The Breville Barista Express and Rancilio Silvia are two of the most popular home espresso machines. Here's how they compare on convenience, build quality and total cost.
Every true espresso lover dreams of being able to make coffee-shop quality espresso in a matter of minutes within the comfort of their own home.
With all of the options on the market, it can be difficult to choose between the array of comparably priced choices all claiming to offer the same next-level experience.
“The Breville makes great espresso easy from day one. The Silvia rewards years of practice and lasts just as long.”
Today, we will compare two top contenders for affordability, ease of use, and all the feature perks they offer: the Breville BES870XL Barista Express and the Rancilio Silvia.
The Final Shot: For most home baristas, the Breville Barista Express takes the crown. Its built-in conical burr grinder, PID temperature control, pressure gauge and ease of use, plus a much lower total cost, push it ahead. The Rancilio Silvia is the better long-term machine for hobbyists who already own a good grinder.
This comparison will give you an idea of which espresso maker will work best in your home, based on the features you need and will use. Both are solid machines, but it is helpful to know how these two comparable machines stack up in a head to head.
Let’s start off by taking a look at what these two machines share in common. Since they are both semi-automatic machines, they function pretty similarly and have the same general brew process.
A semi-automatic machine means you control when the extraction starts and stops, while the pump provides the pressure. You grind, dose and tamp yourself, which is the best way to learn real espresso skills.
When it comes to aesthetics, both machines have really great curb appeal, meaning they offer the stunning external appeal of a modern, sleek stainless steel appearance. They are also mid-sized to fit well in a standard kitchen, under overhanging cabinets.
Both espresso machines also offer you the ability to texture milk at any angle you like with swivel action steam wands, so that it is smooth and intuitive to froth and steam milk for lattes and cappuccinos.
Both machines have a roomy tank of about 67 ounces (2 liters) and include single and double baskets. The water tank size matters, because refilling frequently is a pain when you're half asleep in the morning.
Perhaps the most positive feature that these two models share is that both are beloved by those users new to the “be-your-own-barista experience” AND those who are veterans of the process, which is always an important factor when weighing the pros and cons of your next purchase.
Both are high-quality machines, though the Silvia typically costs noticeably more than the Barista Express, and it doesn't include a grinder.
While the Breville and Rancilio share some basic features, they do diverge on quite a few points that can be definitive in ruling which is the better pick for the home barista.
Both machines come in brushed stainless steel. The Barista Express is also offered in several colors, such as black truffle and red, depending on the retailer.
Another thing to consider when it comes to the construction of the machine, is that the Rancilio Silvia is just plain heavier. It uses more commercial and semi-commercial grade materials, making the smaller sized machine the weightier of the two.
The Silvia's steel frame, brass boiler and commercial-grade group head are a big reason many owners keep theirs for 15 years or more. This isn't to say the Breville is poorly made, only that the Silvia excels on this count.
The Breville automatically purges after steaming, so you can pull your next shot right away. The Silvia's single boiler needs to cool down after steaming before you brew again, but its commercial steam wand is far more powerful, producing silky microfoam quickly.
If you make lots of milk drinks, the Silvia's steam power is a real advantage; if you value speed and convenience, the Breville's auto-purge wins.
One main difference, obvious from the first look at these machines, is that the Breville has a built-in grinder, while the Rancilio Silvia does not.
If you already own a high quality grinder and you’re pleased with the results, then this won’t be an issue for you, but for many purchasing a new espresso machine, the built-in grinder is a nice convenience feature.
When I was purchasing my own espresso machine (I bought the Breville!), I upgraded from the Infuser, just for that built-in grinder. I didn’t have one already and didn’t want to invest in a good one until I felt like I mastered the machine and upped my skill level. It’s a conical burr style (no blades) and does a solid job of grinding fresh beans. The coarseness selection wheel is easy to use and I’ve calibrated it to my most commonly used beans for optimal extraction.
Price is a major difference. The Barista Express typically costs several hundred dollars less than the Silvia, and it includes a grinder.
If you don't already own a quality espresso grinder, budget for one with the Silvia, which significantly raises the total cost. Put the savings toward great espresso beans instead.
Both machines include a tamper. The Breville's metal tamper stores magnetically on the machine, a nice touch. The Silvia's included tamper is basic, so many owners upgrade to a heavier 58mm tamper.
I’m not a fan of cheap, plastic tampers. A tamper is actually a pretty important part of the process – the right pressure and an even tamp will really improve the quality of the shot. Luckily, a quality 58mm tamper is inexpensive and a worthwhile add-on if you choose the Silvia.
I’m a big fan of honing my barista skills and part of that is understanding if I’m getting an optimal extraction. That’s really tough to do without a pressure gauge so you can see if you’re hitting the 8-10 bar sweet spot.
The Breville offers a front-and-center pressure gauge and PID temperature control, both of which the standard Silvia lacks. Silvia owners often add PID kits, or step up to the Silvia Pro X, which adds dual boilers and PID.
All in all, both machines offer an excellent experience. If you'd need to buy a quality espresso grinder separately, the Barista Express is the simple, money-saving choice.
The Breville is a high-quality machine that costs less and includes convenience features that will have you pulling good shots after just a few tries.
If you already own a high quality grinder, and the durable materials that the Rancilio Silvia is built outweigh the pressure gauge, color choices, and purge feature of the steam wand on the Breville, then the Rancilio is worth considering.
Overall, the Breville is my top pick in this match-up.
