When comparing the Breville Barista Pro vs Rancilio Silvia, it’s not hard to decide that the Barista Pro is superior in many factors, although they have similar price tags.
Right off the bat, the Breville Barista Pro has a built-in grinder with an impressive 30 settings, so you can temporarily forget about buying one separately. It allows you to adjust a couple of settings, enabling you to fine-tune your brew to your exact liking. Additionally, it also heats up quickly with its ThermoJet heating system.
The Rancilio Silvia is also a great coffee machine for home use and can brew delicious espresso, but it comes with some big limitations. One notable absence is a PID controller, meaning you’ll need to get the hang of temperature surfing to consistently pull a good shot. You also don’t have the option to tweak and fine-tune settings like you might with Barista Pro.
Breville Barista Pro Vs Rancilio Silvia: Specs & Features Comparison Chart
Last update on 2024-04-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Breville Barista Pro Vs Rancilio Silvia: Differences
The Barista Pro clinched a victory over the Rancilio Silvia with a score of 4-0. Let’s read my detailed comparison for more details and information.
Coffee Flavor & Brewing System
Winner: Breville Barista Pro
Built-in Grinder
Alright, let’s start with the big deal. The Breville Barista Pro comes equipped with a built-in burr grinder, while the Rancilio Silvia doesn’t. So if you go with the latter, you’ll need to spend extra bucks on a standalone grinder.
The Barista Pro’s stainless steel grinder has up to 30 different size settings, which is a whole lot more than what you usually get with built-in grinders on espresso machines. Having a ton of grind size options is always a plus since your ideal grind size can change day by day.
Of course, even if you choose the Barista Pro, there’s always the option to level up with a top-notch standalone burr grinder that empties directly into its portafilter. But keep in mind that we’re then venturing into a higher price bracket.
Dosing & Tamping
The Rancilio Silvia is fitted with a 58mm portafilter, and honestly, it’s something I kind of wish the Barista Pro had. Still, the Barista Pro goes with a slightly smaller 54mm portafilter instead. But temporarily ignoring the size issue, both portafilters are solidly built and add a real touch of premium quality to the machines.
You can buy a bottomless portafilter to get a closer look at your espresso extraction process. That way, you can fine-tune your technique to barista-level precision.
The Barista Pro has four filter baskets, both pressurized and non-pressurized. Meanwhile, the Silvia Pro ships with two non-pressurized baskets so pressurized ones need to be purchased separately.
If you’re feeling confident in your espresso-making skills, non-pressurized baskets are your ticket to consistently nailing those barista-standard espresso shots. But if you’re just a beginner or if pre-ground coffee is also your go-to, pressurized baskets are a great starting point since they leave more room for error.
By the way, I would like to express my joy that these machines come with heavy-duty stainless steel espresso tampers, not disappointingly flimsy plastic ones. The Barista Pro tamper feels a bit lighter, but there’s a reason for it: It’s designed to be light enough to attach magnetically to the machine for easy storage.
The Barista Pro also comes with a nifty feature called the “grind pause” function, allowing you to pause right in the middle of grinding. This cool feature helps you avoid that all-too-common problem of ending up with a mountain of grounds on the drip tray, meaning less cleaning up.
Heating System
These machines may both be single-boiler types, but that’s pretty much where the similarities end. The Barista Pro is equipped with a ThermoJet heating system, while the Rancilio Silvia opts for a traditional brass boiler. And trust me, this difference is more significant than it might seem.
The Barista Pro, with its ThermoJet system, gets up to the ideal operating temperature in just about 3 seconds, which is a real time-saver when you’re eager for your morning coffee. It is also super handy for quickly getting hot water for other needs, like a cup of tea, without waiting around for a kettle.
It’s true that the Breville Barista Pro heats up very rapidly, but you’ll want to make sure the brew head and portafilter are properly preheated for the best coffee extraction. To do that, you need to pull a couple of empty shots, and by empty, I mean without any coffee grounds.
