- Which is better for a beginner?
- The Breville Barista Express. It includes the grinder, tamper and portafilter, and it is ready in under a minute. The Profitec GO assumes you already know how to dial in a grinder and dose by weight.
- Is the Profitec GO worth the extra money?
- If you already own a good grinder, yes. The 58mm portafilter, PID with a numeric display and a brew pressure gauge with adjustable OPV give you repeatable control the Breville cannot match. If you need a grinder too, the total gap grows past $800.
- Which makes better espresso?
- The Profitec GO, on paper. Its larger commercial-size basket, stable PID temperature and pressure gauge let you tune the shot. The Breville can make good espresso, but its 54mm basket and stepped grinder cap how far you can refine it.
- Which heats up faster?
- The Breville, at about 48 seconds. The Profitec GO needs about 7 to 8.5 minutes to reach brew temperature.
- Can I steam milk right after pulling a shot?
- On the Breville, yes, since the steam wand is separate from the brew path. On the Profitec GO, a single boiler means you wait about a minute to switch from brew to steam.
- Which lasts longer?
- The Profitec GO is built with heavier commercial-style parts, including an eco brass boiler and a 58mm brew group, and its 685 ratings average 4.8 out of 5. The Breville is a solid appliance but has more integrated electronics and a built-in grinder that can wear.
