ConsFirst / Espresso machines

Breville

Breville Barista Touch problems & complaints

Is it worth it? The downsides first: what owners report, and who should skip it.

Compiled by the ConsFirst editor · Updated · 2 sources · How we research

We may earn a commission when you buy through our links. It never changes what we report. Learn more

Buying on sale? Check 4 things first — model versions, bundles and what's in the box. What to check →

#2 of 11
$$With built-in grinderScore 3.8/5
16%
of Amazon ratings are 1–2 stars
(checked 2026-10-14)3,917 ratings.

Wirecutter's runner-up: a touchscreen all-in-one with a Baratza-burr grinder and a strong auto-frothing wand that beginners can learn fast. Its narrow, deep portafilter makes shots harder to dial in and less nuanced, and about 1 in 6 Amazon ratings are 1 or 2 stars, with some owners reporting failures within months.

Common Breville Barista Touch problems

  • Durability is mixed

    Amazon's review summary says durability gets mixed reviews, with several customers reporting it broke within 7 months, and some find it overpriced.

    Source: Amazon.com product page (Customers say)
  • Harder to dial in, less nuance

    Wirecutter says it offers less control and makes less-nuanced espresso than its top pick, and its narrower, deeper portafilter introduces more variability into each shot.

    Source: Wirecutter (NYT)
  • Small annoyances

    Wirecutter says the pitcher can sit slightly off balance on the auto-froth sensor, and a long-term tester finds repeated filter and descale reminders annoying.

    Source: Wirecutter (NYT)

What owners like

  • Easy, guided touchscreen

    Wirecutter calls the touchscreen sophisticated and easy to use, with step-by-step tutorials and multiple programs, and says beginners face very little learning curve.

    Source: Wirecutter (NYT)
  • Powerful wand with auto-froth

    Wirecutter says the wand can make anything from dry froth to smooth microfoam, with auto-frothing, adjustable temperature and auto-purge.

    Source: Wirecutter (NYT)
  • Solid shots and a decent grinder

    Wirecutter pulled balanced shots with decent depth and dialed in about as well as with standalone Baratza grinders. Amazon owners praise the coffee quality and ease of cleaning.

    Source: Wirecutter (NYT), Amazon.com product page (Customers say)
Good for
  • Beginners who want guidance and a grinder in one
  • Hands-free milk at different temperatures
  • Households that want to grow into manual settings

Scores (tap for why)

  • Espresso quality3.5
    Why 3.5?Balanced shots with decent depth, but less nuanced and harder to dial in because of the portafilter shape (Wirecutter).
    Source: Wirecutter (NYT)
  • Milk frothing4.5
    Why 4.5?Powerful wand with auto-froth and temperature settings; manual use gives less control over wand placement (Wirecutter).
    Source: Wirecutter (NYT)
  • Ease of use4.5
    Why 4.5?Touchscreen tutorials and programs with very little learning curve (Wirecutter).
    Source: Wirecutter (NYT)
  • Cleaning & upkeep4.0
    Why 4.0?Auto-purging wand and descale reminders (Wirecutter); Amazon owners find it easy to clean.
    Source: Wirecutter (NYT), Amazon.com product page
  • Durability2.5
    Why 2.5?16% of 3,917 Amazon ratings are 1-2 stars, and Amazon's summary cites units breaking within 7 months.
    Source: Amazon.com product page

What experts say

  • Wirecutter (NYT): Runner-up (updated 2026-03-17): great guidance and milk frothing with little learning curve, but less control and less-nuanced shots than the Profitec Go.
Check price on AmazonWe don't list prices — they change daily. Paid link.

Is the Breville Barista Touch worth it?

Wirecutter's runner-up: a touchscreen all-in-one with a Baratza-burr grinder and a strong auto-frothing wand that beginners can learn fast. Its narrow, deep portafilter makes shots harder to dial in and less nuanced, and about 1 in 6 Amazon ratings are 1 or 2 stars, with some owners reporting failures within months. It ranks #2 of the 11 espresso machines we compared.

The deciding question: is “Durability is mixed” a deal-breaker for you? If not, still compare it with higher-ranked espresso machines before buying. If it is, look elsewhere — see the alternatives below.

If that catch is a deal-breaker

Highly ranked espresso machines whose biggest complaint is a different kind of problem.

#1 in espresso machinesDe'Longhi La Specialista Touch

Tom's Guide's best espresso machine overall: a compact all-in-one whose Bean Adapt guidance, smart tamper and touchscreen make good shots easy, with manual or automatic milk. Hand-steaming is fiddly around the temperature probe, tamping is guided rather than built in, and Amazon's sample is still small.

Its catch: fiddly hand-steaming#4 in espresso machinesGaggia Classic Evo Pro (E24)

The budget enthusiast's pick, and it pulls more nuanced shots than pricier Brevilles. You'll need a separate grinder and a better tamper, plus practice: it has no PID, and testers disagree on how good the steam wand is.

Its catch: no PID: inconsistent temperature and shots#5 in espresso machinesRancilio Silvia

A tank-like classic that pulls great espresso and has a powerful steam wand. Without PID you have to manage the temperature yourself, and testers say a beginner is better served elsewhere at this price.

Its catch: no PID: temperature surfing required

Head-to-head

Breville Barista Touch: questions people ask

Is the Breville Barista Touch worth it?

It ranks #2 of the 11 espresso machines we compared. Good for: beginners who want guidance and a grinder in one · hands-free milk at different temperatures · households that want to grow into manual settings. Skip it if: you want the most nuanced shots for the money · you want a strong long-term reliability record · you want a standard-size portafilter.

What is a good alternative to the Breville Barista Touch?

If “Durability is mixed” is a deal-breaker for you, consider the De'Longhi La Specialista Touch (#1 in espresso machines). Its main complaint is a different one: fiddly hand-steaming.

See all 11 espresso machines ranked →

Common problems with other Breville products (22 more) →