There’s something oddly satisfying about watching a machine tamp espresso with more precision than a human. That’s the promise behind the Breville Barista Touch Impress—an all-in-one unit that grinds, tamps, textures, and (mostly) gets out of the way.Breville Barista Touch Impress: Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Automatic tamping (22 lbs) for consistent espresso shots | Grinder requires fine-tuning to prevent clumping |
| Touchscreen with customizable drink presets | Larger countertop footprint |
| 3-second heat-up time | Premium pricing (~$1,489) |
| Hands-free milk texturing for cappuccinos and lattes | Learning curve for maximizing features |
Ideal for home baristas who want quality with convenience. Especially well suited for milk-based drinks.
The Barista Touch is the latest in a long line of consumer machines promising barista-quality drinks at home, only this time with a bit of flair: an automatic 22-pound tamp, a touchscreen with drink presets, and a milk frother smart enough to know your preference for oat. We took a closer look.
If you’re looking for an almost fully automated barista for making espresso at home Breville has the answer.
The Barista Touch Impress ($1,489 USD) is the Australian consumer products giant’s latest machine. And it’s very impressive.
Sporting a similar brushed stainless steel look to existing Barista models, you can expect to find a familiar layout with a steam wand on the right, brew head in center and grinder on the left.
However, the headline feature here is automated tamping. Often the trickiest part of pulling an espresso shot, this Breville can help out by automatically dosing the correct amount of grind and then tamping precisely at 22 pounds to produce a professionally ready espresso puck. Fancier still, the machine even applies a 7º barista twist to finish off in style.
Close-up of the Breville Barista Touch Impress touchscreen, featuring intuitive icons for espresso, milk, and drink volume selection.
Like most modern Breville Barista machines this one too is built around the company’s ThermoJet technology. Essentially similar to thermoblock systems it means it can heat up in only 3 seconds. Indeed, quite handy for those rushed mornings.
Tip: For trickier steps like smoothing the puck, check out our experience with using a puck screen to improve your espresso.
Aside from the assisted tamping other key features on the new Breville Barista Touch Impress include:
- Built-in “Barista Guidance” — real-time feedback for puck prep, extraction, and microfoam
- Auto MilQ — adjusts for milk type (almond, oat, etc.) and latte art capability
- Baratza Burr Grinder — built-in, with 30 grind settings
- Touchscreen Interface — includes 8 built-in café drink presets
Should You Buy the Breville Barista Touch Impress Espresso Machine?
Breville makes extremely well-reviewed machines. They’re also frequently cited by enthusiasts as favorites. Check coffee and espresso forums and sub-Reddits and you’ll find plenty of references to the Barista line. The Breville Bambino and Bambino Plus are often recommended for espresso newbies. Alongside the iconic Gaggia Classic Pro, they’re among the best entry-level options today.
So is the new Breville Barista Touch Impress worth it? I’d say yes—especially if you’re drawn to the automated tamping system.
Detailed view of the Barista Touch Impress’s assisted-tamping system—22 lb precision tamp and portafilter positioning for a polished espresso puck.
The Impress sort of sits between a fully super-automatic machine (like Jura or DeLonghi) and a hands-on semi-automatic (like Lelit or Rocket). You get quality drinks without the mess or fuss of manual workflows.
Breville Barista Touch Impress
KEY FEATURES
Type: Semi-automatic
Key Features: Auto tamping and frothing, touchscreen
Model ID: BES881BSS
Dimensions: 12.9″D x 13″W x 16.4″H
Colors: Brushed Steel, Olive, Truffle, Blue
Price: $1,489 USD
Amazon: Barista Touch Impress
Stark Insider Take: Should You Buy It?
What You Get vs. What You Give Up
- Ease and consistency: Reddit users appreciate the built-in tamp, dosing, and guidance system.
- Less mess: It tidies up what’s often the most frustrating part of espresso making.
- Control trade-offs: If you like to fine-tune grind size or dose weight, the system might feel limiting.
What Others Are Saying
“It does everything I need it to do perfectly fine… I hand grind when I want more control.” — r/espresso
“Grinder is inconsistent… auto tamp is a gimmick… touchscreen is slow.” — User review
“Adjusts milk settings to prevent burnt taste.” — LifestyleLab
“It guides you every step… makes you feel like a barista.” — Esquire
See our guide to the best espresso machines under $1,000.
Semi-Automatic Alternative
- More control: Enthusiasts may prefer a Barista Pro with a separate grinder.
- More work: Manual tamping takes effort, space, and practice.
TL;DR
| Preference | Go for Impress if… | Choose Semi-Auto if… |
|---|---|---|
| Convenience, speed | You want a fast workflow with minimal mess and cleanup | You’re okay spending more time dialing in shots manually |
| Auto milk steaming | Auto MilQ steaming gives café-quality results for lattes and cappuccinos | You prefer frothing manually to control texture and temperature |
| Beginner friendliness | Touchscreen presets and guided tamping make learning easier | You enjoy the learning curve and fine-tuning every variable |
| Budget | You’re okay spending $1,489 for automation and ease | You want to save money and already own a quality grinder |
Final Word
The Touch Impress is ideal if your mornings demand speed, simplicity, and less cleanup—and you’re fine with leaving behind some fine-tuning freedom.
But if you geek out over grind weight, tamp angle, shot pressure, and want full control? Go semi-auto, pair it with a good grinder, and embrace the ritual.
Recommendation:
If you’re leaning convenience, the Breville Barista Touch Impress is worth a look.