The Rancilio Silvia takes longer to heat up and be ready to go. Another thing to note is that it doesn’t come with a PID controller, meaning you’ll need to get familiar with temperature surfing to really nail convincing espresso results.
If you’re up for a bit of DIY, there’s the option to buy a PID kit and modify the Rancilio Silvia yourself. Alternatively, if you’re willing to invest a bit more, you can opt for the PID-already-installed version or even the excellent Rancilio Silvia Pro.
Brewing System
It’s a well-known fact among coffee lovers that gently soaking ground coffee under low pressure before the main event of brewing really enhances the quality of an espresso shot. This crucial pre-brew process is known as pre-infusion.
Pre-infusion is an adjustable feature on the Barista Pro. So if the factory-set pre-infusion time of 10 seconds feels a bit too lengthy for your taste, you have the power to step in and tweak that setting.
The Rancilio Silvia doesn’t come with a pre-infusion feature, but don’t worry, there’s a clever workaround. Just give the steam wand valve a quarter turn before hitting the coffee switch. Then, after you’ve waited for your preferred pre-infusion time, simply close the steam valve, and full-pressure extraction begins.
Design & Convenience
Winner: Breville Barista Pro
Dimensions & User Interface
| Breville Barista Pro | Rancilio Silvia | |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 16 x 13.5 x 16.1 inches | 13.3 x 11.4 x 9.2 inches |
| Weight | 27.5 lbs | 30.8 lb |
The Breville Barista Pro is just another gorgeous addition to Breville’s lineup. When you turn the Barista Pro on, the blue backlit LCD screen gives the machine an extra luxurious feel. My version is Damson Blue, but it also comes in a variety of other colors, like Red Velvet Cake, Sea Salt, and Smoked Hickory. The color names sound like they’re straight out of a fancy restaurant’s menu. How interesting!
The Silvia is built like a tank with a stainless-steel, boxy exterior that’s pretty rare in its price range, and I’m totally smitten with it. Its control panel keeps things straightforward with just four switches. These switches don’t come with text labels, so you’ll need to get familiar with what each symbol represents. But don’t worry – with only four switches, it’s not a steep learning curve.
Spout Type & Cup Clearance
| Breville Barista Pro | Rancilio Silvia | |
|---|---|---|
| Spout Type | Dual | Dual |
| Cup Clearance | 4 inches | 3 inches |
Under their portafilters, there is ample room to fit most espresso cups comfortably. And, as always, if you find yourself needing a bit more space to brew directly into something larger, like a coffee thermos, simply slide out the drip trays and voila! You’ve got all the room you need.
Water Reservoir & Bean Hopper
| Breville Barista Pro | Rancilio Silvia | |
|---|---|---|
| Water Reservoir | 2 liter | 2 liter |
| Bean Hopper | 0.25 kilogram | None |
Their water tanks are generously sized for home use. Both are removable, but you can simply lift the lid and pour water in directly to avoid any water spillage around your place.
And here’s where the Barista Pro gets extra points: it includes a water filter. This feature is a game-changer as it not only makes your coffee taste better by purifying the water, but it also reduces the need for frequent descaling and cleaning cycles.
Milk Frothing System
Winner: Breville Barista Pro
These machines use manual steam wands for steaming milk, which require practice to master. But if you like milk-based drinks, it’s absolutely worth putting the time and effort in. Auto frothing systems make it easier to develop foam, but you’re not usually going to be able to develop the fine textures needed for something like a latte.
Both of these machines feature steam wands with a ball-joint design, so you can maneuver them with ease, getting just the right angle for perfect milk texturing. And when it comes to power, they’ve both got plenty to create that beautifully textured microfoam we all love.
Time-wise, the Barista Pro takes about 30 seconds to steam milk, while the Rancilio Silvia is slightly slower at 36 seconds. What’s more, the Barista Pro’s wand has a four-hole tip compared to the Rancilio Silvia’s one-hole wand – more holes translate to a more even distribution of steam, which means better aeration and, ultimately, superior microfoam milk.
