’s made entirely of plastic.

Espresso Quality

The winner: Breville Dual Boiler 

The Dual Boiler uses the 58mm portafilter
The Dual Boiler uses the 58mm portafilter

The Dual Boiler comes with some differences in regards to the espresso brewing process as well. One of the most important differences is that it is equipped with a 58mm portafilter.

Utilizing a 58mm portafilter creates a thinner, wider surface for the water to pass through. This also provides access to an unlimited number of standard tamping and dosing accessories. According to the results of my experiment, this can either be a good thing or a bad thing, depending on the quality of the grinder I am using. You will get a clear shot and deep complex flavors with a grinder of good quality. With a lower-quality grinder, however, the 58mm portafilter will begin to show its weaknesses, since when your puck is thinner, minor imperfections will quickly cause aggressive channeling.

On the other hand, to be honest, I feel quite disappointed when using the 54mm on the Barista Pro instead of the 58mm one on the Dual Boiler. It’s because the smaller size of the portafilter didn’t bring me consistency, which resulted in poor coffee quality.

Although this might be a bit of a problem, it doesn’t seem to be a major one. With a little patience, you will be able to deal with it fairly easily. The Barista Pro is a great machine, however, the quality of the coffee extraction on it is not the best, so I recommend that you upgrade to the Dual Boiler for the best results.

Brewing function

The winner: Breville Dual Boiler 

The Dual Boiler allows streaming the milk and making the espresso at the same time
The Dual Boiler allows streaming the milk and making the espresso at the same time

Compared to Barista Pro, the Dual Boiler is so far more superior in terms of taste and extraction. This espresso machine comes with low-pressure pre-infusion technology, which allows it to make smooth espresso extractions. The resulting extraction at the end of the procedure will be more balanced and creamy in its taste. There is no water being emitted from the system as the PID digital controls ensure that this does not happen. Furthermore, the coffee doesn’t taste too bitter due to the pre-infusion technology that releases the coffee’s natural oils before tapering off at the end of the shot.

Another key advantage of the Dual Boiler is that it allows customers to stream the milk and make the espresso at the same time. This is achieved thanks to the dual boiler system, which saves you a lot of time. While it may not seem like much of a deal at the moment, it is in fact very significant. Those who drink coffee, like lattes or cappuccinos a lot will be able to reduce the mess they make and the time that they expend in their morning routines. 

Breville Dual Boiler vs Barista Pro: Similarities

PID controller

Both espresso machines use a PID controller to manage the temperature of their boilers. As a temperature control device, it is much more accurate and consistent than a traditional mechanical thermostat. In order to pull a perfect espresso, you need to set the temperature between 92°C and 96°C, which you can easily do with this controller.

Dose control grinding

Both Breville Dual Boiler vs Barista Pro come with the dose control grinding feature. In this way, the amount of ground coffee exacted from these 2 espresso machines is measured to create an excellent and full-flavored result.

Easy cleaning

Despite the differences in their designs, both machines contain a special feature that alerts you when they need cleaning. As well as this, both machines have removable water tanks, allowing them to be cleaned and refilled more easily. There is also a built-in water filter in them, and this means that any water used to make the drinks will always be clean, and will also prevent any buildup of limescale.

Pre-infusion function

As long as you have pre-infusion, you will be able to maintain lower water pressure for a short period of time before the pressure goes up to up to 9 bars. Consequently, a smoother extraction results as a result of the gentle expansion of the grind

Quick Rundown of Breville Dual Boiler BES920XL

Breville BES920XL Dual Boiler Espresso Machine,84 oz, Brushed Stainless Steel
  • Please refer to user guide or user manual or user guide (provided below in PDF) before first use

Last update on 2023-05-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Pros
  • Barista-quality espresso at a premium price.
  • It takes little time to warm up.
  • Temperature controls that are accurate and adjustable.
  • A sleek and attractive design.
Cons
  • It is too large to fit into tight spaces.
  • It is expensive.
  • There is no built-in grinder.

Quick Rundown of Breville Barista Pro BES878

Breville Barista Pro Espresso Machine, 2 liters, Brushed Stainless Steel, BES878BSS
  • Please refer to user guide or user manual or user guide (provided below in PDF) before first use

Last update on 2023-05-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Pros
  • The built-in grinder that’s both strong and smart.
  • The bean-to-cup operation is quick and easy.
  • Makes rich, creamy espresso every time.
  • Ideal for milky coffee drinks.
Cons
  • Cleanup is required after each use.
  • The drip tray quickly becomes messy.
  • The learning curve is a bit steep.

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References

5/5 - (1 vote)

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