Another reason the Barista Pro deserves a bit of extra love is its inclusion of a stainless steel milk jug right in the box. With the Rancilio Silvia, you’ll need to grab the milk jug separately – it’s not a huge expense, but it’s slightly disappointing that it doesn’t come as part of the package.
Drink Options & Programmability
Winner: Breville Barista Pro
Drink Options
| Breville Barista Pro | Rancilio Silvia |
|---|---|
| Espresso Hot Water | Espresso Hot Water |
If you perked up at the thought of a one-touch specialty drink menu, I hate to burst your bubble, but these machines don’t come with that convenience. So, if you’re craving a cappuccino or latte macchiato, you’ll be channeling your inner barista and doing it the traditional way.
Both machines do feature a hot water function, which is definitely a plus. But I love that the Barista Pro has a dedicated outlet for hot water, in contrast to the Rancilio Silvia, which uses its steam wand to dispense hot water. Just ask the tea lovers out there and you’ll know that the last thing they want is even a hint of milk residue in their freshly brewed tea.
Programmability
| Adjustable Settings | Breville Barista Pro | Rancilio Silvia |
|---|---|---|
| Coffee Strength | Yes | No |
| Coffee Temperature | Yes | No |
| Milk Foam Temperature | No | No |
| Milk Foam Texture | No | No |
Unlike the Rancilio Silvia, the Barista Pro allows you to play with several ettings to personalize your drinks. Let’s see, you can easily adjust the brewing temperature right on the screen. This is a breeze compared to some non-screen Breville machines, where adjusting the water temperature involves navigating through a bunch of steps to access hidden advanced settings. You can also modify the dosing amount, shot length, and even the pre-infusion time – all of which are clearly displayed on the screen.
Quick Rundown Of Breville Barista Pro
- Earn up to $200 cashback with a Beanz coffee subscription when you purchase a selected Breville espresso machine. Valid Aug 1, 2023 until Jun 30, 2024
- The Breville Barista Pro delivers third wave specialty coffee at home with a single touch as the built in grinder with dose control delivers the right amount of coffee on demand for maximum flavor.
- Faster heat up time: Innovative ThermoJet heating system achieves the optimum extraction temperature in 3 seconds with the instantaneous transition from espresso to steam. Ready to make your best coffee without the wait.
- Microform milk Texturing: The powerful steam wand performs at the level that allows you to hand texture micro-foam milk that enhances flavor and enables creation of latté art.
- 19-22 Grams dose for full flavor: Achieve a consistent and balanced espresso using the right amount of ground coffee. The 54mm ports-filter with 19-22 grams is the key for full flavor and café quality coffee.
Last update on 2024-04-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Quick Rundown Of Rancilio Silvia
- Ergonomic porta filter handle same as the proven design of Rancilio commercial machines
- Commercial grade group head for superb heat stability and extraction quality
- Articulating steam wand offers complete range of motion and professional steaming knob precisely controls steaming pressure
- Classic linear design fits most decors
- Optional pod and capsule adaptor kit available
Last update on 2024-04-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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References
- Breville Barista Pro: https://www.breville.com/us/en/products/espresso/bes878.html
- Rancilio Silvia: https://www.ranciliogroup.com/rancilio/silvia/
Felix Hendricks is a skilled barista with over 12 years of experience. He excels in crafting coffee and has a strong foundation in coffee machine mechanics. Felix holds a Coffee Machine Maintenance Certification from the Coffee Equipment Technical Institute, showcasing his ability to diagnose and repair coffee machines. He’s also worked as a quality control specialist, selecting premium coffee beans for optimal flavor. Felix has a diverse work history, including stints at renowned coffee spots like Café Euphoria & Starbucks. His expertise in both brewing and machine maintenance makes him a respected figure in the coffee industry.